CONFERENCE APPORTIONMENTS
CONFERENCE NEWS
RECEIPTS AS OF SEPTEMBER 30, 2024* *Churches reflecting contributions of 75% or greater of total apportionments are considered current.
The Spirit of Thanksgiving at Home Sweet Home Ministries
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BLOOMINGTON – At the beginning of June, Home Sweet Home Ministries started a Street Outreach program not only to continue the work of supporting our neighbors in the encampment next to the Junction, but also to go to various locations and encampments throughout Bloomington-Normal. Our goal is to alleviate the day-to-day struggles faced by the homeless population, providing a foundation upon which they can rebuild their lives. “I work with people who are unhoused, who are sleeping on the streets, in tents, who don’t have a place they can call home. I work to get them hygiene supplies and basic survival items,” explains Lauren Wiggins, HSHM’s Street Outreach Specialist. Beyond addressing physical needs, our Street Outreach ministry strives to build meaningful relationships with those we serve. We understand that homelessness is often accompanied by feelings of isolation and despair. By offering Christ's love and compassionate support, we aim to restore a sense of hope. “We start off with the basics of building relationships, which is my favorite part. I just get to talk to everybody and learn their story,” adds Lauren. “From those discussions, I’m able to pick out things they (Editor’s note: Home Sweet Home Ministries has been serving the homeless and hungry with Christ's love in Bloomington, Illinois since 1917. It is a Conference Advance Special (#0098). BY LESLIE BUNGE Home Sweet Home Ministries BLOOMINGTON – The comforting aromas of roasted turkey will soon fill the air at Home Sweet Home Min- istries. Preparations are already under way to ensure a wonderful Thanksgiving meal for hundreds in our com- munity. On average, HSHM prepares 100 meals to be served at the shelter in addition to delivering 500 meals to the elderly and shut in. This season marks the first time our new kitchen staff has embarked on the task of feeding 600 individuals and families. “I am most excited to see our community come together for the common good of all,” shares Sha Estes, HSHM’s Food Service Manager. “I have heard it’s quite amazing and God is present.” Sha and her team have spent weeks planning every detail, ensuring that each bite is filled with the warmth and joy of the holiday. “My goal is to feed everyone that would like to have a Thanksgiving meal with no one left behind,” adds Sha. “I am excited to serve up turkey, dress-
kitchen professionals, we all get extreme ful- fillment from feeding hungry people. All the smiles and thanks from others really warms my heart. We all are honored and humbled to be part of such an amazing experience.” Each staff member is driven by a sense of purpose, knowing they are making a real difference. Through the hustle and bustle, it’s clear to see that Thanksgiving is not only about the meal, but also about the simple, powerful act of giving. It is about coming together, sharing what you have, and making sure no one feels alone on this special day. “I am so blessed to use my time and talents in this way,” adds Sha. “It feels wonderful to
Stronghurst UMC
$1,863 $1,872 $1,812 $1,350 $3,511 $2,583 $4,680 $4,464 $5,391 $3,384
75%
$1,305 $1,320 $1,272
75%
$3,168 $3,192 $3,084 $2,295 $5,976 $4,392 $7,956 $7,596 $9,171 $5,760
75%
Warsaw UMC Waverly UMC
$2,488 $5,850 $3,573 $6,381
67% 75% 75% 75%
$1,744 $4,104 $2,511 $4,473
67% 75% 75% 75%
$4,232 $9,954 $6,084 $10,854
67% 75% 75% 75%
Sugar Grove UMC - Rushville
100% 100%
100% 100%
100% 100%
Swan Creek UMC Taylor Ridge UMC
Williamsfield UMC Winchester UMC
75% 85% 75% 75% 75% 75% 75%
$945
75% 85% 75% 75% 75% 75% 75%
75% 85% 75% 75% 75% 75% 75%
Terre Haute UMC (closed)
$2,465 $1,809 $3,276 $3,132 $3,780 $2,376
WEST DISTRICT TOTALS
$638,476
70%
$446,438
70%
$1,084,913
70%
Victoria UMC
Viola UMC
Virden First UMC
IGRC TOTALS
$3,508,699
68%
$2,466,685
68%
$5,975,384
68%
Virginia UMC
Walnut Grove UMC - Prairie City
LOAL CHURCH NEWS
GLOBAL CHURCH NEWS
WORLD METHODIST COUNCIL SETS MEMBERSHIP RULES
PEORIA STUDENTS CONTINUED FROM 4
Photos courtesy of Home Sweet Home Ministries
to make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world. By coming together, we serve God’s people in our community and beyond.” The following United Methodist churches joined Forrest Hill UMC in this effort: • Princeville UMC • Bartonville-Kingston Mines UMC’s • Downs UMC
ing, green bean casserole, mashed potatoes and gravy, cranberry sauce, and pumpkin pie.” To make all this happen, our dedicated kitchen staff will start cooking turkeys at the end of October. “We’ll be preparing around 75 turkeys,” says Sha. “We will cook ap- proximately 8 per day.” As they spend hours in the kitchen, Sha knows that the gratitude and happiness they see makes every effort worthwhile. “Teamwork makes the dream work. As
provide nourishment and comfort to those we serve.” Every act of kindness can change a life. Help us spread companionship and cheer. Please kindly support our efforts to feed hundreds in need this November by donating at hshministries.org/donate . May your Thanksgiving be as meaningful and abundant as the hope you have bestowed upon countless others. From all of us Home Sweet Home, Happy Thanksgiving!
BY HEATHER HAHN
GOTHENBERG, Sweden (UMNews) – The United Methodist Church’s splintering has prompted Methodism’s ecumenical association to formalize its guidelines for admitting new members. “In cases where an applicant church was historically part of a World Methodist Council member church, the Officers shall engage in conversation with both parties,” says the new “Guidelines for Membership” document adopted by the council when it met Aug. 18. Applicants also must explain why they want to be part of the council and share the status of their existing ecumenical relations. The officers will then recommend to the full council whether to accept the applicant as a new member. The formalized membership guidelines come as departures from the World Methodist Council’s largest member, The United Methodist Church, have led to the launch of new breakaway denominations and already have shaken up some relationships within the wider Wesleyan family. The World Methodist Council took up the membership guidelines at a meeting after the closing worship of its 22nd World Methodist Conference. Unlike the festive Aug. 14-18 conference – which was primarily a time of fellowship and worship – the council meeting that followed was almost all business. Over three hours, about 200 voting delegates from six continents adopted statements on a range of international and religious issues including calling for a permanent ceasefire in the occupied Palestinian Territories. The membership guidelines sought to address concerns closer to home. Retired United Methodist Bishop Rosemarie Wenner, who helped draft the guidelines, stressed that what the ecumenical body approved was basically the same application process the ecumenical body had long been using. In fact, immediately before the World Methodist Conference, the council welcomed its newest member – the Thailand Union Methodist Church, which has roots in a Korean Methodist mission to the country. But at the prompting of United Methodist bishops, the World Methodist Council’s membership guidelines are now written down. “We saw it as an affirmation to help clarify a process that is in place already,” said Wenner. She serves a part-time role as one of two ecumenical officers for the United Methodist Council of Bishops. She also is the Geneva secretary for the World Methodist Council. The ecumenical body, founded in 1881, is a worldwide association of some 80 denominations with Methodist heritage representing more than 80 million members in 138 countries. “Through the Council,” the membership guidelines say, “Churches whose roots are traced to the Wesleyan movement in the 18th century connect by listening
• Hopedale and Delavan UMC’s • Mossville and RiversEdge UMC’s • The Bridge UMC
to and learning from one another, offering mutual encouragement and engaging in united witness in the ministry of making disciples of Jesus Christ.” The United Methodist Church – with more than 9 million members of its own on four continents – is both the council’s largest member denomination and, by far, its biggest financial contributor. For example, United Methodists paid about 75 percent of the more than $504,000 in membership dues that the council received in 2023. But over the past few years, like other Protestant denominations in the U.S. before it, The United Methodist Church has undergone a separation of sorts after decades of intensifying debate over LGBTQ people’s inclusion in the church. Since 2019, nearly 7,900 U.S. congregations – including 218 this summer – have received the necessary approvals to leave The United Methodist Church with property. Twenty-three churches in the Baltic nation of Estonia also departed last year and formed the Estonia Methodist Church, which already has signed a mutual recognition agreement with The United Methodist Church. As all this has been developing, the Global Methodist Church – a theologically conservative breakaway denomination – also has been getting off the ground. The Global Methodist Church, organized by conservative United Methodist advocacy groups that back bans on same-sex marriage and gay clergy, launched in May 2022 and has been recruiting mainly from the United Methodist fold ever since. As of May this year, the Global Methodist Church said it had about 4,500 congregations. The new denomination held its convening conference in September in Costa Rica. However, United Methodist bishops have denounced some of the new denomination’s recruitment tactics – which the bishops said failed to acknowledge United Methodists as fellow Christians. Leaders of the Global Methodist Church and advocacy groups, the Wesleyan Covenant Association and Good News, have insisted they do see United Methodists as fellow Christians. UMNews Photo by Heather Hahn United Methodist Bishop Debra Wallace-Padgett, the newly elected president of the World Methodist Council, leads a meeting of the council delegates Aug. 18, after the conclusion of the World Methodist Conference in Gothenburg, Sweden. Sitting beside Wallace-Padgett are (from left) the Rev. Myron Howie of the African Methodist Episcopal Church and the council’s new treasurer; the Rev. Dr. Reynaldo Leão Neto of the Methodist Church in Britain and the council’s new general secretary, and Joshua Rathnam of The Church of North India and the council’s new vice president. WORLD METHODIST COUNCIL CONTINUED ON PAGE 16
• Alton Main Street UMC • Peoria Northwest UMC • Dunlap Prospect UMC
STREET OUTREACH: PROVIDING CONNECTION AND SERVICE
Together, these congregations have made a tangible impact, ensuring that the students of Von Steuben Middle School will stay warm during the harsh winter months. This collaborative effort not only meets an immediate need but also demonstrates the power of unity within the United Methodist Church. This effort is a shining example of how United Methodist churches, through collaboration and shared purpose, continue to bring hope and transformation to their communities. It serves as a reminder that, despite challenges, the church is called to be a beacon of love and service in the world.
might want to work on. I don’t make anybody do anything they don’t want to do as far as goals. But if someone is wanting some dental care or medication or mental health services, I’m able to walk them through that process of connecting them with other agencies through a warm hand off.” Home Sweet Home is grateful to be collaborating with eight entities including both Bloomington and Normal Police Departments, Eastview Church, and Chestnut Health Systems. Our work with these partners help ensure a better continuity of care for our unsheltered neighbors. Through these connections, we help pave the way for healing and personal growth, fostering a community of support and resilience. “There is this one woman that I have been working with from day one,” shares Lauren. “Over the past few months, I have seen her get into housing. She is looking so healthy and making doctor’s appointments. She is even attempting to reconnect with family.”
PEORIA UNIVERSITY CONTINUED FROM 5
build relationships, encourage, support, care and pray for the staff of C.T. Vivian Primary School. Prayerful Mentors for C.T. Vivian Primary School Students In addition, volunteers commit to work with 1 – 2 students as Prayerful Mentors, on a weekly basis at a time designated by the teacher. Matthew 10:8 “Freely you have received; freely give.” Missions/Outreach Activity at C.T. Vivian Primary School Earlier this year in March, UUMC Missions Chair Barb Gurtler invited Midwest Missions to bring, from Pawnee, all the things needed to make 500 rice meal bags at the elementary school. Three classes of 4th grade students made the bags. The youngsters were engrossed in what they were doing. The next day the principal could hardly say enough good things about the day before, and she said the teachers felt it was a wonderful learning experience for the students. The students engaged in a lasting lesson in learning about helping others in need. CONGREGATIONAL CARE TEAM OUTREACH Monthly Worship and Communion Service Congregational Care Team Chair Lorene King and Retired Pastor Von Waggoner conduct a monthly service at one of the assisted living facilities. It consists of a brief worship service with songs, prayer and petitions; followed by communion. Although primarily for UUMC Members, anyone at the facility to welcome to attend. For more information on any of the ministry activities listed above, please call UUMC at (309) 688-3486 and leave a message for the person with whom you would like to speak.
“It’s those success stories that you’ve just got to hang onto really tight,” exclaims Lauren. “We’re hoping to make more lasting changes.” Home Sweet Home Ministries envisions a community where everyone has access to safe, stable, and affordable housing. Through our Street Outreach program, we are taking significant steps towards realizing this vision, offering hope and tangible support to those in need. Together, we can create a community where no one has to face homelessness alone.
You’re Invited to Night In A Car 2025 BLOOMINGTON – Fall is here and we are so excited to once again promote our unique fundraising experience: Night In A Car! The NIAC 2025 event is being held Friday, Feb. 7, with in-person and online options to accommodate participants of all ages. Night In A Car is a homelessness simulation that creates awareness, compassion, and hope for the many people in our community experiencing the difficult realities of homelessness this winter. Whether you are an individual, a youth group, or a team of employees looking to make a difference in Bloomington/Normal, Night In A Car is a fantastic way to get involved. Your support will help us drive out homelessness. To learn more and sign up, please visit nightinacar.org . Thanks for joining the ride!
14 | NOVEMBER 2024 | THE CURRENT
THE CURRENT | NOVEMBER 2024 | 15
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