October 2022 Reporter

Bishopscallforprayerandactionagainstgunviolence

ByHeatherHahn*

UnitedMethodistswillneedtobothprayandacttoendthe scourgeofgunviolence,saysalettertheCouncilofBishops releasedSept.1tothewiderchurch.

“Aspeopleofprayer,wefollowersofJesusarecalledtobe ‘counter-culturalchangemakers,’”thelettersays.“Tothatend,we mustrejecttheidolatryofgunsandthedistortedattachmentsto ourrighttoowngunswithoutsafeguardsforthecommunitiesof theworld.”

UnitedMethodistbishopsunanimouslyadoptedtheletterAug. 26duringthefinaldayoftheironlinesummermeeting.Only activebishopsvoteonCouncilofBishopsactions.However,all UnitedMethodistbishopssignedthedocument.

Thestatementalsowillformthebasisofaletterthebishopsplan tosendtotheU.S.CongressandWhiteHouse.

Inadenominationwithmorethan12millionmembersacross fourcontinents,thebishopsalsostressthatgunviolenceisnot justaU.S.problem.Thebishops’statementcitesAmnesty International,whichreportsthatabout2,000peopleareinjured and500peoplediebygunshotseveryday.

UnitedMethodists—longcommittedtotransformingthe worldtobemorelikeChrist’sexample—havearoletoplayin addressingthecrisis,thebishopssaid.

“Thisisacalltoprayer,beginningthisSeptember,forallwho followJesus,thePrinceofPeace,”thebishops’statementsaid. “Thisisacalltoactionforalltoweepwiththosewhoweepand demand,insiston,andpushforpositivechangefromourelected officials.”

Thestatementgoesontourgecongregationstocollaboratewith ecumenicalandinterfaithpartnersintheirpublicwitness.The statementalsoencouragestheuseofUnitedMethodistresources forBiblestudyandadvocacyineffortstoreducegunviolence. BishopJuliusC.Trimble,wholeadstheIndianaConference, proposedtheletteronbehalfofthebishops’Justiceand ReconciliationLeadershipTeam.

“Itisalwaystherighttimetodotherightthing,”hetoldUM Newsafterthebishops’meeting.“Weareinanemergencywhenit comestogunviolenceinAmericaandaroundtheglobe.Ibelieve wehaveamoralobligationasbishopstooffermorethan‘thoughts andprayers.’”

Thebishopsdecidedtotakeupoftheissueoffirearmsfollowing deadlymassacresatagrocerystoreinBuffalo,NewYork;achurch inLagunaWoods,California;anelementaryschoolinUvalde, Texas;andaFourthofJulyparadeinHighlandPark,Illinois.

FromYourBishop:

Becomingabishop-answeringthecall

Youmayhaveheardthe storyofalittlegirlwhowas asked,“Whatdoesabishop do?”Andsheresponded, “Movesdiagonally!”referring toachesspieceslidingacross thechessboard.Manypeople seethejokethatabishop,like achesspiece,triesnottobepinneddown.However,the truthbehindthelittlegirl’sresponseisthatabishopis supposedtojointheQueeninprotectingtheKing.Isn’ta bishopelectedtopromoteandprotectJesusandhis Church?

“Bishopsareelected…andsetapartforaministryof servantleadership,generaloversight,andsupervision.As followersofJesusChrist,bishopsareauthorizedtoguardthe faith,order,liturgy,doctrine,anddisciplineoftheChurch.” (TheBookofDiscipline,Par.403)

In1996IwasonlyinmysixthyearintheSouthIndiana ConferenceandpastorofTheMethodistTemplein Evansvillewhenthedelegationselectedmeasacandidate forbishop.TheRev.SusanRuachledthedelegation throughadiscernmentprocesstoseeifanyoneshouldbe recommendedfromSouthIndiana,whereLeroyHodapp andDavidLawsonhadbeenelectedasbishopsbyprevious jurisdictionalconferences.Ididnotoffermyself;they prayedandaskedme!

Ofcourse,Icouldhaverefused,exceptforme,itwould havebeensaying,“No!”toChristandhisChurch.Yousee, IexperiencedthegraceofGodthroughthepresenceof Jesusatanearlyage.WhenIwasordainedanelderand becameamemberoftheconference,Iplacedmyheart andministryatthedirectionoftheChurch.Wesley’s CovenantPrayerwaspersonalasIrepeated,“Iamno longermyown,butthine.Putmetowhatthouwilt,rank mewithwhomthouwilt.Putmetodoing,putmeto suffering.Letmebeemployedbytheeorlaidasidefor thee…Letmehaveallthings,letmehavenothing.Ifreely andheartilyyieldallthingstothypleasureanddisposal.”

Somewherealongtheway,Iwastaughtthatmyidentity andministryweregiveninmybaptism.Alllayandclergy ministriesarerootedinbaptism.EvenbeforeIwas ordainedanelder,myministrybelongedtoJesusandhis Church.Therefore,whenIwaselectedbishopalongwith JosephSprague,JonathanKeaton,andMichaelCoynerat the1996NorthCentralJurisdictionalConferenceinFt. Wayne,Indiana,IsensedGod’scalltotheEpiscopacy. Immediately,Iwasnolongeramemberofmyconference butamemberoftheCouncilofBishops.AsIwasescorted

tothestagebyBishopWoodieWhite,someoneelsemoved intomyseatonthedelegation,andIhadnoideawhereI wouldbeassigned!

TheConsecrationServicewasheldattheCathedralof theImmaculateConception,justtwoblocksfromwhereI attendedhighschool,playedfootball,preparedforcollege, andgraduatedwithElaine.TheExaminationincludedthe question,“Willyouguardthefaith,order,liturgy,doctrine, anddisciplineoftheChurchagainstallthatiscontraryto God’sWord?”Themostsolemnmomentwasthe“Laying OnofHands,”wherethecongregationinvokestheHoly Spiritinprayer.EverybishopintheJurisdictionalCollege placestheirhandsoneachnewbishopwithablessingand wordsofencouragement.Anepiscopalstole,acrosier,and aBiblearepresentedasasignoftheoffice.

“Bishopsareelected…fromthegroupofelderswhoare ordainedtobeministersofWord,Sacrament,andOrder andtherebyparticipateintheministryofChrist,insharing aroyalpriesthoodwhichhasapostolicroots.” (IPeter2:9; John21:15-17;Acts20:28;IPeter5:2-3,ITimothy3:1-7).

Bishopsarecalledtoservethewholechurchandnotjust theareatowhichtheyareassigned.Together,astheglobal CouncilofBishops,theyrepresentthecollectiveExecutive branchofourchurch,whiletheGeneralConferenceand JudicialCouncilrepresenttheLegislativeandJudicial branches.Weareconsideredan “episcopal”churchbecausewehave bishopsasoverseerswhoordain, commission,licenseandappoint clergytolocalchurches.Weare alsoa“democratic”churchwith muchauthorityinvestedin General,Jurisdictional,and AnnualConferenceswithclergy andlaitymakingdecisionsabout churchpolicies.

Bishopsdonotworkaloneor haveaconstituencyto“represent” otherthanthewholechurch.Our connectionallowseveryUnited Methodisttohaveapastor,a districtsuperintendent,anda bishop.Wehaveasupervised ministrythatseekstotrainour pastorsandprotectourmembers fromauthoritarianpowerand misconduct.Wemayserveinlocal congregations,butwithour connection,wesharetheloveof

NewEventsCoordinatorjoinsNICstaff

Pleasehelpuswelcome Brianna(Bri)Wadlingtonto theNICstaffasthenew EventsCoordinator/ AdministrativeAssistant.She officiallybeganonSept.19.

Asathird-generation memberofHartzell MemorialUnitedMethodistChurchinChicago,her rootsaredeepintheConference.

"Bricomestouswithexperienceineventplanning andcoordination,aswellasfamiliaritywithourwork asamemberintheUnitedMethodistChurch,”said Rev.ArleneChristopherson,Dir.ofConnectional Ministries.“TheroleofourEventsCoordinator touchesalmosteveryaspectofourConferencelife fromLayAcademiestoAnnualConference.Bri bringsdeepfaith,energyandexperienceforthework ahead.”

BriannaattendedHamptonUniversity,whereshe firstgottheopportunitytocoordinateschool-based andcommunity-wideevents.Aftergraduatingwith herdegreeinMarketing,shecompletelyimmersed herselfinproductionandstagemanagement,being affordedtheopportunitytoworkinseveralindustries, fromluxuryretailclothingcompaniestonational broadcastingcompanies.

Overtheyears,Briannahasaccumulatedarangeof knowledgeandatruepassionforserving.While Brianna’spassionmaytrulybewithmarketing,her heartbelongstoher7-year-oldStaffordshireBull Terrier,Avery!

IfBriannaisnotplanninganevent,enjoyingwalks withAvery,orservinghercommunity,sheissnuggled onthecouchreadingagoodbookorthelatestfashion magazine!

Youmayreachherbyphoneat312-346-9766ext. 724oremailat bwadlington@umcnic.org

Jesusaroundtheworld.ThisisoneofmanyreasonswhyI lovebeingaUnitedMethodist.

IwasassignedtoMinnesotaforeightyears,EastOhio fortwelveyears,andafterfouryearsofretirement,to NorthernIllinoisfortwoyears.Ineveryassignment,very fewpeopleknewmewhenIarrived,buttheycalledme “Bishop”andwelcomedmeintotheirheartsandlives.I’ll neverforgetaclergywomanwhogreetedmeatHennepin AvenueUnitedMethodistChurchinMinneapolis.She walkedupwithanotherclergywoman,shookmyhand, andsaid,“We’reprayingforyoubishop,andwe’renot goingtoletyoufail.”Ismiled,andasshestartedtowalk away,sheturnedandadded,“Oh,itisnotpersonal.We needyoutosucceedsoourchurchwillsucceedandbe faithful.”

OnNovember5,newlyelectedbishopswillbe consecratedinFt.WayneagainandassignedbytheNorth CentralJurisdictionalConferencetoserveinEpiscopal Areas,includingtheChicagoArea.Whoeverisassignedto theNorthernIllinoisConferencewillfollowinthe footstepsofBishopsDuecker,Sprague,Jung,Dyck,and myself.Asyoulove,respect,andprayforyourlocalpastor andchurch,Iencourageyoutolove,respectandprayfor yournewbishopandTheUnitedMethodistChurch.

TheDiscipleshipTaskForceisexcited aboutthefall2022NICBookClub

selection,“SoulReset”bythelateJunius Dotson.Rev.Dotsonspokeatoneofour LaityConvocationsandalsoledtheBible StudyforourAnnualConference.

Thisbookspeakstomanyofus!

Methodistsaredoers,nothearersonly.We tendtobebusy.ItisagoodthingtobeaboutourFather’swork. ButmaybeweneedtobeginbylisteningtoourCreatortogetour prioritiesstraight.Thenwecanliveastrulywholepeople.AsJesus said,“Keepcompanywithmeandyou’lllearntolivefreelyand lightly.”(Matthew11:30TheMessage)

Pleasejoinusinreading“SoulReset”thisfall.Youmayreaditon yourown,gatherasmallgroupofyourowntogether,orjoinoneof theopportunitiesinplace.CopiesmaybepurchasedatCokesbury, UpperRoom,Amazon,orotherbookstores.

Formoreinformation,registrationandresourcevideos,visit umcnic.org/Discipleship/NICBookClub

Welookforwardtosharingthisexperiencetogether.

~KarenBonnellandRev.CalebHong,Co-Chairsof DiscipleshipTaskForce

AssistingimmigrantsarrivinginChicagofromTexas

Morethan750asylumseekersfrom CentralandSouthAmericahavearrived onbusessentfromTexassinceAug.31, accordingtothecityofChicago.

Incollaborationwithlocal,state,and federalagencies,thecityofChicago istakingactiontoensuretheyare welcomedandhaveaccesstoshelter, food,andotherresources.

Thecityexpectstoreceivehundreds moremigrantsfromTexas.Underthe directionofGovernorGregAbbott,the TexasDepartmentofPublicSafety,and theTexasNationalGuard,theLoneStar statehasalsobusedover8,000migrants tothenation'scapitalsinceApriland over2,200migrantstoNewYorkCity sinceAugust5,accordingtothestate's website.

Individualsandfamiliesarebeing housedintemporaryChicagoshelters andhotelsinnearbysuburbs.

Immediatedonationneedsinclude:

•Smallsizeclothing:especiallysocks, underwear,sportsbras

•FirstAidkits(Band-aids,Bandages, etc)

•Medicationsforadultsandchildren: Ibuprofen,Acetaminophen,etc.

•PersonalHygieneitems:toiletries, feminineproducts,etc.

•DuffleBags/SmallSuitcases

NICCollectionsitesbydistrict NICRefugeeCoordinatorRev. JonathanCrailisorganizingwith churchesacrosstheconferenceineach districttoserveasdonationcollection sitestobecentralizedlocationstobring theitemstothecity.

LakeNorth: GalileeUMC,HighlandParkChurch 1696McGovernSt, HighlandPark,IL60035

Contact: PastorJakeCho, pastor.jakecho@gmail.com 617-678-5815

Hours: Byappointmentonly(Call PastorCho)

GlenviewUnitedMethodistChurch 727N.HarlemAve., Glenview,IL50025 847-729-1015

Contact: EthelDoyle, lareth@aol.com 847-975-0361

Hours: M-R,9a.m.-2p.m.orby appointment

LakeSouthDistrict St.AndrewUMC,Homewood 18850RiegelRd., Homewood,IL60430

Contact: CarolynFunk, shevokas@comcast.net 708-957-1923

Hours: Monday10-1,Thursday10-2, Friday4-6p.m.

FirstUMCinLaGrange 100WCossittAve., LaGrange,IL60525

Contact: HattieKoher, youth@fumclg.org 847-682-7896

Hours: Dropoffboxoutsidechurch office9a.m.-4p.m.(othertimes availablebyrequest)

PrairieCentralDistrict: AldersgateUMC,Wheaton 1753SBlanchardStreet, Wheaton,IL60189

Contact: DanielCochran, Aldersgate.Wheaton@gmail.com 401-864-2441

Hours: ByAppointmentwithDaniel

PrairieSouthDistrict: SycamoreUMC 160JohnsonAve., Sycamore,IL60178

Contact: DebbieElleson, Debbie@sycamoreumc.org 815-895-9113

Hours: M-F,10a.m.-2p.m.

SugarGroveUMC 176MainSt., SugarGrove,IL60554

Contact: Rev.TammyScott, revtammyscott@gmail.com 630-254-4127

Hours: MandR,8:30a.m.-12p.m. (Binlocatednearrearentrancefor afterhoursdonations)

FromtheCover

Beyondthehorrorofheadline-makingmassshootings, theU.S.alsohasexperiencedariseingundeaths overall.MoreAmericansdiedof gun-relatedinjuries in 2020than in any other year onrecord,reportedtheU.S. CentersforDiseaseControl.Inall,45,222peopleinthe U.S.diedthatyearinhomicidesorsuicidesinvolving firearms.

GunviolencealsohastakenapersonaltollonUnited Methodists.ThebishopsspentpartoftheirAugust meetingmourningthedeathoftheRev.AuturaEasonWilliams,adistrictsuperintendentandformerepiscopal candidatefatallyshotinanapparentcarjackingin Memphis,Tennessee.

Immediatelyafterthedeathsof19childrenandtwo teachersinUvalde,CouncilofBishopsPresidentThomas J.BickertoncalledonUnitedMethodiststo“goonthe offense”tostopmassshootings.

ThosewordsechoedthroughouttheU.S.annual conferenceseasonthisspringandsummer.Morethana dozenofthedenomination’sregionalbodiestookapublic standtoaddressgunviolencewhentheymetthisyear.

Anumberoftheconferenceresolutionsandthebishops’ letteradvocatedforthesamemeasuresrecommended in“OurCalltoEndGunViolence,”whichthe denomination’sGeneralConferenceadoptedin2016.

TheGeneralConferenceresolutionquotesGod’sdream forpeaceinMicah4that“theyshallbeattheirswordsinto plowshares,andtheirspearsintopruninghooks….”

Theresolutioncallsfor,amongothersteps,“banning large-capacityammunitionmagazinesandweapons designedtofiremultipleroundseachtimethetriggeris pulled.”

“TheChurchiscalledtobean instrumentofGod’sgrace.As peopleofprayer,wefollowersof Jesusarecalledtobe“counterculturalchangemakers.”Tothat end,wemustrejecttheidolatry ofgunsandthedistorted attachmenttoourrighttoown gunswithoutsafeguardsforthe communitiesoftheworld.”

Thebishops’letteralsocallsforanassaultweaponsban. TheU.S.previouslybannedassaultweaponsfrom1994to 2004,andthenumberofmassshootingsfellduringthat time.Sincethebanexpired,theU.S.hasseenasteeprise inmassshootingdeaths.

TheU.S.HouseofRepresentativesinJulypassedabillto reinstatetheassaultweaponssban.Thebillisnowbefore theU.S.Senate,wheremanylongtimepoliticalobservers expecttheproposalwillnotbeabletoachievethe60votes requiredtoovercomeafilibusterandmoveforward.

Butsomearenotsosurethebillisdoomed.Thepublic pressurefromUnitedMethodistsandothershasalready ledtosomegunreforms.InlateJune,theU.S.Congress passedandPresidentBidensignedintolawtheBipartisan

ChannahonUMC 24751WestEamesSt., Channahon,IL60410

Contact: LanaStafford, lantwin@sbcglobal.net (815)467-5275

DropOffHours: T-F9a.m.to1p.m, orSaturdaybyappt.

PrairieNorth: FaithUMC,Freeport 1440S.WalnutAve., Freeport,IL61032

Contact: LisaHunziker, FaithUMC@faith-umc.com 815-232-6533

Hours: M-F,9a.m.-1p.m.

ThankyoutoPrinceofPeaceUMCfor alreadydonatingvansfullofsuppliesto migrantswhoarebeinghousedinElk GroveVillage.Inaddition,theycollected $625,whichthemissionteamspenton additionalitemssuchasjacketsand jeans.Similarstoriesarecominginas ourchurchescontinuetohelp.

Formoreinformationonvolunteering andcomprehensivelistofitemsneeded, visit umcnic.org/news/help-immigrantsarriving-from-texas

LegalAssistance

TheNorthernIllinoisJusticeforOur Neighborsishelpingmigrantsseeking asylumwithpaperworkandcourtdates. Tosupporttheirwork,visit nijfon.org

SaferCommunitiesAct—themostsignificantfederal gun-safetylegislationindecades.

Thenewlaw,acompromise,includesmoneyforschool safety,mentalhealthandincentivesforstatestoprovidea morecomprehensivebackgroundcheckof18-to21-yearoldswhowanttobuyguns.

“Weareseeingmoreandmoregrassrootsactivists demandingactionfromtheirelectedleadersongun violenceprevention,”saidtheRev.SusanHenry-Crowe, thetopexecutiveoftheUnitedMethodistBoardof ChurchandSociety—theagencythatworkstopromote UnitedMethodistsocialteachings.Henry-Croweworked withthebishopsindevelopingtheirstatement.“The mobilizationofregularpeopleacrossthecountrywasthe decidingfactoringettingtheSaferCommunitiesAct signedintolawearlierthissummer,”shetoldUMNews. “Ouryouthandyoungadultsareparticularlypassionate aboutthisissueandaredemandingthattheircommunities rallyaroundthemintakingastandagainstacultureof violence.”

Trimblesaidthatbymakingastand,thebishopsare beingfaithfultoTheUnitedMethodistChurch’s commitmentsandobedienttotheirownpropheticand teachingrolesasepiscopalleaders.Thebishopsarehoping theirwordswillinfluenceatleastsomeU.S.senators,sixof whomareUnitedMethodist.

Trimbleputitthisway:“Ifthereareevidence-based solutionsthatcanlessenthenumberofdeathsdueto firearms,whywouldwenotpursuethem?”

*HahnisassistantnewseditorforUMNews.

LayMissionersRobertoMorenoandJackieMorenoSalgado,whoserveLiving WatersNFCinFranklinPark,bringdonationstodozensofimmigrantfamilies stayinginasuburbanhotelinBurrRidge.

Church News Local

Howdoesyourchurchgardengrow?

Gardeningministrybuilds communityinsouthWheaton

AldersgateUMCiscelebratingthesuccessfulstarttoa newgardeningministryinsouthWheaton.Locatedon SouthBlanchardStreet,justtothenorthofRicePooland WaterPark,thecommunitygardenisdesignedtoprovide immigrantsandrefugeesresettledthroughWorldReliefan opportunitytoraisetheirownfreshproduce.

AldersgatememberandgardendirectorJeffBray,who regularlyservesasatutorwithWorldRelief,notesthat “comingtoanewcountrywithadifferentculturetakes manyfamiliarthingsaway.Growingfamiliarfoodsgives youbacksomesenseofcontrol.”

Manyofthecurrentgardenplotsarecultivatedby membersofaBurmesecongregationthatmeetsfor worshipatAldersgate.Brayobservesthatthesefamiliesare experiencedfarmers,andthey“havedoneagreatjobof usingthespaceavailabletogrowalargeselectionofplants, usinginnovativetrellisestomaximizetheyield.”VanRo Sung,amemberoftheBurmesecongregation,sharesthat hercommunity“lovestoseethegardenbecauseitbrings themrelaxation,peace,andhappiness.”Sheaddsthatitisa blessingtosharetheharvestwithinthecongregation,with membersofAldersgate,andwithneighborsinthe community.

OtherplotsarecultivatedbyresidentssuchasRebecca Lasky,whosesonisamemberoftheBoyScoutTroopthat meetsatAldersgateChurch.Rebecca“feelsveryfortunate toparticipateintheAldersgatecommunitygarden.Ihave enjoyedguidingoursoninourgardenplanning…Wehave alsofeltfortunatetoenjoydeliciouslocalproduce.”

ResidentLisaBalonhascultivatedaplotwithher

daughterandtheyenjoyedfindingnewrecipesfortheir produce,fromzoodlestobananabread,zucchinicheddar beerbreadtozucchinichocolatechipcookies.Lisashares thattheyaregoingtotrytheirhandatpicklingcucumbers –afittingprojectsinceAldersgateChurchwas“planted” amidstvastcucumberfieldsbackin1961.

JeffBrayandco-directorIanGrigsbyhaveplansto expandthegardenin2023.Theywilldeveloptheexisting wateringsystemtosupportadditionalplotsfornew refugeefamiliesaswellassettledresidentslookingforland tocultivate.InapossiblepartnershipwithGaryUnited MethodistChurch,Aldersgateplanstodedicatealarge plottogrowingfreshproduceforlocalfoodpantries.

Rockfordchildrentendchurch garden

“Hooray!TheproducefromtheLearningGardenis bountiful!"saidGraceUMCmemberDonnetteNailor, organizerofacommunitygardenministryshehelpedstart twoyearsago.

GraceUMCinRockfordpartneredwiththeRockford PublicSchoolstoplanta40X18ft.gardenbedatThe GroveatKeithCreek,apublichousingdevelopment. Nailorsaidtheyreceivedfederaldollarstosupportthe programtoprovidechildrenwithsocialandemotional connectionsafterthepandemic.

Volunteersfromthechurchandcommunitymetweekly withchildrenfromTheGrovetogrowvegetablesthis summer,includingtomatoes,greenbeans,turnips,squash, lettuceandsomenewonestothekids.“Theylearnedfor thefirsttimeaboutzucchini,whichtheythoughtwasfun,” saidNailor.“Alocalchefalsotaughtthemhowtocook (andeat)thevegetablestheyhelpedgrow.”

Thechildrengottotakehomethefruitsoftheirlabor andsharedtheextraveggieswithseniorresidentsinthe community.

“Ourhopeistoexpandthechildren’sknowledgeof healthyfoodandaddproducetotheirdiet,”saidNailor. “Moreimportantly,it’sanopportunitytoestablish relationships.Loveandblessingswereplentifulforallwho participated.”

Chicagochurchcelebratesharvest

TheMapleParkCommunityGardenMinistryin Chicagogrewfromadreamtorealitywhenitwasfirst plantedinthesummerof2021.Ityieldedasmallcroplast year;however,in2022,gardenersharvestedanabundance ofproducetosharewithcommunityresidents,MaplePark UMCfoodministriesandchurchmembers.

Thechurchcelebratedthegarden’sfirstevent,the HarvestofHarmonyFestival,onSaturday,September10. Thefreefestivalfeaturedgames,producegiveaways,music, liveperformances,andcommunityvendorsoffering locallymadefoodandgoods.Itwasanintergenerational eventwithyoungchildrenallthewaytoseasonedseniors intheir90s.

ThegardencomesasapartnershipbetweenMaplePark UMCandRoot+BranchChurch.Thegardenoffers opportunitiestoenjoynature,learnaboutorganic gardeningandearthcare,andnurturenewrelationships. Thegardenisalsoaplacewherediversepeople,of differentidentitiesandbackgrounds,cometogetherand worktowardacommonpassionforfoodjusticeand sustainableliving.Organizerssaid,“wehadamarvelous time!”

Rev.DanielC.Cochranstandsinagrowinggardenthissummerthat’sbecomeabuddingministryfor AldersgateUMCinWheaton.

ChurchmembersandresidentsgatherataHarvestofHarmonyFestivalatMapleParkUMCin ChicagoonSeptember10tocelebrateanabundantcropfromacommunitygardenministry.

TheLearningGardenisacommunitygardenincooperationwith GraceUMCandtheRockfordPublicSchoolsandsupportedby federaldollarstogivestudentssocialandeducational opportunitiesoutsideofthepandemic.

Childrenshowofffreshvegetablesandbountifulbasketsof tomatoes,squash,beans,lettuceandmoreafterlearningabout gardeningandhealthyeatingthissummerthroughtheLearning Garden.

ChildrenplantseedsforasecondcropinthegardenatFaithUMCin Freeport,whichhasbeengrowingvegetablesforeightyears.The youthandchildreninSundayschool,theK-8thWednesdayafterschoolgroupanddaycamphelpplantandtakecareofthegardens andsharetheproduce.Theproduceisalsosharedattheblockparty thatthechurchhostseveryyearasakickofftobacktoschool.

Laityleadershiprevitalizeschurch’syoungadultministry

ByRev.ThomasE.Kim*

ManyKoreanchurcheshaveaministertakechargeof youngadultministrybecausetheyareyoung—regardless oftheirtalents,graceandgifts.

However,notallyoungministershavethepassionfor youngadultministry.

Eveniftheyhavesuchgifts,theirabilityandcapability canoftenbelimitedbecausemostareseminarianswho mustalsofocusontheirstudies.

Inaddition,theintervaloftheirministryinachurchis relativelyshort.Aftercompletingstudiesorbeing ordained,theyoftengetanappointmenttoanewchurch andleave.Anewpart-timeministerfollowsandbeginsthe youngadultministryfromsquareone.

Thesecircumstancesposeachallengefortheyoungadult ministryofKoreanchurches.

However,FirstKoreanUnitedMethodistChurchin Wheeling,Illinois,triedsomethingdifferent.Ratherthan hiringanotherpaidstaffforitsyoungadultministry,the churchentrustedittoadevotedandcommittedvolunteer laypersonwithacallingandvision.

SinceitsfoundinginSeptember1923asthefirstKorean churchintheNorthCentralregionoftheU.S.,thechurch servedasaspiritualcenterfortheKoreanimmigrant community.Butrecently,thechurchhasstagnated.In comparison,however,theyoungadultministryhasseena revival,growingmorethaneverbefore.

Inthischurch,too,theyoungadultgroupwasrepeatedly disbandedanddismantled,andthecontinuityofthe ministryhadbeenlost.

Thelifeoftheyoungadultministrywasindangerin 2015withmembershipshrinkingtoone.

ChurchmemberJinhoWoothoughttheyoungadult ministrywouldnotcontinueifthechurchdependedona pastor,sohebeganactivelyparticipatingintheministryin September2016.Hepromisedbeforestarting:“Iwillkeep theFirstKoreanUMC'syoungadultministrytillitlasts.”

Eventhoughhewasbusywithhisownbusiness,Wooset agoaltousetheyear2016tofindlostsheep,makingtime forone-on-onecontactwithyoungadultsandcollege studentswhohadleftthechurch.Andashetreatedthem withhisownmoneyatarestaurant,Woobegantolistento figureouttheirvoicesandneeds.

“Myrolewastowitnesstomyfaithtoyoungadults, listentotheirspiritualconcerns,andbuytheirmeals,”he said.

InKoreanculture,accordingtoWoo,buyingameal meansmorethanjustpayingforonemealforthem,and eatingtogetherisanexpressionofinterestandastepping stoneforformingrelationshipsandcommunicating.

Wooattributedthegrowthandrevitalizationofthe

ministrytothededication andeffortofHa-YanSong, theonlymemberleftinthe youngadultgroupin2015.

“Whenallmysistersand brothersinChristleftthe church,Ikepttheyoung adultgroupbymyselfand prayedintears,”Songsaid.

InSeptember2016,Woo metSongatacoffeeshopin downtownChicago,asked forherwishlistforthe youngadultgroup,and promisedtodoit.Thewish listincludedmakingyoungadultgroupT-shirtsand havingaretreatandBiblestudy.Everythingcametrue within18months.

Theyoungadultgroupresumedwithitsownworship service,aprayermeetingandaBiblestudywithSong, Wooandhiswife,Seungyun.Songbeganinvitingher friendswhowerethirstyandhungryspirituallybuthadno opportunitytobefed.Theyoungadultministrystartedto changeandgrowin2017.

Allthegroupleadersagreethatthekeystothe revitalizationandgrowthofthechurch’syoungadult ministryarethedevotedlayleaders,theirleadershipand discipleshiptraining.

Songsaidthatthedrivingforceforitsgrowthwasthe smallgroupdiscipleshipclasswheretheywereledtoa ChristlikelifeandfelttheloveofChristintheirfellowship.

“Thediscipleshipclasswasthemostpowerfulwayto makedisciplesofChrist,and,infact,itdidchangeour lives,”shesaid.“Ourlifecanbedistinguishedbeforeand afterthediscipleshipclass.Wesharethedeepjoyof walkingwithGodandfellowChristians.”

Songalsomentionedtheimportanceofthe“Ride Ministry”formembers’fellowshipandChristianliving. Sincemanyintheyoungadultgroupwhogotoschoolin downtownChicagoandthesuburbsdon'thavecars,she saidthattheysharetheirfaithwithcoffeeinthechurch van.

Ah-HaeSong,oneofthegroup’sleaders,wasoneofthe spirituallythirstyyoungadultsbeforesheattendedthe church.

“SinceIjoinedtheFKUMC,myspiritualhungerwas satisfiedthroughtheBiblestudy,prayermeetingsand fellowshiptoshareChristianliferegularly,”shesaid.

Ah-HaeSongsaidaregularretreatwasanother importantministryforherspiritualgrowth.

“Ihadtimetolookintotherootsofmybitterness,which werecausedbythethornandwoundsinme,attheretreat Iattended[forthe]firsttimein2020,andIwasableto healmywoundsandrestorerelationshipswithGodand friends,”shesaid.

TheyoungadultgroupofFirstKoreanUnitedMethodist Churchisnolongermadeupofjustoneyoungadult member.Now,50-60worshiptogethereverySunday. About20peopleleavethegroupforotherregionsofthe U.S.everyyearfortheirworkorschools,andthey welcomeabout30youngonesandbaptizethreeorfour annually.Woostressedthesignificanceofthesmallgroup ministry.

“TheWordmustpermeateintoourlivesbutdoesnot becausepeopleonlyaccumulateknowledgeoftheBible, whichmeansthechurchhasnopower,”hesaid.“Most classmeetingsofexistingchurcheshavebecomesocial gatheringswithoutanyaccountabilityorresponsibilityto eachother.

“Oursmallgroupministryistorestoretheclassand bandmeetingsthat(Methodismfounder)JohnWesley did,andoneoftheboldgoalsoftheyoungadultministry istomake100DisciplesofChristtotransform Chicagolandandtheworld.”

Ha-YanSong,nowayoungadultministryhelper, recommendsforpeoplenottolosetheirholycalling.

“Donotlosethesoulofyourcoworkerbyfollowing worldlymethodstodothingswell,”shesaid.“Theworldis interestedinwhatthetruechurchandChristianslooklike. DonotgiveuponthepurposeGodispleasedwith.What youngpeoplewonderaboutisnotoftheworld,butof Christ.”

*KimisdirectorofKoreanandAsiannewsatUnitedMethodist Communications.

WCCGeneralAssemblycloseswithcallto‘actforjustice’

ByKlausUlrichRuof,TranslatedbyDavidW.Scott

The11thGeneralAssemblyoftheWorldCouncilof Churches(WCC)isnowhistory.Attheecumenical summitinKarlsruhe,Germany,around3,000participants from120countriesmetAug.31-Sept.8todiscussthe futuredirectionofecumenism.Themeetingendedwitha worshipservice.

TheWorldCouncilofChurchesisacommunityof352 churchesthattogetherrepresentover580million Christiansworldwide.TheRomanCatholicChurchisnot amemberbuthasobserverstatus.Thislarge,ecumenical, worldwideassociationisheadquarteredinGenevaandwas foundedAug.23,1948,inAmsterdam;itsGeneral Assemblymeetseveryeightyears.

Inamessageattheendofthemeeting,delegatescalled forthe“healingofourlivingplanet.”Themessage,titled“A CallToActTogether,”read:“Wewillfindastrengthtoact fromaunityfoundedinChrist’slove.”Thegoalistocreate andmaintainpeace.

Themessage,whichtiesinwiththetextsoftheGeneral Assembliesof1948inAmsterdamand1975inNairobi, warnsofcatastrophesthatoriginateinanirresponsible andbrokenrelationshipwithcreationthathasledto ecologicalinjusticeandtheclimatecrisis.

ReferringtothethemeoftheGeneralAssembly, “Christ'sLoveMovestheWorldtoReconciliationand Unity,”thedelegatesemphasizedthatChrist’sloveurgesus tocometoChristinsolidarityand“torespondandactfor justice.”

FifteenmembersoftheMethodistchurchfamilybelong tothe150-memberCentralCommittee,includingtwo fromTheUnitedMethodistChurch:BishopSallyDyck, theecumenicalofficeroftheinternationalCouncilof BishopsofTheUnitedMethodistChurch,andtheRev. AnnJacob,whoservesasapastorofEdmondsUnited MethodistChurchinWashington.Onthefinaldayofthe meeting,theWCCcentralcommitteeelectedBishopDyck toits20-memberexecutivecommittee.

Meetingeverytwoyears,theCentralCommitteeisthe highestgoverningbodyoftheWCCinthetimein betweenGeneralAssemblies.Itcarriesoutthepolicies adoptedbytheGeneralAssembly,supervisesanddirects theprogramwork,anddecidesonthebudget.

AsthesizeandcompositionoftheCentralCommittee forthenexteightyearswerebeingdetermined,agroupof 38youngGeneralAssemblymembersputforwarda statementofprotest.Asmembersofthegeneration

affectedbypresentandcomingdevelopmentsinclimate andsociety,andinviewoftheworldwidenumberof youngpeople,theydemandedmoreparticipationand voicesonthecommittee.

ThepolicycommitteeoftheWCCnotedthatyouthmust befullyincludedinallofitscommissions,committees, advisorygroupsandreferencegroups.However,some memberchurchesapparentlyhesitatetonominateyoung peoplefortheCentralCommitteeandothercommittees.

NewlyelectedGeneralSecretaryJerryPillaygavea speechtothemembersoftheGeneralAssemblyattheend ofthemeeting.PillayisdeanoftheFacultyofTheology andReligionattheUniversityofPretoriainSouthAfrica andamemberoftheUnionPresbyterianChurchin southernAfrica.Hewilltakeoverasgeneralsecretary fromtheRev.IoanSaucaonJan.1,2023.Saucahadbeen servingsince2020onaninterimbasisafterformer GeneralSecretaryOlavFykseTveitwasnamedhead bishopoftheChurchofNorway.

PillaystressedhisvisionthattheWCCmemberchurches andtheirpartnersworktogetherto“proclaimthegood newsofsalvationandlifeinChrist”totheworld.

MembersoftheyoungadultgroupofFirstKoreanUnitedMethodistChurchinWheeling,Ill.,gather togetherafteraworshipserviceonJune13.PhotobytheRev.ThomasKim,UMNews.

HungariancamphousesUkrainianRomarefugees

TheRev.LászlóA.Khaled,districtsuperintendentofThe UnitedMethodistChurchinHungary,saidthatatthestart oftheRussianinvasionofUkraine,about800,000refugees crossedthroughhiscountry.Manywereheadedto WesternEurope,sotheirneedswereshort-term.

“Peopleleftrapidlyandsometimeswejustreceivedacall thattheyareattheborderandneededbedsforthree,five, sixpeopleforafewdays,”hesaid.“TheMethodistChurch CenterwasthebiggestrefugeecenterinBudapest,but localcongregationswereinvolvedaswell.”

Thankstoa$10,000solidaritygrantfromtheUnited MethodistCommitteeonRelief(UMCOR),Khaledsaid thechurchcouldactimmediatelytohelprefugeeswhen thewarstarted.Theyhelpedfamilieswithclothes,food andshelter,andtriedtohelpbuymedicineorhelpobtain officialdocumentation,sincemanyrefugeesfledUkraine withoutdocumentsoridentification.

Inadditiontosolidaritygrantsforemergencyassistance toarrivingrefugeesandtocoverthecostoftheHungarian church’sregulardeliveriesofsuppliestoUkraine,UMCOR isworkingwithpartnerACTAlliancetoprovide20,000 peopleinHungarywithessentialslikehygieneitems, shelter,foodandpsychosocialsupport.

ThechurchinHungaryhashelpedtohousehundredsof refugeesfleeingthewar.OneofthoseplacesisDorcas SummerCamp,whereabout178areliving.Thecampis runbythemunicipalgovernment,butthechurchhelps placerefugeesandprovidessupport.Refugeefamiliesget threepreparedmealsaday,cleaningmaterialsand clothing.

ViktóriaŐsz-Kiss,thecamp’sprojectcoordinator,said theyareadifferentorganization,“becausewedon’tgive

justfoodorclothesbutwealso organizeprograms,”addingthat somechurchesvisitthecampand leadspiritualprograms.Theyhave organizedkindergartenclassesand inJuly,launcheda“catch-up” educationalprogramforthe childrenwithsupportfrom UNICEF.

Helpingresidentsfindworkis oneoftheprioritiesatDorcas Camp.Ősz-Kisssaidthatoutside companiesregularlyvisitandoffer possibilitiesforwork.Asaresult, shesaid,70%ofthemenliving therenowhavejobs.

“Theydonotjustwantto survive,”Khaledsaid.“Theywould liketofindajobandanapartment torentinordertostandontheir ownfeet.Theywouldliketohave theirspiritualneedsmetaswell, andtheywouldliketoexperience fellowship.”

Hesaidthechurchrecently received500copiesofaUkrainian youthBible.SomewerepassedontorefugeesinHungary andotherswillbebroughttoUkrainealongwithits regularshipmentsofhumanitarianaid.

TheRevs.LászlóKhaled(left)andÜllasTankler(secondfromleft)praywiththefamilyof Robert,RenattaandtheirchildreninthesmallcabintheyshareattheUnitedMethodistDorcas churchcampinDebrecen,Hungary,wheretheyarestayingafterfleeingthewarinUkraine.The familyisamongmanyRomawhohavefoundaplaceofwelcomeatthecamp.Khaledis superintendentofTheUnitedMethodistChurchinHungaryandTankleristheEuropean/ EurasianrepresentativeoftheUnitedMethodistBoardofGlobalMinistries. PhotobyMikeDuBose.

helpfindingschoolsandjobs.

“It’snowadeepersolution;it’sresettlement,”hesaid.

“Thisisthebiggestchallengenow.”

Asthewardragson,Khaledsaidthechurchmustthink aboutmorelong-termwaystohelp.Thechurchislooking tosecurelong-termrentalsforrefugeefamilies,aswellas

*Butlerisamultimediaproducer/editorforUnitedMethodist News.

UnitedVoicesforChildren2022Awards

UnitedVoicesforChildrenisthrilledtoannounce the2022AdvocacyAwardstofourindividualsinthe NorthernILConferenceandChicagolandarea.The awardrecipientswerehonoredduringUVC’svirtual eventonSeptember13called RaisingOurVoices ThroughResources:ABridgefortheGap(part1) ThankyoutoRev.ChrisWinkler,leadpastorat BarringtonUMCandKidsAboveAllboardmember, whogavetheawardsduringtheevent.

Theseawardrecipientsrepresentministriesand areasofworkthatcontinuetoaddressthemanyneeds indiversecommunitiesthataffectour kids.Congratulationsto:

MargaretAnnWilliamsServiceAward: Daniel Lee,theDirectorofYouthMinistriesatGaryUMC, Wheaton,partneringwitheightNICchurchestohost ayouthretreatthisfall,andforhiscontinued leadershipthroughthepandemicandfosteringfaith formationwiththeyouthatGaryUMC.

KatherineB.GreeneChildAdvocateAward: PastorRodneyC.Walker,BlackMethodistChurchfor ChurchRenewal(BMCR),forhisworkinhealthcare acrosstheNICseekingtoconnectchildrenand familiestohealthcareservicesinthreelocations.His

ministryatSt.MatthewUMCcontinuestobuild bridgesbetweenEducationPlusandYouthfora BetterFuture;andShiningStars,theyouthatSt. Matthew’s.

BishopJesseR.DeWittChildAdvocacyAward: TashaGreeneCruzat,PresidentandBoardMember, Children’sAdvocatesforChange,fortheworkshe doesforchildrenandfamiliesinChicagolandandthe stateofIllinoistoensurethatchildrenaresafe, healthy,well-educatedandsafethroughpolicy.She workstoensurethatdataisreliable,credibleand disaggregatedbyraceforthewell-beingofIllinois childrenforpositiveimpact.

BishopJesseR.DeWittChildAdvocacyAward: VickiePowell-Bass,LayLeaderandCertifiedLay Servant,WesleyUMCandUnitedWomeninFaith, forherleadershipinthelocalchurch,NIC,United WomeninFaithandthecommunityasaChicago PublicSchoollocalschoolcouncilmember advocatingforchildrentohelptointerrupttheschool toprisonpipelineforblackgirls.

SupportUnitedVoicesforChildrenthroughthe5th SundayAppealonOct.30.

Visit unitedvoicesforchildren.org

ForitsworktowardbecomingNetZeroand leadingothers,FaithinPlaceawardedEuclid AvenueUMCinOakParkthe2022GreenTeam oftheYearawardatitsrecentenergysummit.

FaithinPlaceworkswithover250GreenTeams throughouttheregion.Greenteamsaregroupsof threeormorepeoplefromaHouseofWorship whoprovidecooperativeleadershiptoeducate, connect,andadvocateforhealthiercommunities.

Ingivingthisaward,FaithinPlacesaid,“when peopleofdiversefaithsandspiritualitiesengage withawell-coachedGreenTeam,theyare empoweredtotakeactiontoaddress environmentalandracialinjusticeswithintheir communities.”

Since2014,EuclidAvenuehastakentheleadin

energyefficiencywhentheyfirstinstalleda geothermalheatingandcoolingsystemthat reduceditscarbonfootprintby80%.Following geothermal,Euclidinstalleda99-panelsolar photovoltaicsystemonitsroof,reducing electricityusagefromthegridby27%.

NotonlyareEuclid’seffortssavingtheplanet butalsothechurch'sbottomline.In2009Euclid waspaying$13,000forgasand$7,000for electricity.By2014gasandelectricityhadgone from$20,000to$11,500.Byaddingnewsolar panelsin2014,electricitybillscameinat$5,300 andgas$1,500.Nowtheyareaddingcommunity solar,whichwillfurtherreducetheenergybill. Ifyourchurchisinterestedinbecomingagreen team,visit umcnic.org/greenteam

TashaGreeneCruzat

RodneyC.Walker

VickiePowell-Bass

DanielLee

Leading the Laity

Wordsof encouragement,insight &inspirationfromlayleaders

Creatingpeace

ByConnieAugsburger,NICCo-LayLeader

November PlatinumRuleLeadershipfor ChangingTime

November3,10,and17,3:00-5:00p.m.

Cost: $99

Learnhowtoworkmoreeffectivelywithothers whileincreasingyourownabilitytoleadandlove eventhemostchallengingpeople.Buildonthe strengthsoftheGoldenRuleasyoudiscoverthe secretpowerofthePlatinumRule.

SponsoredbytheUnitedMethodistFoundation oftheNorthernIllinoisConference.Cost:$99. Limitedto18participants.

InchurchonSunday,weenjoy“sharing”thepeace.Oflate, manyofushaveforgoneshakinghandsandhavesubstitutedthe hilariousbumpingofelbows–orwenod,dipourheads,and smile.Howeverwechoosetoofferthesentiment,whatweare doingisbothsimpleandprofound:weoffereachotherpeace–thepeaceofourLord.

InJohn14:27,JesusgaveusHispeaceevenasHewas preparingtodieonthecross.WehonorHissacrificeandgift wheneverweofferpeacetooneanother.

Dowetakethispeacewithuswhenweleaveworship?Dowe sharethispeaceaswegoaboutourdailylives?Dowe purposefully“payitforward”asJesussurelyexpectsustodo?

InJune2020,afriendprovidedmeanopportunitytoputmy faithinactionwhentheyinvitedmetowalkinsupportofthe BlackLivesMattermovement–themarchwastostartandend onthelawnofOregonUMCinOregon,Ill.,justafewmiles frommyhome.Iwasboththrilledandalittlenervous–would weencounteranytrouble?Wouldotherparticipantsbehave themselves?[spoileralert:wedidnot,andtheydid!]

Butevenmoretothepoint–whatshouldmysignsay?Ididn’t havetolookfarforinspiration:IopenedmyUnitedMethodist hymnalandcopieddownthewordsIfoundin#481:“Lord, makemeaninstrumentofthypeace;wherethereishatred,let mesowlove....”

Themarchwasawonderfulexperience.Itfeltgoodtojoin withothersinourlittletowntomakeastatement–apeaceful statementthatwecareaboutwhathappensinthewiderworld andthatwehonorandmournthosewhohavediedasaresultof racialinjustice.

Commonlyreferredtoas“ThePrayerofSt.Francis,”this writingisalsoknownas“thePeacePrayer.”Whileitstrueorigin isunknown,itisneverthelessalyricandinspiringstatementof love,commitmentandpersonalresponsibility.WhenIrecite theselines,Ifeelcalm,assuredofmystrength,and–yes,Ifeel peaceinmyheartandmymind:“ODivinemaster,grantthatI maynotsomuchseektobeconsoledastoconsole....”Reciting theselineshelpsmetostandalittlestraighter.

Similarly,singingthesongwhosetitleIborrowedhelpsmeto findmyresolveandtotrytobewhoandwhatGodwantsmeto beagoodneighbor,acaringfriend,andaresponsiblemember ofmycommunity.“WitheverystepItake,letthisbemysolemn vow:totakeeachmomentandliveeachmomentinpeace eternally!”

Iwalkedonedaytwoyearsagotoshowmylove,butthatwas justasmallbeginning.Ican,andImustdomore.Nowisthe momentandthisistheplace:leteachofuscommitourselvesto liveourlivesinsuchawaythatChrist’sgiftofpeacewillprevail onearth;for“itisingivingthatwereceive,itispardoningthat wearepardoned,anditisindyingthatweareborntoeternal life.”

Amen

FacingtheFutureVirtual Conference

November16,12:00-6:00p.m.(OnlineEvent)

BeStillasaSpiritualPractice: ForPastors ServingCross-Racial,Cross-Cultural,and MulticulturalContexts

“Bestill,andknowthatIamGod! Iamexaltedamongthenations; Iamexaltedintheearth.” -Psalm46:10

Visit threesimplerules.org/workshops-fall-2022 for details.

TendingtotheHarvestWorship Service

November13,4:00p.m.(HybridEvent)

TheDiscipleshipTaskForceisdelightedto announcetheNIC’ssecondTendingtothe Harvestfallconference-wideworshipservice basedonMatthew9:37, “Thenhesaidtohis disciples,‘Theharvestisplentiful,butthelaborers arefew.’”

Location: JourneyofHopeUMC,37W040 HighlandAve.,Elgin,ILandlivestreamed.

Registration: Allarewelcometoregisterat umcnic.org/calendar/conference-wide-worship (Lightreceptiontofollowworshipservice)

Guestpreacher: Rev.Dr.Mai-AnhLeTranfrom Garrett-EvangelicalTheologicalSeminary. TolearnmoreaboutcreatingIDSinyourchurch, visit umcnic.org/IntentionalDiscipleship oremail usat discipleshiptf@umcnic.org

TownandRuralFestival

November19,9:00a.m.-12:00p.m.

Locations: AlbanyUMC502FirstAve.,Albany,IL KeagyandPACKgrantrecipientswillpresenttheir ministries.Allarewelcometoattend.

Formoreinformation,visit umcnic.org/calendar/town-and-rural-festival

YouwilllearnskillstosupporttheCRCCministry context,personalself-care,andprofessional development.Youwillexperiencemeaningful worshipandworkshopsfromsought-afterleaders andprofessionals.

RegistrationCost: $60

Toregister,visit gcorr.org/facingthefuture2022

December

SpeakerSeries:Race,America andtheChurch

December1,12:00-1:30p.m.(HybridEvent)

Called: DoingGod'sWorkfortheBeloved Community

Speaker: Dr.DrewG.I.Hart

DrewG.I.Hartisanauthor,activist,andprofessor intheologyintheBibleandReligiondepartment atMessiahUniversitywithtenyearsofpastoral experience.Hewilladdresswhatthelocalchurch candotocombatthecontinuationofracismin thechurchandinsociety.

Forregistrationandmoreinformation,visit umcnic.org/2022speakerseries

VitalPartnershipWorkshop

December3,9:00a.m.-3:00p.m.

Location: TheCenterUnitedMethodistChurch, 400N.WalnutSt.,Itasca,IL

Speaker: DirkElliott,Dir.ofCongregational VibrancyandLeadershipDevelopmentforthe MichiganConference.

Churchescomeinallformsofhealth.Attendthis workshopandexplorenewwaysyourchurch mightbecomehealthierthroughapartnership.

KidsAboveAllHolidayGiftDrive-Nov.28-Dec.13

SponsoraChild

•MaketheholidaywishesofachildinoneofKidsAboveAll'sprogramscometrue witha$50purchaseoftoys,books,andclothes.

DonateaToy

•Thedriveneedsnew,unwrappedtoys,games,orbooksforyouthofvariousages. OnlinewishlistsfromAmazonandTargetwillbeavailablestartinginmid-October tohelpguidethegiftselectionprocessforourchildrenandteenagers.

VolunteerintheToyRoom

•The2022ToyRoomwillbeatKidsAboveAll'snew"A BetterLifeDistributionCenter,”locatedat1801E. OaktonSt.,DesPlaines,IL60018.Healthandsafety measures,includingmasks,mayberequired.

•ContactCatherineInserraat cinserra@kidsaboveall.org tolearnmoreandsetupa timetovolunteerasanindividualorgroup.

LaitySunday

Thisyear’sLaitySundayfallsonOct.16.ThethemeisRISEUP!-andRevealGod’sgrace(2Tim1:8-12). UnderthecalltoRiseUp,laityinthecurrentquadrenniumwillcontinuetoechotheinvitationofthis passage:toRiseUpandreviveGod’sgiftoffaith(thatfirstlivedinthosewholovedus);toRiseUpand revealthegraceinChristthatdestroysdeathandbringslife;toRiseUpandremaincommittedtosound teachingwithfaithandlove;toRiseUpandretainthisreliablegiftofgoodandbeautifulthingsplaced inourtrustbytheHolySpirit.Forresources,visit umcdiscipleship.org/equipping-leaders/lay-ministry

“Lettherebepeaceonearth,and letitbeginwithme!”

~TheUMHymnal,No.431

Thisfall,theUnitedMethodistChurchwillelectnew bishops.Inthepast,bishopswereelectedfollowinga GeneralConferenceandassignedtotheirEpiscopal AreasonSeptember1ofthatsameyear.Duetothedelay inholdingaGeneralConference,specialattentionwas requiredtocareforthisvitalcomponentofourUM structure.Overthepasttwoyears,bishopshaveretired orgoneonmedicalleave.Sixteenactivebishopsandfour retiredbishopsarenowfillinginthegap,serving multipleconferencesorreturningfromretirement,asis thecaseforNorthernIllinoiswithBishopJohnL. Hopkins.

Withmountingpressure,asmorebishopsreach retirementagepriortoanowprojected2024General Conference,decisionsweremadetoelectandassign bishopsthisfallwhilealsoanticipatingmoreretirements andelectionsinthesummerof2024.

IntheUnitedMethodistChurch,weareledbya CouncilofBishops.TheUnitedMethodistCouncilof Bishopsismadeupof66activeaswellasadditional retiredbishops.TheCouncilofBishopsmeetsbiannuallytoshepherdtheworkofthedenomination.The Councilisfurtherdividedintogeographicareas.The NorthernIllinoisConferenceisintheNorthCentral Jurisdiction.TherearefivejurisdictionsintheUnited Statesand20episcopalareasoutsidetheU.S.Beforethe pandemic,theNorthCentralJurisdictionwasmadeupof ninebishopsandtenconferenceswithoneshared episcopalarea;theDakotasandMinnesota.Jurisdictional bishopsasagrouparereferredtoasTheCollegeof Bishops.

BishopsareordainedEldersinthechurchelectedfor lifebyjurisdictionaldelegates.WhileeveryElderinthe churchiseligibletobeelectedasabishop,itiscommon foreachannualconferencetoendorseacandidatefrom amongtheireldersforthiscalling.Inaddition,anyelder candeclaretheircandidacyfortheposition.Tolearn

Allaboutbishops

moreaboutthecandidatesintheNCJ,visit ncjumc.org andclickonthe WePressOn logo.

ThejurisdictionalconferencesacrosstheU.S.willmeet toelectbishopsonNovember2-5.OurNorthCentral JurisdictionalConferencewillgatherinFortWayne,Ind.

Aformulabasedonmembershipdeterminesthe numberofbishopseachjurisdictionwillreceive.Whena bishopretires,thejurisdictionelectsareplacement.With changesinmembership,somejurisdictionsare voluntarilymovingtoasmallerpoolofbishopstoserve theirarea.TheSouthCentralJurisdictionwillelectthree ratherthanfournewbishops,theSoutheastern Jurisdictionwillelectthreeratherthanfivebishops allowed,theWesternJurisdictionplanstoholdan electionforthreebishopsandtheNorthCentral Jurisdiction(ourarea)recommendsmaintainingits numberofninebishops,whichwouldrequireelecting threenewbishopsthisfall.TheNortheasternJurisdiction hasnotyetdeterminedhowmanybishopstheywillelect. Ultimately,eachjurisdiction’sdelegationwilldetermine forthemselveshowmanyelectionstoholdwhenthey conveneinNovember.

Oncebishopsareelected,acommitteeofoneclergy delegateandonelaydelegatefromeachannual conferenceinthejurisdictionmeetsduringthe jurisdictionalconferencesessiontodetermineepiscopal assignments.Thiscommittee,calledtheJurisdictional EpiscopacyCommittee,meetswiththebishopsregularly andreviewsaconferenceprofileprovidedbytheannual conference’sEpiscopacyCommitteetobetterunderstand thestrengthsandneedsofeacharea.Thisgroupistasked withmatchingconferenceneedsandepiscopalstrengths. Episcopalassignmentsareannouncedatthe ConsecrationServiceonthelastdayoftheJurisdictional Conference.Thisyear’sserviceisscheduledforSaturday, November5.

Unlikeotheryears,whenassignmentstakeeffecton

GeneralAssembly

September1followingtheelection,episcopal assignmentswilltakeeffectJanuary1,2023.Northern IllinoisConferencewillreceiveanewlyassignedbishop asBishopHopkinsreturnstoretirement.Wemayreceive anewlyelectedbishoporbeassignedoneofthesix currentlyservingbishops;thesedecisionsarepartofthe deliberationsintheNCJEpiscopacyCommittee. Pleasejoininprayingforthedelegationsand candidatesasthisworkunfoldsinNovemberandwe preparetowelcomeanewEpiscopalleaderinthenew year.

NICDelegation:

GeneralConference(Lay)

•LonnieChafin

•NadiaR.Kanhai

•AdrianHill-ViceChair

GeneralConference(Clergy)

•AlkaLyall-Chair

•LuisReyes •GregoryGross

JurisdictionalConference(Lay)

•RitaL.Smith

•JessieCunningham

•RonnieLyall

Alternates: NancyPendergrassandMarkManzi

JurisdictionalConference(Clergy)

•Hwa-YoungChong

•JacquesConway

•BrianGilbert

Alternates: BrittCoxandRachelBirkhahnRommelfanger

EpiscopacyCommitteeNICMembers

•ElisaGatz(Lay)

•GregoryGross(Clergy)

Celebrating50yearsof advocacyforwomen

TheUnitedMethodistCommissionon theStatusandRoleofWomen(GCSRW) markedits50thanniversaryonSept.15, celebratingahalf-centuryofadvocatingfor thefullinclusionofwomeninchurchlifeas wellashelpingtopromotesexualethics.

Theagencyisofferingfivewaystojoinin thefestivitiesincludingencouragingits annualconferencecounterpartstoplanta tree.

FiveWaystoCelebrateGCSRW's50th

Anniversary:

1.Plantatree: Weareaskingeveryannual conferenceCOSROWcommittee aroundtheworldtoparticipateinatree plantingceremonyandplantatreeto carefortheEarth,tosymbolizeour continuousgrowth,andtocontributeto ournet-zeroemissionscommitment.

2.HostagatheringwithyourCOSROW committee: Ifyouarenotabletoplanta tree,weinviteyoutoreflectonPsalm 1:3andtheAngelOakTree.Resources

JobOpenings

forthisgatheringinclude:areflection, calltoworship,scripture,ahymn,anda prayer.

3.Donate: Weareaskingyoutodonate $50forour50thanniversarytoensure equalitycontinuestobeprioritizedin theUMC.

4.Sendusabirthdaymessage: Weare askingyoutoshareavideotellingus1) whatyourhopesareforthefutureof GCSRW2)howGCSRWhashelped youinyourfaithjourney3)justsaying "Happybirthday,GCSRW!"

5.Organizeandact: Weareaskingyouto continueyourworkwithyourannual conferenceCOSROWCommitteeand advocateforwomenleaders,prevent sexualmisconduct,monitoryour contextforrepresentation, compensationandtodevelopstrong communitiesofsupport.

Visit resourceumc.org/gcsrw forresources.

ForthelatestjobopeningsintheNorthernIllinois Conferenceandacrosstheconnection, visit www.umcnic.org/jobs

StayConnected

SignupfortheweeklyNICeNews,Appointment AnnouncementsandSympathynotices. Visit www.umcnic.org andscrolldownandclickon“Signup forourNewsletter”toenteryournameandemail.

Submissions

BishopSallyDyck(center)joinsfaithleadersfromaroundtheworldduringtheclosingprayerservicefor theWorldCouncilofChurches'11thAssemblyinKarlsruhe,Germany.PhotobyPaulJeffrey/WCC.

Inaddition,hesaid,theWCCmustcontinueanddomoretomakethe“voicesofthe marginalizedandneglected”heardsothateconomicinfluenceorthepowerandauthority ofindividualchurchesisnotdecisive,butratheracultureofinclusion,diversityandequal rightsiscreated.

Inabiblicalsense,thehumilityandself-understandingofJesustobeaservantmustbe anexample,hesaid.PillayputforwardavisionofaWCC“thatnotonlycreatessafespace, butalsoroominwhichthemarginalizedhaveequalrightsandinwhichthevoicesofthe neglectedareheard,respectedandvaluedbythecommunity.”

*RuofispublicrelationsofficerandspokespersonforTheUnitedMethodistChurchinGermany.

Pleasesubmititemsatleasttwoweekspriortopublication date.Includeyourname,address,email,phonenumber andnameoflocalchurch.Spaceislimited.

Electronicsubmissionsarepreferredwithhigh-resolution attachedjpegs.Submissionswillbeeditedatthediscretion oftheCommunicationsstaff.

HowtoContactUs

Foreditorialcontent,subscriptionsandaddresschanges: AnneMarieGerhardt Dir.ofCommunications 312-346-9766ext.766

77W.WashingtonSt.,Suite1820 Chicago,IL60602 communications@umcnic.org

Rev.ArleneChristopherson,Asst.totheBishop/Dir.ofConnectionalMinistries