The Current Week in Review
November 9, 2018
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Beard joins ebony bishops in statement on racism
United Methodist bishops decried the rise of racism in the U.S. and recommitted themselves to “exposing and dismantling racism in whatever forms and wherever it presents itself.”
The Council of Bishops, in a unanimous voice vote, adopted this statement drafted by the denomination’s active and retired African-American episcopal leaders.
“Racism is so insidious that often those who are in bondage to it are not even aware of their chains. It is a persistent sin and evil that infects all it touches,”
the statement said
. “We are grieved that a culture of racism is institutionalized even in our beloved denomination.”
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Lewis, Beard, Sims preaching at Annual Conference
Plans are underway for the 2019 Annual Conference which will be June 6-8, at the Peoria Civic Center.
Bishop Frank J. Beard has announced that Bishop Sharma Lewis, episcopal leader of the Richmond, Va. Area, will be opening worship speaker, scheduled to begin at 10 a.m. on June 6.
Lewis became the first African-American woman to be elected bishop in the Southeastern Jurisdiction of The United Methodist Church in 2016.
Prior to her episcopal assignment, she held a distinguished record of service in the North Georgia Conference including her appointment as district superintendent of the Atlanta-Decatur-Oxford District in 2010. In 2007, Bishop Lewis’ remarkable pastoral leadership at Wesley Chapel, a three-year tenure, led to over 600 new and restored members and worship attendance doubled. While there, her visibility as a strong spiritual and pastoral leader propelled her into numerous leadership roles in the local community, including Hands on Henry County and Many Hearts, Many Hands McDonough. Her ministry here culminated as she received the Harry Denman Award for Evangelism in 2010 as well as the G. Ross Freeman Leadership Award. Prior to these roles, Bishop Lewis was appointed in 1999 as the associate (and subsequently senior associate) pastor of the 8,000-member Ben Hill United Methodist Church in Atlanta and as senior pastor of the Powers Ferry UMC, a cross-racial assignment in Marietta, Ga.
Beard has also announced that Carol Sims, administrative assistant for both Preachers' Aid Society and the United Methodist Foundation, will preach the Memorial Service at 7 p.m. Thursday.
Sims is a certified lay speaker and is the daughter of the late Rev. Dr. R. Paul Sims, a former district superintendent and assistant to the bishop, who will be among those remembered as joining the Church Triumphant in the past year.
Beard will preach the Service of Ordination and Commissioning set for 9:30 a.m. Saturday.
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Harris to highlight Annual Conference concert
Five-time Grammy and 11-time Dove Award recipient Larnelle Harris will perform in concert on Friday, June 7, 7:30 p.m. at Carver Arena in the Peoria Civic Center during the 2019 Annual Conference.
The concert is a fundraiser for the IGRC campaign, Our Conference, Our Kids.
The choir from Peoria Bethel UMC will join Harris on stage for several selections during the concert.
Tickets go on sale Jan. 15 in a pre-sale for IGRC members at $20 and $30. On Feb. 1, tickets go on sale to the public Feb. 1 for $25 and $35. All tickets will be sold through Ticketmaster and will not be a part of the normal Annual Conference registration process. The link and discount code will be share closer to the Jan. 15 launch.
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Edwards, Monroe new PASBF assistants
Preachers’ Aid Society and Benefit Fund has announced the hiring of two new Regional Assistants. The Rev. Bob Edwards will serve in the southern part of the conference while Rev. Sharon Monroe will serve in the northern section.
The positions became open when the Rev. Brad Henson resigned to take a full-time appointment in Albion and the Rev. Phil Icenogle retired from the position. PASBF is grateful for the excellent work both Brad (and wife Donna) and Phil (and wife Judy) provided to our retirees and spouses. Both will be missed.
Bob Edwards (wife Linda) served 38 years in the former Southern Illinois Conference including serving as the Superintendent in the former Vandalia District. Bob and Linda currently live in Mascoutah.
Sharon Monroe (husband Ron) served over 20 years in the former Central IL and Illinois Great Rivers Conferences. She retired from Mansfield in 2015. Sharon and Ron currently live in Fairbury.
Edwards begins hist position this month and Monroe begins Jan. 1.
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WCA plans 'new Methodist movement'
The Wesleyan Covenant Association began working on a contingency plan for a Methodist movement within or outside of The United Methodist Church — a plan that depends on the decisions coming from the 2019 General Conference.
The group held its first global legislative assembly on Nov. 2 and passed four resolutions, including one that said adoption of the One Church Plan would be “untenable and would force us to leave.” The One Church Plan is one of several proposals that will be considered by the General Conference when it meets in February.
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Leaders affirm move toward new U.S. structure
Denominational leaders unanimously approved a move toward forming a church decision-making body that deals exclusively with U.S. matters
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Much of the group’s discussion focused on how much time General Conference — the denomination’s multinational top lawmaking body — spends on decisions that only affect the church in the United States.
The Rev. Brian K. Milford, the top executive of the United Methodist Publishing House, used the examples of pensions and U.S. clergy compensation.
“There are a lot of issues we have to discuss at General Conference because the United States doesn’t have a mechanism for discussing them apart from General Conference,” said Milford, a veteran General Conference delegate. He and the 12 other top agency executives serve on the Connectional Table with voice but not vote.
“We are trying to find a way to address that.”
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General Conference briefings
Bishop Frank J. Beard will be hosting seven General Conference briefings, discussing the three plans which have been offered as plans for A Way Forward with regard to the issues of human sexuality and unity. More than 725 persons have registered for the events.
The following dates have been confirmed:
- Sunday, Nov. 11 -- Edwardsville St. Johns UMC, 4 to 6 p.m.
- Monday, Nov. 12 -- Jacksonville Grace UMC, 4 to 6 p.m.
- Thursday, Nov. 15 -- Marion First UMC, 7 to 9 p.m.
- Saturday, Nov. 17 -- Chatsworth UMC, 10 a.m. to noon
- Sunday, Nov. 18 -- Peoria First UMC, 4 to 6 p.m. -- CLOSED; CAPACITY REACHED
- Monday, Nov. 19 -- Arthur UMC, 6 to 8 p.m.
- Tuesday, Nov. 20 -- Rock Island Two Rivers UMC, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.
Bishop Beard is asking that you register in advance as a courtesy to our venue host. We are wanting to have adequate seating for those wanting to attend. If you have already registered for another site and wish to switch locations,
contact Michele Willson
or
Paul Black
so that those changes may be noted.
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Special session pre-registration online
Guests and observers to the 2019 Special Session of the General Conference, The United Methodist Church’s top legislative assembly, may now pre-register online. General Conference will meet in St. Louis, Missouri at the America’s Center Feb. 23-26, 2019.
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Volunteers needed for General Conference
Persons wishing to volunteer for hospitality and other committees working the special session of General Conference in February 2019 may now apply to register.
Preference will be given to Missouri and Illinois Great Rivers members. All volunteers will be required to sign a covenant agreement, liability waiver, participate in hospitality and intercultural awareness training, as well as job-specific training.
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Cross Racial/Cross Cultural learning event
A cross racial/cross cultural learning event aimed at assisting churches which are in cross racial and cross cultural appointments will be held at Willow Hill UMC in East Peoria on Saturday, Nov. 10, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Who should participate?
- Teams of persons from congregations/charges with cross-cultural appointments
- A team is the pastor and a minimum of three laypersons from each congregation
What will I learn?
- Explore our understanding of the meaning of culture
- Identify commonalities, difficulties, joys and celebrations of cultural diversity
- Inspiring, guided Bible Study
- Cultural assessment exercises
- Respectful communication guidelines
- Shared stories and community-building skills
- Grow in faith together
Registration is requested ahead of the event and participants will pay $10 at the door.
Deadline is Nov. 6.
Rev, E. Michelle Ledder. Director of Program Ministries for the General Commission on Religion and Race, will be the facilitator.
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Applications open for Global Mission Fellows
The United Methodist Board of Global Ministries is taking applications from young Christian adults who are interested in becoming Global Mission Fellows. Applicants must be ages 20 to 30 and commit to two years of service. Global Mission Fellows work to address the roots of injustice. Early-access deadline is Dec. 3.
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United Methodist Student Sunday Nov. 25
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On United Methodist Student Day, Nov. 25, congregations will gather to support students as they prepare for a life that unites faith and knowledge.
Our gifts on this churchwide Special Sunday provide scholarships for diligent United Methodist students in local congregations just like yours.
Read their stories
here
.
Then, share the stories with your congregation to encourage generosity on November 25.
- social media images;
- UMSD Planning Calendar;
- short, engaging videos;
- worship presentation;
- handy infographics; and
- free e-books (“How to Promote United Methodist Student Day” and “15 Ways to Welcome College Students”) and much more!
Church leaders can use these resources immediately to prepare for United Methodist Student Day on November 25. It’s simple!
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United Methodist Center Contact Information
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USPS (U.S. Postal Service)
P.O. Box 19207, Springfield, IL 62794-9207
Office Phone: 217-529-2040
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UPS and FedEx deliveries only use the street address:
United Methodist Center
5900 S. 2nd Street
Springfield, IL 62711
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