LOCAL CHURCH NEWS
BISHOP BARD'S MLK LETTER
Celebrating the birthday of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
Coal City UMC awarded Worshipping Communities grant COAL CITY – What began as an endeavor to support the budget of the church's worship ministries turned into something beyond Coal City UMC’s wildest imagination. An internet search for grants pointed the church to Calvin Institute for Christian Worship. Its vital worship grants aim to bring renewal to the life of worshiping communities. The congregation's worship and technology committee looked at the proposals of past grant recipients and As the team dreamed of what a year-long renewal of beloved community might look like, they discovered that, by inviting a few musicians and theologians to come and lead workshops, worship, and unique worship experiences, more than half of the maximum grant would be used for leadership honorariums, travel, and other related expenses. By the time the team factored in music for ensembles, books for Sunday school and book club resources, meal expenses, and other items, the proposal was well over the maximum grant. upon practices related to beloved community (justice, compassion, hope, peace, joy, etc.) and chose books on those themes that could be used in Sunday school; they also began the process of securing members of the congregation to begin writing a weekly devotion (to be distributed to the congregation via e-mail) based upon those themes and Scriptures.
such dreams.
BISHOP DAVID ALAN BARD
And Dr. King could also speak about the underside of society, the social nightmares if you will. In the tradition of the prophets and Jesus, King looked clear-eyed at the reality of the world in which he lived. In his I Have a Dream Speech , King noted: “There are those who are asking the devotees of Civil Rights: “When will you be satisfied?” We can never be satisfied as long as the Negro is the victim of the unspeakable horrors of police brutality. We can never be satisfied as long as our children are stripped of their selfhood and robbed of their dignity by signs stating “For whites only.” No, no we are not satisfied, and we will not be satisfied until “justice rolls down like waters and righteousness like a mighty stream.”” Earlier that year, in his famous Letter from a Birmingham City Jail , Dr. King wrote eloquently of the pain of the Black experience in America: “I guess it is easy for those who have never felt the stinging darts of segregation to say wait. But when you have seen vicious mobs lynch your mothers and fathers at will and drown your sisters and brothers at whim; when you have seen hate-filled policemen curse, kick, brutalize, and even kill your black brothers and sisters with impunity; when you see the vast majority of your 20 million Negro brothers smothering in an airtight cage of poverty in the midst of an affluent society; when you suddenly find your tongue twisted and your speech stammering as you seek to explain to your six-year-old daughter why she can’t go to the public amusement park that has just been advertised on television, and see the tears welling up in her little eyes when she is told that Funtown is closed to colored children, and see the depressing clouds of inferiority begin to form in her little mental sky, and see her begin to distort her little personality by unconsciously developing a bitterness toward white people; when you have to concoct an answer for a five- year-old son who is asking in agonizing pathos: “Daddy, why do white people treat colored people so mean?” when you take a cross country drive and find it necessary to sleep night after night in the uncomfortable corners of your automobile because no motel will accept you; when you are humiliated day in and day out by nagging signs reading “white” men and “colored” when your first name becomes “nigger” and your middle name becomes “boy” (however old you are) and your last name becomes “John,” and when your wife and mother are never given the respected qualitative and quantitative data. These new metrics align with the Fresh Expressions movement, emphasizing a holistic understanding of church vitality that includes both inherited and emerging church forms. Ultimately, by embracing these new missional metrics, the church can ensure it remains resilient and true to its mission of making disciples for the transformation of the world. Maintenance is not the mission. These metrics bring us to the heart of the matter. Real lives changed for the better. Flesh and blood, incarnational communities, that transfigure the world. This celebration, shared with my Filipino co-church workers and family, showed me that traditions evolve but their essence remains the same. No matter where we are, gratitude brings us closer, reminding us of the beauty in our shared journey. My first Thanksgiving in America will always hold a special place in my heart as the start of a new tradition
Friends in Christ in the Illinois Great
Rivers Conference:
Greetings on this celebration of the birthday of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. This national holiday was instituted so our country might remember the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. as someone who worked diligently and passionately for civil rights and to make the promise of the United States of America real for all its citizens. We remember Dr. King as a dreamer of a renewed American dream “when all of God’s children, black men and white men, Jews and Gentiles, Protestants and Catholics, will be able to join hands and sing in the words of the old Negro spiritual, “Free at last, Free at last, Great God a-mighty, We are free at last.” King delivered these words in Washington, D.C. on Aug. 28, 1963, as part of the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom. Yet this was not the first time he had spoken of his dream. On June 23, 1963, in Detroit, Dr. King, led 125,000 in the Walk to Freedom. That evening he delivered a version of his "I Have a Dream" speech for the first time. Among my prize possessions is a vinyl record of King’s speech that night in Detroit. Dr. King was a profound dreamer who had a phenomenal ability to put such dreams into words. On the night before he was assassinated Dr. King was still dreaming. On the evening of April 3, 1968, in Memphis, Tenn., where King had come as part of his Poor People’s campaign to support sanitation workers in their struggle for better wages and working conditions, he delivered another remarkable speech. Ending, King spoke: “Well, I don't know what will happen now. We've got some difficult days ahead. But it really doesn't matter with me now, because I've been to the mountaintop. And I don't mind. Like anybody, I would like to live a long life. Longevity has its place. But I'm not concerned about that now. I just want to do God's will. And He's allowed me to go up to the mountain. And I've looked over. And I've seen the Promised Land. I may not get there with you. But I want you to know tonight, that we, as a people, will get to the promised land!” Dreams. As Christians we celebrate this Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. birthday holiday acknowledging that Dr. King’s dreams were rooted and grounded in faith in Jesus Christ. Dr. King not only called the nation to live out the true meaning of its creed that all were created equal, but also called people of faith to live out their faith by doing the work of justice, peace, reconciliation and love. Dr. King was a dreamer. It is helpful to focus on our dreams for a better world, for in doing so we are often energized to do the work necessary to bring us closer to
The congregation received word on Dec.13, that they would receive one of the Worshiping Communities grants for 2025! Not only did the church receive a grant, but they received the maximum award ($25,000). Now the congregation is working to implement their project proposal, inviting speakers, ordering materials, and planning for a year-long renewal to lead the church to become beloved community (all beyond the church's budget). The prayers of congregations throughout the Illinois Great Rivers Conference will help Coal City UMC achieve this monumental task. For more information about CICW and their grants, visit https://worship.calvin.edu/grants/ info/worshiping-communities Pleasant Grove UMC celebrates 175th anniversary SALEM – Pleasant Grove UMC, one of the oldest churches in Marion County, celebrated its I75th Homecomjng anniversary on Oct. 27. Pastor Carol Lakota Eastin conducted the morning church services, while Susan Shaffer Patterson was at the piano leading the music. If someone had been driving by that day, they would have heard music from some of the same old hymns drifting through that pleasant grove of trees that has been played for 153 years from that same little country church building. The first record of religious services being held in Pleasant Grove church community was in 1841. It was in that year that early settlers from the southeast section of Alma Township began meet ing together for religious services, and it was at the Pleasant Grove schoolhouse that the first sermon was preached in the township. The Sunday School was founded in 1848, and the banner which was carried to the county Sunday School picnics has h1mg in the church sanctuary for 90 years. The frame church building was built in 1871 at a cost of $1,600, and it is in this same building that services have continued to be held all these years later. The name "Pleasant Grove" was chosen for the community because the church was surrounded by beautiful oak and maple trees in a wooded area and located on the old Omega-Litchfield road in Section 14, Alma Township. It is still surrounded by oak trees along with a few new trees and cropland on all sides now. Following church services on Sunday, Richard Shaffer from Alma UMC and Joyce Wilkins from Pleasant Grove UMC, presented Pastor Carol with gifts in honor of Pastor Appreciation month. Dolores Ford Mobley told stories about olden days at the church which were shared with her by long time members, Lucille Vandeveer and Ruby Shaffer. Afterward, during a soup and sandwich luncheon in the church basement, several hundred photos of members from the Pleasant Grove church family which were taken by Bob Ford over a 60-year time span were enjoyed on screen.
began to dream of ways that such a grant might be used in Coal City. The conversation began in the summer of 2024, and as the administrative council concurrently began to talk about a vision for our congregation, "Becoming Beloved Community" surfaced as a common theme among church leaders. With that theme in mind, a task force from the worship and technology committee began work on formulating a grant proposal. A year-long focus on worship renewal might seem daunting, but as the team began putting together the proposal, they gained a couple of valuable insights. Grants range from $8,000 to $25,000, and the team wondered if their proposal could actually utilize the full amount of funding available.
The team completed a rough draft of the proposal by Oct. 1, which was reviewed and received feedback from members of the worship and technology committee and administrative council. Following revisions, the church submitted the grant proposal by the Oct. 15 deadline. While Calvin Institute for Christian Worship would take the next two months to review applications received from across the country, the congregation decided not to wait. Whether or not the church received the grant, the vision for the church depended on the congregation moving forward toward becoming a beloved community together. Church staff developed a year-long worship series based
title of “Mrs.” when you are harried by day and haunted by night by the fact that you are a Negro, living constantly at tip-toe stance, never quite knowing what to expect next, and plagued with inner fears and outer resentments; when you are forever fighting a degenerating sense of “nobodiness”—then you will understand why we find it difficult to wait. There comes a time when the cup of endurance runs over, and men are no longer willing to be plunged into an abyss of injustice where they experience the bleakness of corroding despair.” In his final speech the night before he died, where King envisioned the promised land, he painted a realistic picture of a more difficult current reality. “The world is all messed up. The nation is sick. Trouble is in the land; confusion all around. That's a strange statement. But I know, somehow, that only when it is dark enough can you see the stars. And I see God working in this period of the twentieth century in a way that men, in some strange way, are responding.” In the tradition of the prophets and Jesus, Dr. King offered profound analyses of the nightmare dimensions of reality while simultaneously painting beautiful pictures of a better world, a world more in keeping with God’s dream for the world. This MLK Birthday holiday will also be inauguration day in the United States, marking a change in the political leadership of our country as Donald Trump is sworn in as president. Some are celebrating. Some are deeply concerned. No matter who our president is, no matter the political makeup of Congress, we should emulate Dr. King in holding fast to dreams while honestly looking at our history and current reality. I want our political leaders to succeed insofar as success is measured as progress toward the common good – the meeting of basic human needs, providing opportunities for human flourishing and care for the planet. Where the common good is furthered, we should celebrate. Where we fall short, we should point that out. On this celebration of the birthday of Dr. King, which is also inauguration day, let us rededicate ourselves in the name and Spirit of Jesus to the work of building Beloved Community and furthering the common good. May we be tenacious dreamers who also consistently point out where people are living more nightmarish lives. filled with love, hope, and specially Thanksgiving to God. (Michael Adam Beck is currently the Director of the Fresh Expressions House of Studies at United Theological Seminary. Director of Fresh Expressions Florida, and Director of Fresh Expressions for The United Methodist Church. He serves as the co-pastor of Wildwood UMC, St Marks UMC, and Compassion UMC with his wife, Jill, where they direct addiction recovery programs, a jail ministry, a food pantry, an interracial unity movement, and house a faith-based inpatient treatment center. Wildwood and St Marks are traditional congregations AND a network of thirteen fresh expressions that gather in tattoo parlors, dog parks, salons, running tracks, community centers, burrito joints, and digital spaces. Reprinted with permission from the Passional Church Substack, https://passionalchurch.substack.com/ )
Little churches do big things!
BY SARA ISBELL Pastor, Bloomington: Wesley-West Olive Faith UMCs BLOOMINGTON — For the past 13 years, West Olive Faith UMC in Bloomington has had a special relationship, and a ministry of encouragement, with Sarah E. Raymond School of Early Education. Located a few short blocks from the church, Sarah Raymond provides Kindergarten Pre- readiness, Structured play, Language development, Social skills, Nutrition (daily snack provided for
anyone who wanted it. Several teachers sat down and enjoyed conversation for awhile before heading back to school. It is evident that real relationships have formed between these Olive Street neighbors. “I’ve been coming here eight years,” one teacher said gratefully. “These are such nice people.” Another teacher agreed, “This church makes me feel seen. And loved,” she added. A few first-time cookie-walkers were just amazed at the quantity and variety of treats. “I haven’t had time to bake; I’m bringing these home to my family!” one exclaimed. Raymond Social Worker Amanda Bittner was full of gratitude. “This means so much to the teachers,” she said. “They look forward to it every year!” West Olive members responded by wishing her family a Merry Christmas and offering up prayers for teachers and their loved ones. Leftover cookies went to West Olive homebound members. If you ever wonder whether little churches can do big things – THEY CAN! And they do! Story and photos by Rev. Sara Isbell, Bloomington Wesley and West Olive UMC’s.
students), and Personal hygiene instruction for children ages 3-5. The school has been West Olive’s primary outreach since 2011 when the church began helping fill weekend food supply bags for students. On Monday, Dec. 16, church members Shirley Danner, Marion Richards, Dorothy Veitengruber and Barbara Stubblefield were ready and waiting with a plentiful “Cookie Walk” prepared for 44 teachers at Sarah Raymond School. Barb’s daughter Bethany was there, too; “This is the church I grew up in,” she said. “I come back every year to help with the Cookie Walk. I made 420 cookies this year!” The spread was extraordinary: every teacher was given a plastic tub to fill and invited to peruse tables full of delicious and colorful homemade cookies as a “thank you” for their excellent work. They gathered up everything from regular Chocolate Chip and Oatmeal Raisin, to special holiday treats like “peppermint pudding cookies” and “maraschino mouthfuls,” as well as a mystery item called “Linda’s Sunday School cookies” (which disappeared quickly from the table)! At the end of the “cookie buffet,” church member Shirley Danner was ready with hot wassail and a hug for
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creating leadership pathways that prioritize mission over mere maintenance, the church can refocus and reestablish itself as a dynamic force for disciple-making and societal transformation in the twenty-first century. To effectively measure church vitality in the era of transvocational ministry, it is essential to move beyond traditional metrics of maintenance and focus on missional outcomes. The church’s vitality should be assessed based on the relationships it builds, the community engagement it fosters, and the transformative impact it has on the world. Traditional metrics like attendance and financial giving fail to capture the dynamic, outward-facing nature of the church’s mission. By adopting a narrative-based approach to measurement, that includes insight from sociology, churches can better assess their role in the world and capture both
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