bsimmons@umcnic.org> or (312) 346-9766, ext. 128, for more information.
Bishop Carder will be featured at stewardship event
(April 27) Bishop Ken Carder (retired) will be the principal speaker at a fall event Saturday, Oct. 6, focused on stewardship. The United Methodist Foundation of the Northern Illinois Conference is sponsoring the event, which will be from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at a location to be determined.
Bishop Carder is the Professor of the Practice of Pastoral Formation and the Director of the Center for Excellence in Ministry at Duke University Divinity School. He is a noted scholar on John Wesley.
“He has a very compelling message regarding the importance of money management and financial stewardship in the life of all United Methodist Christians,” said the Rev. Harry Nicol, president of the Foundation, which will present the event as part of its ongoing series of seminars related to stewardship.
Sabbath author to lead College of Christian Life
(April 27) The College of Christian Life will host Dr. Wayne Muller, author of Sabbath, at its annual session Aug. 13-15 at the Holiday Inn City Centre in Peoria.
The College of Christian Life is a cooperative ministry of the Northern Illinois and Illinois Great Rivers Annual Conferences. The college seeks to provide special opportunities for study and Christian fellowship for both laity and clergy of Illinois and to promote unity among United Methodists.
Muller’s work focuses on helping people find spiritual grace, courage and wisdom out of sorrow. He is founder of Bread for the Journey, a non-profit organization that supports the natural generosity of a growing network of ordinary people who engage in neighborhood philan-thropy.
Muller is a therapist, public speaker, minister and author of several books. He has been featured on the “Oprah Winfrey Show,” PBS and CNN. His work has been highlighted in a variety of publications including USA Weekend, Reader’s Digest, Women’s Day, New Age Journal, East/West Natural Health and Yoga Journal.
Muller is also founder of the Institute for Engaged Spirituality, and a senior scholar at the Fetzer Institute.
For more information, contact the Rev. Joe Snider, Northern Illinois registrar, (708) 448-0798, or visit the College of Christian Life Web site at www.igrc.org/CCL.
Holy Covenant to conduct U2 Eucharist
(April 27) Sunday, April 29, Holy Covenant UMC, 925 W. Diversey in Chicago, will celebrate a special U2 Eucharist at 10:30 a.m. The special worship is in response to the movement to “Make Poverty History.”
The service will feature the Celebration Choir and special guest rock band. The service will have music from U2’s catalog, including such favorites as “With or Without You,” “One” and “Beautiful Day.”
The U2 Eucharist has received international media attention, from newspapers to BBC World Service presentations, for its innovative use of the band’s biblically rich lyrics and social justice message, for its ability to bring together people of many different generations in a context of worship, and as a tool for raising awareness and empowering communities to respond to the Millennium Development Goals, which have been endorsed by every nation in the world.
The Millennium Development Goals are to eradicate extreme poverty and global AIDS. The goals have been endorsed by the United Methodist Church.
Attendees will sing the songs of the cultural icons, finding holy intersections between “sacred” and “secular,” raising awareness about global poverty and learning more about what folks can do as people of any faith or tradition in order to help alleviate and eradicate poverty, according to the Rev. Trey Hall, Holy Covenant pastor.
Hall encourages anyone who is interested in “emergent” worship celebrations to attend. “You will learn how you can do one in your own congregation, at once welcoming those who are seeking a community of faith and building strength for the eradication of poverty,” he said.
An offering will benefit Holy Covenant’s Dignity Diner, which through local work is also engaged in helping to fight poverty.
For more information, contact Holy Covenant Church at office@holycovenantumc.org or (773) 528-6462.
Names of deceased Lay Members sought
(April 27) The Memorial Service to recognize persons who have been members of Northern Illinois Annual Conference and have died since the 2006 session last June will be on Saturday, June 9. Roger Curless, Northern Illinois Conference lay leader, seeks the names and pictures, if possible, of former Lay Members to include in the Memorial Service.
The local church, date of death, dates of service as a Lay Member, if known, and a picture, if available, are sought. Photos will be returned if requested.
Information should be sent to either Natarsha Gardner, Northern Illinois Conference, 217 Division St., Elgin IL 60120, fax (847) 931-0732; or Roger Curless, 441 Featherock Dr., Aurora, IL 60506-5208, fax (203) 749-5166.
Carrasco appointed Elgin District Superintendent
(April 20)Bishop Hee-Soo Jung has announced that the Rev. Oscar Carrasco, Northern Illinois Conference (NIC) director of Connectional Ministries, will be the new Elgin District Superintendent, effective July 1. Carrasco will replace the Rev. Arlene Christopherson, who will become the first NIC Bishop’s Assistant after serving seven years as Elgin District Superintendent.
“I believe Oscar’s leadership as a district superintendent will bring many gifts and grace-filled community into our midst,” said Jung. “He has demonstrated among us a very humble and bold embodiment of spiritual servant leadership. His prophetic and yet compassionate leadership will transform the life of both district and conference ministry.”
The bishop said he is confident that Carrasco will bring to his new position broad experience and skills in diverse aspects of the church. “Oscar will expand the Cabinet and leadership table for the Harvest 2020 vision-driven church,” Jung said. “Cabinet leadership will focus on congregational development and planting new churches throughout the area. Oscar will be a great asset to the healthy and growing church.”
5 years as Director of Connectional Ministries
Carrasco, who has served five years as the Director of Connectional Ministries, said he is excited about the possibilities of his new appointment. “The Elgin District is strong,” he said, “with strong pastoral leadership, strong churches and lots of resources.”
The resources that intrigue him the most with their possibilities are the diversity within the district, according to Carrasco. “The Elgin District has large churches and small churches, urban, surburban and rural,” he pointed out. “But it also has a rich diversity with Hispanic and Korean congregations, as well. And there are pastors from many different ethnic backgrounds. The Elgin District has an absolutely wonderful diversity.”
Carrasco said the appointment fits him well. “I’ve served in the migrant field in Florida, the mountains of Georgia, the inner city of Chicago and suburbs,” he pointed out. “By the grace of God, this is an opportunity for me to help advance the call of making disciples for Christ.”
The district superintendency is an opportunity for Carrasco to return to his love of serving as a pastor to a flock. In this case, the flock comprises the pastors and laity of the Elgin District.
Spirit of cooperation
“In my role as Director of Connectional Ministries, I’ve seen a spirit of cooperation in the Elgin District among its pastors,” he said. “Because of the cooperation that exists in that region, I’m excited about the chance to help them do even more together.”
Carrasco also perceives a commitment within the Elgin District to the gospel of Jesus Christ and a faithfulness to the United Methodist connection.
“Personally, I’m very grateful to the connection myself,” he said because it has been important to his upbringing.
Carrasco was born in the Southern Chile Andean town of Curacautin. One of 12 children born to Tomas and Sara Carrasco, his childhood and youth were spent playing soccer, attending school and participating actively in the Methodist Church of Curacautin. He said he was significantly influenced by the dedication of both of his parents to the work and mission of the church.
Hours at grandfather’s knee
Carrasco said he also spent hours at his grandfather’s knee, listening to Bible stories, hymns of the church, and the love of Christ for the world. “Grandfather Basilio was converted to Christianity by the evangelistic movement sparked by Methodist layperson William Taylor,” Carrasco recalled. “Grandfather Basilio’s fervor inspired the founding of the Methodist Church of Curacautin. It is no surprise that visiting pastors and missionaries always find a warm hearth and food at the Carrasco home.”
After obligatory military service in the Chilean Army, Carrasco attended the Technical University of Chile and majored in Electrical Engineering. During his university years, he continued his dedicated work in the church serving in youth, district and conference committees and projects.
In l970, he met Joyce Spence, a young college graduate serving with the Board of Global Ministries as a Latin American “3” missionary. Her assignment was Carrasco’s home district. They worked together in youth and children’s ministries and developed a relationship that led to their marriage in February 1972.
Oscar and Joyce left Chile prior to the military overthrow in 1973. Accompanied by their barely three-month-old son, Samuel, they gained passage to Atlanta, Ga., where Emory University embraced them, finding a spot for both of them at Candler School of Theology. Carrasco said he was mentored throughout his seminary years by author and theologian Dr. Justo Gonzalez, Dr. Kennon Callahan and Dr. Jim Laney, former Dean of Candler and, subsequently, president of Emory University and U. S. Ambassador to South Korea during the Clinton administration.
To Northern Illinois in 1991
Carrasco completed his Master’s in Divinity in 1978. He was admitted as a Deacon in the North Georgia Conference in 1976, and as an Elder in 1978. He transferred to the North Indiana Conference in 1982, and to Northern Illinois in 1991.
Carrasco served local churches in Valdivia, Chile; Ft. Myers, Fla.; Lula, Ga.; Atlanta; and East Chicago, Ind., before coming to Northern Illinois. In the NIC, he served East Side UMC in Chicago from 1991 to 1996, and First UMC in Oak Lawn from 1996 to 2001.
Carrasco was appointed Director of Connectional Ministries in 2001. In that role he has led the Institute for Small Group Ministry, which will certify its first graduates at June’s NIC Annual Conference. He also recently took over the NIC Latino/Hispanic Ministry Center.
G-ETS installs Rector as Academic Dean
(April 20) Lallene Rector has been installed as Academic Dean and Vice President for Academic Affairs at Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary (G-ETS) in Evanston..
Rector assumed her new responsibilities in July 2006 after Dr. Philip Amerson nominated her in one of his first acts as the seminary’s new president. Among her responsibilities, Rector will develop the seminary’s instructional goals and work closely with faculty as she supervises and coordinates academic programs.
Rector has a bachelor’s degree with a double major in religion and psychology from Texas Christian University and both master of theological studies and doctorate in psychology of religion from Boston University.
Before joining G-ETS 21 years ago, Rector worked for five years as inpatient coordinator at the Decatur Center for Mental Health and completed clinical training as a pastoral counselor at the Center for Religion and Psychotherapy, where she was a faculty member. She has also completed advanced training in adult psychoanalysis at the Institute of Psychoanalysis in Chicago. A faculty member at both institutions, she is one of a small number of psychoanalytically trained theological educators in the country.
A United Methodist layperson and member of Hemenway UMC, Evanston, Rector is active in leading adult education groups and workshops in a variety of Protestant churches and Catholic monastic settings. She was invited to be a member of the United Methodist Church Advisory Committee for Psychological Assessment, a unit of the General Board of Higher Education and Ministry.
‘Created by God’ sexuality seminar for youths
to be offered at Princeton First on May 24-27
(April 20) Registration is now open for “Created by God: About Human Sexuality for Older Girls and Boys (Plus the Loving Adults Who Watch and Help Them Grow)” which is coming to the DeKalb and Rockford districts this May. The nationally acclaimed event for fifth and sixth graders will be led by its author, Dr. James Ritchie.
The weekend event will be at First UMC of Princeton on May 24-27. It is not a sleepover, but a series of lively sessions involving adult small-group leaders and youths and, for some sessions, their parents.
“Created by God” provides a safe environment where, as Ritchie puts it: “The energies of church and family are united to communicate to our preteens that they both were and are being created by the God who calls them into intimate relationships with God and others.”
The sessions do not include Sunday morning or the holiday on Monday.
“We know that this is both Memorial Day weekend and Pentecost,” said the coordinator, the Rev. Beth Galbreath. “But this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for young people that can have long-lasting effects on their self-image, self-respect and relationships with God and other persons. We promise it will be a memorable weekend.
“And what could be more appropriate on Pentecost, the celebration of the Holy Spirit breaking communication barriers, than an event that breaks communication barriers between parents and kids on this crucially important subject? Families will need to plan their cookouts for Monday, but the immediate and long-term benefits to families will be well worth the effort.”
Cost of the weekend is $50 per student. Some $25 scholarships are available. Cost includes the student textbook, activity and art materials, and meals and snacks for the youths and, on Sunday, for their parents as well.
On Sunday afternoon, First UMC is providing lunch as well as dinner so that participants can come directly from their churches.
The event is sponsored by the DeKalb District Connectional Table and by Princeton First, Malden, Wyanet, Dixon First and LaMoille Community United Methodist churches.
“We want our young people to have the benefit of this program,” said Galbreath, “but none of our small town and rural churches have the ability to bring Dr. Ritchie to our area, nor do we individually have the required 25 to 30 fifth and sixth graders at the same time. So by working together we are making it happen. We know that there will be some travel time involved, and we encourage participants to carpool with friends from their churches.”
Registration is on a first-come, first-served basis. A downloadable brochure with event schedule and registration form is available on the calendar page at www.gbgm-umc.org/nillconf, or contact Galbreath, at blgalbreath@verizon.net or (815) 879-2611.
The program was developed by Ritchie at the United Methodist Publishing House in 1989.
For more information on the “Created by God” program itself, see www.rfsministries.com/cgb.htm.
Sycamore donates tools to UMCOR
(April 20) Members of Sycamore UMC’s United Methodist Committee on Relief
(UMCOR) Mission Team presented more than $5,000 worth of new tools and equipment to UMCOR Sager-Brown Depot in Baldwin, La., recently. The gift included all types of hand tools, power tools and two large new Honda portable electric generators.
The presentation was made during the Sycamore team’s annual Mission Work Camp last month.
The generators were purchased in Illinois and hauled to Louisiana by the Rev. Gil and Alice Larimer in their pickup. The other hand and power tools were purchased locally in Louisiana to help with the struggling economy there.
“Last year when our mission team went to help with disaster relief after the Katrina and Rita hurricanes, we found United Methodists had donated vast amounts of relief supplies and building materials for rehabilitation,” said the Rev. Bill Landis, co-team leader and Sycamore UMC senior pastor. “But the tools we had to work with while there were too few, old and worn out. So we asked the UMCOR depot leaders for a list of tool needs. Their list was a long one.”
In January, UMCOR called Sycamore UMC and said the depot was extremely short on electric power generators. The depot only had two available for future disasters. The depot had sent 50 to New Orleans alone after Katrina struck.
Members of the Sycamore UMC Mission Team found two new Honda generators, and with the congregation’s help were able to fulfill the depot’s tool needs.
This year’s team was the fourth to go to the UMCOR Sager-Brown Depot from Sycamore UMC.
Co-led by Elsie Atkinson and Landis, the 25-member team had 18 participants from Sycamore UMC plus seven persons from four other United Methodist churches. These are United Church of Sandwich, Calvary UMC in Villa Park, Disciples UMC in Mt. Morris and Malta UMC.
According to Atkinson, dates have been set for 2008, March 9 to 14, and 2009, March 8 to 13.
“We know there will be plenty of work,” Atkinson said, “because UMCOR responds to a disaster somewhere around the world every 3½ days.”
For more about last month’s trip or those planned in the future, call Sycamore UMC, (815) 895-9113.
Ottawa First celebrates return
of stained glass window on Easter
(April 20) More than a year ago, Pastor Polly Klimson discovered one of the stained glass windows in the sanctuary at First UMC, 100 W. Jefferson, Ottawa, was sagging. There was a space the width of her thumb where the glass had pulled away from the wooden frame.
Before the trustees could locate someone to re-lead the window, many more spaces became visible causing a fear among the congregation that the window might collapse.
Craig Tompkins of the Stained Glass Shoppee, Rock Falls, was hired to restore the window. What started out as a challenging task, though, became a nightmare for him.
As Tompkins cleaned each piece of glass, he discovered that when the windows were created in the 1860s, an unusual substance had been used in the process. A combination of linseed oil, horsehide glue, whiting (a type of gypsum) and silica sand (native to the area) was used to bond the glass to the frame. Such a mixture made cleaning the glass almost impossible.
Fifteen hundred razor blades, six large wire grinding brushes and more than 700 hours later, the restoration was finished.
On Easter morning, the congregation got its first glimpse of the newly restored window resting in the same place it has occupied for more than 140 years. First UMC’s building was constructed between the years 1865-1866, dedicated in 1866 and is the oldest church building in town.
As the congregation celebrates the 175th anniversary of the founding of First UMC, it is rejoicing to have this window preserved for posterity.
Annual Conference to have
marketplace of ministries
(April 20) Missions and ministries of the Northern Illinois Conference (NIC) will be displayed at the Marketplace in the St. Charles Ballroom at Pheasant Run Resort in St. Charles on Sunday evening, June 10.
Display spaces and tables will be available Sunday after 9 a.m. through 10 p.m. Open display time will close from 2:30 till 4:30 p.m. and the close of the Ordination Service. Evening activities will be planned in the St. Charles Ballroom that will include refreshments for all conference participants from 8 to 10 p.m.
Display area/table fee is $15 for NIC UMC-affiliated groups and $50 for others.
A registration form is available on this Web site, (Registration form in Word format | Registration form in Adobe Acrobat format), to reserve space. Payment must accompany registration prior to May 24.
Christopherson to be 1st Bishop’s Assistant in NIC
(April 13) 
The Rev. Arlene Christopherson, Elgin District superintendent for the past seven years, will become the first Northern Illinois Conference (NIC) Bishop’s Assistant, a newly created position that becomes effective July 1. As the Bishop’s Assistant, her responsibilities will include alleviating an increasing amount of administrative tasks placed on the episcopal office, coordinating Bishop Hee-Soo Jung’s Harvest 2020 vision for the NIC and serving as a representative in the larger ecumenical community of Northern Illinois.
David Bein, chair of the conference Episcopacy Committee, said this position has been talked about for well over a year by the committee. “The office of episcopacy requires a lot of energy and focus in a wide variety of areas,” he said. “The bishop is always more busy than is healthy.”
Bein explained that the Episcopacy Committee’s job is to care for both the episcopal office and the individual serving as bishop. “Both were on our mind as we researched and created this position,” he said. “The committee initiated this.”
Bein pointed out that many other conferences have Bishop’s Assistants. He said the NIC’s Episcopacy Committee talked to those conferences and developed a draft job description about a year ago. “Bishop Jung told us to hold off on doing anything with it, though,” Bein said. “About 9 to 12 months went by before he said let’s talk about it again.”
Higher professional level
Phyllis Griffin, the bishop’s administrative assistant, is doing a “great job,” according to Bein, who pointed out that this new position does not replace her, but rather adds a higher professional level to the office to assist the bishop with many of the different aspects of episcopacy. For example, the Bishop’s Assistant will work on bridging conference entities in credentialing, accountability, legal matters, program areas and personnel.
Christopherson has served as Dean of the Cabinet for three years. As the Elgin District superintendent, she has worked across the connection in equipping and empowering laity and clergy for ministry.
Prior to becoming a District Superintendent, Christopherson served in urban, rural and suburban settings as associate, solo and co-pastor. She has served in a wide spectrum of roles in the program and administrative life of the conference including 10 years as the conference Volunteers in Mission coordinator and 6 years as the conference registrar.
“Arlene has gifts in administration and pastoral care, as well as training and experience in supervision, conflict resolution and systems that will be valuable in this new position,” said Bishop Jung in announcing the appointment. “She has demonstrated excellent leadership. As a member of the Cabinet she has been a great asset, and she was always willing to step forward to create change.”
Jung said he has seen Christopherson’s commitment to making a difference in and beyond the NIC. “Her leadership skills and capacity will lead and solve many pressing issues around the office of the bishop,” he said.
The bishop said his emphasis on casting a vision, such as Harvest 2020, is “to enable the conference to move into a time of dynamic new energy and commitment focused on discipleship making and witness in our communities.” He expects a Bishop’s Assistant will enable him to give more time and energy to lead the NIC toward spiritual growth and church development.
Excitement and trepidation
Christopherson said she accepted this invitation from Bishop Jung to become the first Bishop’s Assistant for the NIC “with excitement and trepidation.” She said she is anxious to talk to a couple of other Bishop’s Assistants in other conferences to get some firsthand views on the position.
“I feel that my years in parish ministry and my service on the Cabinet have prepared me for much of the work this new position entails,” Christopherson said. “I also realize that we are entering uncharted waters with many challenges ahead. I will need my personal spiritual grounding and the support of the entire Northern Illinois Conference community to make this new venture fruitful and effective.”
Christopherson expects that a significant portion of her time will be spent in helping the conference become focused on goals. “I know I will be called to create cohesiveness among all the different entities that work around us,” she said, “to strengthen effectiveness of the conference.”
Bishop Jung said the Episcopacy Committee, Conference Committee on Personnel and the Conference Council on Finance and Administration cooperated in creating the new position by creating a realignment of conference staffing to aid in this process. He said there will be “no additions to the budget” to pay for the new position.
“The Episcopacy Committee believes this will help make the bishop more effective in his calling to help the conference and the church as a whole,” Bein said.
61 confirmed at 2nd BMCR service
(April 13) The sanctuary of St. James UMC in Chicago was filled the afternoon of Palm Sunday when 61 young men and women became official members of the United Methodist Church in the second annual Celebration of Confirmation sponsored by Chicago Black Methodists for Church Renewal (BMCR).
Bishop Hee-Soo Jung preached, conducted six baptisms, laid hands on every kneeling confirmand and offered a prayer for each. He was assisted by the Rev. Addison Shields, Chicago Southern District superintendent; the Rev. James Pres-ton, Chicago Northwestern District superintendent; and the Rev. Danita Anderson, Aurora District superintendent.
The service was full of praise and celebration.
Musical offerings by Julian Reid from St. Mark UMC, the Willie B. Clayton Inspiration Choir from Gorham UMC and the Maple Park UMC Little Saints Choir brought members of the congregation to their feet, singing and clapping. The Nubian Cultural Dance Troupe from St. James UMC added to the celebration.
“We’re here to celebrate with our children one of life’s momentous occasions,” said Walton Davis, president of Chicago BMCR.
“Not only is this Palm Sunday,” said the Rev. Harlene Harden, pastor of St. James UMC, “but this is also the day we celebrate our children.”
In his sermon, Bishop Jung spoke directly to the confirmands, promising them that when they make a commitment to join the church, the church also makes a commitment to them. “When you join the church, we grab hold of you,” he said, adding that the church promises to “love, guide and support you through your entire life.”
The bishop asked the confirmands to recognize and accept who they are and whose they are. “Your mother and father gave you birth,” he said, “but God owns you. You are God’s children. You no longer belong to the world. You belong
to the church.”
Jung told the youths to remember the moment they said “yes” to God. “When you feel messed up, remember your own baptism and confirmation,” he said. “When you feel down, remember that God loves you. When you feel despair, go to the preacher and ask to pray together.
“Remember God and your church. The United Methodist Church will be there for you. That’s a promise.”
Jung told the confirmands that whatever happens to them, “we know that God is with us in the journey. God will never, never leave you alone.”
And, Jung said to the congregation: “It is our commitment as a community of faith” to mentor, support, nurture and walk with each of them.
The confirmands were from 13 predominately African-American congregations in the greater Chicago area. Participating churches were Christ UMC, Alsip; Faith UMC, Dolton; Neighborhood UMC, Maywood; Fernwood UMC, Gorham UMC, Greater Englewood Parish, Ingleside-Whitfield UMC, Maple Park UMC, Resurrection UMC, South Shore UMC, Southlawn UMC, St. James UMC and St. Mark UMC, all in Chicago.
Upper Room’s Gaud to lead workshop
in Spanish on ‘Companions in Christ’
(April 13) The Rev. Carmen Gaud from The Upper Room will present a workshop in Spanish on “Companions in Christ,” a new curriculum for small groups. This workshop will be Saturday April 28, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Northern Illinois Conference (NIC) Latino/Hispanic Ministry Center, 2056 N. Tripp Ave., Chicago.
Companions in Christ is a 28-week spiritual development program. Regular sessions begin with a reading followed by five daily exercises that help illuminate the theme and prepare for the group meeting. Exercises may involve some combination of scripture reading, spiritual practice, reflection questions and journaling. Throughout the week participants commit to about 30 minutes each day.
Companions in Christ leads participants through spiritual practices in ways that help them understand those disciplines with greater depth and experience and assists them in life-changing discovery. It shows participants how to uncover rich layers of scripture, to practice new forms of prayer, and to walk daily in a fuller experience of obedience to God.
Gaud is the international editor of El Aposento Alto, the Spanish edition of The Upper Room. She was one of the translators of Obras de Wesley, a project that gave Spanish-speaking readers access to a significant portion of John Wesley’s work.
The event is being sponsored by the NIC Office of Connectional Ministries. Clergy and laity from all Latino/Hispanic churches from any denomination in the area are invited.
Registration of $5 can be sent to Judy Siaba, Northern Illinois Conference, 77 W. Washington St., Suite 1820, Chicago, IL 60602 by April 20.
Native American Ministries
Special Sunday is April 22
(April 13) The Northern Illinois Conference (NIC) Committee on Native American Ministries urges local churches to celebrate on April 22 Native American Ministries Sunday, which serves to remind us of the gifts and contributions made by Native Americans to this society.
Native American Ministries Sunday is one of the six Special Sundays with offering in the United Methodist Church.
The NIC keeps 50% of the offering receipts to develop and strengthen Native American ministries within the conference. The conference Committee on Native American Ministry administers these funds.
The other 50% of receipts provides scholarships for Native Americans attending United Methodist and other approved schools of theology.
To schedule a speaker on this important ministry, contact the Rev. Michelle Oberwise Lacock, (630) 551-0511.
Bishops Jung, Martinez share
vision for growing churches
(April 6) Northern Illinois Conference
(NIC) clergy and laity gathered in
regional meetings last week to
hear Bishop Hee-Soo Jung and
Bishop Joel Martinez talk about
strategic plans and visions for
growing United Methodist
churches in the conference.
During “Days Apart with the
Bishops,” Jung explained the
“Harvest 2020” vision he is encouraging
the NIC to adopt.
Martinez, leader of the Southwest
Texas and Rio Grande Annual
Conferences, presented models
for developing ministries with
Hispanics and Latinos.
Regional meetings were held
for clergy during the day and
laity in the evening on March
26, March 27 and March 28.
In opening worship services
for both clergy and laity, the
focus was on planting seeds for
growth. Participants were invited
to come forward to a worship
station and plant a seed in a pot
of dirt as a symbolic prayer of
planting a new vision for Harvest
2020. Then each individual
scooped a spoonful of seeds into
a small envelope to take away as
a reminder that each of us is the
seed for God’s dream and vision.
Bishop Jung said that Harvest
2020 is “not my vision, not my
stuff. It is our stuff. It is really
God’s dream for the NIC.”
“I’ve been here only two years
and six months,” Jung said, “and
I feel like I have just started to
get acquainted with the wider
conference, certain that the future
holds so much, but uncertain
exactly what all that will be.”
“As we move forward,” Jung
said, “I shall strive to keep the
conversation alive and active. I
will continue to ask the question,
‘What is God’s dream for the
Northern Illinois Conference?’”
Jung said he believes that God
has given many gifts to the NIC,
including the talent of clergy and
laity, great diversity in churches
and neighborhoods, and an increasing
immigrant presence.
Jung also noted that the NIC is
the only conference in the North
Central Jurisdiction that continues
to experience population
growth, and that more than 35%
of the population claims no faith
involvement or adherence to any
religion. “We have a large field
to harvest,” he said.
Jung said that the current
reality of decline rather than
growth in both the NIC and the
denomination as a whole “is a direct result
of our failure in evangelism. We pray that
this is the time when God will do a new
thing in our midst. We look forward to
joining with God in this work.”
Jung said his goal as bishop is to equip
clergy and laity to use their gifts for the
expansion of ministry. “Our desire is to
encourage our leaders in their work and to
equip them with the tools they need to
revitalize existing congregations and establish
new faith communities,” he said.
Jung said that anyone who has a passion
for God can be a church planter, and he
urged his listeners to reach out to those
people who are not yet part of the church.
“The church does not belong to you, or
me,” Jung said. “The church is the salvation
place for others — those who are not
yet here. We are surrounded by heartbroken
people. There is a real hunger. There are
people all over the place who are hungering
for God. How are we going to share our
passion?”
Jung assured the groups that they can
overcome concerns about lack of money,
racism and immigration issue fears.
“God is going to figure it out with us,”
Jung said. “We need to trust. We need to
trust God. We need to move into God’s
dream.”
“God is a bigger God than ever we can
imagine,” Jung said. “I feel
that we are, right now, at
such a fortunate time. We
need to say ‘yes’ to God. We
need to say, ‘We are here to
serve you, oh, God.’”
Martinez told the groups
that the annual conference
setting is the primary place
where mission to the Hispanic/
Latino community must
take place. “It is in the 63
annual conferences across
the country that the future
mission effort will either
stand or fall,” he said.
Martinez said the entire
annual conference must be
the primary stakeholder in
the ministry, not just one
designated ethnic group or
caucus.
“Mission among Hispanic/
Latino people will require
a diversity of approaches and
sensitivity to place of origin,” Martinez
said, noting that discrete experiences and
cultural dissimilarity among Hispanics/
Latinos require distinct responses to each.
“The United Methodist Church is not
fully prepared for mission with the Latino/
Hispanic community,” Martinez said. “It
will only become ready by risking.”
Martinez added that no other church in
the U.S. is ready, either. “We’re all learning.
We’re all behind the curve,” he said.
“Every single institution in this country,
and particularly the church, is unprepared
for dealing with this community.”
Martinez said members of the church
must leave their comfort zones and “enter
into the struggle of the people.” He said a
key ingredient in developing a ministry
with Hispanic/Latinos will be persistence.
“A fruitful mission to Hispanic/Latino
people will result in a different United
Methodist Church,” Martinez said. “It will
be a younger church. It will probably become
a poorer church. But it will become a
less isolated community, a more urban
church, and more evangelical in the Wesleyan
sense.”
“It will become more adventurous as a
church,” Martinez said. “And it will become
more universal, reflecting the diversity
of God’s creation. It will be a more
viable church.”
Wayne Rhodes to fill in during search
for new Director of Communications
(April 6) The Rev. Oscar Carrasco, Northern
Illinois Conference (NIC) director of
Connectional Ministries, announced that
Linda Rhodes’ husband,
Wayne, has been retained to
produce the weekly NIC edition
of the United Methodist
Reporter and maintain the NIC
Web site on an interim basis
while the Conference looks for
a new director of Communications.
Linda Rhodes, NIC director
of Communications for the
past 13 years, resigned last
month to accept the job of Director of
Communications for the Virginia Annual
Conference, which is headquartered in
Richmond. She will begin her new job on
Monday, April 16.
“Wayne and I wanted to offer the
conference as smooth a transition as we
could,” Rhodes said. “Since he will be
staying here for a little while to
sell our house, it seemed like he
would be able to help the conference
during this period.”
Wayne has a journalism background
and has been a newspaper
reporter and a magazine
editor and publisher. He currently
maintains the NIC Web site.
Wayne is knowledgeable
about the United Methodist
Church having served for seven
years as North Central Jurisdiction Field
Representative for the General Board of
Global Ministries.
“I am grateful that Wayne is willing to
fill the position that Linda has filled so
efficiently while we go through the process
of finding a new director,” Carrasco
said.
The agreement is that Wayne will serve
until either the NIC hires a new Director of
Communications or the Rhodes sell their
house, whichever comes first. Thirty days
notice will be given before the agreement
is ended by either party.
“I am grateful for Linda’s service to our
annual conference,” Carrasco said. “I wish
her God’s speed and God’s blessings in
her exciting new job.”
Carrasco said the NIC Communications
Commission is developing a job description
that will be reviewed by Lonnie
Chafin, NIC director of Administrative
Services, Carrasco and the Conference
Committee on Personnel.
“We will post the job following all the
necessary procedures to make sure that
everyone that would like to apply will
have the opportunity to do so,” Carrasco
said. “We are praying that we can find a
person with the necessary talents, gifts,
energies and commitment to advance the
mission and ministry of our conference
into the future.”
Carrasco said he expects the job to be
posted within a short time, probably within
a week or two. “I hope that in the next
two months, without rushing the process,
that we can find someone who can fill this
position,” he said. “In the meantime, we
are very grateful for Wayne’s willingness
to help us during this transition.”
Carrasco said he invites the members of
the conference to keep everyone involved
in this transition in their prayers. “And
pray that we’ll be blessed by a person with
the kind of commitment that Linda has
given us,” he said.
Chicago BMCR holds Service of Installation
(April 6) Chicago Black Methodists for Church Renewal
(BMCR) installed its leaders in a worship service on Feb.
18 at Southlawn UMC in Chicago. The service also included
a time of recognition for those ordained, commissioned,
or licensed and those who retired at last year’s
Annual Conference.
Walton Davis was installed for his second term as
president. The Rev. P. Devon Brown began his second
term as vice president.
New officers and leaders installed were Katherine
Brock, treasurer; Debra Windham, recording secretary;
Pamela Turner, financial secretary; and Lonnie Simmons,
finance chair.
John Burrell was installed as advocacy chair, the Rev.
Jacques Conway as chair of the Pembroke Institute, and
the Rev. Charles Straight, as chair of KHAM (Keeping
Hope Alive Ministries — The AIDS Ministry).
Others who were installed for a second term were Lillian
McCaskill, program chair; Wardell Boyd, chair of
The Black Men’s Task Force; the Rev. Dr. Michelle Taylor,
communications chair; the Rev. Margaret Ann Williams,
chair of nominations, and the co-chairs of the Youth
Initiative, Darryl and Tameria Harrison and Wiley and
Lazette Saunders.
Southlawn’s Choir sang. Gladys King-Lucas prayed
’til the power of the Lord came down. The Rev. Danita
Anderson, Aurora District superintendent, preached on
“To the Left, To the Left,” reminding attendees that as an
organization, BMCR should be intentional about taking
care of the business at hand.
The Rev. Addison Shields, Chicago Southern District
superintendent, presided over the installation.
Others who were recognized during the service included
the Rev. Colleen Norman, pastor of Kelly UMC, Chicago,
who was ordained as an Elder in Full Connection;
the Rev. Dennis Langdon, pastor of South Shore UMC,
Chicago, who was Commissioned Toward Elder’s Orders;
William Fillmore, who was licensed as a Local Pastor;
and Williams and the Rev. William Carter, who retired.
A special award of recognition was presented posthumously
to James McQuirter for his dedication and unwavering
service to Chicago BMCR, most recently as
chair of the Advocacy Committee.
