2025maycurrent

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NEWS FROM THE EPISCOPAL OFFICE

DEATHS CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

River Ramblings LIVING ‘AS IF’: WE ARE EASTER PEOPLE

IGRC retired pastor, the Rev. Dr. Gilbert Fletcher , 90, died March 25. He served 33 years in active ministry, retiring from El Paso in 1996. For a complete obituary, visit: https:// www.gracelandfairlawn.com/

THIS ISSUE 1 News from the Episcopal Office

We turn the calendar to the month of May, this year following quickly on our celebration of the resurrection at Easter. In the church calendar we are in the season of Easter the entire month this year. In May it is as if the whole natural world joins us in celebrating new life – trees budding, grass greening, the warmth of the sun, the singing of the birds. Easter season in the liturgical season of the Church is the 50 days between Easter Sunday and Pentecost. In a very real sense, though, Easter season is where we perpetually live our lives as followers of Jesus. We are a resurrection people. Reflecting on Easter in A Guide to Prayer for All Who Walk with God , Bishop Rueben Job wrote: “This is the new world in which the Christian now lives – the Kingdom of God on earth as it is in heaven, life abundant and eternal. This is the news that brings hope to every Christian in every age and circumstance. It is the truth that gives courage and hope in the darkest hour and brings comfort, joy, and peace for all time.” We are an Easter people. This does not mean we fail

to recognize frustration, pain, difficulty, grief, suffering, or death. We do not fail to recognize hatred, violence, injustice, the erosion of freedom or the abuse of power. The great teacher, theologian and writer Howard Thurman put it poignantly: “Suffering is universal for mankind. … Suffering stalks man, never losing the scent and soon or late seizes upon him to wreak its devastation.” ( Disciplines of the Spirit , 64). Such a statement is not intended to encourage acquiescence to all suffering. Some suffering can be prevented, and we should work to prevent it. Some suffering can be alleviated, and we should work to end it. In the midst of all suffering, compassion and care may be offered, and we should offer it. As Easter people we see the world truthfully, in all its beauty and brutality, its tenderness and tragedy. We stand in wonder when we witness love, goodness, beauty and generosity of spirit. We stand perplexed as we witness violence, hard-heartedness, dehumanization, the destruction of community and the misuse of the natural world. And the good news of God raising Jesus is the reality

in which we live. Easter is an energy to lean into care, compassion, love, goodness, beauty and tenderness. Easter is an energy for courage and hope. Forgive me for

obituaries/gilbert-fletcher/obituary Condolences may be sent to his wife, Rose Mary Fletcher, 2520 S. Fletcher Ave., Decatur, IL 62521-9636.

BISHOP David Alan Bard

We have just received word of the death of Ruth Dolores Gott , widow of the Rev. Everett E. Gott, who died Nov.13, 2024 In Macon, Ga. Together with her husband, the Gotts served 22 years of active ministry in

echoing my Easter letter, but I think

it bears repeating. With Easter energy we live as if joy outlasts tears. We live as if justice overcomes. W live as if beauty always returns. We live as if beloved community is always possible. We live as if tenderness is our greatest strength. We live as if love is the most powerful thing there is. And we don’t simply live “as if.” We trust that it is so because God’s way is the way of resurrection. This is the season in which we live. This is the river we ramble together. Bishop David Bard

the former Southern Illinois Conference, retiring in 1989 from Enfield-Wesley Chapel. Rev. Gott died July 23, 2014. Mrs. Gott was a substitute teacher throughout Southern Illinois for many years. For a complete obituary, visit: https://www. jordanfuneralgroup.com/obituaries/dolores-gott Condolences may be sent to the family at: 281 Springhill Church Rd., Lizella, GA 31052.

14-17 Apportionments 19-20 Conference News

Photos courtesy of Harrisburg First UMC Harrisburg First UMC celebrated Palm Sunday with a very lively, spirit-filled worship service. Following the service the church held their annual Soup and Pie Auction with proceeds going to the church’s Caring for Kids program.

T H E current MAY 2025 | VOL. 29 • NO. 9

APPOINTMENTS In consultation with the Cabinet of the Illinois Great Rivers Conference, Bishops David Bard and Kennetha J. Bigham-Tsai appoint the following: Robert Dillingham to Rochester- Edinburg, Central District, effective July 1. He is currently on Medical Leave. Michael Barclay to Greenville: First-Mulberry Grove, Central District, effective July 1. Sara L. Isbell to Superintendent, East District, effective July 1. James A. Fielder to Superintendent, West District, effective July 1. Cindy Rettig to New Holland, Central District, less than ¼ time, effective March 1. Ellen Dodd to Smithfield Brock-Locust Lane, North District, ¾ time, effective July 1. She will be serving as a retired local pastor. Martin Ellison to Glasford-Shields Chapel, North District, effective July 1. This is a charge realignment. Ted A. Hartley to East Peoria: First, North District, ½ time, effective July 1. Roberta Robbins to Orion, West District, ½ time, effective July 1. Thad Galloway to McLeansboro: First, South District, effective July 1. This is a charge realignment as McLeansboro: First is now a single-point charge. Mark England Graham to Twin Rivers Cooperative Parish (Church of the Cross-Hampton Grace-Hillsdale), West District, effective July 1. This is a charge realignment with Hillsdale joining the charge. Chris Easton to Sidell, East District, ½ time, effective June 1. He is a full member of the Church of the Nazarene. Supply or assigned not appointed Jennifer Harris to Tate’s Chapel, South District, less than ¼ time, effective July 1. This is her first assignment in the IGRC as a certified lay minister.

Change of status Terry McDorman , discontinuation of appointment, effective July 1. He is currently serving at Macon, Central District as a retired clergy member from the Northern Illinois Conference. Judy Doyle , discontinuation of appointment, effective July 1. She is currently serving at Glasford, North District. Rolando Renteria , discontinuation of status as a local pastor, effective July 1. He is currently serving the Greater Annawan Parish (Annawan Community- Hooppole Zion-Fairview), West District. Randy Burwell , discontinuation of status as a local pastor, effective July 1. He is currently serving Industry- Bushnell-Walnut Grove, West District. Crystal Burwell , discontinuation of supply assignment, effective July 1. She is currently serving Industry-Bushnell- Walnut Grove (Assoc), West District. Angel Gomez , discontinuation of appointment, effective April 1. He was previously serving the Westmer Larger Parish (Joy-Eliza Community-New Boston), West District. Melva Graham England , discontinuation of appointment, effective July 1. She is currently serving at Hillsdale, West District. Elizabeth Alexander , discontinuation of appointment, effective July 1. She is a deacon in full connection from the Wisconsin Conference, serving as Director of Children and Youth Ministries at Galesburg: First, West District. Merle John Heicher , discontinuation of appointment, effective July 1, 2024. He previously served Trinity Chapel, East District. Lori Bultemeier to retired status, effective Dec. 15, 2025. She is currently serving in extension ministries with the Baby Fold, North District.

Photo by Rev. Yulia Starodubets

Displaced Ukrainians staying at Under the Castle eat a meal together, Christmas 2024.

Bishop David Bard tells his personal story and call into the ministry to youth attending a Confirmation Rally March 29 at Auburn UMC. The rally included youth currently in confirmation or completed confirmation in late 2024 was a time to celebrate and share in a common connection with one another in Jesus Christ and the United Methodist Church Family. IGRC Camping and Retreat Ministries, the conference intern program and the Midwest Mission Distribution Center had exhibits and engaged youth on opportunities for education and service. Bishop Kennetha Bigham-Tsai answers questions from a group of 40 who attended her West District Town Hall meeting April 6 at Monmouth UMC. Bishop Kennetha’s final Town Hall meeting will be Sunday, May 4, 2:30 p.m., at Carbondale First UMC.

Home Sweet Home Ministries in Bloomington has announced plans continue to move forward for the development of the Bloomington’s first non-congregate emergency shelter program. This first-of-its-kind model to Central Illinois will provide transformational housing focused on serving local community members who are experiencing unsheltered homelessness.

DEATHS

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

Mildred Rowena Tindle , 92, widow of the Rev. Charles H. Tindle, died April 24 in Benton. Together with her husband, the Tindles served 31 years of active ministry in the former Southern Illinois Conference,

www.dignitymemorial.com/obituaries/peoria-il/ elva-harper-12343755 Condolences can be sent to Merridee Harper 21 Ashford Ave, Greenville South Carolina 29609 or to Charles Douglas Harper 1314 North Wood Road, Peoria Illinois 61604. Mary Lou Shaw Hackl , 91, widow of the Rev. Robert C. Hackl, Jr., died April 7.

retiring in 1995. Rev. Tindle died Nov. 27, 2009. For a complete obituary, visit: https://www.hugheyfh. com/obituaries/Mildred-Rowena-Tindle?obId=42235111 Condolences may be sent to a daughter, Marsha Jean Winkelmann, 402 W 4th St, O Fallon, IL 62269-2013.

Together with her husband, the Hackls served 32 years of active ministry in the former Central Illinois Conference. Rev. Hackl retired in 1991 from Ridge Farm-

Photos courtesy of Home Sweet Home Ministries

Georgetown and died Nov. 13, 2020. For a complete obituary, visit: https://www. morganmemorialhome.com/obituaries/Mary-Lou- Shaw-Hackl?obId=41933072 Condolences may be sent to a daughter, Belinda Millis, 14871 Denmar Lane, Danville, IL 61834. IGRC retired pastor, the Rev. Avis June Richardson , 93, died April 4 in Staunton. Rev. Richardson served 30 years in active ministry, primarily in the former Southern Illinois Conference, retiring Dec. 31, 1998, from Wood River: Evangelical-Wanda. For a complete obituary, visit: https://www.williamsonfh. com/obituary/RevAvis-Richardson Condolences may be sent to a daughter, Alisa Hoffman, 721 E Main St., Staunton, IL 62088.

Judy Pratt , 86, widow of the Rev. Donald Pratt, died April 24 in Bloomington. Together with her husband, the Pratts served 29 years of active ministry -- 20 years being in The United Methodist Church, retiring from Saunemin-Odell in

2003. Rev. Pratt died July 3, 2020. For a complete obituary, visit: https://calvertmemorial. com/obituaries/judy-pratt-2025 Condolences may be sent to the Pratt Family at: 1902 Widermere Drive, Normal, IL 61761.

Elva D. Harper , 97, widow of the Rev. Charles Henry Harper, died April 14. Rev. Harper in the former Central Illinois Conference. He died July 7, 1998. For a complete obituary, visit: https://

DEATHS CONTINUED ON ADJACENT PAGE THE CURRENT | MAY 2025 | 1