Q: One of the three components of Harvest 2020 is the focus on Healthy Discipleship: helping existing congregations with resources to be more effective in ministry. How would you say that is going and where would you like to see it in 2010?

Bishop Jung: For 2010 our leadership, cabinet and Program Council are planning to continue some of what we did last year with the Bishop's Summit. We're planning to have Gil Rendle come back during Annual Conference. We're bringing back Clif Christoper to talk in August about stewardship and financial planning. And we have the Philippine Bishops coming in May to talk about engagement in mission, especially globally and what local churches can do. And there's much more being led by our district leaders and program staff.

In this whole effort we are strengthening and empowering our people to be solid in their theological reflection and to reach out! Reach out to their brothers and sisters in need. We know this is the key. A vital mission is what attracts people who want to become disciples. There are many churches across the country that have trouble getting new members. If our ministry is not working, I hope we look at it this way:

First, connect people to Christ. Give them an authentic experience of Jesus Christ through worship and community and mission. Next, encourage them and show them that they are called to be servant leaders. Leaders in their church, community and around the world. Equip them for ministry, then send them out. Deploy them so they can bring even more people back. This is the cycle that we must build in our ministry together.

Following a successful Mission Bus Tour in October, Bishop Jung invites you on an interfaith journey this spring. This time, the tour will visit Jewish, Jain, Buddhist, Baha'i, Hindu, and Muslim houses of worship, as well as a Christian church for Sunday morning worship.  

Bishop's Interfaith Bus Tour With Bishop Hee-Soo Jung
Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, April 16 - 18, 2010 

Tour begins and ends at Holiday Inn Select, Naperville. Cost is $135.00 person for double occupancy and $175.00 per person for single occupancy.  Cost includes two nights in the hotel, 6 meals, bus, and materials.

Registration can be made through Harriet McCabe, 9 W. Bailey Road, Naperville, IL 60565 or by e-mail to harrietmccabe@earthlink.net, or by phone to 630-355-4617.

Sponsored by:  The NIC Bus tour committee: Ed Hiestand, Amos Oladipo, Chris Pierson, Bishop Hee-Soo Jung, and Harriet McCabe.

By Bishops Linda Lee, Deborah Kiesey and Sally Dyck (NCJ)

To all clergywomen in all categories of ministry:
 
The General Board of Higher Education and Ministry has in the past sponsored an international clergywomen's consultation each quadrennium. This quadrennium each jurisdiction is responsible for implementing its own clergywomen's gathering with the hope that we can have a global one again in 2014.
 
The women bishops in the jurisdiction have been asked to see what the interest is for such an event and who might be willing to provide leadership for it yet this quadrennium. Therefore, we ask that you please take the time to complete the survey linked below by January 15, 2010.
 
http://public.gbhem.org/snapwebhost/surveypreview.asp?k=125908485434

Thank you!

By Stanley Campbell, Rockford Urban Ministries

Rockford to Organize Against Video Slots

 

WHO: IL Gaming Board member Rev. Eugene Winkler

WHERE: Christ United Methodist Church, 4509 Highcrest (at the corner of N Alpine).

COST: Free & open to the public.

MORE INFO: Rockford Urban Ministries, 815-964-7111, rockfordurbanmin@aol.com

 

"That's the problem," declared Winkler, a retired United Methodist clergyman who serves on the Illinois Gaming Board, which decides where to grant casino licenses in the state. "We have grown used to corruption in government, pay to play, headline grabbers and behind-the-scenes operators. But real moral and ethical issues are at stake."

 

Rockford Urban Ministries, an outreach of 25 area United Methodist Churches, wants Rockford to join all of the other municipalities in outlawing video slot machines. Rev. Euene Winkler will speak at a public meeting to discuss the problems of legalized gambling. We hope to generate interest in opposing video slot machines in Winnebago County.

By Merrie Bunt, NIC Apportionments Administrator 

I am happy to report that since the last update, 61 more churches have paid 100% of their Apportionments, bringing the total to 157 (or 42%) of all churches.  This brings the conference even closer to exceeding last year's tally of 202 (or 54% of) churches that paid 100%.   

As Conference Treasurer Lonnie Chafin said in his recent financial update letter, every Apportionment dollar the Northern Illinois Conference receives during December and January will go directly to the General Church to support critical mission and ministries around the globe.  You can read his full letter, and see the complete list of churches that have paid 100% of their Apportionments on the Conference Website.

Aurora District
DOWNERS GROVE: FIRST, HINSDALE, JOLIET: GRACE, KANEVILLE, NAPERVILLE:  WESLEY, ORLAND PARK, WILTON CENTER FEDERATED 

Chicago Northwestern District
CHICAGO: AFRICAN COMMUNITY, CHICAGO: EDISON PARK, CHICAGO: EL DIVINO REDENTOR del CALVARIO, CHICAGO: GRANVILLE AVENUE, CHICAGO: IRVING PARK
CHICAGO: RAVENSWOOD FELLOWSHIP, EVANSTON:  HEMENWAY 

Chicago Southern District
CHICAGO: CLAIR-CHRISTIAN, CHICAGO: TRINITY, CHICAGO: WESLEY 

DeKalb District
COLETA, LASALLE:  GRACE, LELAND, MALTA: NORTHWEST MALTA, MAPLE PARK:  GRACE, MENDOTA:  FIRST, MENDOTA:  ZION, PRINCETON, SERENA, STERLING:  WESLEY, SUYDAM, TAMPICO, WATERMAN 

Elgin District
BARRINGTON, BARRINGTON: YANGMOON KOREAN, BENSENVILLE: FIRST, BURLINGTON, CARPENTERSVILLE:  TRINITY, DES PLAINES:  FIRST, ELGIN:  EPWORTH
ELGIN:  FIRST, ELMHURST:  FAITH EVANGELICAL, INGLESIDE, LAKE BLUFF:  GRACE
MARENGO, MCHENRY:  FIRST, MCHENRY:  MT. HOPE, PALATINE:  FIRST, RINGWOOD, WAUKEGAN:  LIVING FAITH, ZION:  MEMORIAL 

Rockford District
BETHEL, BURRITT, CEDARVILLE, DAKOTA - ROCK GROVE, DAVIS JUNCTION, GERMAN VALLEY, POPLAR GROVE, ROCKFORD:  BETH EDEN, ROCKFORD:  CHRIST, ROCKFORD:  EVANS MEMORIAL, ROCKTON, ROSCOE, VAN BROCKLIN