www.igrc.org Vol. 15 No. 4 The December 2010

CNewsurrent of Illinois Great Rivers Conference of The United Methodist Church Alternative giving — twelve ways to In this issue share at • General, Jurisdictional delegate election information...... pg 3 Christmas • Advent, Christmas shaped by traditions ...... pg 7 • Becoming a Powerful church...... pg 10 Page 2 Illinois Great Rivers Conference — The Current December 2010 News from the Episcopal Office Bishop support church reforms, accountability By Heather Hahn for promoting congregational vitality and roles. Editor’s note: In lieu of his monthly for establishing a new culture of account- n Greater accountability column, Bishop Gregory V. Palmer has PANAMA CITY, Panama (UMNS) ability throughout the church. The studies had a U.S. focus, and some requested that readers of The Current – United Methodist bishops have unani- Consolidate general church agencies bishops questioned whether the drivers of take a look at the following news stories mously endorsed recommendations for and align their work and resources with vitality would be as effective outside the from a recent Council of Bishops’ meet- widespread church reforms, including the priorities of the church and the decade- United States. Still, many of the bishops ing in anticipation of further reflection greater accountability for denominational long commitment to build vital congrega- from other parts of the world applauded in the near future. leaders in promoting church growth. tions. Also, the agencies should be recon- the report’s recommendations – particu- The Council of Bishops’ approval of stituted with smaller, competency-based larly the call for greater accountability. Bishops urged to the recommendation in the Call to Action boards. “It’s time for us as bishops to stand up Steering Team Report on Nov. 4 was her- Some of the recommendations will re- and do this,” said Zimbabwe Area Bishop embrace change alded as a step forward for a church that quire the approval of General Conference, Eben K. Nhiwatiwa. “Let us make this By Heather Hahn has suffered decades of membership de- the denomination’s top lawmaking body. happen.” cline in the United States. The bishops also supported the creation of Not every recommendation requires PANAMA CITY, Panama – United “What this means is that whatever goes an interim operations team, which will be action by the bishops or the General Con- Methodist bishops need to transcend the forward, the council is committing itself – responsible for helping to draft any legisla- ference. Local churches can work on the status quo and abandon church structures and hopefully the Connectional Table will tion that will be required. drivers of vitality now, said team members. and practices that are not working, Bish- make the same commitment – that yes, we n Drivers of vitality Palmer acknowledged that church op Larry M. Goodpaster said Nov. 2 in are taking a stand and these are the levers The Call to Action team based its leaders have made similar recommenda- his presidential address to the Council of to pull the church in the direction in which recommendations on two studies it com- tions before with the goal of improving Bishops. we feel the Spirit of God is calling us,” missioned from independent researchers. church vitality. And some church members “By our decisions and actions this said Illinois Area Bishop Gregory V. Palm- One was an “Operational Assessment of have criticized the report as the “same old, week in Panama, we will either lean into er, the steering team co-chair. “And that is the Connectional Church” that found the same old.” the future or content ourselves with more toward more congregational vitality.” church was undergoing a “creeping crisis “There has not always been sustained of the same,” Goodpaster told the crowd The major recommendations for re- of relevance” and rated general agencies attention and organizational follow- of more than 80 active and retired bishops form include: below average in fulfilling the church’s through on good things that have been from around the global church. “Many Starting in January 2011, make con- mission. initiated,” Palmer said. “I think people are of us are convinced that what we have in gregational vitality the church’s “true first Another study, “The Vital Congrega- rightfully concerned about the church’s at- place will work if we try harder, give more priority” for at least a decade. tions Research Project,” analyzed data tention span.” or change a few of the players. That’s a Dramatically reform clergy leadership from 32,228 United Methodist churches Still, he said, he is optimistic this is the recipe for further decline.” development, deployment, evaluation and in the United States and classified 4,961 beginning of a new thing in the denomina- He quoted the Call to Action report, accountability. congregations, or 15 percent, as “high- tion. which said, “Leaders, beginning with the Collect statistical information in con- vital” local churches. The study found that “I feel as though this council is digging bishops … must lead and immediately, sistent and uniform ways for the denomi- four key drivers of congregational vitality in sustained focus and, hopefully, we will repeatedly and energetically make it plain nation to measure attendance, growth and in the United States are effective pastoral stick with it as long as it has been suggest- that our current culture and practices are engagement. leadership, multiple small groups, diverse ed, which is at least 10 years.” resulting in overall decline that is toxic and Reform the Council of Bishops, with worship styles and a high percentage of *Hahn is a multimedia news reporter constricts our missional effectiveness.” the active bishops assuming responsibility spiritually engaged laity in leadership for United Methodist News Service. To heed God’s direction for the church, Goodpaster asked the bishops to join him Deaths father of the Rev. Patricia Allin, an IGRC Positions pastor who serves at the Bloomington Trin- in fasting and prayer every week from Philip R. Carriker, husband of retired Administrative Secretary – Eureka ity of Hope UM Parish, 221 S. Orr Drive, now until General Conference. He sug- pastor Esther F. Carriker, passed away on UMC, Eureka IL, is accepting applications Bloomington, IL 61761-3223. A full obitu- gested the bishops follow the example set Wednesday, November 10, 2010. Esther for the position of Administrative Secre- ary and guest book may be found at: www. by John Wesley, who fasted every Thurs- retired in 1987 from the former Southern tary. Resumes, with references, can be sent legacy.com/obituaries/pjstar/obituary. day evening and Friday. Illinois Conference, serving the Altamont to Leonard Savage, SPRC Chairperson, at aspx?n=david-allin&pid=146375068 He also asked the bishops to host Circuit, Altamont Asbury, Xenia and Alma. [email protected]. Patsy B. Conrad, wife of retired pas- monthly conversations among clergy and Expressions of sympathy may be sent to Music Director – Jacksonville Grace tor Lawrence “Skip” Conrad, died Oct. laypeople about how once again to be- Rev. Esther F. Carriker, 1106 S. Chestnut UMC is seeking music support for its 17. Rev. Conrad retired in 1996 after 24 come “a movement of Christ … that, by St., Litchfield, IL 62056-2414. weekly worship service. The successful years of ministry. Together, the Conrads God’s grace, transforms the world.” Rev. C. Wayne King, a retired pastor, applicant would be one that can play or- served Oconee-Fairview, Falmouth-Rose In the wake of decades-long mem- died Nov. 4. Rev. King was ordained in the gan and/or piano and be able to direct the Hill-Harmon, Ullin-Beech Grove, Mt. bership declines in the United States, the Presbyterian Church and served as chap- church choir and praise band. The position Zion, Flanagan, Vermilion West Parish and Council of Bishops and Connectional Ta- lain, professor of religion and philosophy will begin in Jan. 2011. For more informa- Downs-Pleasant Grove. Expressions of ble created the 16-member Call to Action and Director of Public Relations and Af- tion, contact Richard Ommen, chair, Staff- sympathy may be sent to: Rev. Lawrence Steering Team, which includes clergy and fairs for Blackburn College. He transferred Parish Relations Committee at 217-245- Conrad, 208 Breezy Point Ct., Varna, IL laity, to reorder the life of the church for to the former Central Illinois Conference 5977 or the church office at 217-245-9521. 61375-9652. greater effectiveness in the church’s mis- of The United Methodist Church in 1983 sion to “make disciples of Jesus Christ for where he served Decatur First, Bismarck, The Current (USPS 014-964) is published monthly by the Illinois Great Rivers the transformation of the world.” Roanoke and Lovington prior to his retire- Conference of the United Methodist Church, 5900 South Second Street, Springfield, The group’s recommendations in- ment in 1994. Expressions of sympathy IL 62711. An individual subscription is $10 per year. clude: may be sent to his daughter, the Rev. Kathy The opinions expressed in viewpoints are those of the writers and do not neces- Starting in January 2011, make con- King-Nobles, 1640 S. Lynnwood Dr., De- sarily reflect the views of The Current, the Illinois Great Rivers Conference, or The gregational vitality the church’s “true first catur, IL 62521-4566. United Methodist Church. priority” for at least a decade. David H. Allin, a retired pastor, died Communications Team leader: Paul E. Black; team members: Catherine Flynn Dramatically reform clergy leadership Oct. 31. He served churches in Weldon, and Michele Willson. Send materials to P.O. Box 19207, Springfield, IL 62794- development, deployment, evaluation and Princeville, and Mossville, retiring in 2003. 9207, tel. 217-529-2040, fax 217-529-4155, e-mail [email protected], web page: accountability. His wife, Katherine, survives. Condolenc- www.igrc.org. Periodical’s postage paid at Peoria, IL, and additional mailing offices. es may be sent to her at 21 Tecumseh Ct., POSTMASTER: Please send address changes to “The Current,” Illinois Great Rivers Hopewell, IL 61565-9407. He was also the Conference, P.O. Box 19207, Springfield, IL 62794-9207. December 2010 Illinois Great Rivers Conference — The Current Page 3 Announcement & Events Briefs IGRC walkers win Asbury slates Wesleyan Studies Seminar for June Elite Eight Conference 2011 Asbury Theological Seminary challenge and Asbury University have an- By Paul Black nounced their first Wesleyan Stud- ies Summer Seminar to be held Walkers from the Illinois Great Riv- June 2011. ers Conference combined to finish in first There are no tuition charges for the place during the Elite Eight Conference seminars, and participants will have ac- Challenge, sponsored by Virgin Health cess with full privileges not only to the Miles. B.L. Fisher and Kinlaw libraries (includ- The IGRC team total finished with ing significant electronic databases) but an average of 302,074 steps per team also to their special collection holdings in member. In second place was the Detroit Wesleyan and Methodist studies. Conference with a 293,503 step aver- The staff of the Wesleyan Studies age followed by: Arkansas (289,811); Summer Seminar will also help to make Photo by Paul Black Paul Photo by East Ohio (280,033); East Pennsylvania arrangements for free housing at the As- A father and mother share the wonder of Christmas with their two sons at the Baby (279,508); Iowa (266,343); Peninsula- bury Inn for each participant throughout Fold’s Festival of Trees held Nov. 11-14 in Bloomington. This year’s festival was held Delaware (246,839); and California-Pacif- the seminar. All other personal expenses at the U.S. Cellular Coliseum and featured trees, Christmas wreaths and gingerbread ic (228,793). In all more than 264 million (travel and food for example) will be the houses which were available for purchase. A variety of baked goods were also avail- steps were taken during the challenge. responsibility of the researchers, though able to add to the holiday festivities. Individually, 406 challenge partici- the Seminary will provide a common pants averaged at least 7,000 steps per meal on the evening of each seminar. day throughout the challenge and an addi- For more information, visit: www. tional 253 challenge participants averaged asburyseminary.edu/wesleyan-studies 12,000 steps or more per day. In all, 944 Wesley Seminary offers D.Min. walkers recorded steps during the chal- lenge. in Church Leadership IGRC won the team competition as WASHINGTON, DC – Wesley 10 IGRC walkers were among the Top 50 Theological Seminary is accepting ap- performances. Seven individuals logged plications for doctoral study in church 870,000, which included IGRC’s Eliza- leadership. The next cohort begins in beth Ruberg to tie for first place. Retired May 2011, and the application deadline IGRC pastor Brent Anderson finished in is Dec. 1, 2010. eighth place with 869,867 steps. Paul Wier Students examine the biblical, theo- finished in 17th place with 747,595 steps; logical, and ethical foundations of church Don Jackson in 18th place with 732,511 leadership while engaging contemporary steps; Atsuko Lolling, 30th place, 657,208 leadership studies to enhance their fruit- steps; Don Shane, 34th place, 646,372 ful practice of leadership. The combined

Photo courtesy of Lisa Graves steps; Paul Dinges, 39th place, 628,428 resources of Wesley faculty, the Lewis The Greater Metro East Teen REACH of Lessie Bates Davis Neighborhood House, steps; Mark Smith, 42nd place, 620,510 Center for Church Leadership, and guest through the Mary Brown Center, hosted its first Lights On, Lock-In. The event gave steps; Charles Graul, 43rd place, 615,806 faculty bring depth and energy to this participants of Teen-REACH a change to have fun in a safe environment throughout the steps; and Kent Lolling, 49th place, track. For more information, prospec- night. 587.026 steps. tive students may contact Dr. Lovett H. Weems, Jr., director of the Lewis Center, General, Jurisdictional Conference election information at [email protected], or visit Election of delegates to the 2012 Gen- prior to the Jan. 30, 2011 deadline. Send biographies and photos to Rev. the seminary’s website at www.wesleyse- eral and Jurisdictional Conferences will be Lay persons eligible to serve as dele- Alice J. Shirley, [email protected]. minary.edu/Degrees/DoctorofMinistry. on the agenda for the 2011 annual confer- gates may submit a biography of not more General Conference Secretary Rev. L. aspx. ence. than fifty (50) words and a picture that will Fitzgerald Reist announced Nov. 5 that Eden’s Methodist House launch- All clergy members in full connection be published and distributed by the annual the total number of delegates to the 2012 es Facebook group are eligible to be elected. Each will be as- conference secre¬tary, provided that the General Conference would be unchanged The Methodist House of Studies at signed a number by the annual conference materials are received prior to the Jan. 30, – around 1,000 in total. However, annual Eden has launched a Facebook site secretary for the purpose of electronic bal- 2011 dead¬line. All lay persons who sub- conferences could experience a change in which can be accessed at: www.Face- loting. Clergy who submit their picture mit materials will be assigned a number the number elected when apportioned by book.com/MHOSatEden. and a biography of not more than fifty (50) by the annual conference secretary for the the total membership of the global church. “The site will serve a number of func- words will be included in the pre-confer- purpose of electronic balloting. Reist said the number to be elected tions,” said Dr. Carl Schenck, Director ence materials published and distributed The names of lay persons willing to would be sent to Annual Conference sec- of the Methodist House of Studies. “We by the annual conference secretary, pro- serve may also be received from the floor retaries on or near Dec. 1. will use the site to keep students up to vided the materials have been received of the Annual Conference session. date on Methodist related events and activities on campus. The site is also a Chaddock specialists to travel to Liberia on January trip place for dialog on matters concerning QUINCY – Chaddock trauma therapy which Chaddock has provided training and accepted at www.chaddock.org or contact student life and the life of the church. specialists Karen Buckwalter, Michelle consultative services to children and pro- Jeff VanCamp, Chaddock’s director of de- Visiting the site will also give graduates Robison, Thomas Donovan and Angel fessionals, and is another way Chaddock velopment for details at 1-888-242-3625. and interested persons across the church Knoverek will extend Chaddock’s mission is bringing their connectional ministry full The website also contains a short video a way to keep up on the activities of the to Liberia on a mission trip Jan. 21-Feb. 3, circle by offering vital support to another about the trip. Donations will be applied to Methodist House of Studies as well as sharing their expertise with the war-torn mission of the church. the expenses of the trip only. exchange viewpoints and information country. The estimated cost to send the Chad- Donations will be applied to the ex- about the UMC and its ministry.” The trip will mark the fifth continent to dock team is $16,000 and donates are being penses of the trip only. Page 4 Illinois Great Rivers Conference — The Current December 2010 Local Church News Lynnville UMC holds Early Methodism celebration Methodism was introduced into the cated this edifice. This building was used area now known as Lynnville (Linville) for many years until their membership out- by early fur traders that followed the Illi- grew the space. nois River and then the creeks inland. Also And then five women decided that a many of militia brought their families and new building should be built and they went they lived in blockhouses and forts in the into action. First they formed a Ladies Aid area. Society, which held wild game dinners and The settlers actually made their homes ice cream socials. Some of the women even on what is now known as Allinson’s went out with horse and buggy and solic- Mound as this gave them a vantage point ited funds for this project. for safety reasons as there were Indians liv- When sufficient funds were raised, the ing in this area. Gradually they moved few small brick church was demolished and miles south to build a gristmill on Walnut the present one erected. On Sunday, June Creek even before the village was platted. 26, 1892, the church was dedicated and As was typical of the Methodist move- Rev. Horace Reed of Danville delivered ment in England, these early Methodists the sermon. It is interesting to note than met for many years in small groups in their in a prominent place in the program was a homes. After the end of the War of 1812, blank form of a promissory note, intimat- many more people came from England es- ing that raising funds was an important part pecially from Yorkshire to settle this fertile of the program. Photo courtesy of Phyllis Hembrough Photo courtesy of Phyllis farm ground and live out their dream. Throughout the years the Methodist Former and current pastors of Lynnville were recognized during the celebration. A common building was built in the Church has had a presence in the com- They included, from left, Rev. Nancy Wood, Steve Luebbert, Rev. Phillip Icenogle, Rev. town square and was used by not only the munity with their musical groups, election Randall Robinson, LaMoine River D.S., and Jack Weller. Mike Adams not present for Methodists but also Disciples of Christ. It day duck dinners, burgoos, vacation Bible picture. also served as the school and community schools, community activities and their Submitted by Nancy Wood Bishop Gregory V. Palmer, resident center. In 1833, Barton Stone established women’s group. Pastor, Lynnville UMC bishop, was on hand to deliver the morn- the Disciples of Christ Church and the On Nov. 14, those in attendance cele- ing message and also celebrate Holy Methodists bought a small building that brated the many years of Methodism in this LYNNVILLE – The Lynnville UMC Communion, assisted by LaMoine River had been a Baptist church. small village—from the fur traders, militia in the LaMoine River District recently District Superintendent Randy Robinson, When the small building no longer was families and to the brave settlers who en- reflected on nearly 200 years of Method- church pastor Nancy Wood and former adequate, a church was built in 1843. dured many hardships to come to this area. ism with an Early Methodism Celebration Lynnwood pastor and retired IGRC clergy The Rev. Peter Cartwright who was a Their hope, faith and courage as well as Nov. 14. Phil Icenogle. prominent circuit rider in this area dedi- those who have followed were celebrated. Photo courtesy of Alton Main Street UMC Photo courtesy of Alton Main Street UMC recently presented a check for $1,000 for the Chaplain’s Benevolent Fund at the United Methodist Village in Godfrey in memory of the late Rev. Bill Fester. Fester served 25 years as directing pastor at Alton Main Street prior to his retirement and returned to the church as minister of visitation. While serving as pastor, Fester was a leader among a group that created and launched the United Methodist Village. Rev. Fester died suddenly June 27, 2009 and the offering was received on the anniver- sary of his death. The Chaplain’s Benevolent Fund is used to assist persons who move to The Village and then experience a financial hardship – a major concern of Fester’s Photo courtesy of Lisa Graves during his lifetime. Sandra Cooksey and members of the Carlinville United Methodist Women hosted a tea The presentation of the check took place during the 8 a.m. Sunday morning worship for participants in the Adult Day Program at Lessie Bates Davis Neighborhood House service that is led by Main Street and hosted by The Village in their chapel. Pictured on Oct. 13. The UMW brought cookies and other treats that they served to the partici- in the photo are, from left, Donna Massey, lay leader at Alton Main Street UMC, Rev. pants. Cooksey said that the UMW wanted to do something special for the Adult Day Jame Hahs, Patrick Noonan, Executive Director of the United Methodist Village and participants and felt the tea would be a good way for the participants and Carlinville Kelly Keenam, Director of Development for The Village. UMW interact. December 2010 Illinois Great Rivers Conference — The Current Page 5 Local Church News Briefs Crossroads recognized as Volunteers help with chores to serve neighbors in Chenoa 1 in 100 congregation By M. K. Guetersloh Methodist Church. There were about 16 but it certainly is not going to be our last,” WASHINGTON – Crossroads Bloomington Pantagraph older homeowners and families that signed Heath said. UMC in Washington has been up for the Serve Your Neighbor program. Quan said she got involved as a vol- recognized by the Foundation CHENOA — Marilyn Kauffman was The program started this year after unteer because she and her husband have for Evangelism as a “1 in 100 delighted to see Amy Butler and Janet members of the local ministerial associa- been before the Chenoa City Council many Church.” Quan at her door, asking if there was any- tion talked about how they could help the times to push for the cleanup of abandoned The honor is in recognition of being a thing they could do to help her. community. or derelict properties. part of 101 of the 34,000 United Meth- Butler and Quan were two of about 40 “We wanted to create a sense of com- “This is just an outgrowth of our efforts odist congregations nationwide that volunteers who met Saturday morning to munity for the town,” said the Rev. Ed to help keep up the city,” Quan said. grew in worship attendance by more help their neighbors in the community of Hudelson of Trinity Lutheran Church. “We For Butler, the day of volunteering was than 50 percent from 2003 to 2008. about 1,800. wanted to do something that would get ev- a nice way to help out neighbors but also Crossroads was credited with an “It’s just a tremendous help,” Kauffman eryone to pitch in and serve the community to spend time with family, including her increase in church attendance of 57 said as Butler, Quan and about six other as a whole.” grandson, Jakob, 8, who also volunteered. percent from 2003 to 2008. GCFA data volunteers raked the leaves in her yard. “At The Rev. Robb McCoy of the Method- “It’s been fun helping people out,” Ja- from 2009 is not yet available. 80 years old, I just can’t do that anymore.” ist church said the day’s events focused kob Butler said as he took a break in rak- The Foundation for Evangelism’s Kauffman and her husband have not mainly in raking leaves but included sim- ing. His mom and dad were nearby loading mission is to “provide resources for been able to keep up on several fall chores. ple chores such as changing furnace filters. raked leaves into a trailer used to haul the evangelism, enabling The United Her son frequently helps, but he can’t al- The Rev. David Heath of River of Life leaves away. Methodist Church to bring persons ways be there, she said. Outreach is excited about the potential for (Reprinted with permission from the into a personal relationship with Jesus Kauffman signed up for the help the program. Nov. 7 issue of the Bloomington Panta- Christ.” through her church, the Chenoa United “This may be our first year for this, graph). Carbondale First releases Jerome UMC 4th CD, Piano@First Carbondale First UMC released its completes year as fourth CD entitled Piano @ First on Sunday, Oct. 24. The double CD Set a Kumler Pantry contains 28 selections and features the solo piano playing of Anita Hutton, Partner organist and pianist for the church. One CD includes arrangements of By Hope Wright familiar hymns and the other is favorite Nurture chair, Jerome UMC Christmas carols. Cost for the double CD set is $20. All Last fall Springfield Jerome UMC’s of the costs for production of the CD’s Women’s Activity Group (WAG) commit- were underwritten, so 100 percent of ted to provide needed food staples to the the proceeds from the CD sales will go Kumler Outreach Ministries Food Pantry, to Carbondale’s “I Can Read” program. and became a Pantry Partner. Previous CD’s generated more than The commitment was to supply on a $10,000 each for Habitat for Human- monthly basis a week’s worth of a food ity and the Carbondale Boys and Girls’ staple, and WAG chose 18oz jars of peanut Club. butter, with the weekly need for 120 jars. CD may be purchased by calling the The congregation responded and for a year church office at 618-457-2416 during has sent an average of 127 jars monthly the week. If CD’s are to be mailed, to the Food Pantry, for an annual total of include $5 for each double CD set 1,524 jars -- an impressive total for a con- ordered for postage and handling. gregation with an average attendance in the 40s. The Nurture, Outreach, and Witness Waynesville dedicates organ committee then challenged the congrega- On Reformation Sunday (Oct. 31), tion to another effort. We have tradition- the McLean UMC its new organ to the ally filled baskets in November with food glory of God. for Kumler, and did that this year with a The church purchased a Hammond little twist. Although of course all food XK-3C with Memorial money. Stephen staples were welcome, we thought the tra- Maxwell was present and played during ditional go-together of peanut butter and part of the service and stayed after the jelly would be popular. In November, 145 service to answer questions people had jars of peanut butter and 115 jars of jelly about the new organ. Photo courtesy of Debbie Royer were collected. In addition 40 cans of chili Washington Crossroads UMC held its first ever “Lavender Sunday” on Oct. 24. were collected, another steady need for the Coming in January’s Current: October is breast cancer awareness month, but a small team from Crossroads wanted food pantry. to recognize all those who have been touched by cancer in any way. Lavender is the We traditionally participate in the lo- The Year in Review color that the American Cancer Society has chosen to represent all kinds of cancers. As cal St. John’s Breadline Sunday project, of people arrived on Sunday, they were given a lavender ribbon to wear. There was also purchasing a loaf of bread at the church on a six-foot lavender cross where every person could add names of those loved ones that Nov 21. Some members do not eat bread are cancer survivors, undergoing cancer treatment or have been lost to cancer. This rib- but wanted to support the Breadline proj- bon was brought into the sanctuary to the front during a special time of music. Rev. Tom ect, so they could purchase a loaf and add Goodell prayed for all those touched including the caregivers. The message that day it to the food baskets, with a total of 19 was also about being a survivor in God’s world. loaves, thus helping two charities. Page 6 Illinois Great Rivers Conference — The Current December 2010 Developing Spiritual Leaders Fairview Heights Christ to host leaders conference The non-verbal aspect of preaching Fairview Heights Christ UMC By Terry Harter calm inside, we learn how to project a non- When I leave a worship service, I want Briefs will host its first Church anxious presence to our listeners. to be moved, touched, challenged, and Leaders Conference aimed I’ll confess that I Pastoral leaders who are poised stand inspired to be God’s instrument of grace, at putting dynamic tools in really miss preaching out from others because they are self-in- hope, and healing. The attitude, enthusiasm the hands of church lead- every week. My ser- tegrated and point beyond themselves to and passion of the preacher is the key fac- ers to effect change and mon preparation time God. They are intuitively aware of all that tor in that inspiration. the to help them navigate the inevitable was a major impetus is going on around them, yet they do not If we rethink the art of preaching to for studying Scripture, seek to be the center of attention and react include poise, presence, and passion, how discontinuity that comes with it. Terry Harter The conference is designed for pastors, reading, theological re- to all situations with calmness and grace. might we change our preparation? Here church staff and lay leaders. flection, and prayer. This simply doesn’t Presence refers to the way in which are some questions to ask (and answer): Information and online registration compare with charge conferences, inspir- we communicate when preaching. • Is my sermon delivery congruent can be found by visiting: www.naviga- ing as they may be! Preaching is not simply teaching a lesson with who I am? tethechange.com But even more than that, I miss the act to a class. Preaching involves transforma- • Do I need to experiment with differ- of preaching. My belief is that preaching tion of hearts and minds and invites a re- ent styles of preaching in order to better New book guide to effective is embodied in a particular person, and the sponse every Sunday. That transformation communicate poise, presence, and pas- leadership more effectively we learn how to commu- and response comes from engagement with sion? Grace to Lead: Practicing Leadership nicate the message of the gospel, the more the text as well as the physical presence of • Do I need a coach or trusted col- in the Wesleyan Tradition, by Bishop lives will be touched and transformed. The the preacher. league who can help me become more ef- Kenneth L. Carder and the Rev. Laceye content of the sermon is only one aspect of Every week we should prepare our ser- fective in my preaching? (I wonder if we C. Warner, delves deep into Wesleyan the mystery of preaching. If we spend as mon by deciding how we will be present to ever trust our covenant groups to give us scholarship to guide readers into effective much time and care with the delivery of the the congregation: this kind of feedback and coaching?) contemporary leadership, from a solidly sermon as we do with the preparation of the • What will our posture be? • Should I re-think my pre-preaching Wesleyan perspective. content, our preaching will be much more • Will we literally lead from the heart? routines in order to best prepare myself? Published by the General Board of compelling. • How will we make eye contact with • Do I use solitude, breathing practic- Higher Education and Ministry, Grace to I spent nearly 18 years as an associate the congregation? es, set prayers, and quiet? Lead is designed specifically for Christian pastor, mostly listening to other preachers. • Where will we stand? Preachers are not actors. Unlike acting, leaders and teachers. The authors call And now I listen to preachers as a part of • How and where should we move establishing a rapport with the congrega- upon peerless insights from the 1700’s my general superintendency. (Maybe it during the sermon? tion is critical if engagement and trans- Wesleyan revival in England, to help took 18 years for me to learn how to lis- • How will our voice inflection and fa- formation are to take place. Yet, we have motivate, form, and guide church leaders ten.) As a result, I have come to believe cial expressions change at critical places in much to learn from the world of theater. in the twenty-first century and beyond. that the non-verbal aspect of preaching can the sermon? If two preachers deliver the exact same Carder is the Ruth W. and A. Mor- best be summarized by three words: poise, • How will we dress? sermon, the one with the most poise, pres- ris Williams Jr. Distinguished Professor presence, and passion. • Will we wear a robe? ence, and passion will most likely connect of Christian Ministry at The Divinity Poise, also known as stage presence, • How will we make the best use of more deeply with the congregation. Phillips School, Duke University. He served as describes the confidence, energy, gracious- gesture? Brooks classic understanding of preaching resident bishop of the Nashville Area ness, humility, dignity, self-assurance and Finally, just as people pick up on was “truth through personality.” from 1992 to 2000, and the Mississippi authenticity that we radiate to the congre- our poise and presence, they can also Can we handle the truth? Area from 2000 to 2004. Prior to his gation. Poise is one of the pastoral graces detect our passion in preaching. As I go (Rev. Terry Harter is superintendent election to the episcopacy he served as a I most admire in clergy. Poise describes from church to church, and hear different of the Sangamon River District. Reprinted pastor for 30 years in Tennessee, Virginia, what people see in us before they ever preachers, what I look for most in a sermon with permission from the district’s Novem- and Maryland. hear from us. Even if we are not feeling is passion. It’s the “So what?” factor. ber e-newsletter). Warner currently serves as Associ- ate Dean for Academic Formation and Bishop pens book for ‘Faithful Heart’ United Methodist Programs and Associate Professor of the By Susan Passi-Klaus* were looking for ways to grow Student Day offering Practice of Evangelism and Methodist their spiritual lives. Soon, with Nov. 28 Studies at The Divinity School, Duke Around Christmas 2009, a nudge from Abingdon Press, Nearly 1,000 United Methodists who University. A United Methodist elder in Sally Dyck, holed herself up the idea for a book was born. qualified for a scholarship this year walked the Texas Annual Conference, her faculty in her small, but comfortable A Faithful Heart provides away empty-handed, and even more stu- role at Duke is supported by the Founda- home office and with the cold a day-by-day walk through dents are expected to be disappointed in tion for Evangelism as the Royce and and snow of a Midwest winter eight weeks of study and reflec- 2011 unless giving to scholarship funds Jane Reynolds Teaching Fellow. as her backdrop wrote the first tion. Every week has a differ- increases dramatically. The book is available for order through draft of A Faithful Heart ... ent theme and challenge. Each Churches are encouraged to observe Cokesbury at www.cokesbury.com or toll Daily Guide for Joyful Living. day has a Scripture reading and Student Day on Nov. 28 or any other day free at 1-800-672-1789. But what brought her to meditation. At week’s end, the that this is convenient for the church. In Course of Study Extension her writing hideaway? reader may reflect by answering questions addition, individuals can now contrib- School dates announced Prospective pastors about his or her personal reading experi- ute online with a credit card at any time often asked the Min- ences. Although the book is formatted for at www.umcgiving.org/umstudentday, Dates and courses for the 2010-2011 nesota bishop what individuals, a separate leader’s guide is where you can also order free promotional Course of Study Extension School have the church was look- available for small-group studies. resources, video presentations, and wor- been announced. ing for in clergy. She Using Mary, the mother of Jesus, as ship resources. Or call United Methodist For more information, visit the Course always responded by a theological thread throughout the book Communications at 888-346-3862 to or- of Study website at: www.igrcos.blogspot. listing characteristics and an example of someone with a faith- der resources. com or contact the Dean, Rev. Dr. E. her cabinet and con- ful heart, Dyck invites the reader to get to Links to give online for all three Spe- Michael Jones at [email protected] Sally Dyck ference’s Board of know this biblical character “beyond the cial Sundays with Offerings in support of Online registration for Feb-March 2011 Ordained Ministry de- Nativity set.”She hopes modern-day wom- scholarships can be found at www.gbhem. classes is available at: www.igrc.org/ veloped such as passionate, called, holy, en can relate to her. org/loansandscholarships/givenow. COSFeb2011 and registration for April equipped, joyful, loving, learning and au- *Passi-Klaus is a staff writer on the To learn more about loans and schol- 2011 classes is available at: www.igrc. thentic. Then she realized these same attri- Public Information Team at United Meth- arships, visit www.gbhem.org/loansand- org/COSApril2011. butes applied to everyday Christians who odist Communications. scholarships. December 2010 Illinois Great Rivers Conference — The Current Page 7 Forming Discipleship Systems Briefs Christian Education grant Advent, Christmas shaped by traditions applications sought By Beth Fender in live nativity scenes. Often, the guests lighting of the Advent wreath during wor- The application deadline for New Streams at these events “register for the census” ship each Sunday. Anaheim (Calif.) UMC the next round of grants from the Coordinator to get “coins” to spend at the booths, and took this one step further, developing a Christian Education Sunday sometimes they even get to dress up and tradition of inviting one family to light offering is Jan. 2. The Christmas sea- become part of the story themselves. the Advent wreath and another family to Grant funding is available son is coming soon Not only is this sort of event great for build a crèche (nativity scene) one piece for new or expanding Chris- (even if it did begin in families to attend together (as helpers or at a time. tian education ministries for the stores right after they guests), it offers an opportunity to invite Go to www.gbod.org and type “Advent any age group. Ministries that Beth Fender took down the back-to- people who do not normally attend your Wreath Readings” into the search box to will enhance the ministry of school displays), and church to come inside and see what a learn more and find scripts and directions other district or conference for Christian educators everywhere, that church family is all about. to adapt this tradition to your church or churches (such as through means it’s time to pull out the bathrobes Christmas caroling is a traditional fa- Sunday school class. partnerships or training opportunities) and angel wings and prepare for the annual vorite this time of year. It provides a fun Not all meaningful Advent activities are encouraged. children’s Christmas program. way to share the Christmas message with are long-standing traditions, however. For complete grant criteria and an Of course, it’s harder these days to find neighbors or with homebound members of Wanda Stahl, Director of Spiritual For- application form, please visit www.igrc. time for the children to gather for prac- your church. RiversEdge UMC in Spring mation for the New England Conference, org/cef (the link is toward the bottom tices, and there are those who suggest that Bay puts an unusual twist on Christmas explains that her congregation has ap- of the page under “Grants”) or contact maybe putting our little darlings up on a caroling – they bring llamas with them! proached the Christmas season in a dif- Christy Blickensderfer at 217-529-2473. stage to sing songs and look adorable for Members of the congregation raise llamas, ferent way the past two years – by partici- Five-Day Academy for Spiritual their grandparents isn’t the best possible and graciously allow them to join in the pating in the “Advent Conspiracy” (www. way to help them grow in their under- caroling fun. The llamas are certainly an adventconspiracy.org). The Advent Con- Formation standing of Christmas and all it means for unforgettable sight as they approach your spiracy “calls people to Worship More, The Upper Room and the Illinois us as disciples of Jesus Christ. door with a group of carolers! Spend Less, Give More, and Love All,” Great Rivers Conference will host a On the other hand, acting out a Bible Whether it is singing the familiar reports Stahl. “A primary aspect of the Five-Day Academy for Spiritual Forma- story enables it to come to life in new Christmas hymns, joining in the liturgy, challenge is to spend less on consumer ori- tion May 1-6, 2011 at a retreat center in ways for many people. And let’s be honest lighting candles, or putting up symbolic ented gifts and give more away. Our little Magnolia, IL (near Henry). Cost of the – kids of all ages like putting on costumes decorations, people of all ages respond to congregation of around 60 mostly low in- retreat is $475 per person. If registered and pretending to be someone else for the rituals of Christmas in ways we don’t come folks gave around $2,000 away last before March 15, 2011, the cost is awhile! Many churches tap into that dra- fully understand. year.” $450. A $100 non-refundable deposit matic flair by putting on some version of Ritual has a way of forming us, and What are some of YOUR church’s Ad- will be required. Online registration is a “Walk through Bethlehem” during Ad- involving many people in your church in vent or Christmas traditions, old or new? now available by visiting: www.igrc. vent. Church basements are transformed Advent and Christmas rituals expands the And how do they help make disciples in org/fiveday2011. into the streets of Bethlehem at the time rituals’ potential for impacting people in a your particular setting? You can join in the Scholarships may be available. For of Jesus’ birth. Costumed characters serve new way. discussion by joining the IGRC CEF Face- information on financial assistance, meals, help children to make Christmas- For instance, many churches include book group and clicking on the “Discus- contact Rev. Stan Haxton, 217-454- themed crafts, collect “taxes,” and serve families or people of different ages in the sions” tab. 5543 or email at [email protected]. Commentary: Have we devalued membership in the church? By Dan Dick no interest. There is a huge difference ing someone and telling them their job is never share their faith and remain a mem- between making something simple, and to do whatever the heck they want to. ber in good standing. What message does We’ll take anybody. making it meaningless. We make a muddled attempt at offer- this send to the world about the value of We don’t even require I believe that many of our attempts to ing expectations in the United Methodist membership vows in the United Methodist membership classes make Christianity simple have done little Church, but we have little accountability Church? anymore. Nobody has more than devalue the Christian life, re- so it all falls flat. We ask newbies if they I agree that membership isn’t the point. the time, and most of sulting in an insipid, passive and unpro- will “uphold the church by their prayers, Membership has always been a means to the people who join our ductive faith. presence, gifts, service and witness,” but an end rather than an end in itself. A mem- Dan Dick church are coming from n Life of substance offer virtually no guidance as to what we bership process at its very best is an inte- other churches anyway. The Christian life has substance. It are really asking. We make assumptions gration of a newcomer into the very DNA We ask at the end of every service if makes demands. It requires action and that new members know how to pray, that of the local congregation and the church there is anyone who wishes to join, they practice. It must be learned and honed and they have a disciplined prayer life and that universal. It widens the circle we label come forward, and we ask if they believe perfected. It is a partnership agreement they will now include the church in said “us.” in God and in Jesus Christ as their Lord with God, the Holy Spirit and faith com- prayer life. All this changed when the driving val- and Savior. If they say “yes,” they’re in. munity. It isn’t a hobby. There are very When asked, “What does it mean to ue of Methodism shifted from service to Our numbers are way up because of it. clear requirements and expectations. ‘uphold the church by your presence?’” size. Once numbers ascended the throne, The above paraphrase from a recent A person seeking to embark on the life- nine out of 10 United Methodists answer, all bets were off. Getting bodies in the conversation I had with one pastor reflects long journey of Christian formation needs “Attend worship services.” Most United pews trumped getting new members into the “low-cost/high-benefit” mentality of to know what this means, and then the Methodists limit gifts to a financial con- the body of Christ. American consumer culture, but is it ap- choice is whether or not the person really tribution, service to “helping out at the n Diluted purpose propriate in the church? I say “no,” but wants to pay the costs to reap the benefits. church” and witness as “going to church.” The influx of other faith communions there are an awful lot who say “yes.” It costs very little to believe in Je- The percentage of “new members” who also has an impact. The Evangelical As- It isn’t about rules and regulations and sus Christ as the Son of God—you don’t become “inactive members” within the first sociation, The Methodist Church and the keeping people out. It is about making it as even need a church for that. But to grow six months of joining a United Methodist Evangelical United Brethren were primar- simple as possible for people to enter the in the faith, become a Christian disciple, Church crept above the 50-percent line in ily mission societies that prized personal family of God. pursue transformation in the Spirit to lead 2006 and has kept going up. New members holiness and evangelism above all else. I don’t disagree that we should be and teach and serve—these require true aren’t even being held to the minimum We existed for one purpose—to be a wit- an open gate—but a gate still implies a church. standards. Zero accountability. ness to Christ in the world. boundary: something that distinguishes The person seeking doesn’t get to A person can “join” a church, never As we have welcomed Baptists, Pres- those who say “yes” from those who have make the “rules.” This would be like hir- pray, never attend, never give, never serve, See Dan Dick on page 12 . . . Page 8 Illinois Great Rivers Conference — The Current December 2010 Alternative Giving Society of St. Andrew’s 12 Days of Christmas giving Alternative Christmas Card By Paul Black Sudan, near the border with Darfur. will be able to print out special EZ Give The Society of St. Andrew is a Chris- 5 “Christmas is not your birthday...it’s shoe box labels included in your e-mail tian hunger ministry that salvages fresh Rev. Mike Slaughter, pastor of Ging- Jesus’ birthday!” and so often we bemoan receipt that indicate you have made your produce and delivers it to soup kitchens hamsburg UMC in Tipp City, Ohio, recalls the commercialization of Christmas. Many donation online rather than placing it and food banks across the United States. how a five-year journey changed how he churches and persons, in a search for inside your shoe box gift. Each $12 gift donation to the Society viewed Christman. deeper meaning are resorting to alternative For more information, visit www. of St. Andrew provides about 600 servings “In 1999, I was reading the Dayton means to make a difference in their world. samaritanspurse.org of fresh, nutritious food to America’s hun- Daily News when my eye was caught In the spirit of the 12 Days of Christ- Purchase Fair Trade gry families. The extraordinary popularity by an ad featuring a new luxury sedan, a mas, The Current has compiled a list of 12 of this program continues to grow, pro- BMW, for lease,” Slaughter recalls. “Be- suggested ways of giving. While not an items for gifts 3 viding more and more servings of fresh ing a car fan, I found myself checking out exhaustive list and individual and church food to the hungry every year. It’s such a the various features. Then, my eye was giving is only limited by our own imagina- sincere and loving way to feed the hungry drawn to a picture on the opposing page tion, it does represent the breadth of op- Equal Exchange, United Methodist and honor special people in your life. And of a clearly emaciated child featured in an portunities we have to share with the least, Committee on Relief (UMCOR) and the when you do, each person you so honor article about famine in the Sudan and the the last and the lost. General Board of Church and Society will receive our exclusive Christmas Gift tragedies of the civil war between North Contribute to food (GBCS) of the United Methodist Church Donation Card announcing your generous and South Sudan.” 1 have partnered to raise awareness about gift in their name. Slaughter says he was convicted by pantries or volunteer Fair Trade. For more information, visit www. that juxtaposition of the sedan, the heart to deliver Meals on Wheels Fairly traded products provide small- endhunger.org of our culture, versus the Sudan, the heart scale farmers a fair living wage and an of God, and the fact that “I knew many The holiday season always brings ad- opportunity to break out of the cycle of Purchase items from the things about the luxury vehicle and noth- ditional demands for feeding individuals poverty. The three organizations have Twice Giving Gift Shop ing about the conflict in Sudan.” Although and families. Food pantries are inundated created an educational resource to increase that experience did not lead Slaughter to with requests for assistance. Contact the awareness of the UMCOR Coffee Project at the MMDC 6 immediate action, he was not able to shake local food pantry and see what the high and the need to advocate with our wallets the conviction that he was supposed to do demand items are and focus your atten- and voices for better working conditions The gift shop at the Midwest Mission something about it. tion on providing a week’s supply of that and prices for cocoa farmers throughout Distribution Center has items that were Five years later, in the fall of 2004, item. the world. made by Third World artisans. Slaughter was reading one of the very few Additionally, the elderly and those Fair Trade items also are monitored to Your purchase provides a standard of news stories published in that entire year that live alone depend on others to bring ensure no child labor or forced labor was living for them and their families as well about the crisis in Darfur that had begun hot, nutritious meals to their homes. used; that it was bough directly from a as supporting the MMDC that provides in 2003. Hundreds of thousands in Darfur In some areas, Meals on Wheels close democratically-controlled cooperative of a vital ministry of assisting UMCOR in were at risk of starvation since the violence for the holidays and this would provide an small scale farmers and that the farmers disaster relief as well as shipping items had prevented crop planting at the start of opportunity for a church to “fill the gap” are paid enough money to support their around the world. the growing season. with a holiday meal for those that are families with food, education and other Visit www.midwestmissiondc.org “At that time, I clearly felt God’s alone and need one. The human interac- essentials. for more information and times when urging to engage the Ginghamsburg faith tion with the folks delivering the meals is Churches may want to consider hold- the gift shop is open. community, ‘no holds barred,’ into serving priceless. ing a Free Trade Market that would in- the needs of the vulnerable victims of this clude only those items purchased through Imagine No Angel Tree or Samaritan’s 7 senseless war,” he said. “That Advent sea- UMCOR’s Coffee Project. Malaria son, I reminded Ginghamsburg attendees, Purse’s Operation For more information, visit: www. ‘Christmas is not your birthday…it’s Jesus’ Shoebox 2 umcorcoffee.org Malaria is a global health birthday!’ and challenged everyone to have problem affecting more than 500 a simple Christmas that year. All were This Christmas, 1.7 million Heifer Project million and killing more than 1 asked to spend only half as much on their children will have a parent in prison. An- Living Gift 4 million every year. own Christmas as they would normally gel Tree, a program of Prison Fellowship, When The United Meth- spend and to give the rest as a Christmas seeks to reconcile prisoners and their odist Church began with Miracle Offering to serve the people of families to God and to each other through Heifer International has a gift for Nothing But Nets, a child died Darfur.” the delivery of Christmas gifts and the every price range through its living gift of malaria every 30 seconds. That same challenge has been issued in Gospel message. program. A Living Gift purchases an There has been some suc- all subsequent Advent seasons, generating Angels help prisoners give gifts to income-producing animals like goats, cess, but more needs to be a total of more than $5 million for humani- their children, along with reassurance of bees, chicks and heifers. The animals done. The United Method- tarian development projects in Darfur from their love and God’s love. go to hungry, rural families working to ist Church has joined with January 2005 to the present. Register your church by December improve their lives. other partners with the Ginghamsburg’s work in Darfur, in 8 and get more information by visiting HPI also provides technical training in goal of eradicat- partnership with the United Method- www.angeltree.org/deliverlove. care of the animals and in enhancing the ing malaria by ist Committee on Relief (UMCOR), has Samaritan’s Purse, an international aid environment. Each Market gift gives over 2015. involved three primary initiatives since organization , through Operation Christ- and over again. You honor a friend or early 2005. A sustainable agriculture mas Child, provided 8 million shoeboxes loved one with an attractive card stating program has reached 80,000 people. A safe full of toys for children last Christmas. your gift. You empower an impoverished water and sanitation project is currently The organization has a very organized family with an animal and training in its providing safe wells and water yards for way of collecting the boxes and then care. That family shares its knowledge more than 100,000. And a child protection sending them around the world. You can and the animal’s first offspring with an- and development program is constructing also use EZ Give a simple, convenient other family. And that family shares. And schools and training teachers, with 22,000 way to make your shoe box donation the next. And the next. In all this, you children enrolled since the program’s online by using a credit or debit card, may find a gift as well—a gift of peace, a inception. In 2011, the church plans to con- eliminating the need to place a check gift of time, a gift of gratitude that there tinue their work in Darfur while also plant- inside the box. is abundance to share. ing a church in the northern part of South After completing your donation, you Visit www.heifer.org for information. December 2010 Illinois Great Rivers Conference — The Current Page 9 Alternative Giving Bishop Gregory V. Palmer, in his elementary students up to $150 for high episcopal address at the 2010 annual con- school students. The average pastor’s A new way to ‘do’ Christmas ference, challenge IGRC congregations to salary does not provide enough income to raise $3.5 million for this effort. buy a month’s supply of rice for a family By Paul Black had a significant increase. They gave far Plans are underway to roll out the cam- of four. more than a 10th of what they spent. Many paign in 2011, but you can get a head start. Visit www.igrc.org/liberia and down- The Current asked IGRC congrega- testified that they gave a large about over Contribute to Advance Special #3021190 load information on your district’s partner tions to share their stories on Alternative what they spent for family, etc. and place it in the offering plate at church. districts in Liberia. Christmas celebrations. Here are the re- The Box is ready. The tradition is es- Your church will get credit for this giving One of the best ways to understand the sponses we received: tablished. God knows where this is going and you will save a life with every $10 you A New Way to ‘Do’ Christmas this year. give. For more information, visit www. Volunteer for a local or Steve Killion Bloomington Wesley UMC will launch imaginenomalaria.org global mission project or Pastor, Bridgeport-Petrolia UMC sponsor someone else 10 its first ever Alternative Christmas Market Kaskaskia River District 8 GBGM Well Project on Dec. 5 between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. in Wesley Fellowship Hall. The event is open Tuscola Gift Market nets $1,500 breadth and reach of The United Methodist to Wesley worshipers and the general pub- Tuscola held an alternative gift market Many people have no clean drinking Church is to take part in a mission project. lic, sponsored by Wesley’s Missions Com- this year for the first time Nov. 17, at the water. They must walk miles every day Mission opportunities can be found mittee. same time as our annual Chili for Chad- to get contaminated water from a stream. on the IGRC website. Go to: www.igrc. At the Market you will find eleven dock event. In all, $1,500 was collected for While most people in the United States org and select Mission Opportunities from shopping booths where you may purchase eight different mission projects, some Ad- can scarcely imagine that reality, globally, the right-hand column. There one will find gifts to honor your friends and family. vance specials as well as local projects the it’s daily life for one billion people. And both missions within the conference, the Also, you will spread joy to people in this church supports. it’s a harsh reality for children who die – United States and globally. community and around the world through People were invited to make donations one every 15 seconds – from waterborne If health makes it impossible to par- local and global organizations of your to whichever projects they want to support, illnesses. ticipate, consider sponsoring someone else choice. and a card was given to the donor, which in “Diarrhea is the largest hurdle a small who may not have the financial resources As examples, your swarm of honey turn, can be given to someone for Christ- child in a developing country has to over- otherwise. Studies have shown that young bees will go through Heifer International mas, indicating that a gift was given in that come. It’s more prevalent than AIDS, or people engage missions through hands-on to a family either in the U. S. or abroad person’s honor to whichever project. tuberculosis, or malaria; 2.2 million people experiences and your sponsorship is an who needs to have a source of income; The projects we’re offering are: – mostly children – die from an afflic- investment in their faith formation. your gift of $20 will purchase Blood Pres- • Heifer Project tion that to most Westerners is the result sure medicine for 33 patients through the • Liberian well project of bad take-out food.” So states Rose Investing in future Community Health Care Clinic. • Blanket Project George, author of The Big Necessity: The 11 leaders through UM The market list goes on and on and you • Cunningham Home Unmentionable World of Human Waste, Student Day have either received it at Sunday worship • Chaddock citing a UNICEF statistic. or by checking the church website: www. • BETHS Place (local) Clean water can improve sanita- It is no accident that United Methodist Wesley-umc.com. Copies are also avail- • North Ward Breakfast Program tion and raise the quality of life for Student Day falls near or during Advent. able in the church office. (local) the communities that receive them. As one is considering additional giving, On Market Day, Dec. 5, you can have • Help a Child (local) Gifts can be designated to a make an offering to United Method- fun making your choices, talking with I know this isn’t a new idea, but it’s a particular geographic region of ist Student Day, one of the six General agency folks at their booths, making your good way to touch people’s hearts during the donor’s choice. Church offerings. donation, and receiving beautiful gift cards a season when we tend to be more open to United Methodist Student Day funds to put under the Christmas trees of your giving for others. Partnership in Liberia the scholarships and loans administered loved ones. As a bonus, lunch will be avail- Patty Johansen, Pastor, Tuscola UMC through the General Board of Higher able in Wesley Hall at noon. Iroquois River District The IGRC has Education and Ministry. How much easier could Christmas made a major As the formation of spiritual lead- 9 shopping be? Of course, if you’re like me, Operation Santa exceeded commitment to ers is a priority of the church, funds are you may struggle over who among the expectations the rebuilding of war- necessary to provide education to those family receives the spitting llama or Habi- torn Liberia. Much of future leaders. Last year, more than 1,000 In 2005 Patti Smith set out to provide tat’s kitchen sink with a hammer thrown the conference’s efforts students were turned away because of a Christmas for her son and the 40 Marines in for good luck. But I have no problem have been in three major lack of funding. in his platoon. It ended up that 200 Christ- knowing who would be joyous over Twas areas – scholarships for For more information, visit: www. mas stockings were sent. The next year, the the Night Before Christmas books in her students, rebuilding of umcgiving.org, click Special Sundays project grew and 10,000 Christmas stock- name for The Baby Fold children. churches and a hospital from the left-hand menu and then select ings were sent and it has continued to grow Bettie W. Story, Member and pastor’s salaries. United Methodist Student Day. Online with 35,000 Christmas stockings being The Missions Committee A scholarship can donations are possible. sent in 2009. Bloomington Wesley UMC range from $50 for On Oct. 31, the Waynesville UMC laid UMCOR Disaster Vermilion River District hands on and consecrated 321 Christmas Response 12 Jesus Box a hit in Bridgeport stockings, 285 cards, and 99 pounds of gifts along with $485 in cash to be sent to The Jesus Box is placed at the foot The United Methodist Committee on Operation Santa. The materials were deliv- of the Christmas Tree in the Bridgeport Relief are widely respected because they ered to the Midwest Food Bank in Bloom- church sanctuary. take a long-term approach to disaster ington Nov. 1. Last year, I challenged our people to response and assistance. This was joint community ministry tithe the amount of money they planned At any given time, UMCOR is involving the ladies and youth from the on spending for themselves and family for stationed throughout the world tending quilting ministry at the Waynesville United Christmas and place the tithe in the Jesus to the needs of persons devastated by Methodist Church, the Waynesville Ameri- Box. They were encouraged to designate disaster. can Legion, the Women’s Auxiliary of the their funds to one of a list of charitable Visit www.umcor.org and select one American Legion, the Women of Waynes- causes. We had overwhelming support to of the current emergencies from the upper ville, and people from the Y in Clinton. this idea. right-hand corner. Your entire donation Andy Maxwell In fact, if this was their tithe on what will go to its intended destination. Pastor, Waynesville-McLean UMC they spent then the economy would have Vermilion River District Page 10 Illinois Great Rivers Conference — The Current December 2010 Developing New Congregations & Revitalizing Existing Ones 10 in 2010 events Antioch: Becoming a Powerful Church, Part 2 slated By Mike Crawford They didn’t only give of their financial vided teaching and leadership for the new

Briefs Modeled after the Forged IGRC Coordinator resources though. They gave wisdom to believers (Acts 11:22-26). in the Fire events, the of Congregational the wider church. And even though Barnabas and Saul IGRC Evangelism Com- Development When people came from Judea teach- had been so instrumental in forming this mittee will host 10 in ing that all believers needed to be cir- young church, in the midst of a time of 2010 mini-evangelism As I continue to cumcised, they had several options. They prayer and fasting the prophets and teach- events throughout the pray for God to raise could have accepted what they were told ers of Antioch, responding to God’s call, Illinois Great Rivers up Antioch churches and acted accordingly. They could have chose to send Barnabas and Saul to reach Conference. Mike Crawford in IGRC, I am excit- decided that they weren’t going to follow new people and start new churches in other “We hope to bring the Forged in the ed by the stories of life the teaching and therefore they were going places (Acts 13:1-3). Fire experience closer to the people of transformation that I hear. God is at work to ignore the church of Judea and launch It would have been easy for the church our conference,” said the Rev. David in a variety of places, bringing new life out on their own. to say, “We still really need their leader- Kueker, chair of the Evangelism Com- and new hope. Instead, they chose to challenge the ship.” They chose instead to give away the mittee. “Transformation in systems But a truly powerful church is seen not status quo, take the issue to the “mother gifted evangelists and teachers in order for occurs when a critical mass of persons only in the way individual lives are being church” in Jerusalem, and offer their in- the kingdom of God to expand in other adopt and practice an innovation. We transformed. In the church at Antioch “the sights. Because they chose to open the places. hope to connect people in order to cre- evidence of the grace of God” was also conversation, they had a major impact on How is your church like the church ate a tipping point for evangelism and real in how they gave to and for others. the practice of the wider church. Their wis- in Antioch? Does your church willingly disciple making in each district.” When a prophet predicted that a fam- dom and insight changed the approach of give financial resources to meet the needs Several events still remain: ine would spread over the entire Roman the universal church (Acts 15). of those far beyond your church and your Dec. 5, 6 p.m. Marion Aldersgate world, the first response of the people was But maybe the greatest gift of the community? Does your church share wis- UMC (Cache River District). Rev. Tom to give according to their ability to pro- church at Antioch was the gift of people. dom and insight with the wider church? Atkins, a United Methodist evangelist vide for followers of Christ in Judea (Acts They were a young church. When perse- Does your church willingly send your very from the North Georgia Conference, 11:27-30). Such a prediction could have cution started in Jerusalem with the mar- best people to increase the impact of the will be preaching. caused fear about their own future, leading tyrdom of Stephen, believers scattered. kingdom of God? Jan. 23, 2011, Champaign New them to hoard their resources, but it didn’t. When it was reported that Gentiles were What steps will you take as you seek to Horizon UMC (Iroquois River Dis- Instead, they responded by giving to others coming to faith in Antioch, Barnabas was be a powerful church? trict). Rev. Sylvester Weatherall will be beyond their community. sent to check things out. He and Saul pro- preaching. Feb. 13, 2011, Normal Calvary UMC Radical hospitality to be focus of second FCLI gathering (Vermilion River District). Rev. Dr. Kent Millard preaching. A new Fruitful Congregations Leader- $100, if the church covenant is completed a congregation must send a team to each Details for the Embarras River Dis- ship Institute (FCLI) will begin on March and full payment is made by Feb. 2. The event that includes the pastor and three to trict event as well as additional details 19-20 at Galesburg Emmanuel UMC. The registration cost is for a team of four to six five laity. In between workshops, cluster on the December, January and February FCLI is being offered by the Office of people and includes snacks and Saturday coaching will be provided to encourage events will be announced as they are Congregational Development and hosted lunch. Additional meals and lodging, if churches to move forward in their imple- confirmed. by the Spoon River District. needed, are not included. mentation plans. To keep up with the latest informa- The March 19-20 workshop is Radical If you are interested in learning more Twenty-four churches are participat- tion, visit: www.igrc.org/evangelism Hospitality: How to Reach More People about the FCLI process, contact Mike ing in the first FCLI hosted by the- Ver and select 10 in 2010 events. and will be led by Mike Crawford, IGRC Crawford, Coordinator of Congregational milion River District and are gaining new Coordinator of Congregational Develop- Development, [email protected]. momentum in ministry. A couple com- ment. The 2 ½ year process FCLI process is ments include, “Fruitful Congregations Camp Electric for More information and a registration designed to bring new life and fruitfulness has helped us so very much” and “Fruit- student worship teams form is available for download at www. to congregations. The process includes ful Congregations rocks!!” Other churches igrc.org/FCLI. five workshops, each based on one of the have indicated that the timing of the work- Camp Electric, a two-day boot camp The cost for a church team to attend the practices of fruitful congregations (Five shops has been such that it helped answer for student- led worship teams will be workshop (and cluster coaching) is $250. Practices of Fruitful Congregations, by the very questions they were asking. hosted at Troy UMC Dec. 29-30. There is an early registration discount of Bishop Robert Schnase). To participate, The camp has space for eight student- led worship teams to learn about the FUMMWA Handbell Festival March 26 ELCA seeking mutual mission of their band, the core of wor- The 23rd Annual Handbell Festival, Registrations are limited to the first 225 ministry partners ship ministry, the best ways to sharpen sponsored by the Illinois Great Rivers registrants. The Central/Southern Illinois Synod skills and how to lead /serve the congre- Conference Chapter of the Fellowship of Bob Bidewell, Director of Music and of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in gation as worship leaders. United Methodists in Music and Worship Organist of St. Paul UMC in Little Rock, America is seeking mutual ministry part- The registration cost is the same for Arts (UMMWA), will be held on Satur- Ark., will be the festival clinician. Bide- nerships with IGRC congregations. each church and the church can send day, March 26, from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the well has served as a church musician for One of the upcoming opportunities is all the members of the student worship Northfield Inn Suites and Conference Cen- more than 30 years for various congrga- formation of a cluster of 12 to 15 congre- team. For more information or registra- ter in Springfield. tions in Arkansas. A life-long Methodist, gations to participate in a congregation tion, please visit: http://harvestconfer- Registration cost is $35 per person Bidewell has a Master of Music Education revitalization process called Partnership ences.org/campelectric/ or contact Tim if a member of the Fellowship, $40 for degress from Arkansas State University in for Missional Church (PMC). Price at 618-667-6241 ext 14. non-members. Registrations will be ac- Jonesboro. He is the state chair of the Ar- At the conclusion of PMC, each con- In addition to time as a team to cepted through Feb. 26. Late registrations kansas Chapter of the American Guild of gregation will have a clear understand- develop the mission of their group, after Feb. 26 are non-refundable and will English Handbell Ringers, a member of the ing of its unique missional vocation, a individualized times will be available be $45 for a Fellowship member, $50 for FUMMWA and the American Guild of Or- plan to carry it out and the spiritual prac- for student worship teams to learn skills non-members. Substitutions with same bell ganists. tices to help them adapt to changes in the and sharpen their musical ability, stage assignment can be made by notifying Mari- A registration form can be downloaded future. presence and arrangements. lyn Hirschman at [email protected], by mail- by visiting the Conference Calendar and For more information, contact Moore Clinicians will be available during ing her at: P. O. Box 138, Farmer City, IL clicking on the FUMMWA Handbell Fes- at 217-753-7915 or by emailing Terry. the boot camp to personally work with 61842-0138 or by calling 309-928-2067. tival link on March 26. [email protected]. each team. Fees include a morning snack and lunch. December 2010 Illinois Great Rivers Conference — The Current Page 11

Missions and Outreach — Globally and Locally Briefs Grants available to support Facing ‘GIANTS’ older adult ministries NASHVILLE – Applications for Mission trip to Liberia leaves a strong impression grants to support caregiving minis- By Valari Hyatt where. For instance, she points out that “here ev- tries for older adults are now being Pekin Times n The challenge of looking for God eryone has multiple cars. We live in a car- accepted by the Center on Aging “I enjoyed the challenge of what we oriented society.” But she saw a country & Older Adult Ministries PEKIN – A recent mission trip to Li- saw. You always had to look for God be- with a few paved roads, some older ve- at the United Methodist beria left an impression on Valerie Moe- cause He was always there. It’s easy to hicles, and a gas station or two. General Board of Dis- hle-Umholtz, who found the “faith, hope concentrate on things that need to be fixed Nonetheless, when she did see a gas cipleship. and resiliency” of the people “inspiring.” but you have to look to see the resilience station, it was a sight to see. “They sold Grant applications are Umholtz, a Pekin attorney, did her and faces of the people — they thank God gasoline in glass jars,” she said, shaking available online at www. homework before she left, studying Libe- they wake up. We expect to wake up ev- her head in disbelief. She’s still struggling aging-umc.org. For more information, ria’s political, social and religious history. ery morning and I’m not talking about the with the “giants” she saw. contact project coordinator Teri Kline at the Since English is a primary language spo- elderly or the sick but all of us. We take “Like I said, you had to look for God Center for Aging & Older Adult Ministries ken in Liberia, she was confident she’d it for granted that we’ll wake up. They everywhere.” by phone toll free at 877-899-2780, Ext. have no problems communicating with don’t.” Two things she can’t forget since the 7177, or by e-mail at [email protected]. the people. “They have a gratefulness to God,” trip are the conditions in which children Richard H. Gentzler Jr., the center’s di- “It was frustrating. I had no expec- she adds. “We see everything as our own are educated, and the effort it takes to eat. rector, says submissions from local United tations, but after I got there I thought I handiwork and they see everything as “Everybody cooks outside on charcoal Methodist congregations, districts, annual would be able to communicate with the God’s handiwork.” stoves. They haul water — everything is conferences, central conferences and UM- children,” said Umholtz. The problem At one point, Umholtz introduced laborious. Fixing food is a lot of work related institutions may be submitted until mainly stemmed from the different tribal “games” to children during an anniver- — if you have it. Before you can eat you the deadline on Jan. 15. dialects that were so scrambled Umholtz sary celebration. She was perplexed when have to have a shelter for protection from For the current grant-making process, found herself constantly repeating, “What the children immediately asked, “What is the rain. Then you have to have food, the program or project submitted for grant is your name?” a game?” charcoal and water,” she said, clicking consideration must provide a caregiving “Finally I would ask the children to With amazement still lingering in her through digital photos she took of their ministry or address an issue of caregiving spell it and I still couldn’t understand it. voice, Umholtz said, “They didn’t know “stoves,” which are actually metal stands ministry with older adults. The ministry Pretty soon, the children started asking what a game was. And you know what? with a big pot heated over charcoal and must be consistent with the doctrine and me my name and then they’d ask me to The whole time I was there I never saw a weighted down with charcoal. Inside the social principles of The United Methodist spell it but they couldn’t get it either be- toy. I was at a pre-school and I didn’t see big pot is a smaller one. “They baked Church. cause ‘Valerie’ is a name they don’t know. a toy.” cornbread in this one,” she said sporting Earlier this year, 38 grants totaling So it was a two-way street.” It was times like these that Umholtz a picture of a perfectly round, golden corn $75,000 were awarded for intergeneration- Communication did get better for Um- said she had to look for God. “Most of the bread. al ministries. They included projects and holtz, who stayed in Liberia, the city of time you wanted to absorb it all without n Personal appearances programs in all five UM jurisdictions and Monrovia in a place called Unification becoming upset. Every once in a while Personal appearance is very important the central conferences. Town. Umholtz, the Rev. Judy Doyle and something happened to touch you … but in Liberia where men tend to wear west- Kathy Simpson — all members of the Pe- to not get upset about it you always had to ern garb and women, more traditional Alternate Golden Cross Sunday kin First UMC — were part of a 16-mis- look for God.” clothing such as colorful lapas. Cloth- Dec. 5 sionary team led by Bunny Wolfe, from n A hunger for education ing, which is mainly second-hand from Alternate Golden Cross Sunday is Sun- the United Methodist Church, Illinois She found God often, she said, in the states, is mostly worn by those with day, Dec. 5 for those churches that haven’t Great Rivers Conference, which included the children’s faces which radiated with the ability and means to get them. “Any- observed Golden Cross Sunday. other Methodist churches from different genuine smiles and laugher. “They love one with any wherewithal are concerned A bulletin insert can be downloaded at: locations around Collinsville, and the In- having their pictures taken … they have with their personal appearance and will www.igrc.org/goldencross diana and Iowa borders. a real hunger for education. The govern- go out of their way to wear the very best Golden Cross Sunday offering supports “Our conference has set Liberia mis- ment said they will provide it for kinder- they have, especially for special occa- the work of 10 conference agencies: Even- sion work as a priority,” Umholtz said, garten through 3 years but no access yet sions such as church, school, parades, and glow Lodge, Sunset Home, The United noting that the Methodist Church has had and (the students) have to pay for it. But church conferences.” Methodist Village, Wesley Village, pasto- a presence there for at least 160 years. I saw 15-year-old boys in fourth grade. I Although appearance is important, ral care units at Alton Memorial Hospital n The ‘giants’ were everywhere saw 12-year-old girls in kindergarten. The here again Umholtz saw “giants,” particu- and Methodist Medical Center in Peoria; “But since the ’70s and ’80s it’s been point is these children wanted an edu- larly with the uneducated, poor, or those Chaddock, Lessie Bates Davis Neighbor- in constant turmoil with politics, civil cation bad enough to sit in a class with who don’t attend school. hood House, The Baby Fold and the United war, devastation … it’s a country divided kids younger than themselves just so they “It’s noticeable because those in Methodist Children’s Home. by Christian, Muslim, and indigenous (re- could learn.” school wear the blue and gold uniforms She also saw “a little 10-year-old girl (Methodist church/school colors) so ev- ligions). It’s been that way since it became Mission experiences available a country,” said Umholtz, who was there who was not in school but was selling eryone is dressed the same and you can’t to help paint and finish building a school. cookies on the street for 5 Liberian dollars tell who has less or more.” Umholtz said for youth in 2011 Impressed with the people, Umholtz each, which is about 7 cents. She made the those who don’t attend school don’t have NASHVILLE – Youth from United strived to learn their needs and cultures. cookies at home and then would sell them uniforms and might not even have a shirt Methodist churches around the nation can She said it was difficult at times to see in the street. It’s very common to see kids or pants … or less. “I saw one little girl learn what it means to serve others next God in the midst of devastation, hunger who weren’t in school.” clothed only in a piece of material that summer by participating in week-long mis- and political upheavals. Sitting in front of her home comput- was wrapped around her.” sion work experiences in Nashville that Yet, while she was in Liberia, a speak- er, Umholtz admits she lives with all the Still, Umholtz said that while some help children, the elderly, the homeless and er — the Rev. (Jerry) Kulah — put it all comforts she could want. Since her trip, students might be enrolled in school, they people with special needs. into perspective while delivering a devo- though, she looks at her lifestyle — and might not have the means for a uniform. The mission experience is open to tion straight out of Exodus. “He said when that of most Americans — a little differ- These are visible “giants” that go unno- youth who will enter the seventh grade in Moses sent 12 men to report back what ently. “You feel guilty. You come back ticed every day by most Liberians. the fall of 2011 through current high school they saw, 11 reported they saw ‘giants.’ and think about how you’ve chosen to live While most of their time was spent in seniors. But only Joshua came back and said, yes …our culture is different than theirs and Liberia, Umholtz said they also visited For more information, go online to he saw giants but he also saw God.” nobody should live like that but you feel Gbarnga and Ganta where the hospital www.youthworks.com and click on the link Umholtz said she had to keep her eyes more grateful for what you have.” is located. Umholtz said she saw a law for United Methodist Churches in the left open because the “giants” were every- Umholtz agrees there’s a lot to digest. See Giants on page 12 . . . column. Page 12 Illinois Great Rivers Conference — The Current December 2010 Embracing Communication & Technology Paid, electronic Communications team garners two UMAC awards subscriptions By Paul Black conference’s five ministry priorities into the site’s header. In a sense, the conference’s

Briefs online SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. -- The Il- theme is overlaid on the denomination’s Persons wishing to pur- linois Great Rivers Conference website, them in that the photos are on top of a door chase a yearly subscription www.igrc.org, was judged best among an- -- alluding to imagery of the 10,000 Doors to The Current may now do so nual conference websites, and the 2010 church campaign. It was a slam dunk de- online by visiting: www.igrc.org/ Senior High YAR promotional video also sign from the beginning.” subscriptions. was judged best use of motion graphics in Brick River has designed roughly one Paul Black Mike Hembrough Each IGRC congregation is judging conducted by the United Methodist half of United Methodist annual confer- given a certain number of free sub- Association of Communicators. ences nationwide and have done additional scriptions for its local church leaders The winning entries were among 10 work for the General Board of Global Min- based upon size and worship atten- awards of excellence and 53 Certificates of istries, for the NOMADS ministry, and for dance. Additional subscriptions may be Merit announced Oct. 21 at the annual gath- United Methodist Association of Commu- purchased for $10 a year. ering of United Methodist Communicators. nicators. Persons may also visit the Online The website, which launched May 15, The IGRC website has generated more Subscription Center to subscribe to the was the collaboration of IGRC Director of than 73,000 visits in the past 30 days and electronic version of The Current. Once Communication Ministries Paul Black, IT nearly 1/2 million since its launch five and Michele Willson Suzy Burns production has been completed on an Manager Mike Hembrough and webmas- a half months ago. edition of The Current, the electronic ter Michele Willson. The trio worked with For the third consecutive year, Burns’ Stephen J. Hustedt, former staff writer subscriber is sent a link to view the Brick River Technologies in Exeter, N.H. use of motion graphics with Senior High for The Current and Director of Commu- issue that has been posted online. There to overhaul the IGRC website which had YAR’s promotional video captured the nications for the Desert Southwest Confer- is no limit to the number of electronic served the conference for more nearly four judges’ attention. ence, also won two awards -- for the con- subscriptions a church/charge may years. The minute-long video, which encapsu- ference’s Transformation magazine and its have and there is no cost for electronic “The IGRC website was a really fun lated the basic information about the event online companion Transformation Online. subscriptions. design to implement,” said Paul Schneider, and how to register, was colorful and dis- In all, 189 entries were submitted. To Future plans are to enable pastors and owner and president of Brick River. “The played Burns’ wide array of talent in craft- view the entire list of winners, visit: www. churches to manage their free subscrip- IGRC team had a clear idea of the design ing a message geared for a younger target umcommunicators/news/detail/23. tions online as well, similar to updating concept that included incorporating the audience. their subscriptions to Interpreter maga- the priests did everything. I get so angry at we should not keep lowering our expecta- zine at the general church level. Dan Dick our pastor every time he talks about ‘the tions until they are willing to say “yes.” Persons may also subscribe to a Continued from page 7 ministry of the laity.’ If he would spend Being a Christian disciple comes with number of electronic newsletters by less time trying to get us to do his work for some demands. It is up to each individual visiting www.igrc.org and selecting byterians, Lutherans, Roman Catholics, him, he would get a lot more done!” to decide whether they want to meet those Communications from the top banner. Episcopalians, Disciples of Christ and a Accountability to vows before God demands, but this is their choice. From the Communications page, host of other denominations, we have be- and a Christian community are not intend- The body of Christ needs to be clear click “Sign Up for Our E-newsletters.” come more stew than salad—a blending of ed to weed out anyone, but to facilitate the that membership in the body means some- Persons who already are subscribed flavors that over time lose their distinctive- emergence of those who desire a life in thing, and that all are welcome—as long as to one or more IGRC e-newsletters ness and become something “other”—and Christ. Accountability is not by definition they are willing to take seriously the prom- will get a message, “You are already I would say less than the sum of our parts. punitive. Actions must have consequences. ises they make to God and the community subscribed…” and an email will be A significant number of people enter When people perform well and follow of faith. sent to the subscriber to update their the United Methodist Church dragging through on their word, this should be rec- The Rev. Dick is director of connec- preferences and choices. their plunder from Egypt—carrying all ognized and celebrated. When people per- tional ministries for the Wisconsin Con- Persons who are subscribing for the their history of the way their old church form poorly and fail to keep their vows, ference. Reprinted from his blog, United first time, upon entering their email worked into their new church. there should be consequences. And when Methodeviations, doroteos2.wordpress. address, will be given a list of interests A lay leader in a United Methodist people hear what is required and say “no com. and e-newsletters to which they can Church told me recently: “In my last church thank you,” then we should honor that, but subscribe. band and two teenage sons. more giants. Rethink Church.org Giants n Resources needed “The new school — if they can get the revamped, launched Continued from page 11 She’s not sure if she will go back to money to finish it — will have plumbing, library, a school for the deaf, squatters, Liberia but one thing definitely touched a sink and a stool … three bathrooms for Nov. 12 and a rainbow. She also saw six different her heart. 400 people. Hey, this is big stuff really — NASHVILLE – The denomination’s newspapers in Monrovia. “I’m not sure what kind of impact they’ll have electricity,” she said of the revamped website for young-adult “They had six newspapers in Monro- I would have if I went back. What can I unfinished school. spiritual seekers, RethinkChurch.org, via alone and none of them reported the do? I don’t know what I want to do yet but She adds, “Resources are so lim- will debut Friday, Nov. 12. This marks same headlines … the news was different there is one thing … they need $25,000 ited. It’s very hard to think long-term or the website’s beta launch, a period in each paper — not like here where every to complete a school and it is in the worst growth when you don’t know where your when the website is fine-tuned amid paper reports on the same story. All of the area of Liberia. It’s large enough — a pri- next meal is coming from. I met some re- real-world exposure. papers are in English because English is vate school — and it is to be three stories. markable adults who had perseverance, RethinkChurch.org features more the basic language in print. The news or Most schools are single but this one has hope and faith that really inspired you. engagement capabilities and content headlines are written on a blackboard … a kitchen, bathrooms and an auditorium They’re truly joyful. For them, life isn’t offerings than its seeker site predeces- their editorials are so interesting.” but don’t get excited. I’ll show you the about having things. They don’t have that sor, 10thousanddoors.org. Visitors may It was here at the open news stands pictures,” she said. “It’s not what you’d expectation of God will bless me and I’ll read, watch, comment, and interact that she found “communication” that she think but it is much better than the other be wealthy. They see it elsewhere and on topics that are important both to could totally understand and thorough- schools.” life is life. Life is death. Life is struggle, them and to The United Methodist ly enjoyed. In fact, she brought seven She took a lot of photos. She can show survival, water, hunger — that’s life. We Church—from the environment, to newspapers back with her, along with you photos of old schools without elec- think if we don’t have running water we global health, to disaster relief. An handmade instruments, an unusual nativ- tricity or running water, new schools half- don’t have life. Jesus didn’t have running interactive map connects seekers to a ity scene, and colorful clothing, some of built, classrooms without desks, class- water ….” church in their area. which she had tailor-made for her hus- rooms with chalkboards but no chalk, and See Giants on page 15 . . . December 2010 Illinois Great Rivers Conference — The Current Page 13 National News Briefs ‘Advisory group on steroids’ tackles reform SMU breaks ground on Bush Presidential By the Rev. Rich Peck* Jesus than to know about him,” he said. faith and people engaged in mission activi- Connectional Table members asked ties. Pittsburgh Area Bishop Tom Bicker- Library FRANKLIN, Tenn. (UMNS) -- United two bishops and two laypeople from the ton expressed the fear that church leaders DALLAS, Texas -- A star-stud- Methodist leaders have created a team to Connectional Table to select the seven are confusing people with a “multiplicity ded array of officials from the last put the finishing touches on a plan aimed team members. The Call to Action group of messages” such as the “Four Areas of presidency turned out Nov. 16 to break at increasing the number of vital congrega- originally called for a five-member com- Focus,” “Five Practices of Faithful Liv- ground for the George W. Bush Presi- tions in the church. mittee; the Connectional Table expanded ing,” “Seven Vision Pathways” and recom- dential Center at United Methodist- The new Interim Operations Team will the team to seven members. mendations from seven study committees. related Southern Methodist University. be an “advisory group on steroids,” said People serving on the committee to “There is a great reason to be passion- Former Vice President Dick Cheney Neil Alexander, president and publisher nominate the Interim Operations Team are: ate about every one of these,” said Bick- and former Secretary of State Con- of the United Methodist Publishing House Alabama-West Florida Area Bishop Larry erton, but he feared multiple messages are doleeza Rice were among more than and co-chairperson of the Call to Action Goodpaster, president of the Council of confusing United Methodist members. 3,000 friends, supporters and former Steering Team, which includes clergy and Bishops; Bishop Hopkins; Judy Benson, The Connectional Table asked United administration officials filling a mas- laity. Oklahoma Conference; and David Beck- Methodist Communications to develop a sive white tent on the eastern edge of The Call to Action Steering Team had ley, Mississippi Conference. less fractured way of communicating these the SMU campus. proposed creating the new team during the Hopkins told the United Methodist concerns. Minnesota Area Bishop Sally The former first couple, both Nov. 15-17 meeting of the denomination’s News Service he expects the team to be Dyck, president of the communications United Methodists, also were joined Connectional Table, – a 60-member inter- operational by January 2011. The group agency, expressed confidence that the staff by their pastor, the Rev. Mark Craig national panel of jurisdictional, agency and will operate with a $450,000 budget, and could help the church get a handle on all of of Highland Park United Methodist caucus leaders. it will employ a project director. The team these important concerns. Church, in lifting shovels full of dirt Alexander added that the group will be will conclude its work by December 2012. n Other business symbolizing the start of work on the “certainly unencumbered and freed up to The Call to Action plan was approved • The Connectional Table asked the 225,000-square-foot brick and lime- provide strong leadership and hard/frank two weeks earlier by the Council of Bish- General Conference Rules Committee to stone presidential library center sched- and disrupting recommendations, but nev- ops at their meeting in Panama City, Pan- place all legislation dealing with agency uled to be completed in February 2013. er to presume decision-making authority ama. The bishops agreed with the call for structures into a single legislative com- The center will house a library, a that is currently lodged elsewhere.” their council to assume responsibility and mittee. museum and a think-tank-type policy Meeting at First United Methodist accountability for improving results in at- • Connectional Table members learned institute. The National Archives will Church in Franklin, the Connectional Table tendance, professions of faith, baptisms, that the World Service Contingency Fund operate the library and museum. The agreed to create a seven-member Interim benevolence giving and lowering the aver- made a $30,000 grant to resolve legal issues Bush Foundation will run the institute. Operations Team to map responses to key age age of local church participants. surrounding the land on which the Mulun- Its policy institute is already working issues, needs and challenges identified by n Answering criticism gushi Seminary is built in the Democratic and will focus on education reform, two exhaustive studies. Alexander acknowledged that the Call Republic of Congo and a $25,000 grant to global health, human freedom and Ohio East Area Bishop John Hopkins, to Action report has come under criticism the General Commission on United Meth- economic growth. Connectional Table chairperson, said most for focusing solely on U.S. churches. odist Men to launch Disciple Bible studies of the recommendations from the Call to Alexander noted that insufficient time in male prisons in five states. Mission site reaches Action group could be enacted prior to and money limited the study and recom- • The 10-member Apportionment hundreds of thousands General Conference, the denomination’s mendations to U.S. churches. “We simply Structure Study Group reported to a joint top legislative body, which meets again in didn’t have the capacity to address issues session of Connectional Table and the Gen- 10-Fold accomplished its purpose 2012. of language, context and different histories eral Council on Finance and Administration more than 40,000-fold. However, some recommendations will of collecting and reporting certain kinds of that it is considering a proposal that would The innovative online site attracted require legislation to be approved by Gen- data,” he said. He encouraged the church to eliminate the denomination’s seven general more than 417,000 people from 92 eral Conference. The Interim Operations allocate people and dollars to provide simi- funds to create a single United Method- countries during a recent 10-day period Team will be responsible for drafting any lar studies in other countries. ist fund. Under the provisional plan, local featuring live webcasts about United legislation required. “We have heard and considered churches would be asked to subtract desig- Methodist projects throughout the n Changing culture thoughtful criticisms about the studies,” nated funds received in a weekly offering, world. In an opening worship service, Hop- Alexander said. “I want to say on behalf of and allocate 3 percent of the remaining re- Two of the lives enriched were those kins said changing the current church cul- the steering team that we have been care- ceipts for the general church. But the plan of the Rev. Mark Terwilliger, pastor of ture would not be easy. “We frequently ful, self-critical and exacting in the work received a cool reception from annual con- Beach Lake United Methodist Church worship the form and not the spirit behind related to both projects and after much ference treasurers. “Giving may go down in Pennsylvania, and a youth from the the form,” he said. The bishop spoke about review and critique, we are emphatically as many people want to designate funds,” church. the desire to keep our old wine skins and confident that the research offers crucial, responded Christine Dodson, president of Terwilliger was watching a webcast how difficult –– but necessary –– it is to accurate and useful clues.” the National Association of Conference for 10-Fold when he noticed the status shift to new wineskins. n Need to reduce confusion Treasurers. She said a single fund would post of one of his youth on Facebook. The bishop noted that younger genera- The Connectional Table also heard a re- decrease transparency and an income-based The youth said she was “bored,” so he tions separate “religion” that focuses on a port from its “Planting the Seeds –– Reap- plan could result in “creative reporting.” invited her to watch the webcast about relationship with the church from “spiritu- ing the Harvest Committee.” That report *Peck is a retired clergy member of the “Shade and Fresh Water Program,” ality” that focuses on a relationship with calls for local churches to establish goals New York Annual Conference and a free- a project featuring sports, health and God through Christ. “It’s better to know for membership, attendance, profession of lance writer in Franklin, Tenn. drama for children ages 6 to 14 from urban areas in Brazil. Thirty Methodist Apportionment amounts to be proposed schools serve more than 3,500 kids. By the end of the webcast, Ter- If the General Council on Finance and amount of money local churches can be drennium. The committee also calculates a williger said, the youth “had asked Administration’s projections hold, the expected to give to the general church high amount of $644.3 million and a low questions, wanted to make a donation 2013-16 quadrennium will mark the first each quadrennium. of $576.6 million. Factors that go into the to Shade through the Advance, got time the actual dollars available for gen- The council’s Economic Advisory final projection include: church member- UMVIM information to volunteer in eral church ministries will be decreased. Committee reported in a joint session of ship, inflation, per-capita disposable in- Brazil, and wrote back to talk to me The General Council on Finance and the council and the Connectional Table come, giving elasticity, net spending and about leadership roles in the church.” Administration is responsible for recom- that it is currently proposing a base bud- the gross-domestic product. mending to General Conference the total get of $610.7 million for the 2013-16 qua- Page 14 Illinois Great Rivers Conference — The Current December 2010 Global News Africa bishops urge Imagine No Malaria has first release of funds theological education By Linda Bloom*

Briefs PANAMA CITY, Panama (UMNS) -- The United Methodist Church in The United Methodist Church plans to Africa is growing, but the number of combat malaria in Africa by using both its trained and licensed clergy is not keep- own health infrastructure and partnerships ing pace. with other organizations. In addition, money allocated for Afri- To achieve that goal, the denomination can theological education has been slow will release funds by the end of this year to filter down. from its “Imagine No Malaria” initiative General Conference, the denomina- to the Geneva-based Global Fund to Fight tion’s policy-making body, approved the AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria. Last Africa Educational Initiative in 2008. week, funds were authorized for release to The United Methodist Board of Higher the United Methodist Committee on Relief Education and Ministry, the Board of to help with implementing the campaign in Global Ministries and United Methodist Africa. Communications agreed to provide $2 “We’re able to move forward due to million to support the initiative. the generosity of the people of The United The initiative calls for each of the 12 Methodist Church in response to Imagine African bishops to receive $100,000 No Malaria,” said the Rev. Larry Hollon, for scholarships and logistical support top executive of United Methodist Com- A UMNS photo by Mike DuBose A UMNS photo by to educate clergy in each episcopal munications. Public health workers and community volunteers train to distribute mosquito nets in area. But so far only $20,000 has been The denomination also is a key partner Lubumbashi, Democratic Republic of the Congo. distributed. Liberia Bishop John Innis in a national distribution of mosquito bed- thing without involving the churches,” he explained. used those funds to send four students to nets in Sierra Leone at the end of Novem- said. Through the health boards, African Africa University in Mutare, Zimbabwe. ber. n Committed to fighting killer diseases United Methodists are acquiring the skills “We’ve been slow to get off partly The Global Fund will receive the first Michel Kazatchkine, executive direc- needed to set the malaria strategy for their because we haven’t received many installment of a $28-million pledge from tor of The Global Fund, acknowledged the continent. Training includes how to apply applications and partly because the The United Methodist Church. Fulfillment significant pledge as “a testimony to your for funds – available in January 2012 – applications we have received haven’t of that pledge is contingent upon the suc- church’s commitment to fighting the three manage that money, and execute programs been complete,” said John Lesesne, the cessful completion of the denomination’s diseases and improving the health of com- that affect the malaria problem. higher education agency’s chief finan- goal to raise $75 million and eliminate ma- munities and people in need,” in an Oct. 22 UMCOR has supported much of this cial officer and interim top executive. laria deaths in Africa by 2015. letter to Kemper. work for years on a smaller scale, Trilli n Providing training and infrastructure “Part of our Methodist DNA” includes added. “Imagine No Malaria allows us to UMCOR funding will be used to train a concern for health that was part of the scale up our community-based approach to Winter threatens African health boards providing local de- theology of John Wesley, Methodism’s malaria and other diseases and ailments of Pakistan flood victims livery systems for malaria prevention, edu- founder, Kemper replied. poverty—all with the goal of reducing ma- cation and treatment. This first step toward “Our capacity to make a commitment ternal and child mortality.” Church World Service is worried an integrated health infrastructure has hap- to the Global Fund is based in our ‘connec- The connections through UMCOR and about how these families will survive pened “about two years earlier than we an- tional’ system, also a gift of Mr. Wesley, The United Methodist Church are driving the upcoming winter months. ticipated,” said Hollon. which links our congregations and insti- the mosquito net distribution in Sierra Le- David Sadoo, an executive with the Thomas Kemper, who made the com- tutions in ways that promote common ac- one at the end of November, Hollon said. United Methodist Committee on Relief, mitment to the Global Fund in October tion,” he wrote in a Nov. 11 response. The Sierra Leone effort involves nearly agrees that for Pakistan’s displaced, on behalf of the United Methodist Global The release of Imagine No Malaria 400,000 nets and 3,700 community health “right now, the biggest concern is win- Health Initiative, said that employing an funds through the United Methodist Com- workers. The distribution is being adapted ter.” UMCOR is continuing to partner integrated strategy “is the only way we can munications Foundation also supports UM- to the Episcopalian “Nets for Life” model, with CWS and other agencies, including fight and beat malaria.” COR’s efforts to overcome malaria. Over which provides training for community Muslim Aid and the Church of Pakistan, The United Methodist Church is the the past two years, the church’s relief agen- health workers who install nets, educate to assist flood victims. first faith-based partner of the fund. Kem- cy has been preparing the denomination’s the families receiving them and bring the The floods – which began in July dur- per, the top executive of the United Meth- annual (regional) conferences in Africa to net packaging back to supervisors for con- ing Pakistan’s monsoon season – swept odist Board of Global Ministries, believes take advantage of the Imagine No Malaria firmation that the task has been completed. through four regions and the Indus the independent organization offers a unit- funding, according to Shannon Trilli, the “They are actually paid for the number of River basin, leaving millions homeless, ed approach to the elimination of malaria agency’s director for the Malaria Initiative. packages they (bring back),” Hollon ex- wiping out croplands and farms and “which we have not seen before in devel- “This has meant we organized, ori- plained. destroying livelihoods. Some 14 million opment work.” ented and trained health program bodies, Donations to Imagine No Malaria can people in Pakistan still need assistance In Africa, where 40 percent of the or health boards, that are responsible not be made by visiting: www.imaginenoma- with food, shelter, health care and safe health-care infrastructure is operated by only for applying for the funds and direct- laria.org/donation drinking water, says the U.N. Office religious organizations, the church has the ing the malaria strategy in Africa, but also *Bloom is a United Methodist News for the Coordination of Humanitarian people and the mechanisms to join in that for implementing (and measuring the im- Service multimedia reporter based in New Affairs. approach. “It’s impossible to really do any- pact of) the malaria-control projects,” she York. But the international response has remained sluggish. A plan for flood-af- fected communities set up by the United Nations and Pakistan’s government has commitments for only 40 percent of its $1.93 billion funding goal. The U.N.’s World Food Programme did recently receive a $90 million dona- tion from the United States for Pakistan – $45 million in cash and $45 million

worth of “in-kind” food aid. Mike DuBose, UMNS Photo by Decmeber 2010 Illinois Great Rivers Conference — The Current Page 15 Christian Conversation Letters Candidate profile all it’s fine candidates and lofty ideals, ex- is down that same road. candidates and office holders were ‘way out of bounds’ ists and is able to exist for only one reason; Don Michel, Anna also quoted in the package of stories. and that’s because the Green Party takes Cache River District In all of the stories, it was the Editor, The Current: votes away from Democrats. If it took votes aim to provide information about I think the Oct. 29 Current is way out away from Republicans; it wouldn’t exist. candidates and how faith had in- of bounds and inappropriate. To publish a The facts are: your article hurt Demo- Appreciated election stories, formed their politics. While several paper so vehemently highlighting a political crats and helped Republicans whether letter on civility criticize the use of green as the color party and certain candidates just prior to the or not you intended for it to be that way. Editor, The Current: used on the cover, back page, and center election is political campaigning no matter That’s just the way it is. I suggest you be Congratulations to you and your team spread, those looking for ulterior motives what you call it. Your disclaimer that you more careful the next time you venture into on winning two UMAC awards. They are would have also criticized the use of red or are only providing information for voters politics. well-deserved. blue, despite those being traditional patri- and not an endorsement is not believable. Steve Waterworth, Easton Thank you, too, for the latest issue of otic colors. You even highlighted the article in Green! Sangamon River District The Current. I really appreciated the arti- The argument that the Green Party takes I would feel the same way no matter cles related to the recent election, especial- away votes from Democrats also does not what party had been highlighted in this Feature on candidates ly the letter from former Congressmen on hold merit. Studies have shown that third way. If you really wanted to be a source of civility. I think we should all send a copy parties tend to draw disaffected voters that information you should have given equal ‘party propoganda’ of that letter to our Congressmen once a otherwise would not participate by voting. space to comparative views of all the par- Editor, The Current: month until they get it. Instead of taking from one and giving to an- ties. I hope this doesn’t jeopardize our tax As chairman of the finance committee Congratulations and thanks for all you other, third parties generally enlarge the cir- exempt status! At the very least you have in our church I receive your publication. do. cle of persons voting. And in regard to the done a disservice to other faithful United I was offended by what I believe to be Lynn Travis, Tremont Crawford feature, a Democrat was elected Methodists who happen to be Republican, a blatant piece of propaganda for the politi- Illinois River District governor and the Green Party vote was not Democratic, Libertarian or Independent. cal Green Party in the November issue. seen as a factor in deciding the outcome. Linda A. Richard Yes, I know you tuck in a little state- Editor’s note: The mission of the IGRC As we worked to develop and examine Pastor, Bartonville UMC ment in one corner claiming not to endorse Communications ministry is to tell the story the election with a United Methodist per- Illinois River District any party or candidate. of United Methodists in the Illinois Great spective from all angles, we also rejected But why else would you devote the Rivers Conference. The package of stories, stories that would be highly prejudicial – Green Party takes votes front page and color double-page spread taken as a whole, highlighted ALL politi- whether it be the controversy over health in the center to the candidacy of a member cal candidates who have self-identified as care reform, or the controversy of Senator- from Democrats who is a green party candidate? And why United Methodists as well as existing office elect Mark Kirk, who claimed to be a day Editor, The Current: else would you use green for the color of holders at the state and national level. care teacher in a United Methodist Church Maybe you feel your recent article the front and back pages? The story on Don Crawford was signifi- -- a claim not substantiated by church of- about the Green Party wasn’t an endorse- You have on page 2 an article about the cant in that he was the only candidate run- ficials which became part of a larger ques- ment, but it was. You know it and I know it. final report of the “Call to Action” steering ning statewide, meaning that he would be tion about the veracity of Kirk’s resume and Several people in church that I talked with team which is saddled with solving prob- on everyone’s ballot no matter where they prior job experiences. this morning agreed and like me weren’t lems resulting from the denomination’s reside within the Illinois Great Rivers Con- Our goal was to inform voters as to can- happy either. A long-time Methodist that continuing loss of membership. ference. The inclusion of the Green Party didates who self-identified with The United I talked to this afternoon was so upset she Maybe you should consider staying out Values was important because of Mr. Craw- Methodist Church in accordance with the felt like leaving the church. She won’t, but of politics. ford’s claim that party values align with the Social Principles which says, “The strength like me she’s really disgusted. It is bad enough that the Methodist teachings of John Wesley. The values were of a political system depends upon the full Your disclaimer, background in green, Church earned the thanks of Nancy Pelosi included so the reader could decide for and willing participation of its citizens.” didn’t make up for the cover picture along- for the active lobbying the church’s hierar- themselves whether or not they aligned. In 2004, the General Conference urged with three more pictures of Mr. Crawford chy did on the health care reform act. All of the self-identified candidates were registered voters “…to inform themselves and the story about the Green Party in gen- Our Methodist church has a wonderful contacted through their campaign offices to concerning the qualifications of persons eral. And just a few days from the election. history of independently, without govern- provide additional information – such as, running for office and the merits of items Imagine that, the timing, how incredible!!!! ment assistance, building hospitals, or- where they attend church or where they are requiring decisions that appear on the elec- Millions of men and women have given phanages and colleges. member; any ministries to which they par- tion day ballot, and after thoughtful and their lives fighting for America, our consti- I think the church’s hierarchy is betray- ticipate in the local church; and how their prayerful consideration to vote their choices tution, including separation of church and ing this proud heritage by becoming po- faith has shaped their political views and on the various election days.” It is to that state. Your story really crossed the line of litically active and lobbying for passage of life. Some of the candidates responded; end, the entire package of stories provided separation of church and state and certainly such unpopular measures as the health care some did not. All of them were listed in the ways for folks to educate themselves prior dishonored their sacrifices. reform act. story which starts on page 13 and finishes to going to the polls. Understand this; the Green Party, with In my opinion this issue of The Current on page 14. Democratic and Republican

Giants the name of the school “John Kofi Asmah Keep up-to-date with all the news Continued from page 12 School.” Checks can also be sent to First United Methodist Church, 1315 Court Visit www.igrc.org Jesus went to school though, and Um- St., Pekin, Il, 61554 or call the church for holtz wants the children of Liberia to have more information 347-3155. the same. “There’s so much left undone. Umholtz said another missionary They’re worshiping in the new church but group is going in January and another it’s not done. The school isn’t finished — trip is planned with teachers in July. “Af- they ran out of money. They need $25,000 ter that they don’t know when they’ll go to finish the school. It breaks your heart.” again. They’re waiting to see what secu- Umholtz said donations are needed rity is like, due to elections in November.” and welcome. Anyone who would like to donate money to help finish building the (Reprinted with permission from the school can send a check to IGRC, in care Nov. 13 issue of the Pekin Times, copy- of United Methodist Church. Make checks right 2010, Pekin Daily Times.) out to IGRC and add No. 6660VIM and December 2010 Illinois Great Rivers Conference — The Current Page 16 Conference News When the story (right) was first published online Nov. 8, the Military chaplains ask if church cares Durbin, Franklin and Waverly By the Rev. Randolph Cross*

Briefs UMC’s announced that they would be sending cards of thanks and notes of encouragement to all His most recent deployment as a United IGRC chaplains and they chal- Methodist military chaplain was officer in lenged other churches to do the same. charge and chaplain of the mortuary for the Here’s a listing of those pastors cur- theater of operations in the Middle East, lo- rently on active duty as well as those cated in Kuwait. who serve through Reserve or National In short, his task was to oversee the care Guard units: of the military war dead. He also gave his full attention to the Pastors appointed as spiritual and emotional needs of the staff chaplains responsible for the bodies of the heroes who Carl C. Johnston, Chaplain, U.S. would not be alive to see their families and Army, 5535 Wilkerson Pass Dr., loved ones. Colorado Springs, CO 80917, email: Surrounded by death on an hourly basis, [email protected] one of his prayers was for someone – any- John D. Read, Chaplain, U.S. Army, one – back home in his annual conference, A camouflage cap topped with a cross rests on a classroom table at the U.S. Army 14 Staff Post Rd., San Antonio, TX or anywhere in his beloved United Method- Chaplain Center and School in Ft. Jackson, S.C. Dressed in green and gray, chap- 78234-1304, email: john.d.read@ ist Church to recognize and support him in lains look just like any other soldier. There is one big difference: instead of a gun by us.army.mil that hard work. their side they wear a cross on their collars. They will not be carrying weapons on the Margaret E. Siemer, Chaplain, U.S. He dutifully sent in his annual report for battlefield. Navy, 101 N. Roaring Springs Rd., persons on extension ministry. His chair of Their required annual meeting with the and serving, and be in contact with them at Fort Worth, TX 78114, email: marga- the board of ordained ministry, his bishop, bishop often occurred as a lunch in a room least a couple of times per year. Let them [email protected] his district superintendent and his local with other extension ministers, or those know you hold them in prayer, and that church all received that information – but serving beyond the local church, at which you are interested in their lives and minis- Individual participation no one responded. He fulfilled his mission, there were times when the bishop was “too try. When they come home on leave or for did his work, and served as the hands and busy” with annual conference process to other reasons, find ways to introduce them of clergy in armed forces voice of Christ in a place of death and pain, even attend. to your districts, or gather clergy to meet reserve or National Guard but his church never said a word. They spoke of including in their an- with them. units n ‘Why doesn’t my church seem to nual reports items about family illnesses, or Annual conferences: Make room, and care?’ struggles or even divorces and no response even find a place of honor for these impor- Howard S. Bell, U.S. Air Force Re- This scenario plays out daily in hun- ever came – except perhaps to remind the tant partners in our ministry. They feel like serve, 706 E. Washington Ave., Casey, dreds of locations around the world. divorcing chaplain to follow the procedures fish out of water already, so help them feel IL 62420-2046, email: [email protected] Women and men have answered the call laid out by the annual conference for sepa- more at home, recognize them on the floor Phillip L. Glick, U.S. Naval Re- to ordained ministry in The United Method- ration or divorce of clergy. of conference and make sure they have ac- serve (Retired), 109 Dodson Rd., Pana, ist Church, and have further answered the They spoke with pride about represent- cess to the journals and other items of news IL 62557-6335, email: PhillipGlick@ call to serve as military chaplains, to care as ing The United Methodist Church in the and information from your conference. gmail.com shepherds for military personnel in some- military chaplaincy, and they pleaded for Local churches: Adopt a chaplain Robert D. Greene, U.S. Air Force times very difficult places. Remember that the church to send more pastors to take on from your conference, in a similar way to Reserve, 102 E. Main St., P. O. Box they are sent by United Methodists to rep- the mantle of military chaplain. adopting a missionary. Get to know them 218, Industry, IL 61440-0218, email: resent you, and to offer Christ in powerful Yet, the lament was nearly universal – and their families, and where they are de- [email protected] and holy ways. they wished they felt as though their church, ployed, and pray for them regularly, and F. Jerry Herring, Civil Air Patrol, I recently was privileged to travel and in whose name they served, would appear most importantly – communicate with them 85 Carter St., P. O. Box 166, Cypress, meet with our United Methodist chaplains to care at least a small amount about the through letters, e-mails, cards and any other IL 62923-0166, email: jherring@igrc. who are assigned to locations in the Pacific. ministry they were doing, truly extending way you can connect, and keep that “con- org I was overwhelmed by their dedication and the ministry of our church and our churches nection” solid and functional. James D. Johnson, Illinois National their willingness to serve, as well as by their in powerful and excellent ways. The clergy who serve in extension min- Guard, 2409 Raleigh Road, Spring- ability to work in a truly ecumenical setting n Time for appreciation istry and ministry beyond the local church field, IL 62704-6111, email:jjohn - to care for those who stand in defense of our Members of The United Methodist are gifts of God to us and to our church as [email protected] country. And yet they ask, “Why doesn’t Church – it’s time. For our military chap- a whole. Take the time to appreciate their Jack Swank, U.S. Army Reserve, my church seem to care?” lains, but also for thousands of United worth and their work, and let’s keep the 555 S. Walnut, P. O. Box 467, Roches- Numbers of our chaplains recited simi- Methodist elders and deacons in extension connectional church of United Methodists ter, IL 62563-0467, email: jswank@ lar stories of going home for annual confer- ministries and ministries beyond the local strong. They deserve it, and need it – and igrc.org ence, and having people remark that it was church, it is time for us to show our care in a so do you. Danny D. Wright, Army National probably time for them to come home and consistent, supportive and present manner. *Cross is assistant general secretary for Guard, 201 S. Main St., P. O. Box do “real” ministry, or of finding either no Bishops and superintendents: Find out supervision and accountability, division of 500, Annawan, IL 61234-0500, email: place to sit, or a place in the back – out of the names, ministries and settings where ordained ministry, United Methodist Board [email protected] the way, no registration packet, no nametag. members of your conference are appointed of Higher Education and Ministry.