Bob Whitley, First UMC, Plainfield: "I learned that stewardship is continuing and must be headed up by the pastor-the pastor must have full information including names of the givers and how much they give."


Rev. Daniel Park, Journey Community Church (Harvest 2020 New Faith Community): "I learned that if our church could truly carry out its mission and show our congregation the many different ways that we are transforming lives, that it will only increase our financial strength. People are more prone to give when they believe the mission and see the fruit of the church.

The Northern Illinois Conference of the United Methodist Church, the Task Force to Oppose Gambling for Chicago and national anti-gambling organization Stop Predatory Gambling are joining forces to encourage city neighborhoods, towns and villages to reject video poker in their communities.
 
The new effort, called "Operation Let the People Decide," will be holding public meetings in local communities to educate people on the video poker issue in their jurisdictions. We believe that citizens should have the right to either reject or invite gambling into their neighborhoods.
 
Earlier this year, the Illinois General Assembly passed legislation that authorized the expansion of video poker into restaurants, bars and fraternal organizations. Funds from the gambling machines would be used to finance statewide capital improvement.
 
Debate about this funding mechanism did not include the public in any meaningful way. It was hurriedly added through a secretive process in the waning days of the legislative session. With an estimated 45,000 video poker machines needed to raise the required revenue for the capital bill, many towns and cities across the state could be affected.
 
Meetings are scheduled for:

Sept. 17, 7:30 p.m., First UMC Des Plaines, 666 Graceland
Contact:  Jim Blue, 847-404-8254

Sept. 23, 7:00 p.m., Northern Illinois University Center, Rockford Campus, 8500 E. State St.
Contact: Chris Johnson, 815-519-1543  

Sept. 24, 7:00 p.m., Our Redeemer UMC, Schaumburg, 1600 W. Schaumburg Rd.   
Contact: Jon Montgomery, 847-687-2416