The Calvary Connection

May 19, 2010

Please note that due to a technical glitch our e-mail newsletter is being sent out one day late. It will return to its regular Wednesday schedule next week.

Greetings!

All around us are observable signs of change. We see them and experience them in the landscape, the weather in our gardens and our activities. This is also a time change in the church. This is especially true for those pastors and their families and congregations where there will be a pastoral change in a few weeks. Change can without a doubt be anxiety producing and stressful. To that end I want to commend all of those who have worked in good faith to make this an effective season of change for in pastoral appointments. The list is long. But many people have labored for things to go well. I am grateful.

One of the most profound changes in life is retirement. We have this year a fairly good size class of clergy who are retiring from full time itinerant ministry. Our hats are off to them for running the race well. And we pray that the next season of life will be filled with meaning and joy. I cannot help but note that retirements are a key driver in appointment changes.

Retirement has come close to my office this year. Mrs. Linda Smith who serves as the Executive Secretary to the bishop will be retiring on June 30 after 14 years in that role. Before serving in the Bishop's office she was on the staff of the Conference Council on Ministries in the former Central Illinois Conference. So after 18 years of ministry in the conference and Episcopal Office she is looking forward to tending life in a different way. She has run her race well and served with diligence, dignity and grace. I am grateful and I know I speak for all whose lives she has touched through her work. Elsewhere in this issue of the Current you will be able to read more about this important transition.

I started this piece by talking a bit about change. I want to assure you that I affirm that change for the sake of change is foolhardy at best. But I also affirm that change is real and often necessary. So I invite you to experience change (whether you sought it or it sought you) - in your life, ministry, relationships - as an opportunity to claim the future that God holds before you. Harry Emerson Fosdick said 'Christians are supposed not merely to endure change, nor even to profit by it, but to cause it". Let's embrace the changes before us as blessed opportunity and every now and again even summon up the courage to initiate change.

Your servant in Christ,

+Bishop Gregory V. Palmer (bio)
Illinois Area of The United Methodist Church

Opportunities to Connect

(click on the title to read the entire article)

The 2010 Appeal Update
Thank you Calvary for all of your support with The 2010 Appeal! We have begun to purchase items thanks to your generosity!

Support our Soldiers Celebration
Because of the support of the Calvary family, we were able to purchase phone cards for our soldiers serving overseas!

Mornings with Moms
Calvary's group by moms for moms is gearing up for summer fun in the sun!

College Student Reunion Luncheon
The Barnabas Program is hosting a special luncheon for all current and just graduated college students on Sunday, June 6.

Jim Swearingen Reception
Join Calvary Student Ministries as they honor Jim Swearingen for his 14 years as a sixth grade Sunday School teacher.

Summer Sunday School Teachers
Our children's ministry is in need of servant minded people to teach summer Sunday School. All materials are provided in advance and volunteers can teach as few or many Sundays as they would like!

Volunteer at East Bay Camp
Calvary's Outreach Committee is sponsoring two opportunities for hands on service at East Bay Camp on Lake Bloomington. Is God calling you to give a couple hours of your time?

News Nuggets

The Church Office will be closed on Monday, May 31, in observance of Memorial Day. It will reopen at 8 am on Tuesday, June 1.
On Sunday, June 13, Calvary will host a going away reception to thank Pastor Lori for her hard work and ministry over the past four years. A love gift from the congregation will be presented to her that day. If you would like to make a contribution to Pastor Lori's love gift, place a check or envelope in the offering plate and write "love gift" on the memo line.
As part of our policy, it is a requirement for all volunteers working with those under 18 to attend Child Protection Training. If you are volunteering with Vacation Bible School or Sunday School please plan to attend training on one of the following dates: Sundays May 23 or June 13 at 10:45 am in Room 111. Please note that if your last Child Protection Training was more than three years ago, you must attend one of the training dates. Contact Kerri Cordray (309-452-5413, kerric@cumcnormal.org).
Beginning June 6, we will combine grade levels during our 9:30 am Sunday School. Please watch for classroom changes on signs and flyers. Also, May 30 will be our last Kids Worship program at 11 am. Children are encouraged to attend 9:30 am Sunday School or worship at 8 am or 11 am.
All those interested in learn more about Disciple Bible Study should plan to attend an informational meeting on Tuesday, May 25, 7 pm, in the Parlor. Contact Ralph Smith (309-829-2004, RESmith@Qmail.com).