The

CurrentIllinois Great Rivers Conference of The United Methodist Church News Magazine December 2011 | Vol. 16 No. 4

Giving is a gift 3 4 5-9 15 Don't be DROPPED Learning LOCAL Mission from the mailing list! hospitality partnerships Return your card by from the church in Liberia, December 31st gaming NEWS Honduras, industry Eastern Europe Advent: A Time to Change (Editor’s note: The following column by Bishop Gregory V. Palmer first -ap the efforts of this season to come alongside the needy continued NEWS peared in the December 2009 issue of The Current.) with the same intensity all year long? After all the rearrangement of our priorities around the things of God, but especially being Advent is here and Christmas will be soon. The former pre- in solidarity with the poor, was never intended to last for just pares us for the latter. four or five weeks. “when the time had fully come God sent forth The amazing thing about both is their capacity to invite the the Son” not just to save or change us for a few weeks. No, the complete rearrangement of our lives around different priorities. plan was and his to change us and the whole cosmos forever. We are invited if not indeed jerked to pay attention to God’s ac- Perhaps that is why the words of Howard Thurman continue to tivity, movements and yearnings for the whole cosmos. In many bless and haunt us. In referring to the Work of Christmas he says: respects we do remarkably well in the church and the even in our personal discipleship in trying to be responsive to the biddings When the song of the angels is stilled, of God as we are bathed in the biblical texts, proclamation, music When the star in the sky is gone, and activities of the season. This we do against formidable cul- When the kings and princes are home, tural messages inviting is to delve ever deeper into the quicksand When the shepherds are back with their flock, of greed and consumption. Although the current economic chal- The work of Christmas begins: lenges chasten us mightily alongside the gospel, this does not To find the lost, give a deeper sense of meaning and fulfillment. To heal the broken, Among the ways that we rearrange during this season is To feed the hungry, around responsiveness to the pervasiveness of human need and To release the prisoner, suffering. Every church I know anything about is busy collect- To rebuild the nations, FROM THE EPISCOPAL OFFICE ing money and goods to alleviate suffering and depravation. I To bring peace among brothers, read about these noble, compassionate efforts in church bulle- To make music in the heart. tins and newsletters and I see the same on websites. The efforts Have a wonder filled and blessed Advent and Christmas all Appointments of people of faith during this season of the year blow me away. year long. More than that, they make a real difference in the lives of real In consultation with the Cabinet of the Illinois Great people. Thanks be to God for you and what you are doing with Yours in Christ, Rivers Conference, Bishop Gregory V. Palmer appoints such focus and generosity. Gregory Vaughn Palmer the following: I have often thought, and this year is no exception, what if Michael Ebersohl to Salem Grace, Kaskaskia River Dis- trict, effective Jan. 1. Russell D. Collister to Maxey Chapel (1/4 time), Spoon Bishops vow to uphold same-sex union ban River District, effective Nov. 1. By Heather Hahn Carl Johnston to New Baden (3/4 time), Mississippi While acknowledging the denomination’s “deep disagree- church is over the practice of homosexuality, recently height- River District, effective Sept. 15. ments” over homosexuality, the United Methodist Council of ened by a group of clergy who have declared that they will per- Tim Pearce to Newton Grace (80 percent), Embarras Bishops promised to uphold church law banning same-sex form holy unions in opposition to the Book of Discipline. This River District, effective Aug. 1. unions in a letter released Nov. 11. has caused different experiences of deep pain throughout the The bishops’ statement marked the first time the council as a church. As the bishops of the church, we commit ourselves to Tim Pearce to Falmouth (20 percent), Embarras River body has addressed the pledges to bless same-sex unions signed be in prayer for the whole church and for the brokenness our District, effective Aug. 1. this year by more than 1,000 United Methodist clergy across the communities experience. Furthermore, we "implore families and United States. In the New York Annual (regional) Conference, churches not to reject or condemn lesbian and gay members and Supply not appointed 732 lay people also have signed “a covenant of conscience” in friends. We commit ourselves to be in ministry for and with all Russ Thebold to Victoria (1/2 time), Spoon River Dis- support of such unions. persons" (par. 161F). We will continue to offer grace upon grace trict, effective Nov. 7. The pledges, in turn, sparked a countermovement by other to all in the name of Christ. Karen Martin to Galva Grace (1/4 time), Spoon River United Methodist clergy and lay people urging the bishops to At times like these we call upon each other to remember and District, effective Nov. 1. make clear that they will enforce the Book of Discipline, the de- renew our covenant with God and with one another as United nomination’s law book, on this issue. Altogether, the denomi- Methodist Christians. As bishops chosen, consecrated and as- Reallf Otteson to Geneseo Grace (1/4 time), Spoon nation has about 44,400 clergy and 7.8 million members in the signed by the Church, we declare once again our commitment River District, effective Oct. 10. United States. The United Methodist Church has more than 12 to be faithful to this covenant we have made. As the Council of Janet Seymour and Beverly Dehler to Ritchey (1/4 million members worldwide. Bishops we will uphold the Book of Discipline as established by time), Vermilion River District, effective Oct. 1. The complete text of the letter is as follows: General Conference. Terry Ralston to Essex (1/4 time), Vermilion River Dis- Even in the midst of our differences, we believe that we can Dear United Methodist Sisters and Brothers in Christ: trict, effective Oct. 1. together be about our mission to make disciples of Jesus Christ Grace and peace to you from Jesus Christ who calls us to for the transformation of the world. We invite all United Meth- faithfulness during a time of great and unsettling change around Charge realignment odists, lay and clergy, to join us in strengthening our congrega- the world that God loves so deeply and also within the Body of tions unto greater vitality for the sake of our mission. Sally Swaim to Middlefork-Collison, Iroquois River Christ where Jesus is both head and redeemer. To that end, may we continue to live together in the spirit of District, effective Oct. 1. We give thanks for each one of you as you seek to be faithful Philippians 2:1-5: witnesses and fruitful disciples wherever God has called you to Therefore, if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort Change of status live and share the grace that offers salvation to the world. Your in love, any sharing in the Spirit, any sympathy, complete my joy faithfulness brings encouragement, inspiration and hope to us Jung-il Rhee, discontinuation of appointment for lo- by thinking the same way, having the same love, being united and and to all who live in the influence of your witness. cal pastor, effective Nov. 1. agreeing with each other. Don't do anything for selfish purposes In a time when the world seems to be torn apart with di- Oren Banks, discontinuation of appointment for local but with humility think of others as better than yourselves. Instead vision, inequality, injustice, hatred and violence, as Christians pastor, effective Sept. 30. of each person watching out for their own good, watch out for what we bear responsibility to give witness to "a more excellent way" is better for others. Adopt the attitude that was in Christ Jesus. Doug Rettig, discontinuation of supply, effective (1Corinthians 12:31). The church is not exempt from struggles. Sept. 30. (Phil. 2:1-5). We are not the first to experience upheaval in culture and church and we are not the first to have serious and deep disagreements Your brothers and sisters in Christ, about issues of great importance. The Council of Bishops of The United Methodist Church Deaths One of the deep disagreements and divisions within the Retired pastor, Rev. Charles Fradenburgh, Jr., died The Current (USPS 014-964 is published monthly by the Oct. 19 in Tuscon, Ariz. Rev. Fradenburgh was a pas- tor in the former Central Illinois Conference, retiring in Illinois Great Rivers Conference of 1985. Condolences may be sent to his wife, Barbara at: The United Methodist Church Fountains of LaCholla, 2001 W. Rudasill Rd., Apt. 4204, 5900 South Second Street, Springfield, IL 62711 Tuscon, AZ 85704. An individual subscription is $15 per year. The opinions expressed in viewpoints are those of the writers and do not Retired pastor, Rev. Carl C. Cummins died Oct. 18. Rev. necessarily reflect the views of The Current, The Illinois Great Cummins served several churches in the former South- Rivers Confernce, or The United Methodist Church. ern Illinois Conference, retiring from Sparta in 1999. Condolences may be sent to his wife, the Rev. Loretta Cummins, PO Box 393, Greenup, IL 62428-0393. Communications Team leader: Paul E. Black; team members: A full obituary may be found at http://www.barkley- Natalie Rowe and Michele Willson. Send materials to funeralchapels.com/ P.O. Box 19207, Springfield, IL 62794-9207 tel. 217.529.2040, fax 217.529.4155, Retired pastor, Rev. John W. Cummins died in Florida email: [email protected], website: www.igrc.org on Oct. 16. Rev. Cummins was a pastor in the former Periodical postage paid at Peoria, IL, and additional mailing Southern Illinois Conference. His last appointment was offices. to Brownstown. His wife, Delice C. Cummins, survives. POSTMASTER: Please send address changes to Condolences may be sent to her at 4183 Balsa Place, The Current, Illinois Great Rivers Conference, Cocoa, FL 32926-3008. Gailyn Sadurski began her duties as receptionist for the Area Office on Monday, Nov. P.O. Box 19207, Springfield, IL 62794-9207 14. Photo by Paul Black.

NEWS FROM THE EPISCOPAL OFFICE 2 | December 2011 | The Current Help us update The Current mailing list IGRC Communications is in need of your help as we try formula allocated so many copies based upon membership EVENTS to update our antiquated mailing list. and then to certain local church leaders. The problem with Below this article you will find a form that needs to be that formula is that local churches have a variety of methods completed in order to continue receiving The Currentin 2012. organizing and titles do not always match up to make that The requirement only applies to persons receiving free sub- process flow.” scription to The Current that are non-clergy. Active clergy, re- Once the mailing list has been updated, church pastors tired clergy, surviving spouses all receive The Current but free will be notified of how many free subscriptions will be allo- lay subscriptions were given due to local church leadership cated to their church or churches. They will be asked to supply several years ago. the names and addresses of persons for the free subscriptions “When we started looking at the challenge of updating the granted to that church. The formula, based upon average old mailing lists, we found that it would be much easier to worship attendance, will allocate a free subscription for every build the mailing list from the ground up,” said IGRC Direc- seven persons in worship. So if a church has 70 in attendance, tor of Communications Paul Black. “So, we are asking every the church will have 10 free subscriptions. All churches will person receiving The Current to let us know if they want to get a minimum of four free subscriptions. continue to receive it.” Laypersons wishing to remain on The Current list should Black noted that through attrition, the number of copies return the form on this page no later than Dec. 31, 2011. They currently being printed are 10,700 – 1,300 fewer copies than should also let their pastor know that they wish to remain the 12,000 subscriber base. “We have had folks who have died, on the list when he/she receives the list for names. If a card transferred, moved or otherwise discontinued their subscrip- isn’t returned by Dec. 31, the name will be dropped from the tion, so we believe there needs to be a new way in which to list and the reader will not receive a copy beginning with the & ANNOUNCEMENTS make sure that persons are kept informed of the news and February 2012 issue. happenings of the conference as well as provide a perspective In the future, pastors will be asked to annually review on the general church and its agencies, too.” and update their churches’ subscriptions and plans are being Advanced lay speaking Black noted that there has been a cost with having out- developed where subscriptions could be updated by logging courses online dated information. “Every month, we spend money trying to into the IGRC website. keep current with mailing addresses,” he said. “Previously, the The Richard and Julia Wilke Institute for Dis- cipleship, in cooperation with the General Board of Keep The Current, Don't Be Dropped Discipleship is offering several online advanced lay speaking courses. These courses have been approved Beginning with the February 2012 issue The Current, will only be mailed to those who have returned this by the General Board of Discipleship as fulfillment of form to the IGRC. advanced lay speaking training. Topics for the early part of 2012 include: Multi- Name: media Technology in Worship for the Church Volun- teer 101, Growing Spiritually through Daily Discipline; Home Church: Leading Worship 101 for Lay People; Bible Storytelling I, and Bible Storytelling II. ADDRESS: Lay Speakers are urged to check with their Dis- trict Director of Lay Speaking prior to registering and taking one of these courses in order to verify that they qualify for counting this type of course as their Con- email: Phone: tinuing Education credit this year. Online Courses in your District may be counted as Continuing Ed on Please mail this form to: the same basis as Alternative Courses are able to be The Current, Attn: Michele Willson, P.O. Box19207, Springfield, IL 62701 counted. For more information, visit: http://beadisciple. com/layspeakingministries.html The fine print of credit cards CLASSIFIED ADVERTISING By Jay Regennitter, UMMCU Credit Union Board Member Director of Youth and CEU credit offered for Music Ministries Change Conference Mike Slaughter, pastor of Ginghamsburg United Methodist The Aledo United Methodist Church in Aledo, Illinois is Church, wrote about debt in his 2006 book Money Matters: Fi- currently accepting applications for a full-time Director A unit of continuing education credit will be of- nancial Freedom for All God’s Children. He refers to a fallacy in of Youth and Music Ministries. College degree in youth fered to clergy who attend the second Navigating Change Conference to be held Feb. 23-24 at Fairview dealing with most major credit cards. ministries and experience is preferred along with a strong Heights Christ UMC. When a person receives credit card advertisements in the music background. This position involves develop and More information on the two-day leadership con- mail, the large block lettering on the envelope and letter lists a lead youth programming and events especially geared for junior and senior high levels along with directing the ference aimed at providing practical tools for minis- small interest rate for opening a credit card. Said companies choir and accompanying the praise band. A strong Chris- try that can be taken home is posted at the Navigating expect you to read the large lettering and ignore the fine print, tian commitment and calling to youth work are essential. Change Conference website at http://www.naviga- which often says that interest will rise to a much higher percent- Good organizational, communication, & computer skills tethechange.com. age. For example, the advertisement may lure you to open the are important. Salary range is $25,000 & $28,000. For job account with a 7 percent annual percentage rate (APR), but the description email at [email protected] or write: Pas- fine print will tell you that after a certain period of time, the APR tor, Aledo UMC 301 N. College Avenue, Aledo, IL 61231 New resource in UMRC will rise to 18 percent, which is the average interest rate for credit A set of video presentations from the January West Salem Zion UMC is looking for a Youth Organizer, cards. 2011 Do No Harm Conference which was held in Interest isn’t the only part of credit cards that hurts you: so do a part-time position. Specific responsibilities include: pro- motion of youth group events, collaborate with existing Houston, is now available for loan from the United late payments. Interest and finance fees increase if you pay your youth workers on various activities including securing Media Resource Center. credit card payment late – even one day. Even making minimum volunteers to assist, and to develop an after school min- The set of videos were donated by the IGRC payments on time will cause you to pay the APR monthly, so that istry on Wednesdays. Applicants must be 21 years of age Commission on the Status and Role of Women each payment must cover the APR and a smaller percentage of or older; faithful to United Methodist doctrine, willing to (COSROW). the amount you actually owe. Irresponsible use of credit cards attend school activities, be eligible to obtain a bus driver’s The Do No Harm event was a summit gather- can cause you to pay hundreds or thousands of dollars in interest license, computer literate and willing to attend Sunday ing of persons with a vast range of expertise within worship services and Sunday School. Resumes may be and fees. Dave Ramsey suggests a simple principle in his book the denomination and beyond to discuss current Biblical Financial Study. If you can’t pay off the balance at the end sent to: West Salem UMC, 207 Jack Allen Dr., West Salem 62476-1071. reality, best practices and emerging issues related of each month, don’t have a credit card! to sexual misconduct within the church. The gath- Despite an increasing use of credit cards during this eco- The Illinois Great Rivers Conference is seeking a full- ering drew about 320 participants from 58 United nomic time, the United Methodist Ministries Credit Union has time summer Program Director at Jensen Woods United Methodist annual conferences, including Germany discovered that many of our members show greater financial re- Methodist Camp at Timewell (near Mt. Sterling), IL. Ap- and the Congo as well as ecumenical partners from sponsibility. Most of our Visa cardholders are good at paying plicants must be at least 25 years old, have two seasons the Presbyterian Church (USA), the Evangeli- off their balance every month; if they can’t pay off the balance, of camping experience, hold a bachelor's degree, and be cal Lutheran Church in America, and the World they often make more than the minimum payment to stay ahead growing in their Christian faith. The director assists with Council of Churches. of the interest charges. It’s a rare occasion that we see someone training/team-building beginning May 25, administrates programs of the camp through July 25, and manages/ For more information on the Do No Harm engaging in bad stewardship by being overcome with credit card event, visit http://www.umsexualethics.org and debt. mentors 15 paid seasonal staff and other volunteers of the camp throughout. For the complete job description and/ click on the News and Resources button. One of the ways the United Methodist Ministries Credit or more information call or email Rev. Alice Shirley at (217) Union tries to help our members is by offering low interest rates 529-2646 or [email protected]. Send resumes to the same on our Visa credit cards. The rates are fixed, and there is no fine email address or P.O. Box 19207, Springfield, IL 62794. continued on pg. 8, see Fine Print

The Current | December 2011 | 3 217.529.2040 EVENTS & ANNOUNCEMENTS CHRISTIAN Learning hospitality from the gaming industry By Terry Harter, Sangamon River District Superintendent

I recently read a report that suggested that by 2019, the • There were no kids or teenagers in the casino because United Methodist Church will have lost 42 percent of its gambling is an adult activity. Are there children and youth current membership. I don't know how accurate that is, but in your church? Believe me, people notice immediately. friends, this tells me that we need to create a sense of urgency Do you give the impression that your church is not about sharing and living the Good News of Jesus Christ with relevant to families? those family, friends, and neighbors who are right next door. And beyond urgency, we need to equip our people to witness Connection to the value added to their lives as followers of Jesus. • I suspect that many people go to casinos because they I've seen enough to know that in my 40 years of ministry, are lonely and crave human contact. However, I did not we have collectively failed to assist, empower, encourage, sup- observe many folks connecting with others in a port, and train persons to share and live their faith in whole meaningful way unless you call sitting side by side at and healthy ways. It is my suspicion that we are not now ad- individual gaming machines or blackjack table equately prepared for the challenge of our immediate future. connecting. A prime reason that people go to church is to connect with others as well as with God. For far too long, CONVERSATIONS Now, I tell you all that to set up the following: we have ignored the documented fact that the great I have a confession to make. On our vacation in Petosky, majority of people who come to church are invited and Mich., Martha and I went to the Odawa Resort and Casino. accompanied by family and friends. Human beings have Incredible issue We had always wondered what it was like, and thought that an innate need to be in community, to have a safe place we were far enough away from Springfield that it would be to share their hopes and dreams with others who care. Do Editor, The Current: OK to go, without being spotted by the WCTU. For us to walk people in your church invite family, friends, and I just got my Current in the mail today, and I into a casino is about as uncomfortable as guests walking into neighbors? Are guests welcomed warmly and invited to would like to congratulate Paul and his team for an your church for the first time. Like all first time visitors to participate in fellowship and small group opportunities? incredible issue. I think it should be a must read for a church, we were checking things out. We had some ex- • At Odawa, we observed a lot more glazed eyes and everyone who calls themselves Methodists, espe- pectations of our visit, based on both what we had seen on cially those that think serving the less fortunate is mind-numbing stares among the gamers than bright eyes television, in films, and what we had heard from friends and writing a check once or twice a year and forgetting and cheerful smiles. Many people seemed bored and even parishioners over the years. We thought it was going to be an about it the rest of the time. depressed, yet the allure of hitting the jackpot keeps them interesting experience. I am drawing upon the reflections of a coming back. When worship is so dull, the preaching so Joni Springman fellow superintendent, Laurie Haller, in order to tell our sto- rambling, or the energy level so listless that eyes not only St. Elmo First UMC ry, and I am grateful for her insights and wisdom. Her theory glaze over but gently shut, is there any alluring reason for is that every person who is serious about finding a church guests to return? home has a series of first impressions but is primarily seeking Roll out the welcome mat relevance, connection, and challenge. • Casino employees are trained to be attentive to their customers and will go out of their way to show For some people, Christmas and Easter are hospitality. Don't be like the woman in one of our the only times they go to church. Visitors seeking churches who recently approached a first-time guest and a church to call home—even a temporary home— snarled, "Why are you here? What do you want?" want to feel welcomed. They want to feel needed and "When nobody shows gain a sense of belonging to the community. Challenge In his 7 Laws of Member Retention, author Allen up at your church, • People part with their money at the casino because they Ratta notes that perception is reality. either see it as a great place to hang out or they become Here are a few welcoming activities and tips: head to the casino." hooked on the possibility of winning. Make no mistake: 1. Circle of 10. Greet anyone who comes within 10 Guests who are serious about seeking a church home feet of you. Make a special effort to greet people • The splashy neon sign along the highway was an do not give because you entertain or entice them. Rather, you do not already know. invitation to stop, enjoy some entertainment, and gamble a they love to part with their money cheerfully and willingly 2. Rule of three. During the first three minutes bit. The Odawa Casino website says, "It's an entertainment because they see lives being changed and the world trans- after the service, talk to people whom you do not destination like no other...Simply electrifying...Simply formed through the ministries of your local church. know or who are guests. Why three minutes? That tasteful...Simply sophisticated...Simply beautiful...Simply • People hang out at casinos so that, even if for only a is the average time it takes guests to exit after the best. Nightlife second to none." How do people know worship, so it is important to connect before they that your church is not just a building but is, when it brief time, they can leave their cares behind and live in an depart. comes to new life: "second to none?" artificial world. The mission of the church is to challenge people to claim real faith so that they can offer real hope to 3. Audit guests. Ask a newcomer to share his or • The uniformed woman at the entrance opened the door, a real world. her experience from parking lot to door to smiled pleasantly, and said, "Good afternoon. Welcome to departure. Odawa." Do you have designated greeters whose only job Laurie concludes: 4. Host an open house. Although visitors are is to open the door and say enthusiastically, "Good "When nobody shows up at your church, head to the ca- welcome at any time in the year, set a specific time morning! We're so glad you are here?" sino. Find out how casinos market their products in such and day to host an open house. Encourage people • I immediately felt self-conscious because most people a way that people would rather lose their money on a slot to attend the service, and ask members to reach were dressed casually for the hard work of playing the machine than use it to feed a hungry child. Then create and out to visitors personally and guide them through slot machines or rolling the dice. Casino logowear seemed practice a ministry plan for sharing the Good News of Christ the church. especially popular. How does your church embrace people through the lives of persons who are your church. 5. Host membership night. Post the meeting who don't look, dress, or talk like you? When nobody shows up at youth group, gather a group of information in the membership section of your teenagers together just to talk about their hopes and dreams. Web site. The evening should include informal Relevance Find out what makes them tick, then engage them in minis- time for fellowship, opportunity to meet pastoral • People gravitate in large numbers to casinos because they try that really matters. and ministry staff and to learn about church think it will make them feel better. For some, gambling When nobody shows up at your Church Council meet- ministries and missions and a Q&A session for is a leisure activity, a harmless form of entertainment. For ing, find out why members think it's meaningless and a waste participants. others, it's an unreasonable form of risk-taking that can of their time, then rethink the purpose of the Church Council 6. Some final words: Have adhesive-back lead to addictive behavior. People who are not related to and reinvent the agenda. nametags for everyone to put on before Jesus today no longer attend church out of loyalty, habit, or When nobody shows up at worship, evaluate how you are worship. After the Christmas Eve or Day service, guilt. Young adults, especially, are seeking a transform- doing with first impressions, relevance, connection, and chal- host a simple reception with coffee/hot apple ative encounter with God that is relevant to their every lenge and then reinvent yourself. cider and cookies for everyone, especially visitors. day life, will offer tools to become people of commitment, When nobody shows up to help at yet another chicken Encourage members to invite visitors sitting near generosity, and integrity, and will enhance their spiritual BBQ, ask yourself, "Are we in the business of cooking din- them to accompany them to the reception, actually formation. ners, or do we need to focus our efforts on grace, redemption, walk them there and introduce them to other members. If visitors have children, find church • At the casino, we walked by a woman who screamed reconciliation, evangelism, outreach, and spiritual growth?" families with children of similar ages. after hitting the jackpot. Does the flow of worship, Even though I don't gamble myself, I give the casino high including liturgy, music, testimonies, scripture, preaching, marks for fulfilling its stated mission. My hope is that I can (Reprinted from the Welcoming section of United Methodist Com- say the same for our local churches as we seek to be faithful to munications website, http://www.umcom.org/site/c.mrLZJ9PFKmG/ opportunity to give, and invitation to discipleship, touch b.6372735/k.EEFE/Welcoming.htm) hearts and minds in a way that is every bit as exciting as Jesus' call to make disciples and transform the world. hitting the jackpot?

CHRISTIAN CONVERSATIONS 4 | December 2011 | The Current Camping in a box LOCAL Youth from Carrier Mills UMC raise money for homeless shelters By Scott Fitzgerald, The Southern Illinoisian

CHURCH NEWS

Fairview Heights Christ 8th on growth list Despite institutional decline, the Wesleyan move- ment is alive and well and is happening in real con- CARRIER MILLS -- The numbers looked promising Fri- We Dare You," participants marched through Carrier Mills gregations in the United Methodist Church. day as more than 70 young people pitched a homeless shelter streets and arrived at the Brown ranch about 30 minutes later. In a list of the top 25 fastest growing large United camp on Bill and Pam Brown's ranch property as part of the Each participant was frisked to ensure the absence of all Methodist congregations in the United States, Fair- second annual Cardboard Campout. personal items such as cosmetics, toiletries and a change of view Heights Christ UMC came in eighth, showing The event is sponsored by First United Methodist Church clothes. Shreffler said she wanted to pay particular attention a 28 percent growth since 2006. The list looks at the of Carrier Mills and its pastor, the Rev. Stan Irvin. to see that no cellular telephones were sneaked in. most recent complete four years of average weekly "This is awesome to get this many kids and the communi- Two of the participants, Donovyn Valdez and Braden worship attendance data (2006-2009, as 2010 num- ty involved. Every dollar counts. This brings great awareness Cummins, both 12, got busy fixing their cardboard dwellings. bers won't be finalized with the denomination until of how we can touch the lives of people," said Mona Crim of Cummins said it was different setting up a cardboard camp later this year). the Christian Community Compassion Center and its home- up than what he does as a Boy Scout. A congregation must have at least 1000 in weekly worship in 2009 to qualify for the list. less shelter in Harrisburg. "We don't have to use (Duct) tape to put up tents," Cum- The complete list can be found by visiting http:// Each participant was asked to raise $100 in pledges for mins said, noting he had researched home-lessness on his lenwilson.us/top-25-fastest-growing-large-united- spending the night in a cardboard box after consuming a computer. methodist-churches/  meal of broth, crackers and peanut butter sandwiches. "In New York, it said 200 of the homeless deaths were be- All proceeds from the event organized by Irvin and cause people froze to death. If they had enough clothes, they church youth Program leader Deb Shreffler, were to go to wouldn't have died," he said. Living Faith UMC hosts the CCCC homeless shelter. The inaugural event a year ago Irvin said he got the idea for the event from his past when simultaneous Thanksgiving dinner raised $1,400 with 20 young people participating. he worked as an assistant prosecutor in Brooklyn, N.Y., and Crim said during these tough economic times, the home- attended church in New York City. His church had a home- BOWEN – Some churches are well acquainted less population has swelled in Saline County. At the CCCC less night and allowed homeless men to sleep in the church with progressive dinners where persons travel from homeless shelter, which accommodates 15 people maximum basement. place to place for the different courses of a meal. But in a five-room dwelling, more than 200 people have come After arriving here a few years earlier to minister at First Living Faith UMC, in the LaMoine River District, de- through the door this year, with many having to be turned United Methodist Church, Irvin said there was a community cided to host a simultaneous dinner in three locations down because of lack of space, Crim said. discussion to hold a campout for town youth. this Thanksgiving with each site responsible for a dif- The event began in the late afternoon with participants "I suggested that instead of tents, we use cardboard boxes ferent course. joining hands and listening to a prayer by Irvin. Wearing T- to help raise awareness of homelessness," Irvin said. “This truly had to be from God because it was too hard and too wacky to come from us,” said Rev. Bruce shirts that contained a message, "Sleep outside all night ... (Reprinted with permission from the Oct. 22 issue of The Southern Illinoisian) in a cardboard box ... All to raise money for the homeless. Weiman, pastor of Living Faith UMC. “God rarely asks us to do the easy thing, and almost always does the unexpected. I am very proud of this congregation for doing this strange and wonderful thing.” The logical and easiest way to host this meal would have been to hold the event in the worship center in Bowen. However, the group thought that people from the other towns might find the distance a barrier to attending. So, they decided to take the more difficult route and host the meal in all three communities at the same time. The easiest thing to do would be to cook the entire meal at one place, and transport the food to the other locations. Instead, the meal was divided up between each community, and portions were sent to the other locations. As a result, more than 70 people became part of the Living Faith family for the day, and the congrega- tion was able so share the love of Jesus to those who otherwise would have been alone this Thanksgiving. In late August, a small group of members of the Living Faith United Methodist Church decided to host a Thanksgiving meal for people who had no fam- ily in the area, or would not be able to have Thanks- giving with their families this year. This is not an un- usual thing, as many other congregations do the same thing. What made it unusual was the way they did it. Living Faith was formed when four neighbor- ing churches merged their ministries and formed a new congregation. Due to the merger, the parish encompasses the small towns of Plymouth, Bowen and Augusta in west central Illinois.

The Current | December 2011 | 5 LOCAL CHURCH NEWS Mt. Zion UMM build wheelchair ramp for Sanner Chapel

RURAL MOWEAQUA, IL – Dennis Forbes and John Pierce have done lots of projects over the years. The two men, members of the Mt Zion United Methodist Men’s group, are at the forefront whenever duty calls. Today, ten other members join the two. The task? Build a 57-foot wheelchair ramp for Sanner Chapel UMC and do it in one day. Sanner Chapel member, Norman Lillpop was familiar with the work performed by Mt Zion UMM. He’d seen one of their wheelchair ramps at nearby Bethany UMC. When Sanner’s trustees decided to replace their old ramp, it seemed logical to call the men at Mt. Zion. Plus, Norman’s brother Jerry is a Mt. Zion member. Between the two brothers and Forbes, details were ironed out. During the week the materials are purchased, the old ramp and sidewalk removed, guide- lines are put in place and labor lined up. At 8 a.m. Oct. 22, the project was launched. A tractor with a power auger was used to dig post holes. A table saw roared into action. Cordless drills whirred away. In two hours, the new ramp takes shape. Before noon, posts are installed and framing members attached. Lunch brings a welcome break, where the men exchange small talk and review progress. Then it’s back to work. Three men install supports and joists. Three more attach decking. Even Mt. Zion UMC Pastor Bill Pyatt lends a hand. Around 4 p.m., Doug Likes, the group’s president, makes a material run. When he returns the project is nearly complete. A few more boards, a thorough sweeping and a last minute inspection bring this job to a close. Construction projects are nothing new for the Mt Zion UMM. They’ve built ramps and decks, re-roofed houses, sided homes, de- molished garages and refurbished parsonages. “This was a great proj- ect, where all skill levels were needed. Activities like this are not only fun, they allow our group to help others as well.” said member Greg Bradley. “The new ramp looks great. It will serve Sanner Chapel for years to come.” he added. For more information, contact Doug Likes at 217-692-2153 or by email at [email protected], or Rev. Bill Pyatt at 217-864- 4813 or by email at: [email protected].

The Sparta First UMC has a puppet ministery that they are using to introduce the congregation and youth to the Imagine No More Malaria campaign. The youth have done several informative puppet skits during church in September. Starting in October, they are doing a puppet skit a month and after the skit, the young children use nets to collect money for "No More Malaria". The first

collection on Oct. 16 netted $654.78 that morning. The entire congregation has taken a role in helping the children make this hap-

pen and the children have enjoyed being a part of the church service. For more on the Imagine No Malaria campaign, see page 8 of this issue of The Current. Photos courtesy of Cathy Norton.

Trenton First UMC has announced that Brittany Ambler and Jacob Pratt are the 2011 recipients of the J.A.M. Scholarship. Each recipient was awarded $500. Ambler is a student at Illinois Wesleyan University and a member of Blooming- ton Wesley UMC. Pratt is a student at University of Illinois and a member of Champaign New Horizon UMC. Pictured above are, from left, Pratt, Rev. Mike Rucker, pastor of Trenton First UMC; and Ambler. The J.A.M. Scholarship – A Celebration of the Music and Life of Justin Melzer was established with the mission “to honor the memory of Justin Melzer and his ministry through music and to encourage participants in church music min- istries”. Donations for this scholarship are accepted throughout the year and should be mailed to First United Methodist Church – 3324 Old Hwy 50 – Trenton, IL with “JAM Scholarship” written in the memo of the check. Photo courtesy of Lisa Campbell.

LOCAL CHURCH NEWS 6 | December 2011 | The Current News Briefs (continued)

Regan Ramsey checks on the green beans while Carol Pictured are several of the IGRC attendees at the recent Exploration event. See related story on page 11. From left, are Kate Brown, Eastern Illinois Rankin lends a hand as Living Faith UMC prepares a simul- University; Rev. Jennie Edwards Bertand, director of ISU Wesley Foundation; Mallory Moore, youth director at Normal First UMC; Roxy Twaddle, taneous Thanksgiving dinner in three locations. For infor- director of admissions at Paul Mitchell School, Normal and alumnus of ISU Wesley Foundation; Nicole Moody, ISU Wesley Foundation; Andy Black, mation about this most unusual Thanksgiving dinner, see ISU Wesley Foundation; Torey Davenport, ministry intern at ISU Wesley Foundation and in the back, Patrick Lindstrom, alumnus of EIU Wesley the briefs on page 5 of this issue. Photo courtesy of Bruce Foundation. Photo courtesy of Jennie Edwards Bertrand. Weiman. Members of Decatur Christ UMC manned a concession stand at the Farm Progress Show recently held in Decatur. Volunteers wrapped cheeseburgers, and served pulled pork sandwiches, hot dogs, pork chop sandwiches and chicken sand- wiches along with pit-potatoes, a seasoned baby potato with a hint of vinegar. Among the Decatur Christ contin- gent were Lea Carls, Jean Preston, Karey Keller, Debbie Kelm, Shirley Walker, Diane Seno, Barb Boyd, Pas- tor Kelly Cox, Bob Kilton, Lynn Dix- on, Mike Carr, Harold Keown, Audrey Maurice, Wilma Gessford, Murray Preston, Allen Albert and Julie Bell. Pictured top row, from left are Deb- Dr. Gary Brummet (center) is joined by Cunningham Chil- bie Kelm and Julie Bell. Seated in dren’s Home representatives Cloydia Hill Larimore, Vice front are Bob Kilton and Harold Ke- President for Advancement, and Marlin Livingston, Presi- own. dent and CEO, after receiving the Outstanding Volunteer The church received 10 percent of Fundraiser Award on Nov. 4 at the Champaign Country their food sales, which will be used Club. Photo courtesy of Cunningham Children’s Home. to pay the congregation’s 2011 ap- portionments. Cunningham honors Photo courtesy of Lynn Dixon volunteer fundraiser URBANA – Cunningham Children’s Home volunteer Dr. Gary Brummet has received the Out- standing Volunteer Fundraiser Award from the East Central Illinois Chapter of the Association of Fund- raising Professionals. The award was presented at the National Philanthropy Day Awards Luncheon at the Champaign Country Club Nov. 4. For 22 consecutive years, Brummet has served as the Chair for the Annual Kendall Gill Golf Outing to benefit Cunningham Children’s Home. Brummet’s leadership of the event has helped raise over $750,000 for Cunningham through the ongoing support of for- mer Illini basketball great Kendall Gill and his family, underwriting sponsor Shelby Motors, other sponsors, and dozens of golfers. Brummet is largely responsible for bringing the support of his fellow members of the Kiwanis Club of Champaign County, every year. Brummet is a veterinary medicine practitioner and co-owner of A & E Animal Hospital in Cham- paign. He also volunteers his time for the Champaign Mississippi River District Director of Lay Speaking, Mike Allway, County Humane Society performing surgical proce- is pictured with Bishop Sally Dyck of the Minnesota Area of The dures at their annual Spay Day. He has been a mem- United Methodist Church, who was the keynote speaker at the ber of the Kiwanis Club for over 20 years. In addition, 2011 Rural Chaplains’ annual meeting held along the Mississip- Brummet serves every year on the interview panel pi coastal area. Allway was one of three rural chaplains certified for future veterinary students at the University of Il- at the annual meeting. linois and the ISVMA/CVM Mentor Program. He The Rural Chaplains Association is a fellowship of lay and clergy is a member of the St. Joseph UMC and the United persons who sense a call and have committed themselves to serving and being in ministry with individuals, congregations Methodist Men. and communities in rural, often isolated and overlooked areas. Pleasant Grove UMC, in the Vermilion River District, recently honored 7-year- On an annual basis, Cunningham Children’s old Lilly Bozarth as she completed reading the whole Bible under the guidance For more information on the Rural Chaplains Association, visit Home serves over 250 children and adolescents with of her grandparents, Homer and Jeanne Bozarth and Great Grandother Bessie serious emotional and behavioral disabilities and rcahome.com or contact Rev. Dr. Owen Gordon, 13521 High- Marx. way 39 S, Dekalb, MS 30328 or rev@bellsouth .net. their families in programs that include Residential Lilly read the Bible at home regularly and she often read the selected portions Treatment, Foster Care, Independent Living, and of the Holy Word from the pulpit during worship services as requested by her Pastor Rev. Anet Satvedi, who is pictured with her. Therapeutic Special Education. Cunningham Chil- dren’s Home is a mission and ministry of the United Lilly took the challenge given by the IGRC Cabinet to read the Bible in a year along with members of the Pleasant Grove congregation. During the Oct. 23 Methodist Women of the Illinois Great Rivers Con- charge conference, the church introduced Lilly to Vermilion River District Super- ference in partnership with the General Board of intendent Rev. Leah Pogemiller who commended her on finishing the challenge. Global Ministries of The United Methodist Church. Photo courtesy of Anet Satvedi.

The Current | December 2011 | 7 LOCAL CHURCH NEWS Angels on Assignment moves to new location By Allen Parker, Mt. Vernon Register-News

MT. VERNON -- Twenty years ago a woman at the First United Methodist Church stood up and asked a question of its members. John Hicks, chairman of the Angels on Assignment Food Pantry, said the woman stated she was aware of a family in need and surely a church of this size could aid. And that, according to Hicks, was the beginning of what would evolve into Angels on Assignment. “It started in the church basement with financial aid to people and families once every six months,” said Hicks. “People would come in who couldn’t be helped financially. They began giving those folks bags of groceries. Now the pantry is the biggest thing that we do.” AOA was previously located in a two-story building just east of the First United Methodist Church. Earlier this year, its location was moved to the corner of 12th and Broadway Streets. For Anne Bothe, executive director of Angels on Assignment, the benefits of the move made it a no-brainer. “It’s all on one level, so a lot of our clients and volunteers who are older won’t have to take the stairs. Also, the food pantry on Friday and thrift store on bag day turn into wall- to-wall people, and we’ve had to store donated furniture off-site,” she said. “This will give us much more space; we have somewhere around 4,000 square feet (at the old location), and (the new building) is more like 11,000, so more than double. It’s gonna help a lot.” The new location is divided into three sections under an umbrella ministry: A thrift shop, financial assistance and food pantry. The church funds all expenses for the build- Carol Ritchey and Angels on Assignment Food Pantry Coordinator John Hicks prepare for clients who will ing, which allows all funds and donations received by, and through AOA to go directly be coming to receive food. to those in need. The umbrella ministry is an all-volunteer operation, funded by donations from small- Fine Print continued from pg. 3 er churches not large enough to operate such an endeavor and memorials. “Our food bill is probably $1,200 to $1,800 a month,” Hicks said. “We serve probably print to read. The Platinum Visa has an interest rate of 9.9 percent; the Classic Visa has a 80-120 clients every Friday from 9-11 a.m.” rate of 12.6 percent, and a Secured Visa has a rate of 14.4 percent. No matter what card you That translates to nearly 300 clients being served, he added. The pantry operates with choose, the interest rate is lower than that of most major credit card companies. 18-20 volunteers each Friday. It is supplied by Central Illinois Food Bank in Springfield The United Methodist Ministries Credit Union can also help you be financially respon- and the United States Department of Agriculture, located within the food bank. sible with your credit card by placing limits on the amount you can spend, thereby helping Also on Fridays, Angels on Assignment conducts financial assistance interviews for you control or stay ahead of debt. If you need assistance in getting out of debt, cut up your basic needs including rent or utilities. A person must be a Jefferson County resident for credit cards with high interest rates, read the fine print, and choose only those cards and six months to qualify. institutions that can help you have better financial management. Visit www.ummcu.com Its thrift shop includes donated items from individuals and retail outlets. Funds raised today to find out more about the ways the United Methodist Ministries Credit Union can through thrift help fund financial assistance programs. help you become more financially sound. “A lot of people like to talk about doing good. But the volunteers are doing as Christ — serving the needy,” said First United Methodist Church pastor Victor Long. “Our peo- ple help other people face-to-face, hands-on. That’s the thing that impresses me.” “Anyone in the community can come and serve with us,” said Long. “It’s a ministry of the church but all help is welcome.” Is Christmas Long said AOA has become a signature ministry, “It’s what we want to be known by.”

(Adapted from stories published in the Oct. 29 and Aug. 1 issues of the Mt. Vernon Register-News. Used with permission.) shopping burying you?

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Bob Shreve, right, works with a Mormon missionary to serve clients who have arrived at Angels on Assignment. The ministry has grown into a community based ministry. Photos courtesy of Mt. Vernon www.ummcu.com First UMC.

LOCAL CHURCH NEWS 8 | December 2011 | The Current NelsonNelson newnew EastEast BayBay sitesite managermanager

The Ben Nelson family. Photo courtesy of Alice Shirley. HUDSON -- Described as faithful, passionate, caring, responsible, honest, dedicated, initiated an employee achievement and reward system that went company wide. Ben is and tender, Benjamin R. Nelson of Hammond, Wisc., formerly of the Northern Illinois also an Eagle Scout. Conference, has accepted the position of site manager at East Bay Camp. He begins Dec. 1. Ben is married to Nikki, and they have three daughters: Johanna (6), Julie (4), and Nelson grew up at Wesley Woods Conference Center, a camp of the Northern Illinois Jordan (1½) Conference located on Lake Geneva at Williams Bay, Wisc., where his father was camp Rev. Tom Ostrander, Ben’s mentor for many years at Wesley Woods, writes, “Ben has a manager for many years. As he was able to handle various tasks around the campground, high regard for others and is sensitive to the outcast and the lonely. Ben is a caring Chris- he served as dishwasher, maintenance and office assistant (raking leaves, gathering fire- tian young man who is growing in wisdom and maturity. His relationship to God, through wood, filling pop machines, and licking stamps), life guard, counselor, waterfront director, Jesus Christ, is evident in the way he lives.” and ultimately assistant to the program director. “He is aware of God’s powerful presence in his life and is seeking ways of allowing oth- Holding a bachelor’s degree in business administration and outdoor education from ers to discover how God is trying to reach into the lives of all who are seekers.” University of Wisconsin-River Falls, Ben prepared himself for a vocation in Christian Ben “has sensitivity to the natural world and its critical importance in the life of a camp camping ministry. While waiting for a camping position, he has served as a Culvers Res- facility. He is aware of the need for gracious hospitality, and the need to listen to the needs taurant Manager, where he not only managed the office, inventory, and employees, but also of those who are being served as guests.” IGRC students receive scholarships, loans from United Methodist Student Day offering By Paul Black

NASHVILLE – Thirty-four IGRC students have been awarded $56,479 in loans and funding came from three of the church’s general church offerings -- United Methodist Stu- scholarships by the General Board of Higher Education and Ministry for the 2011-2012 dent Day, World Communion Sunday ,and Native American Sunday. The remaining funds school year. for these awards come from gifts, annuities and endowments GBHEM has invested and The awards to IGRC students were part of more than 2,600 students receiving $5.3 mil- administered for decades. lion for the current school year. Of those awarded nearly 2,300 were under the age of 35, and more than 500 are enrolled in seminary pursuing a Master’s of Divinity degree. Partial Those from IGRC granted scholarships for the 2011-2012 year include:

Tiffany Tackett, Illinois Wesleyan Uni- Daniel Maurer, Illinois Wesleyan Uni- General Loan, Heyworth UMC Staci Phipps, Illinois Wesleyan University, versity, $500 United Methodist allocation, versity, $1,000 United Methodist General Marnie Gebhardt, Illinois Wesleyan Uni- $500 Conference Merit Award, Blooming- Abingdon UMC Scholarship, Forrest UMC versity, $500 United Methodist General ton Park UMC Hank Irwin, Indiana State University, Erin Totten, Wesley Theological Semi- Scholarship, Heyworth UMC Alexander Thompson, Candler School of $1,000 Gift of Hope Scholarship, Marshall: nary, $2,000 Special Seminary Scholar- Nick Schwalb, McKendree University, Theology, $2,000 Special Seminary Schol- Armstrong UMC ship, Galesburg Emmanuel UMC $1,250 United Methodist allocation, Ed- arship, Pawnee UMC Gary Wilson, Emory University, $500 Lindsey Hayes, Olivet Nazarene Universi- wardsville Immanuel UMC Colin Knapp, Duke Divinity School, Conference Merit Award, Peoria Bethe- ty, $1,000 Gift of Hope Scholarship, Gales- Andrew Black, Illinois State University, $2,000 Special Seminary Scholarship, Pe- lUMC burg First UMC $1,000 Gift of Hope Scholarship, Spring- tersburg UMC Elissa Horvath, University of Missouri, Samantha Manier, North Central Col- field Jerome UMC Jarred Leeper, Millikin University, $1,000 $5,000 General Loan, Normal Calvary lege, $500 United Methodist allocation Christopher Beard, Illinois Wesleyan Gift of Hope Scholarship, Decatur Sharon UMC and $5,000 General Loan, Goreville UMC University, $500 United Methodist alloca- UMC Kendall Gher, Olivet Nazarene Univer- Joseph Woodard, Southern Illinois Uni- tion, Lexington First UMC Amilyn Johnson, McKendree University, sity, $5,000 General Loan, Downs UMC versity-Carbondale, $1,000 Gift of Hope Melissa Burgett, Iliff School of Theology, $1,250 United Methodist allocation, Bel- Megan Steelman, Illinois State University, Scholarship, Goreville UMC $500 Conference Merit Award, Macomb leville St. Matthew UMC $1,000 Gift of Hope Scholarship, Dunlap Jordan Collins, Illinois Wesleyan Uni- Wesley UMC Hallie Hedinger, North Central College, Prospect UMC versity, $500 United Methodist allocation, Elizabeth Hohenshel, Illinois Wesleyan $500 United Methodist allocation, Sugar Hannah Ebersohl, McKendree Univer- Bloomington Grace UMC University, $1,000 Gift of Hope Scholar- Creek UMC sity, $1,250 United Methodist allocation, Holly Weathers, McKendree University, ship, Manito UMC George Wilson, Wiley College, $9,479 DuQuoin First UMC $1,250 United Methodist allocation, Nash- Abby St. George, North Central College, Knowles Special Scholarship, East St. Lou- Natalie Witter, Illinois Wesleyan Univer- ville Grace UMC $500 United Methodist allocation, Mon- is Trinity UMC sity, $500 United Methodist allocation, Kaley Wakey, Illinois Wesleyan Univer- mouth First UMC Brittany Ambler, Illinois Wesleyan Uni- Geneseo First UMC sity, $500 United Methodist allocation, Kathryn Herath, McKendree University, versity, $500 Conference Merit Award, Brittany Phillips, Blackburn College, Herscher UMC $500 Conference Merit Award, Mossville Bloomington Wesley UMC $1,000 General Loan, Lebanon First UMC Alex Ball, University of Illinois, $5,000 UMC

9 | December 2011 | The Current CONFERENCE NEWS Hassan Sesay and his wife Amindalo Sesay sit with their children Falmota, Marianne and Alice, in front of the new mosquito net IMAGINE they received as part of the Imagine No Malaria campaign at MALARIA their home in the Gbo NO Chiefdom outside Bo, Sierra Leone. Photo by Mike DuBose.

Around the conference...

Quincy Union UMC Quincy Union UMC’s "Swat Team" band awe- somely and righteously rocked the U2Charist wor- Malaria vaccine trial raises hope ship service Nov. 20, and saved 52 lives ($520), in the By Matt McGrath, Science reporter, BBC World Service process! Unfortunately, they weren't able to get good video of the performance (the sanctuary is kind of Researchers are to expand a clinical trial of a new ma- He added: "We performed a large number of epidemio- dark) but they are considering making a video under laria vaccine after promising results in a preliminary study in logical studies that confirm that there was an association better lighting, and are REALLY interested in "taking Burkina Faso. between that vaccine candidate and acquired protection, so the show on the road" and offering this unique experi- The trial was designed to test safety, but researchers found when you immunise with this molecule you indeed induce ence at other churches that would like do something that vaccinated children had high levels of protection. protection." special to raise funds for Imagine No Malaria. Con- Described as a "most encouraging" result, a larger study Another scientist involved with the Burkina Faso study tact the Swat Team Band at [email protected], if involving 800 children is now to take place in Mali. was Dr Louis Miller, the former head of the Malaria Vaccine interested. Union also sponsored a Craft/Scrapbooking Sem- The scientists involved say they are hopeful that the vac- Branch of the US National Institutes of Health. inar which raised $212 for Imagine No Malaria. A fun cine will ultimately be very cheap to produce. He said: "I was always in favour of this approach as it of- time was had by all, and we raise enough to save 21 Around a hundred different malaria vaccine candidates fered a chance in a field with few successes. I found the results lives! have been developed to date but the MSP3 vaccine tested in of this preliminary study in Burkina Faso to be most encour- Burkina Faso is only the second one to show a substantial aging." Musical Extravaganza and Craft Fair level of protection against the illness. High transmission Clusters from the Effingham and Stewardson -ar The randomized, double blind study involved 45 children. Encouraged by the early results, Dr Druilhe said the trial eas, along with Neoga Grace-Etna UMC’s hosted a It set out to test the safety of the vaccine but this follow up has now been expanded to 800 children in Mali. But he re- Musical Extravaganza and Craft Fair at Watson UMC study found that children who received it had an incidence mains cautious. Nov. 6 to raise money for Imagine No Malaria. Choir of the disease three to four times lower than children who "There have been too many claims of effective vaccines so numbers and other specials were presented from the did not. we have to remain very cautious. It has to be confirmed and different congregations and crafts were sold after- Initially the children were split into three groups, with we have started on work to do that confirmation. Essentially ward. two of them receiving the experimental malaria vaccine de- the trial in Mali is about 20 times larger, in extremely high veloped by Dr Pierre Druilhe at the Pasteur Institute in Paris. Abingdon UMC transmission conditions, so it should yield very clear cut re- "Those two groups had very similar types of immune re- At Abingdon UMC, more than 60 came out to sults - this will be black and white." sponse, elicited by the vaccine, and the protection is almost support and participate in a Dessert/Trivia Night, The other vaccine candidate that has shown success identical, so it reinforces the confidence despite the fact that raising $600 in the process. If you would like more against malaria is called RTS, S. It has been funded by the Bill we are still dealing with a small group," he said. details on how to do this event for your church, email and Melinda Gates Foundation and is set to go into produc- The vaccine is based on the fact that some adults in Africa [email protected] tion with pharmaceutical giant, GlaxoSmithKline. acquire immunity because they are constantly exposed to the But there are concerns that it could be expensive, espe- disease. Clinton UMC cially for people in Africa and other regions affected by the The Clinton UMC Children's Imagine No Ma- Early days disease. laria Bake Sale was a big success Oct. 30. Reports are Dr Druilhe and his team discovered a key protein, MSP3, Dr Druilhe says his vaccine could be a lot cheaper - per- that $300 was raised by the bake sale, which was the which provokes the body into producing antibodies that kill haps half a dollar or less a bottle. brainchild of 9-year-old Briauna Hemphill. Children the parasite. The results of the Burkina Faso trial were published in and adults donated baked goods and a very generous He said the protein is unique as it does not change much congregation bought the items. The New England Journal of Medicine. between different strains of the plasmodium parasite that (Reprinted with permission from the BBC News website, www.bbc.co.uk. Story was origi- Fairview UMC causes malaria. This is believed to be a critical factor in devel- nally posted Sept. 21, 2011.) A Trivia Night was held Oct. 29 at Fairview UMC oping an efficient vaccine. in the Illinois River District. Ed Wied is offering the set of questions to any church that wishes to hold a similar fundraiser. Contact him at ed.wied@mchsi. $3 million grant boosts malaria campaign com. By Linda Bloom*

Riverton UMC The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, in collaboration tinent,” he explained. Riverton UMC held a bake sale the weekend of with the United Nations Foundation, has given a $3 million In the Democratic Republic of Congo — an area Bicker- Oct. 22-23 and raised $261 for Imagine No Malaria. grant to the Imagine No Malaria campaign of The United ton calls “the heartbeat of malaria” – the church has coop- About $800 was raised in the first Motorcycle Methodist Church. erated informally with UNICEF and is negotiating to work Pie Run Oct. 22. Motorcyclists started at Bourbon- Pittsburgh Area Bishop Thomas Bickerton, the cam- with various organizations in remote sections of the country. nais Grace Community UMC and then went to Coal paign’s spokesperson, said the grant would provide adminis- “You talk about the church going where the road ends, we City UMC and then on to Herscher UMC and back to trative support to help the church reach its $75 million fund- have hospitals and clinics with no roads to them in Congo,” Grace. The bikers were charged an entrance fee and raising goal. To date, more than $15 million has been raised he said. pies were available at each church along with bever- ages. There was a silent auction to cap the event. for Imagine No Malaria. When Bickerton told a meeting of the United Methodist “It gives us a boost in the next phase of the campaign,” Council of Bishops Nov. 2 about the $3 million grant, Sierra New Hope Parish Bickerton said. Leone Area Bishop John K. Yambasu applauded the church’s New Hope Parish hosted a Soup Luncheon Oct. The Rev. Larry Hollon, top staff executive of United efforts against the No. 1 killer of children in Africa. "The 15 for Imagine No Malaria. Soups, breads and des- Methodist Communications, which administers Imagine United Methodist Church is providing armor in this fight serts were on the menu for the event. It was the first No Malaria, explained that the gift “will allow us to pursue against the killer disease we call malaria,” he said. fundraiser in which the three churches in the parish our renewed strategy to present Imagine No Malaria to the Grassroots participation worked together on a project. annual (regional) conferences and local churches with new For Shannon Trilli, director of the malaria initiative of the If your church has come up with creative ways energy and with staff support (and) help us to follow through United Methodist Committee on Relief, the active participa- to raise funds for Imagine No Malaria, please share on philanthropic gifts.” tion of the African bishops and their church members is what them by emailing information about your fundraiser Tangible results on the ground in Africa, Bickerton said, makes the campaign unique. to [email protected] or by posting to the IGRC Imag- will include expanded work in Angola and Zimbabwe and Since 2008, the United Methodist annual (regional) con- ine No Malaria Facebook page, http://www.facebook. replicating the successful model developed in Sierra Leone. ferences in Africa have strived to create health boards that com/#!/groups/138388969549415/ “We’re really expanding our implementation across the con- continued on pg. 22, see Gates

IMAGINE NO MALARIA 10 | December 2011 | The Current Taking God’s Word to the next generation By Vicki Brown* FORMING card saying they felt called to ordained ministry. Another 131 said they were still discerning, and 26 said they were not called to ordained ministry. “I have felt God’s spirit throughout this event,” said DJ Del Rosario, GBHEM’s director of Young Adult Ministry Discern- ment and Enlistment. He said the names of those who commit- ted to ordained ministry will be sent to their annual conferences so clergy there can follow up. Bishop Robert Hayes Jr. and the Rev. Adam Hamilton both told personal stories to illustrate why younger elders and dea- cons are needed. Hayes, episcopal leader of the Oklahoma Area of the UMC, spoke of his son, Eric, who left the church, telling his father that church wasn’t relevant. Then one night, he got a call from Eric, who told him that he had just attended a contemporary worship service at a United Methodist Church and given his life to Christ. He spoke of how grateful he was that someone had been able to bring the gospel Bishop Robert Hayes Jr. prays with a young man during Saturday to his son. evening’s commitment service at Exploration 2011. During the ser- vice, 172 young adults signed cards saying they feel God is calling “I believe the next 15 years will be more transformative for them to ordained ministry. Photo by Vicki Brown. The United Methodist Church than the last 50 years,” he said, SPIRITUAL LEADERS adding that they might be wondering “Why me?” ST. LOUIS, Mo. -- Speaker after speaker told young adults “God doesn’t call the equipped, God equips those who are attending Exploration 2011 that The United Methodist Church called,” he assured participants as he preached during the com- Confirmation retreats needs them to carry God’s word to their own generation – and mitment service. “So often, the call doesn’t make sense, but the slated for 2012 speaker after speaker assured them that God will equip and sup- distance is made up by your faith. Tonight God is calling some- port those who accept that call. body here.” A total of nine students and a campus minister in attendance “This generation belongs to you, not to me,” Hayes said. • What does it mean to be a member of a identified the Illinois Great Rivers Conference as their home The Rev. Adam Hamilton, founding pastor of the church? conference. The IGRC contingent included Andy Black, Torey 18,000-member United Methodist Church of the Resurrection • What are YOUR responsibilities? Davenport, Nicole Moody, Mallory Moore, Anthony Tomaras, in Leawood, Kan., told Exploration participants that the church • What expectations come with confirmation has no future without them. “The people who are going to teach Roxy Twaddle and Rev. Jennifer Edwards Bertrand from Illinois You may know the answer but do your youth us how to do church for this generation are sitting in this room,” State University; Kate Brown and Patrick Lindstrom from East- fully understand what it means to be confirmed? ern Illinois University; and Konner Dudley, a student from Au- Hamilton said in the opening worship. Youth and their sponsors are invited to attend burn UMC that is active in Cru, the campus ministry of Campus He spoke of his own daughter, who no longer attends church one of four confirmation retreats being held in Feb- Crusade for Christ at the University of Illinois. despite growing in a home where church was a central part of ruary and March at three IGRC campsites. The Rev. Shalom Agtarap, the 28-year-old pastor of Ellens- life. burg First UMC in Washington State, told the 650 people attend- “Who’s going to reach my daughter’s generation for Christ? Retreats are designed to complement, not re- ing the national event that she had been where they were now. Who is going to reach your generation for Christ? Who’s going to place, the confirmation classes at the local church. “Your impulse, if it was like mine, might be to go home on reach the generation who are 4-year-olds right now? It won’t be Materials from both Claim the Name (Living fire for God – only to let the flame smolder and die when finals people my age,” Hamilton said. “The church has no future with- Springs) and Credo (East Bay and Little Grassy) week rolls around next month,” Agtarap said. “I want to encour- out you. We’ve been in decline every year since I’ve been born. If will give an opportunity for students to grow as age you this morning – that despite the frustrations you might we continue the path we’re on, one day the church will simply be they learn. be experiencing in your personal life; the barriers you’ve run an exhibit in a museum.” Each weekend event begins on Friday at 7 p.m. into following God’s whispers; the doubts you encounter in your He said people will say “once there were people called Meth- and ends after worship on Sunday by 11 a.m. Reg- spiritual life – God is not through with us yet! ” odist, and they had a vision for changing the world, but some- istration is $88 per person and includes overnight The culmination of the discernment event sponsored by the thing happened to them.” accommodations and meals. One adult must attend General Board of Higher Education and Ministry was Saturday “If you’re unwilling to listen and say yes, the church has no with each group of five or fewer youth. night’s commitment service, when 172 young adults signed a continued on pg. 22, see Speakers Contact Brenda Harris at [email protected] or by calling 217-529-3007. Retreats fill early and reg- Bishop Job offers Three Simple Questions istrations will be on a first-come, first-served basis. By Eric VanMeter Retreat dates are as follows: How does a retired bishop Our concept of God is not what we profess, but rather what we Feb. 10-12: Living Springs Camp, Lewistown. address the violence, disre- live out. If we are to find better ways of living together, he as- Leader: Bill Pyatt spect, and disunity that trou- serts, we need to reject the safe, manageable god suggested by bles him in both the culture at our weak actions in favor of the wild, untamable, at times even Feb. 17-19: East Bay Camp, Hudson. large and the church he loves? dangerous God we see revealed in Jesus. Leader: Keith Michaels By asking questions. Bishop Job maintains that to truly know God, we must seek March 9-11: East Bay Camp, Hudson. Bishop Reuben Job, au- to know Jesus and follow his way of love. But it’s a difficult path, Leader: Keith Michaels thor of several books on one that doesn’t allow for violence or name-calling. Instead, the prayer and the popular Three way of Jesus encourages respect, restraint, and a commitment to March 16-18: Little Grassy Camp, Makanda. Simple Rules, sets forth Three justice for all God’s children. Leader: Kim Stuby Simple Questions in response Job’s second question is both pastoral and confrontational. to rampant division and hate- By asking, “Who am I?” Job not only invites the reader to con- fulness in the world, which sider his or her own status as God’s beloved child; he also insists Scarritt-Bennett offers he sees spilling over into the that each of us recognize that every other individual is equally church. But rather than wag beloved by God. Prayer keeps us mindful of our identity in God, workshops on prayer, jazz his finger at Christians who which gives us a base from which to treat others as Jesus would. Bishop Reuben Job have adopted too much of the Finally, Job asks who we are together as the body of Christ. NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- Scarritt-Bennett Center world’s angst, he gently asks questions of relationship and iden- He recognizes the difficulty of sustaining community, but en- will be hosting two workshops in early 2012. tity, trusting that his readers will be introspective enough to ap- courages readers to continue to seek its beauty nonetheless. The first is a retreat called Prayer: Holy Conver- ply his message appropriately. Prayer, worship, and service are the things that bind us together sations with God, which will be led by Pat Hoerth, Job brings a new insight on how to live a Christ-like life and as Christians. The bonds that unite us extend beyond the church, a trained spiritual director and a United Method- explores the three most basic and profound questions at the cen- however. We are one human race, created and loved by God. ist deaconess with extensive experience in teach- ter of our faith—questions that all major religions try to answer At the end of each chapter, Job suggests a practice and a ing, leading retreats, and spiritual formation. The and around which there seems to be much confusion: prayer to help readers embody the kind of Jesus-infused life he retreat will take place Jan. 23-26. For more infor- • Who is God? encourages. His epilogue also includes a brief guide for daily mation, visit http://www.scarrittbennett.org/pro- • Who am I? prayer. grams/pr.aspx. • Who are we together? Although it will no doubt find its way into countless Sun- The second event is Creating Jazz Liturgy, a day school classrooms and small-group gatherings, Three Simple “In its first paragraphs,Three Simple Questions triggered my workshop for pastors, church musicians, worship Questions reads less like a book club selection and more like an planners, seminary students, and others interested hunger for hope. I hung on each word thereafter,” said retired epistle. Job writes with the gentle authority of a spiritual lead- in jazz as legitimate music for worship. The work- Bishop Sharon Brown Christopher. “By the time I finished my er secure in both his relationship with God and his role in the shop will take place Feb. 27-29. For more infor- reading, I was filled to overflowing. I was drawn deeper by the church. Although brief, his latest offering is filled with the same mation, visit http://www.scarrittbennett.org/pro- notion of a God too small. Prayer as the place where we receive pastoral guidance and spiritual direction that has made him a our identity was profound. I cheered with the truth that God favorite of readers for decades. grams/jazz.aspx. loves all. I was intrigued by the imagery of my being a “holy Both events will be at Scarritt-Bennett’s campus (Adapted from a book review posted by Eric Van Meter on www.ministrymat- chalice.” The three daily practices are refreshing and engaging. In ters.com. Used with permission. IGRC Director of Communication Ministries in Nashville, Tenn. short, the read filled me with grace.” Paul Black also contributed to this article) Job begins with the question of God’s character and identity. The Current | December 2011 | 11 FORMING SPRITUAL LEADERS Two books call for making RethinkBy Sam Hodges, Managing Editor, Christmas:United Methodist Reporter

Hamilton and Slaughter sounds like a law firm worked toward UMC renewal through Leading Edge, one wouldn’t want to mess with, but those are in fact which brings together pastors of the denomination’s the last names of two well-known United Methodist largest churches to share ideas, stories and strategies, megachurch pastors. They are good friends and close and the Young Pastors’ Network, a leadership devel- collaborators on efforts to renew the UMC. opment program for young clergy of the UMC. And, as it happens, the Rev. Adam Hamilton and “Both are remarkable leaders,” said Lovett Weems, the Rev. Mike Slaughter each has a book on Christmas director of the Lewis Center for Church Leadership that’s just out. at Wesley Theological Seminary in Washington, D.C. Mr. Hamilton’s The Journey and Dr. Slaughter’s “They are immensely gifted, work very hard, and have Christmas Is Not Your Birthday are both published by bold visions that include yet go beyond themselves Abingdon Press, part of the United Methodist Pub- and their congregations.” lishing House. Both have as their market not just indi- vidual readers but also small groups within a church Nazareth to Bethlehem setting. This would seem to be a highly competitive situ- Just as the UMC has embraced the slogan “Re- ation, at odds with the Christmas spirit and perhaps think Church,” Mr. Hamilton and Dr. Slaughter are, endangering their egos and friendship. But both pas- through their new books, asking readers to rethink tors insist they are cheering on the other one and his Christmas. book. Mr. Hamilton’s previous books include 24 Hours “Anything Adam does, I enjoy and appreciate,” Dr. That Changed the World, an intensive look at Jesus’ Slaughter said. crucifixion, and in The Journey he follows the model, Mr. Hamilton noted that his ideas about the mis- drawing on close readings of the Gospel accounts, re- sional aspect of Christmas have been strongly influ- cent archaeological findings, and his own most recent enced by Dr. Slaughter. trip to the Holy Land to try to wake up readers to the He added: “I hope that if people do The Journey story of Jesus’ birth. this year, they’ll do Mike’s book next year. I really “We all kind of know the general story of Christ- think they provide a two-year emphasis for Advent mas, even people who don’t go to church,” he said. that could set the church on a new course.” “But I don’t think we fully grasp it or fully understand the story as it unfolds, or what the details are pointing Authors & Leaders us toward.” The journey Mr. Hamilton writes of is the one tak- Mr. Hamilton, 46, is perhaps the biggest name en by Joseph and Mary from her home town of Naza- among current UM clergy, as a prolific author of acces- reth to Bethlehem, for Jesus’ birth. And he stresses the sible books on Christian faith, a sought-after speaker small size and utter obscurity of Nazareth, especially at church conferences, and especially as leader of The in relation to nearby Sepphoris, a relatively prosper- Church of the Resurrection in Leawood, Kan. ous city nearby whose amazing history has come to Mike Slaughter, author of Christmas is not Your Birthday. He started it in 1990 with four people, holding light only in recent years through archaeological ex- the first meetings in a funeral home. Since then, the cavations. church has grown to more than 17,000 members, with “God goes to this little town of relatively poor current average weekly worship attendance at 9,180. people [Nazareth] to find the mother of the Messiah, It ranked first among UM churches in attendance not to the wealthy community across the way,” Mr. in 2009, the most recent year for which statistics are Hamilton said. available from the denomination’s General Council Mr. Hamilton notes that much about the Christ- on Finance and Administration (GCFA). mas story is open to debate, and argues that Joseph Mr. Hamilton’s innovative approach to church was most likely from Bethlehem. The pastor used car, leadership and organization has won him high stand- van and foot to take what he thinks is their most like- ing within the denomination and attention beyond it. ly route from Nazareth, a trip that would have taken Indeed, the blurbs for The Journey come from them nine or 10 days. such prominent non-Methodist megachurch pastors As for the “no room at the inn” idea, Mr. Hamilton as the Rev. John Ortberg, the Rev. Joel C. Hunter, and believes the best translations of key words suggest the the Rev. Bill Hybels. inn was really Joseph’s family home, and that a birth- Brian McLaren, an emergent church leader and ing room was created in the family stable because the popular author, recommended an earlier book by home was crowded and Jewish customs would have saying, “Adam Hamilton is, in my opinion, a national considered her discharge of blood and water at birth treasure. He embodies the kind of generous ortho- to render her ritually unclean. doxy so many of us have been dreaming of and pray- Step by step, Mr. Hamilton takes on the Christmas ing for.” story, including the virgin birth (“Is it really so hard Dr. Slaughter, 60, came to Ginghamsburg Church to believe that the God who created the laws of biol- in Tipp City, Ohio, in 1979. Worship attendance aver- ogy and who designed our DNA could bring about a aged 90. Last year, the average was 4,552. The 2009 virginal conception?”), the visit of the Wise Men, and GCFA report had Ginghamsburg ranked fourth in at- whether Jesus’ birth really happened on Dec. 25. tendance among UM churches. Toward the end, Mr. Hamilton deals with the pur- Like Mr. Hamilton, Dr. Slaughter is regarded as a pose of God’s sending Jesus to earth, and gets per- denominational leader in innovation, be it in small sonal about the gift of salvation represented by Jesus. group ministry or use of cyber communication. And “He has saved me from becoming my worst pos- like Mr. Hamilton, he’s a busy author, having contrib- sible self and, to whatever degree I actually seek to uted such titles as Upside Living in a Downside Econ- care for others, to give of myself for them and to work omy, Momentum for Life, Unlearning Church, and for justice and to offer compassion in a broken world,” Change the World. he writes. Under Dr. Slaughter, Ginghamsburg has become a widely-recognized leader in mission work, both in Matching gifts its part of greater Dayton, and in the African nation of Sudan. Dr. Slaughter won the Foundation for Evan- Dr. Slaughter had long been attuned to the mate- gelism’s “distinguished evangelist” award in 2003, and rialism that goes with Christmas, and had pushed his has twice received the foundation’s Denman Evange- congregation to be an exception to that. But in 2004, lism Award for promoting the UMC’s commitment to bent on getting Ginghamsburg Church seriously en- evangelism. gaged with the humanitarian crisis in Sudan, he went Adam Hamilton, author of The Journey. Together, Mr. Hamilton and Dr. Slaughter have farther.

12 | December 2011 | The Current ABy Bettie Wilson candle Story in the window the most of the holiday On Christmas Eve, Mama said, "Sally, I want you to go caroling with the church youth group." “I said to the people, ‘Christmas is not ago,” said Mr. Hamilton. “I stole the idea No way! What could be more boring than slopping through the rain with your birthday, it’s Jesus birthday. What from him.” eight-to-twelve-year-olds, me the only high schooler, voices off key, scratchy would honor him?’” he recalled. Dr. Slaughter speaks of his own throats, and awful colds? Dr. Slaughter had a goal in mind, and debt to Mr. Hamilton, and of their close Why couldn't I go with my friends at First Church? Their crowd of 79 teens shared it with the congregation. He asked friendship. was large enough to hide in when you are hurting, and they would sing at Victo- that they total how much they’d spent on “I’ve said to him, ‘Adam, when I die, rian homes and suburban mansions. Christmas presents for family and give an you do my funeral.’ I love that guy. He’s a Every church was joining in "A Candle in the Window, A Carol at the Door" equal amount to hunger relief in Sudan. great leader and example in our denomi- caroling, and each was assigned a neighborhood. Our little church on the back The church raised a special offering of nation.” side of town would probably get the pits. $300,000. The pastors are clearly commercially Mama heard my silent resistance. "The young ones need you. And it will be Soon, Ginghamsburg had formed a important authors for Abingdon Press good for you," she said. I trudged over to our church just to please Mama. The partnership with the United Method- and the United Methodist Publishing pastor said that she would have hot chocolate for us when we returned. She gave ist Committee on Relief (UMCOR) to House. Both Christmas books are being us our six blocks of assigned streets. They were the pits. establish the Sudan Project. Since then, sold in print and e-book format, and Mr. The rain had stopped but fog was setting in. "There's a candle in the win- that project—enlisting other churches, Hamilton’s is packaged with editions for dow!" shouted Philip. We sang "Jingle Bells" when the Johnsons came to the schools and businesses—has invested children, youth and devotional reading. door, then "Silent Night." $5.1 million in Sudan, focused on sus- But Neil Alexander, president and "Thank you and Merry Christmas!" they called. tainable agriculture, clean water and edu- publisher of the United Methodist Pub- The next block had a lit candle at every house. I was already hoarse. cation. lishing House, prefers to emphasize the Philip splashed in a puddle and Jane wailed for two blocks because he splat- Ginghamsburg has balanced its inter- spiritual effects. tered mud on her new dress. She clung to my arm, and the twins threatened to national effort with giving to social min- “Adam and Mike share extraordi- play hide-and-go-seek. We stopped singing one carol when Emily decided to istries in the Dayton area. nary gifts as they reach tens of thou- change the words to Pogo's version of "Deck us all with Boston Charlie." I felt Christmas Is Not Your Birthday tells sands through their writings,” he said in like a mama instead of a member of the group. the story in more detail, and presents Dr. a written response to questions about the At a corner house a family with seven kids stood on the steps to listen. They Slaughter’s argument for why and how authors. “Both discern with clarity and gave each of us an apple, which the carolers soon dropped into my pockets. other churches can follow suit in match- humility God’s calling and presence and Later I tried not to sound so eager, "We have covered every block. It's time ing family gift giving with charitable giv- they help us see what God is doing and to return to the church!" ing that is focused on missions. wants us to do.” "No!" said Jane as she pointed. "I see a candle down there." "A candle would not show that far in the fog. It's a lamp." One that has done so is Church of the (The Journey and Christmas is Not Your Birthday are Resurrection. both available through Cokesbury, www.cokesbury. She wailed. "It is too a candle!" “Mike Slaughter’s been doing this for com. Reprinted with permission from the United We headed down a long lane into a cave of fog overhung with cedars. I bet it Methodist Reporter, UMR Communications, www. did not rain where Jesus was born. I bet it never fogged there either. years, and we started about four years umportal.org). Jane was right. The candle at the tiny frame house at the edge of town had burned low while the family waited for us. We gathered around the window where a young girl sat holding a baby. I held my breath at the girl's beauty. Her skin was dark like olive wood, her cheek bones high, and almond-shaped eyes were deep as midnight. She stared at me and smiled. I could not look away. Philip tugged my sleeve. "Let's sing," he whispered. The girl leaned over the sleeping baby and raised the window. We sang "O Little Town of Bethlehem" only slightly off key. An old man, probably the girl's grandpa, came over and stood behind her with a wrinkled hand on her shoulder. Then the girl sang to us: "I wonder as I wander...how Jesus the savior did come for to die for poor, ornery people like you and like I...." Her voice was so high and sweet that I imagine angels stopped to listen. Philip squeezed my hand, and all my kids stood at attention. Still the girl's eyes held mine. "God bless you!" she said when she finished. The old man waved. "Thank you! Merry Christmas! Thank you!" the children called. I want- ed to stay. Emily waved. "Goodbye, Miz Mary!" "How did you know her name?" I asked later. "She comes to church sometimes." "I have never seen her." "She slips in on the back row, then leaves during the last prayer as if afraid she won't be welcome," Emily said. I do not remember the feast or the worship service after we returned to the church. I was remembering only the girl's face and hearing her song. Through the years I heard Mary sing thousands of times. She finally joined our tiny choir before she left to sing in concert halls, magnificent cathedrals, and small country churches. I often traveled three states away to hear her. Whenever she returned to the small frame house down the lonely lane, she created quite a stir in our town and gave free concerts for "my people," as she called us. Now every Christmas Eve I sit at the window of my room in the nursing home. I hold in my lap the yellowed pages of a few letters Mary wrote now and then. As if she were here, I can hear her singing, "I wonder as I wander out under the sky....When Mary birthed Jesus 'twas in a cow stall, with wise men and farm- ers and shepherds and all." I must have been among the "and all." The candles I bring to the window burn low. I keep waiting for another Sally to come with a group of kids from her church to sing carols. I will know her when she comes, and I will gaze steadily into her eyes as she sings. In return, I will not be able to sing Mary's song. But I can tell the story. And when she goes home and her mama asks, "Sally, how was the caroling?" perhaps she will be able to say as I did long, long ago. "You were right, Mama. It was good for me -- very, very good."

(Bettie Wilson Story is an award-winning writer and former director of communications for the former Central Illinois Conference and the Illinois Great Rivers Conference. She is a member of the United Methodist Association of Communicators Hall of Fame and is a former UMAC Communictor of the Year. ©2011 Bettie Wilson Story)

The Current | December 2011 | 13 DEVELOPING

The recipe for making By Bishop Sally Dyckdisciples DISCIPLESHIP SYSTEMS The Mediocre Commission By Dan Dick

definitions, I like the concept that we can “cause, induce, or From the Gospel According to Bob, 28:16-20: How do we shape each other compel” disciples. Do our lives cause, induce, or compel oth- Then Jesus sayeth unto them, “Go, invite people to ers to want to follow Jesus? come sitteth for an hour in church once every six weeks to become more like Christ? We have a role to play in “shaping” disciples. In commu- or so, telling them that very little will be expected of them, In June I preached for the commissioning service at an- nity we shape each other with our prayers, presence, gifts, that they will heareth good music and that there will be service, and witness to the gospel. The great disappointment coffee and snacks.” But, Peter aggrieved and dyspeptic other annual conference’s session. While there I attended a dinner with the United Methodist Women. It was a lovely, for many who look for hope and good news is that we Chris- said, “But, what if there is soccer??” And Jesus replied, tians aren’t “shaped” any differently than anyone else in a “Well, that is a problem.” (KJV) well-attended event. The UMW reported that its members had been hard at dismal and difficult world. How do we shape each other to Jesus said, “Bring people to church.” Peter replied, work knitting and crocheting little caps for infants—perhaps become more like Christ? “They may not come.” Jesus said, “Whatever.” (The Recently, Grace United Methodist Church in Pequot Message) they were preemies—in their communities and in Zimba- bwe. There was a conference team traveling to Zimbabwe the Lakes bestowed upon me the 80,000th pasty they made. We are creating a church of ridiculously low expec- That’s a pretty impressive number of pasties to create. I find tations. I had yet another meeting with congregational following week and they would deliver the caps. it all the more impressive because they’ve been doing it only leaders who refused to entertain the idea of holding The women made 600 caps, surpassing their goal of 300. people accountable to their membership vows and the This is an admirable hands-on mission project, especially for since 1998, when 25 members went to Wesley United Meth- mission of disciple-making because said people will many women who won’t get the opportunity to travel out- odist Church in Hibbing to learn how to make them! “leave the church and take their money with them.” Is side the country or even to distribute the caps in their local Communities make community this a practical concern? Certainly. Should it hold us hospitals. hostage to violating our values, principles and under- But it made me think: If we were only as good at making My guess is that every month when they make pasties, mining our integrity? No way. Will people leave the disciples as we are at making caps! We are among the best at they follow a recipe, teach others the techniques that they church if we raise expectations? You bet they will! And, hands-on mission projects. I don’t know if United Method- have learned, and develop an assembly line (actually the Ely yes, they will take their money with them. But this is ists also did this, but I remember the many hours that my church once explained all this to me). Thus they are able to our shame, not theirs. We built the big buildings, and mother, with other women in the church where I grew up, turn out those pasties to the tune of 80,000 over 13 years. we carry the huge debt load that means we don’t have There’s no exact recipe for making disciples, but disciple- money for ministry and mission. Having 1,000 me- spent tearing and rolling strips of cloth to make into ban- diocre members has been so much more important to us than having a handful of authentic disciples for so long that any move back toward integrity is fraught '...we have to acknowledge that we don’t with peril. We like our stuff and comfort too well. We are so proud of what we own that we could care less about who we are. Too harsh? Sorry, but it is a growing “make” disciples; Jesus makes disciples.' painful truth. We want pain-free, low-cost, no sacrifice church. Problem is, what we are left with isn’t worth dages for the Cancer Society. That was a bygone era! ship is a process of combining and mixing and shaping one much. Since then our projects have gotten more creative and another in community to be more like Christ through prayer, We are attempting to be church in a reduction- contemporary. United Methodist Women and other church worship, service, and searching the Scriptures. ist culture. What do we lose when we turn vision into members and friends prepare hundreds, even thousands, of One person in Pequot Lakes can’t make 80,000 pasties. advertising, metaphor into marketing, mission into United Methodist Committee on Relief kits of school sup- But a community of people, drawing upon the knowledge sound bites, and spirituality into bumper-sticker slo- and skills of each other, can produce them. In addition to ganeering? We lose our soul. We aren’t nearly as con- plies, layettes, flood relief supplies, and more. We’re over the the money they’ve raised over the years, the Pequot Lakes cerned with our identity as we are with our image. We top when it comes to making cookies and casseroles and confuse being popular with being effective. We think other foods to help our neighbors and friends in our com- members say that the fellowship of pasty-making has been that if enough people like us, then we must be doing a munities. their greatest gain. good job. We want a vision that comforts and attracts, Likewise, when we’re teaching and learning together, not one that challenges or demands. We want to turn Unbeatable project makers community grows—and a vital congregation has a strong our faith into something cool, fun, easy, and unde- Given a challenge, a goal and a need, United Method- sense of community where new people can enter in to learn manding, but at great cost. Christianity has moments ists just can’t be beat at these hands-on, knitting/crocheting/ and grow together. of immense joy, deep satisfaction, incredible blessing cooking/assembling/producing/distributing ministries. Continue doing those hands-on mission projects. But and reward, but easy it is not, cool it is not, fun it is What would it take for us to “make” a disciple with as don’t lose sight of our mission: to shape and be shaped often NOT, and the demands are constant. Our faith is much enthusiasm and productivity as we are with hands-on through community into the likeness of Christ for the trans- serious, important stuff. Our attempts to make it less formation of the world. than it is are shameful. mission projects? People often say I criticize without offering alterna- First of all, we have to acknowledge that we don’t “make” tives. Usually, I do offer alternatives, but they are un- disciples; Jesus makes disciples. The verb has been problem- 'We have a role to play in palatable and therefore not seen as options. So, I want atic since it became part of our denomination’s mission state- to be very clear what I am suggesting, knowing that it is ment: to make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transforma- counter-cultural to our current denominational para- tion of the world. If the definition of “to make” is to “cause to “shaping” disciples.' digm. be or become,” then I’m not sure that we can “make” disciples (Bishop Sally Dyck is the episcopal leader of the Minnesota Annual Confer- 1. We focus on quality over quantity — we actually like we make caps and UMCOR kits and casseroles. ence. Reprinted with permission from the Oct. 7 issue of The Northern Light, take our mission seriously and make discipleship Another definition of “to make” is “to bring into existence the conference newspaper of the Minnesota Annual Conference. ©2011, Min- the standard for membership in The United by shaping” or “to bring into a certain form” or perhaps even nesota Annual Conference, The United Methodist Church.) Methodist Church. We hold people accountable to better, “to cause, induce, or compel.” More than any of the continued on pg. 22, see Commission

DEVELOPING DISCIPLESHIP SYSTEMS 14 | December 2011 | The Current Liberia election and MISSIONS partnership update By Bunny Wolfe, IGRC Coordinator of Missions and Outreach

Many in IGRC and minded of the Liberian faithful expression “God will provide”. throughout the world The United Methodist presence and the construction of this have prayed for a peace- school brings renewed dignity and hope into this crowded slum ful presidential election of nearly 70,000 people. The main construction of John Kofi in Liberia these past two Asmah UM School is completed. All that remains is painting, months with the initial finishing touches and furnishing the school. New desks, black- election in October and boards for the rooms and other school items are also needed. the run-off elections on Although a final financial estimate for the actual cost of comple- Nov. 8. We are closely tion and furnishing is still forthcoming, IGRC is committed to following the news re- complete this school project. ports from Liberia. Are you looking for an alternative Christmas gift this year Prior to the runoff election there was increased random vio- or is your church or church school class still considering the lence and since then, the country remains tense and watchful. designation of a special Christmas offering this year? John Kofi By Nov. 11, with 86 percent of the votes counted, President El- Asmah United Methodist School in West Point would be an ex- len Johnson Sirleaf had 91 percent of the votes. Yet, her closest cellent choice. I am “estimating” the cost of one student armchair opponent, Winston Tubman, continued to boycott the election for the school will be an approximate $30. The IGRC Advance although the international community stated the election was Special number for this project is 6990. well organized and fair. For the past three years, IGRC has conducted teacher train- On Nov. 17, it was officially announced that President Ellen ing for teachers in United Methodist Schools in Liberia. We are Johnson Sirleaf won the presidential election. awaiting details from Liberia regarding their needs for summer I am assured by Liberian friends, that all will be well. Indeed 2012. Teacher training is based upon their requests. However, if IGRC launches mission the country is beginningLOCAL to again focus & on GLOBAL peace and what is you have teachers in your congregation interested in this fulfill- needed for Liberia to continue to recover and rebuild. President ing mission to offer their experience and skills, please contact partnership with Honduras Sirleaf has promised reconciliation and there is already much myself or Christy Blickensderfer, using the e-mails at the bottom By Bunny Wolfe, IGRC Coordinator of Missions progress. of this article. If enough teachers express interest and our skills and Outreach The country of Liberia, President Johnson Sirleaf and our Li- match Liberia requests for summer 2012, a July teacher training berian partners continue to need our prayers. Let’s join together team will be considered and interested teachers will be contacted Knowing that God continues through each of us to in prayer for President Sirleaf - that God will keep her safe as by March. move out beyond our comfort zones and to walk our she leans upon him for wisdom, strength, courage and direction. Other Liberia mission teams are already scheduled for Octo- faith journey alongside Christian brothers and sisters Let’s pray that peace will prevail as Liberia moves forward. This ber 2012 and January though mid February of 2013. Brochures in other cultures experience a faith journey, Illinois is a critical time for Liberia. will be posted on the IGRC website at www.igrc.org/liberia or in- Great Rivers Conference will launch a partnership IGRC relationship with the United Methodist Churches of formation may be obtained by contacting cblickensderfer@igrc. with the United Methodist Churches in Honduras in Liberia continues to move forward. A new IGRC Liberia Task org or [email protected]. August 2012. Force is formed and we will be in consultation with the Liberia As Christmas and the New Year approaches, I am reminded The first IGRC mission trip to Honduras is sched- Annual Conference Cabinet in February to discuss future minis- of experiencing a joyful, four hour New Year’s Eve worship ser- uled Aug. 18-26, 2012. The trip brochure is posted on try opportunities and plans. vice in Liberia. One song they sang over and over stated: “The the IGRC website at www.igrc.org/honduras and is God continues to call us on our faith journey beside our Lord will provide, the Lord will provide. One way or the other, also available by contacting [email protected]. An ini- brothers and sisters in Liberia. God continues to call us to ex- the Lord will provide.” Sometimes God chooses us to be a part of tial deposit of $500 per person is due on Feb. 18 and perience Liberia. Newly ordained IGRC clergy and others will his provision, but he is always faithful. One soul-stirring lessons upon registration and payment of deposit, additional travel to Liberia in mid February 2012. The main work project I have learned from our brothers and sisters in Liberia is, indeed, information will be forthcoming. The first team meet- for this team will be painting the interior of the John Kofi Asmah God does provide! ing is scheduled for March 11 at the Midwest Mission United Methodist School in West Point. IGRC – thank you for your faithfulness to God’s leading in Distribution Center’s dormitory from 2 to 4 p.m. It has been truly amazing to witness God’s provision for this our partnership with Liberia. I am confident God will call United Methodists project in West Point. Throughout this project, I have been re- in IGRC to participate in this new and exciting op- portunity in Honduras. If you feel God calling you Alton Main Street hosts mission consultation to experience transforming fellowship, worship and By Ron Fontenot service alongside brothers and sisters in the faith who are waiting to meet you in Honduras, act quickly. The ALTON -- More than100 participants from 18 states and Rev Patrick Friday introduced the new 50/50 Covenant concept team size is limited to 15 people and it is anticipated eight countries gathered at Alton Main Street UMC Oct. 27-29, which builds accountability for both sides of the IMT partner- this initial Honduras mission team will be filled before for the In Mission Together Eastern Europe and Balkan Consul- ship. A goal of the churches in the partnership is to celebrate the deposit deadline. tation VII. together and learn from one another so they may carry out ho- The consultation was sponsored by the General Board of listic ministries that empower people within their own context, Global Ministries and the theme was “Do it all in the name of community and country. ...walk our faith journey... the Lord Jesus” from Colossians 3:17. European participants One of the highlights of the Consultation was a “Journey included Bishop Patrick Streiff of the Central & Southern Eu- Across the Miles” with small groups moving from “country ...in Honduras. rope Central Conference and his Assistant Urs Schweizer, Su- to country” to hear presentations and to get their “passports” perintendant Robert Zachar of Slovakia, and Mission Coordina- stamped. Journey Across the Miles participants visited Eastern Plans are underway for IGRC to help construct a tors; Rev. Mihail Stefanov of Bulgaria, Rev. Jana Krizova of the European and Balkans countries (in different rooms) and were mission complex in San Jose de la Vega, an area on the Czech Republic, Wojciech Ostrowski of Poland, Carol Partridge greeted by native hosts. Participants learned about the countries outskirts of Tegucigalpa, the capital of Honduras. It of Macedonia, Liljana Sjanta of Serbia and Kristof Sztupkai of and the many activities and opportunities available for partner is anticipated that this project will take two to three Hungary. A number of other pastors and lay people were also in churches. years to complete and other teams from the United attendance. Many workshops were available for the participants to at- States will also be assigned to work at this location. The purpose of this conference was to Celebrate the mis- tend: Building In Mission Together Partnerships, Partnerships in As this project begins, the discussion to continue de- sion opportunities in Eastern Europe and the Balkans. Learn Another Culture, District Partnerships, The Spiritual Formation velopment of a conference partnership with Honduras from United Methodist Churches about their countries and pro- of and A, B, Cs of Short-Term Mission Teams, and How Partner- continues as we seek God’s guidance and direction. grams. Share stories of faith by persons in mission, and Assist ships and Theological Education Work Together. Churches and individuals within IGRC have the churches spiritually and financially for their basic service and Attendees of course also fellowshipped together during participated in volunteer mission teams traveling to witness. Participants saw first-hand how God is using In Mission meals, table discussions, and break times and participated in Honduras over the past several years. Last fall, Alton Together partnerships to energize, invigorate, and transform frequent music sessions. Four new IMT partnerships were an- Main Street UMC hosted the GBGM Honduras Con- churches on BOTH sides of the Atlantic Ocean. nounced, including one for the very first UMC in Romania. New sultation and invited United States partners and guests Host pastor Jame Hahs welcomed everyone to Illinois, and relationships were formed, and existing relationships were cel- from Honduras to plan together for future partner- then the attendees were introduced to the 1800’s Illinois Cir- ebrated. Pictures from the Consultation have been posted on the ships and how we may all work toward common goals. cuit Rider, Peter Cartwright, portrayed by the Rev. Joel Catlin of In Mission Together Facebook site for Eastern Europe and Bal- This consultation was the beginning step in develop- O’Fallon First UMC portrayed the gusty, backwoods preacher. kans http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=171409653540. ing an IGRC mission partnership with the United Each day of the Consultation started with a bible study led by Planning for the 2013 Consultation has already started. Cheviot Methodist Church of Honduras. Rev. Curt McKee, with theme of “Partnerships All Christians UMC in Cincinnati, Ohio, will host the next Consultation VIII, The United Methodist Church of Honduras is a Have.” Several innovated international communication tech- Oct. 31-Nov. 2, 2013. mission initiative of the General Board of Global Min- niques were demonstrated such as Skype and Facebook. In Mission Together is a partnership program coordinated by istries. The Honduras Initiative began in 1994, but Rev. Patrick Friday, a GBGM Consultation organizer, dem- the General Board of Global Ministries. For more information, today the United Methodist Church in Honduras has onstrated Skype to the attendees by receiving an update from contact: Dick Arnold, Global Ministries Consultant, Eastern Eu- 12 vital congregations and many others under devel- Superintendant Daniel Topalski in Bulgaria and his IMT part- rope & Balkans, 465 Mill Pointe Road, Blacksburg, VA 24060, opment. ner church in De Pere, Wisconsin lead by Pastor Greg Jewison. 540/961-1265 or 540/230-5550(C), [email protected]. A successful partnership demands good communication and In Mission Together web site http://inmisisiontogether.org. with an international partnership Skype brings the world closer.

15 | December 2011 | The Current MISSIONS LOCAL & GLOBAL STARTING NEW CHURCHES &

Seeking conversation, authenticity from churches online By Lisa Diehl

(Editor’s note: The following story was written following an M2Live event have to be authentic. Build a foundation and build on it,” he said. REVITALIZING EXISTING ONES held in the Kansas Area recently. The information shared is similar to the infor- mation that was part of the Oct. 8 social media seminar, jointly sponsored by Churches have many excuses for not going into web minis- the Office of Congregational Development and IGRC Communications.) try – it’s too expensive, ministry doesn’t happen online, an older Transformation Grant: membership, dial-up Internet connections, no time for some- HUTCHINSON, Kan. -- Tools like Facebook, MySpace and thing new, preference for print communications and too few Process outlined Twitter have changed communication expectations. Today, peo- staff members. ple expect to engage in a conversation, not just receive informa- Carlisle said it’s not necessary to take on every form of digital In order to strategically invest transformation tion from an authority, said Matt Carlisle, presenter at the Web communication immediately. It’s okay to move into it slowly, as grants from the limited funds available, the Confer- Ministry Workshop: Boost Your Net Appeal at Trinity UMC. long as what’s being done is authentic to the congregation. ence Congregational Development Team has estab- Carlisle is co-founder of M2Live, a grassroots effort pulling The bottom line is that communication methods must lished the following process. together believers of all backgrounds to learn best practices for change, and change is scary, Carlisle said. But change also means District Congregational Development Teams web ministry from each other. opportunity. have been asked to establish priorities within each “Whatever tools you are using, you have to be authentic to Carlisle offered five keystones for starting a web ministry: district, identifying two to three congregations who you are,” Carlisle said. where strategic investment would have a high poten- 1. Those communication programs that are breaking new Authenticity is about being true to what your church is in tial of fulfilling the mission and vision of the Illinois ground are fueled by sweat equity and radical evangelism. the real world through your presence in the virtual world. If you Great Rivers Conference. Churches which have been Sweat equity is the work put in on developing and are a small congregation, you shouldn’t use stock photos of full identified may be invited to submit a plan for trans- maintaining a web presence, whether that’s a website or sanctuaries on your website. formation. If the plan is in alignment with district a social-media profile. Radical evangelism means thinking The Internet opens a whole new set of questions, inviting us priorities, the congregation may submit a transfor- outside the box. to redefine church as we know it. mation grant application to the Conference Congre- “The web as we know it has totally transitioned in the last 2. For your message to be heard, you must go where the gational Development Team. four years,” Carlisle said. people are, and the people are online. The Conference Congregational Development In the Internet’s traditional form, you created a website and Team will keep the vision of the whole conference 3. You will be forced to be nimble, so you can act quickly. expected everyone to come to it. in mind when determining where to approve grants Because the technology changes so quickly, decision- “What’s happening because of Facebook, Twitter and with the available transformation funds. by-committee won’t work, Carlisle said. “When you think Google+ is people are having a conversation outside of your web- through communications in new and different ways in site,” Carlisle said. “That’s where people are at and engaging with your congregation, think about how you can be nimble.” one another. That’s where the church needs to be. Engage them 4. The individual is charged to make disciples. With there, and invite them back to your website. The importance of ...To qualify for a grant, today’s social-media platforms, individual church your website has really changed. It’s really about the social web.” members now have the tools to create and foster new faith The social web is a new frontier, a digital frontier not un- a church must complete communities through their profiles. How can we, as the like the physical frontier Asbury and others struck out across church, educate and encourage our members to engage the on horseback, preaching and teaching across the United States. an intentional ministry world? Carlisle said congregations often ask how much embracing assessment... new technologies will cost. He asks them about their budgets 5. Be authentic! Engaging on the web carries with it risks, and what they’re spending their money on. and each individual has to decide how much they are “Often, churches have the resources that they need, but they willing to share about themselves online. are spending them on the wrong things,” he said. “You have to Only churches which have been invited into the “We have to come up with our own pact,” Carlisle said. “This embrace new forms of communication, but do it on your terms. process by their District Congregational Develop- is what I’m willing to share with the world. These are the tools Be authentic.” ment Team may complete a transformation grant I’m going to use, and this is how often I’m going to update. I A congregation of 25 people with one person doing web application. think for each of us, it’s a personal thing.”  ministry on $0 budget can build one web page, do it well and be To qualify for a grant, a church must complete OK with that. (Reprinted with permission from the October 2011 issue of the Kansas West an intentional ministry assessment and develop a Conference Connection.) “You don’t have to live up to anybody’s expectations. You plan to lead to greater fruitfulness. The grant request must: • Have an emphasis upon and include benchmarks related to making disciples and The Big 3 of social media explained By Lisa Diehl reaching new people. (Editor’s note: Presenter Justin Wise joined the Oct. 8 social media work- • Provide plans for a sustainable ministry. personable way. shop via Skype.) Wise recommends church pastors start their own blogs, so • Indicate in the grant process how the church will they can have their own voice online. The social web is huge and offers churches many opportuni- partner to help another congregation(s). For those unfamiliar with Twitter, Wise recommends watch- ties to engage in conversations with the online community, said ing the video, “Twitter in Plain English,” on YouTube. Twitter • Share stories of how the transformation grant is Justin Wise, presenter at the Web Ministry Workshop: Boost can be used to interact with family, friends and fans; promote helping the congregation move forward in Your Net Appeal. blog posts; find interesting links and share them; stay up-to-date ministry. Wise talked about what he called the “big three” social-me- on industry news; and learn breaking news. dia opportunities at the workshop. He is social media director Any churches that are approved for grants are “Twitter is one of the fastest ways of conveying information for Monk Development, an Internet solutions company and co- expected to participate (if they have not already done that we have at our fingertips,” Wise said. “One of the first places director of the Center for Church Communication. so) in the IGRC Fruitful Congregations Process and I go to when I want to know about something that’s happened The big three are blogging, Twitter and Facebook, Wise said. the pastor is expected to participate in the IGRC is to go to search.twitter.com. Listen, listen, listen on Twitter. “The nature of blogging is social, so that’s why I consider it Congregational Development Leadership Institute, There’s always something happening.” social media,” Wise said. “A blog is a type of website that is usu- unless the church submits a clear plan of recent Organizations commonly use Twitter to: interact with mem- ally arranged in chronological order from the most recent post training in which the pastor and key lay people have bers or congregants, share relevant information and links, pro- to the oldest.” participated through other opportunities. mote blog posts and events, and listen to what’s being said about Common reasons for blogging in the corporate world are to Note: The Conference Congregational Develop- them and about the community. share specialized information about a product or a specific field ment Team will continue to partner in the starting of There are more than 700 million Facebook users, and 70 per- or to make an announcement or provide “official” statements on new congregations through New Congregation Start cent of them are outside the United States. Of those users, 50 behalf of your organization. For most churches, the reason for grants. percent log on every day. More than 700 billion minutes a year blogging is to share what’s happening at the church in a more continued on pg. 17, see Big 3

STARTING NEW CHURCHES & REVITALIZING EXISTING ONES 16 | December 2011 | The Current Improve Communication: Q&A with Kem Meyer EMBRACING Your church has a valuable message to share. But before peo- elements of design or personal captions—provides necessary ple in the congregation or community encounter that message, human context to make complex messages easy to comprehend. COMMUNICATIONS they encounter you. What are you saying? How are you com- One of my favorite quotes says, “If you tell me, it’s an essay. If you municating your message? We asked Kem Meyer, communica- show me, it’s a story.” —Barbara Greene. tions guru from Granger Community Church, to share her best I first became aware of your work back in 2007, just after insights for improving your website, your stewardship campaign, Granger made headlines for the Real Sex series promotion, even your worship announcements! which included some suggestive billboards around town. First off, how would you describe your role as Communi- Some people said you went too far with that. How do you cations Director at Granger? know when to go big, to push the envelope, and when to keep My job is to seek and find the things in our church that at- things a little more subtle? tract people to the message and remove the things that don’t. There’s no simple answer for this question—and I get this Primarily this involves advocating strategies that eliminate in- question a lot. Speaking the language of our culture is always formation obesity and simplify complexity. That may include going to take us into places of uncomfortable tension because weighing in on series packaging, a web page, or a back office we have the burden of knowledge and desire for purity. And, like system. It all counts, because—at the end of the day—everything every topic under the sun, there will be liberal and conservative communicates. debates about it. But, I think it’s worth the risk and you have to If a church's communications are currently limited to a find where your own personal conviction lies. It’s different for weekly bulletin and monthly newsletter, what advice would every church and maybe even different for each pastor on staff you give for maximizing the impact of the media they can cur- at the same church. rently afford? Last year, we did a series called “Sex for Sale” and we were A small budget is NOT a hurdle to progress. It does NOT fine with it. No moral conflict whatsoever. A few months ear- prevent you from wowing your guests and it does NOT restrict lier, we chose not to do a series on forgiveness called “The Other you from adding value. Whether you have a church of ten or a F Word” because we felt it might be going too far. Ironically & TECHNOLOGY church of 10,000, there are things you can do right now to im- enough, the “Sex for Sale” series won us hate mail and phone prove your church communications with no money. calls from people who called us evil and corrupt, and reported Coach people to stop thinking brochures and start thinking us to the Attorney General and Better Business Bureau. (I kid Kem Meyer, communications about objectives and customer service. Create a style guide so you not.) guru from Granger Community Church things are consistent. Identify your specific audience. (You need I don’t fear the wrath of what other church people think to know who you’re talking to before you know how to say it!) about the risks we take. Instead, I fear the thought of people who Implement an official proofing team and process. Have a group will live an eternity without experiencing Christ. Sometimes, we of volunteers review everything for accuracy and consistency be- have to lower the bar so someone can accept the invitation to a fore it’s printed or distributed. higher bar. One of the biggest things is to develop an overall strategy. Your blog and your book are called Less Clutter. Less Noise. Determine what gets communicated, in what priority, using Why are these the key guidelines for good communication, in what vehicles. Every bit of news for each ministry is not appro- your mind? Facebook widget added priate for all church consumption. Every ministry in the church Billy Graham said it best: “A generation ago, the question was to Church Locator wants their announcement made from the platform, but you ‘what is truth?’ Today, the question is ‘what’s the point?’” People can’t say everything at once. Announcements in worship should are busy, skeptical, bombarded, and life is hard. They’re looking IGRC Communications has just added a new be used to reinforce and promote core values and macro steps, for answers that make a real difference in their lives. The value field whereby a Facebook widget can be added to a not individual events or teams. For example, announce a ma- we provide grows in direct proportion to how easily people can Church Locator page on the IGRC website. jor volunteer opportunity or urging people to join small groups find and say yes to their next step. Fortunately for me, my pastor The widget provides a link to the church’s Face- and classes, but not the men’s hunting trip or the scrapbooking Mark Beeson set the stage when he planted our church 25 years book page as another point of connection. retreat. ago with Granger’s mission statement: “Helping people take their Churches that would like to have their Facebook Then, reinforce everywhere (from the platform, the bulletin, next steps toward Christ . . . together.” Since that time, he has led page included are asked to send a link to the church’s mailings, etc.) the one place where people can find everything. from the front with the wisdom of deliberate simplicity, com- Facebook page to Paul Black at [email protected]. For us, it’s our web site. For you, it might be an information municating over and over that people experience life change one Churches are also asked to check the accuracy of counter or the weekly newsletter. Whatever you choose, stick step at a time. the rest of their Church Locator page information. with that one place and drive everyone back to it. When you talk Aside from "clutter and noise," what are some of the major Please indicate any changes needed to keep this in- about big, all-church steps like volunteering, joining a group, pitfalls many churches run into in their communications? formation updated. etc., that one place is where people can find the specific oppor- Ah, easy. The ministry silos. The missions department does tunities that appeal to them with all the details—dates, times, its own thing. The student leaders do their own thing. And, the Online classes available directions, registration, etc. pattern repeats throughout the whole church. The result? Indi- The United Methodist Online Learning Center You blogged earlier this year about using numbers to vidual departments end up competing against each other with a provides persons with several opportunities to re- creatively communicate a message. I've heard others advise carnival communication style trying to out-yell or out-explain. ceive additional training. against focusing too much on numbers in a stewardship cam- If we each serve up a different experience, run off in our own Current courses available: paign, but you seem to have used them so effectively on the individual directions—information gets lost or isolated. People Exploring General Conference -- This course website for The New Normal campaign. (I especially love how and projects proliferate—as does confusion. This creates real lia- will give you the basic information you need to un- it shows what can be done when certain fundraising mile- bilities for the church as a whole and puts a lid on overall impact. derstand the importance and function of General stones are met along the way!) A lot of churches acknowledge it’s a problem, but find it too Conference. Ongoing. What are your tips for striking the right balance? exhausting to tackle. It’s simply easier to just ignore silos and let Four Areas of Focus -- This free, self-directed, Just like anything, the solution isn’t all or nothing—although, people do their own thing. The only way to resolve these types of four-part online class is designed to provide foun- under pressure, either end of the spectrum is where we naturally issues is to connect multiple areas to operate as part of a larger dational information about The UMC's collaborative tend to land. It takes intentionality, and a little extra work, to roll family. Some examples: effort to join in ministry around four key areas. On- up our sleeves and manage the tension. One mission statement. If everyone is working toward the going course through Dec. 31. Good numbers can provide the verifiable foundation to our same goal, there will be less territorialism and more teamwork. “United Methodism 101” (UM101) This free, ba- story—this is the reality we’re all rallying around; not one per- One budget. There are different categories for each ministry, sic, four module course takes about an hour to com- son’s opinion or propaganda. We are being transparent. We’ve but one church budget. plete and is designed for new United Methodists and done our research. These are the basic, most important facts. We One database. A single version of reality—reports and con- anyone wanting to know more about the denomina- have nothing to hide. tacts. tion, as well as long-time United Methodists who At the same time, data alone removes the human element One URL. One church, multiple ministries. Not the other would like to check their basic knowledge. Begins and can kill the story. A list of numbers isn’t an experience for way around. A house has one front door—so should your web Dec.7 and runs through Jan. 18. Pre-registration is people to connect with, it’s a report. site. required. A blend is the answer for better communication. Making (Reprinted from Oct. 31 post of Ministry Matters, www.ministrymatters.com) “Turning Connectional Living into Connec- numbers part of the story—visually displaying data with simple tional Giving” (CG101) This a free, four-part basic online course that explores how to turn our connec- Big 3 continued from pg. 16 tional living as United Methodists into connectional are spent on Facebook. from www.SocialFresh.com, which has 64 content ideas for Face- giving that supports the shared ministry and mission “Why is that important? Because stats equal people,” Wise book posts. of The United Methodist Church. Participants work said. ”Real, live people. Those are real live people with real emo- Social-media resources: at their own pace and can interact through discus- tions, thoughts, dreams and spiritual lives. People equal the • www.Mashable.com sion forums, quizzes, and feedback activities. Pre- church. We have a responsibility to go where the people are, and, • www.Emarketer.com registration required. Course is open between Nov. increasingly, people are on the social networks.” 2 and Dec. 14. • www.ReadWriteWeb.com During the question time, a question was asked about when First-time students need to create an account at: organizations should start looking at Google+, a new social-me- • www.Businessinsider.com/sai http://moodle.umcom.org. Your log-in will be your dia tool. The presenters agreed that a good first step is to start • “Crush It” by Gary Vaynerchuck email address and a password will be sent to you. dabbling in Google+ personally and evaluate it to see if it’s a • “Groundswell” by Li & Bernoff Once you have the log-in, you are able to pre-register place that members are interacting before jumping into it. • “Here Comes Everybody” by Clay Shirky for courses that require it as well as participate in the Another participant asked what they should post to Face- (Reprinted with permission from the Kansas West Conference website, www. interactive forums. book since they are from a very small church where there’s not kswestumc.org. Lisa Diehl is Director of Communications for the Kansas West For more information or questions, visit http:// a lot going on through the week. Wise recommended a resource and East conferences of The United Methodist Church.) training.umcom.org. 

The Current | December 2011 | 17 EMBRACING COMMUNICATIONS & TECHNOLOGY CONFERENCE APPORTIONMENT RECEIPTS AS OF *Churches reflecting contributions of 83.33% or greater of total apportionments are considered current. OCTOBER 2011*

District/Church CS/Adm CS/Adm B/CM B/CM Total Total District/Church CS/Adm CS/Adm B/CM B/CM Total Total Paid % Paid Paid % Paid Paid % Paid Paid % Paid Paid % Paid Paid % Paid CACHE RIVER DISTRICT EMBARRAS RIVER DISTRICT Anna UMC $6,552 75.00% $4,104 75.00% $10,656 75.00% Asbury UMC $540 83.33% $340 83.33% $880 83.33% Belknap UMC $990 75.00% $621 75.00% $1,611 75.00% Dexter UMC $0 0.00% $0 0.00% $0 0.00% West Eden UMC $369 75.00% $225 75.00% $594 75.00% Funkhouser UMC $600 100.00% $372 100.00% $972 100.00% Benton First UMC $9,520 66.67% $5,968 66.67% $15,488 66.67% Salem UMC $74 16.67% $46 16.67% $120 16.67% Big Prairie UMC $530 83.33% $330 83.33% $860 83.33% Altamont First UMC $5,356 40.99% $2,732 33.33% $8,088 38.04% Maunie UMC $0 0.00% $0 0.00% $0 0.00% Beecher City UMC $2,682 75.00% $1,683 75.00% $4,365 75.00% Concord UMC $147 25.00% $90 25.00% $237 25.00% Shumway UMC $2,690 83.33% $1,690 83.33% $4,380 83.33% Broughton UMC $1,320 100.00% $828 100.00% $2,148 100.00% Brownstown UMC $2,250 83.33% $1,410 83.33% $3,660 83.33% Cache Chapel UMC $1,800 83.33% $1,130 83.33% $2,930 83.33% Emmanuel UMC $770 83.33% $480 83.33% $1,250 83.33% Cairo Tigert Memorial UMC $3,490 83.33% $0 0.00% $3,490 51.20% Casey UMC $16,479 75.00% $10,341 75.00% $26,820 75.00% Mounds UMC $1,284 50.00% $938 58.33% $2,222 53.21% Charleston Otterbein UMC $3,235 41.67% $2,030 41.67% $5,265 41.67% Carbondale First UMC $34,750 83.33% $21,800 83.33% $56,550 83.33% Charleston Wesley UMC $26,784 75.00% $16,803 75.00% $43,587 75.00% Carbondale Grace UMC $11,520 75.00% $7,227 75.00% $18,747 75.00% Cowden UMC $3,060 75.00% $1,917 75.00% $4,977 75.00% Carmi Emmanuel UMC $10,980 83.33% $6,890 83.33% $17,870 83.33% Lakewood UMC $2,730 83.33% $1,710 83.33% $4,440 83.33% Carmi First UMC $10,710 83.33% $6,720 83.33% $17,430 83.33% Greenup UMC $2,580 83.33% $1,620 83.33% $4,200 83.33% Carrier Mills UMC $7,479 75.00% $4,689 75.00% $12,168 75.00% Toledo UMC $2,350 83.33% $1,470 83.33% $3,820 83.33% Carterville UMC $11,460 83.33% $7,190 83.33% $18,650 83.33% Cottonwood UMC $1,050 83.33% $660 83.33% $1,710 83.33% Cedar Grove UMC $3,140 83.33% $1,970 83.33% $5,110 83.33% Pleasant Valley UMC $730 83.33% $460 83.33% $1,190 83.33% Pittsburg UMC $590 83.33% $370 83.33% $960 83.33% Salem UMC $2,000 83.33% $1,260 83.33% $3,260 83.33% Cypress UMC $621 75.00% $387 75.00% $1,008 75.00% Woodbury UMC $2,170 83.33% $1,360 83.33% $3,530 83.33% Center UMC $216 75.00% $135 75.00% $351 75.00% Dogwood Prairie UMC $4,030 83.33% $2,530 83.33% $6,560 83.33% Luther's Chapel UMC $684 100.00% $432 100.00% $1,116 100.00% Seed Chapel UMC $2,110 83.33% $1,330 83.33% $3,440 83.33% Cobden Jesus Es El Senor UMC $2,716 58.33% $1,708 58.33% $4,424 58.33% Chrisman UMC $4,464 75.00% $2,799 75.00% $7,263 75.00% Colp UMC $1,460 83.33% $920 83.33% $2,380 83.33% Hume UMC $1,692 100.00% $1,056 100.00% $2,748 100.00% Crab Orchard UMC $2,160 83.33% $1,350 83.33% $3,510 83.33% Paris Otterbein UMC $5,319 75.00% $3,339 75.00% $8,658 75.00% Cross Road UMC $4,470 83.33% $2,800 83.33% $7,270 83.33% Vermilion UMC $2,350 83.33% $1,480 83.33% $3,830 83.33% Crossville UMC $6,360 83.33% $3,990 83.33% $10,350 83.33% Clay's Prairie UMC $490 83.33% $310 83.33% $800 83.33% McHenry UMC $810 83.33% $510 83.33% $1,320 83.33% Grandview UMC $840 83.33% $530 83.33% $1,370 83.33% Dahlgren UMC $1,152 75.00% $720 75.00% $1,872 75.00% Scottland UMC $828 75.00% $522 75.00% $1,350 75.00% Macedonia UMC $930 83.33% $580 83.33% $1,510 83.33% Effingham Centenary UMC $25,030 83.33% $15,700 83.33% $40,730 83.33% Dale UMC $540 83.33% $330 80.88% $870 82.39% Falmouth UMC $1,750 83.33% $1,100 83.33% $2,850 83.33% Oliver UMC $160 83.33% $100 83.33% $260 83.33% Stewardson UMC $4,450 83.33% $2,790 83.33% $7,240 83.33% Webb's Chapel UMC $460 83.33% $290 83.33% $750 83.33% Mode UMC $1,160 83.33% $730 83.33% $1,890 83.33% DeSoto UMC $1,620 75.00% $1,017 75.00% $2,637 75.00% Strasburg UMC $2,844 100.00% $1,776 100.00% $4,620 100.00% Vergennes Wesley UMC $1,370 83.33% $860 83.33% $2,230 83.33% Washington UMC $1,750 83.33% $1,100 83.33% $2,850 83.33% Hallidayboro UMC $1,152 100.00% $720 100.00% $1,872 100.00% Gaskill UMC $790 83.33% $500 83.33% $1,290 83.33% DuQuoin UMC $1,691 10.60% $1,577 15.76% $3,268 12.59% Flat Rock UMC $3,305 64.96% $2,201 68.95% $5,506 66.50% Eldorado UMC $3,140 33.33% $1,968 33.33% $5,108 33.33% Harmon UMC $873 75.00% $549 75.00% $1,422 75.00% Raleigh UMC $740 83.33% $460 83.33% $1,200 83.33% Montrose UMC $910 83.33% $570 83.33% $1,480 83.33% Elkville UMC $910 83.33% $570 83.33% $1,480 83.33% Harvest UMC $2,620 83.33% $1,640 83.33% $4,260 83.33% Energy UMC $1,812 100.00% $1,140 100.00% $2,952 100.00% Humboldt UMC $1,647 75.00% $1,035 75.00% $2,682 75.00% Enfield UMC $2,800 83.33% $1,760 83.33% $4,560 83.33% Kansas UMC $2,970 83.33% $1,860 83.33% $4,830 83.33% Wesley Chapel UMC $1,290 83.33% $810 83.33% $2,100 83.33% Kirk Chapel UMC $820 83.33% $510 83.33% $1,330 83.33% Equality UMC $2,530 83.33% $1,590 83.33% $4,120 83.33% Lerna UMC $984 100.00% $612 100.00% $1,596 100.00% Wesley Chapel UMC $2,390 83.33% $1,500 83.33% $3,890 83.33% Dunlap UMC $1,710 83.33% $1,070 83.33% $2,780 83.33% Ridgway UMC $1,660 83.33% $1,040 83.33% $2,700 83.33% Marshall Asbury UMC $585 75.00% $369 75.00% $954 75.00% Fountain UMC $1,152 75.00% $720 75.00% $1,872 75.00% Marshall First UMC $17,410 83.33% $10,920 83.33% $28,330 83.33% Galatia UMC $1,590 83.33% $1,000 83.33% $2,590 83.33% Marshall Armstrong UMC $5,390 83.33% $3,380 83.33% $8,770 83.33% Glendale UMC $3,590 83.33% $2,250 83.33% $5,840 83.33% Marshall Emmanuel UMC $3,330 83.33% $2,090 83.33% $5,420 83.33% Eddyville UMC $1,860 83.33% $1,170 83.33% $3,030 83.33% Zion UMC $3,080 83.33% $1,930 83.33% $5,010 83.33% Taylor UMC $0 0.00% $0 0.00% $0 0.00% Marshall Trinity UMC $4,365 75.00% $2,745 75.00% $7,110 75.00% Golconda UMC $2,640 83.33% $1,650 83.33% $4,290 83.33% Brick UMC $82 4.17% $51 4.17% $133 4.17% Goreville UMC $2,287 22.99% $640 10.26% $2,927 18.08% Patton UMC $2,600 83.33% $1,630 83.33% $4,230 83.33% Creal Springs UMC $2,304 75.00% $1,449 75.00% $3,753 75.00% Martinsville UMC $3,180 83.33% $2,000 83.33% $5,180 83.33% Grand Tower UMC $1,170 83.33% $730 83.33% $1,900 83.33% Mattoon First UMC $29,560 83.33% $18,540 83.33% $48,100 83.33% Wolf Lake UMC $1,140 83.33% $720 83.33% $1,860 83.33% Coffeen UMC $1,539 75.00% $963 75.00% $2,502 75.00% Ware UMC $1,180 83.33% $740 83.33% $1,920 83.33% Fillmore UMC $1,210 83.33% $760 83.33% $1,970 83.33% West Frankfort Antioch UMC $2,460 83.33% $1,540 83.33% $4,000 83.33% Hillsboro UMC $6,840 75.00% $4,293 75.00% $11,133 75.00% West Frankfort Central UMC $1,820 83.33% $1,140 83.33% $2,960 83.33% Irving UMC $1,280 83.33% $800 83.33% $2,080 83.33% West Frankfort First UMC $1,890 83.33% $1,190 83.33% $3,080 83.33% Witt UMC $2,650 83.33% $1,660 83.33% $4,310 83.33% Greenwood UMC $2,043 75.00% $1,287 75.00% $3,330 75.00% Neoga UMC $8,220 83.33% $5,160 83.33% $13,380 83.33% Harrisburg First UMC $13,671 75.00% $8,577 75.00% $22,248 75.00% Etna UMC $524 33.33% $328 33.33% $852 33.33% Herrin UMC $0 0.00% $0 0.00% $0 0.00% Newton Grace UMC $3,544 33.33% $2,224 33.33% $5,768 33.33% Hurst UMC $747 75.00% $468 75.00% $1,215 75.00% Nokomis UMC $7,720 83.33% $4,840 83.33% $12,560 83.33% Johnston City UMC $6,786 75.00% $4,257 75.00% $11,043 75.00% Oakland UMC $2,050 83.33% $1,280 83.33% $3,330 83.33% Stiritz UMC $1,840 83.33% $1,150 83.33% $2,990 83.33% Westfield UMC $3,070 83.33% $1,930 83.33% $5,000 83.33% Jonesboro UMC $1,240 83.33% $780 83.33% $2,020 83.33% Oak Ridge UMC $980 83.33% $610 83.33% $1,590 83.33% Walnut Grove UMC $1,610 83.33% $1,010 83.33% $2,620 83.33% Oblong Central UMC $0 0.00% $0 0.00% $0 0.00% Joppa UMC $1,305 75.00% $819 75.00% $2,124 75.00% Oblong Evangelical UMC $9,090 83.33% $5,700 83.33% $14,790 83.33% Oak Grove UMC $783 75.00% $495 75.00% $1,278 75.00% Oliver UMC $1,240 83.33% $780 83.33% $2,020 83.33% Karnak UMC $5,110 83.33% $3,210 83.33% $8,320 83.33% Palestine First UMC $1,800 83.33% $1,130 83.33% $2,930 83.33% Marion Aldersgate UMC $46,380 83.33% $29,090 83.33% $75,470 83.33% Palestine Grace UMC $1,190 83.33% $740 83.33% $1,930 83.33% Marion First UMC $5,844 25.00% $3,666 25.00% $9,510 25.00% Paris First UMC $14,500 83.33% $9,090 83.33% $23,590 83.33% McLeansboro First UMC $9,648 75.00% $6,057 75.00% $15,705 75.00% Pearl Chapel UMC $2,110 83.33% $1,330 83.33% $3,440 83.33% Metropolis UMC $14,167 51.67% $10,162 59.05% $24,329 54.51% Robinson First UMC $1,037 6.28% $1,033 9.96% $2,070 7.70% Mount Moriah UMC $552 100.00% $348 100.00% $900 100.00% Robinson Otterbein UMC $8,784 75.00% $5,508 75.00% $14,292 75.00% Murphysboro UMC $14,760 66.67% $9,256 66.67% $24,016 66.67% Hutsonville UMC $2,150 83.33% $1,350 83.33% $3,500 83.33% New Burnside UMC $1,540 83.33% $970 83.33% $2,510 83.33% Fairview UMC $730 83.33% $460 83.33% $1,190 83.33% Norris City UMC $5,860 83.33% $3,670 83.33% $9,530 83.33% Trinity Chapel UMC $1,441 91.67% $902 91.67% $2,343 91.67% Shiloh UMC $1,230 83.33% $770 83.33% $2,000 83.33% Saint Elmo First UMC $4,608 50.00% $2,892 50.00% $7,500 50.00% Ohio Chapel UMC $3,570 83.33% $2,240 83.33% $5,810 83.33% Fourth Street UMC $1,870 83.33% $1,170 83.33% $3,040 83.33% Shawneetown UMC $1,810 83.33% $1,130 83.33% $2,940 83.33% Wesley Chapel UMC $1,098 75.00% $684 75.00% $1,782 75.00% Cave In Rock UMC $870 83.33% $550 83.33% $1,420 83.33% Shelbyville First UMC $15,849 75.00% $10,016 75.54% $25,865 75.21% Elizabethtown UMC $400 83.33% $250 83.33% $650 83.33% Sugar Grove UMC $1,980 83.33% $1,240 83.33% $3,220 83.33% Olive Branch UMC $952 66.67% $600 66.67% $1,552 66.67% Tower Hill UMC $2,047 62.03% $1,289 62.09% $3,336 62.05% Olmsted UMC $930 83.33% $0 0.00% $930 50.99% Herrick UMC $2,620 83.33% $1,650 83.33% $4,270 83.33% Pinckneyville UMC $10,520 66.67% $6,600 66.67% $17,120 66.67% Vandalia Haley Chapel UMC $1,480 83.33% $930 83.33% $2,410 83.33% Pleasant Grove UMC $1,100 83.33% $690 83.33% $1,790 83.33% Mount Carmel UMC $0 0.00% $0 0.00% $0 0.00% Powers UMC $2,220 83.33% $1,390 83.33% $3,610 83.33% Vandalia Luster Chapel UMC $230 83.33% $150 83.33% $380 83.33% Rosiclare UMC $1,850 83.33% $1,160 83.33% $3,010 83.33% Watson UMC $2,640 83.33% $1,650 83.33% $4,290 83.33% Sesser UMC $6,410 83.33% $4,020 83.33% $10,430 83.33% West Liberty UMC $1,360 83.33% $850 83.33% $2,210 83.33% Valier UMC $1,580 83.33% $990 83.33% $2,570 83.33% Kedron UMC $1,280 83.33% $800 83.33% $2,080 83.33% Sunfield UMC $6,490 83.33% $4,070 83.33% $10,560 83.33% Willow Hill UMC $2,130 83.33% $1,330 83.33% $3,460 83.33% Tamms UMC $1,640 83.33% $1,030 83.33% $2,670 83.33% Windsor UMC $4,500 83.33% $2,820 83.33% $7,320 83.33% Tate's Chapel UMC $2,556 100.00% $1,608 100.00% $4,164 100.00% Zion Hill UMC $2,310 83.33% $1,450 83.33% $3,760 83.33% Vergennes Faith UMC $3,280 83.33% $2,060 83.33% $5,340 83.33% Zion UMC $1,560 83.33% $980 83.33% $2,540 83.33% Vienna UMC $10,602 75.00% $6,651 75.00% $17,253 75.00% Embarras River District Total $354,709 72.40% $222,450 72.39% $577,159 72.40% West Frankfort Trinity UMC $19,230 83.33% $12,060 83.33% $31,290 83.33% Zeigler UMC $0 0.00% $0 0.00% $0 0.00% Royalton UMC $0 0.00% $0 0.00% $0 0.00% ILLINOIS RIVER DISTRICT Zion UMC $1,870 83.33% $1,170 83.33% $3,040 83.33% Bartonville UMC $4,440 83.33% $2,780 83.33% $7,220 83.33% Blue Ridge UMC $1,300 83.33% $820 83.33% $2,120 83.33% Total Cache River District $400,554 69.23% $249,604 68.77% $650,158 69.05% Bradford Leet Memorial UMC $0 0.00% $0 0.00% $0 0.00% 18 | December 2011 | The Current CONFERENCE APPORTIONMENT RECEIPTS AS OF *Churches reflecting contributions of 83.33% or greater of total apportionments are considered current. OCTOBER 2011*

District/Church CS/Adm CS/Adm B/CM B/CM Total Total District/Church CS/Adm CS/Adm B/CM B/CM Total Total Paid % Paid Paid % Paid Paid % Paid Paid % Paid Paid % Paid Paid % Paid ILLINOIS RIVER DISTRICT (cont.) IROQUOIS RIVER DISTRICT (cont.) Boyd's Grove UMC $2,210 83.33% $1,390 83.33% $3,600 83.33% Fithian UMC $5,200 83.33% $3,260 83.33% $8,460 83.33% Brimfield UMC $1,530 83.33% $960 83.33% $2,490 83.33% Oakwood UMC $5,470 83.33% $3,430 83.33% $8,900 83.33% Canton South Park UMC $2,682 75.00% $1,683 75.00% $4,365 75.00% Hebron UMC $1,310 83.33% $820 83.33% $2,130 83.33% Shields' Chapel UMC $3,960 83.33% $2,480 83.33% $6,440 83.33% Gibson City UMC $16,970 83.33% $10,650 83.33% $27,620 83.33% Canton Wesley UMC $43,160 83.33% $27,080 83.33% $70,240 83.33% Gifford UMC $2,080 83.33% $1,310 83.33% $3,390 83.33% Chillicothe First UMC $6,110 27.82% $3,800 27.58% $9,910 27.73% Ludlow UMC $1,548 100.00% $972 100.00% $2,520 100.00% Crossroads UMC $0 0.00% $36,050 83.33% $36,050 32.12% Gilman UMC $2,256 30.52% $1,472 31.70% $3,728 30.97% Cuba UMC $2,430 50.00% $1,524 50.00% $3,954 50.00% Ashkum UMC $3,010 83.33% $1,890 83.33% $4,900 83.33% London Mills UMC $4,470 83.33% $2,810 83.33% $7,280 83.33% Hindsboro UMC $1,530 83.33% $689 59.81% $2,219 74.26% Dayspring UMC $370 16.67% $232 16.67% $602 16.67% Homer UMC $7,650 83.33% $4,800 83.33% $12,450 83.33% East Peoria Faith UMC $1,309 25.31% $691 21.25% $2,000 23.74% Hoopeston UMC $8,440 83.33% $5,290 83.33% $13,730 83.33% Zion Evangelical UMC $1,218 25.00% $762 25.00% $1,980 25.00% Wellington UMC $1,760 83.33% $1,110 83.33% $2,870 83.33% Deer Creek UMC $1,377 75.00% $864 75.00% $2,241 75.00% Iroquois UMC $910 83.33% $570 83.33% $1,480 83.33% Delavan UMC $10,000 83.33% $6,270 83.33% $16,270 83.33% Sheldon UMC $0 0.00% $0 0.00% $0 0.00% Dunlap Prospect UMC $15,813 75.00% $9,918 75.00% $25,731 75.00% Loda UMC $5,880 66.67% $3,688 66.67% $9,568 66.67% East Peoria First UMC $15,490 83.33% $9,720 83.33% $25,210 83.33% Mahomet UMC $27,050 83.33% $16,970 83.33% $44,020 83.33% Edwards UMC $1,284 100.00% $804 100.00% $2,088 100.00% Mansfield UMC $8,370 83.33% $5,250 83.33% $13,620 83.33% Eureka UMC $12,540 83.33% $7,870 83.33% $20,410 83.33% Melvin UMC $6,420 100.00% $4,032 100.00% $10,452 100.00% Farmington UMC $5,024 66.67% $3,152 66.67% $8,176 66.67% Middlefork UMC $2,940 83.33% $1,840 83.33% $4,780 83.33% Glasford UMC $1,920 24.17% $1,280 25.70% $3,200 24.76% Collison UMC $760 83.33% $480 83.33% $1,240 83.33% Green Valley First UMC $0 0.00% $0 0.00% $0 0.00% Milford UMC $5,010 83.33% $3,140 83.33% $8,150 83.33% Hopedale UMC $1,685 41.67% $1,055 41.67% $2,740 41.67% Stockland UMC $2,030 83.33% $1,280 83.33% $3,310 83.33% Hanna City UMC $5,520 100.00% $3,468 100.00% $8,988 100.00% Mount Vernon UMC $2,840 83.33% $1,780 83.33% $4,620 83.33% Trivoli UMC $3,510 83.33% $2,200 83.33% $5,710 83.33% Newman UMC $3,750 83.33% $2,350 83.33% $6,100 83.33% Henry UMC $6,835 82.55% $3,798 73.09% $10,633 78.90% Murdock UMC $1,200 83.33% $750 83.33% $1,950 83.33% Washburn UMC $1,040 26.18% $980 39.45% $2,020 31.29% Ogden UMC $3,470 83.33% $2,180 83.33% $5,650 83.33% Kewanee First UMC $15,210 83.33% $9,540 83.33% $24,750 83.33% Broadlands UMC $3,530 83.33% $2,220 83.33% $5,750 83.33% Lacon Sparland UMC $5,649 81.73% $3,557 81.88% $9,206 81.79% Onarga UMC $0 0.00% $0 0.00% $0 0.00% Varna UMC $2,150 83.33% $1,350 83.33% $3,500 83.33% Piper City UMC $1,064 29.17% $669 29.17% $1,733 29.17% LaFayette UMC $0 0.00% $0 0.00% $0 0.00% Paxton First UMC $14,580 83.33% $9,140 83.33% $23,720 83.33% West Jersey UMC $1,250 83.33% $780 83.33% $2,030 83.33% Pleasant Grove UMC $792 91.67% $495 91.67% $1,287 91.67% Laura UMC $3,670 83.33% $2,300 83.33% $5,970 83.33% Quest UMC $6,741 75.00% $4,230 75.00% $10,971 75.00% Monica UMC $1,770 83.33% $1,110 83.33% $2,880 83.33% Rantoul First UMC $6,486 36.97% $3,251 29.54% $9,737 34.11% Lewistown UMC $8,430 83.33% $5,290 83.33% $13,720 83.33% Ridge Farm UMC $2,090 83.33% $1,310 83.33% $3,400 83.33% Mackinaw UMC $13,410 83.33% $8,410 83.33% $21,820 83.33% Indianola UMC $1,330 83.33% $840 83.33% $2,170 83.33% Manito UMC $5,782 58.33% $3,626 58.33% $9,408 58.33% Roberts UMC $1,380 83.33% $860 83.33% $2,240 83.33% Maples Mill UMC $2,970 83.33% $1,860 83.33% $4,830 83.33% Thawville UMC $1,056 100.00% $660 100.00% $1,716 100.00% Morton UMC $35,860 83.33% $22,490 83.33% $58,350 83.33% Rossville UMC $6,730 83.33% $4,220 83.33% $10,950 83.33% Mossville UMC $9,960 66.67% $6,248 66.67% $16,208 66.67% Bismarck UMC $3,640 83.33% $2,280 83.33% $5,920 83.33% Mount Pleasant UMC $2,160 100.00% $1,356 100.00% $3,516 100.00% Sadorus UMC $2,340 100.00% $1,464 100.00% $3,804 100.00% Norris UMC $950 83.33% $600 83.33% $1,550 83.33% Parkville UMC $1,060 83.33% $670 83.33% $1,730 83.33% Providence Chapel UMC $234 25.00% $147 25.00% $381 25.00% Saint Joseph UMC $3,705 26.73% $7,159 82.29% $10,864 48.16% Pekin First UMC $38,202 85.42% $23,965 85.42% $62,166 85.42% Farmer City UMC $4,491 75.00% $2,817 75.00% $7,308 75.00% Pekin Grace UMC $30,258 75.00% $18,981 75.00% $49,239 75.00% Weedman UMC $2,840 83.33% $1,780 83.33% $4,620 83.33% Peoria Bethel UMC $14,920 83.33% $9,360 83.33% $24,280 83.33% Weldon UMC $1,134 25.00% $711 25.00% $1,845 25.00% Peoria Bradley Epworth UMC $32,590 83.33% $20,440 83.33% $53,030 83.33% Savoy UMC $14,900 83.33% $9,350 83.33% $24,250 83.33% Peoria First UMC $113,140 83.33% $70,970 83.33% $184,110 83.33% Shiloh UMC $2,600 83.33% $1,630 83.33% $4,230 83.33% Peoria Forrest Hill UMC $10,450 83.33% $6,550 83.33% $17,000 83.33% Sidell UMC $6,440 83.33% $4,040 83.33% $10,480 83.33% Peoria Madison Avenue UMC $0 0.00% $0 0.00% $0 0.00% Sullivan UMC $12,375 75.00% $7,758 75.00% $20,133 75.00% Peoria Northwest UMC $10,624 66.67% $6,664 66.67% $17,288 66.67% Tolono UMC $5,931 75.00% $3,726 75.00% $9,657 75.00% Peoria University UMC $19,910 83.33% $12,490 83.33% $32,400 83.33% Pesotum UMC $1,818 75.00% $1,143 75.00% $2,961 75.00% Princeville UMC $11,760 83.33% $7,370 83.33% $19,130 83.33% Tuscola UMC $17,740 83.33% $11,130 83.33% $28,870 83.33% RiversEdge UMC $8,028 75.00% $5,040 75.00% $13,068 75.00% Urbana First UMC $0 0.00% $0 0.00% $0 0.00% Saint David UMC $0 0.00% $0 0.00% $0 0.00% Urbana Grace UMC $11,061 75.00% $6,939 75.00% $18,000 75.00% Bryant UMC $0 0.00% $0 0.00% $0 0.00% Urbana Wesley UMC $15,990 83.33% $10,030 83.33% $26,020 83.33% Smithfield Brock UMC $2,010 83.33% $1,260 83.33% $3,270 83.33% Villa Grove UMC $10,620 83.33% $6,660 83.33% $17,280 83.33% Locust Lane UMC $1,930 83.33% $1,210 83.33% $3,140 83.33% Watseka UMC $9,948 50.00% $6,240 50.00% $16,188 50.00% Texas UMC $621 75.00% $387 75.00% $1,008 75.00% Woodland UMC $1,520 83.33% $950 83.33% $2,470 83.33% Tiskilwa Community Church UM/AB $0 0.00% $0 0.00% $0 0.00% Iroquois River District Total $582,112 73.79% $369,078 74.57% $951,189 74.09% Sheffield UMC $1,740 83.33% $1,090 83.33% $2,830 83.33% Toulon UMC $7,808 66.67% $4,896 66.67% $12,704 66.67% KASKASKIA RIVER DISTRICT Tremont UMC $10,194 50.00% $6,396 50.00% $16,590 50.00% Washington Evangelical UMC $14,490 83.33% $9,090 83.33% $23,580 83.33% Albion UMC $7,530 83.33% $4,720 83.33% $12,250 83.33% White Chapel UMC $3,960 83.33% $2,490 83.33% $6,450 83.33% Bethel UMC $2,550 83.33% $1,600 83.33% $4,150 83.33% Kingston Mines UMC $2,214 75.00% $1,395 75.00% $3,609 75.00% Allendale UMC $1,380 83.33% $870 83.33% $2,250 83.33% Monterey UMC $1,820 83.33% $1,140 83.33% $2,960 83.33% Alma UMC $1,030 83.33% $640 83.33% $1,670 83.33% Willow Hill UMC $19,790 83.33% $12,420 83.33% $32,210 83.33% Pleasant Grove UMC $890 83.33% $560 83.33% $1,450 83.33% Wyoming UMC $5,676 100.00% $3,552 100.00% $9,228 100.00% Asbury Chapel UMC $1,070 83.33% $670 83.33% $1,740 83.33% Neponset UMC $1,000 37.71% $20 1.20% $1,020 23.61% Bellmont UMC $1,400 83.33% $880 83.33% $2,280 83.33% Ashley UMC $2,688 66.67% $1,688 66.67% $4,376 66.67% Illinois River District Total $629,817 69.01% $430,280 75.16% $1,060,097 71.38% Waltonville UMC $1,620 83.33% $1,020 83.33% $2,640 83.33% Beulah UMC $10,728 100.00% $6,732 100.00% $17,460 100.00% IROQUOIS RIVER DISTRICT Bluford Otterbein UMC $895 32.86% $570 33.22% $1,465 33.00% Allerton UMC $1,740 83.33% $1,090 83.33% $2,830 83.33% Wayne City UMC $2,960 83.33% $1,860 83.33% $4,820 83.33% Arcola UMC $9,460 83.33% $5,940 83.33% $15,400 83.33% Bonnie UMC $91 8.33% $59 8.63% $150 8.45% Arthur UMC $9,747 75.00% $6,120 75.00% $15,867 75.00% Bridgeport UMC $6,740 83.33% $4,220 83.33% $10,960 83.33% Batestown UMC $1,800 83.33% $1,130 83.33% $2,930 83.33% Petrolia UMC $840 100.00% $528 100.00% $1,368 100.00% Union Corner UMC $1,740 83.33% $1,090 83.33% $2,830 83.33% Browns UMC $1,602 75.00% $1,008 75.00% $2,610 75.00% Bellflower UMC $1,908 75.00% $1,197 75.00% $3,105 75.00% Calhoun UMC $1,780 83.33% $1,120 83.33% $2,900 83.33% Bement UMC $6,168 66.67% $3,872 66.67% $10,040 66.67% Ebenezer UMC $1,450 83.33% $910 83.33% $2,360 83.33% Bondville UMC $2,750 83.33% $1,720 83.33% $4,470 83.33% Centralia Faith UMC $5,140 83.33% $3,220 83.33% $8,360 83.33% Camargo UMC $4,910 83.33% $3,080 83.33% $7,990 83.33% Central City UMC $206 8.33% $0 0.00% $206 5.12% Catlin UMC $9,702 75.00% $6,084 75.00% $15,786 75.00% Centralia First UMC $0 0.00% $0 0.00% $0 0.00% Centerville UMC $3,090 83.33% $1,940 83.33% $5,030 83.33% Irvington UMC $2,310 83.33% $1,450 83.33% $3,760 83.33% Seymour UMC $1,000 83.33% $630 83.33% $1,630 83.33% Chauncey UMC $1,177 91.67% $737 91.67% $1,914 91.67% White Heath UMC $680 83.33% $430 83.33% $1,110 83.33% Landes UMC $0 0.00% $0 0.00% $0 0.00% Champaign Faith UMC $33,867 75.00% $21,240 75.00% $55,107 75.00% Claremont UMC $0 0.00% $0 0.00% $0 0.00% Champaign First UMC $54,970 83.33% $34,480 83.33% $89,450 83.33% Prairieton UMC $205 44.96% $0 0.00% $205 27.55% Champaign New Horizon UMC $44,690 83.33% $28,030 83.33% $72,720 83.33% Dix UMC $1,310 83.33% $820 83.33% $2,130 83.33% Cissna Park UMC $2,160 83.33% $1,360 83.33% $3,520 83.33% Union Chapel UMC $1,332 75.00% $837 75.00% $2,169 75.00% Rankin UMC $1,620 75.00% $1,017 75.00% $2,637 75.00% Garrison Temple UMC $520 83.33% $320 83.33% $840 83.33% Countryside UMC $8,404 78.33% $5,273 78.33% $13,677 78.33% Enterprise UMC $2,590 83.33% $1,630 83.33% $4,220 83.33% Danville Bowman Avenue UMC $2,910 83.33% $1,830 83.33% $4,740 83.33% West UMC $1,850 83.33% $1,160 83.33% $3,010 83.33% Danville Farmers Chapel UMC $3,600 83.33% $2,260 83.33% $5,860 83.33% Fairfield Ellen Moore UMC $6,194 83.39% $3,880 83.33% $10,074 83.37% Danville First UMC $8,920 83.33% $5,690 84.82% $14,610 83.91% Fairfield First UMC $18,760 83.33% $11,770 83.33% $30,530 83.33% Danville Saint James UMC $46,540 83.33% $29,200 83.33% $75,740 83.33% Fairview UMC $460 83.33% $290 83.33% $750 83.33% Donovan UMC $4,150 83.33% $2,600 83.33% $6,750 83.33% Farina UMC $6,720 83.33% $4,220 83.33% $10,940 83.33% Crescent City UMC $1,900 83.33% $1,190 83.33% $3,090 83.33% Louisville UMC $5,880 50.00% $3,690 50.00% $9,570 50.00% East Lynn UMC $0 0.00% $0 0.00% $0 0.00% Flora First UMC $14,230 83.33% $8,930 83.33% $23,160 83.33% Fairmount UMC $1,504 66.67% $944 66.67% $2,448 66.67% Flora Trinity UMC $1,940 83.33% $1,220 83.33% $3,160 83.33% Fairview UMC $1,120 83.33% $700 83.33% $1,820 83.33% Centralia Demaree UMC $70 1.00% $40 0.91% $110 0.96% Georgetown UMC $3,490 83.33% $2,190 83.33% $5,680 83.33% Odin UMC $1,620 83.33% $1,020 83.33% $2,640 83.33% Fisher UMC $3,786 50.00% $2,376 50.00% $6,162 50.00% Shattuc UMC $3,130 83.33% $1,960 83.33% $5,090 83.33% Gilead UMC $912 100.00% $576 100.00% $1,488 100.00% The Current | December 2011 | 19 CONFERENCE APPORTIONMENT RECEIPTS AS OF *Churches reflecting contributions of 83.33% or greater of total apportionments are considered current. OCTOBER 2011*

District/Church CS/Adm CS/Adm B/CM B/CM Total Total District/Church CS/Adm CS/Adm B/CM B/CM Total Total Paid % Paid Paid % Paid Paid % Paid Paid % Paid Paid % Paid Paid % Paid KASKASKIA RIVER DISTRICT (cont.) LAMOINE RIVER DISTRICT (cont.) Golden Gate UMC $1,390 83.33% $870 83.33% $2,260 83.33% Vermont UMC $2,331 75.00% $1,467 75.00% $3,798 75.00% Conway UMC $0 0.00% $0 0.00% $0 0.00% Jacksonville Asbury UMC $1,570 83.33% $980 83.33% $2,550 83.33% Grayville UMC $6,226 91.67% $3,905 91.67% $10,131 91.67% Lynnville UMC $954 75.00% $603 75.00% $1,557 75.00% Fortney UMC $800 83.33% $500 83.33% $1,300 83.33% Jacksonville Centenary UMC $8,082 47.83% $4,415 41.67% $12,497 45.46% Hopewell UMC $151 38.13% $54 21.43% $205 31.64% Jacksonville Brooklyn UMC $3,430 83.33% $2,150 83.33% $5,580 83.33% Olive Branch UMC $0 0.00% $0 0.00% $0 0.00% Jacksonville Grace UMC $22,780 83.33% $14,290 83.33% $37,070 83.33% Ina UMC $780 83.33% $490 83.33% $1,270 83.33% Jacksonville Wesley Chapel UMC $10,300 83.33% $6,460 83.33% $16,760 83.33% Kinmundy First UMC $9,560 83.33% $5,990 83.33% $15,550 83.33% Jerseyville UMC $29,556 100.00% $18,540 100.00% $48,096 100.00% Wesley UMC $1,240 83.33% $780 83.33% $2,020 83.33% Living Faith UMC $8,750 83.33% $5,490 83.33% $14,240 83.33% Lancaster UMC $1,080 83.33% $680 83.33% $1,760 83.33% Loraine UMC $3,609 75.00% $2,259 75.00% $5,868 75.00% Nye Chapel UMC $470 83.33% $290 83.33% $760 83.33% Manchester UMC $1,330 83.33% $840 83.33% $2,170 83.33% Lawrenceville First UMC $15,692 72.53% $0 0.00% $15,692 44.57% Mount Sterling UMC $5,326 56.25% $3,776 63.57% $9,102 59.07% Lawrenceville Otterbein UMC $0 0.00% $0 0.00% $0 0.00% Columbus UMC $1,450 83.33% $910 83.33% $2,360 83.33% May Chapel UMC $342 75.00% $216 75.00% $558 75.00% Murrayville UMC $8,080 83.33% $5,070 83.33% $13,150 83.33% Lawrenceville Zion UMC $3,780 83.33% $2,370 83.33% $6,150 83.33% New Hope UMC $600 66.67% $376 66.67% $976 66.67% Billett UMC $4,520 83.33% $2,840 83.33% $7,360 83.33% Palmyra UMC $0 0.00% $0 0.00% $0 0.00% Mount Carmel Evangelical UMC $16,070 83.33% $10,080 83.33% $26,150 83.33% Modesto UMC $1,000 83.33% $630 83.33% $1,630 83.33% Mount Carmel Trinity UMC $6,504 66.67% $4,080 66.67% $10,584 66.67% Payson UMC $2,430 83.33% $1,530 83.33% $3,960 83.33% Adams Corner UMC $790 83.33% $500 83.33% $1,290 83.33% Pittsfield UMC $9,982 58.33% $6,265 58.33% $16,247 58.33% Mount Vernon Epworth UMC $3,195 75.00% $2,007 75.00% $5,202 75.00% Oakford UMC $3,584 66.67% $2,248 66.67% $5,832 66.67% Hopewell UMC $570 83.33% $360 83.33% $930 83.33% Bath UMC $954 75.00% $603 75.00% $1,557 75.00% Zion UMC $1,580 83.33% $990 83.33% $2,570 83.33% Fairview UMC $1,290 83.33% $810 83.33% $2,100 83.33% Mount Vernon First UMC $34,500 83.33% $21,640 83.33% $56,140 83.33% Quincy Melrose Chapel UMC $7,810 41.67% $4,900 41.67% $12,710 41.67% Mount Vernon Wesley UMC $3,870 75.00% $2,430 75.00% $6,300 75.00% Quincy Union UMC $12,564 75.00% $7,275 69.29% $19,839 72.80% Mount Vernon West Salem Trinity UMC $12,860 83.33% $8,070 83.33% $20,930 83.33% Quincy Vermont Street UMC $27,400 83.33% $17,190 83.33% $44,590 83.33% Mount Zion UMC $493 9.19% $382 11.34% $875 10.02% Rural UMC $2,652 100.00% $1,656 100.00% $4,308 100.00% Brown's Chapel UMC $2,700 83.33% $1,690 83.33% $4,390 83.33% Rushville First UMC $13,960 83.33% $8,750 83.33% $22,710 83.33% Noble UMC $660 83.33% $410 83.33% $1,070 83.33% Barry UMC $3,980 83.33% $2,500 83.33% $6,480 83.33% Olney First UMC $16,335 75.00% $10,251 75.00% $26,586 75.00% Hull UMC $4,660 83.33% $2,920 83.33% $7,580 83.33% Olney Immanuel UMC $3,304 18.76% $2,126 19.24% $5,431 18.94% New Canton UMC $1,155 41.67% $725 41.67% $1,880 41.67% Olney Saint Paul UMC $4,383 52.33% $438 8.33% $4,821 35.37% Pleasant Hill UMC $1,152 75.00% $720 75.00% $1,872 75.00% Parkersburg UMC $1,030 83.33% $650 83.33% $1,680 83.33% Hamburg UMC $304 81.72% $196 85.96% $500 83.33% Ebenezer UMC $1,092 100.00% $684 100.00% $1,776 100.00% Virden First UMC $5,480 83.33% $3,440 83.33% $8,920 83.33% Little Wabash UMC $1,020 83.33% $640 83.33% $1,660 83.33% Girard UMC $4,650 83.33% $2,920 83.33% $7,570 83.33% Pinkstaff UMC $2,350 83.33% $1,470 83.33% $3,820 83.33% Virginia UMC $8,816 66.67% $5,536 66.67% $14,352 66.67% Pleasant Grove UMC $549 62.67% $351 63.59% $900 63.03% Waverly UMC $5,670 83.33% $3,560 83.33% $9,230 83.33% Richview UMC $3,348 100.00% $2,100 100.00% $5,448 100.00% Franklin UMC $1,827 75.00% $1,152 75.00% $2,979 75.00% Saint Francisville UMC $2,520 83.33% $1,580 83.33% $4,100 83.33% Durbin UMC $1,950 83.33% $1,220 83.33% $3,170 83.33% Salem Grace UMC $22,520 83.33% $14,130 83.33% $36,650 83.33% Brooklyn UMC $840 83.33% $520 83.33% $1,360 83.33% Salem Trinity UMC $4,578 50.00% $2,874 50.00% $7,452 50.00% Ebenezer UMC $670 83.33% $420 83.33% $1,090 83.33% Iuka UMC $2,480 83.33% $1,560 83.33% $4,040 83.33% Houston UMC $1,220 83.33% $770 83.33% $1,990 83.33% Cubbage Chapel UMC $430 83.33% $270 83.33% $700 83.33% Littleton UMC $1,540 83.33% $970 83.33% $2,510 83.33% Sandoval UMC $4,680 83.33% $2,940 83.33% $7,620 83.33% Clayton Federated UMC $2,349 75.00% $1,476 75.00% $3,825 75.00% Patoka UMC $4,380 83.33% $2,750 83.33% $7,130 83.33% Camden UMC $1,770 83.33% $1,110 83.33% $2,880 83.33% Boulder UMC $1,440 83.33% $900 83.33% $2,340 83.33% Elm Grove UMC $990 83.33% $620 83.33% $1,610 83.33% Sumner UMC $12,076 79.30% $7,554 79.08% $19,630 79.22% Winchester UMC $8,120 83.33% $6,120 100.00% $14,240 89.76% Clay City UMC $4,930 83.33% $3,090 83.33% $8,020 83.33% LaMoine River District Total $372,892 74.28% $232,048 73.69% $604,941 74.05% Harmony UMC $2,670 83.33% $1,670 83.33% $4,340 83.33% Bethel UMC $0 0.00% $0 0.00% $0 0.00% Union Chapel UMC $960 83.33% $600 83.33% $1,560 83.33% MISSISSIPPI RIVER DISTRICT Vandalia First UMC $21,951 75.00% $13,770 75.00% $35,721 75.00% Alton Grace UMC $768 33.33% $480 33.33% $1,248 33.33% Bethel UMC $1,428 100.00% $900 100.00% $2,328 100.00% Hartford UMC $1,760 83.33% $1,110 83.33% $2,870 83.33% Cisne UMC $1,170 83.33% $730 83.33% $1,900 83.33% Elsah UMC $1,760 83.33% $1,110 83.33% $2,870 83.33% Johnsonville UMC $900 75.00% $567 75.00% $1,467 75.00% Alton Main Street UMC $19,374 41.90% $12,155 41.91% $31,528 41.90% West Salem Zion UMC $8,620 83.33% $5,410 83.33% $14,030 83.33% Belleville Saint Matthew UMC $90,138 78.11% $60,320 83.33% $150,458 80.12% Xenia UMC $3,750 83.33% $2,350 83.33% $6,100 83.33% Belleville Signal Hill UMC $8,240 66.67% $5,168 66.67% $13,408 66.67% Belleville Union UMC $19,614 58.33% $12,306 58.33% $31,920 58.33% Kaskaskia River District Total $388,517 71.79% $231,405 68.15% $619,922 70.39% New Athens UMC $1,470 83.33% $920 83.33% $2,390 83.33% Benld UMC $3,078 75.00% $1,935 75.00% $5,013 75.00% LAMOINE RIVER DISTRICT Bethalto UMC $2,323 13.58% $1,387 12.93% $3,710 13.33% Paloma UMC $1,310 83.33% $820 83.33% $2,130 83.33% Brighton Saint Paul UMC $7,080 83.33% $4,440 83.33% $11,520 83.33% Pleasant Grove UMC $1,920 83.33% $1,210 83.33% $3,130 83.33% Bunker Hill UMC $2,560 83.33% $1,610 83.33% $4,170 83.33% Richfield UMC $1,332 75.00% $837 75.00% $2,169 75.00% Cahokia Park UMC $3,824 55.70% $2,445 56.75% $6,268 56.11% Beverly UMC $1,254 91.67% $781 91.67% $2,035 91.67% Carlyle UMC $9,558 75.00% $5,994 75.00% $15,552 75.00% Kingston UMC $870 83.33% $0 0.00% $870 51.06% Huey UMC $960 83.33% $600 83.33% $1,560 83.33% Plainville UMC $2,300 83.33% $1,440 83.33% $3,740 83.33% Beckemeyer UMC $710 83.33% $440 83.33% $1,150 83.33% Ashland UMC $3,990 83.33% $2,500 83.33% $6,490 83.33% Caseyville UMC $8,573 76.08% $5,301 75.00% $13,874 75.67% Peter Cartwright UMC $2,940 50.00% $1,842 50.00% $4,782 50.00% Chester UMC $2,690 83.33% $1,690 83.33% $4,380 83.33% Batchtown UMC $760 83.33% $470 83.33% $1,230 83.33% Collinsville First UMC $11,540 83.33% $7,240 83.33% $18,780 83.33% Beardstown UMC $13,332 100.00% $8,364 100.00% $21,696 100.00% Columbia Bethany UMC $12,969 75.00% $8,136 75.00% $21,105 75.00% Bethel UMC $1,242 75.00% $774 75.00% $2,016 75.00% Coulterville UMC $5,360 83.33% $3,360 83.33% $8,720 83.33% Kane UMC $0 0.00% $0 0.00% $0 0.00% Tilden UMC $1,850 83.33% $1,160 83.33% $3,010 83.33% Bluff Springs UMC $1,290 83.33% $810 83.33% $2,100 83.33% East Alton First UMC $5,832 33.33% $3,660 33.33% $9,492 33.33% Griggsville UMC $3,582 75.00% $2,250 75.00% $5,832 75.00% Edwardsville Immanuel UMC $10,584 66.67% $7,470 75.00% $18,054 69.88% New Salem UMC $890 83.33% $560 83.33% $1,450 83.33% Edwardsville Saint John's UMC $25,100 83.33% $15,750 83.33% $40,850 83.33% Detroit UMC $1,692 100.00% $1,056 100.00% $2,748 100.00% Ellis Grove UMC $1,060 83.33% $670 83.33% $1,730 83.33% Florence UMC $280 83.33% $180 83.33% $460 83.33% New Palestine UMC $1,340 83.33% $840 83.33% $2,180 83.33% Oxville UMC $672 100.00% $420 100.00% $1,092 100.00% Preston UMC $370 83.33% $230 83.33% $600 83.33% Perry UMC $3,060 75.00% $1,917 75.00% $4,977 75.00% Fairview Heights Christ UMC $70,854 58.33% $44,443 58.33% $115,297 58.33% Baylis UMC $460 83.33% $290 83.33% $750 83.33% Fairview Heights Prospect Park UMC $1,580 83.33% $990 83.33% $2,570 83.33% Camp Point UMC $7,730 83.33% $4,850 83.33% $12,580 83.33% Gillespie First UMC $4,949 58.33% $3,108 58.33% $8,057 58.33% Centennial Ebenezer UMC $2,256 100.00% $1,416 100.00% $3,672 100.00% Glen Carbon New Bethel UMC $19,510 83.33% $12,240 83.33% $31,750 83.33% Carlinville UMC $13,284 75.00% $8,334 75.00% $21,618 75.00% Godfrey UMC $17,568 75.00% $11,016 75.00% $28,584 75.00% Carrollton UMC $3,078 75.00% $1,926 75.00% $5,004 75.00% Granite City Dewey Avenue UMC $1,624 66.67% $1,016 66.67% $2,640 66.67% Christ UMC $3,015 75.00% $1,890 75.00% $4,905 75.00% Granite City Good Shepherd UMC $2,720 83.33% $1,700 83.33% $4,420 83.33% Carthage First UMC $2,458 16.67% $0 0.00% $2,458 10.24% Granite City Nameoki UMC $11,043 75.00% $6,930 75.00% $17,973 75.00% Astoria UMC $2,397 44.98% $1,502 45.03% $3,899 45.00% Granite City Niedringhaus UMC $3,653 20.84% $2,290 20.83% $5,943 20.84% Sheldon's Grove UMC $1,270 83.33% $800 83.33% $2,070 83.33% Granite City Trinity UMC $1,828 33.33% $1,148 33.33% $2,976 33.33% Browning UMC $574 38.89% $361 39.07% $935 38.96% Greenville First UMC $11,890 83.33% $7,460 83.33% $19,350 83.33% Sugar Grove UMC $2,020 83.33% $1,260 83.33% $3,280 83.33% Highland Hope UMC $14,139 75.00% $8,865 75.00% $23,004 75.00% Concord UMC $1,240 83.33% $780 83.33% $2,020 83.33% Keyesport UMC $1,110 83.33% $690 83.33% $1,800 83.33% Arenzville UMC $5,049 75.00% $3,168 75.00% $8,217 75.00% Lebanon First UMC $3,202 19.97% $838 8.33% $4,040 15.48% Doddsville UMC $900 83.33% $570 83.33% $1,470 83.33% Litchfield Saint Timothy UMC $3,894 25.00% $2,442 25.00% $6,336 25.00% Bluffs UMC $4,210 83.33% $2,640 83.33% $6,850 83.33% Marissa UMC $2,881 39.36% $1,454 31.64% $4,335 36.38% Naples UMC $1,620 83.33% $1,020 83.33% $2,640 83.33% Maryville Saint Luke's UMC $13,424 83.36% $8,420 83.33% $21,844 83.35% Grafton UMC $1,704 100.00% $1,068 100.00% $2,772 100.00% Mascoutah Bethel UMC $8,880 83.33% $5,570 83.33% $14,450 83.33% Rosedale UMC $1,648 66.67% $1,032 66.67% $2,680 66.67% Medora UMC $1,260 83.33% $790 83.33% $2,050 83.33% Greenfield UMC $4,910 83.33% $3,080 83.33% $7,990 83.33% Piasa UMC $1,320 83.33% $830 83.33% $2,150 83.33% Rock Bridge UMC $0 0.00% $0 0.00% $0 0.00% Mount Olive UMC $1,156 33.33% $724 33.33% $1,880 33.33% Hamilton UMC $3,609 75.00% $2,268 75.00% $5,877 75.00% Sorento UMC $756 75.00% $477 75.00% $1,233 75.00% Warsaw UMC $3,650 83.33% $2,290 83.33% $5,940 83.33% Mulberry Grove UMC $2,100 83.33% $1,320 83.33% $3,420 83.33% Havana First UMC $8,328 66.67% $5,224 66.67% $13,552 66.67% Pleasant Mound UMC $1,100 91.67% $693 91.67% $1,793 91.67% Industry UMC $5,850 83.33% $3,670 83.33% $9,520 83.33% Nashville Grace UMC $17,739 75.00% $11,133 75.00% $28,872 75.00% 20 | December 2011 | The Current CONFERENCE APPORTIONMENT RECEIPTS AS OF *Churches reflecting contributions of 83.33% or greater of total apportionments are considered current. OCTOBER 2011*

District/Church CS/Adm CS/Adm B/CM B/CM Total Total District/Church CS/Adm CS/Adm B/CM B/CM Total Total Paid % Paid Paid % Paid Paid % Paid Paid % Paid Paid % Paid Paid % Paid MISSISSIPPI RIVER DISTRICT (cont.) SANGAMON RIVER DISTRICT (cont.) New Baden UMC $4,941 74.46% $3,159 75.86% $8,100 75.00% Springfield Woodside UMC $8,800 66.67% $5,520 66.67% $14,320 66.67% O'Fallon First UMC $33,273 75.00% $20,871 75.00% $54,144 75.00% Sugar Creek UMC $23,370 83.33% $14,660 83.33% $38,030 83.33% Okawville UMC $2,350 83.33% $1,480 83.33% $3,830 83.33% Taylorville UMC $23,430 83.33% $14,700 83.33% $38,130 83.33% Pocahontas UMC $4,698 75.00% $2,943 75.00% $7,641 75.00% Thayer UMC $2,350 83.33% $1,470 83.33% $3,820 83.33% Panama UMC $2,475 75.00% $1,548 75.00% $4,023 75.00% Williamsville UMC $4,257 75.00% $2,673 75.00% $6,930 75.00% Rosewood Heights Saint Paul UMC $5,418 25.00% $3,399 25.00% $8,817 25.00% Zion Chapel UMC $759 8.33% $476 8.33% $1,235 8.33% Saint Jacob UMC $2,547 75.00% $1,602 75.00% $4,149 75.00% Sangamon River District Total $668,891 68.79% $417,594 68.46% $1,086,485 68.67% Shiloh UMC $22,862 51.78% $20,426 73.75% $43,288 60.25% Shipman UMC $3,660 100.00% $2,292 100.00% $5,952 100.00% Dorchester UMC $864 100.00% $540 100.00% $1,404 100.00% SPOON RIVER DISTRICT Sparta First UMC $12,816 75.00% $8,037 75.00% $20,853 75.00% Abingdon UMC $7,929 75.00% $4,977 75.00% $12,906 75.00% Staunton UMC $2,313 83.80% $1,266 73.26% $3,579 79.75% Aledo UMC $15,810 83.33% $9,920 83.33% $25,730 83.33% Steeleville UMC $600 20.49% $400 21.79% $1,000 20.99% Alpha UMC $6,120 83.33% $3,840 83.33% $9,960 83.33% Percy UMC $2,484 75.00% $1,557 75.00% $4,041 75.00% Altona UMC $5,560 83.33% $3,490 83.33% $9,050 83.33% Trenton First UMC $8,432 66.67% $5,288 66.67% $13,720 66.67% Oneida UMC $3,696 100.00% $2,328 100.00% $6,024 100.00% Trinity East Saint Louis UMC $0 0.00% $231 3.24% $231 1.25% Blandinsville UMC $2,140 83.33% $1,340 83.33% $3,480 83.33% Troy UMC $4,000 10.54% $0 0.00% $4,000 6.48% Burnside UMC $1,872 100.00% $1,176 100.00% $3,048 100.00% Worden UMC $1,560 83.33% $980 83.33% $2,540 83.33% Bushnell UMC $6,090 83.33% $3,820 83.33% $9,910 83.33% Wanda UMC $9,045 75.00% $5,679 75.00% $14,724 75.00% Avon UMC $2,830 83.33% $1,770 83.33% $4,600 83.33% Wood River First UMC $4,003 49.20% $1,872 36.62% $5,875 44.34% New Philadelphia UMC $430 83.33% $270 83.33% $700 83.33% Point Pleasant UMC $711 75.00% $441 75.00% $1,152 75.00% Mississippi River District Total $609,005 61.15% $388,083 62.12% $997,088 61.53% Cambridge UMC $8,300 83.33% $5,210 83.33% $13,510 83.33% SANGAMON RIVER DISTRICT Colchester UMC $5,922 75.00% $3,717 75.00% $9,639 75.00% Argenta UMC $4,380 83.33% $2,750 83.33% $7,130 83.33% Colona UMC $9,680 83.33% $6,070 83.33% $15,750 83.33% Warrensburg UMC $3,970 83.33% $2,490 83.33% $6,460 83.33% Colusa UMC $1,310 83.33% $820 83.33% $2,130 83.33% Assumption UMC $3,100 83.33% $1,950 83.33% $5,050 83.33% East Moline Christ UMC $28,750 83.33% $18,040 83.33% $46,790 83.33% Findlay UMC $4,640 83.33% $2,910 83.33% $7,550 83.33% Elmwood UMC $10,430 92.17% $6,910 97.43% $17,340 94.20% Athens UMC $6,580 83.33% $4,130 83.33% $10,710 83.33% Fairfield UMC $1,610 83.33% $1,010 83.33% $2,620 83.33% Cantrall UMC $3,940 83.33% $2,470 83.33% $6,410 83.33% Fairview Center UMC $6,940 83.33% $4,360 83.33% $11,300 83.33% Auburn UMC $10,360 83.33% $6,500 83.33% $16,860 83.33% Galesburg Faith UMC $4,693 63.59% $2,347 50.66% $7,040 58.61% Bethany UMC $0 0.00% $0 0.00% $0 0.00% Galesburg First UMC $29,800 83.33% $18,690 83.33% $48,490 83.33% Sanner Chapel UMC $1,883 58.33% $1,183 58.33% $3,066 58.33% Galva Grace UMC $1,737 75.00% $1,089 75.00% $2,826 75.00% Bethel UMC $1,430 83.33% $890 83.33% $2,320 83.33% Geneseo First UMC $34,500 83.33% $21,640 83.33% $56,140 83.33% Bissell UMC $1,630 83.33% $1,020 83.33% $2,650 83.33% Geneseo Grace UMC $23,770 83.33% $14,910 83.33% $38,680 83.33% Blue Mound UMC $6,246 75.00% $4,289 82.16% $10,535 77.76% Annawan Community UMC $2,538 78.62% $1,338 65.98% $3,876 73.74% Decatur Central UMC $1,830 21.12% $1,170 21.52% $3,000 21.28% Fairview UMC $3,690 83.33% $2,320 83.33% $6,010 83.33% Buckeye UMC $2,890 83.33% $1,810 83.33% $4,700 83.33% Hooppole Zion UMC $3,100 83.33% $1,950 83.33% $5,050 83.33% Owaneco UMC $3,020 83.33% $1,900 83.33% $4,920 83.33% Henderson UMC $1,288 66.67% $808 66.67% $2,096 66.67% Chatham UMC $18,171 75.00% $11,394 75.00% $29,565 75.00% North Henderson UMC $1,580 83.33% $990 83.33% $2,570 83.33% Cisco UMC $5,130 75.00% $3,222 75.00% $8,352 75.00% Hills Grove UMC $855 75.00% $531 75.00% $1,386 75.00% Clinton UMC $11,907 58.33% $7,469 58.33% $19,376 58.33% Hillsdale UMC $2,900 83.33% $1,820 83.33% $4,720 83.33% Decatur Christ UMC $7,450 83.33% $4,680 83.33% $12,130 83.33% Illinois City UMC $4,560 83.33% $2,860 83.33% $7,420 83.33% Decatur First UMC $30,700 83.33% $19,260 83.33% $49,960 83.33% Pine Bluff UMC $996 100.00% $624 100.00% $1,620 100.00% Decatur Grace UMC $37,512 75.00% $23,526 75.00% $61,038 75.00% Kirkwood UMC $2,997 75.00% $1,881 75.00% $4,878 75.00% Decatur Wesley UMC $3,170 83.33% $1,990 83.33% $5,160 83.33% Smithshire UMC $1,000 83.33% $630 83.33% $1,630 83.33% Garver Brick UMC $3,048 100.00% $1,920 100.00% $4,968 100.00% Knoxville UMC $5,319 39.23% $2,108 24.78% $7,427 33.66% Divernon UMC $3,320 83.33% $2,080 83.33% $5,400 83.33% LaHarpe UMC $3,410 83.33% $2,140 83.33% $5,550 83.33% Farmersville UMC $970 83.33% $610 83.33% $1,580 83.33% Durham UMC $1,680 83.33% $1,060 83.33% $2,740 83.33% Midland UMC $3,660 100.00% $2,292 100.00% $5,952 100.00% Terre Haute UMC $3,888 100.00% $2,436 100.00% $6,324 100.00% Easton UMC $3,680 83.33% $2,310 83.33% $5,990 83.33% Good Hope UMC $5,360 83.33% $3,370 83.33% $8,730 83.33% Edinburg UMC $4,230 83.33% $2,650 83.33% $6,880 83.33% Jerusalem UMC $1,976 66.67% $1,240 66.67% $3,216 66.67% Stonington UMC $4,820 83.33% $2,718 75.00% $7,538 80.12% Loraine UMC $7,730 83.33% $4,850 83.33% $12,580 83.33% Elwin UMC $9,110 83.33% $5,710 83.33% $14,820 83.33% Macomb Wesley UMC $39,600 83.33% $24,840 83.33% $64,440 83.33% Forsyth UMC $9,960 83.33% $6,250 83.33% $16,210 83.33% Maquon UMC $4,080 83.33% $2,560 83.33% $6,640 83.33% Fountain of Life UMC $0 0.00% $0 0.00% $0 0.00% Douglas UMC $1,737 75.00% $1,089 75.00% $2,826 75.00% Island Grove UMC $2,040 83.33% $1,280 83.33% $3,320 83.33% Orange Chapel UMC $1,580 83.33% $990 83.33% $2,570 83.33% Loami UMC $1,920 83.33% $1,210 83.33% $3,130 83.33% Maxey Chapel UMC $2,830 83.33% $1,780 83.33% $4,610 83.33% Kenney UMC $360 83.33% $230 83.33% $590 83.33% Milan Trinity UMC $9,048 100.00% $5,676 100.00% $14,724 100.00% Lincoln First UMC $13,962 50.00% $7,300 41.67% $21,262 46.79% Green River UMC $1,120 83.33% $700 83.33% $1,820 83.33% Beason UMC $1,910 83.33% $1,200 83.33% $3,110 83.33% Mineral UMC $1,056 100.00% $660 100.00% $1,716 100.00% Elkhart UMC $1,570 83.33% $990 83.33% $2,560 83.33% Moline Bethel Wesley UMC $13,750 83.33% $8,630 83.33% $22,380 83.33% Hartsburg UMC $1,881 75.00% $1,179 75.00% $3,060 75.00% Moline Riverside UMC $34,340 83.33% $21,540 83.33% $55,880 83.33% New Holland UMC $2,300 83.33% $1,440 83.33% $3,740 83.33% Monmouth First UMC $14,211 75.00% $8,910 75.00% $23,121 75.00% Long Creek UMC $3,771 75.00% $2,367 75.00% $6,138 75.00% Nauvoo UMC $2,700 83.33% $1,690 83.33% $4,390 83.33% Dalton City UMC $2,430 83.33% $1,520 83.33% $3,950 83.33% Galva First UMC $6,672 66.67% $4,184 66.67% $10,856 66.67% Macon UMC $3,940 41.67% $2,475 41.67% $6,415 41.67% Bishop Hill UMC $1,140 83.33% $720 83.33% $1,860 83.33% Maroa UMC $9,110 83.33% $5,710 83.33% $14,820 83.33% Oquawka UMC $3,780 83.33% $2,370 83.33% $6,150 83.33% Mason City UMC $8,060 83.33% $5,060 83.33% $13,120 83.33% Gladstone UMC $1,710 83.33% $1,070 83.33% $2,780 83.33% San Jose UMC $3,000 41.67% $1,880 41.67% $4,880 41.67% Biggsville UMC $772 33.33% $484 33.33% $1,256 33.33% Middletown UMC $1,100 83.33% $690 83.33% $1,790 83.33% Orion UMC $16,140 100.00% $10,128 100.00% $26,268 100.00% Monticello UMC $26,530 83.33% $16,640 83.33% $43,170 83.33% Port Byron First UMC $6,720 83.33% $4,220 83.33% $10,940 83.33% Morrisonville UMC $5,290 83.33% $3,320 83.33% $8,610 83.33% Reynolds UMC $5,632 66.67% $3,536 66.67% $9,168 66.67% Mount Auburn UMC $1,818 75.00% $1,143 75.00% $2,961 75.00% Taylor Ridge UMC $2,450 83.33% $1,540 83.33% $3,990 83.33% Mount Pulaski First UMC $1,932 33.33% $1,212 33.33% $3,144 33.33% Rock Island Two Rivers UMC $20,600 83.33% $12,920 83.33% $33,520 83.33% Chestnut UMC $1,580 83.33% $990 83.33% $2,570 83.33% Roseville UMC $7,070 83.33% $4,430 83.33% $11,500 83.33% Latham UMC $2,080 83.33% $1,310 83.33% $3,390 83.33% Swan Creek UMC $1,500 83.33% $940 83.33% $2,440 83.33% Mount Zion UMC $1,473 8.34% $1,287 11.62% $2,760 9.61% Silvis UMC $5,230 83.33% $3,280 83.33% $8,510 83.33% Moweaqua UMC $0 0.00% $0 0.00% $0 0.00% Stronghurst UMC $3,861 75.00% $2,421 75.00% $6,282 75.00% New Salem UMC $2,150 83.33% $1,350 83.33% $3,500 83.33% Carman UMC $2,870 83.33% $1,800 83.33% $4,670 83.33% Niantic UMC $558 8.02% $0 0.00% $558 4.93% Carbon Cliff UMC $2,120 83.33% $1,330 83.33% $3,450 83.33% Illiopolis UMC $2,472 66.67% $1,690 72.59% $4,162 68.95% Church of the Cross UMC $2,700 83.33% $1,690 83.33% $4,390 83.33% Cerro Gordo UMC $6,656 66.67% $4,176 66.67% $10,832 66.67% East Moline Grace UMC $1,224 66.67% $768 66.67% $1,992 66.67% Lovington UMC $3,375 75.00% $2,115 75.00% $5,490 75.00% Hampton UMC $2,720 83.33% $1,710 83.33% $4,430 83.33% Hammond UMC $3,249 75.00% $2,043 75.00% $5,292 75.00% Victoria UMC $4,070 83.33% $2,550 83.33% $6,620 83.33% LaPlace UMC $1,746 75.00% $1,089 75.00% $2,835 75.00% Viola UMC $4,160 83.33% $2,610 83.33% $6,770 83.33% Pana UMC $9,212 58.33% $5,782 58.33% $14,994 58.33% Preemption UMC $4,950 83.33% $3,110 83.33% $8,060 83.33% Pawnee UMC $3,989 26.30% $1,558 16.37% $5,547 22.47% Walnut Grove UMC $4,210 83.33% $2,640 83.33% $6,850 83.33% Petersburg UMC $7,952 66.67% $4,992 66.67% $12,944 66.67% Joy UMC $2,860 83.33% $1,790 83.33% $4,650 83.33% Raymond Community Of Faith UMC $7,220 83.33% $4,530 83.33% $11,750 83.33% Eliza UMC $1,860 83.33% $0 0.00% $1,860 83.33% Riverton First UMC $3,540 41.67% $2,220 41.67% $5,760 41.67% New Boston UMC $1,386 58.33% $868 58.33% $2,254 58.33% Rochester UMC $23,310 83.33% $14,620 83.33% $37,930 83.33% Williamsfield UMC $3,474 75.00% $2,178 75.00% $5,652 75.00% Sharon UMC $7,130 83.33% $4,470 83.33% $11,600 83.33% Dahinda UMC $4,368 100.00% $2,736 100.00% $7,104 100.00% Sherman UMC $17,919 75.00% $11,241 75.00% $29,160 75.00% Spoon River District Total $527,798 81.70% $328,229 81.28% $856,027 81.54% South Fork UMC $4,420 83.33% $2,770 83.33% $7,190 83.33% Fairview UMC $1,460 83.33% $920 83.33% $2,380 83.33% Springfield Asbury UMC $4,023 75.00% $2,520 75.00% $6,543 75.00% VERMILION RIVER DISTRICT Springfield Douglas Avenue UMC $17,930 83.33% $11,250 83.33% $29,180 83.33% Atlanta UMC $4,980 83.33% $3,120 83.33% $8,100 83.33% Springfield First UMC $118,161 75.00% $74,175 75.06% $192,336 75.02% Ebenezer UMC $3,900 100.00% $2,448 100.00% $6,348 100.00% Springfield Grace UMC $6,194 72.60% $3,880 72.50% $10,074 72.56% Bloomington Grace UMC $0 0.00% $0 0.00% $0 0.00% Springfield Kumler UMC $9,380 83.33% $5,880 83.33% $15,260 83.33% Bloomington Wesley UMC $70,020 83.33% $43,920 83.33% $113,940 83.33% Springfield Jerome UMC $3,910 83.33% $2,460 83.33% $6,370 83.33% Bloomington Park UMC $0 0.00% $0 0.00% $0 0.00% Springfield Laurel UMC $28,938 58.33% $18,151 58.33% $47,089 58.33% Bonfield First UMC $1,620 75.00% $1,017 75.00% $2,637 75.00% Springfield Northside UMC $237 2.05% $237 3.27% $474 2.52% Bonfield Evangelical UMC $4,164 100.00% $2,604 100.00% $6,768 100.00% The Current | December 2011 | 21 CONFERENCE APPORTIONMENT RECEIPTS AS OF *Churches reflecting contributions of 83.33% or greater of total apportionments are considered current. OCTOBER 2011*

District/Church CS/Adm CS/Adm B/CM B/CM Total Total District/Church CS/Adm CS/Adm B/CM B/CM Total Total Paid % Paid Paid % Paid Paid % Paid Paid % Paid Paid % Paid Paid % Paid

Grand Prairie UMC $3,040 83.33% $1,910 83.33% $4,950 83.33% Waynesville UMC $5,772 100.00% $3,624 100.00% $9,396 100.00% Bourbonnais Grace UMC $11,740 83.33% $7,360 83.33% $19,100 83.33% Momence UMC $6,993 75.00% $4,392 75.00% $11,385 75.00% Braceville UMC $3,660 83.33% $2,300 83.33% $5,960 83.33% Grant Park UMC $2,430 83.33% $1,520 83.33% $3,950 83.33% Bradley Wesley UMC $7,040 83.33% $4,410 83.33% $11,450 83.33% Hennepin UMC $6,312 100.00% $3,960 100.00% $10,272 100.00% Chatsworth UMC $5,688 100.00% $3,564 100.00% $9,252 100.00% Magnolia UMC $1,050 83.33% $660 83.33% $1,710 83.33% Forrest UMC $4,280 83.33% $2,690 83.33% $6,970 83.33% McNabb UMC $908 67.56% $570 67.86% $1,478 67.67% Chenoa UMC $5,710 83.33% $3,580 83.33% $9,290 83.33% Normal Calvary UMC $57,660 83.33% $36,170 83.33% $93,830 83.33% Coal City UMC $13,941 75.00% $8,748 75.00% $22,689 75.00% Normal First UMC $46,290 83.33% $29,040 83.33% $75,330 83.33% Colfax UMC $5,270 83.33% $2,979 75.00% $8,249 80.12% Normal Morningstar UMC $7,408 75.01% $4,644 75.00% $12,052 75.01% Cornell Blackstone UMC $2,530 83.33% $1,580 83.33% $4,110 83.33% Bloomington West Olive Faith UMC $3,600 83.33% $2,260 83.33% $5,860 83.33% Cropsey UMC $4,360 83.33% $2,740 83.33% $7,100 83.33% Pleasant Grove UMC $3,060 83.33% $1,920 83.33% $4,980 83.33% Saybrook Wesbein UMC $4,020 83.33% $2,520 83.33% $6,540 83.33% Pontiac First UMC $30,320 83.33% $19,020 83.33% $49,340 83.33% Downs UMC $7,686 75.00% $4,824 75.00% $12,510 75.00% Ransom UMC $4,220 83.33% $2,650 83.33% $6,870 83.33% Dwight UMC $20,420 83.33% $12,810 83.33% $33,230 83.33% Reddick UMC $4,302 75.00% $2,700 75.00% $7,002 75.00% Ellsworth UMC $3,600 83.33% $2,260 83.33% $5,860 83.33% South Wilmington UMC $880 83.33% $550 83.33% $1,430 83.33% El Paso UMC $7,780 83.33% $4,880 83.33% $12,660 83.33% Ritchey UMC $924 100.00% $576 100.00% $1,500 100.00% Essex UMC $1,096 80.12% $692 80.09% $1,788 80.11% Roanoke UMC $6,540 83.33% $4,100 83.33% $10,640 83.33% Fairbury UMC $10,440 75.00% $6,552 75.00% $16,992 75.00% Secor UMC $2,370 83.33% $1,490 83.33% $3,860 83.33% Grand Ridge UMC $4,110 83.33% $2,580 83.33% $6,690 83.33% Saunemin UMC $4,220 83.33% $2,650 83.33% $6,870 83.33% Long Point UMC $1,647 75.00% $1,035 75.00% $2,682 75.00% Streator First UMC $12,770 83.33% $8,010 83.33% $20,780 83.33% Herscher UMC $0 0.00% $0 0.00% $0 0.00% Tonica UMC $5,840 83.33% $3,670 83.56% $9,510 83.42% Heyworth UMC $11,420 83.33% $7,160 83.33% $18,580 83.33% Lostant UMC $2,093 99.10% $1,305 97.97% $3,398 98.66% Hudson UMC $6,040 83.33% $3,790 83.33% $9,830 83.33% Richland UMC $870 83.33% $550 83.33% $1,420 83.33% Kankakee Asbury UMC $19,726 58.33% $12,376 58.33% $32,102 58.33% Minonk UMC $2,030 83.33% $1,270 83.33% $3,300 83.33% Kankakee Saint Mark UMC $10,467 75.00% $6,570 75.00% $17,037 75.00% Wenona Saint John's UMC $1,960 83.33% $1,230 83.33% $3,190 83.33% Kankakee Trinity UMC $6,540 83.33% $4,110 83.33% $10,650 83.33% Cabery UMC $1,380 83.33% $870 83.33% $2,250 83.33% Aroma Park UMC $150 3.26% $150 5.19% $300 4.00% Cullom UMC $1,880 83.33% $1,180 83.33% $3,060 83.33% Bradley Evangelical UMC $0 0.00% $0 0.00% $0 0.00% Kempton UMC $1,340 83.33% $840 83.33% $2,180 83.33% LeRoy UMC $16,500 83.33% $10,350 83.33% $26,850 83.33% Verona UMC $1,630 83.33% $1,020 83.33% $2,650 83.33% Lexington First UMC $13,500 83.33% $8,470 83.33% $21,970 83.33% Mazon UMC $1,890 83.33% $1,190 83.33% $3,080 83.33% Manteno UMC $11,430 83.33% $7,170 83.33% $18,600 83.33% Vermilion River District Total $543,423 76.20% $340,655 76.14% $884,078 76.18% McDowell UMC $4,284 100.00% $2,688 100.00% $6,972 100.00% McLean UMC $1,682 28.03% $1,067 28.32% $2,749 28.14%

Gates continued from pg. 8 Commission (continued from pg. 14)

spiritual practices, both individually and collectively. world. 2. We get smaller, but better. We do more with less. We 7. Pray. Pray. Pray. Pray. Pray. Pray. Pray. Pray. sell off some of our huge buildings and tenant smaller 8. Like our faith enough, and love our God enough to facilities more strategically located for mission and say good things about them to other people. ministry. Our structures and properties are going to crush us if we don’t get smart about them soon. 9. Discern God’s will and purpose through scripture and let go of our personal, petty, insignificant agendas 3. We launch more smaller congregations and don’t try to get what we want. This isn’t OUR church. We are the to make them bigger, just more effective. A community body of Christ — God is in charge, Christ commands, the containing 30 highly engaged fellowships of a dozen Spirit inspires and directs. It ISN’T about us. people will accomplish a lot more than an institutional church of 500 — I guarantee it. For reference, see the 10. Remember that being a pastor is a privilege and an gospels. honor not a right or an entitlement. Humble servanthood is still the only acceptable role for an 4. We trust well-equipped laity to be leaders and quit ordained person. We are lucky to be where we are, not preferencing clergy. Certainly clergy are trained in deserving. Humility needs to show up more often. specialized areas and have valuable expertise, but where the rubber hits the road, laity make things happen. If our guiding values are survival, security, comfort, size and control, none of these suggestions will appear reasonable 5. Fix our connectional identity — we are NOT in John Amara tries to cool his son's fever with a makeshift fan at the United or feasible. If our guiding values are serving God, neighbor, competition with one another, and we need to get over Methodist Church's Kissy Hospital outside Freetown, Sierra Leone, in this stranger, and those who do not know Christ, any and all will ourselves. We do all our thinking and planning December 2010 file photo. Henry Peter Amara, 16 months, is suffering from be acceptable. For me, the bottom line is how serious we will malaria, which is common and many times fatal among children in the im- congregationally, to great waste and ineffectiveness. get about being the body of Christ and not just tinkering poverished neighborhood that Kissy serves. The Bill & Melinda Gates Foun- Together, we have the potential to be greater than the sum with the current reality to make things look and feel better. dation has approved a $3 million grant for Imagine No Malaria. UMNS file of our parts. This is true ecumenically as well as The time has come to decide what kind of church we really photo by Mike DuBose. intradenominationally. want to be — a church that pursues a Great Commission or a provide both a sense of ownership and mechanisms for account- 6. Do less in our buildings and more out in our commission that is merely mediocre. ability. communities — we need to stop “going to church,” and “They (health boards) already are performing at extremely high (Dan Dick is the director of connectional ministries for the Wisconsin start taking church into the world. The building we go Annual Conference and writes a blog, United Methodeviations, http:// levels,” Trilli said. “Their programs have results that are comparable, if to on Sunday isn’t “the church,” the building we go to on doroteos2.wordpress.com. The above blog was published Oct. 31.) not better, than any agencies out there.” Sunday morning is where we learn to BE the church in the Faith-based organizations also have people and infrastructure in remote communities that other organizations can’t reach, she pointed God' Word continued from pg. 22 out. Because these organizations are trusted, communities are more willing to absorb information about malaria-prevention techniques. future. We need people willing to be pastors, music it stopped there, but it didn’t. So I struggled with that a lot This credibility has led to attention from groups working on inter- leaders, missionaries, youth pastors, and great lay leaders.” – not only because I’m struggling with this call that I had national health issues, such as the Gates and U.N. foundations. In addition to attending worship services, young no idea about, but I was also 16-years-old. What do you “We’re seen across the world as a pretty integral part of this whole adults at the conference attended workshops on topics do when you’re 16 knowing not only do you have to get thing because of the delivery system the church provides,” Bickerton such as what to expect in ministry and being a young adult a bachelor’s degree, but you also have to get a three-year said. in ministry. They gathered in small groups to discuss what seminary degree?” Progress against deaths they had heard and spent time praying in the sacred space Anthony Waley, a college junior from Salisbury, Md., Imagine No Malaria was the only faith-based group to be invited area, where they could walk a labyrinth or sit in a quiet said Sunday morning that he is still trying to discern his to the Oct. 18 Malaria Forum sponsored by the Gates Foundation, space for silent prayer. And they could speak with repre- call as Exploration drew to a close, but said he does feel where Melinda Gates saluted Bickerton and the Imagine No Malaria sentatives from the 13 United Methodist seminaries. God is calling him work with youth. He is not sure if he Campaign. Alex Harriman, a Virginia Tech junior from Apex, wants to be ordained. What is exciting to Bickerton, he said, is the progress made against N.C., said the event solidified his belief that God is calling Anitta Milloro, a student at North Central College, malaria deaths over the past few years. A child now dies of malaria in him to ordained ministry. “Last night [the commitment said this was her second Exploration event. She said this Africa every 45 seconds instead of every 30 seconds, he said, and the service] everything kind of clicked,” he said. time, she knew what to ask the seminary representatives annual number of deaths worldwide — already on the decrease — is Brian West, a third-year student at Methodist Theo- and had spent a lot of time getting information, even projected to drop from 800,000 in 2010 to 100,000 in 2015. logical School in Ohio, who is on the elder track, said he though she’s still trying to figure out what she is going to Initiated by the 2008 United Methodist General Conference, the first came to Exploration in 2003 when he was beginning do. components of Imagine No Malaria include a fundraising campaign to feel called to ordained ministry. He thought it was fit- “I have a passion for mission and also for church goal of $75 million, public policy advocacy for funds, research and ting that he was back as a seminary representative to talk planting,” Milloro said. treatment, and the creation of a sustainable health infrastructure in to young adults considering God’s Call since Exploration Africa — where the malaria burden is greatest — as well as training *Brown is associate editor and writer, Office of Interpretation, General had helped him discern his own call. Board of Higher Education and Ministry. Joey Butler, editor of Young health workers and distributing bed nets and medications. “Coming to Exploration I found a sense that not only Adult Content for United Methodist Communications, Nashville, Tenn., contributed to this story. * Bloom is a United Methodist News Service news writer based in New York. Follow was God with me in the process of discerning my call but her at http://twitter.com/umcscribe. that my call was to ordained ministry which sounds like NEWS ARTICLIES CONTINUED 22 | December 2011 | The Current Maintain connections, top court rules Church News By Linda Bloom SAN DIEGO, Calif. (UMNS) -- When annual (regional) South Carolina transition plan Retired Bishop Deucker dies conferences of The United Methodist Church decide to change The Judicial Council also found “defects” in the South Caro- FORT WAYNE, Ind. (UMNS) -- Retired United their structures, they are obligated to retain some specific con- lina Conference’s transition plan for new programmatic struc- Methodist Bishop Robert Sheldon Duecker died nectional relationships. tures and is requiring the conference to submit a revision no later Oct. 28 after a long battle with cancer. He was 85. That message was delivered to the North Texas and South than 30 days after the council’s October 2012 session. The North Central Jurisdiction of The United Carolina annual conferences by the Judicial Council, the denom- In Decision 1204, the court cited several examples of how the Methodist Church elected Duecker a bishop in ination’s top court. conference “has failed to match all the disciplinary requirements 1988 and assigned him to the Chicago Area. In separate decisions from its Oct. 26-28 fall meeting, the for conference structure.” Duecker was ordained an elder in the former council found that restructuring plans implemented by both The plan’s deficiencies include lack of programmatic provi- North Indiana Conference by Bishop Richard C. conferences failed to comply fully with church law. sions for the mandated commission on archives and history and Raines in 1953. He served as an associate pastor The council also ruled that the Northern Illinois Conference failure to link a council on youth with a conference council on of Kokomo Grace and as pastor at Dyer, Muncie- does not have the authority to suggest a maximum penalty for ministries or an alternative structure, the decision said. any clergy member convicted of officiating at a civil union. Gethsemane, Hartford City, Warsaw-First, Fort Officiating at civil union Wayne-Simpson and Muncie-High Street United North Texas decision The 2011 clergy session of the Northern Illinois Annual Con- Methodist churches. He also served as North Indi- Reversing a decision of law by Bishop W. Earl Bledsoe, the ference adopted a resolution regarding a “suggested maximum ana Annual (regional) Conference council director council asked the North Texas Conference to revise and com- penalty” for any clergy member charged, tried and convicted of from 1973 to 1977 and as Fort Wayne District su- plete a strategic plan adopted in 2010. officiating at a same-sex civil union ceremony. perintendent from 1977 to 1982. While an annual conference can adopt rules for its own gov- The suggested penalty was “suspension of said convicted Duecker was elected delegate to four sessions ernance, the boards, commissions and committees mandated minister from the exercise of pastoral office for a period of 24 of The United Methodist Church’s General Con- by the denomination’s Book of Discipline “shall be maintained, consecutive hours.” ference, the denomination’s lawmaking body, and clearly identified and defined and the connectional relationships The Book of Discipline states, “Ceremonies that celebrate to six sessions of the North Central Jurisdictional shall be clear and obvious,” the council said in Decision 1198. homosexual unions shall not be conducted by our ministers and Conference. “Any equivalent structures must be defined by name, function, shall not be conducted in our churches.” A memorial service was held Nov. 5 at First connection and membership.” In Decision 1201, the Judicial Council declared the resolu- Wayne Street United Methodist Church, where he During an Oct. 27 oral hearing on the North Texas structure, tion “null, void and of no effect.” The Discipline makes clear, served as bishop-in-residence after his retirement William Herscher, a lay member, said he had raised the issue dur- the decision said, “that only a trial court has the power to set a as bishop of the Chicago Area in 1996. ing the North Texas 2011 Annual Conference session because penalty in a church trial which results in a conviction.” The trial he believed the restructuring did not maintain the required de- court can consider “the full legislated range of options” when de- nominational committees or encourage leadership roles for laity. termining that penalty. UMCOR receives $11.8 million “One of the ways we transform the world … is (by) provid- Those options include revoking the minister’s ordination, ing a connection for ministry beyond the local church,” Herscher suspending the minister from exercising the functions of office for Japan relief told the council. or imposing a lesser penalty, according to the Discipline. By October, the United Methodist Commit- While not conducting a complete review of the amendments Any effort by an annual conference, “even by means of a sug- tee on Relief had received $11.8 million for earth- made to accommodate the new North Texas structure, the Ju- gestion,” to modify or limit penalties intrudes upon the authority quake/tsunami relief and recovery work in Japan as dicial Council found its creation of a Center for Missional Out- of the Discipline and alters legislative action by General Confer- Japanese-American Methodists moved quickly to reach “fails to delineate how the function, connection and mem- ence, the court said. find ways to raise money. Substantial grants already bership of the operating board or committee of the center will In a concurring opinion, Judicial Council member Jon R. have been made to both Japanese and international comply with the Discipline.” Gray noted that the Northern Illinois resolution “and others of partners. Some grants related to the Japan earth- Leadership nominations also were incomplete, the council similar ilk are worthy of Macbeth’s commentary: full of sound quake and tsunami include $300,000 for emergen- found. “The oral presentation suggests that the establishment and fury, signifying nothing.” cy assistance through Church World Service and of center boards is in progress,” the decision said. “The electoral For an annual conference to offer an opinion about a stan- $200,000 to support advocacy work on responsible process should have taken place at the time of the adoption of dard or customary penalty or suggest a maximum penalty re- nuclear power by the Japan Ecumenical Disaster the plan of structure. As presently situated, the plan of structure lated to a church trial “is wholly inappropriate,” he wrote. Response Office of the National Christian Council is incomplete and invalid.” *Bloom is a United Methodist News Service multimedia reporter based in New in Japan. York. Follow her at http://twitter.com/umcscribe. Bishops endorse church restructuring proposals Study: Gender, color gaps exist By Heather Hahn* U.S. clergywomen in The United Methodist Church on average earn 13 percent less than their LAKE JUNALUSKA, N.C. (UMNS) -- United Methodist denomination’s top lawmaking body, likely would alter the male counterparts, and clergy of color earn 9 per- bishops voted overwhelmingly Nov. 1 in favor of proposals to legislation. General Conference will next convene April 24- cent to 15 percent less than white clergy, accord- restructure the denomination and redistribute up to $60 mil- May 4 in Tampa, Fla. ing to a recent study. The study found that race and lion in church funds. The Council of Bishops and Connectional Table initiated gender do play a role in clergy salaries. However, The vote specifically endorsed a letter, titled “For the Sake the Call to Action process “to reorder the life of the church” researchers Eric B. Johnson of the Princeton Center of a New World, We See a New Church: A Call to Action,” two years ago in the wake of the 2008 global economic crisis. for the Study of Religion and the Rev. Hee An Choi detailing changes — some requiring action by General Con- At its November 2010 meeting, the council endorsed the of Boston University School of Theology explain ference, some not. Call to Action recommendations and the “adaptive challenge” that the gender and race gaps also stem from differ- “We see a new church,” the bishops’ letter says. “It is a to redirect resources toward fostering vital congregations. The ent causes. The gender gap is due largely to differ- church that is clear about its mission and confident about its suggested structural changes the bishops took up this year ences in seniority between male and female pastors, future, a church that is always reaching out, inviting, alive, ag- originated with the Interim Operations Team, a group of eight and can be expected to decrease over time as female ile and resilient.” It asks all United Methodists to “work to do laity and clergy working with denominational leadership to pastors gain seniority. The race gap results from the the ‘new thing’ God intends for our church and discover the implement the Call to Action recommendations. assignment of non-white pastors to congregations path God is making for our future.” Illinois Area Bishop Gregory V. Palmer, the Interim Op- that pay lower salaries. More information is avail- With their vote, the bishops endorsed the proposed con- erations Team convener, asked the bishops to “embrace and able at www.gcsrw.org. solidation of nine of the denomination’s 13 general agencies affirm” the team’s work. into a new United Methodist Center for Connectional Mis- Palmer also stressed that more than 50 percent of the work sion and Ministry. Legislation submitted to General Confer- the bishops need to do to foster vital congregations does not ence by the Connectional Table calls for the center to have a require General Conference legislation. Obesity among attendees 15-member board of directors accountable to a 45-member Bishops do not vote at General Conference, nor do they People who attended services or otherwise par- advisory board called the General Council for Strategy and address the assembly on legislative matters without special ticipated in organized religion on a weekly basis Oversight. The council would replace the Connectional Table, permission. However, there are no limits on conversations were 62 percent more likely to be obese than those which coordinates the denomination’s mission, ministries and with delegates and other church members outside the sessions. who never participated, according to a report from resources. The bishops’ vote, by a show of hands, included a hand- the Association of Religion Data Archives. Some The vote came after two days of discussions among the ful of “no” votes. The dissenting voices included Denver Area reasons researches offer for this discovery include bishops in private conversations, small groups and plenary Bishop Elaine J.W. Stanovsky. the central role food plays in many religious rituals sessions. Even as many bishops stood up to commend the let- After the vote, she said she would have preferred that the or social functions and a desire not to stigmatize ter, they also said there were parts they would tweak if they bishops could have registered their support for each legislative overweight members. With the exception of rising could. “I don’t agree with everything” was a frequent refrain. proposal individually. Her motion during the meeting to allow obesity rates, the study found that religious activ- However, many bishops insisted The United Methodist that failed. ity is generally associated with good physical and Church needs some kind of reform. She also would have preferred more conversation about mental health. Iowa Area Bishop Julius C. Trimble likened the letter to a the proposed Center for Connectional Mission and Ministry. GPS that can guide drivers toward their destination even if it “I think a certain amount of humility and doubt about what doesn’t always get them to the exact address. we do is appropriate,” she said. “We cannot get where we want to go without some form Still, she said she would support the action of the Council of a GPS, and we certainly aren’t going to get close without of Bishops and thinks the Interim Operations Team is trying leaving the house,” Trimble told his colleagues to murmurs of to lead the denomination in the right direction. agreement. *Hahn is a multimedia news reporter for United Methodist News Service. Bishops also acknowledged that General Conference, the

The Current | December 2011 | 23 Conference News

Covenant Keepers 2012 to be in Springfield Closure of Peoria’s Pere Marquette Hotel precipitates change of venue By Paul Black

SPRINGFIELD – Covenant Keepers 2012 will be held Feb. Persons attempting to use third parties, such as Travelocity and Rorex recognized by NACD 6-7 at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Springfield, a move necessitated Expedia will find the facilities listed as “sold out,” and securing by the closing of Peoria’s Pere Marquette Hotel for renovations. rooms outside the IGRC block rate will be significantly higher for conservation efforts Online registration is underway at the IGRC website, www. in price. igrc.org/CK2012 and a block of rooms have been secured at the The Four Points Sheraton can be reached at 309-674-2500 GAINESVILLE, Fla. – The National Association Crowne Plaza Hotel for $89 per night, plus tax. Room reserva- and the Mark Twain can be contacted at 309- 676-3600. of Cave Divers has recognized LaMoine River Dis- tions can be made by calling the Crowne Plaza at 1-877-227- On Nov. 1, the Peoria City Council approved the develop- trict Superintendent C. Douglas Rorex for his cave 6963. Use the event code GRC to secure the Covenant Keepers ment agreement that includes a skywalk from the newly-reno- conservation efforts. group rate. You may also book room reservations online by vated Pere Marquette to the Peoria Civic Center, along with a Rorex, who considers cave diving one of his hob- going to the Covenant Keeper registration page, www.igrc.org/ parking deck. The property currently occupied by Big Al’s strip bies, was honored for his work in helping to preserve CK2012 and clicking on the link for room reservations. club will be razed in order to accommodate the courtyard in the the underwater cave habitat and its unique flora and The Hotel Pere Marquette is closing Dec. 2 to begin a $93 final phase of the project. fauna through education, periodic cleanups at popu- renovmation into a Marriott hotel, financed with a $29 million The Hotel Père Marquette is a 14-story hotel in downtown lar dive sites and safety sign campaigns. city bond and a $7 million loan to the developer. The project Peoria, Illinois, United States. It was built in 1926 for $2.5 million The NACD, based out of Gainesville, Fla., The includes a 10-story, 116-room Marriott Courtyard hotel to be (now $31 million after inflation), and features 288 guest rooms. NACD was established in 1968 for the purpose of built next to the Pere. The hotel will be closed until February The hotel is named for Father Jacques Marquette, and it is listed achieving safer cave diving through training and 2013, so the facility will also not be available for the 2012 Annual on the National Register of Historic Places. It is located directly education. As a pioneer in cave training, education, Conference session. across the street from the Madison Theatre building and a half exploration and research, the NACD has the follow- In anticipation of the closure, conference event planner block from Peoria City Hall, both on the National Register also. ing goals: Nancy Patton has already secured additional rooms at two other Renovations took place in 1954 and in 1961. The hotel had • To establish and maintain current guidelines in downtown motels – the Four Points Sheraton (formerly Holiday further renovations in 1972 when the Père Marquette joined the the form of physical and psychological standards, Inn City Centre) and the Mark Twain Motel. Persons wanting to Hilton Hotel chain, and a renovation and restoration in 1981. as well as equipment and techniques necessary for obtain rooms for the 2012 Annual Conference are urged to con- The hotel later left the Hilton chain. safe cave diving. tact the motels directly in order to obtain the IGRC Block Rate. • To encourage education and distribution of safe cave diving information throughout the facilities of the organization and to provide a program of Who’s Next education and advanced training essential for safe cave diving. targets high school • To achieve closer cooperation and understanding juniors, seniors among members of the cave and recreational diving communities (and the general public) so By Paul Black they may work together toward the common goal of increasing safety in cavern and cave diving. SPRINGFIELD – A one-day event aimed at connecting high school juniors and seniors • To explore underwater caves and to encourage with United Methodist colleges and campus education and distribution of information to ministries will be held Feb. 18 at Springfield government, private industry and the general First UMC. public. Who’s Next, an event designed for both Rorex was previously honored in 2004 by the youth and youth leaders, will provide partici- NACD as a Silver Wakulla Award winner, in recog- pants with “one stop shopping” as students nition of more than 500 safe cave dives. weigh their options for higher education. The day will include workshops aimed at acquainting students with ministries before Retirees urged to return they arrive on campus and a connecting link for ministry beyond the local church. reply card Keynote speaker for the event will be Bishop Gregory V. Palmer with worship lead- SPRINGFIELD – Retired clergy who have en- ership provided by Harvest Ministry Team. rolled in Medicare Part D for 2012 are urged to com- Participants can register online at http:// plete and return the reply card recently mailed from www.igrc.org/whosnext. Cost for the day’s the Conference Center. event is $10 per person. By action of the 2011 Annual Conference, pre- Workshops for students include: Q & A scription drug coverage as part of the retiree health with current college students; Surviving the benefit package will lapse Dec. 31. Retirees can pick Freshman Year (about expectations); Getting up Medicare Part D during the open enrollment pe- Involved in Leading Worship; and Where is riod from Oct. 15 to Dec. 7. God Calling You? – a workshop on choosing a The cards are merely a way to ensure that all of school, major and life vocation. the retirees make a smooth transition to their new Adults will also have the opportunity prescription drug plan. Meetings have been held to be a part of a book discussion on Almost throughout the conference to assist retirees in iden- Christian by Kenda Creasey Dean and an in- tifying what drug plans would be most cost-effective. formational session for youth pastors where However, retirees must still enroll in the plan in or- ideas and best practices can be shared. der to have the new prescription drug coverage in For more information or if you have place by Jan. 1, 2012. questions, contact Jennie Edwards Bertrand at 309-452-1435 or [email protected]. CONFERENCE NEWS 24 | December 2011 | The Current