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Harvest 2020 Reflections
New people... in new places... in new ways
Greetings! 

Sally Chipman
Sally Chipman

Healthy Discipleship
 

 

A couple of months before her retirement on July 1, 2011, the Rev. Ms. Sally Chipman and I were talking about our plans for retirement. Those who knew Sally, know that she was clear about making some time for her 9 young grandchildren. Sally wanted to be in their lives at a time when children are glad to have grandparents in their lives. Sally spoke of other plans as well. She was going to continue her involvement with Town and Rural ministry. Moving back to Naperville from Polo where she was completing her pastoral ministry, Sally wanted to teach an adult class in the church.

 

Apart from being with her grandchildren, Sally planned to continue her service on the conference leadership team for Harvest 2020. Sally was passionate about the vision and the core values of Harvest 2020 and spoke of that passion with her bishop, Hee-Soo Jung. That conversation  was in Sally's last days. As life concluded for Sally, Harvest 2020 and that vision was front and center in Sally's mind and heart.

 

Sally believed congregations should have a discipleship that was outwardly focused. Sally believed that because Jesus called her to that work, "Go ye therefore into all the world..." Congregations committed to being in the community and serving the community in the name of Jesus, were blessed to be a blessing to others. "Congregations offering opportunities for transformation in the lives of others who had yet to experience the love of Christ." was the work of the congregation.

 

That was Sally Chipman. And she was all in on that one.

 

Clarence Jordan wrote, "the proof that God raised Jesus from the dead is not the empty tomb, but the full hearts of his transformed disciples. The crowning evidence that he lives is not a vacant grave, but a spirit-filled fellowship. Not a rolled-away church, but a carried away church."

 

As you know, Sally's plans for service to others in retirement did not unfold as she planned. An aggressive cancer found in late June of 2011 stilled her voice in death on August 8, 2011. Many pastors attended her funeral at Community United Methodist in Naperville. In her memory, monies were received for Harvest 2020.

 

Knowing that I would be helping with the fundraising for the conference Harvest 2020, I met recently with Sally's husband, Gary, and asked if he would like to give a gift in Sally's memory to Harvest 2020. Gary did not hesitate for one moment. "Yes, he would be glad to help with his gift in Sally's name," as we seek new places for new people in new ways.

 

That was Sally.
    Invite, invite, invite.
    Welcome, welcome, welcome.
     And then set up additional chairs and see what God is doing.

 

When we make our gifts to Harvest 2020, our gifts, mine included,  will join gifts already made in memory of Sally Chipman. May our conference  be outwardly focused. May our conference be a  spirit filled fellowship and a carried away church.

 

To God be the glory.
Peace,
Larry Hilkemann



About the Author 

Larry Hilkemann is newly retired. He still loves to preach and teach and encourage others in ministry. He is  currently serving the Winfield congregation, part time.

Northern Illinois Conference

These devotional pieces have been written by members of the Clergy Committee of the Harvest 2020 Campaign. For the next two weeks - on three days of each week- you will receive an e-mail with their reflection, a picture and a brief "bio" telling you a bit about who they are and how they serve in the Northern Illinois Conference. If you feel inclined to unsubscribe, please choose the Harvest 2020 list to ensure you still receive the eNews.

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