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CONFERENCE NEWS
WEST AFRICA CHURCH PROPERTY CONTINUED FROM PAGE 13
The Current moving toward all digital New format, new delivery part of publication revamp due to budget cuts, postage costs BY PAUL BLACK
“The United Methodist Church in Nigeria just held a successful annual conferences session with an overwhelming support for the worldwide regionalization, which ignited the anger of the GMC supporters in Karim Maunde,” Emmanuel said. Bishops Quire and James Boye-Caulker of Sierra Leone and the Rev. Neal Christie, principal of the Religious Nationalisms Project, were among those traveling with Emmanuel when the vehicle was ambushed. Christie, who served for 24 years as an executive at the United Methodist Board of Church and Society, is working with leadership to address and systematic. It is not haphazard,” Christie told UM News after the attack. “Destruction of property, closed property, churches that the bishop and conference staff and international guests like us cannot get to, theft of property, lawsuits, slander in public, slander across the church” are all happening, he said. The Council of Bishops released a statement decrying this week’s attack and expressing gratitude that Emmanuel and his team escaped physical harm. The bishops also implored United Methodists in Nigeria not to retaliate. “As Jesus Christ’s followers, we encourage you to continue being beacons of hope, conflict in the episcopal area. “This is patterned and repeated
peace, and love in the midst of chaos,” said Bishop Tracy S. Malone, Council of Bishops president. “We also pray for the people of Nigeria, that all may know peace, justice and reconciliation.” Christie said conflict resolution in the region will take time, but it’s important to name the root causes, which he said are connected to fear. “We need sustained relationships where we shift the culture, community by community, in huge episcopal areas that are divided by very challenging roads and infrastructure. And, in this case, divided by the narrative that the GMC manipulates the public and the courts with.” He said United Methodists in Nigeria have seen their personal property targeted and been intimidated by some of thousands of United Methodist choose to stay United Methodist even in the face of threat. Muslims and traditional religious leaders respect the UMC; they pray for us. They want social development and they want peace,” he said. (Chikwanah is a UM News correspondent based in Harare, Zimbabwe. The Rev. Filibus Bakari Auta, communications director for the Nigeria episcopal area, contributed to this report) those who have left the church. “I am amazed that hundreds and
TARIFF IMPACTS CONTINUED FROM PAGE 3
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5. Uncertain Duration and Negotiation Dynamics
• Tariff implementation has been— and may continue to be—fluid and subject to rapid changes. • It seems there is always the potential for negotiation and policy modifications or reversals. • China, Canada and Mexico have responded, or plan to respond, with retaliatory measures, which could reduce U.S. exports to those countries. • Business groups are urging reconsideration of the current approach. Will we see further policy changes to include weakening the U.S. dollar? NAVIGATING A COMPLEX GLOBAL ECONOMIC LANDSCAPE The current global economic order is experiencing fundamental recalibration. Traditional assumptions about international commerce, supply chains, diplomatic relations, and economic interdependence are being systematically challenged and reconstructed. This dynamic environment demands a sophisticated, nuanced approach to investment strategy.
to its customers. Paid subscriptions, free digital subscriptions Should the Conference be able to provide a paid subscription for $30 or less per subscriber, Current subscribers would have two options for receiving The Current: • They could purchase a paid subscription to The Current that would run from Sept. 1 to Aug. 31 each year. Persons who already have paid subscriptions that are on a calendar year basis will be pro-rated for the first, so that all paid subscriptions would operate on the Sept. 1-Aug. 31 rotation. • They could provide an email address where they would like to receive a digital PDF of The Current . Delivery would be made on the Wednesday before the last Friday of each month. In making the move to a predominantly digital format in which some subscribers would still want to print out articles or pages, plans are to abandon the current broadsheet format for pages that are 8 ½ by 11 and capable of being printed on most computer printers. “The result will be that The Current will have more pages but those pages will be smaller,” Black said. “All in all, the same amount of space will be spread over more pages.” The other advantage to the digital subscription is that it can be sent to everyone in the Conference database, which numbers more than 17,000 persons. This includes local church officers as well as active and retired pastors, compared to the 5,000 subscribers that currently receive the print publication. In the June issue of The Current , which will have an additional press run for persons attending the 2025 Annual Conference, a card will be included, asking readers to complete it with their contact information and indicate their preference on whether they wish to receive a print or digital version. “Our vision is to expand the publication’s presence and not diminish it,” Black said. “And for those that need a print publication, we are looking for ways to meet their need as well.”
SPRINGFIELD – The Current , the award-winning print publication of the Illinois Great Rivers Conference is moving toward an all-digital format, beginning in September. Due to an anticipated $50,000 budget cut for 2026, coupled with new postal regulations regarding the handling and delivery of Second-Class mail, IGRC Communications has made the difficult decision to cease having a print publication with a free subscription base. The conference is still studying whether a revamped publication could be provided on a limited basis to those subscribers willing to pay for it – probably around $30 per year for 12 issues. “This decision was a challenge, but we recognize the vital role that The Current plays in providing news and information about the Illinois Great Rivers Conference,” stated Paul Black, IGRC Director of Communication Ministries. “While we've entered the digital age, many of us still value the traditional format of print media. However, several key factors have driven us to make this necessary change.” Black said one of the key factors in the decision was the financial realities of the Conference. The Communications budget, which not only funds The Current but all of the various media production, information technology and shared services within the Conference Center, is currently about $700,000. A majority of that total is tied to salaries and benefits of conference staff. The remaining amount – less than $100,000 – is available for use in producing print, video and web technologies. “Over the next four to five years, the Communications budget will be reduced from the current $700,000 to around $450,000,” Black said. “In 2026, our budget will take the first reduction of $50,000 – which is about what is spent on printing, producing and mailing The Current to its 5,000 subscribers free of charge.” In addition, Communications has already reduced its staff by one full-time position in March in preparation for the future cuts that are projected. But just as critical to the decision as the budget cuts, the U.S. Postal Service recently announced changes in delivery that will make mailing publications under a Second Class permit even more difficult and slower in reaching our readers. “In the past two weeks, I have received three calls from the Metro East area, informing me that the March issue of The Current , which was mailed by P & P Press in Peoria the last Thursday of February was just delivered to our subscriber. This was two weeks after the April issue was mailed and by that time, any news items that were time sensitive had already passed,” Black said. “And now, with the new regulations, we are continuing to pay more for less service.” The United States Postal Service (USPS) is implementing changes to its mail delivery standards, which will affect the delivery of second-class mail, also known as Periodical mail. These changes aim to improve efficiency and reduce costs, potentially resulting in some mail being delivered slower for certain areas. The first phase of the new changes were implemented April 1 with a second round of changes being put in place July 1. The changes are projected to save the Postal Service at least $36 billion over the next 10 years through reductions in transportation, mail processing, and facility costs, according to a USPS news release. Printing costs have been stable over the past two years but much of the paper supply for commercial printing is provided through Canadian paper mills which have been included in recent discussions of tariffs by the Trump Administration. Should those tariffs be implemented, printers will have no choice but to pass on the increase
Photo courtesy of Frank Beard Bishop Frank J. Beard just checked in with his latest fish story and his latest catch – a speckled trout caught in Gulf Shores, Ala. He reminded everyone, “Anyone can fish but we are called to catch!”
ANNOUNCEMENTS CONTINUED FROM PAGE 2 Alabama. Cost for the trip is $1,850 based upon double occupancy, $2,450 for single occupancy. The cost includes transportation and hotel accommodation. A deposit of $600 is due upon registration before June 30. The balance is due Aug. 18 . Speakers for COR's Leadership Institute announced LEAWOOD, Kan. – In these transformative times, church leaders are being called to rise to new challenges, rise above limitations, and rise up as bold voices of hope and change. This Oct. 1-3, join Church of the Resurrection for an experience designed to elevate your leadership and inspire your ministry. The speaker lineup: • Adam Hamilton - Influential Founding Pastor, acclaimed author, and nationally recognized voice on church leadership, ministry and faith. • Andy Stanley - Founder of North Point Ministries, bestselling author, and one of today's most innovative communicators. • Dan Heath - #1 New York Times bestselling author of Switch, Made to Stick, and his latest, Reset. • Bishop Tracy Malone - President of the United Methodist Council of Bishops, visionary leader, and advocate for justice and unity in the church. • Grace Ji-Sun Kim - Author of 24 books, podcast host, and Presbyterian minister and internationally recognized theologian. Don't miss this opportunity to learn from some of today's most innovative and inspiring church leaders. Whether you're seeking practical ministry tools, renewed vision, or a supportive community of fellow leaders, Leadership Institute 2025 is designed to help you RISE to your full potential with strength and courage. Be the first to know: Registration opens in May with special Super Early Bird rates and exclusive hotel discounts. Sign up now to join our priority invitation list and be the first to access these limited offers by visiting: https://leadership.sharechurch.com/
For the 2025 IGRC conference, the Digital Computer Church Organ is provided by Church Organ Network IL-IN-KY . The Yamaha Concert Artist Grand Piano provided by Piano Network of Illinois . Showrooms are located in Peoria – Effingham – Springfield - Champaign. For information, visit Web site: PianoNetworkofIL.com or phone 217-342-2207.
Photo courtesy of Bishop Kennetha Bigham-Tsai Bishop Kennetha J. Bigham-Tsai attended a joint meeting of the General Board of Global Ministries and the General Board of Higher Education and Ministry in Atlanta, where she met IGRC native Kara Crawford, daughter of North District Superintendent Mike Crawford and Patty Johansen. Kara is director of grants for both agencies.
Concert Grand and Church Organ For the 2025 IGRC Conference
Double Your Impact in May
BLOOMINGTON – Home Sweet Home Ministries (Conference Advance #0098), a homeless ministry in Bloomington, is having a Match Challenge during the month of May. A group of donors is challenging persons to match its gifts of $50,000 to HSHM. This challenge helps Home Sweet Home continue to provide services so that individuals and families experiencing homelessness can get the help they need. Home Sweet Home greatly
appreciates any community support given. Together we will continue to help those seeking refuge and renewal. Donations to the May Match Challenge can be made: • Online at https://www.hshministries.org/donate . “May Match” should be indicated in the campaign box • By mail or in person to: Home Sweet Home Ministries, 303 E. Oakland Ave., Bloomington, IL 61701. “May Match” should be indicated on the gift.
Piano Network of IL The Yamaha Concert Artist Grand provided by Piano Network of IL, with locations in Peoria, Champaign, Springfield, and Effingham. Piano Network of IL is the Yamaha Piano Dealer for Central/Southern IL. Services provided include - new and used pianos, digital Clavinova pianos, digital stage pianos, portable keyboards, moving service and tuning/repair referral.
Capital City Music The Yamaha Drum Set provided by Capital City Music of Springfield IL. Capital City Music is a full line music store with guitars, bass, drums, amps, sound gear, and all sorts of accessory items. Capital City Music carries many major brands including... Fender, Martin, Taylor, Peavey, Yamaha, Epiphone, Jakcson and multiple accessory lines.
Church Organ Network of IL-IN-KY
The Digital Church Organ used for the conference provided by Church Organ Network of IL-IN-KY, with showrooms alongside Piano Network in Peoria, Champaign, Springfield, and Effingham.
Home Sweet Home plans shelter program 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. In collaboration with Connect Transit, HSHM is close to finalizing an agreement for the location of the project -- a private, gated-community style campus that will be staffed around the clock and in which robust supportive services will be offered by Home Sweet Home and partnering non-profit organizations. With the anticipated space to serve upwards of 60 unsheltered adults at one time, it will become the largest emergency shelter program for adults in McLean County.
PianoNetworkofIL.com
www.ChurchOrganNetwork.com
www.CapitalCityMusic.net
Representatives for information and specifications – Larry Waldhoff (IL-IN-KY Region, 217-343-1795) – Tom Booth (Peoria/Lasalle/Macomb Region, 309-337-1062) – Tommy Kirkpatrick (Champaign/Bloomington/Danville, 217-260-5233) – Matt Waldhoff (Springfield/Carbondale Region, 217-652-2790) – Randy Cone (Peoria/Bloomington Region, 309-263-2502) - Shay Thiele (Peoria/Effingham/Springfield Region, 217-972-7320) – Dennis Lading (Effingham/Southern IL Region, 217-342-2226) - Sue Jones (Champaign, Bloomington Region, 217-737-6263)
Photo courtesy of Home Sweet Home Ministries
18 | MAY 2025 | THE CURRENT
THE CURRENT | MAY 2025 | 19
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