May 2021 | Vol. 25 • No. 9
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MAY 2021 | VOL. 25 • NO. 9 current THE NEWS FROM THE EPISCOPAL OFFICE Inside THIS ISSUE VISION AND SIGHT 1 News from the Episcopal Office “The only thing worse than being blind is and growing pains, but it basically remains upside down!” 2 -3 Christian Conversations having sight but no vision!” – Helen Keller the same. I want folks to come to faith in John the Baptist is my number two Bible Jesus Christ and to serve him as their Lord hero. I love his attitude and understanding 4 Announcements & Events My friend and brother, the late Rev. Dr. Junius Dotson, tried his best to get the folks and Savior. I want the clergy and laity that I of his call. He summed it up in this simple 5-6 Local Church News in The United Methodist Church to see things am so blessed to lead to be so passionate and statement about himself and Jesus, “He must 7 Historical Messenger through a different set of lenses. He challenged enthusiastic about following Jesus that they will increase, and I must decrease.” John was willing each of us to look, not through our limited be compelled to bring people to Jesus Christ to be set aside for the sake of the kingdom of 8-9 Churches Exit Denomination eyesight, but through belief and faith in Jesus and to assist them in the process of becoming God. 10-14 Apportionments Christ, to look through the loving eyes of Jesus. fully devoted disciples. One of the lessons I have learned during My vision is for a denomination and an this pandemic is that it really is not about 15-16 Conference News Dr. Dotson’s mantra was, “See all the people!” BISHOP Jesus challenged us by reminding us that annual conference filled with churches that “me.” Don’t get me wrong, the Lord wants to 5 Photo by Jim Beers are propelled by the power of prayer, anchored use each one that is willing and available for the “harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are First UMC in Chester has a new roof. The installation of the roof coincides with the in the Word of God, led by the Holy Spirit to service, in some form or fashion. We get it church's 100th birthday as a church at the current 871 State Street site in Chester. The few.” Jesus clearly saw “all the people.” He also Frank saw the workers and quickly concluded that engage in ministries that matter and make a twisted when we think that it’s all about us. As new roof was installed by Larson Exterior Roofing and took less than three days to install. THE more workers were needed if we were serious difference, while transforming the world, one members of The United Methodist Church, we Beard about reaching people with the Good News of person at a time with the life-changing Good have grown up reciting the Wesley covenant the Gospel. News of the Gospel. My vision is for Christian prayer. This simple prayer is all about being I am often asked, as a Bishop, to share my community, Christian unity, and Christ- fully surrendered and pliable for God’s use, no current vision for The United Methodist Church or centered justice and love to be at the heart of all matter what. MAY 2021 | VOL. 25 • NO. 9 for the IGRC. My vision has a few nuisances that we do. My vision is that it will be said again about the church, “they are turning the world VISION AND SIGHT CONTINUED ON PAGE 3 died March 20 in Naples, Fla. former Southern Illinois Tanya Yvette Edwards-Evans DEATHS APPOINTMENTS Rev. Holloway served 23 years of active Conference, retiring to Bloomington:Wesley Associate, Barbara Kersh, 88, died April 15 in Henry. in 1985 from Browns- The Student Support Fund of Champaign In consultation with the Cabinet Vermilion River District, effective ministry in the former Central Illinois Barbara was the widow of the Rev. Wesley I. Fortney. Rev. Atwood First UMC hosted their spring book fair in of the Illinois Great Rivers July 1. Conference, retiring in 1987 from Milan. Kersh, who died June 4, 2010. She was also died July 8, 2019. March. The Student Support Fund purchased Conference, Bishop Frank J. Beard Cremation rites have been accorded. A three books for each of the 27 classrooms. Sheila Kelly to Mt. Carmel as a part-time local pastor from 1982 to 1992, appoints the following: Memorial Service is tentatively planned for A complete obituary may Each teacher was able to pick the books to be Evangelical, Kaskaskia River serving Avon and then Henry UMC’s. be found by visiting: purchased for their library. Timothy Jon Christian to District, effective July 1. June in Marissa, where cremains of both Rev. For a complete obituary, visit: https:// https://www.pulliamfuneralhomes. Canton: Wesley Associate, Holloway and his wife will be interred. David Kelly to Beulah, Kaskaskia www.calvertmemorial.com/obituaries/ com/obituaries/Roberta-J- effective July 1. This is his Roberta Atwood, 98, the widow of the Rev. River District, effective July 1. Barbara-Lee-Kersh?obId=20797356 Atwood?obId=20361880 6 first appointment in the IGRC, Ansel Atwood, died March 17 in Charleston. where condolences may be left for the having previously served in the Mark R. Smith to Flora First, Condolences may be sent to her daughter, family. Together with her husband, the Atwoods Kentucky Conference. Kaskaskia River District, effective Joan Dresdow, 18 Copperfield Lane, Volunteers from Chatham UMC sort6 served 12 years of active ministry in the Charleston, IL 61920. July 1. IGRC retired pastor, the Rev. Jack Holloway, through the various food items for its Malcom Jones to Port Byron: Titan Fuel ministry. First, Spoon River District, Lori D. Van Horn to Carmi First, effective July 1. Cache River District, ½ time, effective July 1. Jemiriye Fakunle to Blue Interim superintendents announced for reorganization transition Mound, Sangamon River District, Jesse D. Hinds to Benton First, SPRINGFIELD – Bishop Frank J. are undergoing similar efforts to streamline effective July 1. Kaskaskia River District, effective Beard announced April 13 the appoint- operations in an effort to address the real- July 1. ments of Rev. Mary Kathryn Pearce and ity of changing demographics and financial Jessica Baldyga to Pana, Rev. Carol Lakota Eastin to the position of concerns. Sangamon River District, effective William M. Novak to Morton: The Current (USPS 014-964) is published Interim District Superintendent of the Il- United Methodist annual conferences July 1. First Associate, Illinois River monthly by the Illinois Great Rivers District, effective July 1. He is a linois and Kaskaskia River districts, effective all around the United States are currently Leanne Noland to Nashville: Conference of The UMC, 5900 South Second clergy member of the Mountain July 1 through Dec. 31, 2021. EASTIN PEARCE undergoing significant restructuring. Some Grace, Mississippi River District, Street, Springfield, IL 62711 Sky Conference and this is his According to Bishop Beard, “These part-time Interim of these conferences have been forced to cut conference staff, effective July 1. An individual subscription is $15 per year. first appointment in IGRC. appointments will allow us sufficient time to implement reduce the number of superintendents and expand the size of the structures and processes that will assist the Cabinet in districts, and develop new methods and strategies for accom- The opinions expressed in viewpoints are Kevin Kriesel to Farina-Patoka, Change of status Kaskaskia River District, effective moving from ten superintendents to eight superintendents plishing mission and ministry. Most of the changes that have those of the writers and do not necessarily without creating major disruptions within the current district been made in other areas is due to a downturn in financial Pawnee UMC celebrated and recognized Girl Scout and Boy Scout Sunday. 6 July 1. James Conlon, discontinuation reflect the views of The Current, The IGRC, of assignment as a supply pastor, operations.” support. Members of Boy Scout Troop #73, Daisy Troop #6009, Brownie Troop #6758, and C W ‘Butch’ Reneker to Embarras River District, effective Pearce is completing eight years as Illinois River Dis- “The IGRC is in a very strong financial position,” says their leaders participated in the service. or The UMC. Louisville, Kaskaskia River April 5. He previously served at trict Superintendent and Eastin is completing seven years as Bishop Beard, and “we are not making changes because of District, ¼ time, effective July 1. Communications Team Palestine First-Kirk Chapel. The Kaskaskia River District Supertindent. According to the Book a lack of money. We are trying to position ourselves so that Leader: Paul E. Black Jessica LeCrone to Urbana: discontinuation is for Palestine of Discipline, superintendents can serve six years but that can whatever happens in the General Church, the IGRC will be Photos by Charlotte Hoffman 15 Wesley Associate, Iroquois River First only. He will continue to be extended to a maximum of eight years. Because these are able to respond with nimbleness and quickness so that we can (LEFT) Residents enjoy hallway chapel. (BELOW) Evenglow’s Team members: District, effective July 1. interim appointments, they fall outside those term limits. continue to make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transforma- planned Assisted Living (background) and Evenglow Inn memory serve as supply at Kirk Chapel. Bishop Beard going on Kim Halusan, Michele Willson The IGRC is currently working on a conference restruc- tion of the world.” care (existing building, foreground). Rebecca Gearhart to Neighbors Jeremiah W. Chipman turing plan. A fully-developed plan will be presented to the There are currently no plans to redraw any of the current Send materials to: in Christ (Galva First-Bishop Hill), Thompson, transfer clergy 2022 Annual Conference.