November

For complete text of each story, click on its headline.

To subscribe to the United Methodist Reporter.

Special Session approves $7.6m budget for 2004

(Nov. 28) At a Special Session of the Northern Illinois Conference (NIC) Nov. 15, members approved a 2004 budget of $7,648,465, down 6.2% or $508,321 from the 2003 budget. The budget is based on the assumption that NIC churches will pay 82.8% of their Conference apportionments, down from the 89% assumption used to develop the 2003 budget.

The Rev. Felix Burrows, chair of the Conference Council on Finance and Administration (CCFA), attributed budget reductions to current economic conditions that have affected the ability of local churches to raise money to meet budgets and pay apportionments in full.

Burrows said the 2004 budget proposed by CCFA “fairly represents our ability to do ministry” and is based on the “probability of what we can reasonably expect to receive in the upcoming year.”

“We’re not alone,” Burrows said, noting that United Methodist conferences across the country are experiencing financial shortfalls because of the country’s economic situation.

“In fact,” Burrows said, “we’re holding our own compared to what other annual conferences are feeling and experiencing,” including elimination of districts and district superintendents, reduction of staff and drastic cuts in programs.

"Hope in seemingly hopeless situation"

In his sermon during opening worship, Bishop C. Joseph Sprague called on the NIC to have “hope in the midst of a seemingly hopeless situation.”

Despite “staggering costs for clergy support, not to mention the expenses of building maintenance and needed renovations, utilities and local programming,” and “the downturn in the economy and the unemployment or underemployment of some of our more faithful givers,” Sprague urged his listeners not to “hunker down, care for ourselves, and treat as ‘last call’ the needs of those served by our global Church.”

Sprague encouraged NIC members to “be open to new configurations for congregational ministry” including cooperative parishes, sale of misplaced buildings, sharing of clergy leadership, closings, mergers, and restarts as “possibilities that can free up dollars for mission and ministry.”

Sprague told his listeners to “dare to invest, not only locally, but also in Angola, Africa University, our historic seminaries and colleges, Afghanistan and Senegal, Campus Ministry, Hispanic and other immigrant congregations, in congregational development and redevelopment, in ministries in Mozambique and Cambodia, in India and Russia, with young people and would-be clergy through our apportionment opportunities.”

"Harbinger of hope in this culture"

Noting that Sen. Paul Simon in his new book, Our Culture of Pandering, reports that the U.S. spends only 12½ cents per day per citizen for the poor and needy, Sprague said, “surely, a Church who cares for others is a harbinger of hope in this culture.”

“Some pundits say we are foolish to reach next door and around the globe, as we United Methodists do, especially when the brutal realities at our doorsteps are harsh and threatening,” Sprague said. “But, like Jeremiah and Jesus, faithful United Methodists see a different reality. We trust that God is gracious and that in God’s time faithfulness is always rewarded with victory.”

In addition to approving the budget, participants in the Special Session also dealt with resolutions they did not have time to vote on during the regular Annual Conference session last June.

The most time was spent on a resolution regarding health-care insurance for NIC clergy and lay employees. The Conference voted to require most NIC clergy to participate in the NIC health insurance program. Those not currently participating in the plan will have until Dec. 15 to notify the NIC Treasurer of their plans to move to the NIC program. Such transition must be completed by Jan. 1, 2005. The waiting period for coverage of any pre-existing conditions will be waived for those forced to participate in the program.

Mandatory participation was required by the United Methodist General Board of Pensions and Health Benefits’ Healthflex program, the NIC’s current insurance carrier, in order to avoid a 15% surcharge on rates for all enrolled persons and because Healthflex is requiring the Conference to pay for each full-time elder, associate member, probationary member and full-time local pastor appointed to the NIC or an NIC church, even if they are not enrolled in the program.

Youth representation approved

Annual Conference members approved a resolution to increase youth representation at Annual Conference by providing for 12 youths chosen by and representing the Conference Council on Youth Ministries to attend each session. Also approved were a policy to provide prevention and remediation of racial harassment in the NIC, and resolutions to increase HIV/AIDS awareness throughout the Conference, continue the District Boards of Stewards that set local church apportionments, implement sensitivity training to facilitate cross-cultural clergy appointments, and increase Native American awareness in NIC local churches.

Conference members approved four resolutions to be submitted to the 2004 General Conference of the United Methodist Church calling for: opposition to the current U.S. administration’s National Security Strategy that articulates a policy of preemptive first strikes against political enemies; adoption of sensitivity training to facilitate cross-cultural clergy appointments as a program of the denomination; work toward the reduction of urban sprawl by renewing and redeveloping urban areas, extending and enhancing public transportation and mandating affordable housing; and prohibition of U.S. sales of arms to foreign countries.

2003 Article Index |  Top of Page | Return Home

Rainbow Covenant books available

(Nov. 28) The 2004-2005 Northern Illinois Conference (NIC) Rainbow Covenant book of Advance Specials is now available. The 44-page book explains how congregations can earn Rainbow Covenant status by paying their apportionment at 100% and supporting mission outreach activities in eight color bands of the rainbow.

The book opens with an invitation in English, Spanish and Korean languages by Bishop C. Joseph Sprague encouraging congregations to participate in “one of the great traditions” in the NIC, the Rainbow Covenant.

To participate in the Rainbow Covenant a congregation must support projects in each of the colors of the rainbow: International Advance Projects (burgundy); USA Advance Projects (red); United Methodist Committee on Relief (orange); NIC Millennial Challenge (yellow); Conference Benevolences (green); District Projects (blue); Support of Missionary Personnel (indigo); and Local Mission in your community (purple).

Cover art for this year’s booklet is named “Love is the World’s Merry-Go-Round,” drawn by Kaleb Medema, age 9, of Prophets-town. Kaleb, the son of George and Sharon Medema, attends Leon UMC in Prophetstown.

The book also sports a “Rainbow Covenant” logo for the first time. The heart-shaped logo was designed by Pam Sanhamel, a member of First UMC, Downers Grove. She is the public relations and marketing coordinator for the Woodridge Park District. She is the daughter of Leroy Pickett, Lay Member to Annual Conference from First UMC, Downers Grove.

In addition to Advance Specials in each category, the book also lists the 2002 Rainbow Covenant congregations, and Special Sundays of both the denomination and the Conference. There is also a list of mission-related resources and mission interpreters available to talk about a wide range of mission activities.

The book also contains forms for applying for Rainbow Covenant status, Missionary Covenant Relationships and other mission-oriented activities.

The book contains information about the NIC budget, apportioned funds of the United Methodist Church, and contact information for General Church Boards, Councils and Commissions.

Rainbow Covenant books were distributed at the Special Session of Annual Conference this month. Additional copies can be obtained through the District offices and the NIC Program Office in Elgin.

2003 Article Index |  Top of Page | Return Home

Council urges churches to share VBS material

(Nov. 28) The Northern Illinois Conference Children’s Ministries Council is promoting a sharing program for Vacation Bible School (VBS) “Lighthouse” material used in many churches this past summer. The council requests that churches which used the materials this past summer donate it to share with those unable to acquire them.

The council also seeks volunteers to help those churches with the material.

Contact for churches to either give materials or to inquire about their availability may be made through Mrs. Robert (Frances) Elliott, (630) 690-2910.

2003 Article Index |  Top of Page | Return Home

55 NIC students receive financial aid

(Nov. 21) In 2002, $7 million dollars was awarded to more than 5,000 graduate and undergraduate students through the United Methodist loan fund and scholarship program. Northern Illinois had 78 students receive financial aid in 2002 totaling $115,386.40.

Angella Current-Felder, executive director of the General Board of Higher Education & Ministry Office of Loans and Scholarships, reported that the financial aid was accomplished “thanks to the wills and annuities bequeathed to the Board, congregational giving in offering receipts from United Methodist Student Day, World Communion Sunday and Native American Awareness Sunday, World Service Funds, the United Methodist Higher Education Foundation, and the expertise of board members and consultants serving on the Investment Committee.”

Current-Felder is encouraging United Methodist congregations to challenge the odds by increasing their collective giving through the Student Day Offering, which is Sunday, Nov. 30, this year, “so that by the end of the quadrennium, we would have achieved the goal of $1 million a year.”

United Methodist Student Day is one of six churchwide Special Sunday offerings. The offering supports United Methodist Scholarships and Student Loan Fund that helps United Methodist students meet higher education costs.

Through this program, United Methodists attending United Methodist-supported schools are eligible for financial assistance. United Methodists attending non-United Methodist schools are also eligible to apply for assistance.

In 2002, the Student Day offering brought in $596,317, down from more than $620,000 in 2001. The North Central Jurisdiction (NCJ), which consists of 12 annual conferences including Northern Illinois, led the denomination in Student Day receipts providing $183,962.

Northern Illinois Conference (NIC) raised $1,719 for the Student Day Offering, ranking twelfth of the NCJ annual conferences. Coupled with the World Communion Sunday Offering, NIC provided $13,823 toward loans and scholarships in 2002, also the lowest total in the jurisdiction. NCJ led the denomination in combined receipts for the two Special Sundays with offering.

Seventy-eight students related to the NIC received loans and scholarships in 2002 totaling $115,386.40.

Thirteen of the students received loans totaling $32,500; 31 received United Methodist Scholarships in the amount of $40,286.40; 17 received financial assistance through wills, annuities, etc. totaling $24,000; 10 received ethnic-related scholarships for $8,100; and seven received Hispanic-American and Native American scholarships amounting to $10,500.

For 2003, 55 students related to NIC are receiving financial assistance totaling $78,900. Two are receiving loans in the amount of $4,500; 53 are receiving scholarships totaling $74,400.

In addition to its regular scholarship and loan program for 2003-04, the board was able to continue the Gift of Hope: 21st Century Scholars Program in which 500 outstanding Methodist student leaders received $1,000 each. The recipients are selected for service to their local church, campus ministry, annual conference or on the general church level. Current-Felder said the scholarship program, established for four years from reserve loan funds in 1998, was scheduled to end in 2002. “We hope to identify new funding sources that will enable this program to continue for the next quadrennium,” she said.

“The program’s popularity among students and their parents resulted in the Board of Directors voting to develop strategies to continue this unique program into the 2004-08 quadrennium,” Current-Felder said. “One strategy is to increase the number of churches participating in UM Student Day and annually raise $1 million in Student Day offering receipts beginning this year. Now that would be a real ‘gift of hope’ for students!”

2003 Article Index |  Top of Page | Return Home

Board of Ordained Ministry offers scholarships
for ministerial students, promising candidates

(Nov. 21) The Conference Board of Ordained Ministry has scholarships available of up to $4,000 per seminary candidate per year.

This scholarship is to attract and support seminary candidates of high quality and strong talent and keep these candidates within the Northern Illinois Conference (NIC).

Candidates must express a desire to do ministry within NIC for an extended period of time.

This scholarship is focused on leadership potential and leadership quality.

These scholarships are for ministerial students who exhibit excellence in one or more areas of ministry; ministerial students who demonstrate financial need; and especially promising college students who have caught the attention of pastor or lay leaders within their local church and who might be enabled to try seminary if granted a multi-thousand dollar scholarship their first year.

Each year, up to two scholarships may be awarded to students eligible for seminary, but have not yet entered seminary. An award to such an “entry-level” student can be “held” for up to a year until the recipient is actually admitted to and enrolled for first year studies.

Applicants must be at least a Declared Candidate for ordained ministry. Written proof of active leadership and active membership in a local church must be provided.

An application form can be obtained from the Rev. Thomas Petty, 2121 Sheridan Rd., Evanston, IL 60201.

Send completed application by Dec. 1, to the Rev. Lillian Gibbs, Clair-Christian UMC, P.O. Box 23209, Chicago, IL 60623.

2003 Article Index |  Top of Page | Return Home

NIC sends $29,000 to India ReConnect projects

(Nov. 21) Financial gifts to the India ReConnect component of the Northern Illinois Conference’s Millennial Challenge are on their way to India, said the Rev. Edgar Hiestand.

“The India ReConnect team recently authorized Conference Treasurer Lonnie Chafin to send a $29,000 check to the Methodist Church in India, as the second installment of our commitment to our sister church’s ministry with children,” Hiestand said.

The check will provide $6,000 to the LaBagh, Lucknow hostel for a sewer project; $10,000 to Parker Inter College in Moradabad for re-cementing walls; $5,000 to a Bombay Day Care Center which services disabled street children for furniture; and $8,000 to the Methodist Nur Niwas High School Hostel in Hisar to provide housing for mainly rural poor and so-called “untouchable” students.

The first Millennial Challenge proceeds went to build the Noida Methodist Church in a suburb of Delhi. On Jan. 7, this church will be dedicated in ceremonies conducted by Bishop Nimrod Christian.

Hiestand said plans are being made for a delegation from Northern Illinois to visit the sites of these projects in early February. “At that time the delegation will be welcomed by the Indian bishops and share the Northern Illinois Covenant with MCI Regional Conferences, passed at our Annual Conference session last June,” he said.

”It is because of the pledges of many churches to India ReConnect, and the generous gifts to the Millennial Challenge, that we have been able to send these gifts now,” Hiestand emphasized. “The India ReConnect team thanks our churches, and approaches the new year with the hope that continued support will allow the Northern Illinois Covenant to complete its $250,000 goal by the end of the quad-rennium (year-end 2004).

“If congregations will include India ReConnect in their 2004 Rainbow Covenant goals, it will be possible for our Conference to truly say that in Christ the children of India are our children too.”

2003 Article Index |  Top of Page | Return Home

Hemenway opens medical supply loan closet

(Nov. 21) Beginning this fall, Hemenway UMC, 933 Chicago Ave., Evanston, has a limited supply of medical equipment available for loan to the general public. The church has collected a number of different canes, walkers, shower chairs, toilet commodes, a few styles of wheelchairs, as well as other medical equipment supplies.

These are available to the public for loans of up to six months, with a six-month renewal. If equipment is needed for longer, the church recommends that persons purchase the items needed from a store.

Those wanting to borrow equipment can call the church office and arrange to pick up the items during office hours. The church does not deliver the items.

The church acquired many items from First UMC, Lombard, the church previously served by Hemenway’s pastor, the Rev. Lisa Telomen. First UMC in Lombard has run its Medical Supply Loan Closet for some 30 years, and is appreciated throughout the suburban area for this service to families in their time of need, according to Telomen.

When the Lombard coordinator, Marilyn Winquist, offered to help a new closet start up with some of First UMC’s surplus supplies, Telomen found some space and a few volunteers at Hemenway. Hemenway members and friends have also added equipment to the closet.

“New donations are always welcome, because depending on the community’s need, some supplies may all get loaned out quickly,” Telomen said. “Also, from time to time, some breakage or damage can occur.”

Barbara Roberts is coordinator for Hemenway’s supply closet. Persons needing equipment, or wanting to donate equipment, may call the church office Tuesdays through Thursdays, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., and speak with the church secretary, Rose Phillips, who will then make arrangements with Roberts regarding the medical equipment. The church phone number is (847) 328-2600.

2003 Article Index |  Top of Page | Return Home

Church Builders’ Call:
Oregon capital campaign helps
strengthen spiritual commitment

(Nov. 14) A capital building campaign contributed significantly to a heightened spiritual intensity among congregation members at Oregon UMC, 200 S. 4th St. The congregation, which will soon mark its 165th year in ministry in the county seat of Ogle County, made a significant addition of 8,000 sq. ft. to its 1870s-vintage building, improving accessibility, classroom, fellowship, kitchen, office and youth facilities.

“It has been exciting from a bricks-and-mortar standpoint,” said the Rev. Mark Jacobs, who is in his 13th year at Oregon UMC, “but this congregation took a whole bigger step in terms of its spiritual life and commitment, which were ratcheted up another level.”

Jacobs admits that it’s hard to put your finger on that heightened spiritual commitment among congregation members, but points to the current capital funds campaign as a tangible example. “We are using faith stories of people in the congregation,” he said. “During worship, we are showing videos of their stories. The important point is that the members’ faith has grown to the point where they want to share it with each other. There are lots of little things like that.”

Jack Mershon, a member of the congregation since the mid 1960s who chaired the church’s Building Committee, agreed. “There’s more participation in Joys and Concerns during worship, sometimes going on four or five minutes,” he pointed out. “People come to church ready to share.”

That heightened spirituality and a long-running commitment to supporting the United Methodist connection are among the reasons that Oregon UMC is the second Church Builders Call of 2003.

The congregation, which has more than 600 members, is conducting its third fund-raising campaign to retire debt incurred when it undertook a $1.2 million expansion of its facilities. The second-phase of the expansion was completed in the winter of 2001.

At that point, Oregon UMC’s building, whose most recent major construction had been the addition of a chapel in 1979, sported a new canopy-covered entrance, much larger new narthex, offices, kitchen, handicap-accessible restrooms and a new Family Life Center. The Family Life Center is a multi-purpose room that houses the congregation’s Saturday evening contemporary worship service and serves as a fellowship hall adjacent to the new kitchen.

All of this was accomplished on one level. That accomplishment earned Oregon UMC an award last year for accessibility.

“Through the years, every change to our building seemed to bring with it more stairs,” said Jacobs. “We had stairs leading to stairs. And the building got that way because of a piecemeal approach to needs.”

The Building Committee, led by Mershon, tried to avoid a piecemeal solution. The Joel Committee, a long-range planning group that preceded it, had identified needs for the growing congregation and outreach ministries that the church could provide Oregon, which is about 100 miles west of Chicago.

The result of their efforts allows the church to provide meeting space for three or four groups, church and civic, at a time without adversely affecting one another. The former fellowship area on the lower level of the original building has been converted to a youth area, including a games and arcade area. The church has sponsored a Boy Scout Troop for more than a half century. The troop, a Cub Scout pack, Girl Scouts and Brownies meet there.

The congregation, which had only one worship service in the early 1990s, now has three: two on Sunday morning and one on Saturday evening.

Oregon UMC traditionally pays its apportionments in full and is a frequent Rainbow Covenant congregation. Jacobs said last year as the congregation settled into its new more expensive facility it failed to pay its apportionments in full. “This year, however, even with the increased building costs, we are back on track to meet our apportionments,” he said.

The congregation’s third capital campaign drive, which is underway, aims at raising $450,000 to reduce its debt, which has been lowered to about $600,000. Part of a recent bequest will also be used to defray the debt, saving the church about $500 per month in mortgage payments.

Mershon said the congregation’s commitment to the many outreach ministries the building enables is evident. “After our second fund-raising campaign, our follow-up committee never had to meet,” he said.

Beyond financial help, the Church Builders Call means a lot to Oregon UMC, according to Jacobs. “This congregation has faithfully supported the Conference over the years,” he said. “It’s nice to get something in return. It’s a very direct way of seeing how our connectional system works. It’s neat to be on the receiving end of the connection.”

---

Join Church Builders!

Individuals throughout Northern lllinois pledge $25 or more per call — usually three each year.

Funds help purchase land and construct new buildings and parsonages.

Deteriorating buildings have been restored and those damaged by natural disaster have been repaired or replaced.

Conference Board of Global Ministries pays administrative costs, enabling all donations, plus interest, to go to designated churches.

For more about Church Builders and how you may join: contact the Northern Illinois Conference, (312) 346-9766; Dick Roberts, Church Builders chairperson, (847) 823-7267; or Nancy Duel, treasurer, (847) 259-3793.

2003 Article Index |  Top of Page | Return Home

Special Session will vote on 2004 budget

(Nov. 14) Saturday, Nov. 15, clergy and lay members of the Northern Illinois Conference (NIC) will meet in Elgin in a Special Session at First UMC, 216 E. Highland Ave., to approve a Conference budget for 2004 and vote on resolutions they did not have time to deal with during the regular session in June.

The Conference Council on Finance and Administration (CCFA)is proposing a 2004 budget of $7,648,465, down more than $500,000 or 6.2% from the budget of $8,156,787 for 2003.

“This budget reduction reflects the current economic conditions of our country, in general, and our Conference, specifically,” said the Rev. Felix Burrows, CCFA chair. “Our churches are just not meeting the connectional commitment to give as we have in years past for a variety of reasons. I believe it is better stewardship to propose a budget that fairly represents the Conference’s ability and willingness to support the mission and ministry vision set before us, rather than propose unrealistic numbers that we will not achieve.”

Burrows noted that the reduction means that the Conference will not be able to fund as many ministry opportunities as in the past. But he pointed out, “The good news is that we are now aware of the importance of practicing and teaching wholistic stewardship as a way of life for our Conference. To this end, we are in partnership with groups around the Conference, and we are aggressively planning and implementing activities that will help improve our financial outlook in the future.”

Registration for the Special Session will begin at 7:30 a.m. Opening worship will be at 9 a.m. Discussion and voting on the 13 resolutions remaining from the June Annual Conference session will begin at 9:30 a.m.

Presentation of the 2004 budget is scheduled for 11 a.m. After a lunch break, Conference members will reconvene at 1:30 p.m. to discuss and vote on the budget.

Adjournment is scheduled for 4 p.m.

NIC Directories for 2004-2005 and the Rainbow Covenant books that detail Advance Specials and other second-mile giving opportunities for local churches for 2004-2005 will be distributed at the Special Session.

All Conference members are invited to bring one food pantry item to place in a large cornucopia at the beginning of the worship service. Collected items will be dispersed to area food pantries.

2003 Article Index |  Top of Page | Return Home

Let us marvel in God’s abundant mercy, grace

By the Rev. Oscar Carrasco
Director of Connectional Ministries
Northern Illinois Conference

(Nov. 14) I don’t remember exactly how I learned to read. I was about years old when I realized that I could finally decipher store advertisements. There were no parent teacher conferences or special testing to figure out why I hadn’t learned to read by age seven. That is just the way it was in the mountains of southern Chile in the 1950s.

My earliest memories of school were not reading, writing or arithmetic. Instead, the little school I attended for my first three years offered me a time for singing, singing and more singing. When the bell rang for dismissal, I was chomping at the bit to get to the open field near my house for a ferocious game of soccer.

When I moved to the state-sponsored public elementary school I learned to read and new vistas opened for me. Learning to read was pivotal in my developing spiritual life. Bible stories were now accessible to me. I could read to my grandmother, Herminia, by candlelight on cold Chilean winter nights. The message of the Gospel read aloud by her grandson brought warmth and love to her compassionate, clear eyes.

AFALIT, a literacy program, came to Chile in the 1960s. I was a teenager and a committed Christian zealot in the Chilean Methodist Youth Movement. I volunteered to participate in AFALIT training. I acquired the skills and was certified as an instructor.

I spent the following summer in the coal mining community of Lota, Chile, attempting to teach hardened miners who wanted to learn to read. Indeed, five of them did under my tutelage.

Most successful student

My most successful student, though, was back in my hometown Curacautin. After arriving home from a summer of training and teaching, I visited my grandmother for a hot “mate” (a Patagonian form of hot tea) and to tell her of my adventures in Lota. After listening patiently, she asked, “Can you teach me to read?” My newest student was 70 years old!

Day after day, night after night, my grandmother unraveled the mystery of the alphabet. She applied all that I could teach her. Within a few weeks, she was intently reading. Her book of choice was the Bible.

I have had many humbling experiences since age 17. Witnessing the tenacity of my grandmother learning to read is indelibly etched in my mind, though.

After learning to decipher the alphabet and read on her own, Dona Herminia walked with a new spirit. There was a spring in her step. She showed her skill to the neighbors and would sit for hours perusing the newspaper and sharing the written news with those who could not read. At 70, she was much like me at age nine! We both had finally learned to read.

The years have gone by. My grandmother died at age 104. The sense of connection spans several generations and two continents. The AFALIT motto, “ensena uno a uno” (“each one teach one”), had an impact on small communities across Latin America.

A much more comprehensive approach is being implemented now by the combination of efforts of CIEMAL (Council of Evangelical Methodist Churches of Latin America) and Encounter with Christ (General Board of Global Ministries Permanent Fund #025100). These two organizations have come together to address the concerns of children and their families who live in poverty across Latin America and the Caribbean.

This cooperative effort is bringing hope and light to the miners, the urban poor and campesinos through prayer, Bible study and counseling. Self-esteem-building programs for children and youths are eagerly received.

Soul’s reawakening

Now my daily tasks do not include teaching anyone to read. My hours are filled seeking to serve our Saviour and liberator Jesus the Christ in the Northern Illinois Conference. The labors include helping bridge and mend relationships, as well as helping steward our resources in program ministries.

Recent surgery and illness brought a reawakening to my soul. What is it that truly matters in our life’s journey? This question resounded in my head.

“Giving generously” was a clear answer. This answer can lead each of us into a new path of devotion to our loving God. Let us marvel in the abundant mercy and grace of our God! For me! For you! For our churches! For our Conference! For our world! For the whole of creation!

During this Thanksgiving season, let’s be grateful for the many opportunities we have to give of ourselves to others for His honor and for His glory! If we are anxious to give, God will furnish the means to do so. Whether we are 9 or 70, our gifts are needed both at home and abroad. Blessings! Bendiciones!

2003 Article Index |  Top of Page | Return Home

19 congregations set forth on 3-year redevelopment

(Nov. 7) Nearly 150 laity and clergy from 19 Northern Illinois Conference (NIC) congregations gathered at Faith UMC, Downers Grove, Oct. 28 to begin a three-year program to reinvigorate their congregations.

Sponsored by the NIC Office of Congregational Development and Redevelopment, the program is designed to emphasize laity partnership with clergy. A minimum of seven lay persons and the pastor from each church had to commit to the program before they were accepted.

“When we have seven or more passionate lay leaders involved from a church,” said the Rev. Martin Lee, NIC director of Congregational Development and Redevelopment, “I believe we can make a difference.”

The Rev. Colon Brown, director of Congregational Development for the Detroit Annual Conference and faculty member of the School of Congregational Development, led the opening training session and will meet with participants nine times during the next three years.

“This gathering can have a profound impact on your congregations,” Brown said. “The idea to redevelop congregations is catching on in our denomination and especially in our [North Central] Jurisdiction.”

Brown told the group that more than 150 congregations have gone through the program, called the Redevelopment Venture Process. “We’re finishing up a two-year process in West Ohio and are beginning in North Indiana and Minnesota next year,” he said.

Teams from each congregation should be convened by a lay person, not the pastor, according to Brown. “If the church does not become lay led, where laity is responsible for ministry, with the pastor as guide, there is no hope for the future,” he declared.

Three congregations from each District are participating in the program, selected by the NIC Office of Congregational Development in consultation with the six District Superintendents. Participating churches are from Genoa, Elmhurst, Machesney Park, Highland Park, Hampshire, Chicago, Naperville, McHenry, South Elgin, Oak Park, Joliet, Mount Morris, Rockford, Plattville, University Park, Thornton, Homewood and Addison.

Lee said these churches, according to their statistics, are all struggling in one way or another. “They cannot continue to do business as usual,” he said. “But when I saw the passion shown by the lay leadership from these congregations, I saw hope and big possibilities.”

Brown told participants the redevelop- ment process will focus on what each church is doing right. “If you do something right, maybe only once a year, there’s hope,” he said. “You may be able to do it twice a year.”

Brown acknowledged that there are problems. “We can talk easier about what’s not working than we can about what is working,” he said. “We’re going to spend a whole year, though, talking about what’s working in your church and how you can do it more. When we can unleash the power of who you are, we can have a changed church and a changed community.”

Brown added that if the congregation doesn’t translate the redevelopment process into a changed community, “you’re missing the point.”

Lee said he wants to “show the whole world that our Conference can not only champion social justice issues, but can also grow churches.”

The Rev. Christian Coon, pastor of Deerfield UMC, is serving as a contact person for the participants in this program.

2003 Article Index |  Top of Page | Return Home

5 Bishops share ‘hope’ at Downers Grove forum

(Nov. 7) Five bishops gathered at First UMC, Downers Grove, the last weekend in October to discuss unity and hope. The bishops made presentations on the topics, answered questions as a panel and led workshops individually.

More than 100 persons attended Friday evening’s session on hope that featured presentations by Bishops C. Joseph Sprague (Northern Illinois), Judith Craig (retired) and Ann Sherer (Missouri). Bishops Donald Ott and Charles Jordan, both retired, joined the trio for a question-and-answer period.

Sprague started off the evening by restating what he said when he was a candidate for the episcopacy seven years ago. “I was asked what the greatest issue facing the United Methodist Church is,” he said. “Then and now, I believe it is the loss of hope that is biblically based and Christ-centered.”

Sprague cited several signs of hope amidst the “chaos of a weary world.” His signs of hope included seeing 35 clergy probationers “bouncing along on the mission bus tour” to see ministries full of hope in this Conference and the Bishops’ Initiative on Children and Poverty, which is a “corporate effort of leadership in the life of the Church to show concern for the marginalized.”

“Hope is not just pie in the sky,” Sprague said. “Hope never, ever stops for God’s people.”

Sherer, who chairs the Children and Poverty Initiative, said, “There are signs that God continues to work among us. I’m hopeful because I see God at work in the world.”

Craig said the Gospel is resurrection. “That’s hope,” she declared. “Otherwise there’s no Gospel.”

Craig also told her audience they are blessed with the mantle of God’s spirit. “Bring forth justice to a world that’s not damaging, not wounding and be determined not to quit,” she urged.

Sprague added that a sign of hope he sees is gatherings like the Bishops Forum itself.

2003 Article Index |  Top of Page | Return Home

BMCR honors 40 persons from 20
churches at Lay Academy Awards

(Nov. 7) On Laity Sunday, Oct. 19, several hundred clergy and laity from predominately Black congregations in the Northern Illinois Conference (NIC) gathered to honor outstanding lay members of their congregations.

Sponsored by Chicago Black Methodists for Church Renewal (BMCR), the 14th Annual Laity Banquet and Lay Academy Awards at the Ridgeland Club in Chicago included all the pomp and pageantry of the Hollywood event.

“We are here to celebrate the laity who are transforming their churches and leading people through a transformation process,” said the Rev. Dr. Tracy Smith Malone, president of Chicago BMCR.

Forty individuals — two members from each of 20 Black churches in the greater Chicago area — were recognized for ministry in the local church.

Honored were Ellen Beatrice Ball and Leoda Henry Thomas, Clair-Christian UMC, Chicago; Charles Randolph and Deserie Forbes, Englewood UMC, Chicago; Lynda Gathing and Eugene Smith, Faith UMC, Chicago; John R. Lewis and Eugene Weatherall, Fernwood UMC; Alma Pride and George Hawthorne, First Wesley Academy, Harvey; Phillip Baker and Gloria Baker, Gorham UMC, Chicago.

Also, Columbus Austin and Gloria Austin, Greater Englewood Parish, Chicago; F. Otis O’Neil Jr., and Phyllis Donaldson, Hartzell UMC, Chicago; Lawrence Collins and Linda Gholston Collins, Ingleside-Whitfield UMC, Chicago; Barbara Jean Tate and Monica Elaine (Rooks) Hines, Maple Park UMC, Chicago; Leona Harris and April Preyar, Morgan Park UMC, Chicago.

And, Earltee Davis and Toby Washington, Neighborhood UMC, Maywood; Fannie Davis and John Davis, Pilgrimage Protestant, University Park; Charles W. Bell and Patricia Caples, Resurrection UMC, Chicago; Alonda Weaver and Mary Anderson, St. James UMC, Chicago; Pearl Esther Day and Marcellus Stamps Jr., St. Mark UMC, Chicago.

And, Corwin Marbly and Eugene Smith, St. Matthew UMC, Chicago; Ruth Shannon and Joseph Dupar, Southlawn UMC, Chicago; Evelyn Carter and John Maynie, South Shore UMC, Chicago; and James Gladney and Oscar Thomas, Woodlawn UMC, Chicago.

2003 Article Index |  Top of Page | Return Home