The News of Illinois Greaturrent Rivers Conference of The United Methodist Church Volume 12, NumberC 11 www.igrc.org July 2008 Cleanup, recovery efforts begin to take shape as river crests Attention turns southward as Quad Cities and Quincy begin second phase of disaster response By Paul Black Volunteers and residents along the Mississippi River begin a second stage of response as water levels begin to drop with cresting reported in the Quad Cities and Quincy. As of press time June 23, several areas are breathing a little easier as breaks in several levees have dropped water levels while others are dealing with the flooding left in the aftermath of the break. United Methodists have been involved in the response with tasks ranging from evacuation assistance, sandbagging, preparing meals and the beginning of long-term recovery. Methodists respond Bishop Sharon A. Brown Christopher Ways to respond issued a pastoral letter June 20, noted both The Midwest Mission crisis and opportunity. Distribution Center is in need of flood “I hear the anxiety and anguish of those buckets and flood bucket supplies. A Photo by Bunny Wolfe list of supplies can be found on the See Cleanup on page 20 . Judy Doyle, conference disaster coordinator joins in the sandbagging effort in Quincy. conference web site at: http://www.igrc.org/Ministries/Mis Annual conference focuses on Living the United Methodist Way sions/Disaster-Relief/Flood- Buckets.aspx By Paul Black Take up a special offering for the Conference Disaster Fund #6800. The 2008 Illinois Great Rivers Because the flooding is widespread, Conference held its 12th annual session do not designate funds for a particular June 4-7 at the Peoria Civic Center in area. This will allow the Disaster Peoria. This year’s session focused on Relief Team to move quickly to Living the United Methodist Way, spot- address needs as they develop. lighting Wesley’s general rules “Doing No Volunteer for sandbagging efforts or Harm. Doing Good. Staying in Love with providing meals for volunteers. God.” Updated information is posted at the A video segment began each day with IGRC website as it becomes avail- one of the three areas. In the first segment, able. IGRC retired pastor Miley Palmer described how his family coped with the tragedy at Northern Illinois University in dealing with his granddaughter Ryanne Mace’s death. The second segment fea- Photos by Bob Baker tured the story of Mississippi teen Members of the annual conference lift up their signed covenant cards during opening Elizabeth Cumbest who has raised $45,000 worship Wednesday to “Do No Harm, Do Good, and Stay in Love with God.” for Gulf Coast hurricane relief with her Episcopal Address she gave at General service – 12 in Illinois and eight in music; and the third segment provided a Conference in April. The address, which Minnesota. cross-section of insights in how persons gained wide acclaim across the connection, Bishop Bruce Ough, episcopal leader stay in love with God. was received warmly by the 2,000 mem- from the West Ohio Conference, was the The conference was also the final con- bers of the annual conference as she told special conference speaker as he presented ference for Bishop Sharon A. Brown the stories of transformation wrapped into the Council of Bishops’ Seven Vision Christopher, who announced her retire- the liturgy of communion. A farewell cele- Pathways and resourced the conference ment last fall. Christopher has been the bration was held that recounted Bishop around transformational leadership in the only bishop of the Illinois Great Rivers Christopher’s call into the ministry at a local church. Conference, which united just two weeks time where women had just been given the Conference members also gave their prior to her arrival in 1996. On the opening rights of ordination. Several speakers also enthusiastic support for the candidacy of night, Christopher gave a reprise of the paid tribute for Christopher’s 20 years of See Annual Conference on page 11 . Page 2 Illinois Great Rivers Conference — The Current July 2008 Announcements and Events Quest UMC to host NBN churches throughout the conference. Bismarck, Iroquois River District, effec- run/walk Training opportunities for Module 1 – tive July 1. “The Call” are listed below. Registration Jane Bradford to Saumenin and Trinity Quest UMC will be hosting a 5K at all locations will be open from 9 to 9:25 UM Parish, Associate, Vermilion River run/walk in Champaign-Urbana a.m. Training begins at 9:30 a.m. and is District, effective July 1. on Saturday, Aug. 30, with all proceeds completed by 4 p.m. David L. Phillips to Saunemin and going to Nothing But Nets. Aug. 9 – Galesburg First UMC and Trinity UM Parish, Vermilion River For more information, visit the website: Peoria First District, effective July 1. www.questfornets.com. The website Aug. 23 – Effingham Centenary and Supply not appointed includes information about the run/walk as Bourbonnais Grace James Whitaker to Shelby Bayler, Morris wed well as how to register to participate. Oct. 4 – East Moline Christ and Cooperative, Embarras River District, Bloomington Morningstar beginning July 1. Rev. Lavon Bayler and Denise Morris The Well to be offered at Oct. 25 – Marion Aldersgate, Godfrey, Michael Eugene Shearer to Cache were united in marriage at the Beecher six sites and Champaign Faith Chapel, Cache River District, beginning City UMC on May 24 at 4 p.m. with Rev. Module 2 – “The Quad” will be held in July 1. Sam Totten officiating. A reception dinner The Well, for youth workers, will be January and February 2009. Change of status was held following, at the Beecher City hosted around the conference this fall in Register online at http://youth.igrcamp Charles D. Stephens, Sr. transfer from Kluthe Center. They wish to thank every- various locations. .org (registration fees apply) or register IGRC to Southwest Texas Conference one for their cards, gifts and prayers. In Identical sessions will be held at the by mail or fax by downloading informa- effective July 1. His Love, Lavon and Denise Bayler. following locations: tion from youth.igrcamp.org and submit- Allynn Walker to Alton: Main Street, Monday, Oct. 6 – Mt. Vernon (PM) ting forms and payment to Peggy O’Neal, Mississippi River, effective July 1.. Tuesday, Oct. 7 – Belleville (AM) P.O. Box 19207, Springfield, IL 62794. Allyn’s status will change from Deacon to Tuesday, Oct. 7 – Clinton (PM) FTLP. Wednesday, Oct. 8 – Bloomington Appointments Becky Brault to Logan County Parish, (AM) Sangamon River District, effective July 1. Thursday, Oct. 9 – Peoria (AM) Angel Taylor to Morton, Associate, She is coming off Leave of Absence. Thursday, Oct. 9 – Jacksonville (PM) Illinois River District, effective July 1. Jerry Crawford discontinued as a local The presenter will be Dr. Hal Hamilton, Casey Taylor, Lacon-Sparland and pastor effective June 30. Director of Youth and Young Adult Chillicothe, Associate, Illinois River Brent Gordon discontinued as a local Ministries at First UMC in Tulsa, Okla. District, effective July 1. pastor effective June 30. The Well is designed to be a “close to Jay Regennitter to Normal: home” time for equipping and training Morningstar, Vermilion River District, Deaths Two Cent Offering to lead local church youth ministry leaders (vol- effective Sept. 1. Junior High YAR unteer or paid). Dianne Duncan to Walnut Grove, Retired pastor Richard “Dick” Contact Tim Price at 618-667-6241 ext Spoon River District, effective July 1. Huckins died recently in Ohio. He was a Two Cent Offering, the band that cur- 414 or by emailing: tim@harvestmin Janet Miller to Catlin, Iroquois River pastor in the former Central Illinois rently serves as worship leaders during the istryteams.com for a brochure. District, effective July 1. Conference for over 30 years, retiring in contemporary worship service at Peoria Dan D. Seibert to Forsyth, Sangamon 1993. Expressions of sympathy may be First UMC, will lead worship throughout River District, effective July 1. sent to his wife, Ruth Huckins, 802 Loretta the weekend at Junior High YAR which Youth Ministry Essentials unveiled Alan M. Simonson, Sr. to LaMoine Place, Lima, OH 45805. will be held Oct. 17-19 at Lake River Parish, Spoon River District, effec- Irene Joyner, wife of Rev. Jack Joyner, Williamson Retreat Center in Carlinville. Youth Ministry tive July 1. pastor of the Bissell UMC, died June 8. The group was initially formed in 2002 Essentials, a four- James O. Tinzmann to Litchfield: St. Expressions of sympathy may be sent to by Chris Zobac and Patrick Jenkins. Two module of train- Timothy, Mississippi River District, effec- Rev. Jack Joyner at his home, 2105 Cent Offering takes its name from Luke ing for youth tive July 1. Greenside Dr., Springfield 62704. 21:1-4. With poignant lyrics, supported by leaders, will be Robert Lee Shook to Benton: First, Mary Marzahn, wife of the late Wilbert scripture, matched with a progressive rolled out this fall. Cache River District, effective July 1. Marzahn, died recently. Services will be acoustic sound, Two Cent Offering deliv- The multi-module Jeff Stahl to Bethany and Sanner held Saturday, June 21 at First Centenary ers a powerful message of truth, grace, and training is spon- Chapel, Sangamon River District, effective UMC in Chattanooga, TN. Expressions of hope. For more information on the band, sored by the July 1. sympathy, at the request of the family, may visit: http://www.twocentoffering.com Illinois Great Rivers Conference Youth Janice M. Devor to Greater West be made through the following website: Ministry and the Youth Worker Frankfort Parish, Cache River District, http://mem.com/Story. Harvest worship conference Movement, and consists of one-day train- effective July 1.