CurrentMarch 2014 • Vol. 18 No. 8
Inside this Issue News from the Episcopal Office 2 Announcements/Events 3 Christian Conversations 4 Local Church News 5-6 IGRC Ordinand Cover Story 7-15 Local Church News 15 THE CURRENT CK2014/Disaster Recovery 16 Class of 2013 journey National/Global News 17 Conference News 18-20 to the Holy Land 1 NEWS From The Episcopal Office
Appointments In consultation with the Cabinet of the Illinois Great Rivers Conference, Bishop Jonathan D. Keaton appoints NEWS the following: Robert Swickard to Charleston Wesley, Embarras From The Episcopal Office River District, effective July 1. Bishop Jonathan D. Keaton In-Sook Hwang to Carbondale Grace, Cache River District, effective July 1. Stephen Granadosin to Industry-Vermont, LaMoine River District, effective July 1. Robb McCoy to Rock Island Two Rivers, Spoon River Laos: District, effective July 1. Eric Swanson to LeRoy, Vermilion River District, effective July 1. The Ministry of the Laity Grant Armstrong to Rushville First, LaMoine River The Ministry of the Laity (laos) is our theme for the the faith is the way to go.” Bring your check- District, effective July 1. June 2014 Annual Conference. Laity answer the call books. I’ll bring mine. WE ARE GOING TO James McClarey to Pekin First, Illinois River District, to serve, to lead, to provide resources, to give spiritual FINISH WHAT WE STARTED. Consequently, effective July 1. leadership etc. to the church of Jesus Christ. No pastor, more children and families will live instead of Eugene Turner to Norris City-Shiloh, Cache River District Superintendent, Bishop or Pope can serve dying. More families will contribute to the well District, effective July 1. Christ effectively without you. being of their country. The people of God, the Robert L. Manier to Carrier Mills: Associate (1/4 Come and learn more about lay leadership. Be Lay and Clergy, will delight in the quest to go time), effective Feb. 2. This is his first appointment in there as a Lay member of Annual Conference or as a the second and third mile to create a better life the conference. visitor. When you come, know that I need your help. for others. Imagine the satisfaction and joy that Stephanie Gail Soon, deacon in full connection, How? Check with your pastor and Administrative will reign across the church when we knock to BroMenn Medical Center as an advocate-hospital Council concerning the list below: out malaria like we have polio. I can’t wait to chaplain, effective Sept. 23, 2013. She will be serving 1. a. Inform the DS of your church's growth goals. celebrate!!! under ¶331.1a. b. Give your DS a progress report on making 4. Read the daily blogs of Paul Black on our recent Cory Blackwell, probationary deacon, to Springfield disciples in your church by May 1. My opening pilgrimage to the Holy Land on pages 8-13 Kumler, Sangamon River District, effective July 1, 2013. sermon will draw some conclusions from the of this issue. They are excellent and inspir- This is a correction to his appointment. compiled report on making disciples. Some of ing. Thirty-four of us traveled to the Holy Change of status you heard my two-fold request in the 2013 Land. Daily, we had an Emmaus Road experi- DVD played for Charge Confer- ence. “Our hearts, minds, bodies and spirits Eugene Turner to Milford-Stockland, Iroquois River “burned “ from within as we encoun- District, effective Jan. 1. Change of status only from ½ ences. They are focused on tered the living Christ in worship, time to ¾ time. church growth. F THE P the breaking of the bread, reaf- 2. Pray for and support UT O EWS Terry Ralston, discontinuation of supply not ap- {O } firming our baptisms at the pointed position, effective Feb. 8. our work in prison ministries. Disciple Jordan River, our marriage Bible Study is be- vows at Cana of Galilee ing conducted in where our Lord performed Deaths one prison. We his first miracle. During Retired pastor Harold Q. Bodeen died Feb. 11 in have identified the renewal of vows, the Urbana, Ill. another site. liturgy was tinged with tears and fresh commit- Rev. Bodeen served local churches and the conference Praise God! office in the former Central Illinois Conference, retiring Visiting the ment as seven couples from Paxton in 1987. His first wife, Lois Maxine, passed prisoner is one renewed their marriage away in 2007. In 2009, he married Lois Ann Winger and of our standard vows. Others connected she survives. obligations. Other with partners in the church A full obituary may be found at the website of the opportunities triumphant. Still others funeral home and messages for the family may be left exist to help our col- connected with their spouses there: http://baierfuneralservices.com/fh/obituar- leagues behind bars. vicariously. They were unable ies/obituary.cfm?o_id=2413403&fh_id=14520 Subject to the rules and to join our pilgrimage. Our time regulations of the jail or in the Holy Land ended with an Velma Rodgers, widow of Rev. Austin A Rodgers, died orientation and worship service at the Jan. 29. Velma was a member of the Springfield Kumler prison, we might learn ways Ephesians 4:11-16 Garden Tomb. My brief homily for that UMC where she and her husband pastored from 1943 to to minister to those incarcerated in 1947. Velma would have been 100 years old on Feb. 10. our community. Ask them. service can be found at: http://www.igrc.org/ blogpostsdetail/95669. Together with her husband, they served churches in 3. Take a special Lenten offering to help us cross the former Illinois and Central Illinois conferences, the Imagine No Malaria finish line. Recently, Again, I invite the Laos to take up their God-given beginning in Rutland in 1923 for 33 years with his last I learned that we are $152,000 short of our $3.5 ministry, to function as the body of Christ and/or the appointment being at Bowen-Centennial-Ebenezer from million campaign for Imagine No Malaria. At people of God unafraid to love God and neighbor 1953 to 1956. He retired in 1963 and died Nov. 19, 1983. the present, $161,000 is pledged but not col- with an even greater passion. Should we accept God’s The full obituary may be found online at: http://www. lected. If $152,000 has not come in by May 15, a challenge in faith, we’ll accomplish “far more than boardman-smith.net/fh/obituaries/obituary. special offering will be taken to push us over the we can imagine or think.” To do so, it takes the entire cfm?o_id=2395318&fh_id=10531, where condo- finish line. To quote the Apostle Paul, “fighting body of Christ gifted and committed to be in ministry lences may be left for the family. the good fight, finishing the course and keeping and mission for God.
The Current address update reminder The Current (USPS 014-964) is published monthly Send materials to: by the Illinois Great Rivers Conference of The UMC, P.O. Box 19207, Springfield, IL 62794-9207 Please remember to send us an update for your Current subscription anytime you move! Many times the USPS for- 5900 South Second Street, Springfield, IL 62711 or tel. 217.529.2040 or fax 217.529.4155 wards do not reach our office in a timely manner, and sometimes not at all. Send them to The Current, PO Box 19207, [email protected], website www.igrc.org Springfield IL 62794-9207 or to [email protected] An individual subscription is $15 per year. The THE CURRENT opinions expressed in viewpoints are those of the Periodical postage paid at Peoria, IL, and writers and do not necessarily reflect the views of additional mailing offices. ON THE COVER: Clockwise from top: The Dome of the Rock mosque sits in the Temple Mount of the Old City of Jerusalem. The site, The Current, The IGRC, or The UMC. which is important to Jews, Christians and Moslems alike, is currently under Jordanian control and the site of recent tensions in Israel. POSTMASTER: Please send address changes to Rev. Jungil Rhee rides a camel in Jericho. The wall that surrounds the ruins of a fourth century temple in Capernaum. The ruins sit on top Communications Team leader: Paul E. Black; The Current, Illinois Great Rivers Conference, Team members: Kim Halusan and Michele Willson P.O. Box 19207, Springfield, IL 62794-9207 of the synagogue Jesus frequented during his ministry. Photos by Paul Black 2 MARCH 2014 3
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e Events & Announcements Events Marked Leadership registration Leadership Marked the Marked open for is now Registration East which will be held at Camp, Leadership for June 8-14. Marked Camp is geared Bay a who have 12 grade, 9th through youth, leadership with Christ, show relationship into more grow to and want characteristics, be. who God to s called them by and all the forms information Get more visiting: www.igrc.org/marked. seminar youth City York New ages 16-18 (or juniors or seniors in Youth join the IGRC to invited high school) are City adven- York ministryyouth on a New "finding of and shaping the ture voices our June 27 - July 6. world," three-dayThe is on youth seminar this year several people will have young The violence. York of New many visiting touring, for days and enjoying City's "must see" attractions, the Hudson over River. 4th of July fireworks and a registration information more For Space please visit www.igrc.org/nyc. form, 10 males and 10 to is limited present at if interest be expanded but may females, warrants. coming 2014 Aldersgate Springfield to Renewal Ministries will Aldersgate (ARM) on Spirit-filled Conference hold its National Prairie Living in Springfieldat the July 17-20 Center. Convention Capital ARM is a non-political and non-adversarial equipping to which is committed movement in the world to minister to the local church not of the Holy Spirit. Itthe power receives Methodist United Church The funding from Council and is a member of the Evangelical Accountability. Financial for about the conference, information more For visit: www.aldersgate2014.org. coach with Griffith Coaching, and Coaching, with Griffith coach of pastor the founding Weber, Adam In less S.D. in Sioux Falls, Church Embrace over to has grown Embrace years, than eight will launch a and worship 1,400 in weekend 2014. campus in April, second www.igrc. visit: information, more For or contact Mikeorg/bootcamp Crawford [email protected].
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Associate Coordinator of Congregational Development of Congregational Coordinator Associate is conducting a search Methodist Church United The of Conference Rivers Illinois Great The year-round is a full-time, This Development. of Congregational Coordinator an Associate for and new existing for support providing for and resourcing position responsible Conference Conference. Rivers in the Illinois Great congregations Development, about the ministry Congregational information more of the Office of For www.igrc.org/congdev. in a Faith will have candidate successful The and laity. both clergy position is open to This of God deeper in love understanding of oneself as a disciple who is growing Jesus Christ; A Bachelor’s faith and growth. and neighbor; and the ability out one’s articulate to and live vitality in congregational as is leadership experience is necessary, or equivalent degree skills a self-starter for looking with excellent We’re development. and/or new congregation and interaction communication, and written oral and time management, in organization with individuals and groups. http://www.igrc.org/classifiedsdetail/95536 job description can at: be found The pen- and includes health insurance, with experience will be commensurate Compensation education. and credentialing/continuing expenses sion, travel to: references professional and three resume of application, Please send a letter or to: [email protected], Administrator Human Resource Methodist Center, United 19207 PO Box IL 62794-9207 Springfield, is an Conference Rivers Illinois Great The 24, 2014. March by must be received Applications OpportunityEqual Employer.
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u Faithful Supports for Those Touched by by Touched Those Supports for Faithful Autism Spirituality Depression and MinistryThe of Memory: -- A Dimentia Be Forgotten Should Never That Disease Service a Church the Recov- for Creating ery Community Set to Up a Disability-Friendly How Church Syndrome: and Down's the Church God, Perspective A Parental
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Launching a New Worship Service Service Worship a New Launching 16-17 May workshop, led UMC is hosting a workshop First Lincoln poised to churches for Mikeby Crawford start eve- service a new worship on Friday 17. May 16, and Saturday, May ning, more for www.igrc.org/launchnew Go to information. First with Lincoln must register Participants 9. May UMC by 20-22 May NCJ Boot Camp North JurisdictionThe (NCJ) Central Boot 20-22 in Champaign. is scheduled May Camp Network the NCJ Developers year This the first for a $200 discount is providing church, participating any member from team team making only $195. Additional the cost $100 each. (Prices for members can attend $100 per person after April 20). by increase help participants to Boot camp is designed their action its first dream develop plan from after 12 months the launch of six to through the new venture. include: Kim Griffith, presenters year's This and trainer now planter, church former Light the Fire to focus on disabilities focus to Fire Light the in Ohio, City, Tipp in Church Ginghamsburg Semi- Theological with United cooperation Con- Fire! the will host the 2014 Light nary, them is Fullness year's This 8-9. May ference and speak- People All for of Christ: A Church counselors, ers include leading theologians, and bishops. pastors biblical scholars, such as: will include topics focus year's This www.lightthe- visit: information, more For fire.org. o n
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[email protected] or by calling 217-529-3217; or calling 217-529-3217; or by or [email protected] call or 618-499- [email protected] at Ray Long contact 6417. & Jensen Woods, April 2, 6 p.m. at Dixon Dixon at April 2, 6 p.m. Woods, Jensen Lodge Fell- at April 3, 6 p.m. Living Springs, heimer Lodge the Dining at April 4, 6 p.m. East Bay, Hall (wing) the Din- at p.m., 20, 7 May Little Grassy, ing Hall the Family at Epworth, p.m., 21, 6 May Center Life Elementary 3-6*) - Matthew (grades 1:18 - 7:29 6*-8) - GenesisJunior High 1 – 8 (grades Senior 9-12) - 1 and 2 High (grades Timothy • • • • • • • •
As part As Kaleidoscope, by of a consultation Rivers Conference Inc., the Illinois Great Min- and Retreat on Camping Commission "town hall" for has arranged istries (CCRM) interested any open to meetings which are conference- each of the five persons at Meetings are this spring. camp sites owned scheduled as follows: is each site purpose at of the meeting The of present perceptions history, gather to ministry as to and vision, as well operation of of operation an initial assessment share the camp. IGRC Bible Bowl at East Bay May 4 Bay May at East Bible Bowl IGRC will be on Bible Bowl 2014 Conference The East at 5 p.m., 2:30 to 4, from May Sunday, 24248 Ron Smith Memorial High- Camp, Bay Hudson. in way Rivers the 2014 Illinois Great Scriptures for as follows: are Bible Bowl Conference each age level A list of sample questions for request. by is available John M. contact Rev. information, more For Coordinator, Bible Bowl Hauck, Conference IL 61571-2797, Washington, St., Walnut 401 309- calling 309-444-3228 (church); or by 444-4727 (parsonage); or 309-363-1901 (cell) or visit: www.igrc.org/biblebowl. Camping town hall meetings town Camping s
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E For more information, contact Ted Frost at at Frost Ted contact information, more For Tee time is noon. Registrations for for Registrations noon. time is Tee Registration is available online by by online available is Registration
being accepted now are Registrations individual golfers are $100 each. Hole $100 each. Hole are golfers individual $100 for also available are sponsorships sign with 24 inch 18 by an each with it. A $500 to affixed name the sponsor's also is package Open Supporter Bishop's 24- a 24 by which provides available, For golfers. two for fees sign and inch $1,000, four golfers' fees are included as well as sign. 36-inch 24 by a www.igrc.org/bishopsopen. www.igrc.org/bishopsopen. visiting: for the Third Annual Bishop's Open for Openfor Bishop's Annual the Third for which will Malaria, be Fri- No Imagine the Edgewood Golf Club 16 at May day, Auburn. near Bishop's Open for Imagine No Malaria No Imagine Open for Bishop's The 2014 Summer Camping Guide, Find- Guide, 2014 Summer Camping The mailed to was Self in Jesus, True Your ing in the Current's Current The subscribers of guides were These 2013 issue. December in the confer- each church also mailed to someone in your which means that ence, and handled them and saw probably church put them on display. visit: copy, find a paper unable to If are you and click on the www.igrc.org/camping view and/or Guide to of the Camping cover computer. your it to save to 2014 Camping Guide available Guide Camping 2014 Bloomington Wesley UMC will be the host of Wesley Bloomington Welcome Our Nets: Reaching Casting Out to 9 8, from March Saturday, on In Conference 3 p.m. a.m. to of director executive managing Debi Nixon, Ministry campuses and Catalyst regional at of the Resurrectionthe Church in Leawood, Kan., will be the speaker. visit: http://wes- information, more For ley-umc.com/wesley/index.php/news/ events/556-catch-becoming-an-outwardly- focused-church Casting our Nets Conference our Nets Casting The Light Kids Light Conference The UMC – Crossroads IL Washington, 8 – March UMC 22 – Marion,March IL – Aldersgate UMC Troy IL – Troy, 29 – March in- programming identical have dates All cluding Harvest, Magician Richard Landry & and Bible Buzz! MERGE Fun Snowball, 9 am - 2 pm. runs from Conference Mark Your Make Theme: http://kidsconference.org/ Website: contact Harvest information, more For Ministry email harvest@ – 618-541-8291 to harvestconferences.org. The Light Kids Conference The Light Kids Conference 5 1 to grades For CHRISTIAN Conversations Old habits die hard BY LOVETT H. WEEMS, JR. a common pattern for worship because I grew up working with my parents in our most of the United States was rural, and country grocery store. Those were days before farmers needed enough time before church the advent of large drug stores with hun- for their chores, with time left to travel dreds of over-the-counter medications and to church by walking or by horse-drawn dozens of customized variations of each of wagons. It could be that choir practice time them. With limited alternatives available, we was set years ago to accommodate a choir sold Bayer aspirin as a cure for virtually any director’s secular work schedule but contin- ailment, from headaches to arthritis. Most ues a decade after that director left. bought small “tins” containing twelve aspirin. Not only is it silly to do things that meet a Each package contained a sheet of cotton to need we used to have; it is also costly. The hold the tablets in place. Larger packages also tradition of continuing to use cotton in the included cotton. aspirin containers once it was no longer The practice of putting cotton into aspirin needed cost money to Bayer and their cus- containers dates to 1914 or 1915, about tomers. Continuing unnecessary activities the time Bayer began compressing aspirin or practices costs money, time, and energy. powder into tablets. The cotton served a All three of those resources are in short vital purpose. Aspirin tablets could pulverize supply in most churches. Every resource the by rattling around in a tin or bottle. In 1980, church has to offer should be dedicated to however, Bayer created a coated tablet, mean- one purpose alone: fulfilling God’s mission ing it would hold up without padding. Yet for our church faithfully in our time and been around for a while, it is likely they are still putting lots place. Keeping the cotton in the bottles may reassure us Bayer only removed cotton from their packages in 1999. of cotton in bottles well after the need has passed. “We concluded there really wasn’t any reason to keep the that everything is how we remember it, but there is a world cotton except tradition,” a Bayer spokesperson said. “It’s Practices, routines, and programs arise to meet specific outside our church doors crying for attention and the love hard to get out.” circumstances at the time. Often the actions continue once of Christ in new and vital ways. the circumstances have changed. It may be that the church (Reprinted with permission from Feb. 26 issue of Leading What might be the connection with church leadership? treasurer still passes out a monthly budget report and A pastor used the first year in a congregation to ask the Ideas, the e-newsletter of the Lewis Center for Church Leader- goes over each line item to explain and receive questions, ship at Wesley Theological Seminary. Lovett H. Weems, Jr., church leaders as each activity and project came up on the even after the budget has gone out as an email attach- calendar, “Why do we do this?” Once the leaders under- is professor of church leadership and director of the Lewis ment well before the meeting. And members have already Center. His latest book (with Tom Berlin) is Overflow: Increase stood that the question was in no way a criticism, since it come prepared for questions and discussion. When I was was asked about everything, they took it as an opportunity Worship Attendance & Bear More Fruit, published by Abing- growing up, I thought 11 a.m. on Sunday was a biblically don and available through Cokesbury) to think through many endeavors that may not have re- dictated time for church. It turns out that 11 a.m. became ceived careful thought for many years. Once churches have God guides us to where God wants us to be BY PAUL F. MCCLEARY to say a word encouragement and hope. His final com- one who is dying is more realistic and wants to talk There are some wonderful people you ought to ment was: be sure not to miss it. about things left undone or wishes and expectations know doing extraordinary things. They shy away from My next friend is a ‘grandmother’ type, an older he has for someone. My friend goes on, all of us have notoriety and even compliments. They don’t think woman with a lot of energy. She volunteers several done a lot of good things and all of us have done some they are doing anything times a week at the ER of the children’s hospital. She things we regret. It is not possible to do restitution, special but that is for us said you’d never believe the condition in which some but, he explains, it is possible to help alleviate any guilt to judge. Their story is of the infants and children are in when they arrive at or remorse there might be. told so you may see how ER. They have been abused or battered by adults. They He reminded me that he has found family situa- God guides us to where are malnourished and underweight for their age. They tions where misunderstandings and hard feelings ex- He would want us to be. look as if they are being starved to death. When asked isted which needed healing. The focus is the one who A friend refers to what she does there she said she may be asked to do is dying but the entire family, at this time, is thinking himself as a “chaplain to anything that needs doing like moving supplies from about ultimate issues which are faith issues. It may be yard sales.” It used to be, the storeroom. an opportunity to speak a word of hope to others. he explains, that a yard However, frequently she is assigned an infant or He told me that the one in hospice is basically sale was the way you dis- small child and asked just to hold him. She just holds beyond having physical needs. What is needed most posed of things you no him for hours. The hospital can provide the medica- is help with any lingering spiritual needs they might longer needed or wanted. tion. What she does is to give the child a sense of have. My friend wanted me to especially note that It is It might be the children security and being loved. Children react differently to important to understand they usually want to talk with are all in junior high or grown so it’s time to sell the adults. But, she reminded, children are resilient and someone who will listen and understand. His last word crib and baby bed. But times have changed. What respond to their environment. When asked if she ever to me was one I had already heard from each of the made the big difference can be described in one word: saw the child again she said she was assigned to the others and that is, there is a moment when persons are foreclosure. In the last three or four years people have child as long as the child was in the hospital. more open to the Good News than at others and it may been having a yard sale because they have to move and My third friend I want you to know calls himself a be the only opportunity you have to say that word. downsize. He goes on to explain that it is also common “hospice chaplain.” In the last several years there has Each one discovered that there are people all to find a family splitting up. He wanted me to know been a growing concern to provide a more caring envi- around us who are hurting and need help. Each has that there is a lot of pain in yard sales. It is not like it ronment for those approaching the end of life. It may acquired skills through what they are doing but didn’t used to be. be performed at home in the context of the family. Or, require special skills when they started. Each would tell He went on that not all yard sales are the same. A it may be in an institutional setting. you they feel God has led them to do what they are do- quick look around tells him a lot. If there are several A hospice can vary a great deal in quality and ing. Each will say this is where God wants them to be. high tag items, a large screen TV, a stereo set with twin services. The state requires a license to operate with For those who serve others as these three are doing, speakers or a kitchen appliance, it may mean the bread- minimal standards. Some are as small as five or 10 per- offer them the "blessing of the hands." It is a simple winner has lost his job and the family is hard pressed sons in what appears to be a large residence. They pool ritual of anointing the hands with olive oil and offering for cash. They are giving up some treasured item so their Social Security to pay for costs. Usually there is a prayer for all of the lives who will be touched by these they can get the most money possible. one TV located in the living room of the house. My hands - that they experience the love of God. Regardless of the cause, for the ones involved it is friend says the way you can the differentiate between (Rev. Paul McCleary is a retired IGRC pastor living all just pain. Usually, he goes on, it only takes a ques- residences is by the smell of the urine. in Tempe, Ariz. He served in the former Central Illinois He explained that the hospice program is meant Conference while attending seminary before spending 10
THE CURRENT tion like: “Are you moving away?” Frequently that all it takes for a story to come about the loss of the house, or, to help persons approach death in a meaningful and years as a missionary to Bolivia. He also served in sev- no employment around here, or too much charged to dignified way. eral capacities with the general church as well as working the credit cards. The family, he said, usually rejects any conversation for Church World Service, Save the Children and the He reminded me that this may be my only chance about death because they want the person to live. The Christian Children’s Fund) 4 MARCH 2014 5 - - - NEWS Church Local “We shouldn’t say ‘if’ say shouldn’t “We we build.’” ‘in faith but The hard work of planning and fund raising has been a top priority of priority has top been a raising and fund planning of work hard The Christine Brewer soprano world-renowned and member LFUMC to see come to it and project this upcoming very about “I'm excited the for benefits the many Bennett reiterated During the conference, the church for the last four years. At an April 11, 2010, church conference, conference, 2010, church 11, April an At years. four the last for thechurch $300,000 than then, more Since project. the building approved members (affectionately Fund Renovation the Accessibility beenhas raised toward faithfully have the church friends of and Members “ARF”). as to referred Two the fund. grown gifts severalhave and one-time pledges honored amount. to 2013 added veryand the 2012 in concerts successful benefit the framed sale of raised including funds, ideas have Other innovative storm. 2012 hail April an by destroyed roof church the former from slate of 2011, along summer in the a benefit to talents incredible her brought Schaeffer tirelessly Shirley friends. several her with Last of summer, number a featured that a benefit organize to others many with worked Both benefits the Hett. at Swingin’ and Singin’ artists, area well-known of the Arts, McKen for Center Hettenhausen the neighboring at held were University. dree experiences her with cited She exclaimed. Brewer wonderful,” fruition is mobility to due church attend to unable who were several members family our obstacles of what aware aren't often we able-bodied folks, “As issues. inside a beautiful place such is Our church friends through. disabled go join to who wants anyone for accessibility will it have now and out, and us!” handi access, level – multiple the project from will result that church In addi- more. and areas, office upgraded bathrooms, accessible capped center a hosting as year-round busy is UMC First because Lebanon tion, usabil will the activities, building’s the upgrades enhance community for in Lebanon. groups other for ity On the lower level of Lebanon First UMC (pictured from the alley) , the elevator and accessible restrooms and accessible restrooms UMC (pictured , the elevator First the alley) of Lebanon from level On the lower the original sanctuarywill be built between (left) and the education wing. - - “I'm very excited about this upcoming project project upcoming very this “I'm about excited fruition to is come see wonderful." to it and Photos by Susan J. Meister Photos by LEBANON – The congregation of Lebanon First UMC voted Feb. 9 to 9 Feb. voted UMC First of Lebanon congregation – The LEBANON Weh J. Peter Pastor led by conference a church during voted Members to the plans Bennett presented Mike Chairman Committee Building original the sanc will “between” built be restrooms and elevator The willmortgage The the contractor. is Breese Construction of Poettker “We Mary thrilled Renfro is member Long-time thevote. with and mom her how remembering added a personal note, Acheson Julie BY SUSAN MEISTER a reality. dream a 20-year make and elevator an firmto install construction area an with contract to rly a local from funds borrow to and restrooms, handicapped-accessible build campaign. capital raised in a four-year the money supplement bank to of photos and drawings architectural explaining and showing members, was plan “The remarked. Bennett pleased,” am “I be to modified. the areas the vote before good questions many were there and thoroughly examined to proceed.” bathrooms Downstairs the alley. off just wing tuary the education and On expanded. office assistant’s the administrative and willbe relocated will either be on restroom family and women’s a men’s, level, the upper the elevator outside the alcove will from go A ramp the elevator. side of and closet a willjanitor’s project also the sanctuary The include to level. the existing of pictures additional see and a diagram To room. mechanical www.lebanonmethodist.org. to go construction, for ready building Ill. Bank in Nashville, Merchant’s and Farmers be by held chimed Gregory Evelyn said. she ‘if’ say build,’” we ‘in faith but shouldn’t into go take willing (to a risk to ones the only were Joshua and in. “Caleb need take this risk.” to “We said. she land),” the promised what matter “(No the church. into dad struggled grandmother her get to said. she 10 years,” in the next us all to of this will be are), important we age Lebanon First First Lebanon install elevator, to votes restrooms build accessible (ABOVE) Mike Bennett makes the presentation to the congregation. Seated to his left Mary are to Seated the congregation. Renfro to the presentation Bennett makes Mike (ABOVE) RIGHT) In the upper (AT the vote. for Gregory members in attendance who helped register and Evelyn A ramp is located. the rightmost stained glass window sanctuary entrance will be built where a new level, the change. accommodate to will be moved Some the sanctuary pews will come into proper. Local Church NEWS Decatur First members share first-hand insights into PAUL’ S JOURNEY
to t n you go he place Main Street in Ephesus with the Library in the background he s wh Photo by Debbie Vandermyde “W ere e.” thes liv e ev es a ents le com BY THERESA CHURCHILL occurred, the Bib Decatur Herald & Review The Rev. Kathy The other travelers DECATUR — The words on the page do not say King-Nobles, co-pastor of the included Kershaw’s wife Helen; why the Apostle Paul told the people of Corinth church, said for her the trip underscored just how King-Noble’s son Joshua; Debbie Vandermyde of that their bodies were temples of the Holy Spirit. revolutionary Paul’s message was as he journeyed Forsyth and her sister Karen Glenn of O’Fallon; But following his footsteps to that ancient city in along the coast of the Aegean Sea between 44 Curt and Elaine Beam of Warrensburg; and De- Greece, dotted today as it was 2,000 years ago and 58 A.D. attempting to establish communities catur residents Carol and John Drayton, Bob and with ancient temples to Greek gods, reveals much of Christians. Audrey Menzies, and Rachel Miller. about Paul’s choice of words in his first letter to “The Gospel was very different than their under- Joshua, 14 and a freshman at MacArthur High the Corinthians. School, said one “It’s very evident how highlight was he used the setting Pilgrims pen Lenten devotional book the chance to jog around the track in which the people DECATUR -- The travelers from Decatur First UMC have inside the ancient found themselves to written a Lenten Devotional booklet about their experi- Olympic stadium move them toward ence, Following in the Footsteps of Paul. If you would like in Rhodes. “Learn- Christ,” said Virginia to read their "travel memoirs" throughout Lent, you can ing about all the McQuistion of Deca- receive: different food and tur. • A paper copy by contacting the church office different cultures (217-423-9711); McQuistion and her was also amazing,” • A daily digital copy sent to your phone/email by send- husband Tom were he said. among 16 members ing an email of request to: [email protected] of Decatur’s First • Online by visiting the church's website -- Members of the United Methodist www.decaturfirstumc.org group also spoke Photo by Kathy King-Nobles fondly about Church who traveled Mars Hill in Athens, Greece to Greece and Turkey Camilla McKinney who also went on the trip then in early November in search of a deeper under- standing of god, small ‘g,’” she said. “To come to died unexpectedly from natural causes three standing about Paul’s ministry. They plan to share them and say there’s one God and you don’t have weeks afterward in her Decatur home. to worship all these different gods, that was very their experiences during a special presentation Kathy King-Nobles said McKinney was especially counter-cultural.” Sunday at the church. excited to see Mars Hill, a rocky area next to the They were among 320 passengers aboard the ship Sam Kershaw of Decatur said the group also Acropolis in Athens where Paul delivered his ser- Celebrity Constellation that took an educational gained insight into just how much of an insult it mon about the identity of an “unknown God,” de- cruise of Colossae, Miletus and Ephesus in Turkey was for a Roman soldier to offer Jesus a sponge scribed in Acts 17:15-34, and eat lunch in Rhodes. soaked in vinegar to quench his thirst while dying and Athens, Crete, Corinth and Rhodes in Greece “When you go to the places where these events on the cross. — cities Paul visited — and also three Turkish cit- occurred,” Tom McQuistion said, “the Bible comes THE CURRENT ies mentioned in the book of Revelation — Hier- “Hygiene was important to the Romans, and they alive.” didn’t have Charmin,” Kershaw said. “So they used apolis, Laodicea and Sardis. (Reprinted with permission from the Jan. 17 issue of the a sponge, and to avoid infections, they dipped it Their guide was David DeSilva, an expert on Rev- Decatur Herald & Review, www.herald-review.com) elation. in vinegar.” 6 7 MARCH 2014 7 Photos clockwise from the top left: the top from clockwise Photos Cover Story NEWS Story Cover
A boat tied up at Ein-Gev on the Sea tied up at of Galilee. A boat
in his or her life. her or his in
A person receives the sacrament of baptism only once once only baptism of sacrament the receives person A
The reaffirmation provided a reminder to what we what to reminder a provided reaffirmation The
We baptize by sprinkling, immersion or pouring. or immersion sprinkling, by baptize We
Persons of any age can be baptized. be can age any of Persons
and forgiveness of our sins. our of forgiveness and
Baptism is a symbol of new life and a sign of God's love love God's of sign a and life new of symbol a is Baptism
everywhere. world.
We are joined with the church and with Christians Christians with and church the with joined are We clergy and laity respond to Christ's call for us to serve the the serve to us for call Christ's to respond laity and clergy
•
Methodist Church and also the wellspring from which both both which from wellspring the also and Church Methodist
•
believe as Christians living out our faith in The United United The in faith our out living Christians as believe
•
•
In The United Methodist Church, baptism is one of two two of one is baptism Church, Methodist United The In
• you may be a faithful disciple of Jesus Christ. Amen.” Christ. Jesus of disciple faithful a be may you
that being born through water and the Spirit, the and water through born being that “The Holy Spirit work within you, within work Spirit Holy “The
View of the Sea of Galilee. Tiberias taken from a higher elevation near Capernaum. near Capernaum. a higher elevation from Tiberias Sea of the taken of Galilee. View
tism, we acknowledge: we tism,
sacraments (the other Holy Communion). Through bap- Through Communion). Holy other (the sacraments
Despite all of these sites, the foundation for everyone everyone for foundation the sites, these of all Despite
Keaton, making a cross on their foreheads, said: foreheads, their on cross a making Keaton,
ally immersed themselves in the Jordan River, while Bishop Bishop while River, Jordan the in themselves immersed ally
the Jordan River. Five individuals donned robes and actu- and robes donned individuals Five River. Jordan the
over a reaffirmation service at Yardenit, a baptismal site on on site baptismal a Yardenit, at service reaffirmation a over
baptism. Bishop Keaton and Rev. Janice Griffith presided presided Griffith Janice Rev. and Keaton Bishop baptism.
as disciples of Jesus Christ came in a reaffirmation of one's one's of reaffirmation a in came Christ Jesus of disciples as
on the other side of the boat and they brought in 153 fish. 153 in brought they and boat the of side other the on
the resurrection, where he instructed them to cast their nets nets their cast to them instructed he where resurrection, the
it is believed that Jesus appeared to the disciples following following disciples the to appeared Jesus that believed is it
or practice also occurred at Peter's Primacy, the place where where place the Primacy, Peter's at occurred also practice or
a hook (Matthew 17:24-27). A change in technique technique in change A 17:24-27). (Matthew hook a
from the fish's mouth that was caught with with caught was that mouth fish's the from from the fish's mouth that was caught with with caught was that mouth fish's the from
with a tax bill, Jesus took a coin coin a took Jesus bill, tax a with with a tax bill, Jesus took a coin coin a took Jesus bill, tax a with
instead of the nets. Faced Faced nets. the of instead
use the hook to catch fish fish catch to hook the use
first directed his disciples to to disciples his directed first
The group also was reminded reminded was also group The
Jesus. It was here that Jesus Jesus that here was It Jesus.
the ruins of the synagogue of of synagogue the of ruins the
house is located, as well as as well as located, is house
where the ruins of Peter's Peter's of ruins the where
group stopped at Capernaum, Capernaum, at stopped group
Traveling north of Tiberias, the the Tiberias, of north Traveling
employed to enact change. change. enact to employed
of new methods are sometimes sometimes are methods new of
authority..."
them last June and said, "Take thou thou "Take said, and June last them
when Bishop Keaton laid hands on on hands laid Keaton Bishop when
words each of the Ordinands heard heard Ordinands the of each words
Him?" Jesus' use of authority echoed echoed authority of use Jesus' Him?"
even wind and water, and they obey obey they and water, and wind even
"Who then is this, that He commands commands He that this, is then "Who "Who then is this, that He commands commands He that this, is then "Who
tion was one of awe. awe. of one was tion
the disciples' reac- disciples' the
calmed the storm and and storm the calmed calmed the storm and and storm the calmed
but when awakened awakened when but but when awakened awakened when but
Jesus was sleeping, sleeping, was Jesus
storm developed and and developed storm storm developed and and developed storm
day's boat ride. A A ride. boat day's
worse than Thurs- than worse
Galilee in a day even even day a in Galilee
across the Sea of of Sea the across in Luke 8. Jesus went went Jesus 8. Luke in
Joyce Fogleman reaffirms her baptism as Bishop Keaton presides over a service of reaffirmation at Yardenit, a baptismal site along a baptismal Yardenit, at over a service reaffirmation of presides Keaton baptism as Bishop her reaffirms Fogleman Joyce
too, served as additional lesson about about lesson additional as served too,
the sufficiency of Christ. One of Israel's Israel's of One Christ. of sufficiency the
most historic kibbutzim (collection (collection kibbutzim historic most
The tour guide also mentioned that was the the was that mentioned also guide tour The center), formed by Russian Jews that were were that Jews Russian by formed center), The destination of Ein-Gev, located on on located Ein-Gev, of destination The
the Jordan River. Statue of Peter and Jesus at Peter’s Primacy. A fountain at the Church of the Beatitudes and an ancient building in Capernaum. the Church of the Beatitudes at A fountain Primacy. Peter’s and Jesus at of Peter Statue River. the Jordan expelled in the early 20th century. Ein- century. 20th early the in expelled
Gev is a communal arrangement in which which in arrangement communal a is Gev the eastern shore, was unintended, but it, it, but unintended, was shore, eastern the
ISRAEL one for provide and together live members
another's needs. About 250 settlements or 5 5 or settlements 250 About needs. another's
percent of Israel's population, live the kibbutz kibbutz the live population, Israel's of percent
The Sea of Galilee, the country's larg- country's the Galilee, of Sea The
lifestyle, underscoring the value of community community of value the underscoring lifestyle, lifestyle, underscoring the value of community community of value the underscoring lifestyle,
for leaders when facing challenging times. challenging facing when leaders for for leaders when facing challenging times. challenging facing when leaders for
learning.
learning.
region of the Gadarenes, which was highlighted highlighted was which Gadarenes, the of region
region of the Gadarenes, which was highlighted highlighted was which Gadarenes, the of region ministry, served as a unique classroom for for classroom unique a as served ministry,
ous sites which were part of Jesus' Galilean Galilean Jesus' of part were which sites ous
to as a lake, five additional times. The vari- The times. additional five lake, a as to
times, while the body of water is referred referred is water of body the while times,
ment, the Sea of Galilee is mentioned 46 46 mentioned is Galilee of Sea the ment,
Mentioned 51 times in the New Testa- New the in times 51 Mentioned
to south and eight miles east to west. west. to east miles eight and south to
est fresh-water lake, spans 13 miles north north miles 13 spans lake, fresh-water est
stay on track. on stay stay on track. on stay
change plans in mid-course in order to to order in mid-course in plans change change plans in mid-course in order to to order in mid-course in plans change
sometimes leaders are called upon to to upon called are leaders sometimes sometimes leaders are called upon to to upon called are leaders sometimes
change of plans reminded the group that that group the reminded plans of change change of plans reminded the group that that group the reminded plans of change
did not consider the task difficult, the the difficult, task the consider not did did not consider the task difficult, the the difficult, task the consider not did
further north. While seasoned mariners mariners seasoned While north. further further north. While seasoned mariners mariners seasoned While north. further
across the waters, rather than heading heading than rather waters, the across across the waters, rather than heading heading than rather waters, the across
and made a direct west-to-east sojourn sojourn west-to-east direct a made and
-- so much so that the tour guide changed course course changed guide tour the that so much so --
Even in the midst of the boat trip, the pilgrims were were pilgrims the trip, boat the of midst the in Even
the water was somewhat turbulent on Thursday morning morning Thursday on turbulent somewhat was water the
some never experience rough waters on the Sea of Galilee, Galilee, of Sea the on waters rough experience never some
his own life lived out in the various places visited. While While visited. places various the in out lived life own his
The message was particular poignant not only to those those to only not poignant particular was message The
of that message as well Jesus providing teaching through through teaching providing Jesus well as message that of
ministries, but that the day would be filled with reminders reminders with filled be would day the that but ministries,
learning that not only were they gifted for their particular particular their for gifted they were only not that learning
have what it takes to get the job done. job the get to takes it what have
when one questions one's own abilities and whether they they whether and abilities own one's questions one when
Baldyga, giving her devotion while a boat was criss- was boat a while devotion her giving Baldyga,
ence leaders, who could identify with times in their lives lives their in times with identify could who leaders, ence
just beginning their ministry, but to laypersons and confer- and laypersons to but ministry, their beginning just
you have enough," Baldyga said. Baldyga enough," have you
ger amount to feed such a crowd, but when you have Jesus, Jesus, have you when but crowd, a such feed to amount ger
-- A morning boat ride across the Sea of of Sea the across ride boat morning A -- TIBERIAS
with two fish and five loaves of bread. "It was a rather mea- rather a was "It bread. of loaves five and fish two with
selected the text from John 6 about Jesus feeding the 5,000 5,000 the feeding Jesus about 6 John from text the selected
crossing the Sea of Galilee from Tiberias to Ein-Gev, Ein-Gev, to Tiberias from Galilee of Sea the crossing
traveling with the group in the Holy Land. Holy the in group the with traveling
IGRC Ordinand Class of 2013, Bishop Keaton and others others and Keaton Bishop 2013, of Class Ordinand IGRC
Baldyga set the stage for the first day of pilgrimage for the the for pilgrimage of day first the for stage the set Baldyga
Galilee combined with a morning devotional by Rev. Jessica Jessica Rev. by devotional morning a with combined Galilee
STORY AND PHOTOS BY PAUL BLACK PAUL BY PHOTOS AND STORY
you have enough have you when you have jesus, jesus, have you when Cover Story Story Cover Cover
Cover Story Cover NEWS NEWS
The interesting part of today is this -- most of the the of most -- this is today of part interesting The
And while the service was inspiring, for those of us us of those for inspiring, was service the while And
Bishop Keaton performed the ceremony in the the in ceremony the performed Keaton Bishop
Seven couples on the trip -- David Blackburn and and Blackburn David -- trip the on couples Seven
ago has continued to be a blessing. a be to continued has ago
again and that the covenant made a quarter century century quarter a made covenant the that and again
Love was in the air all Valentine's Valentine's all air the in was Love -- Galilee CANA, that you would have no doubts about doing it all over over all it doing about doubts no have would you that
for nearly 25 years. There's something about knowing knowing about something There's years. 25 nearly for
Carolyn, who has been my partner in life and ministry ministry and life in partner my been has who Carolyn,
the couples as if to renew my commitment to my wife, wife, my to commitment my renew to if as couples the
special occasion. I found myself saying those vows with with vows those saying myself found I occasion. special
not able to voice those vows to our loved ones on this this on ones loved our to vows those voice to able not
the past year, the moment was bittersweet for we were were we for bittersweet was moment the year, past the
with spouses at home or one who has lost her spouse in in spouse her lost has who one or home at spouses with
sus, his disciples and mother Mary attended a wedding. a attended Mary mother and disciples his sus,
over the ruins of the grotto of the synagogue where Je- where synagogue the of grotto the of ruins the over
church's chapel -- an edifice built in the 19th century century 19th the in built edifice an -- chapel church's
The group also visited the Mount of the Beatitudes Beatitudes the of Mount the visited also group The
in Cana of Galilee. of Cana in
performed his first miracle of turning water into wine wine into water turning of miracle first his performed
renewed their wedding vows at the site where Jesus Jesus where site the at vows wedding their renewed
And faced with a daunting task, group members members group task, daunting a with faced And
and Gary and Muriel Wilson of Fairview Heights all all Heights Fairview of Wilson Muriel and Gary and
Smith of Flora; Mike and Nancy Sowers of Greenup Greenup of Sowers Nancy and Mike Flora; of Smith
and Anita Munden of Gilman; Roosevelt and Gifty Gifty and Roosevelt Gilman; of Munden Anita and
Danvers; Andy and Lois Maxwell of Hoopeston; Frank Frank Hoopeston; of Maxwell Lois and Andy Danvers;
Allynn Walker of Columbia; Jack and Yvonne Hall of of Hall Yvonne and Jack Columbia; of Walker Allynn
Keaton on a Holy Land pilgrimage. Land Holy a on Keaton
Day in Israel for those traveling with Bishop Jonathan Jonathan Bishop with traveling those for Israel in Day Day in Israel for those traveling with Bishop Jonathan Jonathan Bishop with traveling those for Israel in Day
these is love is these these is love is these
The greatest of of of greatest greatest The The
War.
captured by Israel from Syria during the 1967 Six Day Day Six 1967 the during Syria from Israel by captured
Heights, the area north of the Sea of Galilee which was was which Galilee of Sea the of north area the Heights,
fed the 5,000 and a late afternoon trip to the Golan Golan the to trip afternoon late a and 5,000 the fed
site of the Church of the Multiplication where Jesus Jesus where Multiplication the of Church the of site
where the Sermon on the Mount was preached; Tabgya, Tabgya, preached; was Mount the on Sermon the where
thing you need. you thing
were reminded, when you have Jesus, you have every- have you Jesus, have you when reminded, were
renew their wedding vows on Valentine’s Day. Valentine’s on vows wedding their renew
zer Adameh explains some of the ruins of Caesarea. Anita and Frank Munden Munden Frank and Anita Caesarea. of ruins the of some explains Adameh zer
palace after his father David had destroyed the previous one. Tour guide Mun- guide Tour one. previous the destroyed had David father his after palace
23 civilizations can be found in the ruins of Megiddo, where Solomon built a a built Solomon where Megiddo, of ruins the in found be can civilizations 23
Mount of Olives. The plaza from the steps of the church at Cana. As many as as many As Cana. at church the of steps the from plaza The Olives. of Mount
backdrop for the IGRC pilgrims as they gathered for a group photo on the the on photo group a for gathered they as pilgrims IGRC the for backdrop
where Jesus performed his first miracle. The City of Jerusalem provided the the provided Jerusalem of City The miracle. first his performed Jesus where From top left clockwise: A church at Cana of Galilee built on the ruins of of ruins the on built Galilee of Cana at church A clockwise: left top From
of its foundation, and I can share how close the homes, perhaps even St. Peter’s, were built to it. In just seven short days, the places our Lord lived and walked became real.They became real because I walked them and I touched them. For the years I am blessed to be in ministry, I will be able to share details which will bring the written stories of Scripture to life. Thanklife. you to everyone who made this trip possible, especially those who gave to the ordinand offering and in my local church. I know that experiencing this trip near the be- ginning of my journey in ministry will not only enhance my faith but also the faith of those to whom I preach and teach. I thank God for the memories, the new friends, and this pilgrimage into the pages of the Scriptures. (Rev. John Hackmann is a member of the Ordi- nand Class of 2012 and serves as pastor of the Coulterville and Tilden UMC’s, Mississippi River District)
Scripture comes to life from personal experience BY JOHN HACKMANN Upon returning to worship Sunday morn- ing the question I was asked most was not unexpected,“How was your trip”? I answered it was fine or commented on the weather. I have to admit being able to wear shorts because the temperature was a nice change of pace. But the more times I answered that question, the more I marveled at my inability to communicate the impact of just seven days of pilgrimage in Israel. We stood in Capernaum, we walked the streets of Jerusalem, and we rode across the Sea of Galilee.We were where Jesus was.We didn’t read about it, we didn’t see pictures, we were there.When I teach about the waves on the Sea of Galilee, I will remember the swelling water of our boat ride.When I preach about Jesus teaching in the synagogue in Capernaum, I will remember the black stones
THE CURRENT 8 Cover Story NEWS ISRAEL
This page: The Roman aqueduct just outside the Phoe- nician city of Caesarea provided a steady flow of water from the Mediterranean Sea during King Herod’s time. Cathy Seaton gets her first experience of riding a camel in Jericho. The fountain honoring the prophet Elisha also declares Jericho, at 10,000 years, is the world’s oldest city. Camels roam in the desert.
it will be day was spent looking at how the things we often value and brought to an end. We to which we invest our lives lies in ruins. We began by seeing know in part and we prophesy in part; the Roman aqueduct just outside the ancient city of Cae- but when the perfect comes, what is partial will sarea. Remnants still stand but it is a shell of what was begun be brought to an end. When I was a child, I used by King Herod the Great to supply a steady flow of running to speak like a child; reason like a child, think like water for this city along the Mediterranean Sea. a child. But now that I have become an adult, I've - When we visited Caesarea, we viewed how the city put an end to childish things. Now we see a reflecreflec- which was a Phoenician city that is geographically centered tion in a mirror; then we will see face-to-face. - between Africa, Asia and Europe, had great prominence Now I know partially, but then I will know comcom- due to the building of a great city under Herod, only to be pletely in the same way that I have been completely captured by Arab invaders, re-emerge during the Crusades, known. Now faith, hope, and love remain -- these only to be left in shambles and blocks and building materials three things -- and the greatest of these is love" (I transported to other areas for construction. Corinthians 13, Common English Bible). The same story emerged as we visited Megiddo, which That was true for seven couples who renewed the mar- was built and destroyed 25 times, including being destroyed riage vows on Friday at Cana of Galilee. But it was a real- by King David, only to have it rebuilt under his son, King ization that also was owned by a community of 34 people Solomon. -- some with spouses and others not -- that love will endure But even Solomon, at the end of his days, in the book when stone block, mortar and human frailty fail. of Ecclesiastes, wrote, "this is the end of the matter; all has been heard. Worship God and keep God's commandments because this what everyone must do"(Ecclesiastes 12:13). His A song in the desert building of monuments to himself and his pursuit of knowl- JERUSALEM, Israel -- Saturday was a day of singing for edge, while laudable, left him without satisfaction. the 34 persons on a Holy Land Pilgrimage from the Illinois At the Church of the Anunciation, a Catholic church Great Rivers Conference. Possibly because we are getting beautifully designed by Giavonni Muzio, stands next to the more comfortable with each other or perhaps because Greek Orthodox Church of the Anunciation. The current pilgrims through the ages have sung as they make their way, church, built in 1969, is built over the site of the earlier songs seemed to punctuate what the group was feeling at churches from the Byzantine era and the Crusader era. On each oasis of the journey. the lower level is the grotto, believed by many Christians to Saturday was a day of moving from Tiberias to Jeru- be Mary's childhood home. Greek Orthodox adherents be- salem, where we will be until Wednesday night when we lieve that Mary received word from the angel Gabriel about make our way home. The journey was a desert trek through the birth of Christ while drawing water and so the adjacent the West Bank following the Jordan River south to the church is situated over a spring where Mary would have Dead Sea and then on to Israel's capital city. Along the drawn water as a girl. way, the group made several stops, most notably Jericho, And then at Cana, an 1879 church was built by the which triggered the first two songs from childhood, Franciscans over the ruins of previous buildings. One of the Joshua Fit the Battle of Jericho and Zaccheus Was a Wee things that emboldened the Franciscans to believe this to be Little Man. the site of the marriage as the discovery of a basilica dating Both events took place in the ancient city of Jericho back to the first century with three apses in a cross-like form -- which has marked 10,000 years of existence. One of the and a small stone cistern found in a crypt and fitted into a striking aspects of the city is how it stands out as an oasis flagstone floor. surrounded by desert. Utilizing irrigation and springs of Today's events seemed to be building whose crescendo fresh water, Jericho has been able to thrive as a Palestinian was the renewal of seven covenants with the reminder of city that has a storied past throughout the 10 millenniums of what is lasting and what may lie in ruins. Solomon was right. history. From Jericho, one was able to see the various dynas- Covenant with God is paramount and such a message is ties of power that have come and gone, parts of the wall dur- echoed by the Apostle Paul in First Corinthians 13 -- a text ing Joshua's time. And although the original sycamore tree often quoted in covenant marriage ceremonies: is probably long since gone from Zaccheus' time, Jericho still "If I speak in tongues of human beings and of angels but remembers the important story of transformation and has a I don't have love, I'm a clanging gong or a clashing cymbal. tree for visitors to see and experience. If I have the gift of prophecy and I know all mysteries and From the ruins of the original city, Elisha's participa- everything else, and if I have such complete faith that I can tion in providing good drinking water is highlighted. In the move mountains but I don't have love, I'm nothing. If I give mountains, one can see the place where Jesus, following his away everything that I have and hand over my own body to baptism, was tempted by Satan. feel good about what I've done but I don't have love, I receive We also visited a second baptismal site, Qasar El Yahud, no benefit whatsoever. along the Israel-Jordan border. One participant who traveled "Love is patient, love is kind, it isn't jealous, it doesn't here six years ago noted that the site wasn't accessible from brag, it isn't arrogant, it isn't rude, it doesn't seek its own Israel, but negotiations between Israel and Jordan has carved advantage, it isn't irritable, it doesn't keep a record of com- out a road of access lined on both sides by electric fences put plaints, it isn't happy with injustice, but it is happy with the up by both nations with land mines in any space where there truth. Love puts up with all things, trusts in all things, hopes is "no man's land." Although the group visited a baptismal for all things, endures all things. site earlier in the week farther north, this site is probably
"Love never fails. As for prophecies, they will be brought MARCH more likely to be the site of Jesus' baptism, given that wilder- to an end. As for tongues, they will stop. As for knowledge, 2014
9 NEWS Cover Story ISRAEL
Friday were at the Mount of Olives -- the site where Jesus taught his disciples to pray (and where the prayer has been translated in 171 languages); the site of the ascension, the ness surrounds the area and John the Baptist was preaching site of where Jesus wept over Jerusalem; and the Basilica of in the wilderness at the time Jesus approached him to be the Agony, which was built on top of where Jesus prayed at baptized. The case is further strengthened when one realizes Gethsemane. The group saw a 3,000-year-old olive tree in the that immediately after Jesus was baptized, he was led to the garden area that remains outside the church and probably wilderness and faced the temptation. where the disciples waited and was to stand watch. The presence of guards on both sides of the border, mak- The stop helped us to see the shortcomings of man and ing sure no one crosses from one side to the other was very the hope that still lingers that Jerusalem can be a City of present at the site as if an unspoken warning was being given Peace. And a fourth song welled up in the group as they sat not to stray too far across or face arrest for illegal entry. in the Basilica of the Agony. Although signs and instructions We also saw settlements of Palestinians along the high- say complete silence, the group, near the closing time, began way and even saw camels, sheep and goats being herded by signing, I Have Decided to Follow Jesus. family members. At one point, our tour bus stopped to take a The trek of a disciple may be a journey through the photo of a Palestinian and his sheep and the reception was a desert but it can be a journey with a song in one's heart. And tense one at best. We quickly made our way down the road. it begins with following Jesus, knowing he holds the greatest Another oasis that emerged before going to Jericho was hope for Jerusalem to become a City of Peace. Qumran National Park. When the Jews returned to Israel after the exile, they rebuilt the Temple between 520 and 515 BCE with the intention of reestablishing the monarchy, acac- The fortress life cording to the writings of Haggai and Zechariah. However, since they were only the province of Yehud within the PerPer- of a pilgrim -- Sunday's journeys in the Holy Land sian Empire, a hierarchy of government emerged where the THE DEAD SEA government was ruled by a high priest. Over the years, the took us to the storied historic site of Masada as well as a ruling of the high priests became more and more politicized, chance to set our feet in a third body of water, the Dead Sea. even after the Jewish war of independence in 150 BCE. In fact, the Hasidim, supporters of the Maccabees, were As the group has built more common experiences together, it is obvious Christian community is being formed. divided over the issue of whether it was lawful to defend Bishop Jonathan Keaton, in speaking of the importance oneself if attacked on the Sabbath. What emerged were two of these trips said that bringing newly-ordained pastors is groups -- the more liberal Pharisees, which argued that one one way in which an early experience of Christian com- was permitted to fight on the Sabbath in extreme circum- munity can have a dramatic impact on what happens in the stances, and the Essenes, a more conservative group, who ensuing years. believed the world was doomed and yearned for the end to In many ways, Sunday's visited sites stood in stark con- come, choosing the path of dying rather than fighting on the trast to a life where one is part of a larger community bigger Sabbath. A group of Essenes, convinced that temple administra- than themselves. Masada was a fortress built on a plateau near the south- tion was corrupt, fled to the Judean wilderness at Qumran, western coast of the Dead Sea. According to the Jewish where they established a community where they could live in historian Josephus Flavius, it was founded by a Hasmonean ritual purity until the end came. As part of their community king of Judea in the late second century B.C., although there life, scrolls of scripture were transcribed and hidden in caves are connections with King Solomon even earlier. It was later where the community lived and slept. There is some evidence fortified by King Herod the Great, who built a palace at one that John the Baptist had a connection with the Essene com- end of the plateau as a place in which to separate himself munity, as both Matthew and Mark locate John's ministry from trouble in Jerusalem and there is no doubt Herod's just north of Qumran and both had an apocalyptic theology. tenure had plenty of trouble, but it was also marked by major When Roman armies destroyed Qumran in 68 AD, the sur- building projects funded through the treasury of the Roman viving Essenes fled and the scrolls remained untouched until empire. a Bedouin shepherd boy discovered the first of the scrolls Later, in 68 A.D., the Jews revolted against Rome. During which has now become known as the Dead Sea Scrolls. As we continued the journey toward Jerusalem in the the uprising, half of the Roman army was sent to Palestine to put down the insurrection, while the other half was distrib- desert, we saw more Palestinian settlements, we passed by uted across the vast empire. A group of Jewish rebels, who Bethany, the home of Lazarus, Mary and Martha. As we left had settled on the plateau, put up a valiant effort. The entire the West Bank and neared Jerusalem, another fence separat- group numbered 963, according to Josephus, but the number ing the Palestinians and Jews could be seen at the check- of actual men capable of doing battle numbered 120. The re- point. As we came out of the tunnel, a third song, The Holy mainder were women, children and the aged. Rome besieged City, played on our bus with many of us joining in as we Masada with 10,000 troops and created a battering ram to gained the first glimpse of the City of Peace. The chorus resonated and the group felt what it must felt topple the fortified wall to the city. In fighting that was reminiscent to the Texans at the like to fellow travelers through the centuries that have made Alamo fighting against the Mexican armies led by Santa Ana, their way to Jerusalem: Jerusalem! Jerusalem! Josephus chronicles the battle in which the outnumbered Lift up your gates and sing, Jews fought valiantly, but eventually realized they could not Hosanna in the highest! win the battle. Faced with surrender to the Romans, which Hosanna to your King! would almost guaranteed enslavement, the group of fighters The song transported me back to many an Easter be- chose to kill their families and then commit suicide, choos- ing freedom in death over slavery in life. When the Romans tween 1985 and 1997 when Eloise Buffenmeyer, pianist at the Lerna UMC, would play this as part of the morning worship service. But the journey wasn't complete. The last stops on
THE CURRENT From top to bottom: The Church of All Nations, located at the Mount of Olives, where Jesus taught his disciples to pray and where the Lord’s Prayer is translated and displayed in 171 languages. The golden dome of the Dome of the Rock mosque and the Temple Mount as seen from the road and the steep incline from Mount of Olives to Jerusalem. A side view of Herod’s palace built on the same plateau as Masada. The Dead Sea (in the background) draws tourists from all over the world (as witnessed by the international flag display). The salt and mud of the Dead Sea are said to have cosmetic and medicinal properties. Opposite page top moving clockwise: A carving of Mary and Jesus is one of many works of art offered for sale by the Nissan Brothers in Bethlehem. A statue of a shepherd and his flock is found at the Shepherd’s Field outside Bethlehem and adjacent to Boaz’s field from which Ruth gleaned. The Palestinian land is separated by fences and walls from the rest of Israel. A wood carver at the Nissan Brothers store adds some final details to carvings which will be put out for sale. Jerusalem by night as seen from the Mount of Olives. 10 Cover Story NEWS
impoverished children and teens and through hard work, perseverance and moral fortitude, these youths rose from the throes of poverty to achieve some wealth and prosper- finally captured the city, only two women and five children ity. "The rags to riches" genre was popular in 1870-1890's, as remained in the city with everyone else dead. In more cities like New York, Philadelphia and Boston were in major recent years, archaeologists have found the remains of the transition due to industrialization. seven survivors who were more than likely executed by the A half a world away, a Turkish family emigrated to were at the Mount of Olives -- the site where Jesus taught his Roman army. Bethlehem in the early 20th century. After many years of disciples to pray (and where the prayer has been translated Later on, a Byzantine community was established built hard work, the family managed to set foot in the tourism in 171 languages); the site of the ascension, the site of where on the ruins in the 5th and 6th centuries but then the com- industry. The Nissan family religion is Assyrian Orthodox Jesus wept over Jerusalem; and the Basilica of the Agony, munity left and returned to Jerusalem. and the faith still uses the ancient language spoken by Jesus, which was built on top of where Jesus prayed at Gethsemane. Masada is a testament to human ingenuity. The fortress Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. The group saw a 3,000-year-old olive tree in the garden area included storehouses, barracks, an armory, the palace, Today, the Nissan Brothers are in their fourth genera- that remains outside the church and probably where the cisterns filled with rainwater and a plumbing system that tion of business catering to visitors and pilgrims to Beth- disciples waited and was to stand watch. was quite advanced and a water system that used aqueducts lehem. The IGRC group stopped by Monday morning and The stop helped us to see the shortcomings of man and on multiple levels to make sure no one needed to go outside heard this family's story and the craftsmanship that goes the hope that still lingers that Jerusalem can be a City of the walls of the city. The cliffs on the east edge of Masada into carving a variety of products from olive wood; and Peace. And a fourth song welled up in the group as they sat are about 1,300 feet (400 m) high and the cliffs on the west other items made of mother of pearl, silver and gold. in the Basilica of the Agony. Although signs and instructions are about 300 feet (91 m) high; the natural approaches to The big break came in the early 1940's when the four say complete silence, the group, near the closing time, began the cliff top are very difficult. The top of the plateau is a flat brothers obtained a license by the Ministry of Tourism to signing, I Have Decided to Follow Jesus. rhomboid, about 1,800 feet (550 m) by 900 feet (270 m). sell religious souvenirs to an ever-growing tourism audi- The trek of a disciple may be a journey through the There was a casemate wall around the top of the plateau ence. Finally, in the 1970's, the dream of renting a small desert but it can be a journey with a song in one's heart. And totaling 4,300 feet (1.3 km) long and 12 feet (3.7 m) high, shop on Manger Street was realized and as business grew it begins with following Jesus, knowing he holds the greatest with many towers. so did the facilities, such that they own the largest tourism hope for Jerusalem to become a City of Peace. The Dead Sea also provided a wonderful metaphor facility in the area. It includes: of a fortress life. It was one of the first health resorts for • A large shopping center, Bethlehem New Store, with a Herod the Great and King David used it as a place of refuge. well-stocked inventory of products. There is a smaller The fortress life However, the Dead Sea's surface and shores are at the lowest branch in Jerusalem at the Mount of Olives -- Jerusa- point on earth at 1,401 feet below sea level. It receives its lem New Souvenir Store -- for those who are unable of a pilgrim water from the Jordan River, but does not have any outlet. to get into Bethlehem. The body of water, while known for its saltiness (almost 10 • Nissan Olive Wood Factory, a part of the shopping THE DEAD SEA -- Sunday's journeys in the Holy Land times saltier than the ocean) also possesses no life. center, allows patrons to see the work of carvers in took us to the storied historic site of Masada as well as a As the entire group is discovering, we are created for progress. chance to set our feet in a third body of water, the Dead Sea. community. Humans are social beings that have been cre- • Nissan Restaurant -- next door to the shopping As the group has built more common experiences together, it ated for covenant with God and community with others. center -- where we ate lunch. The restaurant serves is obvious Christian community is being formed. - But in order to have community, there has to be an outlet in Oriental, international food and catering both buf- Bishop Jonathan Keaton, in speaking of the importance which grace and love flows. fet and ala carte styles. of these trips said that bringing newly-ordained pastors is For the new ordinands, a lone ranger pastor may be able • Outside fast-food restaurants -- Nissan Cafeteria one way in which an early experience of Christian com - to survive and even thrive for a while in ministry, but like -- which features Shawerma and Falafel sand- munity can have a dramatic impact on what happens in the Sunday's metaphors show, they eventually die. The truth wiches. Shawerma is an Arabic meat preparation ensuing years. also applies to laity as well. of lamb, turkey, chicken, beef or veal are placed In many ways, Sunday's visited sites stood in stark con - One final note about the Dead Sea: In May 2009 at on a vertical spit and cooked all day. Shavings are then trast to a life where one is part of a larger community bigger the World Economic Forum, Jordan announced its plans cut off the block of meat for serving with the remainder than themselves. to construct the "Jordan National Red Sea Development staying on the spit until served. Falafel is deep-fried ball Masada was a fortress built on a plateau near the south Project" (JRSP), a plan to convey seawater from the Red Sea or patty made from ground chickpeas, fava beans or western coast of the Dead Sea. According to the Jewish near Aqaba to the Dead Sea through a canal. Water would both, served on a pita, and has the appearance of a hush historian Josephus Flavius, it was founded by a Hasmonean be desalinated along the route to provide fresh water to puppy. king of Judea in the late second century B.C., although there Jordan, with the brine discharge sent to the Dead Sea for As we toured the Olive Wood Factory, it was apparent are connections with King Solomon even earlier. It was later replenishment. Water deliveries with this new system pro- that the craftsmanship was second to none. The Nissan fortified by King Herod the Great, who built a palace at one viding an outlet to the Dead Sea may begin as early as 2017. family member that spoke to us told us how in 1972, they end of the plateau as a place in which to separate himself Israel has expressed its support and will likely benefit from begin scouring the community for the best artisans which from trouble in Jerusalem and there is no doubt Herod's some of the water delivery to its Negev region with shores had learned the trade from their families and the skills had tenure had plenty of trouble, but it was also marked by major and water levels expected to increase instead of recede. been passed down from generation to generation. But like building projects funded through the treasury of the Roman Our travels continue Monday with a journey to Beth- the sign that said, "We provide the finest products with empire. - lehem to see the Church of the Nativity, Shepherd's Field, quick turnaround at the lowest prices. Pick any two," the Later, in 68 A.D., the Jews revolted against Rome. During Bethlehem Bible College, the Garden of Gethsemane, Nissan Brothers also realized there was a need for products the uprising, half of the Roman army was sent to Palestine to Mount Zion, the House of Caiaphas and the Upper Room. that could fit any budget. put down the insurrection, while the other half was distrib Some of the simpler items are done by copying the work uted across the vast empire. A group of Jewish rebels, who - and mass producing it. Other items in the store, priced at had settled on the plateau, put up a valiant effort. The entire GOD'S CRAFTSMANSHIP several hundred dollars, reflect the time, effort and crafts- group numbered 963, according to Josephus, but the number manship of a true artist at work. of actual men capable of doing battle numbered 120. The re BETHLEHEM -- It is a story that would make for an- The artist at work continued to capture my thoughts the mainder were women, children and the aged. Rome besieged other Horatio Alger book. As you learned in American literature class, Alger was rest of the day as we explored various sites around Bethlehem Masada with 10,000 troops and created a battering ram to and Jerusalem -- those sites that were a part of Christ's birth topple the fortified wall to the city. a 19th century author of dime novel stories for boys. He and even those sites that were part of the Passion of Christ. In fighting that was reminiscent to the Texans at the began writing these stories in the post-Civil War era, taking Alamo fighting against the Mexican armies led by Santa Ana, advantage of the urbanization of America and telling the Josephus chronicles the battle in which the outnumbered stories of youth in the large urban centers that began as Jews fought valiantly, but eventually realized they could not- win the battle. Faced with surrender to the Romans, which would almost guaranteed enslavement, the group of fighters chose to kill their families and then commit suicide, choos ing freedom in death over slavery in life. When the Romans MARCH 2014 2014
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to the power of being in the places of Report to the Board of theOrdained Bible. I am convinced Ministry that the trip Dear Board of Ordained Ministry: has made all of us better pastors, and the laypeople on the trip also have deepened After traveling with our most recently their walks with God. ordained clergy of our Conference, I want to congratulate you on choosing well! Thanks to the Board, to the Conference, Each of our ordinands had an opportunity, and to Bishop Keaton for making this trip on our trip to the Holy Land, to lead the possible. I assure you that you can assure whole group in morning and evening de- the churches of our Conference that they votions. One led us while the waves were are in good hands for the years to come tossing us in a boat on the Sea of Galilee; as they are led by these newly ordained several prayed and preached to us as we and deeply committed pastors! I have traveled on the bus, among the holiest been truly blessed by sharing this trip with sites in Jerusalem. them, and I have been ministered to by their leadership! Joy Schlesselman One sang for us that moving song, “I walked today where Jesus walked.” They all showed that they were making deep theological and emotional connections In sending God's Son to the world in the form of Jesus, God provided a masterpiece that was just exactly what the world needed. The gift to the world was priceless, showing master craftsmanship with a desire to shape, in intricate detail, a relationship with humanity. And unlike the Nissan Brothers, there was no need to have cheaper products to fit smaller budgets because God's resources are infinite and the price is such that everyone could afford it. God doesn't stop with Jesus. The masterpiece becomes the artisan and seeks to mold and shape us -- laity and clergy alike. Bill Gaither was right when he wrote, "All we have to may follow the same itinerary, but the pilgrim is on a offer is brokenness and strife and God makes something sacred journey in which God is encountered through beautiful of our lives." places, people and situations. • The tourist sees sights, discovers new places, learns It amazes me that over the centuries, mankind has been trying to find a way to capture the masterpiece that is Jesus. interesting facts, takes photographs and accumulates Whether going to the Church of the Nativity, which was souvenirs. The tourist returns home the same person as originally built by Constantine around 326 A.D. and rebuilt the one who left, save perhaps for a broadened mind. in the sixth century, to see the cave which is believed to be The pilgrim gains insights and discerns new truths the site of the manger; or seeing the Shepherd's Field and about oneself. The pilgrim travels with the expectation the caves in which they lived, all of these events point to the that the one who returns will not be the same person as masterpiece that is the life of Jesus Christ for humanity. In the one who set out. • addition, the stories of David, and Ruth and Boaz play out in A tourist imprints a digital image. The pilgrim has his or this tiny village, whose name means, "House of Bread." her mind on ultimate things. He or she will not become a slave to a timetable or be distracted by gift shops. But the masterpiece that is Jesus is also seen at Mount Zion, site of several locations of Jesus' Passion. One can view Time will be allowed for "holy idleness." The pilgrim St. Peter in Gallicantu, a French Catholic Church, built on sets out open to the possibility of having identity and the ruins of the house of Caiaphas. Although the house is faith challenged. • gone, the actual dungeon where Jesus was held the night be- The outcome of the pilgrimage will be the transforma- fore the Crucifixion can be viewed. Outside the palace is also tion that has taken place inside the person. The pilgrim where it is believed Peter denied that he knew Christ. will return with an impression imprinted on the soul, rather than the memory of a digital camera. Mount Zion is also the site of the Cenacle (The Upper Room) and the "Tomb of David." Both structures sit above On the last full day of our pilgrimage, we visited inside the foundations of buildings dating back to the second Old Jerusalem and this morning's visit to the Temple Mount century. along with a visit to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre Inside the Cenacle, there are three doors -- one for the provided three stories of coexistence among the various Holy Spirit, one from which Jesus came into the room to religions situated in Jerusalem. wash the feet of his disciples and a third, for Jesus' post- The first story of coexistence is one that is currently in resurrection appearance when they were gathered in this, the news. The Temple Mount is controlled within the City the first house church in Jerusalem. The Tomb of David is of Jerusalem by Jordanian authorities. The Temple Mount actually a cenotaph or a monument to honor a person who is important to Jews and Christians because it is located on is buried elsewhere has both the mix of styling from the Mount Moriah where Abraham took Isaac for a sacrifice and Crusades period but the niche behind it was probably part of the place where the Ark of the Covenant sat in the Temple. a Byzantine structure that preceded it from about the sixth Two temples have been built on the site and Jews dream of century. the day when a third temple will be built. Regardless of the pedigree, God continues fashioning The Temple Mount and its plaza include the smaller masterpieces each day from all of us "works-in-progress." El-Aksa Mosque (with the black dome) and the Dome of the Man's search for a way to capture the masterpiece is by al- Rock mosque with the golden dome. Under Moslem control, lowing God to shape us as well. no Bibles or other religious materials are allowed into the And if Mr. Alger were around, our stories might provide plaza although it is open to the public. However, Moslems new material for his books. gather there and occupy the plaza each day for study and prayer. The issue of coexistence came to a head this week. The challenges of Although the mosque was formerly open to the public, the Muslim Waqf, the trust organization that cares for the co-existence mosque, closed it in 2000 to everyone except Moslems. Re- cently, the Israeli government announced it was considering JERUSALEM -- Kaskaskia River District Superintendent "imposing sovereignty" on the plaza to allow greater access. Cindy Jones shared a selection called A Pilgrim is Not a On Monday, the Knesset, the Israeli legislative branch, Tourist with those of us that comprised a list of differences began debating the proposal, drawing criticism from the Pal- between folks whotake a pleasure trip and those that are on estinian Authority, Hamas and from the Jordan government a pilgrimage. that such an action could provoke a response. Among the list were the following: You could sense the tension when Jewish adherents
THE CURRENT • A pilgrim is not a pious tourist. A pilgrim and tourist entered the plaza area Tuesday as the Moslem groups would begin jeering them increasing in volume and intensity as group after group joined in.
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Pilgrimage demonstrates
Opposite page: A statue of David playing his harp is found on Mount Zion outside David’s tomb. Jews line the Wailing Wall to offer their prayers. the Power of Place BY JOY SCHLESSELMAN Below: Bishop Jonathan Keaton preaches a homily in a small chapel near the help them understand that it was more than Garden Tomb before celebrating Communion. As I reflect on this pilgrimage to powerful just another tour… more than a time for and ancient places, it taking pictures and buying souvenirs? How makes me wonder why can I help them understand that where I am the power of PLACE right now also feels so HOLY?! means so much. I do believe that Jesus has walked here in That goes for ancient Mackinaw, and wants to be here. He wants places like the Jordan to break loaves and share fish with the thou- River, the Sea of Galilee, sands here. He is willing to face persecution the Dead Sea, and not-quite so ancient and betrayal right here, and go to the cross places like the Royal Courts of Justice in Lon- in Illinois, if it will mean that people’s lives don, John Wesley’s private prayer room, and and hearts will be saved! Yes, life here and the actual organ that Charles Wesley himself now is a holy gift that is forever connected played! And there is power in places in the with the home of Jesus in Tiberias, Caper- present, like my chair I’m sitting in to write, naum, Nazareth and Jerusalem! in a parsonage that is not even two years Thank you, God, for having been with us on old—barely an infant compared to the places the other side of the world, and for being I have seen these past two weeks! I pray with us now and here! Thanks for the people that this parsonage will be a place of prayer, you have given to me to be their pastor—and happiness and inspiration for the pastors for what they are giving to me as they share and families who follow after me. And I am the pilgrimage of everyday life with me. grateful for a forward-thinking congregation Amen. which recognizes how helpful it is to have accomplished building this house! (Rev. Joy Schlesselman is the pastor of Macki- Obviously, the jury is still out on whether coexistence naw UMC, Illinois River District and the repre- is possible at the Temple Mount. Now how do I connect these people with the sentative of the IGRC Board of Ordained Min- The Church of the Holy Sepulchre provided the experience I have had walking and talking istry who accompanied the newly-ordained other two stories. As we toured the structure, we learned and touching and breathing the air in the clergy on the 2014 Holy Land Pilgrimage) that six ancient Christian denominations have shared the very places where Jesus did that? How can I facility and its governance -- Roman Catholics and the five Eastern Orthodox faiths: Greek, Coptic (Egyptian), Armenian, Syrian and Ethiopian. During the early days following the reconstruction of the church in 1170, quar- rels among the six faiths were frequent. - As a result, it was decided that the key to the church would be given to two Muslim families -- the Nusseibeh Holy Land an ‘Oz-like experience’;… and Joudeh clans -- 800 years ago, with the responsibil- ity of opening the church every morning handled by the we weren’t in Kansasglorious pilgrimageanymore indeed. Nusseibeh family at dawn and the Joudeh family locking it at dusk. This tradition continues to this day and the BY MEGAN THOMPSON But now I’m back. Now, I’m catching up on key has been handed down from father to son. This plan Going to Israel was a Dorothy-stepping-out- house work and church work, reconnecting has allowed each of the faiths to coexist. of-her-Kansas-home-into-the-Technicolor- with my families, and that glorious feeling of As we left the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, our wonder-of-Oz experience. being somewhere with a bit more color (and guide, Munzer Adameh, pointed to a wooden ladder lo- a lot more warmth), is starting to fade. cated above the facade, under the window of the church. Suddenly, in vivid detail, all those stories I had read and heard, all those tales etched in But like all mountain top (or Oz) experiences, Made of cedar wood, it was first mentioned in 1757 and the wonder of the Holy Land lingers. has remained in the same location except for two brief stained glass and in children’s bibles had a periods. The ladder is considered immovable due to an real foundations, were real places where the The memories of the Promised Land of Milk understanding that no cleric of the six Christian orders events actually happened. and Honey, filled with fruits and vegetables may move, rearrange, or alter any property without of so many different varies lingers as I’m get- unanimous consent. ting used to sleeping on Central Standard Time again. Behind the windows, there are two areas -- one un- der the control of the Greek Orthodox Church and the The worn steps where the saints have trod other, by the Armenians. A wall separated the two and so before, the feel of the indentations where the ladder was used by the two groups to move from one countless fingers have caressed the stone, side of the wall to the other by climbing out the window, and the stillness of those holy places lingers move the ladder and then climb up the ladder and go in even as the ache from climbing so many the other window. stairs fades. In 1964, Pope Paul VI issued an order that the lad- The weight of walking the Stations of the der was to remain in place until such a time when the Cross, of going down into Caiaphas’ dun- Catholic Church and the five Orthodox churches reach geons, the celebratory taste of bread and a state of ecumenism. And in order to prevent any more wine in the Garden Tomb, lingers in my conflicts between the Greeks and the Armenians, the memory as I prepare for Lent. ladder is suspended in its place until there is full com- munion between these denominations. I felt the spray of the Galilean Sea, just as My pilgrimage to the Holy Land lingers, with While in Jerusalem, we also had an opportunity to the disciples did. I felt the clear waters of all of the people I met, with all of the sights hear from both Israelis and Palestinians about the peace the Jordan, just as John the Baptist did. My I saw. In the days and weeks and years to process. Daily, Jews gather at the wailing wall praying for shoes kicked up the dust of Jericho, just like come, it will continue to tint my life, add- peace in the city. But as the three stories show, the quest Joshua did. I wandered down the Mount of ing brilliant Technicolor to my reading and for peace continues to be elusive and will probably only Olives, prayed among the ancient olive trees hearing of scripture, and for that, I will be occur when leaders on all sides of the conflicts -- be they in the garden, and climbed the streets of grateful. between governments, religious faiths or denominations Jerusalem, tracing the journeys of Christ in Thanks be to God. -- decide that the cost and pain of the status quo (doing his last few days. MARCH (Rev. Megan Thompson is a member of the nothing) is greater than the cost and pain of reaching an All of those stories have new meaning, new agreement and then following through with the tenets of Ordination Class of 2013 and currently serves
life, simply because I saw with my own eyes 2014 that agreement. ~ as associate pastor of the Gibson City UMC, where and how they might have happened. Iroquois River District) It was a glorious pilgrimage I took part in, a 13 NEWS Cover Story ISRAEL
Connecting with God wherever we are Top: The Church of St. Peter in Gallicantu, the site believed to be Caiaphas’ palace during the time of Jesus on the eastern slope BY CAROL STUFFLEBEAM of Mount Zion just outside Jerusalem. Below: Door of the Church The Word of God is powerful be- of the Holy Face and St. Veronica, the sixth station on the Via cause of the touch the Holy Spirit. Dolorosa where Roman legend says Veronica encountered Christ Mark (4:35-41), and Luke (8:22-25) about the journey on his way to the cross and wiped the sweat from his face. God speaks to each of us as we seek that Jesus and His disciples took across the Sea of understanding. The Bible provides an Galilee. Jesus had fallen asleep in the stern of the avenue of connecting with God and boat. A huge storm came down upon the sea and an opportunity for growth. The Holy the disciples were terrified. They woke Jesus because Spirit used our trip to the Holy Land they were afraid; they thought they were going to to continue to teach (I believe it is die. Jesus calmed the storm and then He asked them, safe to say), each of us. “Where is your faith?” (Luke 8:24 NIV). I believe we There were so many teaching moments but I will never must each ask ourselves “what are the things I fear forget our journey across the Sea of Galilee. On that day that keep me from journeying forward to glorify the sun shone brilliantly down upon an active sea. The God?” If we will trust Christ, God has so much in store boat rose up and down upon the choppy water. The for each if us. water was so rough that our crew needed to change We don’t have to travel far from home to experience direction at one point to take a safer route. For much of the touch of God. The Lord connects with us where we the ride I sat in the bow of the boat. As the ride became are, yet it was an amazing blessing to travel to the Holy rougher and rougher I felt the need to move to a safer Land, I am so grateful. Thank you for making it possible. location. (Rev. Carol Stufflebeam is a member of the Class of 2013 Later as I reflected upon our journey the Holy Spirit Ordinands and currently serves as pastor of the New reminded me of the story found in Matthew (8:23-27), Hope Parish of Hennepin-McNabb-Magnolia UMC, Vermilion River District)
On the Sunday before our group left for Israel, I had The Holy Land: ‘beyond my wildesttaught my Sunday Schooldreams’ class (ages 7-14) about Jesus’ BY JUDI MARKWELL first miracle at Cana. Little did I know that day what it would be like to really be in that church on Valentine’s Words on paper can- Day, and watch as seven loving and devoted couples in not possibly express the our group re-affirmed their vows with Bishop Keaton. depth of my inspiration, How much more powerful will that lesson become the my joy, my renewal, plus next time I teach it. my sincere gratitude for the opportunity given me What were my feelings when I touched the star at the to join the pilgrimage to Church of the Nativity, stood under the aqueduct at the Holy Land with the Caesarea, or had my picture taken next to Zacchaeus’ IGRC group. tree in Jericho? Awestruck and amazed. A trip to the Holy Land My most moving moments in Jerusalem included had long been on my kneeling to kiss the rock where Jesus prayed in the Church of All bucket list, but a goal Nations by the Garden of Gethsemane. I was able to leave a prayer that I didn’t expect to realize. The second I learned of the trip for a dear friend -- in the final stages of her battle with pancreatic from the IGRC website (while vacationing in Scotland & Ireland in and ovarian cancer -- at the Western Wall. On Maundy Thursday, I May 2013) my sister and I signed up. To have the chance to visit will remember poignantly what it was like to stand in the cistern through Educational Opportunities Tours, with a group of fellow in the basement of Caiaphas’ house as our group sang in unison United Methodists, hosted by Bishop Keaton -- this was beyond Were You There. On Good Friday I will re-live in my mind the walk my wildest dreams. But as the trip neared, I wondered if I would on the Via Dolorosa, and especially the 9th Station where he fell be disappointed. What if I were not moved? What if I didn’t feel a under the cross for the third time. closer relationship with God? Was a 17-hour flight worth it? Ques- Our final gathering as a group at the Garden of the Tomb was one tions lingered. of the most powerful moments I have experienced as a Christian. I From the first day through the last day, this journey sur-sur passed my expectations by 10-fold. We left saw the eyes from the “Skull” at Golgotha. I walked inside and out St. Louis with temperatures –10 degrees. of the tomb where He Arose. And I was blessed to hear one of the Twenty-four hours later, I was watching a most heartfelt, inspirational, and uplifting sermons of my life from gorgeous sunrise over the Sea of Galilee from the lips of Bishop Keaton. The communion blessed and offered an open hotel room window. Was this really will always be treasured by me. I took my olive wood communion cup to my terminally ill friend this morning so she can use it when happening? Yes… in living, breathing color. our pastor gives her communion later today. Perusing our itinerary will tell you the places The organization of this tour was beyond amazing. It was perfect. we visited. But what that will not tell you is I don’t know how we could have squeezed one more ounce of what it felt like to actually be crossing the Sea sightseeing or inspiration into the time we had. of Galilee, on choppy waters, hearing a mean- ingful devotion, then joining in singing Shout to What a talented and gifted group of ordinands were on this trip. the Lord and Oh Happy Day. Each shared touching and powerful devotions. As a layperson, I don’t know if this trip is required for the newly-ordained clergy That itinerary won’t tell you what it meant to but it certainly should be. Beyond the shadow of a doubt, each stand in the sea, alongside the Church of the will return a more knowledgeable and more committed Christian. Primacy of Peter, and look at those six stones, close I have heard the cliché “you will never read the Bible the same way your eyes, and imagine you hear the voice of Christ again.” How true that is for all of us pilgrims. saying, three times, “Peter, do you love me?” and hearing the response “Yes Lord”. I am so happy that this trip was offered to laity – and at such an incredibly low price. I truly hope that this trip can be offered by Yes, I knew we were going to the River Jordan. But our conference again in the not too distant future. how could I have known what it would feel like to actually be re-affirmed by our loving, caring and I really don’t know how to summarize except to say a very humble devoted bishop. Someone in our group saw a dove and heartfelt thank you for everyone who made this dream come
THE CURRENT fly down during our time at the baptismal site. Did I true for me. see it? No, but I didn’t need to – I felt the spirit descend (Judi Markwell is a layperson from Salem UMC near Greenup in the and bless me. During our evening devotion time when Embarras River District) we reflected on our day and sang Walking with Jesus. I knew for sure that I had been and was doing just that. 14 MARCH 2014 15 Photos by Karen Rivera Photos by NEWS Church Local on Scouting Ministries Feb. 9. on Scouting Ministries Feb.
and their leaders took an active partand their leaders took in worship
service Decatur Christ at UMC Jayne and Vince Powell, Mark Jones, Joyce Kerkstra, and Suz Jones, all of Fisher, and Suz all of Fisher, Kerkstra, Jones, Joyce Mark Jones, Powell, Vince and Jayne Methodist United (Champaign) Vernon the Mt. pancakes and sausage at enjoy missions. for annual feast Men's UMC hosts Vernon Mt. Porkout Pigs ‘n Pancakes in the located UMC, Vernon Methodist Men of the Mt. United The District River its annual Iroquois hosted just outside Champaign, Jan. 18. Porkout Pigs ‘n Pancakes upon an endless supply hungry feasted a $6 donation, patrons For of the Proceeds and coffee. juice orange sausage, of pancakes, for supported including: Habitat a variety of missions, event Service; tornado World of Church Walk the CROP Hunger Humanity, Sherman, Teresa missionaries – and two in Illinois, reconstruction of Azerbaijan Soviet republic in the former English who is teaching who is serving in and Rachel Berry, women homeless immigrant Wash. Seattle, Cub Scout Pack 35 Cub Scout Pack As the congregation arrived, the narthex was lined with greeters from from the narthex lined with greeters was arrived, As the congregation 2 Webelos and Bears, Tigers, 1. Other packs, Webelos and Pack Wolf the sanctuary. of the rows front in the seated already were and their parents, a color by followed and this was the Scouts of lit the altar candles, Two Pack members served the American and Scout flags. who posted guard Special music and scriptures. worship the call to and read as liturgists 35 and their leaders as they sang America (My Coun- Pack by shared was with Thee) ‘Tis of try guitar accompaniment of the leaders. two by In addition, some of used their the scouts in play to musical skills a string trio. Cox Kelly Pastor Scout presented each of the to kerchiefs these kerchiefs boys; and in the colors were of the next patterns which various to level in a packs will move Patches weeks. few signified Scout that red and an official each Scout and leader, to given were Ministries Sunday badges. achievement display to the Pack to present was Scout blanket our sanctuaryGod of into 35 bring the Light is only Scout Pack Having has been group The up our lives.” “light part leaders these future of how they since with our congregation and light sharing their enthusiasm addi- a welcome are They in November. started Decatur First meeting at in God and Country. our community of believers tion to Photo courtesy of June Hess Photo courtesy of June Cover Story Cover NEWS
cross. Entering the Church of all Nations built over the rock where tradition says that Jesus knelt and prayed alone – we also knelt and prayed at the rock; we celebrated with fellow pilgrims as they renewed their wedding vows at Cana; and all of us were given the opportunity of remembering our baptism and our calling as Christians in the reaf- firmation of our baptism at the Jordan River. Another special place was We the GardenTomb. saw the rocky hill nearby that resembles a human skull. After going down and seeing the tomb and going inside the tomb, we went to a very small en- closed area where we had a communion service. We We also enjoyed fun times of riding a camel, floating in the Dead Sea, shopping and getting to know one another. But in the midst of enjoyment and seeing the holy sites we also heard the story of Jewish history as we went to Masada where the Jews fled to the desert and decided to slaughter their families and then commit suicide rather than fall into the hands of the Romans and become slaves. 960 died in freedom. And yet today we realize that in this city of great holiness, there is still division with a wall that separates Bethlehem and Jerusalem. As in the places where we live, and all over the world, peace is what we pray for. We We personally witnessed many Jews going to the WesternWall to pray. For the Jew this is a holy place of prayer. With our pilgrimage coming to an end it was time to leave the Holy City. As we traveled to the airport for our night flight home, our wonderful tour guide who was with us during the entire trip played again the same song on CD that touched our hearts only days before as we entered the City of Jerusalem,The Holy City. Thanks to Bishop Keaton, Jan Griffith, theOrdi- nands that delivered wonderful devotions each day, andday, all of the fellow pilgrims that helped make this trip one of a lifetime! (Cathy Seaton is a certified lay minister serving the Parkersburg-Ebenezer-Little Wabash charge, Kas- kaskia River District)
Bible came alive during Holy Land Pilgrimage BY CATHY SEATON BY CATHY At Galilee the Bible came alive! As I stepped into the boat that was to take us across the Sea of Galilee my thoughts“I hope were, I don’t get sick!” TheI don’tboat get sick!” that resembled the ones in Jesus’ time,in rocked Jesus’ back and forth, and I didn’t feel secure on my feet. As we headed out to sail on the Sea of Galilee it didn’t take long for some of us to begin talking about the time Jesus and the disciples got into a boat to go over to the other side of the lake. Like the disciples we saw the waves in the water. The winds caused the water to splash over the boat and get us wet. But unlike the disciples, we were not in a storm.There was laughter and some of us moving from one seat to another as we got soaked!The boat was rocking. It was hard to imagine how Jesus could sleep under such conditions. But it was easy to see how suddenly, and powerfully, a storm could break out on the Sea of Galilee. Although we were never in danger, our tour guide changed our direction due to the winds that we were experiencing. It was for me an amazing reminder of the Scripture we are so familiar with where the disciples were fearful of drowning (perhaps because they had their eyes focused on the waves) that broke over the boat until it was nearly full of water and about to sink. Many people traveling to the Holy Land never experience the restless waters as we did that first morning. thankful I’m we got to experience it! Throughout our journey we walked and knelt and prayed and sang as we felt Christ’s presence. It was a great joy to be in the company of such a wonderful group of United Methodist’s as we visited these interesting spots that we read about in the Scriptures - to place a hand on the silver star set in the floor where our Savior was born and to walk the stations of Viathe Dolorosa, the traditional pathway Jesus followed carrying the Robes collectedRobes Africa for University June Hess, widow of Rev. Dr. Wayne Hess, is pictured with 12 clergy robes and 50 stoles received following a consecration service held a consecration following received and 50 stoles robes is pictured with 12 clergy Hess, Wayne Dr. of Rev. widow June Hess, University. Africa at theological students graduating this year’s to shipment for and stoles collected the robes Hess Ind. in Franklin, Wayne She reports she hopes the mission project, that been long-time supporters University. of Africa husband have June and her late to this year later will be announced of collection dates announcement will be ongoing and that University, Africa Robes for Clergy Hess Zimbabwe. in Old Mutare, located to the campus, to be cleaned and shipped for them time sufficient ensure Betty Sally University; Mittelstadt, Africa whose nephew is attending Rukawara, Ennie are: right left to with June from Pictured June is a resident. where Methodist Home United chaplain of the Franklin Owens, David and the Rev. Walters Convenant Keepers / Long Term Recovery NEWS
Photos by Paul Black Covenant Keepers 2014 was held Feb. 3-4 at the Regency Conference Center in O’Fallon. Pictured clockwise from top right: Tim Price and Friends led attendees in worship that included Holy Communion in the final service. Price’s daughter, Ruby, joined her father, on Tuesday morning, singing and playing the violin. Dr. Leonard Sweet was the keynote speaker. Dr. Sweet’s four presentations can be found by visiting: www.igrc.org/ck2014_sweet.
Covenant Keepers 2014
Long-term recovery plans in three sites Long-term recovery plans are now in place for Wash- ington, Brookport/Unionville and Gifford, which were among the communities hit Nov. 17 when two dozen tornadoes crossed the state of Illinois. Volunteer teams are now being sought for the early spring 2014 season with projects for volunteers. Here's the contact information for each site: Washington College, Youth and Young Adult Teams Teams will be housed either at Crossroads or Evan- gelical UMC in Washington and Peoria First UMC. To register and schedule a team contact Trevor Bartolo- mucci at 309-444-2381 or [email protected]. Adult Teams To register and schedule teams please contact Wash- ington Crossroads UMC at 309-444-2381 Brookport/Unionville To schedule teams United Methodist youth called to build To register and schedule a team call Metropolis First UMC at 618-524-9325 or e-mail Jeff Bealmear at: [email protected]. Swings of Hope for Washington Gifford BY PAUL BLACK Relief Fund. To schedule teams WASHINGTON – Three United Methodist congrega- Mission groups of middle school and high school To register and schedule a team contact Lisa Wied- man at [email protected]. tions are joining forces to provide a visible sign of hope students are being sought for six of the seven weeks of sum- to homes and residents that were impacted by the Nov. 17 mer. The day will consist of building swing sets and other tornado in Washington. projects while building friendships and relationships during Crossroads and Evangelical UMC’s in Washington are the evening activities and worship. Cost for the week is partnering with Peoria First UMC to create Hope Swings $175 per person which includes all food, lodging and sup- Early Response recertification in Washington, a summertime mission effort aimed at plies for the week. building 100 swing sets in the community which lost nearly Mission dates that are still open include: at Eldorado March 22 • Sunday, June 8 to Friday, June 13 1,000 homes. The basic swing set will be a wood-framed ELDORADO – A recertification for early responders will be structure with two swings, a platform and a slide that the • Sunday, June 22 to Friday, June 27 held at Eldorado UMC on Saturday, March 22 from 8:30 a.m. family can later add to or adapt to their needs as desired. • Sunday, June 29 to Thursday, July 3 (week shortened to noon. “Through the building of these swing sets, we seek to by holiday) • Sunday, July 6 to Friday, July 11 Registration deadline will be Thursday, March 14. Register bring hope and joy to these families and children as they online at: https://igrc-reg.brtapp.com/ERTRecertEldorado begin to rebuild their homes and lives,” according to infor- • Sunday, July 13 to Friday, July 18 Due to the number of natural disasters that have been oc- mation found on the website, www.hopeswingswashington. • Sunday, July 20 to Friday, July 25 To register or obtain more information, contact www. curring throughout, there is a continuing need for more UM- org. “We also desire to build a cooperative community COR badged volunteers to be available to go into restricted hopeswingswashington.org. For general mission trip ques- THE CURRENT spirit, establish and strengthen fellowship and friendships, areas after these disasters occur. In order to be UMCOR and provide a visual sign of hope to the many families com- tions, contact Trevor Bartolomucci at Crossroads UMC, badged -- a person must participate in an Early Response ing home.” [email protected] or by calling 309-339-9571. For team Team training. registration, payment and insurance questions, contact Julie The 100 swing sets will run about $50,000 in total. The If your church is interested in hosting an ERT training, please Rolffs at Peoria First UMC, [email protected] or by calling group has already secured $18,000 with additional funding contact Sharon Monroe at [email protected] to 309-369-1093. 16 coming from the Illinois Great Rivers Conference Disaster schedule a training. MARCH 2014 17 NEWS National and Global “It brought out for me how you articulate you a what me how “It out for brought thought think I ever I don’t you. God is for creator but as far as, thing, church I did my in those terms. how is God with you, interacting how is God, what profound world — those are is God affecting the no time thinking spent I began about. questions I’d he said. those answers,” for search a lifelong he became his degree, toward worked he slowly As modern what political that convinced increasingly values. scriptural needs is an infusion of basic life Primarily: others with respect. He wanted treat religious infuse progressive help both sides; to to — with the of his students types — such as many yet loving, and skills of effective, be models to don’t “you realize to and get sheer politicos politics, every opponent blast your time they get a need to ticket.” traffic has public life Washington in place McCurry’s changed quite a bit. a bit. changed quite the he has played House, White the leaving Since of a generation to wise mentor of generous, role progressive Christians. He has advised most of the advocacy Christians. orga- progressive to voice give sprung up in the past decade to have that nizations He has done bipartisan groups to liberals. presentations religious such as chiefs-of-staff staffers. and Senate to listen to him and just want to deferential always are “People Kelly, Vanderslice said Mara share,” wisdom he has to ever what kind“He is incredibly and Kerry a faith adviser to who was in 2004. him, it certainly side to If is a rough-and-tumble there generous. out anymore.” come doesn’t faith. out a lot is McCurry’s come still doesn’t thing that Another table a huge square at he sat afternoon Monday class, a recent At Wesley’s in with Kelly and the 13 students office in his downtown to- which is geared Seminarians, Semester for Capitol National in politics or policy. interested students ward works with House that White left at the the office Kelly recently They about her path. students telling and was faith-based groups House but about White juicy not by animated details of the were storyher own Christ. to of coming quietly. McCurrywatching, sat Christian evangelical who tells “I am not an openly professing I don’t pal Jesus.’ about my you me tell ‘Let people on the street: he said later. out there,” religion my wear a little outside “That It’s has not been the vocabulary world. of my comfortable.” getting more But I’m me. for the box 21 issue of the Washington the Feb. with permission from (Reprinted at the 2011 Annual speaker the keynote McCurry Mike was Post. dinner) Conference were clear. were be a mad-dog to mean want and say but I don’t do it, I’ll “I said, Mc- Bush and the other side,” W.] George things about [President Christian thing This me said: for experience “I think that Curry says. seri- We can have off: has a practical bulb went A light application. questioning the other in this countryous debate without always corrosive.” It’s motives. side’s shifted his perspective slowly about the courses Wesley The to fascinated He was of politics. — and life purpose of his church politics, early Christianssee how dealt with similar issues: power morality and the pure between and the tension scandals, sex what about pursuit of policy he thought And pragmatic change. the first time. for believed he really Ferguson is a member of Los Altos United Methodist Church since since Church Methodist United Los Altos of a member is Ferguson died a child every showed 30 statistics ago, years short a few Just Pennsylvania Western leads who the Bickerton, J. Thomas Bishop creative ways in which people in the conference are getting involved in involved getting are in the conference in which people ways creative more saved have we commitment, Barbara’s to prior Even the initiative. Africa.” of the continent on 8,500 lives than Ministry who Stephen the church’s the leaders for of one 1985 and late Her years. for 17 office in the finance a volunteer as worked has science in the computer a successful career had Earl Ferguson, husband, four awarded were that companies two develop to helped industry and went Networks, Foundry the companies, of one Eventually, patents. her and unexpected in 2003, Ferguson death Earl’s Following public. a better world make the to efforts resource to continued have family place. been has Accord- in half. impact cut malaria’s malaria. Today, of seconds Report Malaria 2011), the (World Organization Health the World to ing every a life claims 60 seconds. disease now efforts, Malaria No Imagine the denomination’s and Conference Annual it will be that pray this gift … I of the receipt by overjoyed am “I said, giving; of wave next the represents This gift over. and over multiplied No Imagine of strength giving to gift the grassroots connected the large formula.” a winning is Malaria UMNS photo by Kathleen Barry UMNS photo by to impose,” said Joe Simitian, a childhood friend who went on to on to said Joe Simitian, a childhood friend who went impose,” to Other friends chuckled Alto. the image at of Palo mayor become or sitting around talkingof McCurry-as-choirboy, about prayer the Bible quietly. reading began years Clinton of the rough-and-tumble But the scrutiny of the president defender an avid He was on McCurry. wear to hurt he was and of his policies but says or writers when editorial though McCurry Even character. question his own others would him to of the job for the nature it was popular with reporters, was threaten. bully and sometimes even evade, compartment. He kept his faith in a different when long- critical way in a more his role look at But he began to the most politi- I was “said Brit Hume time network correspondent “When Brit said. he podium,” that been at cal person who had ever I dialed I said: Am when been the moment have it may said that, much?” up too reporting reading about himself and thinking:He remembered “What I done besides being a spin doctor has created that have something important good?” or some common 1998, McCurry House in late his White recalls he leftWhen the The can do something important.” “you him: Now telling pastor that but at take a bigger leadership role, asked him to pastor fill that To know much about Christianity. that he didn’t point, a mainline Protestant Wesley, he began taking at courses gap, seminary denomination. Methodist with McCurry’s affiliated with the firm consulting communications private into He went and did some political advising, Washington Strategies Public Kerry's when 2004 campaign, including near the end of John F. By then, his guidelines raging. was the Swift Boat controversy Sunday school and made the separation between religion and religion between school and made the separation Sunday formal. politics more it never on me, dawned but it never on Sundays, church to “I went Mc- I should behave,” should affect how that me that to occurred a sanctuary me was the world for from away “Church Curry says. own my it all and have from get away I could where of politics, spiritual reflections.” and way, Speaking not the Democrats’ about faith was openly — and is — somewhat He was either. way, McCurry’s it wasn’t about his faith. private Wesley. talk about John Boehner than John likely to more “He’s but reluctant share to happy a side of himself he’s I think that’s Mike McCurry holds up four fingers representing the Four Areas of Focusroundtable session during a of Areas Four McCurry the representing Mike fingers holds up four Va. in Arlington, Conference of Communicators Methodist Association held during the 2012 United
“Barbara is a marvelous example of living into our calling to be calling to dis- our into living of example a marvelous is “Barbara Ferguson decided to make the gift after hearing a presentation by presentation a hearing after the gift decided make to Ferguson “I think it’s important that we all give back in some small way to to small way in some all back we give that important think it’s “I The California-Nevada Conference of The United Methodist Church Church Methodist United The of Conference The California-Nevada SACRAMENTO, Calif. -- Imagine No Malaria will a million- Malaria get No Calif. -- Imagine SACRAMENTO,
ciples of Jesus. She faithfully looks for ways she can make a difference in a difference make can she ways looks for faithfully She Jesus. of ciples the by encouraged extremely am “I Brown. Bishop said lives,” people’s Bishop Warner H. Brown, Jr. of the San Francisco Episcopal Area, upon upon Area, Episcopal Francisco the San of Jr. H. Brown, Warner Bishop Angola. to a trip from return his make this world a better place for folks to live,” said Barbara Ferguson, Ferguson, Barbara said live,” to folks for place a better this world make who donating is Church Methodist United Los Altos from a laywoman in the efforts Conference’s the California-Nevada towards $1.1 million heart tugging was “My campaign. Malaria No Imagine denomination’s said Malaria),” No Imagine to (give I needed do it I believed to that and Ferguson. hopes to raise $2 million in order to save 200,000 lives through Imag- through lives 200,000 save to in order $2 million raise to hopes to end Methodist Church United The of initiative an Malaria, No ine gift from malaria 2015. A generous in Africa from by deaths preventable goal. that halfway to over them well put this week member church one dollar-plus boost, thanks to a generous gift from a lifelong United United a lifelong gift from boost, a generous to thanks dollar-plus an from to giftdate – the back largest give to wants who just Methodist donor. individual
WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Mike McCurry was President Bill Clinton’s -- Mike Bill Clinton’s McCurry President D.C. was WASHINGTON, and Monica years, Lewinsky Whitewater spokesman during the uncomfortable feel on to like say he what to knows so suffice it’s him in a new scares a podium. But his typical these days audience way. and in religion 59, became a teacher McCurry, ago, weeks A few Washington, SeminaryTheological in Northwest Wesley politics at It last spring. transi- marked his official he graduated which from spin doctor super-political who quietly a hard-charging, tion from the idea that a very for to public evangelizer church attended politics. of today’s tundra” “the frozen can save values religious millions getting up and doing briefings before “I had no problem really I can’t that but I am fearful of 12 students of people, in front decades as a than two more who spent McCurry, says fake it,” it on the line about who I am and laying “I’m political spokesman. spokesman you’re When different. that’s in a way I believe what people These think. you what care they don’t someone else, for know to who I am.” want McCurryWho in part, is is, He derides the political scene a hybrid: but is still very left-leaning as an adviser to religious much in it, “spin spits the word He almost and candidates. advocacy groups and image-making in communications but has remained doctor” great known both as the guy who prompted He’s life. his entire on the relation- of the loop” “out declaring himself skepticism by of and as an elder statesman and Lewinsky Clinton ship between is Wesley at program of his point The dialogue. frank respectful, side on the progressive get seminarians — most of whom are to their faith and politics in the public be comfortable merging — to speaks he never of his closest friends say several yet And square. them about his beliefs. to in the fall of 1998, Mc- he left administration When the Clinton House stationery White a friend he wanted that to Curry on wrote his is not a story of some radical Yet counts.” that “something do to had subtle tale of a guy who has always a more It’s conversion. should the two that but realized life and a political both a faith life be one. McCurry up in Northern 1960s, in the late and Growing California which church, in the local Congregational involved his family were his parents While is part of Christ. Church United of the liberal McCurry music, on church eagerly participated focused in youth He loved Vietnam. in the war Berkeley trips protest to to group politics. If But I thought: the politics. “The me to brought is what church which is own, politics on my I can go do is doing politics, church he said. I did,” what and he the government, for worked His and grandfather father of public service an expression saw and politics as a noble calling, give decades — he didn’t a few — and for point that At his values. Christianity what he believed. and what to taught a lot of thought right to he went University, Princeton from graduating After senators secretary Democratic as a press for work to Washington House. White the for candidates and a string of Democratic been He hadn’t McCurry communicator. a gifted considered was brought but in 1994 he was crew, initial campaign part of Clinton’s House. White Department the State the from to in politics with the associated largely was religion point, that At part and as secular Americans became a larger right wing, of the uncom- became increasingly Democrats PartyDemocratic base, By then, McCurryfortable in spiritual their values terms. framing St. at regulars and had become parents were Debra, and his wife, he taught where in Kensington, Methodist United church Paul’s Former presidential spokesman finds marriage of faith and politics finds spokesman presidential Former BY MICHELLE BOORSTEIN Post Washington The California woman gives $1.1 million to Imagine No Malaria No gives million $1.1 Imagine to woman California Conference NEWS Chaddock to build new education facility QUINCY -- Chaddock, a Golden Cross ministry of the civic groups, individual donors, and even government sources Upcoming missionary visits to the IGRC Illinois Great Conference of The United Methodist Church are being explored. BY CAROLYN YOCKEY and internationally recognized leader in the treatment of The project is a result of the dramatic growth and de- As churches move into a new calendar year, some are considering a children suffering the psychological and emotional effects of mand Chaddock has experienced due to the success of their missionary relationship, someone to support. Below are some mis- extreme abuse, neglect, and trauma, is beginning a new era of specialized treatment program. In the past 10 years they have sionaries to consider. growth with the planned con- struction of a new school on their We were blessed to have Victor Taryor in the conference the last two weeks of January, though it was not the best time for someone from 32-acre campus. Liberia. And, no, he has not returned to warm weather but is currently This $12 million project, in West Ohio, will return to Liberia late in March. which was announced at a March 2 press conference, will replace We have some missionaries that will be visiting the conference later the current K-12 education this year. If you would like any of them to visit you, please contact me facility. It will allow Chaddock to at [email protected] or by calling 309-452-3936. dramatically increase the number of children they’re currently able Mark Stransky, March 29-April 1 to serve, pave the way for the Mark is from Project Crossroads in Marion, VA construction of more residential and will be traveling from Iowa. He has some cottages, and set the stage for the connections in the Galesburg area so is most development of a national training interested in speaking to churches in Spoon facility for mental health profes- River District. sionals on their campus. served children from 28 states, and enrollment in their fully Missionary Support Code: 803003 The new school is designed to meet the special sensory accredited K-12 school grew 33% in the last school year alone. Read more of Mark's work by visiting: http:// and therapeutic needs of Chaddock’s student population, and Besides the children who live at Chaddock, there are a large www.umcmission.org/Explore-Our-Work/ will be roughly double the size of its current facility. number of day students who commute from Quincy and the Missionaries-in-Service/Missionary-Profiles/ Goal for groundbreaking is next spring, with students surrounding communities. Stransky-Mark walking into the new building for their first day of class in Chaddock was founded as a ministry of the United August 2016. Methodist Church in 1853, and has expanded its mission has Volunteer Advisory teams in various areas of the state expanded to include foster and adoption services, a state- Connie Wieck, June 1 to Aug. 10 have been meeting for months helping raise awareness of wide program of child-care provider training and consulta- Connie Wieck serves Longzhou ("Long Joe"), in Chaddock in their communities. tion, outpatient counseling, and professional consultations, southern China near the Vietnam border, under Chaddock representatives will be making personal ap- publications, and training. Over the last decade, Chaddock the auspices of Amity Foundation. Amity was peals in United Methodist churches on Sundays throughout has earned an international reputation for the treatment of established in 1985 by Chinese Christians to the IGRC from March through June. To date, presentations are children suffering the effects of severe abuse, trauma, and ne- work for community development. Its work cov- scheduled in more than 90 churches, with several more pend- glect, and our professionals have been called upon for training ers education, health, disaster relief, blindness ing. In the majority of churches, pastors have offered their and consultation by other mental health professionals from prevention, and church-initiated projects. It is a mission partner of Global Ministries. sermon time to the Chaddock speaker. Other funding sources, five different continents. including local, regional, and national charitable foundations, Connie has been with Global Ministries since 1996 as an English lan- guage teacher. Connie will attend part of mission u, Aug. 1-6. Missionary Support Code: 10672Z Bishop Hopkins to preach at 2014 Annual Conference Read more of Connie's work by visiting: http://www.umcmission. org/Explore-Our-Work/Missionaries-in-Service/Missionary- BY PAUL BLACK Southeast Missouri State University and University of Missouri-Columbia. Profiles/Wieck-Cornelia-Connie PEORIA -- Bishop John Hopkins, episcopal leader of the East Ohio All-conference dinner celebrates Preachers’ Aid Society Lorenz Richard Koch, Sept. 6-14 Conference, has been confirmed as Thursday’s all-conference dinner will be a celebration of the The Rev. Lorenz Richard Koch is a missionary one of the guest preachers at the 145th anniversary of the Preachers’ Aid Society and Benefit with the General Board of Global Ministries 2014 Annual Conference, which Fund. will be held June 4-7 at the Peoria assigned to both the Brazilian and Hispanic Civic Center. Hopkins will be the Organized in 1869, Preachers’ Aid began as a way to support congregations of the Comunidad Christiana preacher for the Service of Ordina- retired clergy and their families in the post-Civil War period. Latino-Americana in Geneva, Switzerland. He is tion on Friday, June 6. Over the years, the way PASBF has supported retirees and a clergyman of the Methodist Church of Brazil. spouses has changed, but PASBF has never wavered from its Hopkins Koch was born in Sao Paulo, Brazil, of German The theme for the 2014 Annual original purpose. Conference is Ministry of the Laity. parents and baptized into the Lutheran Church. Currently, PASBF supports retirees by virtually paying for the He was introduced to the Methodist Church of Hopkins, who is in his third term in East Ohio, was elected Medicare Supplement — contributing more than $3 million Brazil as a young adult working in civil aviation. in 1996 from the South Indiana Conference. He served two in 2013 to the Illinois Great Rivers Conference Health Insur- Several pastors helped him to understand his call to ministry. quadrennia in Minnesota before being assigned to East ance Plan. Ohio in 2004. Missionary Support Code: 3021261 General information He, along with Bishop Mike Coyner and Bishop Jonathan Read more of Richard’s work by visiting: http://www.umcmission. Keaton, were those that were elected bishops by the North This is the 13th consecutive year that the 2014 Annual Con- org/Explore-Our-Work/Missionaries-in-Service/Missionary- Central Jurisdiction in 1996. All three ference has met in Peoria. Plans are to stream the Annual Profiles/Koch-Lorenz-Richard will be retiring in 2016, when the Illinois Conference live at: www.igrc.org/ac2014live. Great Rivers Conference will host the Among the legislation before the 2014 Annual Conference is Daniel and Rachel Gabler, Nov. 16-25 (tenta- NCJ Conference at the Peoria Civic a proposal from the Conference Board of Pensions to discon- tive) Center. tinue its self-insured, group health insurance plan in favor Daniel and Rachel Gabler who serve in the Democratic Republic of the Also confirmed for the morning speak- of allowing pastors to select their insurance from the health Congo are interested in speaking to churches in ers are Barbara Boigegrain, general sec- exchanges established by the federal and state govern- our conference, tentatively Nov. 16-25. retary for the General Board of Pensions ments (see related story on page 20 of this issue of The Current and Health Benefits, and Colleen Hester, for more details). Daniel is a pilot and mechanic who is head of a president of MacMurray College in Website assists with annual conference preparation maintenance center for three flight ministries in Jacksonville, one of three church-related that country. From 2007 to 2012, he worked in Boigegrain The IGRC website has several pages of interest for those colleges within the IGRC. aviation ministries from a base in White River, looking for Annual Conference information. South Africa, where his gifts and skills were As general secretary, Boigegrain is the Visit: www.igrc.org/ac2014checklist for an Annual Confer- shared, enabling ZUMAT (Zululand Mission chief executive officer for the church’s ence checklist with all the dates and deadlines for various Air Transport) and Mercy Air to maintain their administrative agency that is respon- aspects of scheduling and logistics for the event. There is planes. sible for the general supervision and also an updated list of hotels at: www.igrc.org/ac2014ho- administration of the retirement, health Rachel, who grew up in Bolivia, is a partner with tels within the IGRC block as an additional hotel has been and welfare benefit plans, programs her husband in the aviation ministry. She previously served in Mozam- added. and funds for more than 91,000 clergy bique with World Vision as an administrative officer and as a human and lay employees of the Church. The Official groups can also request display space between now resources manager in Maputo and Tete. GBPHB is the largest faith-based pen- and Friday, March 28 by completing the form at: www.igrc. Daniel’s Missionary Support Code: 19239Z sion fund in the United States and ranks org/ac2014displays. Hester among the top 100 pension funds in the Read more of Daniel’s work at: http://www.umcmission.org/Explore- Visit www.igrc.org/ac2014resolutions for information on Our-Work/Missionaries-in-Service/Missionary-Profiles/Gabler-Daniel country. submitting resolutions. Information related to the pre-con- Rachel’s Missionary Support Code: 12940Z
THE CURRENT Hester was selected in May 2007 as MacMurray’s 15th and ference issue of The Current and the electronic Daily Current its first woman president in its 168-year history. can also be found at www.igrc.org/ac2014current. Read more of Rachel's work by visiting: http://www.umcmission. Hester began her professional career at the University of Online registration will open April 1 at: www.igrc.org/ org/Explore-Our-Work/Missionaries-in-Service/Missionary- Houston in 1982. A licensed psychologist, Hester has had a ac2014registration. The main page for the Annual Confer- Profiles/Gabler-Rachel practice in psychological accreditation and licensing. She ence is www.igrc.org/ac2014. All of the other pages related has degrees from Murray State University in Kentucky, to Annual Conference can be accessed from this page. 18 MARCH 2014 19 CONTINUED TO PAGE 20 PAGE TO CONTINUED Photos courtesy of Greg Gelzinnis NEWS Conference
MISSION PARTNERSHIPS MISSION For this reason, we have begun intentionally scheduling scheduling begun intentionally have we this reason, For Grant funding now available available funding now Grant first-time missioners for If you feel God calling you to experience an interna- experience to God calling you If feel you had adequate you felt but never tional mission trip, participate is a new opportunity funds to there you. for of IGRC Board through available is now A new grant Global Ministriesfor districtconference specifically and grant This mission trips. and led international approved outside of their to travel first-timers encourage is to the around in new places minister to comfort zones world. 15, March apply this year: to deadlines three are There will be applications July 15 and October grant 15. All the IGRC Bd by of Global Ministries follow- reviewed will only be sent Funding ing each of these deadlines. airline of the applicant's ticket, a copy after receiving trip insurance, of comprehensive proof visa application, passport and copy record, vaccination international IGRC Hold Harmlesssigned Agreement. www. at: on the IGRC website be found may form The igrc.org/missiontripgrant. please contact either Christy additional information, For Blickensderfer or Bunny [email protected] at at [email protected]. Wolfe being in relationship with those that we are serving really are we that those with that being in relationship a difference. begins make to time to “create relationships” with our brothers and sisters in sisters and brothers our with relationships” “create time to an sharing included that trips, recent most On our Honduras. having workers, and foreman job-site meal our with evening localthe team from dessertand leadership with the coffee the church, the ladies of for clinic a knitting hosting church, sev- and translators friends our with Facebook becoming and as well. as well. vividly one of the closing scenes I remember A Robe. Black entitled an old movie from of Jesuit a group chief is addressing Huron missionaries and makes this statement. do you know to is, want all we “Black robe, uncondi- Missions love to call us us?” love time any at remember tionally and also to be the to ceased have be in mission we to ceased have we a message for Just as the elder in the storychurch. given was a message. been given have the people we disciples. and make them my the people of all nations Go to the Son, and the Holy them in the name of the Father, Baptize I will you. told do everything them to Spirit and teach I have (Mat the end of the world” until even always, be with you 28:19-20 CEV). of the the rest for “Now proclaim to is our commission, That story!” of Knoxville is the pastor Spoon UMC, Danny Lybarger (Rev. River District and serves American as chair of the IGRC Native Ministries Committee)
Through this training, I began to more fully understand fully understand more to I began this training, Through God learn that we Hurts, Helping in When outlined As more profoundly than my own. As IMT Partnership coordina- Partnership IMT As own. my than profoundly more The several the last years. over training received have we tors, Hurts Helping When led by a workshop included has training in a re- spent evening Fikkert; Brian a transformational author, in rural a Alabama; campus the SIFAT on Slum Urban created Toxic Big, of Kind A New as titles such included that list reading several and video Partnerships, and Cross-Cultural Charity, Restore. series lifechurch.tv's like if poverty redefine the to list...need of the top I at WE...and that sisters and brothers our do with to going are we that the work in the here those as fortunate well less (as world in the majority begin also must We HURT. not HELP and to going is states) needs short-term based a model (that from our “help” shift to immediately takes place in the RELIEF that bestis represented asset basedmodel to a longer-term disaster) natural a after help- those are we that the ASSETS consideration (taking into not RESTORATION them towards moving and have), ing DEPENDENCY. with – relationships be to us in relationships each of made If creation. of the rest and others, with ourselves, with Him, begin if we So, experience we poverty. broken, these are of any rather but things,” material of a “lack as not poverty, look at to are we the fact that on a light sheds it relationships, broken as we maybe, just maybe, & experiencing and poverty” all “poor but money, our not begin it's see to Americans) that (North Photo 1: Greg Gelzinnis with Compassion Child (Quevend)...the reason this reason Child with Compassion Gelzinnis (Quevend)...the 1: Greg Photo to visit the first time Quevend's was This life-changing began. adventure Main Street UMC's 2: Alton Photo Tegucigalpa. capital city of her country, of SanVillage the from children 2013 with their beloved Honduras Team the city. above on the mountain the cross at Honduras Paraiso, Miguel in El God named Jee sah (Jesus) be born across going to was that because die a terrible death He is about to waters?” the great the message to the elder took When of the sins of the people. the people they cut chunks of hair off and ripped their gar- the missionaries came among When of grief. as signs ments Harvey saying, our people with the Gospel like Paul it was of the story.” rest the for ‘Now often I have conversation that since the years Through of the story.” the rest for “Now about those words, thought be exactly Jesus has called us to proclaim what words Those and deed. about in word It is sharing of the story. Missions the rest indeed is telling the the world and around here and sisters with our brothers has been light know whatever they already from of what rest of the story rest our The is Christ for dying them. to given us victory and death life give sins and rising again to over Him.through of story be in mission in our will the rest means we Telling and the our local churches through of life, individual walks of the It the rest will tell means we as well. church general and charity deeds of love but through story not only in words Redefining Redefining
I John 3:17,18 (NIV) I John “If anyone has material possessions and sees his brother in need but possessions and sees his brother has material “If anyone of God be Dear children, in him? can the love has no pity him, how on actions but with or tongue and in truth.” with words let us not love
My amazing Missions Odyssey began as a teacher of a of Odyssey a teacher began as Missions amazing My own Compassion's to me took initial research Some Main underway for are 2014, plans to now forward Fast in the Sunday two of (father best friend, Steward Rich My mission that God since planted happened has much Yes,
By Danny Lybarger By Danny held dance Stomp a Cherokee ago I attended years Many Okla. near Tahlequah, elder visiting with a Cherokee I was over, was the stomp After sipping the earlycoffee. morning a campfire around sat as we had been a the elder and asked a question that I looked at years. part many journey for of my to so easily convert “Why ancestors did our Cherokee me looked at Gunier, Will elder, respected The Christianity?” the first translation that aware are you Crow, “Fire and said, done in Chero- was Hemisphere Western of the Bible in the our what with you I will share that. for is a reason There kee. 2,000 is a storyThis is over that people call the oldest story. old. years (a river) of prayer the place from coming the people were As white who wore They appeared. a bright light one morning, out of the angels) stepped for had no word (the Cherokee the forest. with them into walk and asked an elder to light here were when we remember “Do you asked the elder, They the people about the special son of ago and told 33 years
MISSIONS 2014: MISSIONS poverty & restoring relationships restoring & poverty
middle school/high school Sunday School Class at Alton Main Main Alton School Class at middle school/high school Sunday 2003 to decided 2003, the about in class Around UMC. Street child our it, have would fate Child. As a Compassion sponsor Hondu- be to from girl) happened little (Quevend a 6 year-old correspondence our and continued her with year our as and ras be if they faithful would that the students began, I promised the before meet her take them to I would their sponsorship, to School. High of out them got of majority own in its awesome which is while it program, Visit” “Sponsor want- I was and in nature cultural and project more was right, Further dirty”. their hands “get to be to able students our ing of (VIM) program Mission In the Volunteer led to me research was there and behold, low and Methodist Church, United The to get we could if that I figured in Honduras. a VIM program with to connect how out certainly figure could we Honduras, opportunity us the afforded the VIM program Quevend and in Hondu- Mission the Methodist of the people with work to Team Street's 2004, Main the to calendar turned we as So, ras. to go to began the preparations we born was and Honduras 4 members 10 (including of 2005 – a Team of in June Honduras – the youngest a 7 year-old School Class and the Sunday of the project). to ever come to missionary 35 than 2015. More in June Honduras sixth to trip Street's have 350 people of congregation active Street's in Main people who year-old a 69 (including Honduras been Team a part of and her visited have we 17 and now in 2011). Quevend is went of has out beenshe only times that (the times five mother her bus-ride a 4.5 hour is it and – lifetime) her village during her been working. have we where village to her from servenow I and member) team five-time School Class and VIM Conference Rivers Great the Illinois Co-Chairs of as Partner- Together serve Mission I now the In as Committee. the General Global Ministries Board of for coordinator ship Annual 2012 Conference The the Country Honduras. for of second the conference's as Honduras adopted formally session seven (including Teams VIM IGRC Two Liberia. after Initiative in 2013) SIUC at Foundation the Wesley from – four students in wrote so Rich as profoundly and in Honduras, worked have and Honduras, change to went “I first trip, the journal after his me!” changed has Honduras instead, none but been changed, have lives seed in 2003-04. Many back Now for ‘The Rest of The Story’The ‘The Rest of for Now BY GREG GELZINNIS VIM Committee Co-Chairman Conference NEWS Board of Pensions Progress on Health Insurance BY DAVE HOOD Conference Board of Pensions chair District meetings set to discuss The Board of Pensions met on February 10th to con- tinue the discussion on health insurance. First topic on the health insurance proposal agenda was our performance for 2013. Our health costs Meetings in all 10 districts within the Illinois Great exceeded the amount we charged the health coverage by Rivers Conference have been announced to discuss about $5,000 per pastor. In total this was about a $1.5 mil- Health the legislative proposal concerning the confer- lion shortfall. ence’s group health insurance plan for clergy and Annual Conference approved the 2014 plan design Insurance conference staff. changes in June, so the primary agenda item was deliberat- These sessions are for pastors, lay members to ing on the plan for 2015. Our health insurance consultants annual conference and other interested church income tax return. For pastors with lower than average presented a comparison of our expense versus the costs for officers. The Cabinet invites persons who cannot taxable income there are going to be tax credits that offset a an “average” pastor making $45,000 with a spouse and a attend a session in their own district to attend substantial portion of their insurance costs. These pastors child. The cost of continuing with our plan was $10 mil- a session in another district. The goal is to keep are likely to be net winners. lion. The cost of having pastors purchase their health care these sessions under 90 minutes in length. through the exchanges was $6.5 million. For pastors with high compensation and/or with This comparison did not include the tax credits that our spouses with high compensation the exchanges will be af- Sunday, March 9 – 2:30 p.m. pastors would have available. When taking the credits into fordable, but they will not qualify for tax credits. They may Cache River District – Marion Aldersgate UMC consideration the cost of health care through the exchanges qualify for affordable health insurance though a spouse and Sunday, March 16 – 3 p.m. would be approximately $4 million. The consultants had do quite well. However, on average the most highly com- LaMoine River District – Griggsville UMC our full attention with a potential $6 million savings. pensated will not be net winners. Their local churches may In order to accomplish the change from a Conference choose, but are not mandated, to increase their compensa- Sunday, March 23 – 2:30 p.m. plan to pastors having choice under exchange plans we need tion beyond the recommended $12,000 level. Mississippi River District – Glen Carbon New Bethel UMC to provide the funds for them to purchase this coverage. We Some clergy couples will be net winners. In the past, are recommending to the Equitable Compensation Com- churches have paid for both pastors, but under the exchange Saturday, March 29 – 9:30 a.m. mittee and the Annual Conference that the wages of all pas- clergy couples will be able to purchase health insurance Kaskaskia River District – Salem Grace UMC tors be increased in order for the pastor to purchase health together. insurance. Early retirees will not be paying the $18,540 (for clergy Saturday, March 29 – 2:30 p.m. The Conference charges $17,520 per fulltime pastor for and spouse) to the Conference prior to becoming Medi- Iroquois River District – Champaign Faith UMC health insurance and lost about $5,000 per pastor. Under care eligible at age 65. They will simply continue with their Sunday, March 30 – 2:30 p.m. the Board’s recommendation the churches would no longer exchange plans. Embarras River District – Effingham Centenary UMC pay $17,520 to the conference. Instead they would increase We fully realize that the exchange plans may become the pay to their pastor by $12,000 per year. There would be more expensive. Based upon the substantial size of our sav- Saturday, April 5 – 1 p.m. a corresponding increase in the pension payments for each ings we are confident that the prices will increase. However, Spoon River District – Galesburg First UMC pastor of $720 (6%) on this amount. the price of insurance offered by the exchanges could double The church saves close to $10,000 per pastor compared and still provide a net Conference wide savings. Sunday, April 6 – 3 p.m. to increasing the cost of the IGRC insurance to what it is All of this is just proposed until Annual Conference Sangamon River District – Conference Office actually costing us. This makes the change a win for the meets in June. However, your Board of Pensions is confi- local church. dent that this change will provide savings for the churches, Saturday, April 12 – 10 a.m. The pastor has additional salary of $12,000 less income provide health care options to the pastors, and is the best Vermilion River District – Dwight UMC tax on this amount to pay for health insurance through the current alternative in a rapidly changing world. There will Sunday, April 13 – 2:30 p.m. exchanges. Is this a great deal for the pastors, too? be additional information provided to all to enhance the un- Illinois River District – Peoria Northwest UMC It depends upon the taxable income on their personal derstanding for pastors and the laity in the months to come.
MISSION PARTNERSHIPS CONTINUED FROM PAGE 19 Thank you, IGRC! eral of the young people that helped us with our VBS program. If you have not done Dear Illinois Great Rivers Annual Conference member: so during your mission's experiences up to this point, I would encourage you to take a Thank you for being part of our effort to seen its share of financial problems as well. break from the “tasks” that you have planned for yourself and your team and establish reach and disciple people for Jesus Christ The one thing the church has that gives us a “transformational” relationship with those you have gone to serve. I guarantee you and for your love and worship of Jesus will never be the same. hope is our faith in God and the promise of Christ. Through your efforts and generous new life through Jesus Christ. The national The exciting (and convicting) thing to me, is that we can use this same strategy stewardship our Annual Conference was with those we are serving right here at home. Rather than just taking food baskets or and world wide economy stalls and falters blessed to receive 91.66 percent of our when people overreach, falter and become presents to needy families in our community at Christmas or Thanksgiving, or serving apportionments for a record $12,195,120. them a meal one night a week, we need to build relationships with them during their personally fearful. The church can experi- That percentage of apportionments ence the fallout from economic downturns everyday’s, not just those special ones. We need to consciously ask them about and received is the 6th highest of all 59 An- too because resources can become scarce seek out their assets, NOT just their needs, and together, with God's help, we can begin nual Conferences in the United Methodist and the needs for assistance, real practical to help restore some of their “brokenness” and maybe fix some of our own as well. Church within the United States. Thank you help in our communities and around the Who knows, we may find an excellent baker, gifted vocalist, patient listener, inspired for hearing God’s call and responding in world, can grow. However, as Christians, artist, talented bicycle or skateboard mechanic, joyful greeter, or a valiant prayer war- faith. Well done! although we need to be prudent and care- rior, but for sure we will find a Brother or Sister who God valued enough to send His Through your faithful support we have ful, we do not need to sustain or perpetu- son to die on the cross for them...to restore His relationship with them...and He has once again paid our General Conference ate the sense of fear that others have. Why, given us the unique and priceless opportunity to play a part in that...if we just will!!! apportionments at 100 percent which because God and Jesus have promised to My prayer for you the reader, is that if you haven't been involved in Missions up include World Service, Ministerial Educa- always be with us. Our goals for the Confer- to this point in your life that you will respond to the Holy Spirit when you feel the tion Fund, African University Fund and UM ence then, and your local church, are not nudge and act on it. In fact, I wouldn't be doing my job if I didn't tell you that we are Black College Fund. We have been able to to raise funds or make sure we get or hold presently recruiting our next IGRC Honduras Team that will be going this June and we increase our recruitment and education of on to what is ours. Rather it is to do the would love to have you join us. Please contact Bunny in the Conference Office for fur- new clergy and offer continuing education will of God and join Jesus in his ministry of ther information if you are interested. For those of you who are seasoned missionaries, to our current active clergy. We continue to love, redemption and reconciliation. I hope that you will reflect on your work and make sure you are using new strategies of provide and promote connectional minis- I would encourage you to continue to in- “restoring relationships” and looking long-term asset based, rather than the short-term tries throughout and from out our confer- relief based strategies that research has found do nothing more than create unhealthy vest in the eternal impact our Annual Con- ence for both laity and clergy. Missions and ference has in the world while at the same dependency. ministries are supported as we continue, as Your Conference VIM Committee is here to celebrate your victories with you and time trusting God completely by bringing Lovett Weems writes in his book Focus, “to the full tithe to His church. I know that God to continue to share “best practices” as we all struggle with the challenges we face in steward and extend the United Methodist our “fallen world”. Please join us on our Facebook Page – IGRC MISSIONS JOURNAL will greatly bless your faithfulness with His witness within the bounds of our Annual tangible and intangible favor. Thanks again and share your journey (and pictures)with us. We are also always looking for those in- Conference.” terested in joining us on the committee as we shape the missions culture and activities for being part of the Illinois Great Rivers THE CURRENT of the Conference. Having engaged representation from throughout the Conference Over the past few years we have seen Conference. God bless you. will be critical as we move forward in the coming year. Please do not hesitate to contact many changes both in our economy and Rev. William Adams, Chair me or the Conference Office if you are interested. I can be reached athondurasimt@ the church. The economy continues to Council on Finance and Administration struggle to recover and regain a robust and gmail.com. May God bless each of you as you respond to His call on your life. Illinois Great Rivers Conference steady pattern of growth. The church has 20