Book Excerpt: The Future of the UMC From “Strengthening Clergy and Lay Leadership”

By Bishop Hee-Soo Jung

The ministry field has shifted over the centuries. My home

country of Korea became a mission field for churches in the

United States at the turn of the twentieth century. My

conversion to Christianity from a Buddhist home was the result

of visionary leaders who were willing to forgo comfort and

certain success in their own land, who were willing to uproot

family and sacrifice finances for the sake of bringing the gospel

to a place where Christ had not yet been revealed. It was not an

easy mission. Reacting to centuries of invasion, occupation, and

deeply rooted beliefs in Buddhism, Confucianism, and

Shamanism, the Korean nation did not welcome Christian missionaries with open

arms. The efforts of the missions divided families. My own family disapproved of

my conversion. The unconditional love of Jesus that I discovered in the open heart

of the pastor in my village church was not replicated in my own home. Centuries of

ancestor worship and engrained beliefs clashed with this new vision.

Like a globe spins on its axis, we can run our fingers over the continents where

brave, visionary leaders who heard the call to spread the gospel delivered the

message of Christ’s love. What we must now face is the fact that this same message

of salvation is sorely missing in our own communities, in our own context. Our

neighborhoods and communities must be recaptured as our ministry field.

To be effective visionary leaders we must be a part of our community. We must live

in, experience, and engage in the places where faith has been lost. For too long we

have waited for those seeking faith to come through our doors, to seek their own

answers, to take the initiative in their quest for wholeness. We have forgotten that the

church is a vehicle from which to offer Christ’s love; it is a tool in our mission, not the

end product of our work. The communities around us are changing at lightning speed.

From social priorities to modes of communication to expectations and values,

we live in a far different world from that of the circuit riders on the frontier. We live

in a different world from that of those born before the World Wide Web. Access to

information, instant communication, the shrinking of our globe, and the cross-

cultural, cross-racial dynamics of our day are like no other context in our past.

Visionary leaders recognize that the work of the past can inform our present but

that we are in hyperdrive when it comes to the development of society. How we

communicate, what we communicate, what is valued, and how that value is

demonstrated cannot be based on understandings that are a decade old, let alone

five years old.

This is the ministry field to which we are called today—close to home, far away,

rapidly transitioning, dynamically changing. Leadership in this ministry field must

be flexible, contemporary, fluid, and at the same time solidly grounded in the gospel.

Reporterwww.umcnic.org

Northern Illinois Conference ofThe United Methodist

March 19, 2010 � Volume 156 � Number 46Two Sections � Section A � 037000

4A2010 Annual Conference

Registration

5AMinistry with the poorin the heart of Motown

8AFebruary and March Clergy Appointments

Bishop Hee-Soo Jung

The United Methodist Reporter (USPS 954-500) is published weekly by UMR Communications,1221 Profit Drive, Dallas, Texas 75247-3919. Periodicals postage paid at Dallas, Texas and addi-tional mailing offices. Postmaster: Send address changes to: The United Methodist Reporter, PO Box660275, Dallas, TX 75266-0275.

DO NOT DELAY. DATED MATERIAL

By Crystal Lindell

Originally published March 3, 2010

in �orthwest Herald,

http://www.nwherald.com

CARY—Even if David Lagos-

Fonseca could get a flight to Chile, he

doesn’t think he’d be able to reach his

relatives. The mountainous country is

connected by a network of bridges, and

many of them were destroyed in

Saturday’s 8.8-magnitude earthquake.

Instead, the Cary resident is here,

praying and waiting.

“I watch some of the news, and I cry

a little bit,” he said. “It will take a

couple of weeks for us to even start

thinking of getting there.”

He and his wife, Shirley Pulgar-

Hughes, have lived in the states for

about 15 years.

Both are Chilean natives with

relatives in their home country.

The two serve as co-pastors at Cary

United Methodist Church, and they’ve

spent recent days clinging to any news

they could get about family members.

“The first couple of days we had no

way to communicate with them,”

Lagos-Fonseca said. “Everything was

lost, everything was down. It was scary

not to hear from them.”

Eventually, they learned, via Skype,

that their loved ones were all right.

However, many of their relatives’

homes were severely damaged—

including the house that Lagos-Fonseca

lived in with his parents before moving

to the U.S.

“It’s in really bad shape; they’re not

living there anymore,” he said. “But, at

the same time, I continue to be able to

visit my brothers and sisters, and ...

that’s the most important thing.”

On a broader level, Lagos-Fonseca

said he learned about much of the

overall devastation before those going

through it.

“My folks and my wife’s folks had

no idea what the scope of this

earthquake was until [Monday] when

they were able to get power and watch

the news,” he said. “Many people had

no idea where the epicenter was.”

The local Methodist organization

also has another pastor with ties to

Chile—Oscar Carrasco, superintendent

of the Elgin District of the Northern

Illinois Conference of the United

Methodist Church.

His family members, who live in a

remote village near the epicenter,

suffered only minor injuries, as well.

Notably, his 94-year-old mother, who

also lived through the infamous 1960

quake in the country, escaped mostly

unscathed. In fact, during the

earthquake, Carrasco’s relatives were

trying to rescue her, and she ended up

saving them.

“One of our nieces panicked and

froze,” Carrasco said. “It was my

[mother] who calmed her down ... and

said: ‘We are going to make it. Just stay

calm.’ The whole house was shaking

and coming apart, but my mom was

leading them out of the house.”

Although he’s distressed about his

family, which includes his nine brothers

and sisters, he too plans to wait before

traveling to Chile. And this week, he’s

even serving on a mission trip in

Detroit.

“My bishop said, ‘Oscar, if you need

to go to Chile now, you should go,’”

Carrasco said. “[But] my mom, she

said, ‘Son, we’ll be OK for now, so

don’t rush.’... So I will go in the next

few weeks, in April.”

Both Carrasco and Lagos-Fonseca

said they’re eager to travel to Chile

soon to help their families and their

country to cope.

“Yes, they will rebuild,” Lagos-

Fonseca said. “But it won’t take a week

or a month. It will take years. [Please

pray] that they have better days ahead.”

Copyright 2010, �orthwest Herald,

The (Crystal Lake, IL). All Rights Reserved.

NIC Chilean natives pray,wait after earthquake

Ten members of the Council of Bishops have collaborated on a book to bereleased by Abingdon Press in Spring 2010 titled, “The Future of The United

Methodist Church: 7 Vision Pathways.”

This book offers a renewed vision and practical steps for United Methodists towork together in mission and ministry. These bishops of The United MethodistChurch urge congregations to stand together, under God’s grace, to lead othersto vibrant faith, steadfast hope, and joyful living. The authors call for a newpartnership with God to bring God’s reign to fruition for all God’s people. Withconcrete guidance about how to create and transform disciples, readers areinvited to travel the path that leads to the abundant living that Jesus talkedabout. The book will also inspire and motivate congregations to work together tobe a vibrant presence in their neighborhoods and communities.

Inside This Issue. . .

4A | Northern Illinois Conference news | MARCH 19, 2010 MARCH 19, 2010 | Northern Illinois Conference news | 5A

By Mark Manzi, Chair,

Annual Conference Committee

We are looking forward to Annual Conference

2010, held June 13–16 at Pheasant Run Resort in St.

Charles. Your Annual Conference Committee has been

planning since the conclusion of our

2009 event, and we have much

preparation in progress. This

includes new additions to our

program, as well as changes based

on your feedback.

Like all other organizations, we

are coming to grips with the

difficult economic time that has

affected our conference, our

churches, as well as us personally.

We have pledged to conduct

Annual Conference this year using

fewer Conference funds. To that end,

we have cut expenses and negotiated

lower charges from our hosts and service

providers. We are using an online registration

company to take your conference registration. We

have committed to do more things in-house and are

taking on many of the duties done by a registration

company in the past. We will be projecting all worship

service information on screens thus eliminating

worship booklets. We will, however, produce a

worship booklet for the ordination service, as this is a

momentous time in the life of those being

commissioned and ordained.

We are also asking for slightly higher

registration fees. Registration for

Annual Conference 2010 will be

$56, which includes all processing

fees. While we know this is an

increase from last year, our

conference charges lower fees

than nearly any other conference

in the North Central Jurisdiction.

We encourage members to reserve

hotel rooms at Pheasant Run early so

we can work effectively with the

hotel making sure we meet the

quota of rooms we have reserved

for Annual Conference, and we

urge local churches to budget for the expenses of their

members.

Thank you for your dedicated service to the NIC

Annual Conference.

By Charlie Lehman

Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary has

launched a new certification program in Children’s

Ministry for ordained and lay Christian educators. The

program augments the seminary’s robust offering of

other programs for professional certification.

Students with a passion for children’s ministry will

meet certification requirements in United Methodist,

African Methodist Episcopal, African Methodist

Episcopal Zion and Christian Methodist Episcopal

denominations by completing the following five

courses:

• Teaching for Biblical Faith

• Theological Education in the Parish

• Advanced Practicum in Teaching

• Children’s Ministries in the Church

• United Methodist Studies

Beyond Children’s Ministry, Garrett-Evangelical

makes it possible for students in graduate-level

programs as well as non-degree-seeking lay leaders to

enhance their knowledge and skills through

professional certification in Christian Education,

Youth Ministry, Spiritual Formation, Music Ministry,

and Evangelism. These certification programs are also

a path to becoming a United Methodist deacon.

“These programs of study provide a professional

foundation for ordained and lay church leaders who

feel called to one of these ministries and who have a

genuine passion for this work,” said Dr. Elaine

Amerson, Assistant Vice President for Enrollment

Management. “The courses offer cutting-edge

knowledge and practice in the field for those yearning

to enhance their ministry.”

Courses are available during two-week intensives in

January and July at the seminary, which sits in the

heart of the Northwestern University campus by Lake

Michigan just a dozen miles north of downtown

Chicago. In addition, Garrett-Evangelical will begin

this summer adding online courses, which will

gradually be expanded, giving students the option to

complete much of their coursework at home.

Financial assistance is available to registered

candidates for certification through the General Board

of Higher Education and Ministries of The United

Methodist Church. To review a complete list of

certification programs and courses, please go to

www.garrett.edu, Academics, Programs of Study, and

United Methodist Certifications. For more

information, contact the Admissions Office at 847-

866-3945 or getadmitted@garrett.edu.

College ScholarshipApplications dueApril 1, 2010 By Board of Higher Education Ministries

Applications are due April 1, 2010 for scholarships

for the 2010-2011 school year. The Northern Illinois

Conference encourages all students who will be

attending college or university full-time in 2010–2011

to review the criteria and apply. Search “scholarship

applications” on our website, http://www.umcnic.org

For more information, please contact Gladys King

Lucas at mnagkl@aol.com.

Please visit http://www.umcnic.org/conference for information on lodging, registration, what to

bring, and our special events for youth at this year’s conference.

Annual Conference 2010 Registration opens soon!

Garrett-Evangelical Offers New CertificationProgram in Children’s Ministry

Central UMC Detroit: Ministry with the poor in the heart of Motown

By Bishop Hee-Soo Jung

As Christians we are drawn to the good news of Easter’s

salvation. However, our draw to a happy ending comes with

responsibility in our discipleship. While Christ made the ultimate

sacrifice, we are called to live in service to others, reflecting Christ’s

love.

During the first week of March, the Extended Cabinet and Laity

Cabinet became working partners in service. We put away our e-

mail, appointment worksheets and personal goals; we put on our

work boots and painting clothes to bring witness to a dire situation

through service.

We spent a week in downtown Detroit, once the fourth-largest

city in the nation, now sliding rapidly past eleventh. The landscape of

the once bustling urban area is dotted with empty high-rise office

buildings, boarded up churches and abandoned homes. We heard of

staggering unemployment, foreclosed homes and a school system in

receivership. We were surprised by wild pheasant freely roaming the

streets. Detroit offered us a sobering picture of need.

Central United Methodist Church is celebrating its 200th birthday

this year. Pastored by Reverend Ed Rowe, the church continues to

stand as a beacon of hope with a mission. The mission has changed

over the years; from civil rights in the 1960’s to the basic human

rights of food and shelter today.

Our work was simple: paint the fellowship hall where hundreds of

homeless are fed each week and the struggling congregation

gathers for their celebrations. In our giving of time and effort, we

gained far more. We learned again what it means to be the hope of

resurrection in the midst of suffering. We learned again what it

means to trust a colleague holding the ladder as we climbed to

heights beyond our comfort. We learned of a sister church on the

front lines; of hope provided in utility bill assistance, food, legal

advocacy, community organizing, social gatherings and arts.

I am grateful to the Extended Cabinet; District Superintendents,

Assistant to the Bishop, Directors of Congregational Development,

Connectional Ministries, Communications, and Camping, our

Treasurer, UM Foundation President and our Laity Cabinet for their

sense of adventure, their hearts of caring, their energy and spirit.

My Lenten journey is informed by our teamwork, by Central

United Methodist Church’s spirit, and by the witness given in a

devastating time. I pray that your journey to the joy of Easter is

deepened by opportunities to witness to your faith through prayer

and practice.

By Matt Kuzma, Director of Communications

It’s the oldest Protestant Church in the state of Michigan,

in a city that’s facing massive economic troubles. Central

United Methodist Church, at Adams and Woodward St. in

downtown Detroit, stands watch. With a strong arm, you

could throw a baseball from the steeple into Comerica Park

or a football to Ford Field. But in this cold week in March,

the Detroit Tigers and Lions aren’t playing. The streets are

empty outside the historic Fox Theatre. The only bustle in

this neighborhood comes from patrons of the nearby

casinos.

In March, our extended cabinet and laity cabinet drove to

Detroit to paint a large auditorium that the church uses for

fellowship and to feed hundreds of hungry patrons each

weekday. There were other reasons for our trip, though. We

came to work together as leaders and to strengthen our

relationships. We wanted to stand in solidarity with a church

that is on the front line of ministry with the poor and

homeless. We also wanted to see how a 200-year-old church

tries to stay effective in a city that many say is dying.

When I studied urban planning in grad school, Detroit

was always mentioned as an example of what not to do. The

city depends on one industry alone: automobiles. As US

manufacturing has declined in the last 40 years, Detroit has

seen its population and influence shrink. The recession and

unemployment of 2008–2009 have only made things worse.

Combined with extreme white flight, the central city of

Detroit has lost hundreds of thousands of citizens and most

of its tax base. The folks left behind have fewer resources,

on average, and are more in need of social services.

Central UMC feels this strain. They serve tens of

thousands of people each year. Their mission ministries are

bursting at the seams: community organizing, assisting poor

mothers, feeding the homeless and advocating for all

people on welfare. They even formed a Community

Development Corporation so they could be eligible for

federal, state and foundation grants. However, the sanctuary

that used to seat many hundreds of people—and hosted

Martin Luther King Jr. several times during his civil rights

campaigns—now welcomes about one hundred each week.

They also feel the drain that comes with a six-story, 1800s-

era building. In a building that old, where upkeep costs

$300,000 per year, renovations never end.

Pastor Ed Rowe recognizes these challenges. “This

building and all of these missions cannot survive without a

congregation,” he said.

Central’s location is a major liability; Downtown Detroit

is far from being a neighborhood. Imagine a church in the

parking lot of Soldier Field, on the far side of Lake Shore

Drive. There is very little foot traffic, and while the

church’s hundred parking spaces are a good resource for

parishioners and paying baseball fans, they make the

church look like it is on an island. Marcus Dickson, a lay

leader who runs their small group program, says that their

groups meet periodically, but they struggle because of

location. It is hard to make groups work when most of the

members of the congregation live as many as 25 miles

away from the church.

I enjoyed speaking with Central’s mission leaders, but I

learned the most from talking with patrons in the lobby of

the church. Each day, hundreds of people come through

Central’s doors for tax services, free lunch, or other

counseling. While I edited video and photos at my laptop, I

met an elderly gentleman with a cane named Jesse. He’s

been a plumber, painter and contractor.

“It’s bad here,” he said. “I know a family that just got

thrown out of their home; they’re on the streets. There’s no

jobs here. People are talking about going to Texas,

Pittsburgh. Man, there are some contractors talking about

going to Haiti, it’s so bad.”

A man in his forties named Jonathan cleaned the

bathroom, then waited to meet with a case worker. He can’t

stand things being dirty. He is uneasy if he has to sit still.

He told of how he went to jail when he “had a bad day.”

But, he also talked about how his father attended Central in

the 1940s, and how Jonathan feels welcome into church

where he might not be somewhere else.

Unfortunately, I could only stay in Detroit with the group

for one day before heading to a conference. By the end of

this week, I hope the work of our group may help brighten a

room or make this church’s ministries a little more pleasant.

I am very glad that we were able to serve those who work so

hard to serve others in the name of Jesus Christ.

For more information, please

visit http://www.centralumchurch.com

ABOVE: Cheli’s, a sportsbar by Detroit Red Wingsstar Chris Chelios, sitsright next to Central UMC,which was built more than100 years earlier.LEFT:Tigers stand guard atComerica Park.

Members of the Joint Cabinet Volunteers in Mission team Bishop Hee-Soo Jung (left) of Northern Illinois and Pastor Ed Rowe ofCentral UMC Detroit

Reflection on Detroit

8A | Northern Illinois Conference news | MARCH 19, 2010

How to Contact UsPlease submit items at least two weeks prior to publication date. Include your name,

address, phone number and name of local church. Space is limited.

For editorial content, Subscriptions and address changes: Matt Kuzma,

Director of Communicationsmkuzma@umcnic.org

(847) 931-0710, ext. 20 FAX: (847) 931-0732 217 Division Street,

Elgin, IL 60120

The Rev. Christopher Pierson—Director of Connectional Ministries—cpierson@umcnic.org

~COMING EVENTS~Volunteers in Mission Leader TrainingSaturday April 03, 2010—09:00 AM–01:00 PM

NIC will offer Volunteers in Mission leadership training at the Elgin Conference

Office, 217 Division St. in Elgin, IL.

Learn all of the “tricks of the trade” from experienced mission leader Jane Dunn:

how to determine a site, train volunteers, access supplies, raise funds, and the most

important interpersonal skills necessary for successful leadership. Aspects of

medical team leadership and setting up clinics will also be covered.

Coordinator: Carol Meynen, carol@drcarolmeynen.com

Bishop’s Interfaith Bus TourApril 16, 2010–April 18, 2010

Bishop Hee-Soo Jung invites you on an interfaith journey this spirng. 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.

The Bishop’s Interfaith Bus tour begins 4:00 p.m. Friday and ends at 5:00

Sunday at Holiday Inn Select, Naperille. Cost is $135 per person for double

occupancy and $175 per person for single occupancy. Cost includes two nights in

the hotel, 6 meals, bus, and materials. Non hotel participants fee is $75.Reservations must be made ASAP with Hariet McCabe, 9 W. Bailey Road,

�aperville, IL 60565, 630-355-4617, e-mail to harrietmccabe@earthlink.net.

Creation Care 2010April 17, 2010—8:15 AM–1:00 PM

Reducing Our Environmental Footprint on the PlanetTopics:

� Theological Reflection on the Creation and its Care—Rev. Jonathan Dean,

Associate Pastor. Downers Grove First UMC � Current Climate Change Science and Politics—Jan Hessler, Ph.D., B.A. � Renewable Energy Futures Here and Abroad—Lee Schreiner, Rockford

Urban Ministries � Disaster Preparedness—Christy Smith, UMCOR Disaster Consultant � Managing Our Waste by Reusing and Repurposing for a Greener Economy—

Veronica Kyle, Faith in Place � Sustainable Food Production—Rev. Gary Hougen, Ravenswood—

Fellowship UMC� Optional Post Conference cooking demonstration and food sampling—

Chef Heather Bowler

Downers Grove First United Methodist Church

1032 Maple Avenue

Downers Grove, Illinois 60515

630-968-7120

Sponsors:

NIC United Methodist Women

NIC Board of Church & Society

Rev. Gary Hougen, Pastor, Ravenswood Fellowship UMC

Downers Grove First UMC Church & Society &

Environmental Stewardship Work Areas

Coordinator: Barry Miller, contact barrytmiller@sbcglobal.net

February and March Clergy Appointments Bishop Hee-Soo Jung makes formal announcement of appointments set within

the �orthern Illinois Conference of the United Methodist Church. UnitedMethodist Clergy are appointed on a year-to-year basis; usually from July 1st untilJune 30th.

Appointments are effective July 1, 2010 unless otherwise noted.

Elizabeth Bowes (Deacon,

Transitional Leave) to Schaumburg: Our

Redeemer, February 2010.

Jay Carr (Elder, Roscoe) to New

Lenox, Lead Pastor.

Dawn Chesser (Elder, Algonquin:

Christ) granted appointment to attend

school, May 31, 2010.

George David (Elder, Rockford:

Aldersgate) granted retired status.

David Eichelberger (Elder, Aurora:

Fourth Street) granted retired status ad

interim effective December 31, 2009.

Monty Fox (Provisional Elder,

Tampico/Harmon) to Cherry Valley.

James Galbreath (Elder, Princeton) to

Woodridge.

Christine Hoffmeyer (Elder, Lake

Forest Hospital) to Transitional Leave

November 2009.

Gary Hougen (Elder, Ravenswood

Fellowship) granted retired status.

Barbara Isaacs (Elder, Transitional

Leave) to Team Leader for Program

Ministries, General Commission on

Religion and Race, January 2010.

Ted Jones (Elder, Orland Park: Faith)

granted retired status.

Michelle Oberwise Lacok (Elder,

Transitional Leave) to Interim CPE

Supervisor, Aurora St. Lukes Medical

Center, Wisconsin.

Kangse Lee (Elder, Ottawa:

Epworth) granted Family Leave

January, 2010, then to Algonquin:

Christ.

Claire Marich (Deacon, Appt. to

Attend School) to Innovative Hospice,

Lombard October 2009.

Greta McDonald (Elder, New Lenox)

to Downers Grove: First Co-Pastor.

James McDonald (Elder, New

Lenox) to Downers Grove: First Co-

Pastor.

Jerry Miller (Provisional Member,

Edison Park) granted retired status.

Linda Misewicz-Perconte (Elder,

Woodridge) granted sabbatical.

Jeffery Moore (Elder, Hinsdale;

Assoc) granted Extension Ministry to

military chaplaincy, effective February

1, 2010.

Tom Ostrander (Elder, Downers

Grove: First) to Princeton.

Nancy Rethford (Elder, Cherry

Valley) to Ottawa: Epworth.

Sharon Rice (Deacon, New Hope,

Des Moines) to Transitional Leave

April, 2010.

Sue Ritts (Deacon, Transitional

Leave) to Joliet: Hope, December 2010.

Emma Robinson (Elder, Chicago:

Wesley) grated retired status.

Anna Shinn (Elder, Oswego: Prairie)

granted sabbatical.

Nya Kwiewan Taryor (Elder,

Extension) granted retired status.

Doug Williams (Elder, Ottawa:

Evangelical) to Rockford: Aldersgate.

Le’on Willis (Elder,

Englewood/Rust) to Chicago: Wesley.

Tammy Wischnack (Deacon,

Wilmette: Trinity) to Transitional Leave

May 2010.

Litany for Women’s History Month By Mariellen Sawada Yoshino, Fresno District Superintendent,

California-�evada Annual Conference

Published by General Commssion on the Status and Role of Women,

http://www.gcsrw.org

Leader: Blessed are the decades and

centuries of faithful women:

Missionaries, Deaconesses, WSCS and

UMW members and leaders, Pastors,

Deacons, Evangelists, Theologians,....

Community: ...for they will see God

and be called children of God.

Leader: Blessed is each one who has

given her grace-filled care and witness;

her Christ-filled passion and testimony;

her spirit-filled heart and breath.

Community: ...for she will see God

and be called a child of God.

Leader: Blessed are we who hold

these faithful ones in our minds and

hearts; our mission and history; our very

beings as disciples of Jesus Christ.

Community: ...for with them, we

would see God and be called children of

God. Leader: Rejoice and be glad for

theirs and ours is the kingdom, the

realm, the fullness of heaven.

Community: With these faithful

women, we rejoice and are glad for

together, ours is the kingdom, the realm,

the fullness of heaven.