APRIL 2016 • VOL. 20 NO. 10

FEATURED: 2016 General Conference Preview PAGES 6-13 INSIDE THIS ISSUE News from the Episcopal Office 1 Events & Announcements 2 Christian Conversations 3 Local Church News 4-5 General Conference 6-13 Historical Messenger 14-15 Conference News 16-17

ON THE 16 COVER Montage picturing delegates at round tables at the 2012 General Conference and Peoria Convention-site of the 2016 General Conference

The Current (USPS 014-964) is published Send materials to: monthly by the Illinois Great Rivers P.O. Box 19207, Springfield, IL 62794-9207 Conference of The UMC, 5900 South or tel. 217.529.2040 or fax 217.529.4155 Second Street, Springfield, IL 62711 [email protected], website www.igrc.org An individual subscription is $15 per year. Periodical postage paid at Peoria, IL, and The opinions expressed in viewpoints are additional mailing offices. those of the writers and do not necessarily POSTMASTER: Please send address reflect the views of The Current, The IGRC, changes to or The UMC. The Current, Illinois Great Rivers Communications Team leader: Paul E. Conference, Black Team members: Kim Halusan and P.O. Box 19207, Springfield, IL 62794-9207 Michele Willson 13

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News From The Episcopal Office 1 THE CURRENT Appointments In consultation with the Cabinet of the Illinois Great Rivers Conference, Bishop Jonathan D. Keaton appoints the following: Jon Warren to Milan-Green River, Spoon River District, effective July 1. Jim Crozier to Port Byron First, Spoon River District, effective July 1. NEWS Trisha Chapman to Neighbors in Christ Parish, Spoon River District, effective July 1. From The Episcopal Office Vince Rohn to Galesburg First, Spoon River District, effective July 1. Bishop Jonathan D. Keaton William “Bill” Pyatt to Vienna First, Cache River District, effective July 1. Andrew Adams to Grace Quest, Iroquois River District, effective July 1. Peter Wehrly to Flora First, Kaskaskia River District, effective July 1. William Adams to Moline Riverside, Spoon River District, effective July 1. Joseph Tomich to Casey, Embarras River District, effective July 1. Nancy Wilson to Abingdon, Spoon River District, effective July 1. Looking for Charles E. McDonald to Mason City- San Jose, Sangamon River District, effective July 1. Rebecca Williams to O’Fallon First Associate, Mississippi River District, effective July 1. Joel P. Catlin to Pekin Grace, Illinois River District, effective, July 1. Stephen Hudspath to Johnston City-Stiritz, Cache River District, effective July .1 He is also moving from part-time local pastor to full-time. a miracle Penelope H. Barber to Glen Carbon: New Bethel, Mississippi River District, effective I was not looking for a miracle, but At the June 8-11 Annual Confer- July 1. one happened at a toll booth. ence of IGRC, I’m LOOKING FOR A Heading North on Tri-State 294 MIRACLE. One million dollars will John Hackmann to Marion First, Cache River District, effective July 1. Milwaukee March 19, my hand extended educate EIGHT STUDENTS ANNUAL- Larry Moreau to Gillespie First, Mississippi River District, effective July 1. toward the cashier with $2 in hand to pay LY at Africa University till Jesus comes. Bobbi Shultz to Grand Tower Charge, interim appointment effective March 1. the $1.50 toll. “Receipt please,” I request- Completing this drive for the Africa ed. She waved me on through. Accord- University Scholarship Endowment Fund Carl Johnston to Anna First, Cache River District, effective July 1. ing to the cashier, the driver ahead of me is paramount. Only three months are left Joy Schlesselman to Manteno, Vermilion River District, effective July 1. paid my toll. Surprised and startled, I to achieve our goal. Jeff VanDyke to Arcola, Iroquois River District, effective July 1. said thanks for the unexpected gift and Some would say, “Bishop, Go find Supply not appointed miracle that brightened my day. Never some rich man or woman to give us the would I have to pay it back to the one rest of the money.” Clearly, that is one Jeffrey Uddin to Henderson-North Henderson, Spoon River District, effective March 13. who paid for me. However, I can choose way to get it done. And if God led some Change of status to pay it forward for someone else. rich person to drop $516, 800, I would On Palm Sunday, I preached at Sher- gladly accept the gift and acknowledge Roberta Robbins, discontinuation of assignment as a certified lay minister, effective man UMC in Evanston. Sherman UMC it if that was their desire. However, one Feb. 5. has the distinction of being “the first and rich man or woman did not make a com- only church named for a woman and mitment to raise $1 million for the Africa Deaths an African American, as well as being University Scholarship Endowment Fund, the only historically prominent African WE did. Rev. Randy Grimmett, 57, a pastor on medical leave, died American United Methodist congrega- Every church and pastor has tons of March 1 in DuQuoin. tion on the North Shore.” people who have been gifted with schol- He served local churches in the former Southern Illinois This church founded by Lula B. arships by people they will never know or Conference and in the Illinois Great Rivers Conference, last Sherman performed a miracle in my life meet. Paying them back is not necessary. serving at Zion Chapel (Boody) in 2005. in 1968. God and public transportation Paying it forward for others makes sense. Randy is the brother of the Rev. Roger Grimmett, the brought me to Evanston. A 19-hour When every church submits its fair share, Superintendent assigned to the Mississippi River District of the IGRC. bus ride by Greyhound brought me to our goal will be achieved. Chicago. A cab ride transported me to If we are still short of $1 million, I Condolences may be sent to his daughter, Destiny Rendon, 19860 County Road the train bound for Evanston. Arriving will stand on the conference floor and ask 300E, Dahlgren, IL 62828. at 1200 Davis Street, I caught a cab to every member and church of the An- Rev. William Paul Hawf, 89, died Feb. 25 in Mt. Carmel. Garrett. nual Conference to join me in going the I registered for class undergirded by second and third mile to complete our $1 Rev. Hawf served churches for 29 years in the former scholarship support from those I never million goal. I can imagine the joy and Southern Illinois and former Central Illinois Conferences, knew. Subsequently, Garrett assigned me unbelievable moment that will over- retiring in 1989 from Bryant and Maples Mill. to a room in Loder Hall. Thus, I began whelm devoted and committed African Condolences may be made online at www.short- my journey in a strange land, away from students and their families who show up cunninghamfh.com family, friends, and familiar connections. at Africa University for an education and A week after entering this strange learn that scholarships are available to Marie Mitchell, 108, widow of the Rev. Carl Mitchell, died land, Herb Martin, student pastor of help them get an education for the trans- Feb. 24 in Michigan. Sherman, invited me to worship. In formation of the world. Carl and marie served local churches in the former Southern Sherman, I found a new church home, And when they ask who performed Illinois Conference, retiring from Centralia Demaree in 1972. support and work under the leadership this miracle; who did this thing? May the He died in 1981. of a classmate. Sherman and Garrett- word of cashier at the toll booth gladden Evangelical Theological Seminary became their day with some good news. United Condolences may be sent to a daughter, Janet Mitchell Carey, two unexpected miracles in my life. I Methodists who graduated ahead of you 224 Wickenham Drive, Spring Arbor, MI 49283. can’t pay them back but I can pay it for- paid the toll. Go and do likewise. A full obituary may be found at the following website: http://obits. ward. Bishop Jonathan D. Keaton mlive.com/obituaries/jackson/obituary.aspx?n=Marie- Mitchell&pid=177862515 2 Events & Announcements APRIL 2016

Conference events plex, Tegucigalpa. Trip as well as provide a second period of tending during the 2016-17 school year limited to 15 participants. shopping. to help pay for their undergraduate April 7-9 -- John Wesley Fellowship’s Nine spots still available. Cost: $2,300. tuition. The scholarships awarded will Tickets are $25 and may be purchased 37th Annual Conference on the Holy Valid Passport, Visa, Immunization Re- be a minimum of $500. online or by calling Main Street UMC at Spirit, Peoria Bradley Epworth UMC. cords. U.S. travelers entering Honduras 618-462-2495. Seating is limited. The scholarship application, certifica- must present a U.S. passport with at Speakers for the conference are Rev. tion of church membership form and least six months of validity remain- May 5-6 – Navigating Change Confer- Larry Eddings and Iroquois River check list are to complete the applica- ing. Passports are stamped at airport ence, Fairview Heights Christ UMC. District Superintendent Rose Booker- tion. Forms may be found at: www.igrc. upon arrival. Tourists must provide Keynote speakers include: Rev. Jorge Jones. The theme for this year's confer- org/campusministry. Questions may evidence of return flight. A $40 exit fee Acevedo, lead pastor of Grace Church in ence is On Earth as it Is in Heaven. be directed to Christy Blickensderfer at is required at airport when leaving Hon- southwest Florida; social media strate- [email protected]. The tentative schedule will be from 5:30 duras. Immunizations: Tetanus, Typhoid, gist Justin Wise; Rev. Junius Dotson, p.m. Thursday to noon Saturday. Hepatitis A & B, Yearly Flu Shot, Malaria senior pastor of St. Mark UMC in Kansas; DUE DATE: Applications must be Pre-registration can be made through preventative: Chloroquine, Doxycycline and Rev. Ashley Cooper, senior pastor received electronically by 4:30 pm on March 31 by contacting JWF President or Mefloquine. For more information, of Swan Bank UMC in Stoke on Trent, Friday, April 15. contact Bunny Wolfe at bwolfe@igrc. England. Other presentations will be Gene Colthurst at colthurstg@outlook. Melzer Scholarship – Applications are org made by Melissa Bishop, Christ Church’s com or by calling 309-846-9302. Regis- being accepted for the 2016 Justin A. education ministries coordinator and trations after March 31 will be handled June 29-July 9 – Washington, DC trip Melzer Scholarship for persons who are Rev. Shane Bishop, Christ Church senior at the door. for high school juniors and seniors ages active participants in a music ministry pastor. More information and online 16-18. Includes a three-day seminar, within their church. April 8-9 – Festival of Quilts, Cun- registration at: www.navigateth- Embracing Diversity: Confronting ningham Home, Spiritual Life Center, echange.com Applicants must be a member of a Racism, hosted by the General Board Urbana. Co-hosted by the United United Methodist Church within the of Church and Society at the United June 4 – 6th Annual Mazon UMC 5K Methodist Women, a silent auction, Illinois Great Rivers Conference; a Methodist Building on Capitol Hill. Race. Registration starts at 7:30 a.m. quilt boutique, gift shop, bake sale graduating high school senior, college Begins at 9 a.m. on Seneca Street and and the Patchwork Café are part of the Cost: $900. Deposit of $300 due Feb. undergraduate or students attending a follows a certified course. Online regis- festivities. Open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. 15 with $300 payments due on April 15 technical or trade school. tration at: www.active.com (search for both days. Admission: $5 donation and June 15. at the door. Contact Ginger McKee at Mazon United Methodist 5K). Contact: The selected recipient will be awarded [email protected] or For more information, visit: www.igrc. Karen Fabian, 815-483-9343. $500. Application can be found at: 217-37-9074 for more details. org/DC http://www.trentonfumc.com/content. Harvest conferences cfm?id=213&download_id=16 April 14-15 – Passing the Baton Local church events workshop, Belleville St. Matthew UMC, April 9 – Beautiful U Conference, a Deadline to apply is May 15. Award will Thursday 1 to 5 p.m. and Friday 9 a.m. April 1-2 – Revolucion Conference, one-day event for teen girls and their be announced in July. to 4 p.m. Leader: Jim Ozier, Director of Peoria First UMC. High school confer- moms or female ministry leaders, Troy ence connecting with students in UMC. For more information, visit http:// Barber Scholarship – Applications Church Development, Texas Confer- are also being received for the Bar- ence. For churches with long pastorates Illinois, Iowa, Indiana and Wisconsin. www.beautifuluconference.org Leaders: Pastors Adrian Garcia and ber Scholarship, administered by the and those that are experiencing transi- Onarga UMC. tions in 2016. Offered by the Office of Miguel Rios; Contemporary Worship Other events Congregational Development. More Director Joe Santiso and Youth Director July 29-Aug. 12 – Mission trip to Grants are awarded to persons pursu- information can be found b visiting: Mike Francisco. Guest preacher will Zimbabwe, Africa. Plans are to partici- ing Christian service through full-time www.igrc.org/passingthebaton be Pastor Jonathan Gallardo, pastor of pate in a crusade at a church, work in work in the church and includes those Torch Church in Cicero. pursuing ordained ministry, Christian April 22 – Bishops’ Open for Africa impoverished areas of the capital city Questions can be directed to: revolu- of Harare, meet with church leaders in education, youth ministry or other University Scholarships, Edgewood specialized ministries in the church. Golf Club, 16497 Kennedy Road, Au- [email protected] Register their homes, visit Africa University in online at: http://www.revolucionpeo- Mutare and go on a safari. Other oppor- Preference is given to those persons burn. Registration, 10:30 a.m. Shotgun from the Iroquois West School District start at noon. Best ball scramble format. ria.com/#!register/gi7kk tunities may be added depending upon the areas of specialty on the team. or who were raised within the boundar- Outing limited to first 144 golfers. Reg- April 9 -- Fourth annual women's event, ies of the Iroquois River District of the ister online at: https://igrc-reg.brtapp. Just for Chicks IV, Alton Main Street’s Cost of the trip is $3,500 per person. For IGRC. Applicants may or may not be com/BishopsOpen2016 Honduras Mission Team in partnership more information, contact Matt Henson United Methodist although preference April 22-23 – 20 Hour YAR, for grades with J.C. Penney on April 9 from 10 a.m. at [email protected] or by is given to United Methodists. to 2:30 p.m. at the church. calling 618-830-6670. 7 to 12, Camp Milan Retreat Center near Applications can be requested from the the Quad Cities. Speaker: Sarah Renfro. Fashion show, featuring the latest in Scholarship links Barber Scholarship Committee by fax Music: My Anchor Holds. For more in- spring and summer fashions for wom- at 815-268-4725, by email at method- formation and complete schedule, visit: en, young adults and children, will be The IGRC Board of Higher Educa- [email protected] or by mailing the com- www.igrc.org/201620HourYAR a part of the festivities. Participants will tion and Campus Ministry is seeking mittee at: 109 Seminary Ave., Onarga, IL applicants for its 2016 Undergradu- April 24 – Conference Bible Bowl, East be able to shop and browse from 10 to 60955-1240. ate Scholarship. Applicants must be Bay Camp, 24248 Ron Smith Highway, 11:30 a.m. A soup and salad luncheon members of a United Methodist Church Applications are due May 31. Scholarships Hudson. Ages second grade through will begin at 11:30 a.m. with the style for a minimum of one year. will be awarded no later than July 15. high school. More details can be found show to follow. by visiting: www.igrc.org/biblebowl At 1 p.m., Loretta Goebel, author of A Scholarships awarded will be sent to the community college, college or June 18-26 – Mission Trip to Hondu- Life in Parts, will be speaking. A book university that the student will be at- ras, San Jose de la Vega Mission Com- signing will be held after her address Christian Conversations 3 Liberian divorce rule and connectionalism THE CURRENT BY DARRYL W. STEPHENS ence used an adaptation of the General Discipline 1988. In As United Methodists live out a range of attitudes toward Not since its founding in 1968 has this adaptation, the primary document of social teachings divorce and other social issues, General Conference must The United Methodist Church formally is not the Social Principles but rather the Special Advices, decide how much local variance to allow in this worldwide condemned divorce. How is it then that an elaboration of the General Rules that would have been polity: Does the Liberian divorce legislation legitimately a United Methodist conference in Africa familiar to American Methodists of the 1920s. express that adaptable diversity or does it violate the United has upheld a rule banning divorced clergy The Africa Central Conference Special Advices Methodist Constitution? Regardless, “the spirit of connec- from running for bishop? What does this explicitly note marriage as a permanent relationship, both tional relationship” is one of many issues with which this mean for the worldwide nature of The a divine and a human institution. The standards relating church will have to grapple as it learns how to live into its United Methodist Church and its sense of connectionalism? to remarriage of divorced persons in the Special Advices “Discipline” in United Methodism refers both to the are similar to those of U.S. Methodism several generations denomination’s book of law as well as the way in which we earlier. People who are divorced can only be received into What does The Book of Discipline say? hold one another accountable in the life of faith. The rule church membership if they repent and may marry only if The issue of who may run for the episcopacy is established in barring divorced clergy from running for bishop in the the divorce was due to childlessness or to adultery or other The Book of Discipline and appears to fall outside the central forms of cruelty. In a statement surely drawn from the Social Liberia Annual Conference reflects both of these approaches conference’s ability to adapt certain portions of The Discipline so to discipline. Principles, the Africa Central Conference also recognizes long as it does not undermine connectionalism. Every four years, General Conference legislates changes the right of divorced persons to remarry. to the denomination’s book of law. The result is what the Significantly, the African Special Advices differ from Under provisions of ¶31, Article IV of the Constitution, central United Methodist Constitution refers to as the “General Dis- the General Conference teachings by continuing to treat conferences shall have among its powers, “to elect bishops for the cipline,” which United Methodists in the United States know divorce as a sin and by retaining the church’s role in moral respective central conferences in number as may be determined from time to time, upon a basis fixed by the General Conference as The Book of Discipline. However, this is not the only discernment of remarriage after divorce. and to cooperate in carrying out such plans for the support of version of Methodist law currently in force in the worldwide Connectionalism and a Global Discipline their bishops of the annual conferences as may be determined by United Methodist Church. the General Conference.” Central conferences (those located outside of the United General Conference’s effort to define a Global Dis- While another power is to “make such rules and regulations for States) and annual conferences within them may adapt the cipline reflects a need to codify at least the essential parts the administration of the work within their boundaries including General Discipline to their missional contexts, provided such of “the spirit of connectional relationship” that holds The changes violate neither the constitution nor General Rules such changes and adaptations of the General Discipline…” those United Methodist Church together. Is being divorced a powers are subject to the powers that have been or shall be and “that the spirit of connectional relationship is kept be- constitutionally protected “status,” a word that the Judicial vested in the General Conference.” tween the local and the general church” (General Discipline Council observes has not been defined by General Confer- 2012, ¶31.5 and ¶543.7). Thus, The United Methodist Church ence (see Decision 702)? Furthermore, does General Confer- The Book of Discipline also allows for the “appointment of a has many different currently valid books of law within one ence’s inclusion of the Social Principles as part of the Global judicial court to determine legal questions arising on the rules, worldwide connection. Discipline negate other expressions of social teachings, such regulations and such revised, adapted, or new sections of the central conference Discipline enacted by the Central Conference.” While it is not uniformity in law that defines the con- as the Special Advices in the Africa Central Conference? nectional relationship, some parts of church law, altered, vio- Rules pertaining to conference membership, ordina- However, standards for ministry and by extension, the set apart late the spirit of this relationship. Does the Liberian “divorce tion and superintendency are not currently included in the ministry of bishops and superintendents, indicate the only legislation” violate “the spirit of connectional relationship” as Global Discipline. A draft proposal of the General Discipline requirement for eligibility is an elder in good standing (¶402). it seeks to hold clergy accountable in the life of faith? going before General Conference 2016 includes sufficient These are the standards established by General Conference. We expect clergy to be moral exemplars. Both in the latitude to allow Liberia to continue its divorce legislation. While an annual conference and central conference can develop United States and in Liberia, United Methodists have a long The new paragraph (to replace General Discipline 2012, ¶ processes for election (how persons are nominated, how balloting history of regulating the moral lives of clergy through church 405) would read: “Election and Consecration of Bishops— is conducted, etc.), the addition of criteria that excludes elders in law and expecting clergy to model the highest ideals of the Each jurisdictional or central conference in cooperation good standing (which is based upon action taken at the clergy moral life expected of every United Methodist Christian. with the Committee on Episcopacy may fix a procedure for session of the annual conference) does not appear consistent with In the Liberia Conference, the rule prohibiting divorced the election of their bishops according to their own context. Judicial Council Decision 1278, which says, “ No restrictions on or clergy from running for bishop has been in place for decades. Central conferences may fix the tenure and term of office.” evaluation of candidates for bishop may be made other than the According to the Rev. Paye Cooper Mondolo, a superinten- Being in relationship consists of more than adher- requirement that the candidate be an elder in full connection in dent in Liberia, this rule is designed to “bring moral credibil- ence to the same rules of polity. The divorce legislation in an annual conference of the central conference. “ ity to the episcopal office” and is “for the good of the church.” Liberia comes to the attention of United Methodists in the Thus, the Liberia Conference codified a specific standard of United States because it is a codification of a shared cultural holy living for those seeking nomination for bishop. attitude, at least among clergy in Liberia. Had the Liberia aspirations to be worldwide. The real test of connectionalism conference delegates merely voted according to conscience consists in the interpersonal relationships United Methodists Divorce in American Methodist church law against a divorced individual running for bishop (rather build among themselves in service to the world. American United Methodists do not have to delve than aligning their vote to uphold a rule against all divorced Darryl W. Stephens is director of United Methodist studies at too far into their own history to recognize one of the three candidates for the episcopacy), it is unlikely that the news Lancaster Theological Seminary and a clergy member of the D’s – debt, drugs and divorce – that would disqualify a coverage would have traveled across the United Methodist Texas Annual Conference. Stephens based this article on his person from ordination. Until the mid-20th century, each connection. forthcoming book, "Methodist Morals: Social Principles, predecessor denomination of The United Methodist Church Both “the spirit of connectional relationship” and actual Marriage, and Sexual Sin in the Public Church" (University included some version of the statement, “No divorce, except relationships between United Methodists in diverse nations of Tennessee Press, May 2016). for adultery, shall be regarded by the Church as lawful,” in and cultures must go beyond adherence to shared laws. church law. Following this statement was a rule that “no Minister shall solemnize marriage in any case where there is a divorced wife or husband living.” Since clergy were to model the moral standards ex- Orientation: more nature than nurture? pected of all church members, being divorced or marrying a Editor, The Current: researchers that show marked differences between gay or heterosexual is a matter of genetics and not divorced person disqualified a person from ordained minis- the brains of male and female in terms of sexual choice. He says, “For them, it is not an issue.” This try. As recently as the General Discipline 1968, The United At the close of a “reconciliation” service at Edwardsville St. John’s UMC about two months ago, orientation in the brain before birth. This shows should not surprise us. After all, Jim Parsons, an Methodist Church declared, “The Church does not sanction that some human brain differences are related openly gay actor is the lead actor on The Big Bang or condone divorce except on the ground of adultery.” I commented to another member, Brian Downes, that I hoped we could expand our reconciliation not only to gender behavior, but also to sexual Theory and Ellen DeGeneres, an openly gay woman, Since the introduction of no-fault divorce laws in the orientation. is the most popular daytime TV hostess in America. United States, Methodist prohibitions against divorce have efforts to include gays and lesbians. Brian surprised disappeared from the General Discipline. General Confer- me by saying that he thought that was the number Brian told me that this article and her conclusion Just think – these studies indicate that the church ence no longer considers divorce an automatic disqualifier one problem that needed our attention. Over the in the appendix of The Female Brain are “the best has been wrong to condemn men and women for to ordination. next two months, I have learned that Brian has a summary of this type of work that I have seen and I being the person God made them to be. It appears But the Liberia Conference rule shows that attitudes Ph.D. in genetics (University of Wisconsin) and is am 99 percent sure this means sexual orientation is to me that it is time to drop our opposition to God’s toward divorce can vary in different cultural contexts within the head of genetic studies at St. Louis University (a formed in the brain before birth.” creation. Oh, well, the church has already decided United Methodism. Liberia is in the West Africa Central Jesuit University). These scientific conclusions put Brian at odds with that it’s okay to eat pork and it’s okay to admit that Conference, one of three United Methodist central confer- I gave Brian a copy of The Male Brain by Dr. Luann his church (St. John’s UMC) and his employers at the the earth doesn’t have four corners. ences in Africa. The social teachings in a recent Book of Brizedine, M.D. from Yale and Ph.D. from Harvard, Jesuit St. Louis University. Yet, he continues to work Robert R. Smith Discipline adapted for use in another central conference, the and drew his attention to an appendix titled, faithfully at both. Retired IGRC Clergy Africa Central Conference, offer a helpful contrast to the “the Male Brain and Sexual Orientation.” This Brian went on to tell me that the university (Note: Brian Downes gave his permission to use both General Discipline on divorce. cites a study by Swedish researcher Dick Schwab students he works with are convinced that being his name and be quoted in the letter). For nearly two decades, the Africa Central Confer- and studies by Ivanka Savic and other Swedish H H H H 4 Local Church News H After-school program points APRIL 2016 to the stars, creator BY BOB MORWELL to connect via speaker phone with Jerry Ross, Pastor, Carterville UMC an astronaut who flew on the Shuttle seven CARTERVILLE – Having grown-up nearby, I times, helped build the space station, and was was familiar with Carterville First UMC long before NASA’s most experienced spacewalker. He H becoming its pastor. I had always envied its location also happens to be a dedicated United Meth- next to the town’s middle school. I often wished for odist who shared both about his adventures in a church so conveniently located next to a public space and his faith. school. It seemed a perfect locale to set-up an after- At the end of the last school year, we school ministry. worked with a local man to launch a “space Then in 2013, I found myself in the very location balloon” which took an automatic camera and which I had long-coveted! So, it was time to put- personal souvenirs to an altitude of 92,000 ft. up or shut-up. The church was eager to develop an Local television stations covered the launch outreach to the school and has been very supportive. and also the challenge we faced in recovering Our church is blessed with several retired teachers the payload when its parachute tangled high H who have been an enormously useful resource. A in a tree in the Shawnee National Forest! A couple of retired teachers who belong to the Catholic picture from that mission can be found at the Church across another street have also been very top of the Astra After-School Facebook page. faithful helpers. This year, we connected via internet video What we developed was an after-school program with the Jet Propulsion Laboratory which op- erates the Mars rovers, the Hubble Space Tele- Photo courtesy of NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory which meets on Wednesdays and offers the occasion- Ceres' mysterious mountain Ahuna Mons is seen in this mosaic of images from NASA's al field trip on weekends. It is called “Astra” which scope, and the Dawn probe which visited an Dawn spacecraft. Dawn took these images from its low-altitude mapping orbit, 240 miles is the Greek word for “star” and it uses a theme of asteroid and the dwarf planet Ceres, between (385 kilometers) above the surface, in December 2015. The resolution of the component exploring the universe. Mars and Jupiter. JPL was very gracious and images is 120 feet (35 meters) per pixel. On its steepest side, this mountain is about 3 miles (5 kilometers) high. Its average We offer a program which provides homework cooperative and provided an articulate young overall height is 2.5 miles (4 kilometers). These figures are slightly lower than what help and other activities. Many of these activities woman who is a systems engineer on the scientists estimated from Dawn's higher orbits because researchers now have a better focus on space exploration and learning more about Dawn mission, to speak to our “Astra-nauts.” sense of Ceres' topography. They found her quite engaging. Spaceship Earth. talked about ways to understand the Creation story It was both amusing, and a little sad, when some The school has been very cooperative in help- in the light of the Big Bang Theory and evolution. ing us to promote Astra. Promoting a church-based of the boys in the group expressed surprise that the A very few students have been troubled that I don’t program in a public school can be a tricky process “rocket scientist” who spoke to them was a “girl.” It take a literalist approach to these things. Some come H helped break an unfortunate stereotype, and the girls if you want to include programming that deals with from churches that do. But, I try to show a way that religious subjects, and Christian Education was one in Astra thought it was pretty cool. takes both Scripture and science seriously and does of our purposes. The Christian Education portion of the Astra not deny the insights of either. A major emphasis is We thread that particular needle by offering program draws on themes taken from exploration of on how love is the way that we acknowledge our vital homework help and programs that are not religious the universe and intermingles them with Scriptural links to God, one another, and the world that is our in nature for the 90 minutes, with an opt-out for any- messages. We focus on the wonders and mysteries of “spaceship.” one who did not wish to have their children exposed the world around us in ways that point to the great- Last year, we were “testing the waters” to figure to Christian Education. With only one exception, ness and glory of God. We learn about how we are out what was possible. This year, our hope is to H all of the parents agreed to have their children also all “crewmates” on a spaceship that may seem vast to expand Astra beyond just an after-school program on participate in the more openly Christian part of us, but which is incredibly tiny against the backdrop one weekday. We hope the children who are involved the program, as well. But we are happy to serve all of a vast universe, and how we must learn to care for will come to see our church as a place where they children. one another and our world, because we are all linked are welcome, and where they can learn about both Anyone who has known me for more than about together in wondrous ways. I believe science and God and the Creation. Toward that end, we plan to 15 minutes knows that I am a total space geek. I at- spirituality need not be in opposition. They can be invite their parents to a special event toward the end H tended Apollo moon shots and Shuttle launches and seen as different approaches to different aspects of a of the school year, and to put together some summer have had a passionate interest in space exploration great truth. programming to keep them engaged and in touch. since I was a small boy watching our earliest rockets We acknowledge that people of faith have some- Both last year and this year, we have started off blow-up on the pad. So, I decided to take my knowl- times let dogma get in the way of knowledge. For Astra by pointing out that we are all astronauts (a edge and passion and use it to provide the theme for instance, we learn about Galileo and how the church word which means “star-sailor”) who share the mis- the program. sought to suppress his discovery that the Earth sion of caring for one another and Spaceship Earth. At the inaugural session of Astra, we were able revolves around the Sun, and not vice versa. We have Our neighbors and our world are gifts from God.

Rev. Gerald Aloran, pastor of Roots QC, receives a 2016 Clergy Certificate from Erinn Hartwell, general manager for WMWC, the Moline affiliate for the Trinity Broadcasting Network (TBN) during the congregation’s Feb. 21 wor- ship service. The award was given for “all deeds that you and your church have done to aid those in need within our community and for your Christian love and kindness.” Roots QC is a church start with support from its parent church, Geneseo First UMC and the IGRC Office of Congregational Development. On April 8, a 90-minute worship service will be broadcast by TBN from Roots QC with Aloran preaching. Air time is at noon.

Photo courtesy of Roots QC Local Church News 5 THE CURRENT Kankakee Asbury follows scripture, feeds the less fortunate BY JOHN DYKSTRA of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did Kankakee Daily-Journal for me.'" KANKAKEE – In times of hardship, churches The church has been offering about five meals help replenish someone's hope. That was the per year since at least 2009. They have proven case Feb. 21, when Asbury United Methodist very popular, and a line had formed outside Church in Kankakee served meals to about 50 Asbury waiting for the doors to open Sunday. homeless and financially-strapped people. The next meal is scheduled for April. It was the church's first Matthew 25 Meal of (Reprinted with permission from the Feb. 21 is- the year, a series of meals that centers around sue of the Kankakee Daily-Journal, www.daily- Verse 35: "For I was hungry, and you gave me journal.com) something to eat, I was thirsty, and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger, and you invited me in." Members of the congrega- tion served the meal and befriended some less fortu- nate community members. Throughout the years, some people, who have enjoyed the meals, have joined the congregation. "It means a lot to us that we can reach out to people," Photos by Mike Voss, Kankakee Daily-Journal said Wendy Shelquist, the (ABOVE) Suzanne Thompson serves a meal during the Matthew 25 Free church's secretary and chair- Meal on Sunday ternoon in the parish hall at Asbury Methodist Church in person of the missions com- Kankakee. Approximately 50 people were fed following the Sunday ser- mittee, which sponsored the vices at the church. (LEFT) Terry Cooke of Kankakee enjoys the Matthew meal. "As Matthew 25 says, 25 Free Meal on Sunday afternoon in the parish hall at Asbury Methodist 'Truly I tell you, whatever Church in Kankakee. you did for one of the least

Handbells ring at FUMMWA annual festival BY TAMARA BROWNING festival at the church. “Good reading. Very, very good reading. I’ve heard Springfield State Journal-Register Linda Fortin, who rings handbells for United Pres- it played much worse,” Tucker told the attendees to their SPRINGFIELD – Clinician Sondra Tucker of Mem- byterian Church in Peoria, said she appreciated learning laughter. phis, Tennessee, taught attendees at a handbell festival another way to hold handbells. Fortin, who began ringing Next was music for “O Worship the King.” After the March 12 at First United Methodist bells in 2012, attended Saturday’s festival “to learn to be first try, Tucker offered to help attendees with the tempo. Church techniques in handbell ringing better.” “It’s going to be a little faster than some of you want that could bring spark to traditional ways. “The people in my choir, one day I said to them, ‘How to go,” Tucker said. Tucker, a handbell editor for Alfred long have you all been ringing handbells?’ and they said, Joyce Ely, who rings bells at First United Methodist Publications, said the traditional way ‘Thirty years,’ and I thought, ‘No wonder,’ so, yes, I wanted Church in Peoria, said that people need to know how to of holding a handbell is underneath the to learn,” said Fortin, who was attending the handbell count in order to play handbells. collar with all fingers. The goal then is festival for the first time. “It’s wonderful. It’s wonderful. “You don’t necessarily need to know how to read to “pedal the bicycle backwards” to snap the wrist at the I’ve learned techniques. I’ve learned when she talks about music. You just need to know how to find your notes,” strike point, keeping the handbell upright so “we don’t how to hold it. I’ve never been taught that.” said Joyce Ely, who has rung handbells about 20 years and spill the water; we don’t let the ice cream fall over the Handbell reinforcement was attending the festival with her husband, Walt Ely, who cone,” she said. Beginners and advanced ringers attended the festival, also rings handbells. “Does this ring a bell with anybody? And I’m not which was held in part to help support churches in their Doug Grogan, chairman of the Illinois Great Rivers here to tell you that that is wrong,” Tucker said. “I’m going ringing ministries, Tucker said before the start of the Conference Chapter of the Fellowship of United Method- to offer you an alternative. … That’s great for certain kind festival. ists in Music and Worship Arts, said handbell ringing of music. What happens, I think, in bell choirs … is that Ringers representing 23 churches (not all United takes a team. everything we ring sounds the same because we ring it Methodists) from several communities such as Carbon- “There is solo handbell music, but you really need to with the same stroke, we ring it with the same grip, we dale, Vandalia, Mattoon and Rantoul attended the festival. be pretty good to do solo handbell music. The great thing ring it with the same amount of damping.” “Handbells are known for getting lots and lots of is it takes a team,” Grogan said. Tucker suggested attendees hold a handbell with one people together ringing music. Some festivals have 500 “For me, especially as I look at what’s going on in our or two fingers to make a fulcrum in which the handbell people show up. This is a good-sized one,” said Tucker, world, ensembles, it’s the one way to help convince people pivots in the hand. Among benefits, it gives ringers more who is organist-choirmaster at Church of the Holy that race, creed, sexual orientation, political preference, control over their handbells, she said. Apostles Episcopal in Collierville, Tennessee. “It’s always all those don’t matter because you’re only as strong as you Ringing techniques was among tips the 127 registered good to reinforce good habits and actually to hear it from are as an ensemble.” handbell ringers learned during the Illinois Great Rivers somebody from out of town instead of your own director.” (Reprinted with permission from the March 13 issue of the Conference Chapter of the Fellowship of United Meth- Festival attendees began the ringing techniques ses- State Journal-Register, www.sj-r.com). odists in Music and Worship Arts’ 28th annual handbell sion by sight-reading a warm-up chorale. 6 General Conference 2016

APRIL 2016 Briefing previews 2016 General Conference debates BY UNITED METHODIST NEWS SERVICE even if approved. financial health improve. PORTLAND, Ore. (UMNS) – In a gathering that Bishop Grant Hagiya, Greater Northwest Episco- Moses Kumar, the top executive of the General repeatedly stressed church unity despite passionately pal Area, a member of the 2013-2016 Ministry Study Council on Finance and Administration, reported held differences, United Methodists received a pre- Commission, said the commission wanted to give that a record 26 conferences paid 100 percent to the view of some issues the 2016 General Conference will conferences “maximum flexibility.” general church apportionments in 2015 – the highest debate when the denomination’s top lawmaking body “The most important factor that we have to con- number in at least 16 years. At the general church meets this spring. sider is leadership, leadership, leadership. Leadership level, the money supports bishops, United Method- The Rev. Steven Lewis, Gresham United Meth- is one of the key ingredients in vitality,” Hagiya said. ist ministerial education, most general agencies and odist Church in Portland, Oregon, urged delegates Hagiya said the commission proposed ordination denomination-wide efforts such as the Black College to remember who they are as they debate issues and when a candidate is approved for provisional mem- Fund, ecumenical work and Africa University in resolutions at General Conference 2016 bership, although conference membership would Zimbabwe. “Few will read what we write, but millions will come only after the provisional period was complet- The General Council on Finance and Admin- watch what we do,” Lewis said during his sermon at ed. Other proposed changes would allow a bachelor’s istration's board and the Connectional Table are opening worship during the pre-General Conference degree to fulfill requirements for Course of Study for proposing a budget of $611 million for general church briefing. local pastors and eliminate commissioning. funds in 2017-2020. That’s about a 1.3 percent in- More than 400 delegates, communicators and Lonnie Brooks, chair of the legislative committee crease above the $603.1 million general church bud- other United Methodists who will be part of the 2016 of the Association of Annual Conference Lay leaders, get approved at the 2012 General Conference. With General Conference attended the Jan. 20-22 event gave the highlights of the association’s package of 15 projected inflation, that budget actually represents a at the Oregon Convention Center in Portland. Most pieces of legislation. 7.2 percent spending decrease in real dollars, Kumar will return for the denomination’s legislative assembly “We think there is nothing in the church outside said. May 10-20. the responsibility of lay people, since we pay for what The finance agency’s board also is proposing United Methodist Communications sponsored the church does,” Brooks said. that for the first time United Methodist churches in the event, with involvement and support from other The lay leaders proposed seven points of reform Africa, Asia and Europe would have a set formula to agencies and ministries of the church. for bishops, including term limits, which Brooks said support the denomination’s global ministries. Under Many United Methodists expect the most pas- would increase accountability. Under the term-limit the proposal, central conference apportionments sionate and difficult debate at the 2016 General Con- proposal, a bishop would be elected for eight years would contribute to two of the seven general church ference to deal with how the denomination ministers and could run again for another eight-year term. The funds — the Episcopal and General Administration with gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people. At terms would be the same worldwide. funds. the briefing, participants got a preview of the emo- The legislation on guaranteed appointment, or “When we are generous in our giving, when we tional stakes in the debate as well as a chance to try security of appointment, would remove the consti- are committed in ministry around the world, we dedi- out an alternative process for discussing legislation on tutional barrier identified by the Judicial Council cate our resources so we can fulfill what God wants us tough issues. after the 2012 General Conference approved legisla- to do,” Kumar said. This is a brief look at some of the issues explored: tion that would have allowed bishops to give elders less than full-time appointment and added steps for A U.S. central conference? Big changes proposed discontinuing elders and associate members from One of the frequent complaints about General receiving an appointment. Conference is that delegates spend much of the 10- for bishops, clergy A proposal to reform the episcopal complaint day global meeting on issues that strictly focus on the Bishops would no longer be elected for life, ordi- process provides that if the jurisdictional College of U.S. nation of United Methodist elders and deacons would Bishops cannot process the complaint to comple- Participants at this month’s preview heard about be faster and the first step would be taken to allow do- tion within 180 days, the complaint moves to the full two plans to address this concern by creating a central ing away with guaranteed appointment under legisla- Council of Bishops. conference or similar body to encompass the entire tion being proposed to the 2016 General Conference. United States. Currently, the denomination has seven However, since term limits and guaranteed ap- Church budget central conferences in Africa, Europe and the Philip- pointment would require changes to the denomina- As the U.S. economy has recovered from the pines. Each has the authority under the denomina- tion’s constitution, those reforms would come slowly, 2008 crash, the denomination as a whole has seen its tion’s constitution to make “such changes and adapta- tions” to the Book of Discipline as missional needs and differing legal contexts require. Members of the Central Texas and North Texas conferences are bringing legislation to create a U.S. “Christian conferencing is Central Conference that would meet in conjunction with General Conference. “We believe this proposal what General Conference keeps it simple,” said Tim Crouch, a General Confer- ence delegate from North Texas. is all about.” A task force appointed by the Northeastern Jurisdiction is bringing “A Global Connection Plan,” Judi Kenaston, chair of the that is more complicated but also, according to its Commission on General Conference PREVIEW CONTINUED ON PAGE 7 General Conference 2016 7 THE CURRENT Christine Flick, a delegate attendees. from Germany South Conference, The General Conference Prayer Ministry designed talked about a petition calling for a “60 Days of Prayer” daily prayer book that runs a reduction of carbon footprint March 31–May 29 so church members an connect with regard to travel related to the through the same Scripture, meditation and prayer for denomination’s church meetings. each day. Visit www.60daysofprayer.org “The whole earth is God’s good creation,” she said. “We are Looking ahead to 2020 aware of how the constant use of energy threatens the A draft of a new general, or global, Book of Dis- PREVIEW CONTINUED FROM PAGE 6 environment.” cipline will be presented to General Conference for proponents, more comprehensive. The United Methodist Board of Pension and affirmation, said Bishop Patrick Streiff, chairperson The plan would rename General Conference as Health Benefits recognizes its responsibility to protect of the Standing Committee on Central Conference the Global Connectional Conference, restrict its work and promote human rights and the environment, said Matters, “so that we know we can work on to finalize it to church matters that are global in nature and add Kirsty Jenkinson, calling climate change “the most for the 2020 General Conference.” The goal is to have continent-wide bodies called connections, including severe economic threat to the world.” She is managing feedback on the draft from every annual conference by a North American connection. The plan also would director, Sustainable Investment Strategies, Wespath the end of 2017. replace U.S. jurisdictions and central conferences with Investment Management Division of the pension Benedita Penicela Nhambiu, a member of the de- bodies called regions. board. nomination’s Connectional Table, said there will be an “We believe it is important to have equivalent In 2015, the board and Wespath implemented a effort to re-align that body to make it more represen- structures across the church,” said Tracy Merrick, a human rights investment guideline that identified 11 tative, both in terms of geography and age groups. member of Northeastern Jurisdiction task force. high-risk countries and 39 companies with significant A petition for a comprehensive collaborative plan Under both the Texas and Northeastern JurisdicJurisdic- investments in those places, Jenkinson said. for Africa would increase the episcopal areas in that tion plans, the denomination’s global legislative meetmeet- region from 13 to 18 if the final report is approved by ing would be shorter but would remain the only body Alternative process the 2020 General Conference, she said. that can speak for the whole denomination. Both “Christian conferencing is what General Confer- The United Methodist Board of Church and plans also would require amendments to the denomidenomi- ence is all about,” said Judi Kenaston, chair of the Society has been holding listening sessions on the de- nation’s constitution. Commission on General Conference, as she outlined nomination’s Social Principles around the world. The an alternative group discernment process that General agency is seeking guidance, clarity and diverse voices Restructuring proposals Conference could approve for use on “challenging” as the agency prepares to revise the document for the Frederick Brewington, a member of the Con- conversations. 2020 General Conference. nectional Table, pointed out that a number of formal The proposal, nicknamed Rule 44 because it fol- The 2016 General Conference will be asked to and informal proposals regarding the denomina- lows General Conference's Rule 43, could be used with continue and fund those conversations for four more tion’s structure and connection will come before legislation on human sexuality if the rule is adopted. years, said the Rev. Susan Henry-Crowe, top executive the General Conference. “The Connectional Table “We are a connectional church with many varied of the social justice agency. neither adopts nor endorses any of the proposals that cultures and opinions,” Kenaston said. “A unified A proposal for a digitized, customizable United currently exist,” he said, but he outlined some basic church can accomplish so much more in the world by Methodist Hymnal would include a core section of principles to follow in these discussions. pooling resources. Because of our size, we are able to required music and Wesleyan liturgical resources and One of those proposals is “Plan UMC Revised.” do so much more.” a cloud-based library allowing congregations to cre- The Rev. Clayton Oliphint explained that this plan ate what they need for their own ministry setting. If removes provisions ruled unconstitutional by the Praying for General Conference passed, work would begin Jan. 1, 2017, on a finalized Judicial Council after the 2012 General Conference The Rev. Tom Albin, dean of The Upper Room proposal to be approved by the 2020 General Confer- adopted “Plan UMC,” a compromise proposal. Many Chapel, will again help lead a prayer community to ence. involved in the restructuring work were frustrated by support delegates and the entire denomination during Contributing to this report were Heather Hahn, the top court’s last-minute ruling, he said. General Conference. Kathy Gilbert, Linda Bloom, Vicki Brown and Joey Under Plan UMC Revised, the current Com- “Prayer is like oxygen for your soul,” Albin told Butler. mission on Religion and Race and Commission on the Status and Role of Women would be merged into a committee on inclusiveness. The plans also folds the United Methodist Commission on Archives and Connect with General Conference through app History into the denomination’s finance agency. Erin Hawkins, top executive for Religion and Race, ex- NASHVILLE – General Conference, in the palm of your The app is free to download and is available for Android pressed concern that the vital programs of her agency hand - a redesigned 2016 General Conference app is and Apple devices. You can search for “United Methodist would be lost. The church needs “greater clarity and now available. A helpful way to stay connected and General Conference” in your app store or visit the alignment around its identity and mission,” she added. learn more about all aspects of the conference, the general conference app website at: http://www.umc. app will feature news, photo and social media feeds, org/who-we-are/general- Social issues video and audio archives, live streaming of worship and conference-2016-mobile- The 2016 General Conference will consider plenary, the DCA and ADCA, and petition tracking. app for a link. amendments to more than 70 social justice petitions For delegates and others at the conference on May 10- “While we know not everyone ranging from climate change to human trafficking. 20, there are also some features to make the experience has a smartphone or Representatives from the Division on Ministries easier: legislative committee assignments, conference readily available Internet with Young People, Black Methodists for Church schedule with the option to build a personalized access, this app is Renewal, Board of Church and Society, Commission calendar, a delegate discussion board, a daily one of many channels on General Conference and Standing Commission on devotional, and an interactive map of the convention United Methodist Central Conference Matters and the Board of Pension center and Portland, Oregon. Communications and Health Benefits highlighted some of those resolu- “United Methodist Communications seeks to provide is developing for tions. useful tools that connect the church and make it quick members to access and easy to get information, whether it’s from your information leading up computer or your smartphone,” said Dan Krause, chief to and during General executive of the denomination’s communications Conference," said Krause. agency. 8 General Conference 2016 Pensions video draws fire around divestment

APRIL 2016 BY HEATHER HAHN in Manila, Philippines. Central conferences are United Methodist regions in Africa, Asia and Europe. PORTLAND, Ore. (UMNS) – When does a United Meth- odist agency go too far in advocating its viewpoint? The next orientation was at Feb. 12-15 at United Meth- odist Africa University in Harare, Zimbabwe. Subsequent That debate flared after the United Methodist Board of gatherings are in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Pension and Health Benefits released a video urging Congo; Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire; and Samara, Russia. General Conference delegates to vote “no” on divest- ment petitions. Such legislation would compel the Multiple petitions seeking divestment from fossil-fuel board to sell stock in certain companies. companies as well as companies at work in the occupied Palestinian territories are going before General Confer- The Rev. Jenny Phillips, coordinator of Fossil Free UMC, ence, the denomination’s top lawmaking body. The said the video crossed a line in instructing delegates assembly, which brings together 864 delegates from how to vote. Fossil Free UMC advocates for legislation around the globe, will meet May 10-20 in Portland, Ore. that would add coal, oil and natural gas to the lists of industries screened from church investments. Agencies and legislation She especially objected that the video initially included The denomination has 13 general agencies that provide text that said “DO NOT vote for divestment” and “DO UMNS file photo by Paul Jeffrey Demonstrators remind delegates arriving for the May 1 session of the 2012 resources for ministries around the global United Meth- NOT vote to limit investment.” United Methodist General Conference in Tampa, Fla., that proposed legislation odist Church. At each General Conference, all typically “This is wrong,” Phillips wrote in a blog. “People perceive requiring divestment of church funds from companies supporting the Israeli have legislation they support — and some petitions occupation of Palestinian is supported by many church leaders in the Holy Land. the pension board to have significant power, not only they would like to see not pass. because it is a general agency, but also because it man- The agencies also have varying views on specific pieces ages billions of dollars in church assets and pension goal of the video was to have a consistent message “that was clear and very short for translation purposes.” of legislation. For example, the United Methodist Board funds.” of Church and Society — charged with promoting the On Feb. 19, the New York Conference delegation to However, the pension board altered the text on the denomination’s social teachings — has two petitions General Conference and the Northeastern Jurisdiction video on Feb. 11 to say, “We do not support forced asking for divestments related to the Israeli-Palestinian released statement expressing its disappointment with divestment” and “We oppose divestment petitions.” The conflict. Church and Society also has given a grant to the pension board's video. video’s narration remains entirely the same. Fossil Free UMC. "We believe that boards and agencies of The United Boigegrain said the agency made the changes to avoid The Rev. L. Fitzgerald “Gere” Reist II, secretary of the Methodist Church should inform delegates about issues having its text taken out of context. She also said the General Conference, said, “There is no hard and fast before them without directing them how to vote on agency has received both positive and negative feed- rule” for agency advocacy. particular issues," the statement said. "Though we may back to the video, and the video has the support of its board members. Nevertheless, he echoed Phillips’ misgivings about the each differ in how we would approach the issues of pension board’s initial video. “The presentation came divestment and constructive engagement with certain “We felt that the video was a full and fair representation across to me as too directive and insufficiently informa- companies, we all agree to be in respectful conversation in its full context,” she said, “and delegates have every tive,” he said. “I did not experience it as persuasive.” with one another about these important issues facing right to vote their own conscience.” our church." Reist, who is currently at the Zimbabwe orientation, The pension board released the video on Feb. 5 to be told UMNS he has not yet seen the revised video. He Barbara Boigegrain, the top executive of the pension used as the first of five pre-General Conference orienta- also said he is not aware of any central conference del- board, told United Methodist News Service that the tions for central conference delegates got under way Alternative discussion process proposed for homosexuality legislation PORTLAND, Ore. (UMNS) – For Dorothee The denomination bans the performance of same-sex wrote that he was considering suicide because he could Benz, the debate is about “whether and how The United unions and “self-avowed practicing” gay clergy. not shake his attraction to boys and believed God hated Methodist Church will continue to discriminate.” The debate has intensified in recent years as more him. For the Rev. Bill Arnold, the jurisdictions and nations, including the United States, “What we do as a church, what we do as General debate is about what church unity legally recognize same-sex marriage. More United Conference delegates, has life-and-death consequences,” looks like and how the denomination Methodist clergy, including a retired bishop, have officiated Benz said. She is a General Conference delegate from lives into its mission statement. openly at same-sex weddings and some United Methodists New York and founding member of Methodists in New “I consider institutional unity a have raised the possibility of a denominational split. Directions, an unofficial advocacy group. She is also gay. minimum,” he said. At the same time, African bishops have explicitly Stanislas Kassongo, a delegate from the Democratic Their conversation was a preview called on The United Methodist Church to hold the line Republic of Congo and a professor of medical ethics, of what many United Methodists on its teachings regarding sexuality, especially the one that offered a different take. expect to be the most passionate only affirms sexual relations in monogamous, heterosexual “In my tradition, the subject of sexuality is taboo,” BENZ and difficult debate at the 2016 marriage. Bishops do not vote at General Conference but he said through an interpreter. “That means this subject General Conference – determining how the denomination their guidance can shape discussion. is only discussed in a family, but really in the midst of the ministers with gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender At the 2016 General Conference, delegates can choose couple.” He added that he did not discuss sex with his five people. to apply an alternative “Group Discernment Process” to children, four of whom are now married. Arnold and Benz were among the speakers at a pre- any of 99 petitions. What the church teaches about sexuality he sees as General Conference briefing that drew some 400 delegates “The 99 pieces of legislation are about LGBTQ people God-ordained and in no need of further discussion. and other United Methodists to the Oregon Convention – not human sexuality. This is about human beings,” said Arnold, a delegate from Kentucky and Old Center on Jan. 20-22. During the gathering, United the Rev. L. Fitzgerald “Gere” Reist II, secretary of the Testament professor at Asbury Theological Seminary, Methodists also tested an alternative process proposed by General Conference. noted that United Methodists are united in deploring the Commission on General Conference for discussing Parameters of the debate KASSONGO violence and sharing doctrine. legislation dealing with tough issues. Benz explained what she sees as the But what he’d like to see is a stronger The commission and others in the church are trying stakes of the church debate. form of church unity. He is a backer of the to find a different way to build consensus in the debate that She spoke of a Nigerian gay man Covenantal Unity Plan, which includes has raged in the denomination for more than 40 years. who found asylum in the United States proposals to strengthen penalties for The United Methodist Book of Discipline, the after being threatened by his brother and those convicted of chargeable offenses, denomination’s book of law, since 1972 has proclaimed tortured by police. She told of a 14-year- as well as making it easier for clergy and that all people are of sacred worth but the practice of old boy who sent an anonymous e-mail congregations that disagree with church homosexuality is “incompatible with Christian teaching.” to a United Methodist pastor. The boy teachings to leave the denomination. General Conference 2016 9 THE CURRENT Pensions video draws fire around divestment Church law and investments egates raising objections to the presentation. The Book of Discipline, the denomination's law pension board and other church-related groups book, requires that all church agencies and will not invest in a company that receives Phillips told UMNS she appreciates that the revised video institutions, including hospitals and universities, more than 10 percent of its revenue from the removes “the most directive language.” “make a conscious effort” to invest in line with objectionable products. “But I still wonder why they don’t use the same presenta- United Methodist Social Principles. In late 2011, at the urging of many United tion for central conferences as they do in the U.S.,” she The book urges church institutions to “endeavor Methodist leaders, the pension board added said. to avoid” businesses that engage in racial private prisons to the stocks it excludes from its The pre-General Conference briefing, held Jan. 20-22 in discrimination, violate human rights or use portfolio. Portland for mostly U.S. delegates, included a panel dis- forced labor. The board also looks at environmental, social cussion on investments and social teachings, as well as The book also specifically exhorts United and governance factors in determining whether a brief time for question and answers. Kirsty Jenkinson, Methodist entities to shun investments that an investment is sound. Often, the board the pension board’s managing director of sustainable support gambling, pornography, alcoholic decides to exclude a stock. Sometimes staff will investment strategies, was one of the panelists. Among beverages, tobacco or the production of nuclear use shareholder engagement to try to get a other things, Jenkinson pointed to the work her agency armaments. As a rule, the United Methodist company to modify its behavior. has done to persuade ConocoPhillips to set a public goal for decreasing greenhouse gas emissions. thermal coal and in companies that operate in countries out and say we are not going to profit from this industry any “It wasn’t prescriptive,” Phillips said. “She explained with “a prolonged and systematic pattern of human rights longer,” she said. “We want to stand on the side of people what the board was doing and let that stand for itself.” violations.” Staff members at the time said both guidelines who are suffering the impact of climate change.” Reist said the planning for the briefing and the orienta- are not only in keeping with church values but also good for She said her group’s efforts have received support from 11 tions are different. United Methodist Communications, participants’ bottom line. U.S. conferences; the Virginia Conference’s Board of Church which includes UMNS, put together the Portland brief- “The General Conference has charged us with the adminis- and Society; and the denomination’s mission agency, the ing. The Connectional Table, a church leadership body, trative responsibility of investing on behalf of participants,” United Methodist Board of Global Ministries. is the main sponsor of the central conference orienta- Boigegrain said. “I have great respect for the people on the staff of the Board tions, Reist said. He said those orientations mainly offer The agency also is called to make investments with an eye to- of Pensions,” she said. “They are working for the greater agencies time for relationship building and to explain ward the church’s social teachings. However, Boigegrain adds good, but we have different perspectives on how to get the work they do. that the board often can be most effective in influencing there.” Divestment debate businesses toward church values if it has a seat at the table. Ultimately, Reist expects delegates from both the central Beyond the dispute about the video is the overarching But, she said, the agency’s main task is carrying out its conferences and United States to draw their own conclu- debate about how much direction General Conference fiduciary duties in the best interests of participants, and that sions based on their experiences and values. should give to church investments. becomes a lot harder if General Conference picks the stocks. “For example, regarding divestment from oil production, The pension board supports benefit plans for more “Our job is not to be social activists,” Boigegrain said. “Our I believe that delegates from the Philippines who have than 92,000 participants and manages about $20 billion job is to make sure there are pension benefits for people.” experienced increased typhoons and rising waters are more in assets. It is the largest faith-based pension fund in Phillips said she and other United Methodists believe now likely to be persuaded by their experiences than by any the United States. is the time to rethink investments in fossil-fuel companies, video,” he said. Last year, the pension board put into play new invest- especially following the historic climate accord in Paris. Hahn is a multimedia news reporter for United Methodist News ment guidelines to exclude certain investments in “This is the time for The United Methodist Church to step Service. Alternative discussion process proposed for homosexuality legislation wrote that he was considering suicide because he could Benz said she is happy to affirm unity amid theological To go forward with the alternative discussion process, At the end of the briefing, Reist reported the results of not shake his attraction to boys and believed God hated diversity. "What I wish we could get to is a genuine General Conference delegates will need to approve rule the alternative process test. He said “there was no support him. theological diversity that doesn't translate into prosecution changes when they meet May 10-20, 2016, in Portland. for change at this time.” “What we do as a church, what we do as General and punishment of a minority," she said. "What I don't Immediately after a session on Christian conferencing, He noted one of the teams did not return a report and Conference delegates, has life-and-death consequences,” understand is why that persecution is necessary for people participants at the pre-General Conference briefing were there were several questions for clarification. Benz said. She is a General Conference delegate from who don't agree with us to have their own theological given a chance to try out the alternative system using a Call for unity New York and founding member of Methodists in New integrity." “mock” piece of legislation. Sitting at round tables, small Whether delegates opt for the alternative process remains Directions, an unofficial advocacy group. She is also gay. The Rev. Kennetha Bigham-Tsai, a member of the groups were presented guidelines for conversation aimed at to be seen, but there is no question many church leaders are Stanislas Kassongo, a delegate from the Democratic Connectional Table from West Michigan, explained how respectful listening and language. They got the legislation hoping to prevent the debate from damaging the church’s Republic of Congo and a professor of medical ethics, the church leadership body developed legislation it hopes and a small group process sheet to work through the process, mission. offered a different take. can be “A Third Way” in the debate. The Connectional which is based on the principles of Christian conferencing. Throughout the briefing, participants heard calls for the “In my tradition, the subject of sexuality is taboo,” Table’s proposal essentially decriminalizes homosexuality in Bishop Christian Alsted, who leads the Nordic church to remain unified – if not necessarily uniform – and he said through an interpreter. “That means this subject church law. If it passes, clergy would not risk church trials and Baltic Area, led the earlier session on Christian for church members to extend grace to each other. is only discussed in a family, but really in the midst of the or the loss of their credentials for officiating at same-gender conferencing. Church leaders pray the spirit of Christian “My prayer, my value, is that our theology of grace couple.” He added that he did not discuss sex with his five weddings or, in some conferences, conferencing will imbue General Conference. … will permeate our conversation,” Arnold said at the children, four of whom are now married. coming out as openly gay. Alsted said that Christian conferencing should be used beginning of his remarks. “If I take a position or I say What the church teaches about sexuality he sees as Bigham-Tsai, a district throughout the denomination’s highest governing body to something you feel is hurtful, please assume that as best I God-ordained and in no need of further discussion. superintendent, noted she still visits exercise leadership on all actions. can see in my heart it doesn’t come from a place of hate but Arnold, a delegate from Kentucky and Old churches that do not want a woman “It’s not just a method or process to be used at certain rather it comes from a place of love.” Testament professor at Asbury Theological Seminary, pastor in a denomination where times on certain issues. It is more than polite disagreement, The Rev. Jean Hawxhurst, who works for the noted that United Methodists are united in deploring women have had full clergy rights it’s not a feel good way to be together, nor has it been a way denomination’s ecumenical office, warned during opening violence and sharing doctrine. for 60 years. She sees that as a sign to come together. It’s a Wesleyan way of being church in the worship Jan. 22 that infighting and disunity hurts the United But what he’d like to see is a stronger of hope — that the denomination world,” Alsted said. Methodist “witness of salt and light.” BIGHAM-TSAI form of church unity. He is a backer of the is holding together despite some “Christian conferencing is a means of grace,” he said. “It’s hurting our influence on culture,” she said, “and Covenantal Unity Plan, which includes profound differences. “God is always present and conveys his grace when we making people like my brother think there is no hope proposals to strengthen penalties for “I made a choice to believe my LGBTQ brothers and practice.” because we’re just like everyone else. That is hurting our those convicted of chargeable offenses, sisters. I do not understand the complexities of any other John Wesley asked, “Do we not converse too long? Is witness of Jesus’ love.” as well as making it easier for clergy and human being. What if we just choose to believe? Let’s believe not an hour enough?” Hahn and Gilbert are reporters for United Methodist congregations that disagree with church the people we love and care about,” she said. “Imagine if we only had one hour to settle our business. News Service in Nashville, Tenn. teachings to leave the denomination. How the alternative process works What priorities would be made?” Alsted asked. 10 General Conference 2016 Where is the zeal for agency reform? BY HEATHER HAHN General Conference delegates “not act in haste and allow tion over the past four years. APRIL 2016 PORTLAND, Ore. (UMNS) – An ef- God to order our steps.” He commended the Plan UMC Revised proponents for fort to reform United Methodist agencies in The 59-member Connectional Table acts as sort of a working on reform. 2012 had the endorsement of bishops, the church council for the denomination, coordinating general “Our current system of funding and administering advocacy of church leaders and the vote of church ministry and resources, including the work of the general church ministry is unsustainable, and yet there is General Conference. agencies. insufficient attention being given to fostering a new way of The only snag came on the last day of But this is not the same Connectional Table as four living and serving as a global church,” he said. General Conference — when the Judicial years ago. More than half of the Connectional Table’s Council, denomina- membership has changed, in part because some of the most Work still to do tion’s top court, ruled ardent reformers had completed their eight-year terms. Many United Methodist leaders would agree that the plan unconstitu- Among the new members are a number of lay people and structural reform is needed denomination-wide, but they tional and void. clergy who were critics of the body’s 2012 restructuring disagree on what that change should look like or the time- Now, a deter- proposals. line for carrying it out. mined group of United Brewington is one of those critics, and he urges holding The Rev. Amy Valdez Barker served on the initial Call Methodists is bringing off on agency restructuring. He noted that there are two to Action Steering Team and is now the top executive of the back a slightly revised ongoing endeavors, started at the 2012 General Confer- Connectional Table. version of the plan ence’s behest, that when completed would have far-reaching “The Call to Action was really about looking at the to the 2016 General effects on the work of the agencies. Those initiatives have church as a whole and beginning to focus our attention, Conference when the commanded many church leaders’ attention these past four energy and resources toward increasing vital congregations A UMNS file photo by Paul Jeffrey. denomination’s top years. across the connection,” she said. Fitzgerald Reist (left), secretary of the General lawmaking body meets The United Methodist Board of Church and Society The Connectional Table, she said, has worked the past Conference, consults privately with Bishop May 10-20 in Portland, has the task of revising the denomination’s Social Principles four years to help agencies collaborate to bolster church Jeremiah J. Park, the presiding bishop of a May Oregon. to be more globally relevant. The General Conference’s vitality. 4 session of the 2012 United Methodist General “The larger vision, the thing we are really working with Conference in Tampa, Florida, where Reist They believe “Plan Standing Committee on Central Conference Matters has a announced that the denomination's Judicial UMC Revised” is now separate mandate to make the Book of Discipline’s largest zeal toward is: What does it mean to serve a worldwide Council had ruled a massive church restructure constitutional and still section — Part VI, Organization and Administration — church?” plan unconstitutional. can win the majority truly global. That section includes agency functions and Hahn is a multimedia news reporter for United Method- of votes. What the new administration. ist News Service. plan lacks, proponents acknowledge, is the denomination- Neither Church and Society nor the standing commit- wide fanfare that agency restructuring proposals received tee expect to complete its proposals until the 2020 General just four years ago. Conference. “I thinks it’s fair to say that a lot of people who worked “I think what we’re really looking at is something that is What Plan UMC Revised changes on this, starting with the bishops, really were demoralized going to be more holistic for the denomination in the long “Plan UMC Revised” includes the following changes by the Judicial Council decision,” the Rev. Don Underwood run (than agency reform),” said Brewington, who is also a to the current structure: said. “So much work went into that, and it was stopped standing committee member. • It gives the Connectional Table, a church coor- dead in its tracks.” “I think that’s where the Connectional Table and dinating body, new authority to elect the top Underwood is the senior pastor of Christ United Meth- Council of Bishops are giving some forethought so we’re not executives for United Methodist Discipleship Min- odist Church in Plano, Texas, a General Conference del- doing something in a rushed way.” istries and the boards of Global Ministries, Church egate and one of the six drafters of the restructuring plan. However, Lonnie Brooks, one of the drafters of Plan and Society, and Higher Education and Ministry The pastor noted that he too was initially reluctant to UMC Revised and a General Conference delegate from once those agencies’ boards have nominated a revisit the legislation. Ultimately, he concluded, agency Alaska, said he and other plan proponents believe the candidate. The legislation says the top executives reform is “important for Methodism.” denomination has waited long enough to see significant will be accountable programmatically to their The thrust of that reform is reducing the number of changes in the agency operations. boards and administratively to the newly created agencies and increasing their oversight with a strong execu- “How can taking action in 2016 be seen as rushing?” position of Connectional Table executive general tive. he asked. To him and others, change already has been eight secretary. “It’s not just downsizing the agencies, and it’s not just years in coming. about saving money,” Underwood said. “What’s really • It authorizes the Connectional Table executive important about Plan UMC … is the creation of an execu- How the church got here general secretary to evaluate these agencies’ top tive, who will keep our agencies out of the silos, increase Brooks and other restructuring proponents point out executives annually and possibly recommend collaboration and keep our agency leaders focused on the in a statement that the impulse to reduce the number of their dismissal “based in large part on the degree mission statement.” agencies and strengthen their oversight came out of the Call of cooperation and collaboration with other The plan has its critics — among agency leaders and to Action, an initiative that examined both congregational agencies toward the goal of making disciples of others. Fred Brewington, a General Conference delegate vitality and general church operations. Jesus Christ.” The legislation bans a bishop from from New York, criticized Plan UMC Revised as too similar The Council of Bishops and Connectional Table of- holding this position. to a corporate model. ficially launched the initiative in the wake of the 2008 eco- • It details the Connectional Table’s authority to “We’re talking about making disciples of Jesus Christ nomic crisis and the decades-long decline of U.S. member- evaluate agencies based on how the agencies for the transformation of the world,” he said. “Sometimes ship. As part of the endeavor, church leaders commissioned direct the flow of energy toward vital congrega- the strictness of a corporate structure is not the answer.” an operational assessment by the outside consultant, Apex. tions and carry out the mission of the global Nonetheless, Underwood and other proponents are The Apex study found that agencies often failed to collabo- church. hoping to reinvigorate the passion for agency reform, even rate with each other and their boards were too large and • It reduces the size of some agency boards and as a Judicial Council review of the legislation is still pend- met too infrequently to provide effective supervision. the Connectional Table, while increasing repre- ing. Ultimately, three comprehensive agency restructur- sentation from outside the United States, espe- They are doing so without the advocacy of some major ing plans aimed at addressing these issues ended up going cially Africa. The Connectional Table, for example, players in denominational leadership. That raises the ques- before the 2012 General Conference. It wasn’t smooth would see its total membership decrease from 59 tion: What has changed? sailing for any of the plans at the lawmaking assembly. The to 45. original Plan UMC and its revised version are the result of Different church climate in 2016 a compromise between two of the restructuring plans. Plan • It eliminates the Commission on Archives and The Council of Bishops — in referring the revised plan UMC passed by nearly 60 percent of the vote. History, and moves its functions to the General for Judicial Council review — made clear the action was After the Judicial Council struck down the original Council on Finance and Administration. “in no way intended as support or opposition” to the Plan UMC, the 2012 General Conference spent its last night • It eliminates the United Methodist commissions proposal. trying to salvage some of the reforming impulse by approv- on Religion and Race and the Status and Role of The plan also is getting some pushback from the Con- ing legislation submitted by agencies to shrink their boards. Women. The plan moves the commissions’ work nectional Table, a denominational leadership body that in Great Plains Area Bishop Scott Jones said agencies to a new Connectional Table committee called 2012 was one of the biggest champions for agency restruc- should be consolidated even further than what Plan UMC the United Methodist Committee on Inclusive- turing. Revised proposes. ness. It makes few changes to United Methodist The body has not endorsed any restructuring plan. In- However, Jones said an improving U.S. economy has Communications — which includes United Meth- stead, it recommended principles for examining restructur- sapped the sense of urgency, and as he sees it, the Council odist News Services — or United Methodist Men. ing plans, which among other things, specifically urges that of Bishops has given insufficient attention to the Call to Ac- General Conference 2016 11 Fairness of GC2016 delegate allotment questioned THE CURRENT Total number of delegate reduction enhances disparities BY SAM HODGES missed getting four delegates. With about 60,000 lay it was abused,” Arichea said by email. “The reason: to enable conference members to become delegates to DALLAS (UMNS) – If the West Michigan Conference members, it’s the largest conference in lay member- General Conference.” had to choose a TV show title for itself, it might well go ship with just two delegates. On the other end of the with “The Biggest Loser.” two-delegate spectrum is the Northwest Russia Provi- Arichea said the Baguio sional Conference, with about 350 lay members. episcopal area stayed steady The conference had six delegates at the 2012 Gen- That Northwest Russia will have one delegate for every with five conferences when he eral Conference, the United Methodist lawmaking was its leader from 1994-2000. assembly held in Tampa, Florida. But West Michigan 175 lay members, and West Michigan one for every 30,000, doesn’t sit well with Joe Whittemore, a North It now has eight, with about was allotted just two delegates for the 2016 General 62,000 lay members. Conference, to occur May 10-20 in Portland, Oregon. Georgia Conference layman. Whittemore, a CPA and former six-time General He said when he was brought “It’s safe to say that most of us were shocked,” said the back as interim bishop of the Rev. Laurie Haller, who will be the sole clergy delegate Conference delegate, has done studies showing other similarly large disparities in representation. Manila area, in 2010, he used for West Michigan. “We envisioned we might go from his episcopal address to argue six to four. Nobody saw it going from six to two.” “That’s not the way that you have a representative that the Philippines was “over- West Michigan, with a two-thirds reduction, is an democracy, which is basically what we’re supposed to organized” and needed to extreme case, but many conferences will have smaller have,” said Whittemore. consolidate conferences. delegations in Portland because of the Commission He and others point out that the Philippines and “As expected, nothing hap- on General Conference’s decision to shrink the overall Europe have benefitted under the allotment system pened,” Arichea said. delegate count. because over the years they’ve added small confer- Meanwhile, the Philippines and Europe (including Rus- ences that get the minimum of two delegates. Petition specifics sia) are essentially holding their own in delegates and The Philippines, for example, had a handful of confer- There will be petitions at Gen- will see increased voting power proportionally. Both ences in 1972. Now it has 25. eral Conference to change the church Constitution regarding have lots of small conferences that under church law In Portland, the Philippines will have 50 delegates, or how delegates are allotted. get the mandatory-minimum of two delegates. 5.8 percent of the total. The Philippines has less than 2 Europe will have 40 delegates, or 4.6 percent of the percent of the denomination’s lay membership. Dixie Brewster, a lay delegate total, though it has less than 1 percent of the denomi- from the Great Plains Confer- ence, has submitted one that nation’s lay membership. Its total lay membership is Culture, geography Mike DuBose Photo by UMNS File would require a conference to about that of West Michigan’s. But Europe will have 20 The Rev. L. Fitzgerald “Gere” Reist II, the secretary of have at least 5,000 lay mem- Tagline: Delegates consider legislation at times more delegates. General Conference, notes that the church’s constitution bers to get the minimum two the 2012 United Methodist General Confer- seeks to protect small areas, just as the U.S. Constitution ence in Tampa, Florida. Some in the church Critics say delegate allotment is way out of whack, and delegates. want the process changed. gives all states two senators and at least one representa- say the way delegates are allotted unfairly tive in Congress. She said by phone that she’s not favors Europe and the Philippines, which “In a fixed-sum game like we deal with, if someone is sure 5,000 is the right figure, have lots of small conferences that get a Reist also points out that membership growth in the overrepresented, that means someone else is under- but she does favor change. mandatory-minimum of two delegates. represented,” said the Rev. Rurel Ausley Jr., pastor of Philippines and the nation’s island geography help Petitions to change the process will be “To me it’s staggering, the considered at the 2016 General Conference Crosspoint United Methodist Church in Niceville, Fla. explain the growth in conferences there. discrepancies in the numbers in in Portland, Oregon. In Europe, Reist said, language and other cultural differ- But Audun Westad, a member of the Commission on representation,” she said. ences are factors. General Conference who will also represent the Nor- Another petition would keep the minimum two-dele- “Do you think the Lithuanians would be happy being repre- way Conference at General Conference 2016, defends gate requirement, but have it apply to every episcopal sented by the Russians?” he said. “Or the Ukrainians?” the current approach. area as opposed to every conference. Bishop Patrick Streiff of the Central and Southern Europe “Whether a democracy is a good democracy or not is Both proposals would modestly strengthen represen- Episcopal Area said the fall of communism allowed The not measured on the majority’s ability to take what tation overall in the United States and Africa, at the United Methodist Church to organize across the former they claim is statistically theirs,” he said. “It is measured expense of the Philippines and Europe, according to an Soviet Union. He stressed that the conferences, mostly on the majority’s willingness to protect the minority.” analysis by the Rev. Thomas Lambrecht, vice president provisional, cover vast areas. and general manager of the unofficial evangelical cau- Feeling the squeeze “UMC local churches are spread from East to West cus Good News. over nine different time zones,” Streiff said by email. The United Methodist Church’s constitution requires Whittemore favors the two-per-episcopal area ap- “To organize these local churches in Russia into three that even the smallest annual conferences get two proach, saying a numerical cutoff would leave some provisional and one full-standing annual conference still General Conference delegates. This extends to United Methodists with no General Conference repre- leaves each one of them with an average size of half of missionary and provisional annual conferences, sentation. which typically are smaller still, some with well under the USA!” But he warned that if there’s no adjustment, and future 1,000 lay members. As for the West Michigan-Northwest Russia Provisional General Conferences are even smaller in order to meet disparity in members-per-delegate, Streiff said: “If you Beyond the mandatory-minimum, allotment is done the logistical and financial challenges of meeting compare extremes, things always look strange and proportionally, as in the U.S. House of Representatives. outside the United States, then representation dispari- unfair.”Bishop Patrick Streiff says cultural differences and The formula uses clergy and lay membership numbers. ties will be greater still. (The church constitution allows geography are important reasons why Europe and the Conferences with large numbers of lay members General Conference to have as few as 600 delegates.) Philippines have lots of small annual conferences. Under and clergy (retired clergy are counted too) get more United Methodist church law, even the smallest such Such arguments don’t persuade Westad. The Norway delegates. conferences get two delegates to General Conference, Conference delegate hopes the 2016 General Confer- A squeeze is on this time because the Commission on and critics say that has led to overrepresentation by Eu- ence will look beyond numerical comparisons and ask of General Conference decided that General Conference rope and the Philippines. Photo by Mike DuBose, UMNS all petitions to change delegate allotment: “Is this really improving the worldwide United Methodist Church?” 2016 would have 864 delegates, down from 988 four But the Rev. Forbes Matonga, a West Zimbabwe Confer- years ago. ence delegate for General Conference 2016, has looked If a vote for change does occur, it’ll likely be too late for The reduction will save money, but commission at all the numbers and concluded that Africa is the big the West Michigan Conference. It’s set to merge with members say the decision was more about improving loser in representation, something confirmed in Whit- the larger Detroit Conference, pending approval this conferencing and preparing to have General temore’s studies. summer by the North Central Jurisdictional Conference. Conference outside the United States. Of the Philippines and Europe, Matonga said: “Definitely, Going out with just two votes at General Conference hasn’t been a happy prospect for West Michigan’s leaders. With fewer overall delegates, many conferences in they are over-represented.” the United States and Africa will have smaller delega- Retired Bishop Daniel C. Arichea Jr. of the Philippines “Emotionally, it’s been a rough go,” said Nichea Ver Veer tions than four years ago. For example, the large North agreed in regards to his own region. Guy, the conference’s lay delegate. Katanga Conference is going from 52 to 48 delegates. He said local churches host annual conference gather- Hodges, a United Methodist News Service writer, lives Both the North Georgia and Virginia Conferences will ings in his area, and it’s been helpful logistically to keep in Dallas. Contact him at (615) 742-5470 or newsdesk@ be at 22 delegates, down from 26. conferences small. umcom.org Under the allotment formula, West Michigan narrowly “But of course this can be abused, and I do believe that 12 General Conference 2016 Africa Initiative plans pre-GC2016 gathering BY VICKI BROWN He said some attendees paid their own way. (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer or question- PORTLAND, Ore. (UMNS) – Some

APRIL 2016 “We especially work with the International Leader- ing) in the life of the church has its own plans for building African leaders want to add bishops, create ship Institute based in Carrollton, Georgia, to provide relationships with central conference delegates. a fund to support theological education in leadership, missions and evangelism training for pastors “In the days prior to the start of General Confer- Africa and maintain the church’s current and leaders of the laity in Africa. We sometimes work ence, central conference delegates will be invited to small ordination rules and definition of marriage. with Good News, which plays some hospitality roles for dinner parties in other United Methodist’s homes. We The United us,” Kulah said. He said the group is “at liberty to partner know that if people sit and eat and laugh together, even Methodist Church and associate with anyone or group we so choose to as- as they disagree, they will begin to know each other. And Africa Initiative will sociate with; just as you all do in the states.” that’s what this movement is all about,” said Steve Clunn, host a gathering for “There is a high level of commitment on the part of coordinator of Love Your Neighbor Coalition. delegates from the 30 most of the African delegations to attend the events as an Love Your Neighbor also sent representatives to annual and provi- opportunity to prepare together for General Conference the official pre-General Conference orientations in the sional conferences in and to pray and conference together about the issues that Philippines, Zimbabwe, Democratic Republic of Congo Africa on May 4-6 at are of special concern to Africa,” Kulah said. and Côte d’Ivoire. “But we did not go with the inten- Canby Retreat Center tion of speaking to any issues directly. We went to build in Portland, Oregon. Unanimity on sexuality relationships; to gain a deeper understanding of the issues The denomination’s Those attending the January meeting were in agree- ment that the church should not ordain gay clergy or and concerns that are being faced by our United Method- top legislative assem- allow clergy to perform same-sex marriages, said Stanislas ist sisters and brothers in the central conferences and to bly begins on May 10. Kassongo, a delegate from the Democratic Republic of speak about the hospitality that is being extended to all A group of Congo. delegates who will be coming to Portland,” Clunn said. about 60 leaders, UMNS file photo by Paul Jeffrey The Rev. Forbes Matonga, one of two General Con- Important issues for Africa Tagline: The Rev. Jerry Kulah, general coordina- many of whom are ference delegates from the Africa Central Conference The Africa Initiative group wants to increase the tor of the Africa Initiative, said the movement of delegates to General who attended the January gathering, agreed. Matonga, a clergy and lay leaders, will host a gathering in Conference, gath- number of bishops in Africa — an increase that would be Portland, Ore., for delegates from Africa before Zimbabwe delegate who also plans to attend the Portland fully paid for by the Africa conferences. The group also ered in Lubumbashi, retreat, said that changing the denomination’s stand on the 2016 General Conference. Kulah is shown in supported proposals to increase African representation on this file photo from the 2012 United Methodist Democratic Republic gay marriage and ordination of gay clergy could put the general church board agencies and boards. General Conference in Tampa, Florida. of Congo, in Janu- church at risk in Africa. Matonga said Africans are under-represented in the ary, partly to plan the “It would have negative repercussions for me and The May retreat. United Methodist Church if I were seen as voting to sup- general church. He believes membership should be the “Our gatherings strengthen our connectional and port homosexuality,” Matonga said, noting that in much baseline for calculating all representation. The church has missional ties and facilitate the sustainable growth and of Africa, homosexuality is illegal. 7.2 million members in the U.S. and 5.1 million in Africa, development of the United Methodist Church in Africa,” While many nations, including the United States, Asia and Europe. said the Rev. Jerry Kulah, general coordinator of the have legalized same-gender civil marriage, homosexuality Africans are at a further disadvantage at General Africa Initiative, a movement of clergy and lay leaders is illegal in 38 African countries. Conference because many do not have experience writing formed prior to the 2012 General Conference. The Rev. Thomas Lambrecht, vice president and or presenting petitions, Matonga explained, which means The gatherings are unofficial and not related to any of general manager of Good News, the unofficial evangelical most African delegates are limited to voting for or against the pre-General Conference orientations in Africa that are caucus, attended the January meeting as an observer and proposals. funded by the Connectional Table, a church leadership is handling logistics for the Oregon meeting. While Good News is handling logistics for the Port- body. But Matonga said no one was pushed to support any land meeting, Lambrecht said he and other Americans at The Africa College of Bishops endorsed the initia- particular position. the Lubumbashi meeting attended only as observers. “We are not children. We know what we want. If we tive, but Bishop John K. Yambasu said the college had “All the speakers and moderators were Africans and agree with Good News on this one issue, it does not fol- requested more information about how the meetings were led by Africans. We contributed to the discussion only low that we will agree on everything,” Matonga said. funded, the role of the bishops and other issues. when asked,” Lambrecht said. A coalition of 13 official and unofficial United Meth- Kulah said the group is raising money through con- odist caucuses that works for the full inclusion of LGBTQ Brown is news editor for United Methodist News Service. tacts in Africa and around the world to fund the events. Contact her at 615-742-5472 or [email protected]. Bishops urged to adopt accountability covenant BY HEATHER HAHN Portland, Oregon, immediately before the assembly. The in May 2013, after the bishops decided to find a mechanism NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UMNS) – A bishops’ task force has bishops also plan to meet again on May 21, the day after for mutual accountability, especially in fulfilling their com- recommended that the full Council of Bishops adopt a cov- General Conference concludes. mitment to foster congregational vitality. enant of accountability when the body next meets in May. “As we prepare for the 2016 General Conference, we join In addition to Brown and Johnson, task force members “Accountability is a fundamental way of life together in a covenant that is rooted in our consecration also include Bishops Janice Huie, Gregory Palmer as well among the people called Methodists,” said vows and that outlines how we intend to fulfill those vows as retired Bishops Hans Vaxby and Peter Weaver. Charlotte Philadelphia Area Bishop Peggy John- and provide spiritual leadership prior to, during, and after (North Carolina) Area Bishop Larry M. Goodpaster is the task son, a task force member. “We are to hold General Conference,” the proposed cov- force’s chair. one another accountable as a part of our enant says. In November 2014, Brown concluded his first address as the spiritual disciplines as we live together in San Francisco Area Bishop Warner H. Brown Council of Bishops president by inviting his fellow episcopal community.” Jr., the president of the Council of Bishops leaders to reaffirm the vows they took during their conse- Johnson The proposed covenant, based largely on and a task force member, said all bishops cration as bishops. the bishops’ consecration vows, comes as the denomina- are committed to carrying out their vows to During that same Council of Bishops meeting and the the best of their abilities. tion is struggling with declining U.S. worship attendance, Brown following one in May 2015, bishops also broke into small deep divisions regarding homosexuality and questions of “This (statement) is putting it out there that groups and discussed what might be included in a code of what it means for church leaders to be accountable. this is a part of our accountability process,” he said. “This is conduct. It also comes just two months before the 2016 General Con- something we take seriously, and we look to each other to At the task force’s prompting, the bishops discussed some ference, where delegates will consider multiple proposals honor that commitment.” common courtesies, such as responding to email and aimed at holding bishops’ feet to the fire. Johnson sees the covenant as a way to strengthen ministry. phone calls promptly, and seeking permis- These petitions include giving the council more authority “Steel sharpens steel as we encourage one another into sion first before doing church work in each when bishops face complaints under church law. greater degrees of holiness and righteous living.” other’s areas. Bishops do not vote at General Conference — the denomi- How the covenant came to be “The goal of our task force is to find the nation’s top legislative assembly — but they do have the common agreements and expectations responsibility of providing parliamentary guidance and The proposal comes after years of discussions among bish- that we have of one another,” Goodpaster ops about how they can hold each other accountable. told United Methodist News Service at the presiding over legislative sessions. Goodpaster CONTINUED ON PAGE 13 The Council of Bishops will next meet starting May 5 in The Council of Bishops formed its Accountability Task Force BISHOPS General Conference 2016 13 Top agency execs urge sizable budget cuts THE CURRENT BY HEATHER HAHN But at its late January meeting, the committee urged NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UMNS) - The top executives denominational leaders to consider cutting the budget of The United Methodist Church’s 13 general agencies instead to $595.6 million or an optimistic budget of $604 unanimously recommended that the denomination’s gen- million. eral church budget be cut to its lowest level in 16 years. The executives’ proposal also responds to concerns Under the reduction, if adopted, U.S. conferences they have heard from conferences and local churches would pay the lowest percentage of general church ap- tightening their own annual budgets. portionments since the current apportionment formula “We listened to the Economic Advisory Committee,” began in 2001. Hanke told United Methodist News Service. “We also The executives propose a bottom-line budget of $599 listened to our constituents — people who are active in Paid in full million for general church funds in 2017-2020. That’s annual conferences across the country who — like the The Illinois Great Rivers Conference was one of 26 down from the $603.1 million general church budget ap- agencies over the last several years — are making signifi- conferences to pay general church apportionments proved at the 2012 General Conference. cant cuts to conference budgets.” in full. Of the 26, five of the conferences – Dakotas, The executives’ recommendation is also down by $12 Those concerns were on display when the board of East Ohio, Illinois Great Rivers, Iowa and West Ohio – million from the budget proposal that just received ap- the General Council on Finance and Administration, the are in the North Central Jurisdiction. proval in February from General Council on Finance and denomination’s finance agency, and the Connectional Administration board and the Connectional Table. Both Table, which coordinates the work of agencies, each met The full list of U.S. conferences that paid full general bodies are responsible for developing the general church in February. church apportionments in 2015 follows: budget, and they both plan to vote on the proposals by Back in May 2015, the two bodies had jointly ap- Alaska, Baltimore-Washington, California-Pacific, early April. proved a budget of $611 million. But when the two bod- Central Texas, Dakotas, Desert Southwest, East Ohio, The four-year budget sets the apportionments that ies met earlier this year, members of both bodies pushed Eastern Pennsylvania, Greater New Jersey, Holston, support bishops, United Methodist ministerial education back against the budget increase. The bodies reaffirmed Illinois Great Rivers, Iowa, Kentucky, New England, and denomination-wide efforts such as the Black College the budget, but by a narrower vote. New York, North Carolina, Oklahoma Indian Mission- Fund, ecumenical work and Africa University in Zim- “We felt further reduction was in order,” Hanke said. ary, Oregon-Idaho, Peninsula-Delaware, Red Bird babwe. The largest proportion of the budget supports 10 Agency executives have voice but not vote on the Con- Missionary, Rocky Mountain, Susquehanna, Ten- of the denomination’s 13 general agencies. That includes nectional Table. nessee, West Ohio, Western Pennsylvania and West United Methodist Communications, which encompasses The Rev. Marc Brown, the Virginia Conference’s Virginia. United Methodist News Service. director of connectional ministries, was among the The executives hope the reduction shows support for Connectional Table members who objected to the $611 conferences and local churches struggling with their own million budget. In the U.S., the denomination’s finance agency re- financial challenges. "I believe the budget request by the general secretar- quests apportionments from each conference based on a “As local churches and annual conferences continue ies reflects a thoughtful response to concerns that have formula that includes its local church expenditures, local to cut budgets or hold them flat, we believe that all of the been expressed about an increase in the proposed budget," church costs, the economic strength of the conference and general funds must adjust as we stand in solidarity with he told United Methodist News Service. "The leadership a base percentage approved by General Conference. United Methodists across the connection,” Gil Hanke said of the general secretaries is valued and appreciated." The General Council on Finance and Administration in a statement. What does this mean for the local is asking the 2016 General Conference for the first time He is the top executive of the Commission on United to approve a formula for apportionment giving from the Methodist Men and convener of the General Secretaries church? central conferences — the seven church regions in Africa, Table, which brings the agencies’ top executives together. Donald R. House Sr., the Economic Advisory Com- Europe and the Philippines. Ultimately, it’s up to the 2016 General Conference mittee chair and an economist, expects the proposed cut Even if approved, the new apportionments likely will to determine the budget for the coming four years. The will ease the budgetary pressures on conferences. not have much budget impact. The finance agency proj- denomination’s top lawmaking assembly will meet May He does not expect the reduction to have much im- ects that these new central conference apportionments 10-20 in Portland, Oregon. pact of reversing worship declines. will amount to slightly more than $1 million a year, or “Our studies indicate that 90 percent of any reduc- about $4 million over four years. Response to concerns tions in apportionments to the annual conferences will be For the agencies, a reduced budget means using The executives made their recommendation after passed on in the form of reductions in apportionments to fewer funds for their efforts to help local churches and the Economic Advisory Committee — a group of eight the local churches,” he said. conferences and to carry out the denomination’s missional United Methodist economists and other financial profes- “This reduction from $611 to $599 (million) averages goals. sionals who advise the budget process — raised alarms less than a $100 reduction in annual conference appor- But Hanke said he thinks agencies can still make it about plummeting U.S. worship attendance. tionments per year for the average church. work. U.S. average weekly worship attendance dropped by “The reduction becomes diluted across so many local “The general secretaries collectively and individu- 2.6 percent between 2013 and 2014 — the loss of nearly churches that it cannot be expected to have any measur- ally have a skill set that brings flexibility to the jobs that 76,000 worshippers is the largest in the denomination’s able impact on worship attendance, even if the dollars they have,” he said. “This makes the job much harder. But records going back to 1977. At this point, the U.S. church were all spent for the sole purpose of growth.” knowing my colleagues as I do, I think they will do their supports the bulk of general church finances for the global However, House does think a lower general church best to find a way to provide for each conference, district denomination. budget will result in a higher payout rate by conferences, and local church that asks for assistance.” In 2014, the Economic Advisory Committee recom- which will encourage local churches to give more to their Hahn is a multimedia news reporter for United Methodist mended raising the general church budget of $628 mil- conferences. News Service. lion. In 2015, the committee reduced its recommendation In short, cutting the budget just might be good for to $621 million, still an increase over the current budget morale.

BISHOPS CONTINUED FROM PAGE 12 the spirit of what we intend do,” Brown said. In a separate situation, the board of the denomination’s General Council on Finance and Administration filed a most recent Council of Bishops meeting last year. Two complaints complaint in March 2013 against East Africa Area Bishop He added that The Book of Discipline, the denomination’s However, General Conference may take up the question of Daniel Wandabula, who faces longstanding questions of book of law and teachings, gives bishops limited authority enforcement. whether his episcopal area misused more than $757,000 in church funds. That complaint is still pending, and to date, in how they hold each other accountable with regard to Even as the task force has gone about its work, two United the Council of Bishops has offered no public statements on church law. Methodist bishops have faced two highly public, but very the matter. “Complaints, charges, any of those kinds of things –that’s different complaints under church law. defined in the Discipline and that’s beyond Both of these situations have prompted multiple pieces of At the request of the United Methodist Council of Bishops, our control and our power,” he said. “What we legislation aimed at revising the complaint process against retired Bishop Melvin G. Talbert faced a complaint in March can do is hold each other accountable for our bishops. Currently, a complaint against a bishop is handled 2014 after he officiated at the union of two men — Joe ministry and our work together.” mainly within that bishop’s geographical area — namely, Openshaw and Bobby Prince — in defiance of church law. the jurisdiction if the bishop is in the United States, or the The proposed covenant does not include any The complaint ended in January 2015 with a resolution central conference if the bishop is in Africa, Europe or the mechanisms for enforcement. agreed to by all parties involved in the case. The resolution Philippines. “We trust in God’s grace that we will live in Wandabula has both supporters and detractors. Illinois Great Rivers Conference 14 Volume 48, Number 1 HistoricalMESSENGER January – March 2016

APRIL 2016 Elections of bishops large part of jurisdictional tradition BY PAUL BLACK allowing for full integration. And the relative strength bishop in Indiana. When United Methodists in the Midwest of jurisdictions has only been developed in the South- In 1988, Southern Illinois pastor William B. gather in Peoria, Ill., in July 2016, it will be the 20th eastern and South Central jurisdictions. The remain- Lewis became the first bishop elected in 40 years from such gathering since jurisdictions became a part of ing jurisdictions have little organized structure and either of the IGRC predecessor conferences and was Methodism and the election of bishops shifted from gather mainly for one purpose – electing bishops and assigned to the Dakotas Area where he served until General Conference to regional conferences. nominate members to general boards. retirement in 1996. In 1844, the Methodist Episcopal Church split The 1939 Union created a system where bishops In 1992, David Lawson was assigned to Illinois into the M.E. Church North and the M.E. Church had presidential and residential responsibilities since and his four years led to the merger of the Central and South over the issue of slavery. Their most serious they would be elected by regions. Southern Illinois conferences into the Illinois Great conflict concerned one of the church’s five bishops, Rivers Conference. The uniting conference was held The North Central story just two weeks before Bishop Sharon A. Brown Chris- James O. Andrew, who had acquired slaves through In 1940, the first North Central Jurisdictional marriage. After acrimonious debate the General Con- topher would begin a 12-year tenure as bishop of the Conference convened in Chicago, and no elections newly-created conference. ference voted to suspend Bishop Andrew from the were held since the initial College of Bishops was exercise of his episcopal office so long as he could not, In 2008, Christopher retired after 20 years in the populated by bishops of the three predecessor de- episcopacy and Bishop Gregory V. Palmer moved or would not, free his slaves. nominations. A few days later, dissidents drafted a Plan of to Illinois from an eight-year assignment in Iowa. By 1944, the first two bishops were elected in Palmer would be here for a single term before Bishop Separation, which permitted the annual conferences Minneapolis to fill vacancies due to retirements – in slaveholding states to separate from The Method- Jonathan D. Keaton became the episcopal leader in Schuyler Edward Garth of Ohio and Charles W. 2012. ist Episcopal Church in order to organize their own Brashares of Michigan. ecclesiastical structure. The Plan of Separation was Brashares, pastor of Ann Arbor First Method- Odds and ends adopted, and the groundwork was prepared for the ist Church, was assigned to the Iowa Area and later Since Thomas Coke was ordained an elder by the creation of The Methodist Episcopal Church, South. resided in Chicago and presided over the three Illinois Church of England and consecrated bishop in the Over the next 95 years, the two denominations annual conferences from 1952 to 1960 – the former United States in 1784, 597 persons have been conse- went their own way with frequent spats over property Rock River (later Northern Illinois Conference), the crated bishop of The United Methodist Church or one and mission. Border states were especially effected former Central and Southern Illinois (now Illinois of its predecessor denominations. as each church claimed encroachment by the other. Great Rivers Conference) conferences. Garth was The North Central Jurisdiction will elect four Following the civil war, there were several attempts to bishop of the Wisconsin Area when he and his wife bishops in 2016– the fifth time that has occurred. In reconcile but the path was long and arduous. were killed in a plane crash over China in January 1964, four new bishops were elected when the NCJ The Methodist Protestant Church – the third 1947. Conference convened in Cleveland, Ohio. A fifth stream of the 1939 Union – had parted company in In 1948, H. Clifford Northcott, pastor of Cham- bishop, James S. Thomas, was elected by the Central 1828. The particular issue which would eventually paign First Methodist Church, was one of four bish- Jurisdiction and he was assigned to the Iowa Area give rise to the organization of the Methodist Prot- ops elected. He filled the vacancy left by Garth’s death when the Central Jurisdiction was folded into the five estant Church was one of church governance rather in Wisconsin. regional jurisdictions as part of the 1968 Union. The than doctrine. Dissatisfaction among some Method- In 1952, Illinois native Edwin Voigt, president of three conferences when four bishops were elected – ists with regard to the increasingly exclusive power Simpson College in Iowa, was elected to the episco- 1948, 1984 and 1996. of clergy, particularly bishops, and the exclusion of pacy, and when a new episcopal area was formed, The 2016 Jurisdictional Conference will be held laymen from the councils of the Church, including separating the southern two-thirds of Illinois from in Peoria, Ill. – the same city that hosted the 1968 the Annual (regional) and General (national) Confer- the northern one-third of the state in 1960, Voigt was Jurisdictional Conference. While churches generally ences. elected to the new Illinois Area and placed his office hosted jurisdictional conferences in the early years, The 1939 Plan of Union in Springfield as a way of serving both conferences. most events have been moved to larger venues. In While many heroes of Methodist Union were In 1964, newly-elected Bishop Lance Webb 1968, Peoria First UMC was the site for the confer- clergy and laity, six bishops were prominent: Bishops became the new Illinois Area episcopal leader. At the ence. This year, it is the Peoria Civic Center. Edwin DuBose Mouzon and John M. Moore from the time of his election, Webb was pastor of North Broad- The conference rotates among the various annual South, Bishops William F. McDowell and Edwin Holt way Methodist Church in Columbus, Ohio – the same conferences in a somewhat alphabetical order, taking Hughes from the North; and John C. Broomfield and congregation from which Bishop C. Joseph Sprague into account conference name changes and mergers. James H. Straughn from the Methodist Protestant would be elected 32 years later. Webb served in Il- The 2020 Jurisdictional Conference will be in Indiana, Church (who were elected at the Uniting Conference). linois for 12 years and then completed his episcopal which has hosted it in 1948, 1972 and 1996. The major block to union remained that the career in Iowa where he retired in 1984. Ironically, The relative success of conferences in electing North wanted a strong centralized authority in North Broadway also was the church from where bishops varies with the period of time. In the early General Conference; the South held fast to a strong Francis G. Ensley was elected in 1952, making it the years, predecessor conferences that are now in the episcopacy and a breaking up of centralized author- only church that has had three future bishops serve as Michigan Area elected eight bishops between 1944 ity by advocating a system of six jurisdictions – five pastor. and 1984. Since that time, they have only elected two. geographical and one racial (the Central Jurisdiction). The Illinois Area received its second “rookie bish- Indiana conferences have produced seven elected The problem paralleled the American Constitutional op” in 1976 when South Indiana Conference Council bishops from 1960 to 1996, but Indiana hasn’t elected Convention of 1787 where a compromise had to be on Ministries Director Leroy C. Hodapp was elected. anyone since Bishop Michael Coyner was elected and reached (Oden and Williams, 2014). He served two four-year terms before returning home he is retiring in 2016. The plan called for a more decentralized church as bishop of Indiana in 1984. In recent years, the East Ohio Conference, which with strong jurisdictions, strong colleges of bishops The year 1980 was a milestone year in the NCJ, as currently has the jurisdiction’s largest delegation, has in each jurisdictions and strong jurisdictional boards delegates elected Marjorie Swank Mathews as the first elected three of the last seven bishops – Gregory V. and agencies. woman bishop in all United Methodism – 24 years Palmer (2000), Sally Dyck (2004) and Julius Trimble “The Jurisdictional Conference is the key and after women were granted full ordination rights. She (2008). The three East Ohio bishops, along with core of the entire system,” Moore said. However, the was assigned to the Wisconsin Area. Since that time, Bishop Bruce Ough and Hee Soo Jung are the active 77 years since the Plan of Union was consummated, six women have been elected in 21 episcopal elections bishops that remain as members of the NCJ College of parts of the system have not blossomed as originally in the NCJ since 1984. Bishops with the 2016 retirements. envisioned. Bishop Woodie W. White, who was serving as Northern Illinois, West Ohio and Wisconsin have The racially-motivated Central Jurisdiction was executive secretary for the General Commission on had candidates elected five times, while Iowa has had dissolved in the 1968 union of the Methodist Church Religion and Race, was elected in 1984 and was as- four elected. with the Evangelical United Brethren denomination signed to the Illinois Area for two quadrennia before finishing his episcopal career with three terms as H MESSENGER 15

istorical THE CURRENT North Central Bishops with Illinois ties Jurisdictional William McKendree (1757- Bishop James Chamberlain 1835) was the fourth bishop of Baker (1879-1969) was elect- Conference the Methodist Episcopal Church ed bishop in 1928 as a bishop of Bishop(s) Elected and the first Methodist bishop the M.E. Church. Born in Sheldon, Year Site of Conference (Home Conference) born in the United States. He his father was a Civil War chaplain. was elected by the 1808 General Prior to his election to the Episco- 1940 Chicago, Ill. None Conference. pacy, Bishop Baker united with the 1944 Minneapolis, Minn. Schuyler Edward Garth (Ohio) Charles W. Brashares (Michigan) Born in Virginia, McKendree served in the Virginia Illinois Annual Conference of the M.E. Church in militia during the Revolutionary War and was 1900. He served as an educator, a pastor, and the 1948 Indianapolis, Ind. H. Clifford Northcott (Illinois) Richard Campbell Raines present at Yorktown when Lord Cornwallis sur- organizer and head of the first Wesley Foundation in the United States, at the University of Illinois. (Minnesota) rendered. Marshall Russell Reed (Detroit) At the age of 30, McKendree was converted Bishop Baker served the California Episcopal Area, Hazen G. Werner (Michigan) and was recognized as a gifted speaker. He was which at the time included the following Annual 1952 Milwaukee, Wis. Francis Gerald Ensley (Ohio) admitted on trial without first obtaining a license Conferences: California, Southern California-Arizo- E. E. Voigt (Iowa-Des Moines) D. Stanley Coors (Michigan) to preach and without any recommendation, na, California Oriental Provisional, Hawaii Mission, Bishop Francis Asbury appointed him as a junior Pacific Japanese Provisional, and Latin American 1956 Des Moines, Iowa None preacher. Provisional. 1960 Grand Rapids, Mich. Ralph Taylor Alton (East Wisonsin) Bishop Harry Clifford Northcott (1890- Edward Ronald Garrison (Indiana) Appointed a presiding elder in 1800-01, McKen- T. Otto Nall (Rock River) dree’s sermon at the 1808 General Conference 1976) was born in Exeter, Ontar- 1964 Cleveland, Ohio Thomas M. Pryor (Michigan) electrified the gathering, leading Asbury to say, io, Canada and was serving as pas- James S. Thomas “that sermon will make McKendree bishop.” He tor of Champaign First Methodist (Central Jurisdiction)** was elected, traveling throughout the connection Church when he became the first Dwight Ellsworth Loder with Asbury through Virginia, Tennessee, Missouri Illinois bishop to be elected by the (Rock River) and Illinois. In 1816, he became senior bishop. North Central Jurisdiction in 1948. Frances Enmer Kearns (East Wisconsin) He was assigned as bishop of the He was a supporter of Lebanon Seminary in Lance Webb (Ohio) Lebanon, Ill., which was later named McKendree Wisconsin Conference. He served until retirement in 1960. 1968 Peoria, Ill. Paul Arthur Washburn (EUB)*** College (now University). A leader in the Western Arthur James Armstrong (Indiana) Revival movement, McKendree earned the name Bishop Edwin Edgar Voigt (1892-1977) 1972 Indianapolis, Ind. Wayne K. Clymer (Northern IL) “Father of Western Methodism.” was born near Kankakee, and was Jesse Robert DeWitt (Detroit) Bishop Matthew Simpson elected to the episcopacy in 1952. 1976 Sioux Falls, S. D. Leroy Charles Hodapp He was assigned to the Dakotas (South Indiana) was an American (1811-1884) Episcopal Area. Prior to his elec- bishop of the Methodist Episcopal 1980 Dayton, Ohio Edwin Charles Boulton (Iowa) tion, Voigt served in Iowa where he Emerson Stephen Colaw (West Ohio) Church, elected in 1852 and based guided Methodist-related Simpson Marjorie Swank Mathews mostly in Chicago. During the College through two challenging (West Michigan) Reconstruction Era after the Civil post-war periods from 1942 to 1952. He returned 1984 Duluth, Minn. Woodie W. White (Detroit) War, most evangelical denomina- to Illinois in 1960 as the first bishop of the newly- David J. Lawson (South Indiana) tions in the North, especially the Methodists, were created Illinois Area, presiding over the Central Reuben Philip Job (South Dakota) strong supporters of radical policies that favored Judith Craig (East Ohio) Illinois and Southern Illinois conferences from the Freedmen (former slaves) and distrusted the 1960 to 1964. Upon retirement as bishop in 1964, 1988 DeKalb, Ill. R. Sheldon Duecker Southern whites. Bishop Simpson played a lead- (North Indiana) Voigt returned to higher education as president ing role in mobilizing the Northern Methodists Sharon A. Brown Christopher of McKendree College from 1964 to 1968. Bishop for the cause. His biographer calls him the "High (Wisconsin) Voigt is buried in Bonfield, Ill. William B. Lewis (Southern IL) Priest of the Radical Republicans." Bishop William B. Lewis (1931- ) was 1992 Adrian, Mich. Donald Arthur Ott (Wisconsin) Bishop Joseph Crane the only bishop elected from the Charles Wesley Jordan (Northern IL) Hartzell (1842-1929) was former Southern Illinois Confer- Sharon Zimmerman Rader (West Michigan) an American missionary bishop ence in 1988. Bishop Lewis served born near Moline. In 1866, Hartzell as pastor of several congregations 1996 Ft. Wayne, Ind. C. Joseph Sprague (West Ohio) entered the Central Illinois Annual in Southern Illinois, a term as Car- Jonathan D. Keaton (Northern IL) Conference of the M.E. Church and bondale District Superintendent John L. Hopkins (South Indiana) Michael J. Coyner (North Indiana) served in Pekin and Bloomington. and was pastor of Belleville Union In 1870, he transferred to the Louisiana Confer- UMC at the time of his election to the episcopacy. 2000 Middleton, Wis. Gregory Vaughn Palmer (East Ohio) ence where he served in the only M.E. Church in Linda Lee (Detroit) He served eight years as bishop in the Dakotas Bruce Robert Ough (Iowa) New Orleans that did not join the M.E. Church Episcopal Area. South in 1844. He was elected bishop in 1896 as 2004 Davenport, Iowa Hee-Soo Jung (Wisconsin) missionary bishop for Africa where he traveled He and his wife Janet live in retirement in Ed- Deborah Lieder Kiesey (Iowa) Sally Dyck (East Ohio) 70,000 miles in his first four years. During his 20 wardsville. years as bishop, Hartzell had the dream of having 2008 Grand Rapids, Mich. Julius Calvin Trimble (East Ohio) a church-related institution for African students. 2012 Akron, Ohio None General Conference chartered the construction of Africa University in 1988. *Bishop Garth was bishop of the Wisconsin Area where he was assigned upon election. He and his wife were killed in a plane crash near Humei, China Jan. 29, 1947. **Bishop James S. Thomas was elected from the Central Jurisdic- tion meeting in Daytona Beach, Fla., in 1964. He was assigned to Sources the Iowa Area as the Central Jurisdiction was dissolved in 1968 with Kirby, James E. The Episcopacy in American Methodism. Nashville: Kingswood Books, 2000. part of the Lexington Annual Conference of the Central Jurisdiction North Central Jurisdictional Conference, various journals 1964-2012. merging into the NCJ. ***Bishop Reuben H. Mueller was a bishop of the Evangelical Unit- Oden, William B. and Williams, Robert J. The Council of Bishop in Historical Perspective: Celebrating 75 Years of the ed Brethren denomination and Paul Washburn was elected at the Life and Leadership of the Council of Bishops of The United Methodist Church. Nashville: Abingdon Press, 2014. Uniting Conference in Dallas, Texas – the last General Conference of the Evangelical United Brethren denomination. Bishop Washburn Richey, Russell E. and Frank, Thomas Edward. Episcopacy in the Methodist Tradition: Perspective and Proposals. was assigned to the Minneapolis Episcopal Area. Nashville: Abingdon Press, 2004. 16 Conference News Texas UMC hit by EF-2 tornado Some reminders about TRIVOLI – The Texas UMC, located in the Il- “About everything that could be knocked down linois River District, was damaged March 15 after a got knocked down,” said Daryl Harding, president disaster response APRIL 2016 tornado ripped off most of the building’s roof. of the cemetery association. Dear Friends: “I figure we can get by this bump,” the Rev. About 20 volunteers, bringing with them Storms that occurred on March 15 remind us that natural Raymond Harrison, pastor of the church, told the machinery Harding said the association couldn’t disasters can strike anywhere at any time. Peoria Journal Star in an interview. The church, have afforded, already had begun cleaning up and If there is a disaster in your area and your immediate near Cottonwood Road in Trivoli, was hit by one of making repairs by the time Harding arrived at the area is unaffected but a nearby community is damaged, two tornadoes that touched down in Peoria County, cemetery Wednesday. About 98 percent of the work please contact the UMC clergy family in the damaged the other in the city of Peoria. that needs to be done was done Wednesday, he said. area. Do not assume everyone is unharmed. First, make The inside of the church was not damaged, “It’s really impressive to see how people can a cell phone call. (Land lines may not be accessible). If work together,” Harding said. the person can’t be reached by phone physically visit the But burials still may have to be put off until neighboring clergy as soon as it is safe to enter the area. the rest of the repairs are made. Harding said the If there is damage to your parsonage or church: association needs donations to finish some of those • Assess the damage to your own household and take repairs. care of your family. The most severe damage, according to the • Turn off all natural gas valves and check for downed weather service, occurred to a home on Southport utility lines Road, between Cutoff and Kramm roads. The roof • Make sure your own family is in a safe place and OK was completely torn off the house. Several outbuild- before checking on parishioners. ings also were damaged before the twister lifted • Check on the damage to the church if you are safely back into the clouds. able to reach the location. “That was the worst damage of the whole • If possible, try to assess the damage to the commu- storm,” said meteorologist Chris Miller. “At its wid- nity est point, (the tornado) was a quarter-mile wide.” As soon as possible, report damage to the following people in priority as listed: No injuries were reported. • Your District Superintendent. (Have your Superinten- Tornadoes touched down at least five times in dent’s cell number in your phone). central and western Illinois during the storms that • If your Superintendent cannot be reached, please call blew through the state, destroying homes and caus- the IGRC Mission/Outreach Coordinator Bunny Wolfe ing some injuries. (Office 217-529-2749. Cell 618-977-3168). Harrison said, but the church has to be deemed National Weather Service damage surveys • Your District Disaster Coordinator (another good structurally sound before repairs can be made. show tornadoes touched down Tuesday near Cur- name and number to have in your cell phone and Until the repairs are made, services are suspended, ran, Good Hope, Trivoli, Moline and Peoria. wallet or purse). he said. Authorities in Rock Island County say the • If your District Disaster Coordinator cannot be A crew surveying damage for the National tornado sent ten people to hospitals but none had reached, please contact our Conference Disaster Co- Weather Service confirmed a twister with a rating life-threatening injuries. About 40 homes were ordinator Ron Monroe at 309-377-2032. Ron’s email is of EF-2 and sustained winds of 125 mph touched damaged and about a half-dozen were destroyed. [email protected] down at 7:42 p.m. two miles northwest of Trivoli. The twister had wind speeds of up to 130 mph. I strongly recommend having the contact information for The funnel cloud remained on the ground Several farms were hit by the tornado that all four individuals listed above in your phone and on an for 15 minutes on a path that stretched for more swept through Good Hope, Prairie City and Avon. emergency card in your wallet or purse and checking it than seven miles. It damaged roofs, including the The weather service said that tornado had peak regularly for necessary updates. church’s roof, picked up a car and threw it 50 yards winds of 115 mph and lasted for 16 miles. May God protect us all from natural disasters and help us into a field, damaged a pickup truck and snapped On March 17, Walnut Grove UMC, located in be prepared for any that might come our way. and damaged numerous trees. Prairie City, in the Spoon River District opened its Sincerely, It also knocked down 70-year-old trees and doors, offering food and shelter to the community Dr. Thomas R. Logsdon headstones at the Texas Union Cemetery on Texas after a tornadoes struck the area. Several farms and IGRC Director of Connectional Ministries Road, among other damage. structures were destroyed.

For the time being, we have outsourced help- • Celebrating Diversity: Moving From Color- both the Cramer-Heuerman and the Cramer- Conference IT going to desk functions. Any computer or IT inquiries Blindness to Understanding and Appreci- Tolly Awards for social justice, to be present- which previously went to our IT Manager will ating our Commonalities and Differences ed by the IGRC Chapter of the Methodist Fed- remote hosting be transferred to Rick Van Giesen. (Dr. Pam Hammond McDavid) eration for Social Action at the Social Justice BY RICK VAN GIESEN Dinner at the 2016 Annual Conference. IGRC Director of Administrative Services • Communicating Faith in the 21st Century: Annual Conference to Using Social Media to Reach Your Congre- First presented in 1999, MFSA created these SPRINGFIELD – The Conference Center and gation and Community awards to recognize persons who have en- its remote offices are changing the way it feature Wednesday • Creating New Places for New Faces: gaged in social justice ministries in the Illinois does IT. At the end of this month, we will be Great Rivers Conference. migrating toward a “remote hosting” applica- afternoon workshops Reaching New People for Christ (Rev. Mike Crawford) The Cramer- Heuerman Award for clergy tion. What this means is that our programs, PEORIA – The 2016 Annual Conference will was established in memory of the Rev. Jean data and files will be moved offsite to com- feature workshops aimed at helping the local • Lord, I Lift Your Name on High: Transform Cramer-Heuerman, who actively spoke and puter servers in another location. We won’t church make disciples of Jesus Christ for the Lives and Shaping Disciples Through worked on behalf of those who needed a have servers in our office anymore, except transformation of the world. Worship one to handle local applications. voice for civil rights. The Cramer-Tolly Award Nine workshops, covering a wide array of • Meet My Friend Jesus: Sharing Your Faith for lay persons was named in honor of Ernest With our servers “in the cloud” we have the practical skills for the disciple-making task, With Integrity (Rev. Shane Bishop) Cramer and Pat Tolly, active lay persons who ability to expand our capacities at lower will be offered to lay, clergy and visitors to the • Reaching the Next Generation: Ministry spoke for justice in our conference. cost, reliability should be increased because Annual Conference. The 90-minute work- with Gen Xers and Millennials Nomination forms for both awards are avail- redundancies and backups are built into the shops will be offered immediately following able at http://www.igrc.org/forms?topic=MFSA. remote hosting service. the lay and clergy sessions which will run • Why Can’t We All Get Along: Conflict Reso- Nominations should demonstrate the nomi- concurrently beginning at 1 p.m. June 8. lution in the Local Church With this change, we no longer need an nee’s commitment to witnessing propheti- IT Manager here on staff. Regrettably, this Selecting workshops will be a part of the • Will The Ushers Please Come Forward: cally to their Biblical faith in solidarity with change has eliminated the position of one of annual conference registration which will go Inviting People to Financially Support the human rights through work, volunteer activi- our staff employees. live on April 1. Ministry and Mission of God’s Church (Rev. ties, personal characteristics and pursuits. Ted Frost) Our data migration will take place begin- The workshops are listed below with the Nominations are to be sent to Rev. Wally ning March 28 and it is expected to take up workshop leader listed in parenthesis if Carlson at [email protected] or by mailing to five days. During this time, we may have confirmed. Nominees sought for the nomination to: 1335 S. Ave. B, Canton, IL various outages of functionality: e-mail, web, 61520. access to files and programs, etc. could all be • Bloom Where You’re Planted: Being The social justice awards affected. Church Wherever You Are (Rev. Linda Vonck) Nominations are now being accepted for Conference News 17 Slaughter to speak at College of Christian Life UM Family Day at the THE CURRENT EAST PEORIA – Rev. Mike Slaughter, should be used for retreat reservation. Questions can be pastor of Ginghamsburg Church in Tipp directed to Rev. Nancy Rethford at revrethford@gmail. City, Ohio, will be the speaker at the com. Ballpark June 18 2016 College of Christian Life, a clergy ST. LOUIS, Mo. – The IGRC and Missouri Conference Slaughter is in his fourth decade as the chief dreamer and laity retreat, Aug. 8-10 at the Em- United Methodist Men are hosting a United Method- of Ginghamsburg Church and the spiritual entrepre- bassy Suites in East Peoria. ist Family Day at Busch Stadium on Saturday, June 18, neur of ministry marketplace innovations. His life-long when the St. Louis Cardinals play the Texas Rangers. The two-day retreat, will have four passion to reach the lost and set the oppressed free has teaching sessions and one Q & A with now made him a tireless and leading advocate for the Game time is at 3:15 p.m. Rev. Slaughter on topic: Rethink Mission. Rev. Rich Rubi- children, women and men of Darfur, Sudan, named by with pre-game festivities etta will be the worship leader for the event. the U.N. as the worst humanitarian crisis in the world beginning at 1 p.m. Hotel Registrations can be made through Hilton.com or today. Mike’s call to afflict the comfortable and comfort Churches can advertise in call 309-694-0200. Use code CCL to receive the retreat the afflicted will challenge attendees to wrestle with God advance of the game and rate. Fliers for the event will be coming out in May and and their God-destinies then order tickets. Churches can receive poster by email- ing their request to: ummb- Deadline nears for Global Mission Fellow applications [email protected] or by calling Tom Correnti at 314-631-3994. The block of tickets will be in the left field pavilion and available for Are you graduating soon? What are your plans for the big leap of faith,” says Joy Eva Bohol, mission advocate $20 each, a significant savings from the $76 regular price. Tickets will next two years? Be a part of a life-transforming mis- for Global Ministries. “I encourage everyone to use their be handled on a first-come, first-serve basis. sion opportunity by becoming a Global Mission Fellow. gifts, talents, and profession to participate in God’s mis- Global Ministries is looking for candidates to serve as sion. Being a Global Mission Fellow was the best decision Send your checks payable to United Methodist Day, to: Tom Correnti, young adult missionaries 2016–2018. Interested? Apply of my life.” 2133 Telford Drive, St. Louis, MO 63125-3225. The order form to ac- today! The application deadline is March 31, 2016. company payment can be downloaded at: www.igrc.org/ummday Join this two-year leadership development and mis- Deadline is June 7. As a young adult missionary, you can be involved in sion service opportunity that allows young adults from several areas of mission including education, health min- around the world to serve in a ministry of presence and istries, women and children, disaster response, church solidarity with a host community outside of their home development, leadership, social justice and advocacy, context. Cleanup continues in Coal City, hunger and poverty, water and sanitation, and so much Start the application process now at: http://www.umc- more. volunteers needed April 30 mission.org/Get-Involved/Generation-Transformation/ “I challenge young people across the world to take this Global-Mission-Fellows/Become-a-Fellow/apply COAL CITY – Additional volunteer cleanup is needed for Coal City in response to the June 22, 2015, tornado. A cleanup date on April 30 has been scheduled from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Be a part of the Illinois Great Rivers Potato Drop in addition to one that occurred on March 19. SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois Great Rivers Committee on amount through the Food Bank at 217-522-4022. The The jobs left are two fields and two wooded areas to clean. There is Global Ministries will be hosting a Potato Drop at the food bank will help us distribute potatoes not picked one house to finish drywall and paint. Lawn raking and cleanup still Central Illinois Food Bank in Springfield, Illinois on Satur- up through their network of food banks, which encom- need to happen in some areas. day, April 2 beginning at 8 am. passes a large geographic area. Volunteers are to meet at the New Hope Presbyterian Church, 80 N. An estimated 38,000 pounds will be available for distri- A minimum of 40 volunteers are needed April 2 to sort North Garfield Ave. in Coal City. The church will provide vests, gloves, bution to foodbanks and ministries in one of two ways. canned and frozen food. Email Thornton at the above ad- eye protection, sunscreen, bug spray and most tools needed. Dress The first way to obtain potatoes is to pick them up in per- dress if your group is planning on working at the event in layers for this time of year. The work will be muddy and dirty. son at the Food Bank the day of the event. Those wishing on this day. Coolers of water will also be provided. to do so will need to email Jeff Thornton at jathorn66@ The Central Illinois Food Bank is located at 1937 East To volunteer, please call 630–276–8843 or email (revmarkhughey@ att.net, with the amount requested. The potatoes will Cook St. in Springfield. The agency distributes nearly 10 gmail.com) anytime so the church can get your team set up with be in individual 10-pound bags wrapped in 50 pounds million pounds of food supplies to those that are hungry food and equipment. Lunch will be provided unless you prefer to bundles. annually. bring your own lunch. Someone will lead you in the field to make The second method of distribution will be to order the sure the work is done appropriately and to answer questions. Stuby named East Bay Minister of Mission Expansion For more details, please see http:// SPRINGFIELD – Rev. Kimberly ministry beyond the local church. An Collections midwestmissiondc.org/projects/ Ann Stuby has been appointed by important piece of Stuby’s leadership for Annual and projects Bishop Jonathan D. Keaton to the will be to engage in constant con- newly created position of Minister versation with local church leaders Jurisdictional Sale prices set of Mission Expansion (MME) at East and community non-profit organi- Conference Bay Camp, effective May 16. zations to identify needs and help for three closed Stuby, an ordained deacon, cur- meet those needs through relevant PEORIA – The Midwest Mission Dis- campsites rently serves as a program assistant services. tribution Center is seeking any or all for Camping, Retreat, and Youth "I look forward to getting to know supplies for the following kits: SPRINGFIELD – The IGRC set the Ministries of the Illinois Great Rivers Confer- local church and community leaders and prices for the sale of Epworth, Jensen Personal dignity kits – hand towel, ence. Her primary camping assignment has working with them to help them meet their Woods and Living Springs camps in a wash cloth, comb, nail clippers, tooth- been at Little Grassy Camp, although she has needs," Stuby said. meeting March 12. brush, shampoo with conditioner, conducted training and recruiting for other deodorant, bar soap, razors (individu- Trustees reviewed appraisals on each Stuby will also hold the Camping and Retreat IGRC camps and provided leadership in IGRC Ministries’ vision at East Bay and assure that all ally wrapped); toothpaste (2.5 oz. or property and set a $350,000 price tag youth ministry. larger) for Epworth Camp in Louisville, a $3 parts of the camp’s operation are aligned with "I am excited to be joining the staff at East Bay that vision. She will give oversight to effective- School kits – 3 spiral, 1 subject note- million price tag for the approximately and look forward to being part of the team ness and spiritual formation of staff, provide books (8 x 10 1/2“); 3 pens (blue or 550 acre Jensen Woods campsite near that will lead East Bay into the future," Stuby resources, and be a pastoral presence on site black); 3 unsharpened pencils; pencil Timewell and $1.6 million for Living said. "This position will play an integral role for all campers and guests. sharpener; pencil eraser (2 inches or Springs campsite near Lewistown. in fulfilling my call as a deacon as, with God's larger), 12” ruler with metric measure- The trustees, in cooperation with the Stuby joins the existing staff at East Bay: ments; protractor (6” long with metric); conference Commission on Camping help, we will be connecting the church to the Benjamin Nelson, Site Manager; Curt Frank- box of 24 crayons; pair of round tip and Retreat Ministries and IGRC Com- world." lin, IGRC Program Assistant; and Lea Schuler, scissors (no plastic scissors) munications has launched a website Stuby’s position at East Bay is similar to the Office Manager. Together they will create Those wishing to help with the cost and marketing plan for the sale of the position held by Rev. Ed Hoke at Little Grassy. camping and retreat experiences for campers of shipping and/or the purchase of three properties. Both positions were created in response to and guests where the Camping Commission’s supplies in bulk can make their checks Persons can visit: www.igrcampsfor- the Camping Commission’s commitment to commitment to transformational settings for payable to MMDC and bring it to sale.com to view information about greater intentionality in its role as a confer- re-creation, intensives for spiritual formation, Annual or Jurisdictional Conference each of the properties for sale. ence ministry, which is to equip local churches and hospitality to all may be experienced. or mail them to : MMDC, P.O. Box 56, for ministry and to provide a connection for Chatham, IL 62629. ILLINOIS GREAT RIVERS CAMPS FOR SALE Three camp and retreat properties owned by the Illinois Great Rivers Conference of The United Methodist Church offer potential buyers a wide range of possibilities for use. Epworth Camp on the outskirts of Louisville, IL, would serve well as a retreat center, educational facility, Living Springs Camp or lovely location on which to build in a peaceful $1,600,000 community. Jensen Woods Camp is located in the “Golden Triangle” of Illinois in Brown County, which is known nationwide for exceptional hunting of white tailed deer. A lodge, bunkhouse, and A-frame make the Epworth Camp property turnkey ready for business. Timber on the $350,000 property offers opportunities for logging and the CONTACT wooded setting for camping. Rev. Rick Van Giesen Living Springs Camp is located just north of Director of Administrative Services Lewistown, IL. The property includes generous acres of Illinois Great Rivers Conference Camping & Retreat Ministries timber for hunting, RV sites, an all-purpose recreation P.O. Box 19207 building, and a rustic-appearing lodge, all of which Springfield, IL 62794-9207 suggest opportunities for development as a hunting (217) 529-2132 operation, RV park, retreat center, or facility for hosting [email protected] receptions and other large group gatherings. Jensen Woods Camp TERMS OF SALE $3,000,000 Properties sell “AS IS.”

REGISTER NOW AT: http://www.igrc.org/bishopsopen2016 22 APRIL 2016 SAVE THE THE BISHOP’S DATE OPEN

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