December

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United Methodists join 2,000
in interfaith protest against war

(December 27) Northern Illinois Conference United Methodists were well represented on Sunday, Dec. 15, in Chicago when 2,000 people participated in an interfaith protest against a possible war with Iraq.

The protest began with a prayer vigil inside St. James Episcopal Cathedral, 65 E. Huron, conducted by leaders from Islamic, Christian, Jewish, Hindu and Buddhist faiths, including Bishop C. Joseph Sprague, presiding bishop of the Northern Illinois Conference (NIC) of the United Methodist Church. (Bishop Sprague is shown in the photo addressing the demonstrators.)

After the service, Sprague and the other religious leaders led an anti-war march down Michigan Avenue to Pioneer Plaza at the Chicago River.

Singing songs from the Civil Rights and anti-war movements of the 1960s and waving anti-war signs and banners, the protestors marched right through one of the most elite shopping areas in the state during the height of the Christmas shopping season.

“I was impressed that as we walked down Michigan Avenue the people who were out there on the street shopping seemed to receive us well,” said the Rev. Ed Hiestand, co-chair of the NIC Commission on Christian Unity and Interreligious Concerns and a member of the committee that organized the peace march.

Hiestand noted that when the leaders of the march arrived at Pioneer Plaza, “the last people were just leaving St. James — the march was that long.”

“We were waiting down by the riverside for quite a while,” Hiestand said. “It was lively down there. It got cold, but we sang and kept ourselves warm that way.”

When the marchers finally all gathered at the riverside, Bishop Sprague spoke to the crowd.

“As we come to lay down our burdens down by the river side, there are questions all around,” Bishop Sprague said. Noting that one question is whether anti-war protests are meaningless because the Bush administration has already made up its mind to attack Iraq, Sprague urged his listeners to continue fighting for the cause of peace.

“Some say: Why bother? What’s the use?” Sprague said. “We bother because there is beginning to move in this nation a voice of sanity in the midst of the voice of insanity.”

The somber, reflective mood of the prayer vigil inside St. James turned into a revival down by the river side.

“Bishop Sprague’s message was stirring,” Hiestand said. “It was calling people, saying there is a time when you need to speak, a time when you need to act. We can’t just let things drift on.”

And Hiestand said he thought participants gained strength and courage from the march. “One of the values of this thing,” he said, “was that people were able to see that there are other people — people of faith — who were speaking out of their morality or religious base. People saw that there are a lot of us, and I think there’s a value to that in terms of the future.”

“You may get your 20 seconds on television and a few newspaper articles, but the impact on people realizing that there is a building momentum against precipitous war is good,” Heistand said. “I was encouraged by that.”

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‘Amidst other faiths I lit my candle and prayed for peace’

By Roger Curless
Northern Illinois Conference Lay Leader

(December 27) On Sunday, Dec. 15, I attended the ecumenical prayer vigil in Chicago sponsored by the Chicago Council of Religious Leaders. There was a service of prayer at St. James Episcopal Cathedral followed by a march along Michigan Avenue to the river where there was singing and more prayers. The vigil and prayers were for peace and the experience was very spiritual for me. (Roger Curless is the third person from the left in the photo.)

At the vigil, I lit my candle and prayed for peace. I prayed with sisters and brothers of other Christian communions and with sisters and brothers of other faiths: Jews, Muslims, Hindus, Buddhists. We all lit candles and in many ways we all prayed for peace.

I lit my candle and recalled the carols of peace that were part of worship that morning at my home church in Aurora. We sang, “peace on earth and mercy mild — God and sinners reconciled.”

The great carols and hymns of Advent declare the coming of the “Prince of Peace.” Those were on my mind as I prayed for peace.

I lit my candle and prayed for our nation and our leaders: for nations around the world and their leaders. I prayed that the strategies of war might be replaced with a global vision of peace.

I lit my candle and prayed for peace. I prayed for the young men and women of our armed forces who have declared their readiness to lay down their lives in the service of this country. I prayed that it would not be necessary. I prayed for peace.

At the river’s edge I held my lit candle and prayed for peace. I prayed that the greatness of our nation, its wealth and power, might be a gift to the world to shelter the homeless, feed the hungry, build and rebuild schools and hospitals as monuments of our great desire for peace.

I prayed for so many around our own churches, around our nation and around the world who have basic human needs and how we could meet these needs easily with the money, some of my money, that might go to fight a war. I prayed for peace.

Throughout the remainder of Advent as we light candles, I am sure to remember this experience and pray for peace. I will lift my voice as a faithful Chris-tian and as one who has given my life to the Prince of Peace to urge others to pray and act for peace.

Whatever your political persuasion, whatever your view of the world, won’t you light your candles and pray for peace with millions of sisters and brothers around the world who see God many different ways?

May the Peace of Advent, the Peace of Christmas, touch all our hearts so that we may light our candles and pray for peace.

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Wheadon to merge Jan. 1
with United Church of Rogers Park

(December 20) Wheadon UMC of Evanston is merging with United Church of Rogers Park (UCRP) of Chicago, effective Jan. 1. The two congregations celebrated the union by signing a Merger Covenant at a joint worship service Sunday, Dec. 8, at UCRP, 1545 W. Morse. Bishop C. Joseph Sprague blessed the merger and delivered the sermon.

The merged church will use the name United Church of Rogers Park and will meet at its property on West Morse. The Wheadon UMC building at 2214 Ridge Ave. in Evanston will become the new home of Sherman UMC, also of Evanston.

“The Wheadon community felt that the merger was an excellent way to revitalize its own mission while empowering the ministry of a fellow United Methodist congregation,” said the Rev. Andrew Ulman, pastor of Wheadon UMC.

Sherman UMC, a historic African-American congregation on the south side of Evanston, currently worships at 1044 Elmwood. But its congregational growth has begun to exceed the capacity of the building that cannot be easily expanded. So the Sherman congregation sold its property, will turn the proceeds over to UCRP and will assume the former Wheadon UMC facility next March.

Sherman intends to continue sharing space in the Wheadon building with the many community organizations already housed there, including Unity Nursery School, Kindred Hearts Women’s Center and Resources for Living, as well as the many groups that use the space for meetings, classes, rehearsals and celebrations.

Throughout their histories, both the Wheadon and UCRP congregations have demonstrated a strong commitment to peace, social justice, service to those in need and a shared desire to open the church to full participation for all, including gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered persons. Members of both congregations expressed confidence that the merger will result in a vibrant worship community, effective ministry in Rogers Park and faithful witness to the larger church and global community.

“Wheadon has been in some ways unique in terms of having a very socially activist congregation,” said Phyllis Tholin, chair of the Wheadon UMC Board of Trustees. “We have been heavily involved in social issues, in Conference issues and in General Conference issues.”

Tholin pointed out that Wheadon UMC was the first Reconciling Congregation in the Northern Illinois Conference and one of the first five in the nation.

“In the period when it was a major issue, we were a sanctuary church and we actually had political refugees from Central America who were given sanctuary in our building,” Tholin said. “We have been very much involved in feminist theology and a concern about gender inclusive language. We have probably gone farther than any other congregation I know in dealing with the language we use in worship.”

But the Evanston church’s members, with a membership of 59 and average worship attendance of about 30, feared that they were having to spend too much time on their own needs and not enough on the needs of others.

“We’ve been able, so far, to pay our apportionments, maintain our building and remain debt free,” Tholin said. “But it was not clear how long we would be able to do that. We did not want to be in the position to have to spend all our time and energy just maintaining this community. That gave us no time and energy for any creative outreach.”

Tholin said the Wheadon members were hoping for more energy and an opportunity to be involved in a church that has a real community ministry.

“We’ve not been a community church for a long time,” Tholin said. “Our people come from Chicago, Rosemont, Wilmette, Evanston and Park Ridge. So as a small community we got to the point where we felt we were putting much of our time and energy in maintaining the community. We wanted an opportunity to be more in mission. We were looking for a church that sort of fit who we were and saw United Church of Rogers Park as a real community church that is in mission to its immediate community. We thought that they were a good match for us.”

And the Rogers Park congregation is welcoming the Evanston congregation with open arms.

“May having each other make more of us both,” said the Rev. Wendy Hardin, UCRP pastor. “As God brings us together, may we always be molded and shaped by one another in ways that bring good news to the poor and freedom to the oppressed. God needs a people who are justice-seeking, community-building, truth-telling and spirit-filled. May we hear the call and continue the journey — together.”

“This is not something that these two churches came to from situations of impaired vision or weakness,” said Dr. Martha Scott, Chicago Northwestern District superintendent. “Both churches come to this out of positions of strength.”

Scott said she is delighted that two strong mission-minded congregations are joining forces to stay in the city — not flee the city.

“I’m glad to know that you are together,” Scott told church members at the merger covenanting service, “and that you are in this community and can fight . . . for the peace and well being of this planet.”

“We think it’s a good match,” Tholin said of the merger. “We are certainly looking forward to it. Wheadon has had a very special meaning for a lot of us. It’s been a place where we could be who we are, and so to leave it is going to be difficult, but we are looking forward to new excitement and new challenges and some new energy.”

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Applications available
for Advance Special status

(December 20) Deadline is Feb. 1 to submit applications to be included as an Advance Special in the 2004-2005 Rainbow Covenant Book. Dr. Sondra King, Conference Secretary of Global Ministries, and the District Secretaries of Global Ministries will review the appli-cations, which must appear as 100 documents for approval at Northern Illinois Annual Conference in June.

King said application renewal forms have been sent to Conference and District Advance Specials in the current Rainbow Covenant Book. Anyone who may need an application to apply for Advance Special status should contact King at 120 McCormick, DeKalb, IL 60115, (815) 758-8702, or e-mail: SKing@niu.edu.

To qualify as a Conference Advance Special, the project must be located within the geographical boundaries of the Northern Illinois Conference. Similarly, District Advance Specials must be within the boundaries of the District in which it seeks recognition.

World, national and United Methodist Committee on Relief Advance Specials must be listed in the General Board of Global Ministries’ Partnership in Missions Catalog of General Advance Specials.

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Chicago religious leaders
send Bush letter opposing war

(December 13) In an unprecedented action, the Council of Religious Leaders of Metropolitan Chicago, which comprises leaders of Roman Catholic, Episcopal, Protestant, Eastern and Oriental Orthodox, Jewish and Islamic communions, made public a letter to President Bush opposing war with Iraq.

More than 30 members of the Council, which represents nearly four million people, signed the letter. Among the signers was Bishop C. Joseph Sprague, presiding bishop of the Northern Illinois Conference of the United Methodist Church.

“The world’s only superpower must strive to be a nation that promotes peace with justice,” Bishop Sprague said. President Bush must “lead the world in a new commitment that will offer long-term stability in the Middle East and around the globe.”

In a press conference held on Sunday, Dec. 1, the Rev. Paul Rutgers, executive director of the Council of Religious Leaders, said the Council felt compelled to take action in the face of what it perceives to be a hasty and, he hopes, unnecessary war.

“The focus of the Council is primarily on local Chicago matters,” Rutgers said, “but in this instance our members uniformly believe that our obligation as religious leaders required us to speak out against this war.”

Bishop William Persell, bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Chicago and president of the Council, read the letter, which states: “We believe that there is ample time and latitude for pursing alternatives that could avert warfare, saving untold thousands of lives.”

Rabbi Ira Youdovin, head of the Chicago Board of Rabbis, also quoted from the letter: “We still lack compelling evidence that Iraq is planning to launch an attack. Nor have diplomatic pathways been exhausted.”

The religious leaders urged President Bush to avoid “a costly, dangerous and destructive war.” They also drew attention to America’s responsibility to provide guidance and material assistance essential to overcoming economic and social conditions.

“We commend you for bringing the issue of Iraq to the United Nations and for your assurances that war can be averted and remains among the last options our nation might elect,” the letter says. “We urge you to continue working with our allies and other nations to achieve greater security in the region while avoiding, if at all possible, a costly, dangerous and destructive war.”

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$8.157 million budget approved

(December 6) On Nov. 23, at a Special Session of the Northern Illinois Annual Conference (NIC), members approved a 2003 budget of $8,156,786, a 1.5% increase over the 2002 budget of $8,037,749. This is the second year in a row the NIC has budgeted in excess of $8 million.

The balanced budget is based on the assumption that NIC churches will pay at least 89% of their Conference and District apportionments. That would result in $7,630,452 in Conference apportionment income and $97,759 in District apportionments. This is expected to be augmented with $11,000 in interest income, $18,300 in Special Sundays offerings, use of $150,000 from Operation Commitment, $100,000 from restricted Congregational Development funds and $75,274 from other restricted funds.

Attempts to make small increases in three budget line items were defeated, and the budget was unanimously approved exactly as it had been proposed by the Conference Council on Finance and Administration.

The 2003 budget includes payment of 100% of Conference apportionments to the General Church.

The Conference budget is organized according to the NIC’s four priorities. The priorities and percentage of the budget they represent are: Developing and Redeveloping the Church (14%); Developing Leaders for the Church (24%); Reconnecting the Connection (28%); and Claiming Christ on the Margins (20%). Conference Administration is 14% of the budget.

The recent move of Conference program and Administrative offices out of the Lutheran Building on Higgins Road is projected to save nearly $20,000 in rental expenses compared to 2002 costs.

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Churches pledge $119,040
to Millennial Challenge

(December 6) After watching a video showing the suffering of children in Angola - a video sent to the Northern Illinois Conference (NIC) by Bishop Gaspar Joao Domingos of the West Angola Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church - members attending the Nov. 23 Special Session sang hymns and brought forward gifts andpledges to “The Millennial Challenge,” an initiative to raise $1 million for children in Angola, India, the NIC and the future.

They contributed $18,040 in cash and checks and turned in pledge cards promising to contribute $119,040 to “The Millennial Challenge” over the next two years.

“It’s extraordinary,” said Lonnie Chafin, NIC treasurer/director of Administrative Services who noted that previous offerings received at Annual Conference average about $3,000.

“I think people prayerfully considered their gifts,” Chafin said. “They gave as much as they thought they could. Clearly, people deeply believe in the ministries of ‘The Millennial Challenge.’”

Prior to the Special Session, $209,114 had been raised for “The Millennial Challenge.” But Chafin cautioned that cash and checks received cannot be added to pledges received to get a new total.

“Some checks were the first payment on church pledges,” he said, “so we will have to calculate those before we know what our new total is.”

Adding just the pledges to the previous total, however, brings the new total to nearly $330,000.

“So, we’re more than one quarter of the way to our goal,” Chafin said.

“We want to give our heartfelt thanks to all of those who contributed and are still contributing to this effort,” said the Rev. Oscar Carrasco, NIC director of Connectional Ministries.

Adopted by the Annual Conference Special Session in November 2000, “The Millennial Challenge”- Yellow Band in the Rainbow Covenant - is a four-year conferencewide campaign to raise a total of $1 million by the end of 2004 for four projects to help children:

1. Angola Partners involves work with the West Angola (Africa) Conference and four other conferences in the United States to build a residential school for orphans and street children in Catete, Angola.
2. India Reconnect is intended to reestablish the relationship between the NIC and the India Methodist Church by helping repair and modernize 20 churches, schools and hospitals.
3. After School Action Plan (ASAP) is intended to expand and strengthen after-school programs in local churches in the NIC.
4. Establishment of a Mission Endowment Fund will provide interest income to help fund future ministries for children and youths in Northern Illinois.

During the Special Session, Bishop C. Joseph Sprague issued a challenge to the more than 1,000 individual members of Annual Conference, urging each one to “be as creative as we can,” working with others, giving up meals, holding bake sales or car washes, or doing whatever is needed, to “bring a gift for ‘The Millennial Challenge’ of at least $250” to the June 2003 session of Annual Conference.

“That would be one quarter of what we’re trying to raise,” Sprague said. “It would fully fund one of the four emphases of ‘The Millennial Challenge.’”

“Let’s each one of us take it upon our hearts to do this,” Sprague said. “Let’s gather $250 each and bring one quarter of a million dollars to be given away at the June session of Annual Conference.”

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Marcy-Newberry adds 2 sites

(December 6) Marcy-Newberry Association (MNA) recently opened two new sites on the southwest and northwest sides of Chicago that serve 136 children.

The new sites were awarded to MNA management by the city of Chicago. One is New Birth COGIC at 1500 W. 69th St. The other is Greater Holy Temple Ministries Church, 5701 W. Midway Park. They bring programs administered by MNA to 38.

MNA now serves 751 Head Start children at 17 locations primarily on the west side of Chicago.

Marcy-Newberry is a national mission project related to the United Methodist Church. It provides residential and comprehensive social services and programs to all ages and low-income families. This past year, the agency worked with more than 35,000 persons.

On Monday, Dec. 9, the agency will celebrate its 119th anniversary after starting in the rear of a smoky saloon in a small dingy room in 1883. Founders were Elizabeth Smith Marcy and other women who were members of First Methodist Church in Evanston.

For more information about MNA, contact the Rev. Margaret Ann Williams, associate executive/director Church Relations, (312) 829-7555. Marcy-Newberry is headquartered at 1073 W. Maxwell St.

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Lincoln celebrates 4 Hispanic cultures among its members

(December 6) For the first time in its history, Lincoln UMC, 2242 S. Damen Ave., Chicago, celebrated Hispanic Heritage Week in October. During the week, tables highlighted the four Hispanic cultures - Mexico, Peru, Puerto Rico and Ecuador - that the congregation includes among its members. Arts and crafts, posters, flags banners and artifacts from each country were displayed to show the richness and variety of the Hispanic cultural heritage.

On Oct. 20 after the 10 a.m. worship service, the congregation gathered in the hall on the first floor to watch as performers performed songs and dances from the four countries. The day ended with an international Hispanic buffet cooked by members of the congregation.

The Rev. Miguel Nieves, pastor, said the congregation has plans to celebrate the Hispanic heritage event every year as part of the church’s program.

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Affirmations of a Dissenter
available from Cokesbury

(December 6) Bishop C. Joseph Sprague’s first book, Affirmations of a Dissenter, has just been released. Published by Abingdon Press, the book is available at Cokesbury book stores.

Bishop Sprague, who wrote the book while on renewal leave in 2001, said his initial attempt at writing a book is “a vulnerable confessional offering that addresses subjects like biblical authority, Christology, ecumenism, leadership, call, Christian hope and the opportunity for institutional renewal based on a passionate embrace of the Risen Christ.”

Chapter four of the book, “Fully Human Jesus,” was the basis for Bishop Sprague’s lecture last January at United Methodist-related Iliff School of Theology in Denver. After the lecture was posted on Iliff’s web site, it drew criticism from several conservative groups and has generated theological dialog within the United Methodist Council of Bishops and across the denomination.

Printed on the book’s back cover are endorsements from Bishop Richard B. Wilke, Winfield, Kan., developer and author of Disciple Bible Study; and Dr. Donald E. Messer, president emeritus of the Iliff School of Theology, Denver.

“When Joe Sprague ponders the Scriptures looking at them through the ministry of our Lord,” Wilke said, “he grabs your attention. Your mind will race; your heart will beat faster as he walks with Jesus into areas of poverty, injustice, war, and human sexuality. You may not always agree, but you will be brought up short by his openness, his integrity, and his sacrificial commitments. He’ll make you a braver, more radical Christian.”

Messer called the book “a candid and clarion call for United Methodists to embrace its theological, biblical, and ethical roots without being ensnared by fearful right-wing ‘neoliteralits’ or cynical left-wing ‘progressives.’”

“Bishop Sprague challenges the church to a future vision of hope, emphasizing the Gospel’s mandate of inclusiveness, justice and nonviolence,” Messer said. “A refreshing and stimulating presentation of basically orthodox Christian beliefs, this book is ‘must reading’ for every Christian yearning for a renewed and relevant church in the 21st century.”

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