| January 11, 2011 - Special Edition |
Please send email about e-news or the Reports to communications@umcnic.org.
In This Edition
- Letter from Bishop Jung concerning the Shooting in Arizona
- Death notice: Bishop Edsel A. Ammons
- Event - Winter Warming
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Bishop Hee-Soo Jung Responds to the Shooting in Arizona
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This week, our hearts are full of sadness as we look to the shootings in Arizona. We grieve because of senseless violence. So many lives were lost while others still are struggling to survive. We pray for the intended victim of this violence, Gabrielle Giffords. We pray for those who were lost too soon, including Judge John Roll, nine-year-old Christina-Taylor Green, and four others who came just to listen. As we mourn, we are reminded again of those old words of Isaiah 53, "surely he has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows."
Today, I call on United Methodists to pray. I call on us to observe a time of sadness and mourning. That is our first duty as Christians.
We pray for healing for our brothers and sisters in Arizona. We pray for the families of those who lost their loved ones. And we pray for those who are continuing to hold on to life. We pray this week with congregations in Tucson, such as Congresswoman Giffords' faith community, Congregation Chaverim. And we pray with those throughout the country who have opened their hearts to hear the cries of those who mourn.
Already many are pointing to reasons why this occurred. I, too, echo the concerns of my colleague Bishop Minerva Carcaņo, bishop of the Desert Southwest Conference which covers Arizona, who is praying "that what has happened today is not an expression of growing intolerance." Intolerance is a concern of many. There are many other concerns that have been expressed about this shooting, each with their own validity. Yet I feel that our first duty as followers of Christ is to mourn. Our first call is to hear the cries of those who are hurting and to cry with them. In opening our own hearts to hear and feel, we pray that we may begin to be agents of Christ's healing in our world. We pray for healing for this nation. And we pray that all who mourn may be comforted.
Your Brother in Christ,
Bishop Hee-Soo Jung
Read the words of Bishop Minerva Carcaņo.
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| Bishop Edsel A. Ammons Dies |
 | | Bishop Edsel A. Ammons |
Bishop Edsel A. Ammons, who prior to becoming Bishop served inthe Northern Illinois Conference, died on Christmas Eve, Friday, December 24, 2010. A Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, January 15, 2011, at 11:00 a.m. at First United Methodist Church, 516 Church Street, Evanston, IL. Read more... |
| Winter Warming - Congress of Reconciling United Methodists |
The Northern Illinois Conference Reconciling Task Force invites all those committed to a fully inclusive church to its Winter Warming, a congress of Reconciling United Methodists, on Saturday January 15, 2011, at Euclid Avenue United Methodist Church, 405 S. Euclid, Oak Park.
5 Workshops will be be held at 4:00 PM
A Pasta Dinner will be served at 5:30 PM - Tickets are $10. Reservations should be made by
e-mailing the church or calling 708-848-7360
Worship will be held at 7:00 PM with Bishop Sharon Zimmerman Rader preaching.
Read more...
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