July 2, 2012 Christ United Methodist Church

The Flame

A firm foundation

Christ UMC crews volunteer for Habitat for Humanity by Mark McGowan

During his 35 years as a research scientist in new prod-uct development for 3M, Gary Kaufman also developed an interest in Habitat for Humanity. But it took a retirement move to Rockford, a pair of new knees, and an invitation from Christ UMC’s Malcolm Martin to put a hammer in his hand four years ago. “The thought that we are building affordable housing so that others can have their very first house is appealing,” Kauf-man said. “I tell people, ‘We get to play with power tools, hit things with a hammer, make lots of noise and, at 10 o’clock, we get to break for doughnuts. What’s not to like?’ ” Kaufman is the team captain this year for Christ UMC’s regular crew of six to eight Habitat work-ers, most of whom volunteer Tuesdays and Thursdays and some Saturdays. He ensures the team has the tools, materials, and talents it needs; a safe work environment; a workflow sequence that gets the job done successfully; and a strict adherence to building codes. After several years of constructing two-story homes near SwedishAmerican Hospital, Christ UMC’s laborers are cur-rently building “the Methodist house” on Rockford’s north-west side. When complete, the home will go to a family in need of adequate shelter with a willingness to partner with the Rockford Area Habitat for Humanity and an ability to pay rent, utilities, and other financial obligations. Future homeowners are required to perform 300 hours of “sweat equity,” working alongside the volunteer crews. “It’s a great feature of the Habitat plan,” said Kaufman, who believes it promotes a valuable feeling of ownership and a true ambition to take good care of the home. “They see how much work goes into it, giving them a

sense of appreciation of what’s being accomplished,” he said. “I take particular interest in seeing them understand why certain things are done. It’s a little homeowner edu-cation.” Jack Schroeder, a 15-year volunteer, remembers a soon

-to-be homeowner during a previ-ous build who was logging more hours than he was. She worked full shifts with the Christ UMC crew Tuesdays and Thursdays and punched the clock nights at a local hospital. “That’s how bad they want to get a house,” a still-impressed Schroe-der says. “It’s a wonderful feeling. You’re working to give something to people who don’t have much.” According to its mission state-ment, Habitat for Humanity “works

in partnership with God and people everywhere, from all walks of life, to develop communities with God’s people in need by building and renovating houses, so that there are decent houses in decent communities in which God’s people can live and grow into all that God intended.” Friends of Rockford’s Habitat are celebrating the com-pletion of their 100th home this year. Schroeder, a retail manager at Sears for 35 years, started his Habitat journey with a paintbrush. Now he’s “mostly in nailing,” he said, “flooring, roofing, installing kitchen cabinets, pounding the windows in.” Harold Hawes, who began by volunteering Saturday mornings for a few years before he retired a decade ago from a career in engineering and sales at Barber-Coleman, grew up on a farm near Capron in northern Boone County, where his family built their own sheds and fences. Now he’s learned plenty of new construction

(continued on page 8)

“The carpenter stretches a line; he marks it out with a pencil. He shapes it with planes and marks it with a compass. He shapes it into the figure of a man, with the beauty of a man, to dwell in a house.” — Isaiah 44:13, English Standard Version

Page 2

What a year! “Lord, you have been our help, generation after generation. 2 Before the mountains were born, before you birthed the earth and the inhabited world— from forever in the past to forever in the future, you are God. 3 You return people to dust, saying, “Go back, humans,” 4 because in your perspective a thousand years are like yesterday past, like a short period during the night watch (Psalm 90:1-4, Common English Bible) My heart is full as I celebrate my first anniversary of minis-try together with you at Christ United Methodist Church. In some ways, I can’t believe a year has passed already; in other ways, I feel like I’ve been with you for years. Truly our time is held in God’s hands, full of hope and promise. We have been through a lot together. We have shared in-formation of the congregation’s financial difficulties, and concrete and effective steps have been taken to turn the situation. Already we are seeing so much fruit.

Three Financial Open Forum events shared finan-cial data with the congregation.

The Leadership Team authorized the Facilities Study Task Force, under the leadership of Kip Kirkland, in August, 2011. The five sub-groups (parsonage, Comanche properties, Alpine Sanctu-ary/Christian Education building, Rosecrance properties, and Our Master’s Center) submitted their reports to Leadership Team.

1. The parsonage at 1894 Plum Orchard Ln. was legally purchased on June 29, 2012.

2. A proposal to sell the Comanche properties was approved at a special Church Confer-ence on April 1, 2012. In the midst of re-ceiving bids, a donor came forward to pay off the Comanche mortgages entirely (a gift of $380,900!), with the stipulation that

the five northernmost houses would be taken down to create green space (with the donor covering demolition costs). The gift was accepted by the Leadership Team on May 22, and the mortgages were paid off on Tuesday, May 29. The special Church Conference on June 24 approved the demolition of the five houses, and letters have been sent out notifying the five residents involved.

3. The Alpine Sanctuary/Christian Educa-tion report was received, and most of its recommendations are in the process of implementation.

4. The Rosecrance report will be consid-ered in depth in our Leadership Team meetings in July and August.

5. The Our Master’s subgroup’s proposal for family ministries outreach was soundly approved, and Pastor Sun Hyung Jo is developing a team to lead that effort.

Over $42,000 has been restored to the memorial funds. The Memorial Gifts committee has been activated and is working with families to direct funds to meaningful projects.

In addition, a spring capital funds appeal had raised as of June 24: Parsonage down payment $29,304.33 Boiler project $ 9,693.33 Siding project $ 5,791.34 Where Needed $16,575.00 Total $61,364.00

The congregation’s generosity is a touching sign of your commitment to God and the ministries of Christ UMC.

The Finance Committee is developing financial policies for the church and seeking bids to re-finance our debt on the Rosecrance properties. Every month, a financial summary is posted at both Alpine and Our Master’s Centers.

We also have made great strides in the area of Staff-Parish Relations. We celebrated the membership minis-try of Carol Frey and welcomed Alicia Arthur to our staff. All of the staff (except the pastors!) now have job

A Word from the Senior Pastor

(Journey with Jane, continued on page 3)

Alpine Center

(MAILING ADDRESS FOR

BOTH CENTERS): 4509 Highcrest Road Rockford, Il 61107

Phone: 815-399-5910 Office Hours: Monday—Friday

8:30 a.m.—5:00 p.m.

Sunday Worship Services Blended Worship Services:

8:00 and 9:30 a.m.

Our Master’s Center 5973 Darlene Drive Rockford, Il 61109

Phone: (815)399-5910

Sunday Worship Service 9:30 a.m. Child care is available

Rev. Jane Eesley, Sr. Pastor Rev. Laura Barkley, Sr. Assoc. Pastor

Rev. Sun Hyung Jo, Assoc. Pastor

Welcome to Christ United Methodist Church!

Page 3

This Month’s Outreach Focus

Christ UMC Mission Statement We will live out God’s vision by

Gathering: introducing people to Jesus Christ,

Growing: moving from believer to follower, and

Going: making a Gospel impact beyond the church

The Flame is a monthly publication of Christ United Methodist Church, available by mail or at online at www.christumc.cc. Editor—Linda Kuntz Features Editor—Amy Nickel Features Writers—Don Black, Mark McGowan, Amy Nickel Contributing Photographer— Joe Whinnery Director of Worship Arts and

Communications—Jody Warren

Centennial Kids Club

Centennial Kids Club is a nonprofit, arts-based program serving 35 to 50 kindergarten through 6th-grade inner city children each week. Held on Saturdays year round from 10:00 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. at Centennial UMC, 219 S. Second St., the program pro-vides breakfast, lunch, and many activities that focus on having fun, teaching fellowship and strong values, building assets, and encouraging the spirit of each child. Visit www.christumc.cc to view a video about Centennial Kids Club, or visit www.gbgm-umc.org/centennialchurch/outreach.html#SKC for more information.

descriptions. The clergy were evaluated at the May meeting, and all lay staff will be evaluated over the summer. The Trustees have been hard at work. They were in-volved in the work of the Facilities Study Task Force and in the process of purchasing the parsonage. They are currently in the process of getting the new boiler installed and in seeking bids for the siding project. Dead trees have been removed at the preschool, north of the Grace building, and in front of the parsonage. This summer they’ll be busy with projects on long-needed repairs in the preschool building. I believe God is helping us manage the administrative matters to provide a strong foundation for future min-istry and outreach. I have shared with you many nuts-and-bolts items of ministry, but my heart has been most filled by holy moments of God’s presence. I have wept tears of joy at the transplants received by Shelby Martin and John Mink, the generosity of the congregation in responding to the capital appeal this spring, the privilege of adult baptism of Jenny Tho-mas, the generosity of the Comanche mortgage donor, and the witnesses of youth and music of the band on Senior Sunday. I feel so blessed to be one of your pastors. Thank God and thank you for an amazing year.

Jane

(Journey with Jane, continued from page 2)

July 15—Alpine Center

July 29—Our Master’s Center

Page 4 Fellowship News

WOWS Group

Widows or Widowers and Singles In July:

The WOWS will be going to lunch at Hoffman House on

July 18 at 12:30 p.m. Please call Rhea Hoyt at 815-229-6339 with your reservation by July 16.

In August:

On Wednesday, August 8, the WOWS will be going to the White Pines Dinner Theater to see “LOL—Little Old Ladies.” If you have not already signed up to go and wish to join us, please call Carol at 815-399-1291 soon. Payment to Carol will be due no later than July 6. It is always a fun day. Amount due is $27. Please meet at the Alpine Center parking lot so we can leave no later than 10:30 a.m.

CUMC Senior Fellowship Group Friday, July 20 at noon,

Dining Room, Alpine Center Come and join this group for those who are age 65 or better for a wonderful homemade lunch and fellowship with your friends. After lunch, we’ll have a program, to be announced. Call the church office at 815-399-5910 to make your reservation by Monday, July 16 so we can plan for enough food. Hope to see you there!

Are you looking to connect

with other moms? CUMC Mom Connection is a group that meets on the 2nd and 4th Friday mornings every month from 9:30 - 11:00 a.m. We have different speakers, craft or cooking ideas and snacks. Childcare is provided. Please contact either Alicia Arthur at akarthur75@comcast.net or Tracey Greenland at 815-885-8337. The summer schedule is: July 13—Meet at Silo Ridge Park July 27—Play date at the home of Tracey Greenland August 10—Discovery Center If it rains on the park days, we’ll go to Sapora indoor play area instead.

Pork Chop Dinner Mark your calendar now!

Saturday, August 11

5:00-7:00 p.m. at Our Master’s Center

Watch for more information coming soon!

Here are some family ministry events

to put on your calendar:

Friday, July 13, 6:00 p.m. at Our Master’s Center We’ll have an old fashioned family picnic. Bring your picnic basket filled with dinner for your family, as well as tableware and a blanket. After dinner, at around 7:00, we’ll play some classic outdoor games, such as relay races, a water balloon toss, and kick ball.

Saturday, August 11, 5:00-7:00 p.m. Pork Chop Dinner at

Our Master’s Center We’ll support this annual event at Our Master’s Center. Join us for a great dinner and fellowship.

Friday, September 14, Movie Night at Our Master’s Center Watch for more details to come soon.

We’re looking for someone who has a popcorn machine that they would be willing to both loan and run on Septem-

ber 14. It would be great to have freshly made popcorn for movie night. If you can help with this, please let Pastor

Laura know or call the church office at 815-399-5910.

Relax at church movie night Forest Gump--Friday, July 27

Come to the free movie night at 6:15 p.m., Fri., July 27,

in the Sacred Grounds Coffee House at Alpine Center (south door). Fill your bowl with popcorn (munchies and drinks provided), and be in your seats by 6:30; the movie is 150 minutes. We'll watch the 1994 movie Forest Gump (PG). Although a comedy, it's much more than just a good laugh. Tom Hanks, Robin Wright, and Sally Fields are in the movie. A discussion follows the view-ing, and we're finished by 9:30.

You don't need reservations for the movie, but if you

want free child care in the church nursery, you need to

call the office (815 399-5910) by Fri., July 20, to reserve

space for your child or children. Children are always welcome to come for the movie and discussion at their parents' discretion.

Page 5 General Church News

School Supply Drive Pick up a supply list on July 15 or 22

The new school year is right around the corner. Please stop by the School Supply Drive counter in Fellow-ship Hall on July 15 or 22. You can select a boy or a girl. Then shop, using the supply list provided and return a backpack full of school supplies to Alpine Center or Our Master’s Center by July 29. Monetary donations are al-ways appreciated. Questions? Call Mary Gummow at 815-494-8679.

Africa Trip Organizational Meeting Monday, July 23 at 7:00 p.m.

Coffee House, Alpine Center Please plan to join us on Monday, July 23 at 7:00 p.m. to discuss the possibility of a trip to Africa in 2013 through Zoe Ministry (www.zoeministry.org). We’ve talked about Kenya and Rwanda, but we’re now hearing more about Zimbabwe. Learn about Zoe’s ministries and dis-cuss trip options. RSVP to Linda Kuntz at 815-399-5910 or lindakuntz@christumc.cc.

Christ the Carpenter Food Pantry In last month’s “Journey With Jane” article in the Flame, Pastor Jane related a challenging question raised at an event she attended. The question is: “Does the congre-gation have a letter of reference from the poor?” As an ongoing part of Christ UMC’s efforts to answer that question, the congregation donates non-perishable items weekly to the food pantry. Most of this food, as well as monetary donations, go to Christ the Carpenter UMC Food Pantry. Christ the Carpenter has a small church-operated pantry located at 1100 South Winnebago Street. The pantry is open from 12:30—2:30 p.m. on Mondays, or the same hours on Tuesday if Monday is a holiday. Users may select food items from various groupings. The pantry not only serves those having a hunger crisis but serves as a vehicle for Christian outreach. Regular weekly donations as well as special “Souper” Bowl Sunday, Red Wagon Sunday, and Bag It Sunday donations go to Christ the Carpenter. Depending on the amount of food donated, contributions are delivered by Christ UMC once or twice a month. Through the end of June, Christ UMC has donated 2904 pounds of food, amounting to more that $4,900 in value. Christ the Carpenter and any of the other local pantries could not exist in this time of great need without your generosity. Thank you for your help!

Blessing of the Backpacks Mark your calendar for Sunday, August 19

Children, youth, and teachers are invited to bring their backpacks to worship at all services on August 19. We will have a special time of blessing each backpack. See the August Flame for more information.

How Welcoming Are We? A member recently visited another city and she describes the hospitality in that city as Hospitality 401. Are we Welcoming 101, 201, 301, or 401? If not Welcom-ing 401, what do each of us need to do for us as a congregation to become Welcoming 401?

Andy’s Books For Kids

Book Drive Once again I would like to thank you for your

generous participation the last two years in my used book drive for Andy’s Books for Kids book sale fundraiser and to ask you once more to cull your book collections for

books to donate, between July 1st and July 31st, for the 2012 fundraiser. To save on expenses, the venue for the sale this year will be the Unitarian Universalist Church of Rockford and it is scheduled for the beginning of October. The proceeds from our book sales help to fund our vari-ous projects.

This year Andy’s Books completed six projects: donating 1,325 new children’s books, one to every student, to three Rockford elementary schools; 225 books to special projects, one at Rockford East High School and one at Blackhawk Boys and Girls Club; and $4500 to Belvidere public schools to purchase new children’s books for their libraries. Your contribution to our fundraising efforts is greatly appreciated. Your generosity insures that we will be able to continue with our mission of promoting child literacy by providing new children’s books to kids in the Greater Rockford area and beyond.

For more information about Andy’s Books for Kids and our projects please feel free to visit our website at andysbooks.org.

Please put your book donations in the plastic

bin in the Fellowship Hall at Our Master’s Center and in

the bin near the donation cupboards at Alpine Center.

Thanks in advance for your generosity! With best regards, Meg Hodge Chairman, Andy’s Books for Kids

United Methodist Women News; Information Meeting Page 6

Tender Loving Crafts Resale Please remember to set aside clothing you no longer need for the resale at TLC. We are looking for sizes women, misses and juniors. Fall and winter clothes are preferred. Sweaters, jackets, coats, blouses, skirts, dresses, shoes, purses and accessories are needed. There will be a drop off point at the church starting in September.

Tender Loving Crafts Show and Sale

on October 20, 2012

It is not too early to start planning. If you have tal-ent, you can begin making your crafts, needlework, or other handmade items. We need many items for our own missions booth, so get busy now! Would you like to rent a booth? Call Diane Kirk-land at 815-885-1757. All proceeds go to missions. To make this another successful show and sale, we need everyone’s help. Don’t put it off!

UMW Greeting Cards

at Alpine Center On Sale on July 8 and 22

Greeting cards, created by women of the UMW, will be available for sale in Fellowship Hall on Sundays, July 8 and 22.

Save the Date!

Informational Meeting

About Foster Care

Monday, August 13

6:30 p.m.in the Dining Room, Alpine Center There will be a presentation by Lutheran Social Services and Pastor Laura Barkley will be present to answer questions. If you have ever thought about being a foster parent, this is a time to get your questions answered. The need is great and loving foster parents are in great demand. Child care will be provided but you must request it by calling the church office at 815-399-5910, by August 10.

“But I Don’t Have An Address”

Christ United Methodist Women’s Fall Kick-Off

Monday, August 27, 2012

7:00 PM in the Dining Room,

Alpine Center All CUMC members and their friends are invited to join us to learn all about the homeless children who are enrolled in Rockford Public Schools and the services which are provided to encourage school attendance and success. Elmer Rice, Homeless Student Advocate for the Rockford Public Schools Homeless Service Program, will speak and answer questions. A free will offering will be taken to support the program. Please join us and invite your friends and neighbors.

Out to Lunch Bunch Thursday, July 26 at 12:30 p.m.

At Sophia’s Restaurant 5467 Bridge Street, Roscoe

Call Rickie Andersen at 815-885-4373 or email r.andersen@comcast.net to make your reservations.

Page 7 Your Help is Needed!

On Sunday, July 29 an offering will be taken for United Voices for Children. United Voices for Children (UVC) Speaks and Acts on Behalf of all the Children and Youth in the Northern Illinois Conference of The United Methodist Church. The offering is divided equally among the 4 agencies. Founded in 1979, the mission of United Voices for Children has been to:

Speak in one voice and act on behalf of troubled and needy children and youth who lack the voice of an ad-vocate, and

Nurture and support the ministries of the four conference related child-serving agencies: ChildServ, Marcy-Newberry Association, MYSI Corporation and the Rosecrance Health Network.

One of the agencies, Child Serv:

Reaches 3,100 children and families each year. Programs include foster care and adoption, group homes, child care, early childhood education and parent-

ing support enhanced by healthy lifestyle information and college/career readiness support

ChildServ's GrandFamily Support program serves 265 grandparents and 506 children.

Coins in July Coins given on Sunday mornings this month will go for the Children's Fund. The projects for 2012 are:

Children's Lighthouse Center in Estonia : Children’s Lighthouse Center, established in 2001 in Tallinn by The United Methodist Church in Estonia, pro-vides weekday services to children and their families to address the physical and spiritual needs of living in poverty.

God's Chef's (LUMINA Ministry) in Pennsylvania:

God's Chefs is a nutrition education ministry with chil-dren and youth. It is one of the outreach ministries of LUMINA – The Lancaster United Methodist Innercity Alliance.

Peace Pals in Haiti: Peace Pals began in August 2007 for 30 children of HAPI artisans (Haitian Artisans for Peace) and was led by a community volunteer. Peace Pals intro-duces creativity to children through art and music. There is a girls' dance troupe. Peace Pals also assists children with school work and encourages them to succeed aca-demically. Periodically, Peace Pals has health and hy-giene seminars led by a HAPI nurse.

Vacation Bible School

Mission Project It is an all too common sight across Africa, children caring for children

because their parents have died of HIV/AIDS, dis-ease, war, famine, and other causes. They face lives of loneliness, hardship and hunger. Many of the chil-dren end up begging for food, living on the streets, or worse. This year for our Vacation Bible School Mission Pro-ject we raised money to help these children through the Orphan Empowerment Program with Zoe Minis-try. They work to break this cycle of poverty, and give these children hope. ZOE goes into communities where the orphans are already living, and brings them together in supportive groups. Then they con-nect them with local churches and offer them re-sources and training which empower them to pull themselves out of poverty in 2-3 years. At the end of VBS we have raised $569.20. If you would like to make a donation towards this ministry please contact the church office at 815-399-5910 by July 29.

Page 8

Join us for Summer Wednesday Night Live! At the Alpine Center

on Wednesdays, July 11—August 15

Dinner (a varied simple menu from week to week)

will be served from 5:30-6:30 p.m.

Cost for the dinner is $3.00 per person/$10 per family

Classes from 6:30-8:00 p.m.

Adult Class: Come join in a time of study on Wednesday nights from 6:30-8:00 p.m. in the Coffee House. We will be reading the book “Forgotten God” by Francis Chan. The book looks at the Holy Spirit and reminds us that the Holy Spirit is the true source of the church’s power. Chan contends that we have ignored the Spirit for far too long. When we do that, we only operate in our own strength and we will just accomplish human-sized results. There is also a video that goes along with the study that aids in our discussion. The cost is $12. The class will be led by Pastor Laura. Sign up at the Connection Center..

Children 3 years old-6th grade: Awana. Awana sign up form is available on our website, christumc.cc—click on Grow, then Children. The form is also at the Connection Center.

Helping Hands Needed for Summer Wednesday Night Live! This is a great night of fellowship, fun, and growing in God’s Word. We will start the night out with a light supper and then have classes available for children and adults. We need a few helping hands to make, serve and clean up our sum-mer suppers. The suppers are very simple and we utilize disposable products for the summer to make clean-up quick. If you are interested in helping out at any of these Wednesday nights (you do not need to do it every week), please let Pastor Laura know at 815-399-5910 or laurabarkley@christumc.cc.

skills on the Habitat crew, such as pulling wires to pro-vide access for electricity. “We have fun doing it,” Hawes said. “It’s nice to be able to help out people who are struggling a little bit and probably wouldn’t have a home of their own without going through Habitat.” Leland Cottrell, a retired sheet metal worker, heads to the project site three days a week to help make up for a short-handed crew. “I went from making things out of metal to making things out of wood,” he said. After 11 years of volunteering, he continues to enjoy the fellowship of the other men who “probably wouldn’t do this if they got paid.” His skills include “pretty much everything,” although he leaves the electrical work and plumbing to others. Jim McGowan, who worships at the Our Master’s Center, is the crew’s go-to authority for that electrical work. The retired union electrician joined the Habitat group about five years ago, shortly after the merger of the two churches.

McGowan’s expertise with wiring is most appreciated during the frequent home inspections, Kaufman says. “The inspectors look at us especially closely because most of us are not professionals,” he said. McGowan, however, most appreciates the opportunity to serve others. “It’s a good way to help people who can’t afford that first step toward independence,” he said, “and I have the skills to do what I do. It just makes sense.” When the job is done, the volunteers gather with the new homeowner and representatives of Rockford Area Habitat for Humanity to transfer the front door keys. The Rev. Art Webb frequently presided over those cere-monies in the past; last year, Pastor Jane Eesley was there to pray and offer her congratulations. Members of Christ UMC’s United Methodist Women typically provide a hand-made quilt. “It always feels great to turn over the keys,” Kaufman said, “and watch them start a new chapter in their lives.” Additional volunteers always are needed and welcome. To learn more, call Kaufman at (815) 633-0256. For more information about Rockford Area Habitat for Humanity, call (815) 636-4573 or visit www.rockfordhabitat.org.

(Habitat, continued from page 1)

Page 9

by focusing on relating to others. She taught vacation Bible school and Sunday school, co-chaired the Out-reach Committee for a num-ber of years, and served as a Stephen Minister. She also worked with young adults who had graduated from high school and needed their own group at church. With her gifts of faith, service, teaching, and helping, Sherri builds personal relationships by truly listening. She knows how important those relationships can be in the tough times in our lives. “I lost my husband 4-1/2 years ago,” she said, “and my church family was very suppor-tive. The 11:00 service is where my soul and heart are – that’s my family.” Today, she is building relationships with people of de-clining health or limited mobility at P.A. Peterson, in her neighborhood, and at church. Her history with her family and Christ UMC led naturally to her service today. “Faith is a journey,” she explained, “not just for indi-viduals, but for Christ UMC also. I believe our church is going forward, learning, and growing, and I want to be part of that process.” By Amy Nickel

and ’98. The oldest ones, Ally and Aaron, have bilateral deaf-ness. Ally received cochlear implants at ages 2 and 13. Aaron got his at 17 months and 11 years old. Michele did auditory verbal therapy for years with them to help them learn to hear and talk. They hear via the implants and reading lips. The girls turned out to be tomboys, like their mom. Ally played softball, basketball, and fast-pitch softball at Rockford Christian School, where they all attend. She graduated from high school in May and is going to attend Bethel University in St. Paul, Minn., where she may play softball. Youngest daughter Amber also plays volleyball, basketball, softball, and leads cheers. Aaron played basketball and football and loves to fish. He was on the IHSA bass fishing team at school. When her children were elementary and junior high school ages, Michele coached softball and basketball. “You can instill the good things” at that age, she said. She teaches like her junior high school softball coach, who was her favorite. “He taught me not to fear the ball and that failure only comes when you stop trying.” Today Michele works with people with disabilities,

mostly disabled children and their parents. She’s a youth education advocate at RAMP, a Center for Independent Living. “I think it was God’s wish,” she said. Besides work camps, Michele has taught Sunday school, worked in Kids Klub, and sung in the choir. She’s also on the church’s Youth Council. When asked about hobbies, she replied, “My family is my biggest hobby. I don’t want to miss any games.” Bruce, a lieutenant colonel in the Army Reserves, has a master’s degree in communications from Northern Illinois University. He served as commander of the Rockford Army unit, and his other commands were within the Mid-west, so the family has not had to move around. Bruce currently serves as director of public works and fire marshal for all of the U.S. bases in Kuwait, where he has been since October 2011. His last visit home was to attend Ally’s high school graduation. The family attends the 9:30 or 11:00 a.m. worship ser-vice, depending on when Bruce calls from Kuwait. Mich-ele explained that Sunday morning is when Bruce contacts them for face-to-face talks on Skype via the Internet. “He loves the military,” Michele said about her hus-band, who has served 28 years in the Army Reserves. But his time is almost up—Bruce is due to come home in three months.

(Michele Johnson, continued from back page)

Thirty-seven years ago, Sherri Crawford, her husband Tom, and their two sons, Canon and Wade, first came to Christ UMC. “We were welcomed from the beginning,” she said. These days, Sherri, a retired public schoolteacher, often can be found at the front of the sanctuary serving as a li-turgist. Even though she has no pastoral background, the position is natural. Assisting the pastors with the service and leading the congregation in sharing joys and concerns is “extremely fulfilling for me,” she said. “I really do try hard to listen—that is one of my gifts—not only to people but to what God wants me to do. When Pastor Jane asked me to be a liturgist, I knew in my soul that ‘yes’ was the answer God expected.” From a young age, faith has formed Sherri. Raised in a Christian, church-going home, she found her strongest role models in her family. “Two of the women I most ad-mired were my grandmother and my aunt,” she ex-plained. “Grandma lived to be 107 and Aunt Iris, who is now 93, took care of her.” The examples that they set and the connection that she has with Aunt Iris inspire Sherri and help her to know that “just because I’m 68, I’m not done.” Over the years, Sherri shared her gifts at Christ UMC

Sherri Crawford

O For a Thousand Tongues to Sing Charles Wesley (1707-1788)

O for a thousand tongues to sing my great Redeemer’s praise, The glories of my God and King, the triumphs of His grace! My gracious Master and my God, assist me to proclaim, To spread thro’ all the earth abroad the honors of Thy name. Jesus! The name that charms our fears, that bids our sorrows cease, ‘Tis music in the sinners’ ears, ‘tis life, and health, and peace.

The original title of this hymn was “For the Anniversary Day of One’s Conver-sion.” Charles Wesley wrote it on May 21, 1749, the eleventh anniversary of his own conversion. Before they were con-verted, John and Charles Wesley were dubbed “methodists” because of the methods of spirituality they had intro-duced in their club at Oxford, the Holy Club. But later John and Charles met the German Moravians, who loved to sing, were very missions-minded, and empha-sized a personal conversion experience. One of the Moravian leaders, Peter Bohler, once said, “Had I a thousand tongues, I would praise Christ Jesus with all of them.” So it was fitting for Charles Wesley to build a hymn around that quotation to celebrate the date of his conversion.

Taken with permission from The One Year Great Songs of Faith, Tyndale House

Publishers, 1995

Page 10 Getting to Know Hymn; Congratulations

He breaks the power of canceled sin, He sets the prisoner free; His blood can make the foulest clean; His blood availed for me. He speaks, and listening to His voice, new life the dead receive; The mournful, broken hearts rejoice; the humble poor believe. Hear Him, ye deaf; His praise, ye dumb, your loosened tongues employ; Ye blind, behold your Savior come; and leap, ye lame, for joy.

To Jeff Holmgaard Congratulations to Jeff Holmgaard who won his first two-time golf title. He has won five tournaments once. Now he’s won the Ballard Memorial Golf Tournament for the second time. He has also won Men’s City, Atwood, Aldeen Cup and Gold Medal titles in the past.

To John Mink Congratulations to John Mink who received the “Service Above Self” award that the Downtown Rotary Club presents each year. There were seven people added to the honor roll of great citizens this year. At the introduction to the presen-tation of the awards, the following was said.”Our community is what it is because of you and people like you. Our com-munity is a better place to live because of you and people like you. You have been an influence for good in our lives and in the life of our community. And despite your humility, despite your embarrassment in being singled out, we, as a community need to say thank you. Our community continues to face challenges and difficult times but, because of men and women like you we have honored in the past and because of the men and women we honor today, we have pride in our history together and hope in our future together.”

To The Rev. Dr. William Lenters, Chaplain at Rosecrance Congratulations to Bill Lenters on winning the distinguished National Association of Addiction Treatment Providers’ Michael Q. Ford Journalism Award for 2012. In his nomination letter, Rosecrance President CEO Philip W. Eaton wrote: “At its finest, journalism educates, inspires and leads. Through his long-running series of published columns, Lenters has done all this and more. Since he came to work at Rosecrance in 1998, he has helped tens of thousands of patients and family members, as well as staff members, discover the strength and wisdom within themselves to face obstacles in their lives and find their way to recovery. Both through his writing and by his presence, he offers help and hope for the journey of life, whether or not his readers are in recovery from substance abuse.”

Children’s Ministry News

July, 2012

Alpine Center,

Summer Schedule 8:00am Worship Hour Nursery care is available for all infants and children

9:30am Worship Hour Infants-Pre-School: Nursery

Kindergarten-5th Grade: Begin in sanctuary, dismissed downstairs to Sunday School Room 1 following the Children’s Sermon

11:00am Worship Hour Infants-Pre-School: Nursery

Kindergarten-5th Grade: Begin in sanctuary, dismissed downstairs to Sunday School Room 1 following the Children’s Sermon

Our Master’s Center,

Summer Schedule 9:30am Worship Hour Infants- Kindergarten: Nursery 1st-6th Grade: Pick up an activity bag and join

your family for in worship in the sanctuary

Page 11 Children’s Ministry News

Summer Sunday School During the summer we change things up a little in Children’s Ministry regarding Sunday School. At Our Master’s Center, nursery care remains available for infants—kindergartners at the 9:30 worship service. Older children are encouraged to worship in the sanctuary with their families. There are activity bags on a coat rack outside the sanctuary that children are welcome to take into worship. At Alpine Center, classes are combined and modified for a more flexible summer schedule that allows more opportunity for families to worship together. This summer we will be doing a combina-tion of our Orange curriculum Sunday School les-sons and Christian themed movies and popcorn. See the column to the right for details. Children are asked to remain in the class

they have been attending during the previous

school year, and we will graduate together to our new classes in September. If you are interested in helping out with summer Sunday School, there are still a few Sun-days available for you to sign up! Please contact Erika Coffer at the church office: 815-399-5910. July 11: Wednesday Night Live and Summer

Awana Begin This summer, our Wednesday Night Live will be at Alpine Center. There will be a simple dinner and opportunities for adults and children each Wednesday night through August 15. More information and registration forms are available at the Connection Center or online at the church web-site: www.christumc.cc.

Wanted!

The nursery is looking for any unused

rocking chairs/gliders or infant/toddler clothing.

If you have any of these items and would like to donate them, please contact

Erika Coffer

at the church office: 815-399-5910

July 13 Eric Russell Lynda Moser Charisse Stram Jean Vitale Megan Hudgin Christopher Pomatto Billi Mahurin Chris Peters Mandy Alms July 14 Lisa Truitt Merv Huckstep Ken Johnson Jodi Miller Al Lashock Barb Peterson Brendan Johnson Jessie Walter Nicky Danielson Kylie Parker July 15 Emily Dilonardo Grant Shumaker Cole Schrank John Foster July 16 Donni Ege Sherry Kobischka Abby Lineback Logan Wahl Rich Jewell July 17 Christian Brown Anthony Moczynski Jim Baker Kathleen Hayes

July 7 McKenna Kurth Steve Thurston David Mouri July 8 Bienvenido Hayag Dan Robinson Braden Hacker Kurt McKelvey Alex Sarver Diane Robinson Sara Myers Lindsey Wallem July 9 Jolene Unangst Danielle Hoffmann Bob Russell Ben Gibbons Matt McKelvey Martha Shula July 10 Scott Griffith Marian Schaefer Ann Utech Janine Brown Karissa Lynn Steffen July 11 Roger Dawson Kristen Ott Lindsay Peters July 12 Ashlyn Esgar Chase Martin

July 18 Ted Plum Steve Bruesewitz JoAnn Johnson Nita Olson Wayne Peters Rex Parker July 19 Sean Hayes Douglas Gebhardt Susan Baldwin Evelyn LaRue July 20 Ken Christiansen Pam Wilson Sherry DeBuhr Drew Steffen Ian Tasiopoulos Lisa Sargent Tes Sullivan Donald Johnson Dennis Priewe Casey Swindell Jennifer Bockhop July 21 Ray Porter Rhea Hoyt Collin McKinney Graham Powell Pete Gustafson Charlie Last Sunny Williams Curt Sidener Dean Kurth Amy Seiler Laura Barkley Arlene Earleywine Jack Becherer Lori Leppert

Page 12 Birthdays and Anniversaries

July 8 Scott and Beth Crane Kurt and Geneve Harris Michael and Marissa Muldowney

July 9 Steve and Jan Hudgin July 10

Jim and Judy Chancellor Gregg and Pam Herrmann Bob and Joyce Reeves July 11 Risë’ and Pierce Barker Sven and Edna Berggren Barb and Harold Palm

July 13 Jamie and Christy Morgan

July 22 Tim Moore Alicia Arthur Molly Klazura Adrienne Zehrung July 23 Chris Estes Connor Edwards Mary Bloyer Mary Jo Frey Jeff Nowicki July 24 Doug Yeager Alina Hedberg Griffin Allen Gene Nelson Marjorie Anderson Lory Cruden July 25 Joe Busenbark Jane Picken Erika Coffer July 26 Brad Powell Isabella Garrelts July 27 Mackenzie Erickson Curtis Bliss Jackie Vongsiri Erika Wong July 28 Anna LaMantia Matt LaMantia Becca LaMantia Cliff Gillette Jordan Steffen

July 29 Haley Martin Sara McGee Patrick Sullivan July 30 Lisa Trowbridge Rick Deppe Joan McQuinn Alyssa Lundvall Mike Melenas Steve Cooper July 31 Kari McKelvey Jacob Riesetter Theodore Smith Loretta Woodard Nikki Elliott August 1 Taylor Powell Jerry Nagles Danny McMullen Carol Letsinger Cliff Gray August 2 Jessica Flondro Sue McMillin Evelyn Fox August 3 Betty Fisher Mike Stroup Reed Schrank Richard Wang Sue Spitzer Greg Hansen August 4 Luise Walter Alison Bockhop

July 16 Barry and Carol Beaman John and Joan Noonan Ed and Phyllis Smerke July 17 Mark and Heather Page Kirk and Beth Rydberg July 19 Donald and Elaine Johnson Ray and Jo Marie Paul Jim and Anne Wilson July 20 Doug and Pam Shumaker July 22 Tom and Kelly Gale July 26

Melvin and Peggy Fosler Matt and Amy Mayberry Jeff and Jan Nowicki Dave and Carol Wehmeyer

July 27 Del and Marg Arthur Michael and Terry Groncki

July 28 Steve and Megan Davis Brad and Chris Powell Nick and Lisa Scribner Jim and Lynn Wood July 29 Chad and Heather Adkinson July 31 George and Jan Edwards August 1 Kyle and Deanna Murray Erik and Beth Palm Marco and Sandy Revoredo Paul and Amy Seiler Tom and Shelly Watson August 3 Kent and Terri Kobler Dennis and Susan Sweeney

August 5 Alex Hornsby Bonnie Davidson Jim Hellmich August 6 Susan Hunter August 7 Dani Ogilby Charles Wagener Diane Kirkland Kyle Brechon Genna Umenhofer Matt Miner Jane Stuttler Kim Jacobsen Riley Flodin Gracie Barkley August 8 Jacob Benner Jennie Shourek Chelsea Paraggua Erin Powell August 9 Kay Leeson Jessica Bennehoff Lexis Ann Lutes Keith Carr Colleen Hepfer Karlen Crane Elaina Murray August 10 Amanda Armstrong Steve Hudgin Mason Vetter Joan Wallem Sarah Varland Ian Gustafson

August 4 Daniel and Tami Rezin August 5 Steve and Sherry Brandon Todd and Rhonda Yaun August 6 Chad and Teresa Hageman Jason and Stefani Mays August 7 Mike and Jody Warren August 8 Lane and Sue Martin Steve and Jean Randel Barry and Nancy Smith August 9 Jeff and Susan Baldwin Mark and Angela Kneller Doug and Nancy Otwell

The Church is People

Births: Cullen Andrew, son of Steve and Narina Schulz, born on June 5 Zoe, Reva Crapisi’s first great-grandchild, born on May 29, daughter of Jon and Andrea

Sympathy to: Al and LeeAnn Mowbray, on the death of Al’s mother, Grace Mowbray Dave and Diane Robinson, on the death of Dave’s mother, Marleen Robinson Bonnie Holmgaard, on the death of her brother Debbi Thurston and family on the death of her mother

New Members: Al and LeeAnn Mowbray joined our church on June 17

Wedding: Rachael Estes and Eric Hill were married in our church on June 30, 2012

Summer Garden Walks

The walks will be held on Monday evenings at 6:30 p.m—one garden each evening. Come and enjoy the beauty of the summer, a light

beverage, and meet the gardeners!

New this year:

Walks will be on Monday evenings

Garden experts will be giving garden tips

Donations will be taken to buy plants for the church's Prayer and Meditation garden.

If you would still like to volunteer to host a walk, we have dates still available. Please call Marco or Sandy Revoredo at 815-229-1841.

Mark your calendar now! We encourage you to carpool. Call

the host for directions if needed.

July 9 3829 Connecticut Dr. Rkfd. Irv and Joanne Stewart 815-399-5522

July 23 Wesley Willows Gardens. 4141 N. Rockton Ave. Ed and Maryann Rounds. 815-877-2968

July 30 1810 Stratford Lane. Rkfd. Tom and Judy Cox 815-399-5629

August 6 2517 Barrington Place. Rkfd. Jeff and Christine Swanberg 815-398-0855

Watch the weekly e-news and the Sunday bulletin each week

for any changes and for the current walk.

Shelby Martin Fundraising Update We have a few fundraisers on the horizon. Proceeds go to Shelby’s COTA fund for costs associated with her life-saving liver transplant!

NEW!! Tuesday July 17th – The Rockford Riverhawks are hosting a special Shelby night! HALF of all ticket sales will go to Shelby’s COTA fund and if we bring in 100 people or more, they will do a 50/50 raffle for her as well! Game time is 7:05p and it’s Kids Eat Free night!

Come enjoy some family fun and support the cause. If Shelby is feeling well enough, she will

be throwing out the first pitch that night!

Friday August 24th - BBQ to Go at CUMC. We are still in the planning stages but our resident chef and BBQ ex-pert Becky Keith will be cooking up a mouth-watering barbeque dinner that you can take home or find a spot on the lawn to picnic with your family and friends.

Sunday September 16th – Mark your calendars, folks, this is something you WON’T want to miss. Amy Nickel will be performing with her band, the Missing Links, as well as other well known Rockford-area bands including Vintage Vi-nyl, Mr. Big Stuff, magician Magic Mike, and Band of the Lost. The event will include a silent auction. More details to come!

Page 13 The Church is People; Garden Walks; Fundraising News

Our pastors, Jane Eesley, Laura Barkley, and Sun Hyung Jo and four lay persons, Dean Dion, Doris Dion, George English, and Mary English spent June 6-9 at the Northern Illinois Annual Conference in St. Charles, IL.

The Annual Conference Part of the Annual Conference is legislation. This includes rules changes, setting the budget, resolutions, and the election of conference officers. Legislation is in-terspersed with presentations by some of the programs and mission projects which our apportionments, Rain-bow Covenant, and extra giving support. Some pro-grams present awards for outstanding services as well as speeches and video presentations. Another part of the conference is ritual, cere-mony, and celebration, such as commissioning and ordi-nation of pastors, celebration of retirements, and remem-brance of members of the Annual Conference who have died the past year. One of the things planners attempt is to establish a theme and set a tone that members can carry back to their local congregations. The bishop sets appointments of pastors for the coming year. There are no longer any sur-prises. Pastors already know where they are going and Staff Parish Relations Committees have an-nounced who is coming. Bishop Jung is complet-ing his eighth year but bishops are not appointed until jurisdictional conference meeting in July.

Legislation The legislative agenda this year was very light with little controversy. Resolutions passed included a call to end mass incarceration and the building of private prisons, support for raising the minimum wage in Illi-nois, reauthorization of a Hyatt boycott, and a continuing partnership in Bolivia. A budget passed for 2013 which was smaller than the 2012 budget. A budget is, of course, a spending plan. If some churches fail to pay their ap-portionments then programs will have to spend less. Actual expenditures cannot be known until year's end. Apportionments are set by formula to local churches. With minor exceptions, current apportionments are 16% of pastor salaries, 14% of staff salaries, and 1% of church budget, not including capital improvements or money we give away, such as apportionments, Rainbow Covenant, or other mission specials paid from the budget. Appor-tionment interpreters are available if the church requests them to show how the money is collected and spent. Worship and Celebration All worship services at Annual Conference are dramatic, but two are always memorable: the memorial service

and the ordination service. Norma Sattelberg, wife of Rev. Carl Sattelberg, and Rev. William A. (Bill) Cull, for-mer pastor of Christ UMC, were remembered. This year CUMC did not have a candidate for commissioning or ordination. The Bible study leader was popular faith story teller, the Rev. Grace Imathiu. She was born in Kenya but is now a pastor in the Wisconsin conference. She is being appointed to Community in Naperville in the Northern Illinois Conference July 1.

Programs Highlighted Methodists support multiple programs local and worldwide through apportionments, Rainbow Cove-nants, and mission specials. Rainbow Covenant is so called because each band of color represents a different area of mission. This is extra giving by churches after their apportionments have been paid. Many presentations were made. Only a few

have been summarized here. The conference web site--www.umcnic.org-- contains full texts and pic-tures. North Central College as a part of the Board of Higher Education and Campus Ministry reported their organizations and programs. They named our own Patrick Anderson in a list of distinguished stu-dents and alumni of the college. Our former bishop Joseph Sprague received the Todd M. Singley Peace with Justice Award by

the Northern Illinois Conference Board of Church and Society, for his work as a social organizer and his lifelong effective advocacy for social justice. United Voices for Children, supporting four pro-grams for children and youth including Rosecrance in Rockford, reported on their programs and made several awards. They gave the Katherine M. Greene Award to Debra Kelley of Marcy Newberry Association for work with child development through music. They gave the Jesse R. Dewitt Child Advocacy Award to Dr. Kwane John Porter, retired pastor, and Mrs. June Porter for pro-ject Image directed toward at-risk male youth through sports, tutoring, mentoring, and community service. CUMC received a certificate for the largest amount con-tributed in the Rockford District to United Voices for Children. This giving is not budgeted but is raised from the Fifth Sunday Appeal with gifts beyond what is con-tributed for our church budget. Rockford Urban Ministries works in Rockford on inner city issues and issues of peace with justice such as supporting youth work camps, Promised Land Employ-ment Services, Habitat for Humanity construction, neighborhood development, Rockford New Hope, and Just Goods fair trade market .

Annual Conference Report, 2012

Page 14

Continued on Page 15

Thank You Notes Page 15

From the Funeral Luncheon Committee On June 18, Marleen Robinson’s life was celebrated. After the service Becky Keith prepared a fine meal which the UMW helped to serve. We thank Marion Kern, Lynda Moser, Barb Peterson, Ron and Irene Janecek, Bonnie McLeod, Mary Ann Foster, Donna Gillette, and Kay Benson for helping with this important mission to our church fami-lies. Many thanks to the members of the Quilt Group who pre-pared food for the funeral luncheon for the family of Den-nis Anderson. Those who brought salads were: Nancy Watson, Phyllis Melenas, Margot Kelley, Sally Plath, Sandy Cottrell, Mary Ann Foster and Susan Hunter. Dessert bars were made by: Arlene Persinger, Donna Copeland, Joyce Reeves, Carla White-Carpenter, Wanda Schroeder and Sally Plath. We appreciate all your help.

From Ann Daniels

Your prayers, cards and visits were a great source of comfort for me while I was in the hospital and recovering from surgery. Thank you so much!

From Karon Anderson and Family I would like to thank everyone for all their cards and prayers for our family when Dennis passed away. A big thank you to the ladies who provided the food and served the funeral luncheon after the funeral. May bless all of you!

From Church World Service Thank you for your generous contribution—especially ap-preciated in this challenging economy. Thanks to caring donors like you, Church World Service can provide food, water and other necessities to families displaced by natural disasters. With your help, we can also assist impoverished communities as they work to improve their farming tech-niques, develop reliable water sources, and build a more sustainable future.

Thank you for help with Fundraiser for Shelby

Martin—Me, Mommy, My Dolly and Tea

Sherrill Muller, Event Coordinator This fundraiser was a great success and enjoyed by all who attended. Our final count revealed we earned $1,971.00 which included the amount donated by our very generous sponsor. There were a number of volun-teers and donors who made this all possible. Special thanks to: Jennifer Melenas, Sarah Rasmussen, Tomara Mierow, Risë’ Barker, Phyllis Melenas, Linda Kuntz, Dan Robinson, and Darby and Mark McGowan. We greatly appreciated the generosity of the awe-some baskets and items donated by the CUMC UMW circles for the silent auction and wish to thank everyone who participated and helped at the event. Thanks to the

CUMC Quilt Group, Jody Stiles and Mere-dith Powers, Our Master’s Center Card Cut Up Group, Rebekah Circle, Priscilla Circle, Sally Plath, Delores Fenn, Phyllis Melenas and Martha Circle. Please take note of the following vendors who donated to help us. We greatly appre-ciate the support of these businesses and urge you to remember them when shop-ping: Canterbury, Didier Greenhouses, Inc.,

Discovery Center Museum, Dandy Donuts, Fur Com-pany, Cynthia Linnabary (artist), Handy Harms Repairs, Image-N-That, Klehm Arboretum, Rockford Park Dis-trict, Sam’s, The Bagel Store, Usborne Books, Wal-green’s, Wonderland Books, Woodman’s, Katie’s Cup, Starbuck’s, The Needle and I, Great Harvest Bread, Al Navicus Landscaping. Once again the prayers of the people in our church are making a difference in someone’s life. Thank you for showing your love!

JFON (Justice for Our Neighbors) provides legal as-sistance to immigrants. Another impressive report was DuPage United who though ecumenical organization re-versed a zoning ordinance which effectively prevented con-struction of new houses of worship in DuPage County. This was accomplished politically without resort to the courts.

Harvest 2020 Among the more inspiring presentations were ones about Harvest 2020, a movement in the conference to develop healthy discipleship in all churches, to encourage the coop-eration among congregations and clusters of churches to af-fect communities, and to plant 100 new faith communities by 2020. The successes were lifted up, and a presentation on the first few months of the capital campaign to establish a second

wave of new faith communities was discussed. Look for more details about Harvest 2020 in a separate article.

Theme The theme of this year's conference was Celebrating God's Amazing Work. This emphasized trusting God's abun-dance rather than focusing on scarcity and trying to pre-serve what's inside our own walls. The celebration of new faith community plants and mission programs gave an upbeat joyous tone to the conference. Communicating to our church that we should look for evidence of God's abundance instead of focusing inward on scarcity will help us to be the church in our community.

George E. English Lay Member of Annual Conference

Annual Conference Report, 2012 Continued from Page 14

Harvest 2020 is a movement in the Northern Illinois Conference (NIC) that has been growing for about five years. Its vision is (1) to plant 100 new faith communities within the NIC, (2) to grow healthy disciples in local churches, and (3) to promote coop-eration through cluster ministries. The three parts are interconnected, but they are not in any order of importance or time sequence. Number three in the list is about

churches cooperating with each other to

make a difference in the community in a way that not one could by itself. An example of a cluster, or group, of churches in ministry is the several Princeton area (Bureau Co.) United Methodist churches that started Our Table. This is a once-a-week food ministry in a financially dis-tressed community that provides one good and nutritious meal a week to anyone who comes—no questions asked. The food is important, but so are the fellowship of the meal and a table of community resources. Another group of churches in Aurora has established Justice for Our Neighbors, a legal clinic where immigrants can get free legal assistance from qualified people. Think of CUMC’s involvement in Emmanuel Lutheran Church’s soup kitchen, our contributions to Christ the Carpenter’s food pantry, and our support of Rockford Urban Ministries to see how we can multiply our power to feed Jesus’ sheep in many ways by working with other churches.

The second part of the vision is to develop healthy

disciples. Churches do this by offering their members Disciple Bible study and other Bible and book studies, small groups, meaningful worship, special times for prayer, and other opportunities for Christian growth. NIC supports this part of the vision through leadership train-ing, camp programs for kids and adults, mission trips and more. Coming to the first part of the vision—to establish

new faith communities—you might have realized that CUMC already has been helping to bring this about. Groups and individuals from CUMC worshipped at New Life in Machesney Park to support the new congregation. And we have the chance to do even more. We can con-tinue to support New Life, of course, and we can also as-sist two other new faith communities in our area—a His-panic congregation in Belvidere and Net Church in down-town Rockford aimed at people in their 20s and 30s. New churches can reach certain groups in ways that established ones cannot. But often the established churches are in a position to support and assist.

Report on Harvest 2020

The 25-30 new faith communities that have already been launched in NIC are reaching 2,000 in weekly worship. Now, about 25 new sites are ready to start. Financing for the first group of sites came from general church grants, sponsoring congregations, planter fundraising, the Korean and Hispanic National Plans, and designated non-budgeted proceeds from the sale of previously closed churches in the conference. The accumulated money in

the closed-church fund has been used up, and new sources of money are needed. Current conference ap-portionments were not used. Last year at Annual Conference, the members voted to start a capital cam-

paign to benefit Harvest 2020. The campaign is for three years and began in the fall of 2011. Over 30% has been raised so far towards a goal of $5,500,000. Churches are not being assessed. Instead, individuals will be able to make a pledge. There are laity and clergy who see the new faith communities as an excit-ing and effective outreach to new disciples of Jesus Christ that they want to support in addition to their own congregations. Congregations are invited (not mandated) to con-tribute financially, but there are other ways to support a new faith community. Some of those ways:

* Pray for them. * Make in-kind contributions, as we are doing

for Christ the Carpenter. * Provide leadership. * Engage with the new congregation, as some

from CUMC did and are doing at New Life. * Support the pastors. Pray for them.

If you have questions about the exciting future-looking activities of Harvest 2020, talk with our lay members to Annual Conference—Donna Copeland (815 877-8950), Doris and Dean Dion (815 633-3970), and George and Mary English (815 397-4883). You can also find more information about Harvest 2020, the capital campaign, and downloadable copies of recent The Sower’s Field Notes (a three-times-a-year publication about Harvest 2020 happenings) at http://umcnic.org/harvest_2020.php . Mary English, Member, Harvest 2020 Leadership Team

Christ United Methodist Church 4509 Highcrest Road

Rockford, Il 61107

Address Service Requested

Next Flame Deadline: August 2, 2012

Non-Profit Org.

U.S Postage

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ROCKFORD, ILLINOIS

Articles may be e-mailed to lindakuntz@christumc.cc or mailed/brought to the church office by the deadline date.

Getting to Know You: Michele Johnson by Don Black

Check out our website:

www.christumc.cc

Michele Johnson’s husband, Bruce, experienced disappoint-ment following one of his mili-tary assignments, and she just didn’t understand why … un-til she volunteered for Christ UMC work camps, including three trips to Mississippi to help victims of Hurricane Katrina, plus adult and youth

work camps. The experience “was just amazing,” she said, and it helped her to identify with what happens when Bruce finishes a tour. “You’re connected with all these people for good,” and then those powerful connections are gone, she explained. Work camp experiences also convinced Michele that she could remodel the upstairs of their home, where they’ve lived almost 20 years. So she does that in her “spare” time. Michele was raised in Dixon, hometown of President Ronald Reagan. She was in junior high school when Reagan was shot and in high school when her pom pon squad was invited to the inauguration parade for his

second term. “I was a major tomboy,” Michele said about her youth. She grew up with an older brother and older sister (also a tomboy) in a neighborhood full of boys, which taught her to be tough at an early age. Wait…a tomboy pom pon girl?? Michele explained that the director of Dixon’s softball program convinced her to join the pom pon squad. In addition to playing fast-pitch softball in high school high school, Michele played tennis and basketball. She went to state in tennis, and both she and her sister are tied for their school’s record of most wins as softball pitchers. She grew up Methodist, as did Bruce. In church, Mich-ele was active in youth groups, choir, and other activities. After graduation, Michele attended Illinois State Uni-versity, where she earned a degree in parks and recreation administration. She is a certified therapeutic recreation specialist. Bruce, originally from Rockford, was raised in Grand Detour, near Dixon, but they met in Rockford at their apartments. Bruce and Michele came to Christ UMC around 1991. They were married in 1992, and children came in ’94, ’96,

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