November 2024 Current

LOCAL CHURCH NEWS

Bloomington-Normal churches lead Kindness Campaign

HARRISBURG FIRST HOSTS FIRST CARING FOR KIDS TRIVIA NIGHT

BLOOMINGTON – Election Season doesn’t always bring out the best in people. But BloNo UM’s (Bloomington-Normal United Methodists) have an important reminder: Do Unto Others as You’d Have Done Unto You. In other words, Be Kind! Inspired by the work of Resurrection: A United Methodist Church in Leawood Kansas, the six United Methodist Churches and ISU MERGE Wesley Foundation have banded together this fall to lead a “Kindness Campaign” throughout our community. Pastors and lay people from Calvary, Hope, Morningstar, Normal First, West Olive Faith, Wesley UMC’s and ISU MERGE have been handing out T-shirts, yard signs, stickers, daily devotions, small group studies and other items to their own members and throughout the community, at several local events. • Our table at the Saturday Farmers’ Market brought visitors and information-seekers from all around Bloomington-Normal to learn more about the campaign. • A “Kindness Rally” at the Old Capitol featured PEORIA – Caring for those in need is a fundamental tenet of our Christian faith. At University UMC, there has been a concerted effort to pinpoint and address some of the needs we have made note of, as presented in Matthew 25:35-36: “For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.” This verse emphasizes the importance of caring for those in need. It reminds us that when we care for others who are hungry, thirsty, without shelter, in need of clothing, sick, or imprisoned, we are ultimately caring for Christ Himself. It highlights the need for compassion and practical acts of service in our daily interactions with others. MISSION Peoria Neighborhood House Every 11 weeks, University UMC volunteers prepare and serve 75-80 Sunday Meals at noon, at Peoria’s Neighborhood House. Neighborhood House is a non- profit established in 1876 that provides literacy, financial, career and food services from the cradle to the grave. A coalition of churches and other community organizations alternate each week to cook for residents who may be facing “food insecurity”. Meals are lovingly prepared on Sunday morning in UUMC's kitchen, placed in food warmers, and transported to Neighborhood House, located 4.5 miles from UUMC on Peoria’s near southside. Desserts are made and donated by additional church members. Once the group arrives, the food warmers are unloaded and placed on a steam table. Servers assemble to pray before serving food and the holy spirit to families and individuals who reside nearby. UUMC began the service to the residents in 2014. As part of the Missions Committee, chaired by Barbara Gurtler, this ministry activity and Snack Packs, are coordinated by Missions member Renee’ Kilduski. Snack Packs Like so many other churches, University UMC also provides snack packs for school children. C. T. Vivian Elementary School receives 265 snack packs, weekly, throughout the school year. Assorted items include an entree, a dry cereal or similar type food, and hot chocolate during winter months.

testimonies by United Methodists (and members of First Christian), ages 7-70, about the kind of world we hope to live in, and the ways we commit to showing acts of kindness between now and the national elections. Over 200 people attended, wearing “Do Unto Others” t-shirts, cheering for peace, welcoming local elected officials and candidates, and closing the rally by marching together to the Bloomington Election Commission to pray over the workers, volunteers, officials and voters. • Normal First UMC hosted an Election Decisions Seminar to help people think about the interplay of Facts and Emotions in their election decision- making. • Bloomington Wesley UMC held a potluck and Missions Fair, giving people opportunities to participate in a variety of service projects while learning about outreach ministries. • First Christian hosted an information session about Up to 20 volunteers gather faithfully on Sunday mornings, prior to worship service, to assemble the items; they are delivered by Friday, in time for the weekend. It is funded by the Missions Committee, donations, and in Partnership with Midwest Food Bank of Peoria. This ministry has been active since January 2016. At Christmas time, UWF collects hats, scarves, mittens and socks, to distribute to the children at C.T. Vivian. OUTREACH Care Bags This outreach activity was initiated on Maundy Thursday “care bags” to serve others. Members hand out these bags to some of the homeless individuals they often encounter on community streets. Fifty bags were assembled that evening. Useful hygiene items and snacks are placed into gallon- sized, ziplock bags. The contents included travel-size tooth paste/toothbrush, apple sauce, small bottle of water, mixed nuts for variety, bars of protein-rich snack bars, face or body wipes, hand sanitizer wipes, cups of various fruits and a spoon. This activity has already been repeated a couple months later. Not only does it give individuals the opportunity to help those in need, but those also participating bond with one another as bags are put together, assembly-line style. Each bag is labeled, “Because We Care – University United Methodist Church”. Recipients are surprised and grateful when they receive one of the bags. Outreach Committee Chair Jayne Ferguson and various other committee members take turns in coordinating this ongoing activity. Drive Thru/ Walk Thru Prayer Kickoff for this quarterly activity was on Good Friday (March 31) this year. So far, dozens of adults and youth have been prayed for, while remaining in their vehicles, or on bicycles, as they enter or depart the residential area around the church; as well as the sidewalk pedestrians. This neighborhood prayer team consists of Lorene King (member of Outreach); retired pastor Von Waggoner; and member Susie Brown, both members of the Congregational Care Ministry Team. 2024. Our pastor, Rev. Mary Kathryn Pearce, created the Maundy Thursday worship service focusing on Jesus being the servant for all. As a significant part of the worship, those present created

HFUMC has provided this resource for more than 18 years, and it is one of their largest missions. Caring for Kids provides food on weekends, holidays, and summer months for students who are food insecure in the Harrisburg school district. Five schools are provided more than 1,400 food bags each month. The average cost to operate this mission is $4,500 per month. Generous donations from Harrisburg First United Methodist Church and it congregates, individuals, businesses, and organizations have assured Caring for Kids’ longevity.

BY KAREN HENDERSON Caring for Kids Director, Harrisburg First UMC HARRISBURG – Many questions were being asked Sept. 14 at Harrisburg First UMC. Most would agree they were trivial. Caring for Kids held its first ever Trivia Night fundraiser with more than 75 persons attending. Many had correct answers, a few incorrect answers but the Holy Spirit had the real answer with more than $12,000 raised for the Caring for Kids mission. $6,000 was raised that night and a benefactor’s trust matched the donations.

Photos courtesy of Harrisburg First UMC

Caring for Kids is operated totally with volunteer help. Each month during the school year volunteers from nearly every church in the Harrisburg community come together at HFUMC to prepare the food bags for delivery to the schools each week. This work is only made possible due to the collaboration with administrators, teachers, staff, and parents of Harrisburg Unit 3.

Photo courtesy of Bloomington Normal UMC

Listening Circles, a project designed to help people really listen to one another without judgment or fear.

The logo for the Kindness Campaign was produced by Resurrection UMC in Kansas, and shows a heart combining the “political” colors of red and blue, into a cooperative purple foundation reading, “Do Unto Others.” For more information about the Kindness Campaign, go to www.campaignforkindness.com . Peoria University develops numerous ways to reach its community BY LORENE KING IGRC Lay Leader and Peoria University Congregational Care Chair

Pekin First builds duplex in latest part of its housing ministry BY VALERIE MOEHLE, Pekin First UMC

what would take place at Providence Place. But God had a different plan. As the church walked along side the trailer owners, God unfolded opportunities to release them from the circumstances they found themselves in and by the end of January 2022, the church owned all the trailers and had removed them. And now the next step is unfolding at Providence Place – the duplex that will be raised in September – an opportunity to serve more people and transform more lives for Christ by providing safe and affordable housing and a path forward to a transformed life with the love and support of a whole congregation – and a community – walking alongside them with love, prayer, tangible support and encouragement where they need it most. “The approach of the ROCHouse ministry to truly transform the lives of people one household at a time is inspiring. With the Providence Place build, the church is tripling its ability to make a difference through this ministry,” said Rev. Mike Crawford, North District Superintendent. City leaders agree. “Pekin First has proven to be a community partner to many and in many ways,” Amy McCoy, executive director of the Pekin Chamber of Commerce. “This construction project will bring about a place that offers hope and light to those it will house. Their dedicated team is truly to be commended and encouraged as they progress through this project.” “Everyone then who hears these words of mine and acts on them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain fell, the floods came and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it had been found on rock.” — Matt. 7: 24-25 For additional information contact: Valerie Moehle, 309- 267-0253; vmoehle@moehlelaw.com

PEKIN – The ROCHouse ministry of Pekin First UMC has begun construction of a duplex at 1307 N. Fifth St. in Pekin. The duplex, called “Providence Place” is designed for families and will be used as a part of the ROCHouse transformational housing ministry that transforms lives for Christ through a ministry with families in transition by providing housing, spiritual guidance, and other support as identified by each family together with the ministry team. From Sept. 16-29, a volunteer team from World Mission Builders, together with volunteers from the church and the community were on site to frame up the duplex – much like an old fashioned barn raising. World Mission Builders brought in volunteers from many different states who were hosted in local homes and shared common meals provided by Pekin First UMC, St. Paul United Church of Christ, Grace UMC, Congregational United Church of Christ, First United Presbyterian Church and others. Other significant support is being provided by Standard Heating and Cooling, Benassi Roofing and Adult and Teen Challenge. "Pekin First UMC believes that Jesus meant it when he said, 'whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me (Matthew 25:40).' They live out their faith by serving the community, specifically those most in need. The ROCHouse Ministry, Providence Place, and Charis Place represent this heart for mission and service here in Pekin. I'm honored to be their pastor,” said Rev. Sean Peters, pastor of Pekin First UMC. More than 10 years ago, Pekin First received a generous gift that empowered the congregation to think more boldly about what God was calling it into. From the visioning around that gift emerged a ministry idea that the church

Prayers might focus on the individual’s immediate destination, their life goals, or events happening in their lives that cause immediate concern, i.e. general safety, success stories, weekend leisure activities, family/friend deaths, drug addiction (usage and recovery), etc. Persons also receive a pocket prayer card. Dedicated members of the Trustees support this ministry by positioning yard signs and the banner to promote the

Photos courtesy of Pekin First UMC

must move outside of its building and into the community in order to serve, share and be the Gospel of Christ. From the seeds of that first generous gift emerged the idea of ROC – Reaching our Community – Ministries. Fast forward about 10 years and another generous gift – the gift of brick home next door to Providence Place, propelled the church to embrace that idea more fully into the ROCHouse transformational housing ministry. As volunteers readied the home (now named Charis Place) for the first family, they were drawn to the property next door which housed a small trailer park with five older trailers in various states of disrepair – including two that were uninhabited and uninhabitable. And God went to work – on the hearts of the volunteers and others – drawing the church into a vision to expand the ROCHouse ministry. Pekin First received the gift of Charis Place in May 2021 and by mid-September of that year had purchased the trailer park and called it Providence Place – because the church saw God’s unexpected providence in the unfolding of this opportunity. The church expected to be a landlord to the trailer owners for several years while it planned out

event to the public. The final quarterly prayer date of 2024 will be in October. Prayer Request Mailbox A Prayer Request Mailbox was dedicated on May 5, near the patio area during the annual outdoor service on the rear side of the church. The purpose was to offer solace and support to the many pedestrians who pass through our church grounds, daily. Most passersby are youth, but there are many adults who walk through church grounds as a shortcut; all may partake of having a place to rest on one of

several permanent benches on the bricked patio, but also knowing that they can be uplifted in prayer by the entire church. Names from the Prayer Requests are given to the church administrative assistant to publish in the weekly, e-mailed prayer requests. The mailbox is monitored weekly by rotating members of the Outreach Committee. Annual Neighborhood Ice Cream Social In the month of August, Outreach member Jan Deissler coordinated an Ice Cream Social which featured a variety of ice cream, cakes, and pies on a sunny, Sunday afternoon. Area residents were notified by yard signs strategically posted around the surrounding neighborhood by the chairperson. The most exciting part of the event was a member of UUMC going to each home in the broader neighborhood and inviting persons. Residents began coming forth to join in the fun. Persons of all ages were served. In this case, all caution on nutrition and caloric content was suspended for two hours. Faithful Friends Prayer Team for C.T. Vivian Primary School Staff Coordinated by Cari Borland, UUMC’s long-term partnership with this school engages a number of UUMC members who commit to uplifting and encouraging teachers and staff as prayer partners. The mission of Faithful Friends is “To be disciples of Jesus Christ who

United Methodists unite to keep Peoria students warm this winter BY ALETHA WEATHERALL, Pastor, Peoria Forrest Hill UMC PEORIA – In a heartwarming display of unity and compassion, United Methodist churches in the Peoria area have come together to address a pressing need in the community. Two months ago, Patricia Oshaughnessy from the Peoria School District reached out to Forrest Hill UMC, seeking assistance in keeping the children of Von Steuben Middle School warm during the winter months. Von Steuben, one of the oldest school buildings in Peoria, is known for being drafty, and many of the students arrive without proper winter clothing, leaving them cold throughout the day. Understanding the magnitude of the need, Forrest Hill UMC quickly realized that this project was bigger than one church could manage alone. They reached out to their fellow United Methodist congregations in the area, and the response was nothing short of extraordinary. The generosity and kindness of the United Methodist family shone through as churches across the region partnered to provide muchneeded winter gear for the children. “We are better together,” said the Pastor, Aletha Weatherall of Forrest Hill UMC. “This project shows that, as United Methodists, we continue to live out our mission

ABBOTT SPEAKS AT NATIONAL FACILITY CONFERENCE CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. – Champaign Faith UMC Director of Church Administration, Doug the title of his presentation was: What to Consider when Building or Upgrading Your Church Facility Using Green Initiatives. Champaign Faith UMC has the distinction of being the first church facility in Illinois and the first building in Champaign-

Abbott, was one of the speakers at the CFX National Church Facility Conference, Oct. 21-23, in Chattanooga Tenn. The conference drew participants from around the country and incorporates a church building conference, facility stewardship conference, tech arts conference and church safety conference in the three-day event. Abbott presented at the church building and facility stewardship conferences and

Urbana to be awarded LEED certification for their 2006 addition. Since that time Faith has continued to utilize green initiatives in its facility. LEED stands for “Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design” and is a program of the U.S. Green Building Council. CFX Conference information can be found by visiting its website: https:// churchfacilitiesexpo.com/

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