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PREPARING A HOME: A HABITAT FOR HUMANITY PROJECT

FROM DISTRICT SUPERINTENDENT, REV. JERRY KULAH

COVENANT COMMUNITY GATHERINGS

HISPANIC MINISTRY AT BEARDSTOWN

HISPANIC MINISTRY THANK YOU

PEOPLE OF LIBERIA

MINISTERS’ MATES ONLINE GROUP

Lay Speaking

UNITED METHODIST WOMEN

IGNITING MINISTRY

DISTRICT OFFICE NEWS

THE PHILLIPINE WAY

PREPARING A HOME: A HABITAT FOR HUMANITY PROJECT IN 2008
BY THE GREATER JACKSONVILLE AREA UNITED METHODIST CHURCHES

For everyone who has a desire to be part of something bigger than yourself and has wanted a mission work experience without leaving home, your opportunity is coming in 2008. The United Methodist Churches of the Greater Jacksonville area are partnering together to built a Habitat for Humanity house. The project will begin in this spring with completion in the fall of 2008. Habitat will provide the site, the client for whom the house will become a home, and the supervision for the construction project. The churches will provide funds, workers, food and prayers to complete the work. The funds are needed to purchase supplies to build the house including those items that must be done by licensed professionals. In addition, each church will provide workers. And even though the number of workers each church provides is constant, the individuals from all the churches may vary from week to week. The work will take place at the work site every Saturday morning from 8 AM to 12 noon. Those working at the site must be at least 18 years old. The worker's skill level can range from those capable of carrying materials to those who can perform more skilled activities like finish drywall and install roofing. Every Saturday at 10 AM the workers take a break for snacks and refreshment provided by one of the churches. Willing volunteers, who are unable to come to the worksite, can still participate in the project too. One of the most vital contributions needed to make this project a success comes from those praying for the safety of the individuals working at the site as well as those working behind the scenes. Your unceasing prayers are coveted additionally for the family who will be transforming this house into their home. All things are possible with God. Prayerfully consider how you as an individual can contribute to this wonderful cause. Think about those men and women who might be on the fringes of your congregation and how they can be drawn in though this marvelous project. Discern the ways in which your congregation can commit to preparing a home in Jacksonville. Then, at your January Church Council (Administrative Council), make this commitment official. Our desire is to know the level to which each participating church is committing with financial support and the number of eager workers by February 1, 2008. Although the Holy Spokes Cluster of The United Methodist Churches is the group spearheading this project, all United Methodist Churches in the area are invited to contribute in any way you can. Please refrain, however, from sending your gifts directly to either the Holy Spokes Cluster or Habitat for Humanity. In order for each church to accurately account for its own level of participation, we ask that all monetary gifts for this project be channeled through the local church. Then each church treasurer will forward your church funds payable to the Holy Spokes Cluster to Rev. Bob McKelvey, Project Treasurer at Wesley Chapel United Methodist Church, 1447 Merritt Road, Jacksonville, IL 62650. For additional information contact Rev Bob McKelvey, (217) 245-7312 or email: RMcKelvey1102@aol.com.

FROM DISTRICT SUPERINTENDENT, REV. JERRY KULAH

Early Christmas greetings to you in the gracious name of the Christ Child, our Lord and Savior. I write to once again express my profound gratitude to you for your kind assistance in helping me to purchase a vehicle for my ministry work. Your contribution has helped me to finally make a full payment of the vehicle. Thanks for your partnership, love, care and support. You can see a photo of the vehicle with me standing near it.

For His glory,

Jerry Kulah

GATHERINGS FOR THE COVENANT COMMUNITY OF THE CLERGY
2008 — 2009
Tentative DatePlansLocations
September 7Welcome eventJacksonville
October 6Midwest Mission Dist Center
(8:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. and only the first 15 people will be able to attend, so please sign up by calling or emailing Andrea at the district office: lamoineriverdistrict@verizon.net or 217/245-9946)		Chatham
November 3Pastors’ District WorshipJerseyville
December 5Christmas Dinner/PartyQuincy VS
January 5Open Forum on clergy issuesHavana
February 9-10Covenant KeepersBelleville
March 2Study DayLittleton Five Practices of Fruitful Congregations
April 6Holy Week Retreat
(10:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m.)		Jensen Woods
May 4Chaddock Service DayQuincy

LAMOINE RIVER DISTRICT HISPANIC MINISTRY AT BEARDSTOWN

Hispanic Ministry Photo Journal


HISPANIC MINISTRY IN BEARDSTOWN CELEBRATES NEW LOCATION

By Susan J. Meister

Picture of Ministerio Hispano Nueva Vida There were two reasons for celebration in Beardstown on the first Sunday in March. The first was the 44th birthday of Evaristo Rodriguez, who serves as Lay Missioner to the Nueva Vida Hispanic Ministry. The second was the opening of the new storefront worship, ministry and office space on State Street in Beardstown.

Over 50 members of the Nueva Vida community of faith and guests gathered for the first worship service, complete with a praise band, powerful preaching and fellowship. Rodriguez switched easily from Spanish to English to welcome and thank those present and to give God the glory for the new location. While strumming his guitar, he enthusiastically led the congregation in contemporary praise songs in both Spanish and English.

Nueva Vida part of larger plan for Hispanic ministry

The outreach in Beardstown is part of the Illinois Great Rivers Conference Hispanic Task Force strategy to establish communities of faith in areas with large and emergent Hispanic populations. In mid-2004, the Task Force investigated possible ministry in the Sangamon River District (see related story, The Current, 10/01/04), but soon discovered that there was a larger population of persons in the western Illinois and Beardstown area (LaMoine River District).

At about the same time, Rev. Sandy Brunell, pastor of Bowen UMC (about an hour northwest of Beardstown), noted a sudden surge of Hispanics in her town of 500. Through the efforts of Rev. Adrian Garcia, pastor of Jesus es el Senor, Cobden and Associate Director of Hispanic Ministries for IGRC, grant funds from the Office of Congregational Development to Bowen UMC were matched to Rodriguez's willingness to relocate his family and begin ministry in Beardstown.

Rodriguez moved to the area in September 2005, and began to share Jesus Christ with people in stores, on the streets, and wherever he found receptive ears. He began a Bible Study in his home. On Easter Sunday, 2006, he held a worship service at Beardstown First UMC, and continued with Sunday evening services. Since its beginning, the ministry has begun several active small groups, helped sponsor a health and job fair, and held a bi-lingual Bible School.

"Pastor Schoolcraft and the people at First UMC are loving people, very helpful and supportive," Rodriguez said. "But to grow, we found it necessary to have our own space."

Nueva Vida will continue with Sunday worship at 6 p.m., with Sunday School immediately preceding. The ministry also plans a prayer meeting for Mondays and a Saturday youth group.

Rodriguez is very clear about his hopes and dreams. "I want to get a Hispanic congregation in full connection with the UMC," he emphasized, "to serve the people in Beardstown and central Illinois."

Rodriguez grows in his call to ministry

Rodriguez at Pulpit

Rodriguez is no stranger to the Hispanic ministry in the IGRC. He was introduced to Jesus Christ when he lived in St. Louis and volunteered at a Hispanic mission led by Mexican pastor Rev. Ernesto Trevino, a seminary friend of Garcia. After Trevino left St. Louis in 1999, Rodriguez' family moved to Cobden, where he became active in Jesus es el Senor, and served as worship leader for four years. He heard the call from the Lord and took some classes at Garrett Seminary in Chicago.

Now, Rodriguez is taking extension classes in Houston through John Wesley Seminary, Monterey, Mexico, in pursuit of his bachelor's degree. He has attended License to Preach School. He is especially grateful for the prayerful support he is receiving from the IGRC clergy community, including his mentor, Rev. William Werner, and he meets regularly with a covenant group in Jacksonville.

"I get a lot of help from my brothers and sisters in community," he said.

Local congregations have supplied additional material support to the ministry. Winchester UMC donated 50 folding chairs, Springfield Wesley UMC sent chancel furniture, and the Deaf Community supplied a computer. Nueva Vida is a conference advance special #6255. Laying on of Hands Confirming Rodriguez' Ministry

Rev. Bob Schoolcraft sends his prayers and blessings to Rodriguez as he begins a new chapter in his walk with the Lord. "We pray that this location will become a vibrant location for Hispanic worship," he said.

Rev. Adrian Garcia is also enthusiastic about the potential for ministry. "To start a Hispanic congregation you will need a person with God's Call, willing to sacrifice everything for the Kingdom, and a Godly team around him," he said. "That's what you have in Beardstown."

Rodriguez family actively joins him in the ministry, On the celebration Sunday, his spouse Maricella served coffee and cake and ran the PowerPoint slides for the music; Alma set up the computer and projector and played the drums; and Jackie played a bass guitar nearly as large as she was.

"We just need to stand firm in the Lord," Rodriguez said. "God will guide us."

HISPANIC MINISTRY AT BEARDSTOWN SAYS THANK YOU

THANK YOU to district churches who have already contributed to this ministry in so many ways—monetary love offerings, invitations for Evaristo to speak in your church, gifts of amplifiers, guitars, keyboards, vehicle upkeep and repair, etc.

Here’s a partial listing of churches who have already contributed. Many more are needed.

  • Beardstown, First
  • Jacksonville, Wesley Chapel
  • Jacksonville, Asbury
  • Jacksonville, Centenary
  • Jacksonville, Grace
  • Winchester
  • Arenzville
  • Concord
  • Bowen
  • Waverly
  • Lynnville

    Pastor Evaristo Rodriguez has provided us with this list:

    Things we need for the new place:
  • 50 chairs (Folding)
  • 6 Tables (Lightweight Plastic Folding)
  • Vacuum cleaner
  • Computer ( Desktop for the office)
  • Printer ( Prefer Color)
  • Copier
  • Phone / Fax
  • File
  • Cabinets (4 drawers)
  • Desk and chair
  • Office supplies (Paper cutter, desk organizer, shredder, Hole puncher, stapler, scissors, copier paper, paper clips etc, etc, etc.)
  • Coffee maker ( 30 Cups)
  • Microwave
  • 5 Music stands
  • Keyboard amplifier ( Please call for details)
  • Desk lamp
  • 2 Microphones and microphone stands.( Please call for details).

    If you need to call him, please call the district office at 217/245-9946 for Pastor Rodriguez’s cell phone number or go directly to the Info Page for his church number.

    HOLDING THE HOPE WITH THE PEOPLE OF LIBERIA

    The IGRC and Liberia District to District Partnership

    Bunny Wolfe visits with older students in Liberia The LaMoine River District is partnered with the Monrovia District and the St. Paul River District in Liberia. This year, the LaMoine River District has provided the Bishop Judith Craig Children’s Village with over $20,000 for food along with many donations towards schooling. Many of our district congregational families have given in the way of scholarships and Pastoral salaries for our partnered districts. Along with these, as a Christmas gift, a donation was made in honor of the LaMoine River District Pastors and their families to the Bishop Judith Craig Children’s Village in order for the children to have a Christmas this year.

    Reverand Randy with children in Liberia
    If you are wanting more information about our partnered districts, please feel free to call Andrea at the district office, 217/245-9946 for more information and a brochure. With this article are pictures of the children from the Bishop Judith Craig Children’s Village along with some of our very own conference family.
    Pastor Samuel with children in Liberia

    For General Advance numbers:

    Monrovia District
    ScholarshipsGen. Adv. 15125B/IGRC 2085
    Pastor SalaryGen. Adv. 15124A/IGRC 2086
    Reconstruction Assist.Gen. Adv. 15126N/IGRC 2087

    St. Paul River District
    ScholarshipsGen. Adv. 15125B/IGRC 2088
    Pastor SalaryGen. Adv. 15124A/IGRC 2089
    Reconstruction AssistGen. Adv. 15126N/IGRC 2090

    George W. Harley HospitalGen. Adv. 15080N
    IGRC/Liberia Work Team Building MaterialsIGRC 3548489

    Pastor Samuel and the children in LiberiaChildren on playground in Liberia
    Foundation of the new classroom building in Liberia

    MINISTERS’ MATES ONLINE GROUP

    IGRC Ministers' Mates Online Group

    Description: This is an online support community for the spouses of the clergy in the Illinois Great Rivers Conference, United Methodist Church. This is not limited to the spouses of ordained elders, but also open to all spouses of those who serve as pastors of local congregations, and to spouses of ordained clergy in special appointments in the IGRC. This is the place to communicate, share ideas, get to know others in the conference and to offer each other support and encouragement. Welcome!

    Web Address: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/IGRC_MinistersMatesOnline

    If you have trouble with the link, there is a directory at the home site of yahoogroups.com. The directory listing for this group is as follows:

    Category: Religion & Beliefs > Christianity > Denominations and Sects > United Methodist > Women

    Click the link here to view the website for this group. I am working on getting the group site up and running. There should be a tab to click to join the group, but if there are questions or problems with this, you can e-mail me directly at: elbyr329@hotnail.com. Thanks and I hope you all have a wonderful week!

    Blessings and peace,

    Laura B. Robinson ("L.B.")

    UNITED METHODIST WOMEN

    We now have a Web site!

    Check us out at http://umwigrc.com/about_us/lamoine_river_district.


    LAMOINE RIVER DISTRICT LAY SPEAKING MINISTRIES

    Did You Know? - The Lay Speaking Ministries is more than filling the pulpit!

    The 3 main focuses of the Lay Speaking Ministries are:

    Leading: exploring ways to expand and use our talents in our local churches and in our district.

    Communicating: speaking the Word through pulpit supply, teaching, nursing home services.

    Caring: recognizing the needs of our congregations and communities and how we can help meet those needs.

    Lay Speakers can become:

    Local Church Lay Speakers - who, upon approval by their pastor and congregation, attend the district basic school and serve their local churches in expanded roles (which could include pulpit supply). Local church lay speakers are required to complete a refresher course provided by the district (5 hours of instruction) at least once every three years to remain in the lay speaking ministry.

    - OR -

    Certified Lay Speakers – who attend the district basic school first and then, with approval of their pastor, congregation and the district committee, attend an advanced class and serve the district in expanded roles (which could include pulpit supply). Certified lay speakers are required to attend an advanced school (10 hours of instruction) at least once every three years to retain their certification.

    The Lamoine River District Lay Speaking Ministries offers Basic School each Spring for persons who are interested in exploring this ministry and who are approved for attendance by their local congregations and pastors. The 3 full-day alternating Saturday sessions for 2009 are: February 21, March 7th and March 21st with a worship/commitment service on Sunday evening, March 29th. All classes and the graduation/worship service will be held at the Perry United Methodist Church. The cost for 2009 will be $30.00.

    The 2008 Advanced Class for Certified Lay Speakers and Refresher Course for Local Church Lay Speakers will be held Saturday, September 27th at the Koinonia Retreat Center south of Jacksonville, IL. All certified lay speakers and local church lay speakers who have been approved by their churches and the district committee will receive a registration form in early August. The 2009 class will be September 26th.

    IMPORTANT: All current and prospective lay speakers MUST complete a Lay Speaker’s Annual Report and be approved by their charge conference or ad council. The Lay Speaker’s Annual Report may be found in pastors’ charge conference packets. For more information on the district lay speaking program, contact Barbara Wooldridge, District Director, at 217-245-9380 or lamoinelayspeaking1@yahoo.com.

    LAY SPEAKER FORMS

    Listed below are forms that may be downloaded. When you click on them, they should open in a new window. The files are pdf files requiring the use of Adobe Acrobat Reader.

  • Lay Speaker Annual Report
  • Lay Speaker General Information

    LAY SPEAKING CLASS TO BE HELD ON SEPTEMBER 27TH

    The LaMoine River District Advanced Class for Certified Lay Speakers and the Refresher Course for Local Church Lay Speakers will be held on Saturday, September 27th at the Koinonia Retreat Center south of Jacksonville. Certified Lay Speakers are required to receive 10 hours of instruction at least once in a 3-year period. Those who must come in 2008 to meet the training requirement will attend the full day session. Each certified lay speaker may choose between a preaching class led by Rev. Robert Taylor, pastor of the Carlinville UMC or a stewardship class led by Rev. Jeff Rasche, pastor of the Camp Point UMC.

    Beginning in 2007, local Church Lay speakers are required to receive 5 hours of instruction at least once in a 3-year period. Those who did not attend in 2007 must attend the September, 2008 class to meet the training requirement. Local church lay speakers will attend the one-half day session unless they choose to participate in the all day class. The preaching class will be structured to allow the 5 hours of instruction.

    Registration forms will be mailed to all lay speakers at the end of July. The deadline for registering for a class is Wednesday, September 17th.

    The Basic Class for new lay speakers will be held in 2009 on the following dates: Feb. 21, March 7 and March 21 at the Perry United Methodist Church. For more information on either class or the lay speaking ministries in general, please contact Barbara Wooldridge, District Director, at 217-245-9380 or lamoinelayspeaking1@yahoo.com.

    IGNITING MINISTRY: Beyond Thirty Seconds

    The Igniting Ministry campaign continues, and millions have seen the 30-second spots produced by the UMC which have run on both national TV and on many local cable services. Churches in our district have participated.

    Many churches assume that advertising on television is far to expensive to even contemplate. But they are very mistaken! Cable television may be the most effective and inexpensive medium for advertising available today. A single thirty second spot will often cost about five dollars to broadcast! There are matching fund grants available through the Conference, and through the national Igniting Ministry office, which can stretch your dollars even further.

    The Igniting Ministry TV ads are professionally made and can be customized with your church's name, phone number, address, web site, etc. for only $30.

    But Igniting Ministry is about far more than advertising. It is about helping your church become a truly welcoming congregation that is inviting to newcomers and which will persuade them to stay. That is where the Igniting Ministry training comes in. Bob Morwell, pastor of Union UMC in Quincy, and chair of the IGRAC Communications Commission, is an experienced Igniting Ministry trainer who is willing to come to your church and help you take full advantage of this comprehensive training and media outreach.

    NO CHURCH IS TOO SMALL to benefit from Igniting Ministry training or to make use of the media tools it provides.

    DISTRICT OFFICE NEWS

    Greetings to you from the LaMoine River District Office. In the past year, we have been working on updating our files here at the office and we are almost there. The District office will soon be working towards putting certain files on CD to be available for any church or pastor who will need that information. The Administrative Assistant, Andrea Roberts has the following office hours:
    Monday8:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
    Tuesday8:30 a.m. – 11:30 p.m.
    Wednesday8:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
    Thursday8:30 a.m. – 11:30 p.m.

    She also works from home every afternoon, so please feel free to call the office and leave a message, she checks the machine about every 15 minutes or so and will be happy to return your call as soon as she can.

    THE PHILLIPINE WAY

    Photo Journal

    SPMC’s Web site

    E-mail Newsletter - August 2008

    From Janet M. McCarty - Advance # 013028Z
    jmccarty50@yahoo.com
    Janet M. McCarty
    SPMC
    P.O. Box 68
    Kidapawan City 9400
    Philippines


    The New 2008-09 School Year

    The seasons are different here in the Philippines compared to the United States and therefore the school year is different. April and May are the summer months, school starts in June and ends ten months later in March. SPMC’s (Southern Philippines Methodist Colleges) school year started on June 11 with the highest enrollment in its 14 years of existence with 105 students. For the first time we broke the one hundred mark. Praise God! We have 32 students enrolled in theology, 30 in elementary education, 28 in early childhood education and 15 in computer science. In addition to the regular college students we had 56 students enrolled this past summer in the 21 unit course for early childhood teachers, the highest ever number for that course. SPMC operates the preschool as a lab school and we have 22 children enrolled in it.

    One of the biggest events of the year is the Acquaintance Party and Turn Over Ceremony near the beginning of the year. It is an evening for students to get to know each other and the turn over for the students’ organization from last year’s president to this year’s president. The students waited until I returned from the states so the event wasn’t held until July 11. It turned out to be a very enjoyable evening. The first part of the program included several presentations by different groups, an inspirational message, and the turning over of the key. Part two was dinner followed by the acquaintance party as different group activities were held. The faculty and staff delighted the students with our own presentation of a style show, which I was even persuaded to join. One of the male students gave me a flower during our walk.

    For Environmental Month in June the students planted trees and we had a special program in chapel.

    July was Nutrition Month with the theme Sa Wastong Nutrisyon ni Mommy, Siguradong Healthy si Baby (good nutrition for the mother results in a healthy baby). Both the college and preschool celebrated but on different days. The preschool children, as combined classes, along with their parents celebrated one morning with recitation of poems, dances, and songs. That was followed by the children having a drawing and coloring contest while the parents had a booth display and cooking contest. We enjoyed their food for lunch. The college celebrated during our regular Thursday afternoon activity period with parlor games and various contests including posters, slogan, cooking, essay writing, and jingles.

    An 86th Birthday Celebration

    My mentor and friend, Prof. Librada C. Pableo, celebrated her 86th birthday with a big celebration on Saturday morning, July 26, in an outdoor restaurant. Ma’am Pableo was president of SPMC when I first arrived in 1999 and she was the force behind me being named as OIC of SPMC.

    Birthdays are big occasions and this birthday was even more significant. All of Ma’am Pableo’s eight living children (one is deceased), were in attendance with the exception of one daughter living in the United States who called during the celebration. All of her children have college degrees, two have their PhDs and two are medical doctors. She has 20 grandchildren. There was a formal Thanksgiving Program followed by a huge buffet lunch. Ma’am Pableo cut her tiered decorated cake which we enjoyed for dessert.

    Our carload had trouble finding the location so we missed the video presentation of Ma’am Pableo’s life which I would have enjoyed seeing. We arrived during the tributes to the celebrant and imagine my surprise when I was given a program several minutes after arriving and read my name as one who would give a tribute. I was next on the program. I only had a few minutes to collect my thoughts but I was honored to be able to share in Ma’am Pableo’s celebration. The tributes were followed by reflections from a son, a granddaughter, a daughter, a grandson, and a son-in-law. To view pictures of all these events click on New School Year/Birthday Party at http://community.webshots.com/user/janetmmccarty100.


    Shalom,
    Janet McCarty


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