NEWS FROM THE EPISCOPAL OFFICE
Inside
River Ramblings A SEASON TO GROW, KNOW AND SHOW LOVE MORE DEEPLY What a difference a month makes. Since my last column, the 2024 election has
THIS ISSUE 1 News from the Episcopal Office
To be sure the Roman Empire appeared solid and stable - the Pax Romana - the peace of Rome. But the peace of Rome was often maintained by the suppression of conquered peoples, and that included the Jewish population in Palestine. Underneath the peace of Rome there were stirrings of rebellion. Within the leadership of Rome, there was often intrigue. Octavian, Gaius Julius Caesar Augustus, was the founder of the Empire and among the deeds that brought him to power was execution of Caesarean, son of Cleopatra and Julius Caesar. The territory of the empire was vast, requiring large deployments of soldiers. Local elites became part of the ruling structure, often putting them in opposition to their own people. And something happened in that world, in that time, that reverberates into our day and time and into our lives. Older texts were used to describe what happened. “Those who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who lived in a land of deep darkness, on them light has shined…. For a child has been born for us, a sin given to us; authority rests upon his shoulders; and he is named
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace” (Isaiah 9:2,6). New texts emerged. “The light
2 Announcements & Events 3 Christian Conversations 4-5 Local Church News 6-7 Five Star Challenge for 2025 8-9 Judicial Council News 10 Global News 11-12 Conference News
Pastor Sylvester Weatherall and Pastor Darla Holden lead a rededication of the 1909 church building. (AT RIGHT) Also pictured are the various buildings that have housed the church over the years. 4
concluded. Donald Trump is President-elect, becoming only the second person in United States history to serve non-consecutive terms as president. The Republican Party will have majorities in both the Senate and the House of Representatives. There is celebration among some and consternation among others. The week prior to the election, the United Methodist Judicial Council released decision 1512 which invalidated the conference’s exit plan for churches the majority of whose members wanted a future for their congregation outside The United Methodist Church. The Judicial Council made clear the paragraph 2549 in the Book of Discipline is only about church closures and not church exits. There is relief among some and frustration among others. In both cases clarity has also created uncertainty. For our conference, how might we find ways to work together in ministry amid uneasiness and tensions? For our country, what policies might the new administration and congress enact in the way of border security, the economy and health care? How might mass deportations be enacted and with what consequences? One appalling aftermath of the recent election has been the emboldening of ugly racist voices. The day after the election, a number of Black students received text messages which told them to report to plantations to pick cotton. Violence was threatened. In a few instances students were personally harassed. In a statement released following the election, the Council of Bishops noted, “we affirm the inherent dignity of all God’s children.” The bishops pledged to work alongside others “to build beloved community that reflects God’s kingdom on earth.” No matter one’s politics or who you voted for these abhorrent racist voices should be strongly condemned. And December, we celebrate the birth of Jesus at Christmas. The world into which Jesus was born, though very different from ours in many ways, was a world of uncertainty and difficulty. APPOINTMENTS In consultation with the Cabinet of the Illinois Great Rivers Conference, Bishops David Bard and Kennetha Bigham- Tsai appoint the following: Larry Moreau to Witt, Central District, less than ¼ time, effective Sept. 1. Change of status Zach Waldis, withdrawal to unite with another denomination, effective Nov. 13, 2024. He previously was on Personal Leave of Absence. James Oppedal , discontinuation of appointment and license as a part-time local pastor, effective June 30, 2024. He previously served at Chester, Central District. Miranda Denler to Oasis Hospice and Pallative Care, North District, ¾ time, effective Oct. 13. This is a change from full-time to ¾ time. Floyd Blackard , discontinuation of appointment, Bissell, Central District, effective Aug. 1. He remains appointed to Riverton First. Roberta Blackard , discontinuation of appointment, Bissell, Central District, effective Aug. 1. She remains appointed to Riverton First. James Crozier to Camp Point-Centennial: Ebenezer, West District, ¾ time, effective Jan. 1, 2025. This is a change from full-time to ¾ time. Richard Miles , discontinuation of appointment, effective May 20. He previously served at Fairview, Central District.
BISHOP David Alan Bard
shines in the darkness and the darkness did not overcome it” (John 1:5). These texts both center on the story told in Luke 2, which begins by providing an imperial context. “In those days a decree went out from Emperor Augustus that all the world should be registered.” Registration had to do with imperial rule including taxation. And in a backwater part of the empire, in Bethlehem of Judea, a child is born to a couple who had traveled from Nazareth of Galilee, still the sticks. The child was not born in imperial splendor but in a manger, a place from which animals were fed. The story makes an astonishing and audacious claim.
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Photos courtesy of Harrisburg First UMC Harrisburg First UMC held its Consecration Sunday and Fish Fry on Oct. 20 with Bishop David Bard and South District Superintendent Stan Irvin.
DEATHS
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Cynthia Jones, 9391 Palm Island Cir., North Ft. Myers, FL 33903-5251.
Former part-time local pastor, Judith A. “Judy” Miller , 82, died Nov. 6 in Alton. Judy served 4 ½ years in active ministry, pastoring at Granite City: Dewey Ave. and as an associate pastor at Bethalto. She
It is not in this imperial center in Rome, but in this humble, backwater village that God is most powerfully at work. Shepherds are interrupted by angels who bring good news after great joy. A savior is born, one to bring peace. Glory to God. Song and light. In a difficult time for so many, there is light and hope. And the story has been shared for generations, each year at Christmas. Its message reverberates through the years. In darkness and uncertainty there is light, there is hope that lights our lives, even in an uncertain world and in uncertain times. Jesus Christ, born great distances from imperial palaces, and away from centers of power, has the power to save, to bring peace, to change the world, to change us. That is what we remember and celebrate in the Christmas season. Jesus Christ, the power of God’s saving love. The God of Jesus Christ who enters our world filled with volatility and violence and uncertainty and pain to bring hope and healing. We need not be overwhelmed by life, stuck in the muck and mire. We are loved. We can make a difference. My wish for us this Christmas is that we might all know God’s love more deeply, grow in that love more profoundly, and share that love more widely.
Lois Rapp , 87, widow of the Rev. Stanley A. Rapp, died Oct. 24 in Gibson City. Together with her husband, the Rapps served 40 years in active ministry, retiring in 2001 from
Fairbury. In retirement, Rev. Rapp served at Roberts for an additional 19 years. He died Dec. 11, 2020. Visit: https://www.rosenbaumfh.com/ obituaries/Lois-J-Rapp?obId=33526710 for a complete obituary. Condolences may be sent to her daughter, Tammy Kendrick, 1345 E 1200N Rd, Melvin, IL 60952-4018.
discontinued as a local pastor on June 30, 2010. In addition to pastoring, Judy served nine years as a chaplain at Alton Memorial Hospital and chaplain at the United Methodist Village for 10 years. She also was a former Conference Director of Lay Speaking. For a complete obituary, visit: https://www. eliaskallalandschaaf.com/obituaries/Judith- A-Miller?obId=33643586 , where condolences may be left for the family.
The Current (USPS 014-964) is published monthly by the Illinois Great Rivers Conference of The UMC, 5900 South Second Street, Springfield, IL 62711 An individual subscription is $15 per year. The opinions expressed in viewpoints are those of the writers and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Current, The IGRC, or The UMC . Communications Team Leader: Paul E. Black Team members: Kim Halusan, Michele Willson Send materials to: P.O. Box 19207, Springfield, IL 62794-9207 or tel. 217.529.2040 or fax 217.529.4155 thecurrent@igrc.org , website www.igrc.org Periodical postage paid at Peoria, IL, and additional mailing offices. POSTMASTER: Please send address changes to The Current , Illinois Great Rivers Conference, P.O. Box 19207, Springfield, IL 62794-9207
IGRC retired pastor, the Rev. Lavon Bayler , 91, died Oct. 23. Rev. Bayler served 39 years in active ministry, retiring from
IGRC retired pastor, the Rev. E. Wade Gregory , 84, died Nov. 5, in Indianapolis, Ind.
Decatur: Central in 1993. For a complete obituary,
Rev. Gregory served 21 years of active ministry, serving Latham, Niantic, Lovington, Sidell and Fisher before going on medical leave in November 1996. He retired as an associate member of the conference in 2006. Condolences may be sent to wife, Onda Gregory, 6927 Silver Tree Dr., Indianapolis, IN 46236-3812.
visit: https://tributearchive.com/ obituaries/33531054/lavon-eldo-bayler/ decatur/illinois/brintlinger-and-earl-funeral- home Condolences may be sent to his wife, Denise Bayler, 206 W Route 33, Shumway, IL 62461-1011. Gordon L. Monahan , 87, the spouse of the Rev. Nancy Monahan, died Oct. 20 at his home in Champaign.
E. Anne Jones , 93, widow of the Rev. Dr. J. William Jones, died Nov. 4 in Ft. Myers, Fla. Together with her husband, the Joneses served 44 years of active ministry in the former Central
Rev. Monahan served 20 years of active ministry and went on
honorable location in August 2020. For a complete obituary, visit: https://
Illinois Conference, retiring in 1993 from Peoria: First. He died July 25, 2020. She is the mother of IGRC retired pastor, the Rev. Cynthia Jones and the mother-in-law of the late Rev. E. Michael Jones. A Celebration of the Lives of E. Anne Jones and J. William Jones will be held in Illinois at a later date. Condolences may be sent to her daughter, the Rev.
Merry Christmas. Blessed New Year. Bishop David Bard
tributearchive.com/obituaries/33471313/ gordon-l-monahan/champaign/illinois/ sunset-funeral-home-cremation-center Condolences may be sent to Rev. Nancy Monahan, 5 Lake Park Rd, Champaign, IL 61822-7101.
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