August

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Campbell, Robbins to be keynoters
at ‘Sacred Scripture’ forum Oct. 5

Dr. Ted Campbell, president of Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary (G-ETS), and the Rev. Bruce Robbins, general secretary of the United Methodist General Commission on Christian Unity and Interreligious Concerns (GCCUIC), will be featured presenters at a forum, “Sacred Scripture: How Firm a Foundation?” Saturday, Oct. 5, at First UMC, 1032 Maple Ave., Downers Grove.

The forum, from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., will address common questions people of faith confront when they study the Bible.

“I’m excited about this opportunity for laity and clergy to learn about and share together approaches to biblical study that uses our minds and our hearts,” said the Rev. Jane Eesley, member of the planning task force. “The day is designed both to peak our intellectual curiosity and also to provide resources for our spiritual growth as individuals and congregations.”

Different approaches to scripture

“There are different approaches to scripture,” said the Rev. Stephen C. Williams, member of the planning task force, “but this event is designed to celebrate and explore the broad middle ground we share as United Methodists.” Williams said the forum should be a “positive event for people of different faith perspectives” and will allow proponents of diverse approaches to dialogue with and appreciate one another.

“People get to a certain point in Bible study when they find contradictions in the Bible,” Eesley said. “And then they ask ‘Where do we go from there?’ Do you throw out the whole Bible? Do you throw out the baby with the bath water?”

Eesley said the forum will focus on how United Methodists can continue their intensive study of scripture and hold their faith together.

Campbell is author of several books, including the recently published Methodist Doctrine: The Essentials. His research has focused on the early history of Methodism, its context in movements for a “religion of the heart” in the 17th and 18th centuries, and comparative studies of Christian doctrine.

As General Secretary of GCCUIC, Robbins is charged with exercising ecumenical leadership in advocating and working toward the full reception of the gift of Christian unity in every aspect of the Church’s life and fostering approaches to ministry and mission that more fully reflect the oneness of Christ’s church in the human community. His responsibilities also include advocating and working for establishment and strengthening of relationships with other faith communities and further dialogue with persons of other faiths, cultures and ideologies.

Variety of workshops

A variety of workshops will be offered at the forum. Campbell and Robbins will lead “Inspiration or Desperation (Approaches to Understanding the Spirit’s Role in Birthing Scripture).”

Dr. Osvaldo Vena, associate professor of New Testament interpretation and director of the Hispanic and Latin American Ministries Studies Center at G-ETS, will lead “Did the Shepherds Meet the Wisemen at the Manger?” looking specifically at various birth narratives in the Bible.

Other workshops are “Why So Many Bibles at the Bookstore?” led by Martha Blumer of Cokesbury; “Ways to Experience God in the Reading of Scripture” led by the Rev. Barbara Donica; “Why Don’t Women Wear Hats to Church Anymore?” led by the Rev. Margaret Ann Crain, G-ETS professor; and “How Firm is Your Foundation?” led by the Revs. Bill Obalil and Jamie Hannah Williams.

The forum is sponsored by the NIC Commission on Christian Unity and Interreligious Concerns. In addition to Williams and Eesley, members of the task force are the Revs. Leona Tichenor (chair), Felix Burrows, Juancho Campanano, Scott Field and Deborah Fisher. For more information, contact Tichenor at (708) 481-5928.

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Rockford New Hope rehabbing 7th house

( August 23) Rockford New Hope (RNH), a United Methodist ministry providing low-income housing, recently purchased a new property in one of the most economically depressed areas of Rockford. The house is surrounded by many boarded-up buildings; the neighborhood is home to some of the poorest of the community. The house will be rehabbed by a combination of creative financing, donations and volunteer labor.

This summer’s first volunteer work crew on the building was from North Broadway UMC in Columbus, Ohio. The crew was greeted by Northern Illinois Conference’s Bishop C. Joseph Sprague, who was pastor of that church at the time of his election to the episcopacy.

Volunteer work groups are being organized through Rockford Urban Ministries. Most of the work crews are being housed at Centennial UMC, 219 Second St.

“The experience provides a way for other church groups to participate in mission, experience an inner-city community and see the church at work in it,” said the Rev. Bettye Mixon, senior pastor of Centennial UMC and member of the RNH board.

When the house is completed, electrical wiring, plumbing and heating will be up to code and the building will be painted, according to Mixon. Then it will be rented to qualified, low-income families who will participate in RNH’s program of mentoring into home ownership.

This is the seventh property RNH has renovated since its inception in 1995. Last year, Holland House, a six-unit apartment building, was dedicated and is fully occupied. Holland House, which is next door to Centennial UMC, was formerly a dilapidateddrug house.

RNH began as a ministry of Centennial UMC, which is in Rockford’s downtown area, to create good, safe, affordable housing. RNH has since become an independent not-for-profit organization supported by many Rockford area United Methodist churches.

Recently, the governing board was expanded and the Rev. Richard Wisdom, associate pastor of Christ UMC, was elected chair.

“With the addition of board members who are expert in construction, financing and decorating, RNH hopes to expand its services and create even more affordable housing for Rockford,” Mixon said.

RNH director, Malinda Fohey-Van Sickle, was commissioned last year by the General Board of Global Ministries as a missionary to work in the Northern Illinois Conference. She was assigned by the NIC to continue working as RNH director. She has been with RNH since its beginning.

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Bethany Methodist is building new senior housing

( August 23) Bethany Methodist Corp. has begun construction of its newest senior living community, Chestnut Square at The Glen in Glenview. A groundbreaking last month was attended by nearly 200 persons, including future Chestnut Square residents and their families, members of local United Methodist congregations, Village of Glenview officials and Bethany Methodist friends.

Chestnut Square is located at the corner of Patriot Blvd. and Chestnut Ave., on the site of the former Glenview Naval Air Station, now called The Glen. The three-story, arts-and-crafts-style building will feature 174 one- and two-bedroom apartments and numerous amenities, including restaurant, chapel, fitness center, games and activities space, social and spiritual programs, scheduled transportation, in-home health care if needed, and 24-hour security.

The Glen encompasses approximately 1,100 acres and offers private and communal residences, retail shops, theaters, sporting activities, golf course and a Glenview Park District center offering activities.

“Glenview UMC drew our attention to the need for senior housing in this area,” said the Rev. Dr. Stephen Dahl, Bethany Methodist president. “While we discussed a possible project, the Village decided to develop The Glen, requested proposals for moderately priced congregate housing and selected Bethany Methodist Corp.”

“Selecting Bethany Methodist to develop this project is the best choice for the Village and the best for our seniors,” said Glenview Village President Lawrence Carlson. “[Bethany Methodist] brings an impressive commitment and a superior reputation for quality services.”

Reservations for Chestnut Square apartments are available. For more information, contact Dahl at (773) 989-1354.

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Lake Bluff church makes giant flag for freedom

( August 23) A hand-sewn American flag, the width of a local street and 25-ft. long was carried by 40 men, women, youths and children of Grace UMC in the Lake Bluff Fourth of July Parade. A banner and T-shirts worn by all walkers were emblazoned with the theme, “United We Walk,” which celebrated the cause of freedom in the world.

A unique feature of the project involved assigning each of the 50 stars in the flag to a church in each of the 50 states in this country.

Churches were selected by members of Grace UMC who then wrote personal letters to the churches of many denominations, describing their memories and ties to the particular church. Several letters have been subsequently received in reply, some of which have suggested Grace share the flag with the designated “stars.”

Mary Glenn, a member of Grace UMC, conceived the project.

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School of Christian Mission attracts diverse audience

( August 16) Last month’s School of Christian Mission, whose theme was “God’s Mission: Faith in Action,” was among one of the most successful in recent years, according to Vivian Matthews, dean. More than 330 persons attended the one-day drive-in program, which kicked off the four-day event in Lisle.

Attendees epitomized the diversity of the Northern Illinois Conference (NIC). Instructors and attendees were drawn from many ethnic groups, including Korean-American, Hispanic and African-American.

“We had 30 walk-ins,” Matthews said, adding that is very unusual. “We also had good numbers of youths and children, which we have been working at expanding. So, we’re excited about that.”

The school, conducted by NIC United Methodist Women, is open to anyone of any age. It offers studies in theological, geographical and missional areas. It also has Korean- and Hispanic-language studies. Forty women attended the Korean-language study, which Matthews said was a record.

This year, eight children, ages 7-10, attended drive-in day and another six attended the weekend session.

Eight incoming high school freshman and juniors also attended the school, whose topics were the Book of James, Mexico and restorative justice.

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Clair-Christian breaks ground to build senior-citizen housing

( August 9) Chicago Ald. Michael D. Chandler (24th Ward) joined members of Clair-Christian UMC, representatives of the Northern Illinois Conference (NIC) and North Lawndale residents on July 29 for a groundbreaking ceremony to mark the beginning of construction of a brick, six-story independent living complex for low-income senior citizens on Chicago’s west side.

The facility, to be called Clair House, will be built on property owned by the congregation adjacent to Clair-Christian UMC at the corner of 14th and Pulaski.

The project is sponsored by Clair-Christian UMC and NIC Affordable Housing Development Corp.

Despite intermittent rain showers, the crowd was ebullient about the prospect of providing affordable housing in an area where it is desperately needed.

Calling the groundbreaking an “historical occasion” for the North Lawndale community, Chandler congratulated the members of the church and lauded them as some of the people who “are going to make housing flourish in this community.”

Chicago Dept. of Aging Commissioner Anna Willis, representing Mayor Richard Daley, commended church members for their “vision of providing quality housing for the aging in this community.”

And Sandra Litster, Chicago Southern District Lay Leader, noted that the housing project is “a continuation of the United Methodist tradition of being active in the community and caring for and taking care of the people who live around us.”

Clair House will include 62 living units of 900 square feet each. The one-bedroom units will be handicapped- accessible. The first floor of the building will include community space and rooms for crafts and doctor visits. Grounds will offer space for tenant gardens.

Clair House is expected to be completed by summer 2003.

“I’m ecstatic,” said Gladys Shelton, chair of the church’s building committee and one of the members who has spent years dreaming about building housing for seniors on the property next door to the church.

“I just didn’t think it would go up this soon. I thought it would be many years from now,” Shelton said. “I thought maybe my daughter and other younger folks would be able to work on it.”

The facility is being funded with $5,873,500 grant from the U.S. Dept. of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and Federal Home Loan Bank grant of $250,000 awarded through Community Bank of Lawndale. Chicago Community Loan Fund provided a bridge loan during development of architectural plans.

The HUD grant was announced in November 1999, but development of architectural plans and legalities of management and ownership of the building had to be finalized and approved by HUD before construction could begin.

Shelton said the process took even longer than expected when the Presidential administration changed and “all new people come on board.” But “it finally got through HUD,” she exulted.

“I feel wonderful about it,” said Myrtis T. Williams, 77-year-old member of the church who served for one year as chair of the building committee. “It is something that is badly needed here and something that I hope will answer the prayers of quite a few people.”

Architect for the project is Environ Inc. Architects. General contractor is Joseph J. Duffy of Chicago.

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Community, Euclid Avenue receive missions giving awards

( August 2) Community UMC in Naperville and Euclid Avenue UMC in Oak Park were honored during the recent Annual Conference session for leading all Northern Illinois Conference (NIC) churches in Rainbow Covenant mission giving in 2001.

For the seventh year in a row — every year since the award was established — Community UMC received the Phillip Otterbein Award for giving the most money of any Rainbow Covenant church in the NIC — $80,150.54 — to Rainbow Covenant mission projects.

Euclid Avenue UMC was awarded the John Wesley Award for the second year in a row for the highest per capita giving of any Rainbow Covenant church. The 199-member church gave an average of $70.07 per member to second-mile mission projects.

The Chicago Southern District was honored for having the largest increase in Rainbow Covenant giving in 2001. Southern District churches contributed $150,553.24 to second-mile projects in 2001, up 26.8% from $118,721.94 in 2000.

To be designated a Rainbow Covenant church, a congregation must pay 100% of its apportionments and also contribute to Advance Special projects in each of the eight bands of the rainbow of second-mile giving: international projects, U.S. mission projects, United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR), the NIC Millennial Challenge, NIC mission projects, district projects, support for missionary personnel, and local benevolences and Special Sunday offerings.

New Lenox UMC was honored as only the third congregation in the NIC to be designated a Global Mission Partner. To be a Global Mission Partner, a church must pay 100% of its apportionments, have an ongoing program of mission education, have a Covenant Relationship with a United Methodist missionary from the General Board of Global Ministries (contributing at least $3 per member or $2,500 minimum) and support a national/international Person in Mission (PIM) from a partner church in another country with at least $2 per church member or a minimum of $1,000.

New Lenox UMC has a Covenant Relationship with Katherine Twilley, missionary to Bolivia, and also provides salary support for a United Methodist PIM serving as a nurse at the Chicuque Hospital in Mozambique.

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