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From Innocent to Incensed a Theory on Bullying and Cyber-Bullying - Epidemics That Are Killing Our Youth

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From Innocent to Incensed a Theory on Bullying and Cyber-Bullying - Epidemics That Are Killing Our Youth the AUGUST 2012 | VOL. 16 NO. 10 From innocent to incensed A theory on bullying and cyber-bullying - epidemics that are killing our youth. INSIDE THIS ISSUE . Announcements/Events 3 Cover Keaton 2 Bishop Jonathan Keaton assigned to Illinois, Christian Conversations 4 effective 1 Sept. 2012. Jurisdictional Conference News 5-7 Local Church News 8 & 9 Cover Bullying 10-11 Global Church News 12 & 13 Apportionments 13-17 Conference News 18-20 FROM THE EPISCOPAL OFFICE A day that brings change Deaths Beloved in Christ Jesus: I trust that this note finds you well and thriving in ministry. To say that a day brings about a change is more Rev. Ray Porter retired pastor and district superintendent than understatement especially in light of the grizzly tragedy in Aurora, Colo. Thank you for your prayers and of the former Southern Illinois Conference, died June 28. support for the families and communities affected. This includes your community as well as mine. Rev. Porter served five years as Olney District Superinten- While most of us have not been directly affected by unexplained violence on this scale we do know of tragic dent and a second five-year tenure as East St. Louis District Su- violence in every community. This most recent event which is holding us glued to news sources is a call to re- perintendent in the former Southern Illinois Conference prior to member who we follow and serve and how Jesus Christ has invited us to live our lives. We are indeed called to be retiring in 1996. peacemakers, healers and reconcilers whether or not that is our first impulse. But the other thing that is tugging Condolences may be mailed to his wife, Joan in c/o their at me in the face of the Colorado tragedy is the question of mental illness and what role it may have played. daughter Cathy Riley at: Joan Porter, 202 Stewart St., Carmi, IL On another matter in the area of change, I want to give you a huge shout out for the generous and thoughtful 62821. outpouring of love, kudos, affection and so much more that has been directed toward me and Cynthia. We have had a blast here and leave quite naturally with feelings of incompleteness. But if the truth be told, I leave every Retired pastor, Rev. Robert Wiedrich died June 18 in De- setting with that sense. I am grateful to have had the opportunity to move the ball down the field so to speak. catur. During a short watch I believe that all of us pulling together got a lot done. Perhaps more than any of us realized. He served several churches throughout central Illinois dur- Whatever was accomplished during these last four years was built upon the strong foundation that I inherited. ing his pastorate and retired from Washington First in 1990. I followed a superb visionary and strategic leader in Bishop Sharon Brown Christopher. I have been privileged to Condolences may be sent to his wife, Alice, at 4702 Arbor Ct., work with a strong capable staff in the Episcopal Office and the Conference and I have partnered with diligent, Decatur IL 62526-9279. knowledgeable and passionate superintendents. All of you -- the lay and clergy of this conference -- have been warm, generous and responsive to me and my ministry initiatives. You are a grace-filled, leader-full people. What Retired pastor, Rev. George W. Loveland, died June 10, more could I have asked for? You have everything you need to keep on keeping on for God. in Silvis. Speaking of the incompleteness, if I had one wish it would be to know on my last day as your bishop that we He served local churches in the former Central Illinois Con- had reached or exceeded the goal we have been moving toward for Imagine No Malaria. ference, the Illinois Great Rivers Conference and the Wesley I am so pleased that I will be handing the proverbial baton to Bishop Jonathan D. Keaton. He is a good leader, Foundation at EIU, retiring from Moline Bethel Wesley in 2006. strong preacher and passionate proponent of the mission of the church and missional outreach. He is an out there Condolences may be shared on-line at http://www. with the people kind of bishop. I know him as friend, colleague and for four years, he was my bishop. I am confi- trimblefuneralhomes.com/obits/obituaries.php/obit- dent that you will embrace him and his family and receive the gifts for ministry that they bring. Lots of important ID/189992/obit/George-W-Loveland transitional work is underway and our staff leaders are functioning at a high level to assist the Keatons and the conference to get off to a smashing start. Frances Fechtig, wife of retired pastor Bill Fechtig, died Now I know some are wondering what happened. Why is the bishop leaving after only four years? These are Feb. 19, in Evansville, Ind. understandable questions for which the only answer is: nothing happened. Put another way: the process worked. Bill and Frances served the Big Prairie charge (near Carmi) All bishops are assigned for four years at a time and all assignments are reviewed every four years. Bishops, like from 1989 to 2011. other pastors, move for a variety of reasons to help assist the mission of the church. A number of factors are al- Condolences may be sent to Bill Fechtig, 7410 E. Mulberry ways at work as in the appointive process in the Annual Conference. We had strong leaders on the Jurisdictional Street, Evansville, IN 47715. Episcopacy Committee from IGRC. And the whole committee (made up of one lay and one clergy member from every conference) has to work together to serve the best interest of the parts and the whole jurisdiction. Retired pastor Rev. Leoncia (“Lee”) Drayton died Feb. 6, Cynthia and I have had an awesome ministry experience here. We have been challenged to grow and blessed in Tennessee. beyond measure. Thank you. We embrace the next chapter in ministry with faith and joy. Thank you for allowing She served local churches in both the former Southern and us to move forward in this spirit. As always I am, Central Illinois Conferences prior to merger, last serving Long Creek, near Decatur, in 1994. Expressions of sympathy may be Your servant in Christ Jesus, sent to her daughter: Laurie Adams, 1232 Jacksons Hill Road, Gregory Vaughn Palmer Hermitage, TN 37076-2872. Ralph Ogden (83), a retired pastor, passed away on Satur- day, July 21, 2012 in Morton, IL. He served the Wyoming UMC from 1988 until his retirement in 1995. Keaton assigned to Illinois Area beginning Sept. 1 Visitation will be from 5:00 to 7:00 pm on Tuesday, July 24, By Paul Black 2012 at the Knapp-Johnson Funeral Home in Morton, IL. Funeral Services will be held at 11:00 am on Wednesday, AKRON, Ohio -- Bishop Jona- •Dakotas/Minnesota Area: Bishop Bruce Ough July 24, at Grace Church in Morton, IL. than Keaton has been assigned •Michigan Area: Bishop Deborah Kiesey A full obituary may be found at www.knappjohnson.com as episcopal leader of the Illinois Miriam Ogden, his wife, survives. Condolences may be sent Area, effective Sept. 1. •West Ohio: Bishop Gregory V. Palmer to 109 N. Nebraska Ave., Morton, IL 61550 – or you may sign the Keaton, currently bishop of •Chicago Area: Bishop Sally Dyck the Michigan Area, will succeed guestbook at www.knappjohnson.com •Ohio East: Bishop John Hopkins (3rd term) Bishop Gregory V. Palmer, who has Classifieds been assigned to West Ohio after a •Illinois Area: Bishop Jonathan Keaton single term in Illinois. •Wisconsin Area: Bishop Hee-Soo Jung “It’s going to be another good Keaton was elected to the episcopacy in 1996. Prior to opportunity,” Keaton said follow- For more information on classified that, he served as a District Superintendent in the Northern Bishop Jonathan Keaton ing the announcement by the NCJ Illinois Conference. advertising rates, availability and Committee on Episcopacy. “I say He was a member of the conference staff responsible that because I have been in ministry 40 years and it has all press deadlines please contact for monitoring the church's stand on social issues, provid- been itinerant ministry. That means that in all these years, ing support and encouragement for ethnic local churches I have gone where I have been sent. My whole ministry has and promoting spiritual formation. Keaton also has served been that whenever I have gone, God is already there await- Michele Willson churches in Chicago and Rockford and was a teaching as- ing me and it will be the same in the Illinois Great Rivers sistant at Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary, where 217.529.2040 or [email protected] Conference.” he earned a Master's of Divinity and Doctorate in Sacred Bishops Michael Coyner and John Hopkins were as- Theology. Keaton teaches in numerous conference Schools signed for a third four-year term to Indiana and East Ohio of Christian Mission. Currently, Bishop Keaton chairs the Licensing respectively. Both have completed eight years in their areas. denomination's Strengthening the Black Church for the 21st The Current (USPS 014-964 is published monthly by the Bishop Bruce Ough, who has completed 12 years as epis- Illinois Great Rivers Conference of The United Methodist Church Century Committee. copal leader in West Ohio, will be going to the new episco- 5900 South Second Street, Springfield, IL 62711 He has traveled extensively in support of world missions. An individual subscription is $15 per year. The opinions expressed in viewpoints are pal area formed by the joining of the Dakotas and Minne- those of the writers and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Current, The Illinois In 1967 he received the Outstanding Service Award from sota conferences.
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