The
Northern Illinois Conference From the Bishop:
of The United Methodist Church
Where does it hurt?
While the United Methodist Council of Bishops was meeting in a learning forum on November 1-4, 2015, the African College of Bishops issued a press release on global terrorism and human sexuality. Bishop Sally Dyck You can find the full statement of the African College of Bishops at www.umc.org/new-and-media/african-bishopsspeak-out-on terrorism-sexuality. I have chosen to comment on this statement because it has proved to be confusing and hurtful to many. Immediately many people focused on the second subject of this statement: human sexuality, specifically homosexuality. But in the recent events in Paris, the Mali Hotel attack, the bombing of the Russian plane over Egypt (claimed to be done by ISIS), bombings in Beirut, and terrorism in Nigeria by Boka Haram (just to name a few), the first part of their statement on global terrorism comes to the fore. The statement cites “the stark realities of needless suffering and pain in our world as a result of current Global terrorism, unjust political systems and the manipulation of weaker nations by world powers; and to work together as a church to usher in God’s reign of peace, justice and freedom to all.” In light of their statement on global terrorism, I call all of us to be in personal and public prayer for the people who are wounded and hurting throughout the world due to global terrorism in all its forms. As the Somali poet, Warsan Shire, writes: later that night i held an atlas in my lap ran my fingers across the whole world and whispered where does it hurt? it answered everywhere everywhere everywhere.
The second topic of the statement is on marriage and sexuality, leading into a call for unity in the church. In this part of the statement, the African bishops place the cause of disunity in the church on the “warm embrace of practices that have become sources of conflict that now threatens to rip the Church apart and distract her from the mission of leading persons to faith and making disciples of Jesus Christ…One of such practices is the LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender).” They maintain that there is “no scriptural basis for acceptance in Christian worship and conduct;” any acceptance of LGBT persons is in conflict with their interpretation of the Holy Bible. At the end of their statement, they call for prayer throughout General Conference (always a good thing) but end with the threat that anyone who has a different interpretation of the scriptures should “recuse” themselves specifically from the episcopacy. I have repeatedly shared with my African colleagues our context of ministry and the church in Northern Illinois as have other bishops from their contexts. Therefore, the statement is very hurtful to many people and I too felt the personal jab of it when they referenced the
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recommendation for bishops to “recuse” themselves if they don’t understand the scriptures as they do. People have asked me what this all means. I think it means that the African bishops have found their own voice out of their own context. Who was the statement written for? The spokesperson for the African bishops said it was for their “constituencies.” They seem to be sending a clear message to their delegates to General Conference on how to deal with the changing culture in the American church because I think they also understand that there is more acceptance for LGBTQ persons across The United Methodist Church now than four years ago. They are concerned that there might be changes in the Book of Discipline. I’ve heard people say that the statement links global terrorism with homosexuality. One thing is clear: the African bishops understand global terrorism to be the biggest threat to the world and homosexuality the biggest threat to the church. In their final point, they call on the need to maintain the unity of the church through our common mission. I agree with the African bishops that we need to keep the mission of the church as the source of our unity. But we can’t let the penultimate take over the ultimate; we can’t let our differences (of biblical interpretation, cultural contexts, etc.) become ultimate or we destroy our mission, not to mention our unity. I wish there was a way for my African colleagues to know the faithful, loving and generous LGBTQ persons, families, friends and welcoming churches in the United Methodist Church, especially in Northern Illinois. I wish they could see and know the LGBTQ people, family and friends who give when the church keeps kicking back at them. I wish they could see how LGBTQ persons in the NIC minister to the homeless, feed the hungry, advocate for justice, teach young minds to think, go the extra mile with a customer or patient or student, or all the other ways that LGBTQ persons, families and friends are making a difference because of their faith in Jesus Christ…they are transforming the context in which they live through their obedience to the scriptures. I wish the African bishops could see the vibrancy and health in congregations that have chosen to publicly embrace all people through the Reconciling Ministry Network which doesn’t end with acceptance and advocacy for LGBTQ persons but extends to others in our communities who are marginalized. I wish they could see the money that comes from LGBTQ persons who support ministries in Africa and even the salaries of African United Methodist bishops because LGBTQ persons love Jesus even when their love is not reciprocated. Where does it hurt? Everywhere, everywhere, everywhere … and yet “earth hath no sorrow that heaven cannot heal” (Isaiah 35:10 and the text of an old hymn). And by that I mean, while hurt prevails in so many parts of our world—those who suffer from global terrorism and from rejection and condemnation within the body of Christ—I still believe in the redeeming power of God’s love. In this Advent season, let us all be a light unto the world through our witness of faith and hope. ~Bishop Sally Dyck
Speaking up for Syrian refugees Some United Methodists are protesting efforts by U.S. governors to try to keep out Syrian refugees after the Nov. 13 Paris terrorist attacks. Leaders of ISIS have claimed credit for the attacks, which killed 129 people. A Syrian passport, possibly a fake, was found near the body of one of the suicide bombers in Paris. On Nov. 18 Bishop Sally Dyck sent an open letter to Illinois Governor Bruce Rauner asking that he reconsider his decision to temporarily halt the resettling of Syrian refugees in the state. “United Methodists across the world, including Germany, have been involved in resettling Syrians in our countries and states. It is part
DO NOT DELAY. DATED MATERIAL.
REPORTER
December 2015/January 2016 | Volume 162 | Issue 3
Look Inside . . .
Church Celebrates 175th| 2
End of Ebola | 3
Special Session News | 4
By Sam Hodges*
of our biblical tradition (Deuteronomy 10:17-19 and Luke 10:25-36) and our long history as people of faith (our global United Methodist Committee on Relief),” wrote Bishop Dyck. “Most Syrians are caught between the violence in their homeland and the refusal or difficulty of settling in a place of peace. These are families like yours and mine, longing to be safe and to have a future of peace.” Bishop Gary Mueller of the Arkansas Conference responded to Gov. Asa Hutchinson of Arkansas, who joined Gov. Rauner and 30 others in similar decisions. (continued on page 2), see From the Cover
Peace Garden | 6 The Reporter is published monthly by NIC Communications. Postmaster: Send address changes to: NIC Communications, 217 Division St., Elgin, IL 60120.
Barrington UMC celebrates 175th anniversary As we celebrate the year of Barrington United Methodist Church’s 175th Anniversary, we honor those who have gone before us – those sturdy and committed pioneers who settled this area so many years ago. In 1840, a group of 18 Methodists led by John Allen began to meet as a class in the Dundee Circuit, worshipping in homes, and then in a stone building near what is now Bateman and Algonquin Roads. In 1853, they built a church at the corner of Sutton and Dundee Roads known as the Old North Church at Barrington Center in what is now Barrington Hills. This church still stands today with its cemetery where many of the early Methodist pioneers are resting. In 1854, the Northwestern railroad had come to Barrington and more and more families were moving to the small village. Land was purchased at the corner of Ela and Franklin Streets and construction began on a new church complete with bell tower and spire. It would hold about 125 people and served the Methodists for 12 years. By this time, they had outgrown this building and sold it to the Catholic Community for the first St. Anne Church. The ladies of the church accumulated enough money to purchase a lot on Cook Street to build a new church, known as the Cook Street Church. It was dedicated December 22, 1872. It cost $4,000 and was lit by 87 oil lamps. For 57 years, it served as a focal point for church and community activities and is today the Masonic Temple. In 1928, the Rev. “Boots” Buthman and the congregation started plans for a larger church, and needed to raise $60,000. Shortly thereafter, Rev. Buthman died and the Great Depression hit. A core group of members took on this task and purchased the building known as the Zion Evangelical Church for $700. Chicago architect and church member Robert Work redesigned it. It originally faced Lincoln Street, but was turned to face Hough Street. The bell from the Cook Street Church was installed and this Colonial style building was dedicated in 1931. For close to 70 years, this church was known as “The
Church in the Heart of the Community, with the Community at Heart”. Many service organizations had their roots in this building, and it had a strong tradition of service and outreach in the Barrington area. On October 28, 1998, the Barrington United Methodist Church suffered a devastating fire. The church building was destroyed and our members came together that evening for worship, for comfort, and for prayer. For five years, the congregation worshipped in the Salem United Methodist Church and District 220 auditoriums. Our members came faithfully each week hauling supplies in their cars and a rental truck. A building committee was appointed and work began on the new site at the corner of Route 59 and Algonquin Road in Barrington Hills. After years of prayer, decision-making and fundraising, our current building was dedicated on October 5, 2003. The hopes and dreams of our ancestors have come full circle in this space literally just down the road from our beginnings. Today our congregation is thriving and growing with three worship services, faith development for all ages, fellowship and service opportunities. We are reminded of our history by the bell which now hangs in our Columbarium Garden as it has moved with our congregation through the ages from the Barrington Church in the 1860’s, to the other Village sites, and finally to this place, having been saved from the fire. The heritage of overcoming adversity and embracing challenge that our forebears have endowed us with has bound us together over the years and set the stage for our next 175 years. As we embrace the future of Barrington UMC, we honor the traditions of our past as we continue to worship vibrantly, grow a deep and vital faith, connect with God and one another for support and friendship and passionately serve our neighbors near and far. Article courtesy Barrington United Methodist Church.
From the Cover “Certainly, we cannot allow an unregulated flow of refugees into our state,” Mueller said. “But it solves nothing to categorically exclude a group of people whose lives have been torn apart, as the governor has indicated he would like to do concerning Syrian refugees.” Mueller said he favored heightened security but also “heightened compassion towards Syrian refugees who are suffering at the hands of ISIS in ways we can only begin to comprehend.” Bishop Gary Mueller of the Arkansas Conference called for “heightened compassion” toward Syrian refugees. The Rev. Wes Magruder, pastor of Kessler Park United Methodist Church in Dallas and board president of Refugee Services of Texas, was critical of Texas Gov. Greg Abbott for joining in the call to keep Syrian refugees out. “The Syrian refugees - they’re running for their lives,” Magruder said. He added that the process of getting refugee status in the United States takes far longer and is far more stringent than in Europe. “It’s ludicrous to suggest that we don’t already have, in our refugee settlement system, adequate vetting and security,” Magruder said. Magruder’s church on Saturday had its second annual “First Thanksgiving” event for recent refugees, treating them to turkey and dressing and in other ways acquainting them with the U.S. holiday. Two Syrian families attended. “For our church in particular to wake up on Monday morning and hear the governor say, `No more Syrians’ was just very heartbreaking,” Magruder said.
S.C. governor joins call
But Gov. Nikki Haley of South Carolina, a United Methodist, joined in the opposition to entry of more Syria refugees. In a letter to Sec. of State John Kerry, Haley cited gaps 2 | The Reporter | December 2015/January 2016
in intelligence on those fleeing Syria. “This lack of historical and verifiable intelligence with many Syrian refugees makes it difficult, if not impossible, to thoroughly vet individuals seeking to enter the United States as a refugee,” she said. Immigration policy rests with the federal government, but states cooperate in the process. Since 2012, fewer than 2,000 Syrian refugees have been allowed to settle in the United States. President Obama has said the U.S. will take 10,000 more, which is a small fraction of the number who have arrived in Europe as warfare in Syria has intensified.
Serbia refugees from Syria and other countries cross the border into Croatia on Sept. 28, 2015. - A 2015 file photo by Paul Jeffrey for the ACT Alliance
The Rev. John L. McCullough, president and chief executive officer of Church World Service and a United Methodist pastor, criticized efforts to close borders to Syrian refugees. “Syrian refugees are fleeing violence perpetrated by ISIS violence that has destroyed their country,” McCullough said. “To blame vulnerable people for the acts of their perpetrators is unjust and inhumane. We must react not with hate
toward one another, but instead with unity and resolve to see that these horrendous crimes are not repeated.” The Rev. Susan Henry-Crowe, top executive of the United Methodist Board of Church and Society, noted that states are obligated to protect their citizens, but also said governments and religious groups have a “common responsibility” toward refugees. “Christian witness should reflect the special care that Christ offers migrants, refugees and the vulnerable,” she said. “As United Methodists, we know that fearful responses are not reflective of Christian life and witness. Instead, Christ calls us to a love for humankind and compassion for all.” Thomas Kemper, top executive for the United Methodist Board of Global Ministries, also addressed the subject: “The events of Paris may encourage border restrictions in the name of security and prohibit the entrance of Syrian and Iraqi refugees who have endured terrorism for years. We pray that governments and people may resist anti-refugee sentiment and continue to offer sanctuary to those in need.” Bishop Julius Trimble of the Iowa Conference, who chairs the United Methodist Interagency Immigration Task Force, said: “We cannot claim to be the church and not challenge our governors to be the voices of reason and respect and promoters of peace not fear.” “To turn our back on refugees would be to betray our nation’s core values,” said a coalition of refugee and immigration law experts including Northern Illinois Justice for Our Neighbors attorney Jenny Ansay in a letter to Illinois Gov. Rauner. “It would also be to turn a blind eye to the egregious human rights violations occurring daily in Syria.” *Hodges, a United Methodist News Service writer, lives in Dallas. Contact him at (615) 742-5470 or newsdesk@umcom.org
Sierra Leone celebrates end of Ebola United Methodists held thanksgiving services and joined in celebrations tinged with sadness and caution as the World Health Organization declared the end of the Ebola Dr. Martin Salia, shown at the outbreak in Sierra Leone after UMC’s Kissy Hospital outside no new cases were reported in Freetown, Sierra Leone, in the country for 42 days. April 2014, died of Ebola in November. Photo by Mike The deadly virus took more DuBose, UMNS than 11,300 lives before the WHO declaration on Nov. 7. Most of the dead were in the West African countries of Sierra Leone, Liberia and Guinea. A total of 8,704 Sierra Leoneans were infected during the outbreak and 3,589 died, including 221 healthcare workers. Eleven were doctors, including Dr. Martin Salia, chief medical officer and surgeon at United Methodist Kissy Hospital in Freetown. United Methodist Bishop John Yambasu remains worried about new Ebola cases in Guinea. “With Guinea recently recording three new cases near Kambia District, and with the many cross-border movements between Sierra Leone and Guinea, I encourage every Sierra Leonean to remain alert and act responsibly,” Yambasu said. Kambia is the Sierra Leone District on the Guinea border. Sierra Leone now moves into a new phase of 90 days enhanced surveillance in watching for Ebola. The enhanced surveillance continues until Feb. 5, 2016. “This period is about ensuring that we can consolidate the gains of existing systems to manage future risks,” WHO Sierra Leone representative Dr. Anders Nordström said at the public ceremony marking the end of Ebola.
A Day of Thanksgiving
Sierra Leone President Ernest Koroma has declared Nov. 21 as a national Thanksgiving Day and Dec. 18 as a day of recognition of Ebola response workers. Many United Methodist congregations across the country held special prayers of thanksgiving in their respective
churches over the weekend. The Rev. Mariama Bockarie, superintendent of the Makeni district, said there was apprehension and a subdued reaction that amounted to low-key celebrations in Makeni, where the local Council of Churches has also set aside Nov. 29 to hold a thanksgiving and memorial service in honor of those who died of Ebola. Saturday, United Methodists in Makeni joined other denominations at the cemetery where the Ebola dead are buried, offering prayers for the dead and families who lost their loved ones to Ebola. “The church thanked God for his goodness for ending Ebola in the country. People were happy that Ebola had ended, but rowdy celebrations were not done as was the case when there was a false alarm at the height of the outbreak that Ebola was over,” Bockarie said. Bockarie was referring to an impromptu celebration that occurred when a Chinese Ebola response team entered a holding center in Makeni and released peopled confined on suspicion of having Ebola after they tested negative. Motorbike riders and a confused group of youth heard about the release and took to the streets sounding horns and shouting “Ebola don don,” meaning Ebola is over. On the second Sunday of November, the congregation at Kercher Memorial United Methodist Church sang the song “My Hands Are Blessed” which is usually sung at the end of a service to exchange greetings, hugs and handshakes. Ebola had changed that. “With the coming of Ebola, we ceased to touch or hold. Rather, we waved to each other. It was very reviving in church when we sang “My Hands are Blessed” in November and physically touched and hugged like we used to do. It was a very emotional scene,” said Kercher’s pastor Rev. Andrew Forbie. “We were so intimidated by Ebola that husbands were afraid to touch their wives when they returned from an errand in town or from work. (At this service), we prayed especially for the end of Ebola,” Forbie said.
2016 Laity Convocation - Inside Out By Arnold Rivera, NIC Lay Leader The Laity Convocation will soon be here again. Please join your Conference Board of Laity on Saturday, February 6, 2016 for INSIDE OUT! (Inner Strength for Greater Outreach). The event continues with Ray Buckley the theme of Who Is My Neighbor, and seeks to help us renew our spirits in order to be more effective in our Christian outreach. In other words, be renewed inside, be led by the Spirit and then reach out! Thus, INSIDE OUT! In these times of darkness in the world, there is a light that shines in each Christian that must be shared with all, especially with those who are hurting. Let us prepare our hearts to be that light of Christ. Let us remember the words of our Lord as recounted in Acts 1:8 “But you will receive the power when the Holy Spirit comes on you and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria and in all the ends of the earth.” We are fortunate to have Ray Buckley as our keynote speaker, who will talk to us about that inner strength. Mr. Buckley is the interim Director of the Center for Native American Spirituality and Christian Study, and has served the UMC as staff member of The United Methodist Publishing House, Director of the Native People’s Communication Office (UMCom) for nine years, and Director of Connectional Ministries for the
Alaska Missionary Conference. Ray Buckley is also an author/illustrator of five books. His writings and art have appeared in numerous journals, periodicals, books, and museums, and he has taught in Nigeria and Ghana, and has served as a lecturer in Native American studies for several universities. In addition to the lively keynote presentation, we are offering four workshops. The workshops and workshop leaders are:
1. FEED THE SPIRIT. FEED THE SOUL (Spiritual Formation), led by Judy Pohlman and Barb Miller; 2. FEED THE BODY. FEED THE SPIRIT (Hunger Relief ) led by Julia Jones and Betsie Swartz; 3. HELP! [Help.Educate.Love.Prepare.] (Disaster Relief ) led by Rev. Christina Vosteen and John Kerastas; and 4. THERE ARE NO STRANGERS HERE (Immigration/Refugee Issues) led by Rev. Paula CrippsVallejo and Brent Holman-Gomez. It is our prayer that the 2016 Laity Convocation will help all of us to focus on the inside, as we prepare to reach those on the outside. We hope to see you on February 6, 2016 at Sycamore UMC. Registration begins at 8:00 a.m., the program begins at 9:00 a.m., and you will be on your way by 3:00 p.m. renewed in spirit and prepared for outreach!
By Phileas Jusu*
Continued vigilance
President Korma warned that the country must be prepared for a re-emergence of Ebola. “To fully secure our victory, we must continue with the newer and better ways of caring for the sick, the healthier ways of handling the dead, and the progressive habits of hygiene, sanitation and vigilance that helped us defeat the virus,” Korma said. He urged Sierra Leoneans to continue reporting the sick and every death, and to swab all bodies to remain certain that Ebola has not returned undetected. Koroma spoke to thousands gathered at the Bintumani Hotel in western Freetown – including diplomats, government officials, Ebola survivors, civil society representatives and health officials at a special ceremony to mark the end of the outbreak. “We prevailed over an evil virus. . . The disease challenged the very foundations of our humanity. We had to change the way we grew up caring for sick relatives; the way we mourned loved ones; the way we showed affection when greeting each other. And we complied with necessary but difficult restrictions on movement and traditional practices,” Koroma said. The president praised the “dedication of Ebola response workers, whose heroism is without parallel in the history of our country.” He mentioned the healthcare workers, hygienists, burial teams, lab technicians, those who cleaned infected areas, surveillance officers, social mobilisers, ambulance and non-ambulance drivers, and motorbike riders. In all, more than 35,000 Sierra Leoneans are registered as Ebola response workers. “There were many more who volunteered to serve in the fight without recognition or acclaim. We salute these volunteers who served in various capacities within our surveillance system, manning checkpoints, and telephone hotlines, digging graves, and counselling the sick and bereaved,” Koroma said. *Jusu is director of communications for The United Methodist Church in Sierra Leone.
Students awarded millions in financial assistance The General Board of Higher Education and Ministry (GBHEM) celebrates that the Office of Loans and Scholarships will be awarding over 2,200 students a total of $4.5 million in financial assistance for 2015. Thank you for your support in recognizing United Methodist Student Day, World Communion Sunday, and Native American Sunday which help fund a portion of these loans and scholarships. The remaining funds for the awards come from gifts, annuities and endowments GBHEM has invested and administered for decades. Congratulations to the 41 of students from across all six districts in the Northern Illinois Conference who received loan and scholarships totaling nearly $30,000. For a complete list of recipients visit: www.umcnic.org/scholarships. Students who are members of The United Methodist Church may apply for a Fall 2016 GBHEM scholarship online between January 4, 2016 – March 1, 2016 at the following web address: www.gbhem.org/scholarshipapplication. Student loans are also available at interest rates as low as 3.75% (lower than federal educational loan rates) with a credit worthy cosigner.
The Reporter | December 2015/January 2016 | 3
Special Session News
By Anne Marie Gerhardt
More than 450 clergy and laity gathered at Court Street UMC on Nov. 7 to vote on a the 2016 budget.
Annual Conference members endorsed the Rev. Dr. Tracy Smith The Rev. Deborah Tinsley Taylor, senior pastor at Fourth Street UMC, was Malone as an episcopal nominee. elected the new annual conference secretary.
During a special session convened November 7, 2015, members of the Northern Illinois Annual Conference approved a 2016 budget of $6,737,477, a $470,019 reduction from the previous year, which includes a hopeful 100% apportionment payment to the General Church. The Conference Committee on Finance and Administration (CCFA) presented the proposed budget following months of collaborative conversations across conference leadership, program areas and staff, acknowledging the financial challenges and realities facing the church in the 21st century. (For the PowerPoint slides please visit the following site www.umcnic.org/AC2015SS.) “It’s getting harder to be the church. We are working against the trends,” said NIC treasurer Lonnie Chafin. “Average attendance and giving continue to drop and our aging buildings are costing us in maintenance and utilities. But I believe we can work together to figure out how we can use our talents, resources and gifts in the conference to help our churches be vital in the 21st century.” CCFA leaders say the budget numbers are especially difficult to report because current projections show the conference may fall $478,177 short to pay the General Church apportionments in full in 2016. “We come with heavy hearts because this is the first time we come before you with already the expectation of a reduction in our General Church apportionment payment and it doesn’t feel right,” said CCFA member Rev. Luis Reyes during the special session presentation. “The reality is we are no longer a $7 million dollar conference but a $6 million dollar conference and 2016 will be a year of transition.” The reductions were made across the board impacting programs, ministries, staff and local church support. The cabinet cut its budget by 25% reducing funding for leadership support, local church grants, Harvest 2.0 and congregational development. “In order to meet this budget, we will no longer be able to fund a local church’s building crisis for instance,” said Rockford District Superintendent Rev. Lisa Kruse-Safford who was representing the Cabinet. “We will instead use a more deliberate discernment process for how and what we
allocate monies.” Several clergy and laity presented recommendations for CCFA to consider as they look into funding and budget solutions for 2017. Rev. Kruse-Safford said the conference saved money on the rent of the Rockford/DeKalb regional office in Rochelle after it moved into a smaller space, but incurred the cost of the mortgage payment for the Hilltop Ministry Center in Machesney Park, a conference-owned building designed to be a community center. “A child-care program, which its rent paid a large portion of the mortgage, moved out last year, said Kruse-Safford. “I’ve been in talks and have been working on ways to fill that 11,000 square feet of space. Stay tuned, we hope to have something to report soon.” The Program Council reduced its budget by $195,000 since 2014, which will impact nurture, outreach and witness/ advocacy ministries in the conference. “In the midst of the budget reductions, there still is life changing and community transforming work still going on,” said Program Council Chair Rev. Chris Winkler. “Our mission is to always be in ministry with those who are on the margins. We need to look at how do we continue to create ministries which are collaborative and sustainable while being good stewards of the money God’s given to us.” The results from the Landscape Survey, which was sent out in September to help gather data and information about the health, well-being and effectiveness of the work of the annual conference, show clergy and laity care deeply about the future of the conference and that there’s a readiness for change. “Our theme at our June session was Replenish! We’re called to replenish our spirits and our local churches,” said Bishop Sally Dyck. “The work before us is to replenish our annual conference to give us inner strength for greater outreach going into the future.” In order to make informed decisions about what to change in the Conference’s structure, staffing, and resources, several Landscape follow-up sessions will take place in 2016 beginning with a “Purpose Summit” for all conference elected
leadership on Feb. 20. Laity and Clergy gatherings will be held in each region in February and March. For dates and details visit www.umcnic.org/AC2015SS.
New Annual Conference Secretary
In other business, the Annual Conference members elected the Rev. Deborah Tinsley Taylor, senior pastor at Fourth Street UMC, as the new conference secretary. She succeeds the Rev. Lora Zink who served as annual conference secretary for seven years. We thank Rev. Zink for her years of faithful service and welcome Rev. Tinsley Taylor to her new role.
Episcopal Nominee Endorsement
The conference also unanimously approved the General/ Jurisdictional delegation’s recommendation for the Episcopacy – the Rev. Dr. Tracy Smith Malone who said she was truly honored by the endorsement. “The Northern Illinois Conference has a played a major role in my life and has helped shape me into who I am today,” said Rev. Malone. “Thank you for your affirmation, continued prayers and support.”
Vote to save money on Journal production
The annual conference voted and approved the Standing Rules Amendment regarding journal production to allow for “on demand” printing in 2016. The amendment will cut down on the bulk printing and mailing of the journal and instead make it available online with the option to print and send directly to your address for an affordable fee. The Journal would still be available to download for free from the conference website. A slight amendment was made to clarify that the conference will still print some Journals for archives and Disciplinary requirements. Conference Treasurer Lonnie Chafin says the move could save the conference $15,000+ dollars each year. Conference leaders have reviewed the questions raised at the special session and their answers are posted www.umcnic.org/AC2015SS.
Pilgrims to Learn Disciple Making in the Wesleyan Tradition United Methodist lay and clergy leaders who participate in the 2016 Wesley Pilgrimage to England will learn how their shared ministry leads to making disciples as they immerse themselves in the Christ-centered leadership of John and Charles Wesley. The 10-day pilgrimage, July 11-21, 2016 will be co-sponsored by Discipleship Ministries and the General Board of Higher Education and Ministry of The United Methodist Church. “One of our goals is to help the pilgrims understand that disciples make disciples,” said Steve Manskar, Director of Wesleyan Leadership at Discipleship Ministries and pilgrimage coleader. “Wesleyan leadership is shared ministry, a partnership between clergy and laity that leads congregations in their mission of making disciples of Jesus Christ who are equipped 4 | The Reporter | December 2015/January 2016
to join in Christ’s mission in the world.” During the 10-day journey, pilgrims will learn, pray and explore places where the Wesley brothers lived and served. They will reflect and make new friends in small groups, and they will make connections between their Wesleyan heritage and the missional leadership the church needs today. The pilgrims will explore: • Epworth: The Wesley birthplace • Oxford: Where John and Charles Wesley were students and led the Holy Club • Bristol: The home of the class meeting and where Methodism became a movement • London: Where both Wesley brothers experienced assurance of salvation and John Wesley built the center of British Methodism • Salisbury: Home of a vital Methodist congregation once served by Bishop Francis Asbury
In addition to Manskar, the pilgrimage will be led by Dr. Paul Chilcote, Academic Dean and Professor of Historical Theology and Wesleyan Studies at Ashland Theological Seminary in Ashland, Ohio. The pilgrimage registration fee is $2,195, which includes 10 nights’ lodging, most meals, coach travel to pilgrimage sites and the program. The fee does not include airfare to England. Register online at UMCdiscipleship.org/WesleyPilgrimage. Commissioned provisional elders and deacons and licensed local pastors are eligible to apply for the reduced scholarship registration fee of $1,095. The form is available at www.umcdiscipleship.org/resources/wesley-pilgrimage-registration-information. Send the completed form to Manskar at smanskar@umcdiscipleship.org before Jan. 15. Scholarship recipients will be notified on Jan. 27. Pilgrims will receive three continuing education units (CEUs).
North Central Jurisdiction retains same number of Bishops After further review of the numbers, the General Council on Finance and Administration (GCFA) reports that the North Central Jurisdiction (NCJ) does have enough members to retain nine bishops for the episcopal area. In September GCFA notified NCJ leadership that membership totals from 2014’s statistics showed a drop below the threshold formula required by the Book of Discipline for nine bishops in the area and a recommendation for one less bishop was possible. Bishop John Hopkins, president of the NCJ College of Bishops said “I appreciate the joint efforts of [General Secretary] Moses Kumar, [the staff of] GCFA, the NCJ College of Bishops, [the] Episcopacy Committee, and the conference statisticians who worked together to ensure that all disciples of Jesus Christ in the jurisdiction are represented in the latest membership statistics. While we will maintain our current nine episcopal areas next quadrennium, we need to continue working to expand our ministries to reach new people for Jesus Christ.” “We applaud the efforts of the North Central Jurisdiction to review their reported membership numbers. We understand processes are in place moving forward to assure that all professing members of The United Methodist Church are accounted for in the statistical reports of the jurisdiction, conference, district and local churches. This news is exciting because it represents the people who are a part of new church initiatives within the jurisdiction…letting us all know that United Methodists are still committed to making disciples of Jesus Christ,” said Bishop Michael Coyner, president of GCFA. With the new information, the board of directors of GCFA will not make any recommendations to the General Conference for a review of the number of bishops for the North Central Jurisdiction. Northern Illinois Conference treasurer Lon-
nie Chafin explained that the Book of Discipline paragraph 259.3 provides that members participating in new faith communities are to be reported as members to the annual conference. “When the NCJ fell 4,463 members short of the number necessary to maintain the current level of bishops, Annual Conference statisticians in the NCJ sought to report these pre-chartered church members. But there was no simple way to do so. Previously only local churches with GCFA numbers were allowed to report in the system,” said Chafin. Responding to the desire to count people participating in new faith communities and “new places for new people” being a priority of the denomination, GCFA created an ability to report “conference members atlarge” and gave every annual conference until October 15, 2015 to amend their reports said Chafin. “Congregation Development leaders in every NCJ conference swiftly began counting membership (meeting the same standard of professing membership in chartered local churches) of those worshiping in new faith communities. Some of these persons were members of local churches who transferred to the new faith community to participate in its start. Others were people taking the vows of membership within the faith community. Until that local church is chartered, they exist as members of the annual conference,” said Chafin. Chafin said they discovered that 5,182 members participated in new faith communities across the 11 annual conferences of the NCJ and when their presence was added to the calculation, the NCJ now has 719 more members above the threshold to require a reduction. GCFA has not released the official final numbers yet. “’New Places for New People’ can be the engine that drives growth in our denomination and creates an opportunity for us to reverse the trend of declining membership,” said Bishop Sally Dyck.
Share How God Has Called You to Ministry at MyCallStory.org The General Board of Higher Education and Ministry has launched the MyCallStory.org website to encourage United Methodists around the world to share videos of how God has called them to make a difference. United Methodists are asked to record and submit a video that explains why they feel called to do the work they do and to describe how this work impacts others. Select videos will be featured at General Conference 2016 (May 10-20), on the MyCallStory.org website and via Higher Education and Ministry social media channels (@ GBHEM). “Many people are doing great things and making a difference in the church and around the world – we call these people difference makers. They have all experienced God’s call at some point in their lives, and we want to share their stories,” says Ebony Lincoln, director of communications at Higher Education and Ministry. “Higher Education and Ministry nurtures the culture of call in The United Methodist Church by provid-
ing programs, initiatives and resources to help individuals identify and support their calling. We want to share the impact that these individuals are having across the globe.” Those who have felt called to do God’s work are encouraged to submit the video describing their calling, ministry or project at MyCallStory.org. In the videos, participants should consider how their calling, ministry or project is making a difference; specifically, they should reflect on how Higher Education and Ministry has supported them and their calling. The agency hopes to inspire more people to pursue their calling by sharing these testimonies and stories. Higher Education and Ministry will provide assistance to those who wish to submit a story but are unable to film it themselves. For assistance, or to recommend someone who may have a great call story, contact the Higher Education and Ministry Office of Communications at communications@gbhem.org or 615-340-7336.
Calendar News . . . Aging in Northeastern Kane County: What we all need to know to care for ourselves, our parents and our children “Advanced Care Planning”
Friday, December 11, 1 p.m.
Speaker: Rev. Digna S. Campanano, M.Div., Staff Chaplain, Advocate Sherman Hospital Reverend Companano is both a United Methodist and Staff Chaplain at Advocate Sherman Hospital. She will discuss the importance and process of advanced care planning. There will be an opportunity to complete an advance directive at the end of the presentation. All sessions at Trinity UMC, 1647 Ravine Lane, Carpentersville, IL 60110 For more information, please contact Sharon Orr at (847) 428-1627 *These seminars are made possible with the help of an NIC Program Council Creative Ministries Grant.
Community organizing for the church December 11-12, 2015
An Institute for Congregational Development event open to EVERYONE! Why? Vital chuches and vital ministries are outward-focused. Community organizing is one tool for getting outside the church building and meeting the community. Come and learn. Special Guest: Kristin Kumpf, Director of Organizing for the GBCS. Day 1 Shedule: Registration 8:30 a.m. Program 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Day 2 Schedule: Program 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. Registration Fee: $60 (includes materials and lunch) Participants must make their own hotel and travel arrangements. For details and registration visit www.umcnic.org/harvest. Questions about registration? Email Judy Siaba at jsiaba@umcnic.org or call (312) 346-9766 ext. 724.
Advent Celebration
Chicago Northwestern District Advent Worship
Sunday, December 13, 2015
Fellowship 3:45 (Social Hall), Worship 4:30 – 5:30 (Sanctuary) Location: Glenview UMC (727 Harlem Avenue, Glenview, IL 60025) The entire CNW District family is encouraged and invited to come together for fellowship and worship at our Annual District Advent Worship. Worship will feature dynamic preacher Rev. Grace Imathiu (Senior Pastor, Community UMC, Naperville) on the the theme In Search of Hope. Music will be provided by the Neighborhood UM Church Choir. We will recognize our new pastors and candidates for ordained ministry, and will also have a brief moment of remembrance for Jacqueline Gentles-Coley, beloved ministry candidate from Hemenway UMC. A portion of the Advent Offering will be given to support the newly formed Middle Eastern United Methodist Caucus/Alliance of Christian ministries serving Iraqi and Syrian refugees in the Chicagoland area. Come, let’s worship together as a District… In Search of Hope!
ERT Training
Saturday, January 16, 2016
Early Response Teams provide a caring Christian presence in the aftermath of a natural disaster. ERTs are not a first response group of emergency workers or a recovery repair team. Instead this class will teach you the skills needed to help prevent further damage to individual homes as well as provide a caring Christian presence to survivors in the early days following a disaster. The class will be held on January 16, 2016 at First United Methodist Church in Evanston (516 Church Street, Evanston, IL 60201). The class will begin at 8:30 a.m. and the class will end at 4:00 p.m. The class is open to all adults (18+ years old). The class size is limited to 24 persons. More info and registration available at www.umcnic.org. The $35 fee includes all materials, breaks, lunch, a background check*, UMCOR badge and t-shirt. For further infor, please contact John Kerastas – jkerastas@gmail.com. *To comply with Safe Sanctuaries, a basic background check using the applicant’s social security number is required of all participants
The Reporter | December 2015/January 2016 | 5
Calendar News . . . MLK Celebration
Celebrating and honoring the legacy of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Invited Guest: Congressman Emanuel Cleaver, II.
Sunday, Jan. 17, 2016
Fellowship 4:30 p.m., Service 5:00 p.m. St. Mark United Methodist Church, 8441 S. St. Lawrence Ave., Chicago For more details visit www.umcnic.org/calendar.
Order of Elders Meeting - Save the date Jan. 19, 2016
Elders and probationary elders will meet at Barrington UMC, 98 Algonquin Rd., Barrington, IL. Time: 8:30 a.m.- 2 p.m. For details visit www.umcnic.org/ordained.
Lay Leadership Trainings
Aurora: Saturday, January 9 Location: Grace UMC in Naperville 300 E. Gartner Rd., Naperville, IL Time: 8:30 a.m. -12:15 p.m.
Chicago Northwestern: Saturday, January 30 Location: Glenview UMC, 727 Harlem Avenue, Glenview, Time: 8:30 a.m. - 3 p.m.
Chicago Southern: Saturday, January 23 Location: Faith UMC, Orland Park 15101 80th Avenue, Orland Park, IL Time: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. Registration/Check-in: 8 – 8:45 a.m.
DeKalb: Saturday, January 23
Location: First UMC, Dixon - 202 S. Peoria Ave, Dixon, IL Time: 8:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.
Elgin: Saturday, January 30 Location: First UMC of Crystal Lake Time: 8:00 a.m. – 12: 00 p.m.
Rockford: Saturday, January 30
Location: Faith UMC, Freeport - 1440 S. Walnut Ave., Freeport, IL Time: TBD For details and registration info visit www.umcnic.org/calendar.
Global UM Clergywomen Gathering 2016 August 29-31, 2016
Where: Hilton-Americas Hotel and Conference Center, Houston, TX Theme: “ONE: Birthing a Worldwide Church” Why: A gathering of United Methodist clergywomen at the 21st World Methodist Conference will provide the participants these opportunities: • To learn from clergywomen in a variety of ministry settings and locations • To envision, articulate, and participate in leading the worldwide church • To build international relationships • To consider future models of developing communities of Christian disciples who transform the world • To strengthen the network of global Methodist women leaders and UMC clergywomen as partners in church leadership This gathering will serve as the culmination of regional gatherings of United Methodist clergywomen that have taken place throughout the connection. Meeting in conjunction with the World Methodist Conference will strengthen the Methodist identity and understanding of the United Methodist clergywomen, as well as provide them with additional leadership-building education and networking. Registration is open. Visit worldmethodistconference.com for more info. For questions please contact clergylifelonglearning@gbhem.org. 6 | The Reporter | December 2015/January 2016
Raising a peace garden One Chicago United Methodist church group is working to demolish a house and put in its place a brand new community peace garden, but it needs the neighborhood’s help first. The Rev. Wesley Dorr, who heads the United Church of Rogers Park Peace Center at 1545 W. Morse Ave., launched a GoFundMe campaign in November asking for $10,000 to help cover the costs of a “teaching garden.” Designed at a discount by Alexia Paul of Semiramis Studio LLC, the garden would include an outdoor grill and bread oven, a labyrinth walking circle, planting beds, a greenhouse, a tool locker and open air classroom and gathering space. “The church really is a hub in the community,” Dorr said. “We focus on the positive things that happen, and that makes peace.” The church’s after-school garden club currently uses land in the front yard of a white house next to the church on Ashland Avenue. The house is owned by the church, but Dorr said after having it assessed by architects, ultimately the church decided it was too expensive to make repairs that would get the home up to city code. The process to raze the house itself would cost upward of $30,000, Dorr said, half of which has already been raised from the congregation. Dorr said the plan is for the house to be down by January so planning and construction on the garden could begin by spring. Once the garden is open, he said he hoped to partner with local schools as well as other youth organizations, gardeners and the community at large to help build a strong network of positive resources and
Linze Rice, DNAinfo
activities for the neighborhood’s youths. Dorr said he knew firsthand the need for positive community engagement after he helped a wounded man who was shot at the corner of Morse and Ashland avenues in August. He said he was at the church sitting in his office and children were in the garden when shots rang out. Dorr ran out into the street to find a man bleeding. He recognized him and helped him inside. Though the corner near Dorr’s church has seen more than its fair share of violence over the years, it’s not the image of his neighborhood, or of Chicago, he wants to convey to outsiders. “There’s so many good things that go on our side of Morse, and very few people that are causing that kind of violence,” Dorr said. “It happens, no doubt ... but we want to highlight the good things.” By building the garden for the community to use, he said he hoped it would encourage good behavior and decrease violence in the area when it flared up. It will also help the children in the church’s after-school program gain essential skills and explore creativity, healthy eating and urban agriculture. He said he believed ultimately the garden could become another safe place for anyone in the community to feel comfortable coming to, and would keep peace at a sometimes rattled block. “When we’re outside and we’ve got a yard full of children, no one really messes with us or the children,” he said. “I think it does promote community safety when we’re out and we’re present and we’re doing organic things. Not out there to say, ‘Hey, you go away,’ but to say, ‘Hey, this is our community’ — and the more people you have outside doing positive things, the less gang activity actually happens.” Article reprinted with permission from DNAinfo.com.
Amid declines, diversity grows in U.S. church
By Heather Hahn*
LOOKING FOR MORE CHURCH STATS?
More than 200 people gathered for a Northern Illinois Conference-wide Hispanic/Latino Ministry Celebration at First UMC Elgin on Oct. 4. Worship was led by Jorge Lockward.
First Tongan United Methodist Church in Seattle had grown so much that it needed to move to a larger building, which it shared for a time with a dwindling white congregation. Last year, the white United Methodist congregation officially disbanded. But the Tongan church is still going strong, with more than 200 members and a flourishing youth group. The church offers recent immigrants and their families the chance to stay connected to their cultural roots within a Wesleyan approach to spiritual development, said member Mele ‘Aho. “They like the way the church is structured, how we do our activities, our devotions, and our volunteering,” she said. The Tongan church’s experience is one of the bright spots in The United Methodist Church’s 2014 U.S. membership figures, newly released by the General Council on Finance and Administration. It also offers a microcosm of what is happening in the U.S. church. The numbers show the U.S. church continuing its membership slide of more than 40 years. By the end of last year, the United States had just under 7.2 million United Methodists, a drop of 1.6 percent from 2013. The most significant drop was among the church’s white majority. At the same time, the church saw slight growth in ethnic diversity - with Pacific Islanders tallying the biggest percent gains. In 2014, the church recorded: • 75 new Native American members • 1,151 new Asian members, an increase of about 1.3 percent • 1,146 new Hispanic/Latino members, a 1.5 percent gain • 906 new Pacific Islander members, a jump of nearly 7 percent The General Council on Finance and Administration is still gathering data from church regions in Africa, the Philippines and Europe. As of 2012, the global denomination had about 12.4 million members. Moses Kumar, the agency’s top executive, said the 2014 numbers - both the overall decline and areas of growth reflect better reporting from U.S. conferences. “Leading up to General Conference, a number of bishops have asked their areas to do membership audits,” he said. “While the incremental decline is steady, it looks higher because there are a number of conferences that had
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The General Council on Finance and Administration recently launched a new, online website, UMData, containing general statistical information. To access the site, visit www.umdata.org. This resource replaces the printed General Minutes with up-to-date information on local churches, leadership and various statistics. The data on the site comes from conference staffs.
The Sunday School Choir prepares to sing at Seattle First Tongan United Methodist Church. In 2014, The United Methodist Church saw its Pacific Islander membership grow by nearly 7 percent. Photo courtesy of Seattle First Tongan United Methodist Church.
decreases because of the audits.” Church leaders are also paying closer attention to ethnic and racial diversity when reporting, he added. Erin Hawkins, the top executive of the United Methodist Commission on Religion and Race, sees these numbers as a reason to be cautiously optimistic. Her agency works with churches to find ways to reach more racially and economically diverse people to better reflect their neighborhoods. “This is an interesting data point that might be showing us that there are some things going well in the church,” she said, “while not forgetting that we still are not as diverse as we possibly could be.” Need to reach more people Make no mistake: U.S. membership - which is nearly 90 percent white - still lags behind the ethnic diversity of the U.S. population. A Pew analysis of its 2014 U.S. Religious Landscape Study, released this summer, found that of 29 major religious and religiously unaffiliated groups, The United Methodist Church was the fifth least racially diverse. The only groups less diverse were the Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod, the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America and the historically black African Methodist Episcopal and National Baptist denominations. The analysis said even U.S. Hindus, a small minority, are slightly more racially diverse than U.S. United Methodists. “I don’t want people saying, ‘We’ve turned a corner in the life of the church,’” Hawkins said. “I absolutely think we are not there yet.” But she suggests looking at some of the church experiences behind the numbers to find how to reach “more people, more young people and more diverse people.”
How two growing churches reach Tongans
For many Tongan immigrants to the U.S., it makes sense to visit a United Methodist church. More than 37 percent of the island’s population belongs to the Free Wesleyan Church, according to the CIA World Factbook. Just because they visit doesn’t mean they’ll join, especially now that Free Wesleyan congregations are starting to form in Hawaii and along the west coast. At both First Tongan United Methodist Church in Seattle and the multiracial First United Methodist Church in Honolulu, a vibrant youth ministry is a big draw for Tongans.
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These ministries often do triple duty - helping young people develop spiritually, stay connected to cultural traditions like hula and prepare for a future in the United States. ‘Aho, who leads youth at the Seattle church, especially sees her role as helping youth connect with the wider U.S. society as well as with Christ. Beyond the usual Bible studies and fellowship activities, the youth program offers lessons on how to budget, pursue career goals and apply for college - skills newly migrated parents may not be able to impart at home. She proudly noted that all six of the group’s high school graduates this spring are now in college. ‘Aho, who is now a clergy candidate, said the church also emphasizes the importance of community involvement. “We teach them that if they love God they have to serve others too,” she said. Some of the members were initially nervous about their kids attending events outside the church or tight-knit family home, she said. “But after three or four years, they see how their kids are growing - that their kids can pray and stand in front of the public and talk about their walk in faith,” she said. At the Honolulu church, the Tongan membership is growing in part because of growing families. “We have more children than adults,” said the Rev. Linita ‘U. Moa, the congregation’s co-pastor. The challenge is keeping more Americanized youth involved as they grow toward adulthood. Moa said the church has been able to do that by providing them opportunities, like district- and conference-wide events, that “encourage them to see broader ways of working as Methodists.” Moa estimates the church has about 45 active young adults. Increasing the church’s racial and ethnic diversity will continue to be critical if the church wants to make disciples of Jesus Christ, Hawkins said. “There is no mission of The United Methodist Church in the U.S. without a conversation about how we are reaching the mission field here, which will increasingly be communities of color,” she said. Hahn is a multimedia news reporter for United Methodist News Service. Contact her at (615) 742-5470 or newsdesk@umcom.org.
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www.imagineNoMalaria.org/donate The Reporter | December 2015/January 2016 | 7
An upside down Christmas
“Did You Know”
My local grocery store has a Christmas tree. It’s hung upside down from the ceiling. Fully decorated. Every year I wish we had an upside down Christmas tree in our home!
ROC is our Foundation
What do I like about an upside down Christmas tree? The birth of Christ is meant to turn our lives, the world, and even the church upside down: our despair turned on its head to become hope; our hate to become love; our divisiveness and conflict to become peace; a reversed and just economy instead of 1% with the world’s wealth; the weak become strong; the outsiders become included; so that the Magnificat would be our reality.
By Rev. Arlene Christopherson, Assistant to the Bishop
High on the priority list of Bishop Sally Dyck and the Northern Illinois Conference Cabinet has been the work of resourcing churches and clergy toward more effective and fruitful transitions when appointment changes take place. For a number of years the Cabinet has hosted a Transitions Workshop each spring designed to help outgoing and incoming clergy and Staff Parish Relation Committees (SPRC’s) think through strategies for successful transitions. In addition, an annual workshop focused on Cross Cultural/Cross Racial appointments has gained momentum and become a valued time of preparation for churches receiving a change. This year we added another tool to the matrix of support for our NIC congregations and clergy as they move through transitions and build healthy systems for successful ministry. The tool is “Rule of Christ” (ROC). ROC was designed by the late Reverend Terry N. Gladstone a Deacon in the Michigan Area, as a way of applying Jesus’ teachings from Matthew 18 to the life and relationships in the local church. The existing workshops have been valuable as relationships between congregations and clergy are developed following the start of a new appointment, but we knew more was needed. Bishop Dyck brought ROC to the NIC cabinet in 2013 as one of those additional options. Having successfully used this communications tool in other conferences, Bishop Dyck was passionate about the effectiveness of the system. This year we worked to see that ROC becomes part of the transition resourcing in our local churches. We decided to go one step further in designing a new model for implementation as well. Bringing clergy and churches together into a central place for training is our norm, but “Rule of Christ” has taken on a different perspective. In this training, the event is brought to the local church, on-site with the SPRC and pastor at a date that works for them. To make this happen, I recruited 60 ROC trainers (nominated by the Cabinet) and invited them to meet with Reverend Cindy Gregerson, Director of Connectional Ministries in the Minnesota Conference where they have been using the Rule of Christ for many years. This summer, 50 clergy and laity from across the conference were trained. They in turn are now training the SPRC’s and clergy of 60 churches that experienced a pastoral change in 2015. To date we are more than half-way through training all churches in transition. Evaluations are being conducted to gauge the effectiveness of the work. Comments include “It was a wonderful experience last night, exceeding the expectations of both the committee and myself “, “It was great to have the trainer come to us so the whole committee could learn together and focus on our specific needs“. The NIC Cabinet has committed to this pilot project for a minimum of three years. Over that time churches who have received the ROC training will be tracked and statistics will be measured as we gauge the benefits of this effort in the development of fruitful relationships and ministry. ROC is our foundation. If you want to know more about Rule of Christ you can view the resources on our conference website under Leadership Resources/Forms/Rule of Christ. If you think this training might be good for your church leadership I would encourage you to talk with your District Superintendent about the possibility of scheduling training at your church in 2016.
Let the birth of Christ turn your life upside down through the power of the One who was born in a manger, didn’t have a place to lay his head, was crucified on a cross, but rose from the dead. Have an upside down Christmas! ~Bishop Sally Dyck
Outdoor & Retreat Ministries Events WESLEY WOODS
REYNOLDSWOOD
Ski Camps 2016: January 29 - 31 and/or February 5-7
Come to Wesley Woods and hit the slopes! Fellowship with other local congregations as we enjoy a wintry weekend of fun and friendship--in-camp and out-of-camp, skiing, boarding and tubing! Join us for our famously fun Friday evening program and snacks, then enjoy a delicious and hearty Hoxie Breakfast Saturday morning before spending the day snow-skiing and snow-tubing at Wilmot. YES! I said Wilmot--change of venue for 2016--you spoke, we listened--Wilmot enables more participants of all ages because they also provide tubing! Saturday night, you’ll return to camp for one of Hoxie’s delicious dinners, Bible study, games campfires and s’mores! Following another delicious Hoxie Breakfast, we’ll adjourn with Sunday morning worship! $119 (2 nights, 4 meals and 2 snacks) + equipment rental on the slopes - call Deb--262.245.6631, or via e-mail info@lakeretreats.org for the breakdown.
Holiday Tea, Saturday, December 12, 2015
Hear the “Sights & Sounds” of the Holiday Season at our 3rd Annual Holiday Tea. Fresh-from-scratch baked cookies, cakes, pastries, and various beverages will add a festive holiday event to your schedule.
Brunch in the Woods resumes March 13, 2016 - bring your appetites and your youthful enthusiasm--we’re cooking up some new surprises for you!
Spring Adult Prayer Retreat Friday - Sunday, April 22 - 24, 2016 (2 nights - 4 meals). More information after the holidays...
See our website for more information on these events, winter retreats and other dates www.reynoldswood.org/newsevents.
Wishing you a Merry Christmas & a blessed New Year - Bishop Sally Dyck & the Northern Illinois Conference Staff
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Job Openings For the latest NIC job openings, visit www.umcnic.org/jobs 8 | The Reporter | December 2015/January 2016
Anne Marie Gerhardt, Dir. of Communications agerhardt@umcnic.org (847) 931-0710 ext. 14 217 Division St., Elgin, IL 60120 The Rev. Christopher Pierson Dir. of Connectional Ministries cpierson@umcnic.org