2010 Journal/Yearbook online

The 2010 Journal and Yearbook are now posted online. Production of the CD version and shipment are underway.

Bishop to meet local church leaders in District gatherings

Bishop Gregory V. Palmer will be visiting with local church leaders -- lay leaders, lay members to annual conference, chairs of church council, trustees and staff-parish relations committees; worship leaders, Sunday School leaders and leadership -- in a series of district gatherings this fall.

Junior High YAR information

Mark Oestricher is the keynote speaker and Two Cent Offering will provide the music for the 2010 Junior High YAR, to be held Oct. 15-17 at Lake Williamson Retreat Center in Carlinville.

Human need
not limited by national borders

 "Every  natural disaster reminds us of the valuable ministry our connection provides through the United Methodist Committee on Relief," writes Bishop Gregory V. Palmer in his pastoral letter on the flooding in Pakistan. . "I would ask you to consider taking up a special offering designated for the UMCOR International Disaster Response, Advamce Special #982450, Pakistan Flooding."   Read more »

Church AIDS work makes a difference

 The Global AIDS Fund committee hopes to rejuvenate denominational interest in HIV/AIDS mission work with its third international conference on the subject. “Lighten the Burden III,” set for Oct. 14-16 in Dallas, will offer participants the opportunity to discuss how to work “towards an AIDS-free world.” Read more »

Beulah campers tackle Habitat projects during Mission Blitz

 Youth and young adults from Beulah Holiness Camp tackle a pair of Habitat for Humanity projects as part of the camp's Mission Blitz July 23-30. Read more »

Neighborhood House faces new challenges

 The state's budget crisis, vandalism to the ministry's air conditioning system and torrential rains that caused flood damage are among the challenges facing the ministry of the Lessie Bates Davis Neighborhood House in East St. Louis. United Methodists are being asked to write Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn, advocating payment for a backlog of $1.4 million in bills owed to the ministry. Read more »

Call to Action

 The Call to Action Steering Team, chaired by Bishop Gregory V. Palmer, has released findings regarding congregational vitality and an assessment of the connectional church. Read more »

Parish nurses inject faith into health care

 At a time when medical technology is becoming more complex and more prevalent, a growing area of health care is amazingly low-tech. Parish nursing involves no hands-on medical treatments but provides church members with a medical and spiritual navigator who provides information and support. A parish nurse retreat has been scheduled for Aug. 6-7 at the Chiara Center in Springfield.   Read more »

Call, Challenge and Change

 Campers attending the 2010 Beulah Youth Institute join in a praise celebration during opening worship June 20. Bishop Gregory V. Palmer preached to the crowd of 300 campers and sponsors as well as 150 guests who drove in for the start of the 79th annual youth institute, which began in 1932. Read more »

My Name is Malaria

 A boy from Africa tells the story of malaria...from the parasite's point of view. Every 30 seconds, a child dies of malaria. This is life in Africa, but it doesn't have to be. Support Imagine No Malaria, Advance Special #3021190. Read more »

A joyful new look

 The congregation of Cedar Grove United Methodist Church celebrated the installation of new stained glass windows with a special service Sunday in Marion. The original windows were damaged in the May 8, 2009 storm. Pastor April Turner, who has served the small congregation since January 2006, said "The church isn't about the building; it's about the community." (Photo courtesy of Alan Rogers, The Southern Illinoisan)   Read more »

Gen-X Rising: Conferencing time

 Andrew Thompson says United Methodist annual conference sessions should be less about business and more about equipping leaders so that their ministries back home will be strengthened. Read more »

Being Trustworthy Prophets

 Ordinand Michael Paulson is ordained by Bishop Gregory V. Palmer in Friday's Service of Ordination during the 2010 Annual Conference. Ordinand Julie Smith is in the foreground. Paulson and Smith were two of 17 ordained elders in full connection along with one ordained deacon in full connection. Read more »

Worship: it's about what
we're giving

 Conference Lay Leader Rhonda Whitaker proposed that a new term be used – claity – to describe the partnership of laity and clergy for the purpose of fulfilling the mission of The United Methodist Church of making disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world.” Read more »

UMNS News