The Current Week in Review
April 30, 2021
Bishop Beard to go on medical leave July 1

Bishop Frank J. Beard has applied for and has been granted a request for a personal Medical Leave, effective July 1, to care for his eyesight.
 
The request was shared with the IGRC Extended Cabinet April 23 and was approved on April 24 by the North Central Jurisdiction College of Bishops. The Council of Bishops have been notified of the request.
 
Bishop Beard suffers from glaucoma and has lost 95 percent of his sight in his right eye and 80 percent of his sight in his left eye. The medical leave will allow him the time needed to work with the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn., in caring for his sight and making necessary adjustments for future ministry. The leave of up to six months is offered to active bishops by the Book of Discipline, paragraph 410.4.
Speakers announced for Annual Conference

Speakers for the Opening Worship, Memorial Service and Retirees Recognition have been announced for the 2021 Annual Conference June 11-12.

Bishop Sharma Lewis, episcopal leader of the Richmond Area (Virginia Annual Conference) will be preaching opening worship on Saturday at 10 a.m. Lewis was the preacher at Covenant Keepers 2021.

Rev. Mike Potts and his wife, Jamee, will preach the Memorial Service, which will air on Thursday, June 10, beginning at 7 p.m.

Rev. Judy Vidakovich, one of 25 retirees that comprise the Class of 2021, will preach the Retiree Recognition Service on Friday, June 11 at 7 p.m.

Both services’ broadcasts will premiere at those assigned times but playback will be possible on all broadcasts of the Annual Conference following their airings.

Registration for the 2021 Annual Conference is now open through June 1.

The theme for the 2021 Annual Conference is A Time to Heal, based upon Ecclesiastes 3

Participants will be able to join the Annual Conference session online from their homes or they may choose one of eight remote sites from which to view the sessions and participate. The remote locations for annual conference are as follows:
  • Marion Aldersgate UMC (Cache River District)
  • Belleville St. Matthew UMC (Mississippi River District)
  • Salem Grace UMC (Kaskaskia River District)
  • Champaign New Horizon UMC (Iroquois River District)
  • Bloomington Wesley UMC (Vermilion River DIstrict)
  • Pekin Grace UMC (Illinois River District)
  • Quincy Vermont Street UMC (LaMoine River District)
  • Galesburg First UMC (Spoon River District)
 
Utilizing the knowledge gained from the virtual 2020 Annual Conference, participants will be able to offer speeches for and against and ask questions during the plenary session, slated for Saturday, June 12 from 10 a.m. to noon and from 1 to 4 p.m. The Annual Conference will be using the Zoom platform, utilizing the polling feature for voting (the same as last year) and the Q & A feature for posting questions or asking for recognition to speak for or against the motion.

No amendments or changes to the legislation will be possible. However, the Sessions Committee will be holding Pre-Conference meetings to address both technological issues as well as answer questions on the legislation.

The clergy session will be held from 1 to 4 p.m. on Friday, June 11 and the laity session will be the same day from 5 to 7 p.m.

Ordination and Commissioning services will be a week later – on Saturday, June 19. Commissioning will be aired in the morning with Ordination in the afternoon. Bishop Frank J. Beard will preach both services, which will be held with limited seating for family at Champaign Faith UMC. It will be aired live via the webstream.
 
Persons will need to register in order to obtain credentials once the screening process is completed the first week of June. Because of needing secure access to the room, persons will register, been confirmed as voting members and receive two log-ins – one for either the clergy or laity session on Friday, and one for the joint plenary session on Saturday.
Making a Good Move workshop

Bishop Frank J. Beard and Mike Crawford, IGRC Coordinator of Congregational Development will be leading a seminar designed to be helpful as pastors begin new appointments and congregations receive new pastors.

Deadline for registration is Saturday, May 1.

The workshop, Making a Good Move, will be held virtually on Zoom on Saturday, May 8, with the sessions from 9 a.m. to noon and 1 to 4 p.m. BOTH SESSIONS ARE REQUIRED. This webinar is designed to enhance your ministry and to prepare you for a successful transition.
 
ALL clergy that are receiving a new appointment are expected to be present at this webinar along with representatives of their new church/charge.

There is no charge for this workshop; Registration for you and your team can be made online through May 1.   
Council of Bishops
Council of Bishops affirm November 2022 jurisdictional conferences

The bishops of The United Methodist Church gathered online for five days to worship, to discern ways to best offer leadership to the church in this liminal time and to hear about the exciting mission and ministry occurring across the global connection.

During the meeting which was attended by more than 100 active and retired bishops from Africa, Asia, Europe and North America, the Council of Bishops celebrated the lives of their colleagues and spouses. The bishops began each day in a time of devotion as they grounded their work. The bishops also spent time in Covenant Groups each day where they shared their heart and life and work.

Among the acttions taken, the Council of Bishops provided the following guidance on jurisdictional conferences:
  • The Council of Bishops affirmed their interpretation of the Book of Discipline that the delegates elected for the 2020 General Conference that was scheduled for May 2020 are the duly elected delegates to the postponed General Conference scheduled for Fall of 2022.
  • The bishops affirmed the dates of November 2-4, 2022 for the regular sessions of the Jurisdictional Conferences for the purpose of electing bishops and general agency members.
  • The Council of Bishops reaffirmed their interpretation of the Book of Discipline that special sessions of the Jurisdictional Conference may be called at any time by the College of Bishops based on provisions of Paragraph 521 but not for the purposes of electing members to boards and agencies or to elect bishops.
  • The bishops rescinded their November 2020 recommendation for no election of bishops at regular sessions of the Jurisdictional Conferences and that the COB strongly encourage consideration of mission, context, resources and future impact of the COVID pandemic and potential changes in the UMC in making decisions about the number of bishops to be elected, within the disciplinary parameters of paragraphs 404.2 and 512.1. 

The bishops believe the determination of the number of bishops to be elected at regular sessions of the Jurisdictional Conferences is a matter to be determined by jurisdictions at either a special or regular session.  
May 2021 issue of The Current
Click the cover photo to view or to save the May 2021 issue of The Current, which should be arriving this weekend in the mail.

This issue includes the cover story on the departure of congregations on both sides of the theological spectrum.

It also includes the transcript from the annual Prentice Sermon which was held at Sheldon's Grove and Astoria UMC's April 11.

Also included is the latest on Annual Conference and a report on 1st quarter apportionment giving.
Peace With Justice Sunday
Peace With Justice Sunday, one of the special offerings of The United Methodist Church, will be observed on Sunday, May 30.

Read about this special offering, stories of how your giving has made a difference and information on ordering resources that will assist you in celebrating this special Sunday.

Click on the image to Read More...
United Methodist Center Contact Information
USPS (U.S. Postal Service)
P.O. Box 19207, Springfield, IL 62794-9207
Office Phone: 217-529-2040
UPS and FedEx deliveries only use the street address:
United Methodist Center
5900 S. 2nd Street
Springfield, IL 62711
About      Bishop Beard       News       Get Involved       Our Conference, Our Kids
Connect With Us