I R O Q U O I S R I V E R D I S T R I C T U M W

April 2015 V O L U M E 10 I S S U E 2

INSIDE THIS ISSUE:

The Fox Den

E & I 2

Goings with

Towne 3

Treasury Notes 4

Cunningham &

Lessie Bates

Davis NH 5

Social Action

M N & O 6

Program Resources

Calendar 7

Spiritual Growth

In Memory 8

Personal Growth

Information 9

Festival of Quilts

Awards cover

A Visit From Judge Joseph Cunningham

The eighty-eight United Methodist Women in attendance at the District’s Spring

Meeting at Danville First UMC on March 14 were treated to an appearance by

Joseph Cunningham (a.k.a. Rev. Richard McGuire). He told of his background

and of his friendship with President Lincoln and read entries from “his” journals

which were recently discovered. He also spoke of his wife, Mary, and how they

came to settle in Urbana at what is now known as Cunningham Children’s Home.

Earlier in the day the featured speaker, Vermilion County Attorney Jacqueline

Lacy, gave an amazing presentation regarding the Public Defender’s position in

society. As part of her presentation she introduced “Michelle”

a repeat offender who emotionally witnessed that with

Attorney Lacy’s support she has turned her life around for the

past four years and is very optimistic about her future.

Five Star Units Rainbow Units Love Units

Joy Units Hope Units

Iroquois River District’s Units in Mission and Action

Page 2 The Beacon

From the Fox Den “I will give thanks to the Lord with my whole heart; I will tell of all your won-derful deeds, I will be glad and exult in you; I will sing praises to your name, O Most High.” Psalm 9:1-2 United Methodist Women Bible A big thank you goes to Danville First for hosting our Spring Meeting. Your hospitality was something I will always remember. Your time, effort and help-ing hands made another day of infor-mative ideas for our women, children and youth. As we continue our daily tasks during 2015, prayers are needed for us. In 2019 we will celebrate the United Meth-odist Women’s 150th year. We started with 8 women on a dark and stormy night on March 23, 1869 and we have over 800,000 women today. Our mis-sion work is important and we will keep going for another 150 years. Our legacy will go forward for the world needs us to serve. Many units received awards at our Spring gathering. Why? Each of you

contributed and worked to do disciple-ship, being a community of women, knowing God, being whole persons through Jesus Christ, developing a creative, supportive fellowship, and expanding concepts of mission. Also, the purpose driven activities you did for extra stars in your crown were out-standing. At the recent meeting of Dis-trict Presidents we were encouraged to improve our percentages for 2015 by 5 percent. Our percentages increased in 2014. The Rainbow Units, 5-star units, Love, Joy and Hope units were honored at our Spring Meeting, Our current percentages stand 16% for Rainbow Units, 27% for the 5-Star Units, 59% for the Love Units, 16% for the Joy Units, and 13% for the Hope Units. Can we raise the percentages for 2015? Yes, we can with God's help. For your information the Iroquois River District Leadership Team works dili-gently preparing programs for you. We hope they are exciting and uplifting. Our Fall/Annual meeting will be at Rossville UMC on September 19, 2015. The Personal Growth Seminar on Iden-tity Theft will be at Watseka UMC on Saturday, November 7, 2015.

The number of Iroquois River District volunteers at the11th Annual Festival of Quilts was great with many beautiful smiles to help the children at Cunning-ham Children’s Home. Thank You! “Happy are the people who know the festal shout, who walk, O Lord, in the light of your countenance; they exalt in your name all day long, and extol your righteousness”. Psalm 89:15-16 United Methodist Women Bible

Becky Fox, President 203 Misty Cove Savoy, IL 61874 217-352-3759 fox_rebecca@att.net

Education and Interpretation Greetings!

I think spring has actually arrived at

last. The trees are beginning to leaf out

and daffodils and hyacinths are being

seen along the way.

I trust all of you had a joyous Easter,

celebrating God’s wondrous love for us.

One way for us to become involved in

mission is to use the Prayer Calendar.

Every unit should have at least one

copy to share. It can be a great way to

stay in touch with our missionaries and

deaconesses and learn about our work

both at home and abroad.

I also hope each unit will try to get one

person to attend Mission u. Not only is

it a great place to learn about our work

with missions, but it is a great time to

meet and fellowship with other United

Methodist Women, mission workers

and have some fun along with it. The

Bishop will be leading the spiritual study

this year and that is a great opportunity

to get to know him also. Hope to see

you there!

Roberta Sterrenberg

E & I Coordinator

P. O. Box 486

Piper City, IL 60959

815-686-2771

Page 3 The Beacon

Goings with Towne Genesis 9:6; Romans 13:1-7; 1 Peter

2:13-14: The fall of man brought about

corruption in the heart of man, which

manifested itself externally with vio-

lence, murder, theft, and all manner of

criminal behavior. God established civil

government in the earth as a means of

restraining evil doers and protecting law

abiding citizens.

1 Timothy 1:8-10: “We also know that

the law is made… for law breakers and

rebels… for those who kill… for murder-

ers, adulterers and perverts, for slave

traders, liars and perjurers…”

Jacqueline M. Lacy’s brief bio was pre-

sented in the BEACON January 2015

publication. Please refer to this specific

newsletter for significant education and

accomplishments of Attorney Lacy. This

current article is a review of specific

relevant principles of the power point

presentation by Jacqueline Lacy, Attor-

ney, that stimulated not only the hearts

of the attendees but created a higher

knowledge base in understanding of the

Public Defender’s position in society.

Jacqueline Lacy’s position and perform-

ance as Public Defender has underpin-

nings via the United States Constitu-

tion. The right to counsel is based on

the 6th Amendment and 14th Amend-

ment. However, the right to counsel did

not include the right to be heard by

counsel. Attorney Lacy emphasized

that “the right to counsel would be

meaningless if it did not include the

right to be heard by counsel.”

Jacqueline explained that even the

most intelligent lack knowledge and

understanding of criminal law, rules of

evidence, and elements required for

defense. Although the individual may

not be guilty, without a defense attorney

the likelihood that conviction will occur

is reality because of legal knowledge

deficit and lack of implementation of

proper defense. Included in a public

defender’s practice is the guiding of the

accused through each step of the crimi-

nal justice system.

The lack of the right to be heard by

counsel and void of guidance through

each step of the criminal justice system

became the foundation for the inception

of Public Defenders. The birth of the

Public Defender practice is quite new

and occurred only 52 years ago. The

validity of criminal defense via of the

Public Defender function in more than

just capital crimes [murder] was estab-

lished via a case referred to as Gideon

V. Wainwright.

Gideon V. Wainwright: Gideon was

charged with a felony, theft of a soda

and $5.00. He appeared in Florida

Court without money and did not have

an attorney. Gideon requested the court

appoint defense council for him. His

request was denied based on state law

that provided a defense attorney only

for indigent defendants in murder

cases. Gideon failed in his own defense

due to the obvious knowledge base

deficit in legal defense. He was con-

victed and sentenced to prison. Gideon

applied to State Supreme Court for writ

of habeas corpus [unlawful imprison-

ment] based on a conviction that vio-

lated rights established by the Federal

Constitution. The State Court refused.

However, the U. S. Supreme Court

prevailed and the assistance of counsel

in a criminal case is a fundamental right

and without assistance violates the

Fourteenth Amendment. Hence, the

result of Gideon 52 years ago is the

practice of the Public Defender.

Attorney Lacy explained, “Public De-

fenders… …ensure that the rights guar-

anteed by our Constitution are pro-

tected and can ensure that no one’s

liberty is taken unless and until they are

proven guilty.”

Reality for an indigent criminal defen-

dant is that the justice system is under-

pinned by the concepts of pleading

guilty and then lessening the penalty. If

poor you are not financially able to post

bond and are retained in jail. Conse-

quently home and children are lost. The

startling reality is that only one person

is required to make a criminal state-

ment against another individual to be

found guilty of a crime.

Reality for Public Defenders is defense

of abandoned individuals, human liberty

and the cost if taken. Defending the

Constitution and the rights it provides

creates a great risk of losing humanity

and sensitivity.

The final phase of presentation by At-

torney Lacy was an introduction to a

past repetitive criminal. The white Cau-

casian female had been prosecuted

and sentenced for forgery and illegal

drug use repeatedly. Her mother had

provided strength many instances and

also accompanied to the IRD UMW

Spring 2015 meeting. The woman pro-

vided her testimony with tears and

stated she had been without problems

for the past four years. During the testi-

mony, Public Defender Lacy provided

photos of family and a new grandchild

who has become special for this four

year reformed repetitive criminal.

(continued on page 4)

Page 4 The Beacon

The Beacon is a publication of the Iroquois River District United Methodist Women. Editor: Kay McCoy, Communications Coordinator, 217-351-9106,

Email: mccoy18@comcast.net. The Beacon is published to report and inform UMW of district and conference programs. For more information visit the Iroquois

River District web site (www.igrc.org/iroquoisriver) and click on the UMW link.

Treasury Notes Happy Spring!

As many of you know there are so

many ways to give to UMW. We give

with our time, talents and treasure. Of

course, being the treasurer, I get to

focus on the treasure part of that

trifecta. As many of you know there are

many areas in which we give monies

that are raised and collected, all are

very important and all are very much

appreciated. In this issue of the Bea-

con I would like to focus on the Five

Channels of Giving and how your units

can become 5-star and Rainbow units.

1) Pledge to Mission

2) Special Mission Recognition—

SMR pins can be purchased for

$40 and ordered through me with

the SMR order form.

3) Gift to Mission—Mission cards that

are purchased for $5/card count in

this category. Money can also be

given without purchasing a card.

4) Gift in Memory –Money given in

memory or honor of any person

(UMW member, pastor, church

member, etc.)

5) World Thank Offering

Once a unit has become a 5-star unit

they are eligible to become a Rainbow

unit if they give more in their Pledge to

Mission than the previous year.

Thank you and congratulations to all of

the 5-star and Rainbow units. I encour-

age each unit to strive to reach the next

level of giving. If you have any ques-

tions about the unit designations, the

five channels of giving or about your

individual unit, please feel free to

contact me. Keep up the great work!

MaryBess Gordon, Treasurer

300 S. Jacobsen Drive

Thomasboro, IL 61878

217-377-3800

marybessgordon@gmail.com

Goings with Towne (cont.) Matthew 23:23:…”the important

things— justice and mercy, and faith…

you shouldn’t leave the more important

things undone.”

Reference: NAVIGATING THE

CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM...A

PUBLIC DEFENDER PERSPECTIVE

by Jacqueline M. Lacy, Attorney

Cheryl Towne, Vice President

1109 Lake Ridge Road

Danville, IL 61832-1611

217-391-6609 (home)

217-474-1940 (cell)

cheryl.luann.towne@gmail.com

Page 5 The Beacon

Lessie Bates Davis Neighborhood House

The 11th Annual Festival of Quilts at

CCH was again a huge success. At

last count the income equaled last year

with more coming in. The Best of Show

went to Judy Martin and Judges Choice

to Martha Diehl. Blue ribbon winners

included Doris McKinley, Vera Maase,

Ann Pershing, Anne Casey and Sherry

Fourez. Some of these quilts can be

seen on the back cover of this Beacon.

Thank you to all who participated in

whatever way in the quilt show—you all

are the very best!

We also want to update you on a cou-

ple of facts. At last count there were 23

students being served in Cunningham’s

satellite program in Rossville. Way to

go! Also 65 youngsters received help

in the foster care program at CCH.

This does not include the families that

are impacted by these services.

On a personal note, one of the things

that continues to impress me about our

great staff at CCH is their ongoing com-

mitment to keeping up with the newest

research. No matter how long the staff

has been there one never hears “but

we have always done it this way”. The

latest that was discussed at our last rep

meeting was how research is determin-

ing the effect of trauma on the brain

and of course how this affects CCH’s

approach to ways to help our young-

sters.

Again thank you to all of you readers for

helping to bring HOPE to so many

through your support of Cunningham

Children’s Home.

Cunningham Representatives:

Betty Kmoch

2908 Springhill Lane

Champaign, IL 61822

217-356-5870

betty-

louisek@sbcglobal.net

Bobby Walker

406 W. Diller

Broadlands, IL 61816

217-840-3617

217-834-3617

bswalker42@gmail.com

Saturday, May 9 is LBDNH’s fund raiser

as part of the 105th Anniversary

Celebration. Bill Kreeb and staff truly

appreciate every donation of money or

in kind gift. We continue to encourage

each unit to give $105 this year to

LBDNH. If that is difficult then maybe

$10.50 or $1.05 per member.

LBDNH wishes to thank Iroquois River

District UMW for all the donations

brought to the Spring Meeting.

Thanks again for all you do for the

community of East St. Louis.

LBDNH Representatives:

Linda Grose

1189 Country Club Road

Sullivan, IL 61951

217-728-4697

mikelindagrose@gmail.com

Susan Connor

1431 CR 800N

Sullivan, IL 61951

217-259-1649

radtech20032003@yahoo.com

Charlotte Pritchard

Chair of Nominations

P. O. Box 43

Savoy, IL 61874

217-359-5406

Cunningham Children’s Home

Nominations We will soon be looking for officers for

2016 as there are several openings.

Please pray about these positions, help

if you can, and pray the positions are

filled. If you have questions please call

any of the following:

Charlotte Pritchard 217-359-5406

Roberta Benschneider 217-834-3575

Louella Pence 309-722-3413

Cheryl VanNess 217-351-5033

Page 6 The Beacon

Social Action Are we walking the talk about caring for

our earth? Environmental concerns

have been on the radar for United

Methodist Women for many years.

Perhaps its time to re-evaluate where

we are in our day to day actions both at

home and in our churches and UMW

gatherings. Why should we care about

sustainability living? Here are some

thoughts from a 2014 Assembly Work-

shop called “Walking the Talk: Putting

Justice and Joy, Spirit and Sustainabil-

ity Into All of Our Meetings and Events”

God calls us to “choose life.” So, what

does that mean in the 21st century? It

is about sustainability. What does

sustainable living look like?

*establishing and maintaining right

relationships with other humans

in our economic, political and social

lives.

*remembering to love and care for

others—those who are not yet

born, the ones far away, the ones

close by.

*remembering and living as if we are

truly one global family, now and

forever,

*involves honoring and loving

Creation.

*restoring the damage we’ve

caused, preventing future harm, as

well as

*preserving natural resources,

species and ecosystems for future

generations

*ensuring equity in who enjoys the

environmental benefits and who

bears the environmental harms of

our globalized economy.

Sustainability is all about choosing

life—choosing care—choosing love. It

is about living wisely, justly and joyfully,

so that all of us may live with dignity to

our full potential—now and for genera-

tions to come.

As we approach the summer season

get out that reusable picnic ware, pick

up trash when you take daily walks,

plant a garden and share some of the

produce and most of all look around at

the glory of nature and commit to doing

all you can to preserve this beauty and

resources for future generations.

Pat Davis, Social

Action Coordinator

3204 Ridge Park Road

Urbana, IL 61802

217-344-2075

pat@bnpdavis.com

Membership, Nurture & Outreach Hello to all units!

To think three months has passed and

our spring meeting is over. Now we

should be thinking of the rest of the

year. We collected 510 notebooks for

the Midwest Mission Distribution

Center. They are able to fill 170 book

bags to be sent abroad. Give yourself

a big thank you.

In this newsletter is a form to be filled

out for nominations for our Woman in

Mission Award. This form should be

sent to me by August 1, 2015. Thank

you for cooperating in recognizing one

of your members.

Have a safe summer and I will see you

at Mission u in August.

Always remember, look for someone to

join your unit.

Blessings,

Dicksie

Dicksie Blankenship

Membership, Nurture & Outreach

Coordinator

999 Rt. 10W, Apt 14

Clinton, IL 61727-2198

217-357-4940

217-935-0765 (cell)

dblankenship@mchsi.com

Date: July 31–August 2, 2015 & August 2-5, 2015

Location: Northfield Inn and Suites, Springfield, IL

Date Time Event Location

Fri. July 31– Sun. Aug. 2

Sun. Aug. 2–Weds. Aug. 5

Weekend Mission u

Weekday Mission u

Northfield Inn

Springfield

Sat. September 19 9:00 am—2:00 pm District Fall Meeting with Tour of Circle

Academy Vermilion at Rossville

Rossville UMC

Sat. October 3 8:30 am Fellowship

9:20 am– Meeting

Conference Annual Meeting First UMC, Normal

Sat. November 7 9:30 am—1:00 pm District Personal Growth Retreat/Officer

Update

Watseka UMC

Page 7 The Beacon

Calendar of Events

Program Resources Hi Ladies! I hope you are all enjoying this lovely spring weather. I know I am. It was nice to meet so many of you at the Spring Meet-

ing in Danville. At the meeting I presented 80+ certificates. Great job to all the readers!

I would like to bring a few items to your attention about the 2015 Reading Program. Each year a few books are designated as Bonus

Books. A Bonus Book counts as two books – either as two books in one category or as one book in two categories. Here is a list of

the Bonus Books for this year.

Faith and Struggle on Smokey Mountain 1 book in Education for Mission, 1 book in Social Action What’s So Blessed about Being Poor 1 book in Education for Mission, 1 book in Social Action Good God, Lousy World and Me 2 books in Education for Mission Behind the Kitchen Door 2 books in Social Action Ecoliterate 2 books in Social Action

The 2015 Reading Program guide also lists some books for recommended reading that are not available through the UMW. These

books also may be read for credit.

Leadership Development Get Off Your Donkey! by Reggie McNeal Vital Voices by Alyse Nelson and John Wiley Nurturing for Community Have You Seen Marie? by Sandra Cisneros Journey Out of Silence: An Autobiography by William Rush Social Action Against a Tide of Evil by Mukesh Kapila and Damien Lewis The Enough Moment by John Prendergast and Don Cheadle Hunting Season by Mirta Ojito Spiritual Growth Living Into Hope by Joan Brown Campbell

If you have questions about the Reading Program, please don’t hesitate to contact me.

Blessings and Happy Reading! Terry Benson

Secretary of Program Resources

2604 Coppertree Road

Champaign, IL 61822

217-355-8924 (home)

bbenson217@gmail.com

Page 8 The Beacon

Spiritual Growth Happy Spring, Dear Sisters in Christ!

I hope you are reveling in the greening

of the earth and the renewal sparked by

the Easter celebration.

Do you ever struggle with your purpose

in life? I remember a friend of mine

whose last child had left home, and she

was nearing retirement. She was hav-

ing great difficulty fathoming what her

life’s new role would be. She was feel-

ing empty and lost. I think especially as

each milestone in our journey is

reached, we have some questions

about what comes next. This is the

time we want to be in direct contact with

our Lord. There is much work to be

done for his kingdom, but only He can

guide us.

Let’s think of God as a master gardener

(yes, it’s that time of year!). He has

planted each one of us in a place where

he needs us to grow. Each one of us is

a unique plant with special needs. God

roots us in just the right kind of light,

sprinkles us with just the right amount

of rain, and gives us time to grow. Dur

ing the growth, there may be strong

winds blowing us around a bit. The

storms arise to try to dislodge us.

Weeds may spring up to try to drive us

out or sap our strength. All the while,

we are growing in God’s garden. We

branch out and grow toward the warmth

of the “son”.

God has placed us in his garden for a

reason. Each plant has a unique pur-

pose. He may use the root of one plant

to hold the ground in place; the leaf of

another to provide shelter; the flower of

another to sweeten the honey; or the

fruit to nourish the hungry. If we look

around us, there is plenty to do and

many different ways to do it. Some of

us are climbers like the ivies; some hug

the ground like the creeping phlox;

some get really bushy like the lilacs;

and some tower over us like the giant

redwoods. The dainty violets are small

but travel across the land. The hardy

dandelions arrive early and spread

cheer to the children. The sweet rose

is perfume to our senses, while the

pungent marigold drives away pests.

The fragrant lavender calms our weary

souls. What is your role in this beautiful

place created by God for the benefit of

all? Be ready to grow and flourish in

God’s care and reach out to others. No

matter where you are planted, what

special talents you have, or where your

beauty lies, the world needs you! With

God as your Master Gardener, you will

know you are in the right place doing

the right thing at the right time! Staying

in the warmth and sunshine of God’s

care assures us we are firmly planted in

the graces of God. To Him we give the

glory!!

God bless each one of you in your

special ministry.

Carolyn Paullin

Spiritual Growth Coordinator

36330E 300 North Rd

Bellflower, IL 61724

309-722-3339

paullinc@wirelessdatanet.net

In Memory Of United Methodist Women Who Went to Their Heavenly Home in 2014

Maxine Baxley (Champaign First)

Jo Ann Beazly (Weedman)

Helen Beers (Champaign First)

Alora Bowles (Urbana Wesley)

Ida May Bragg (Sullivan)

Mary Buckner (Sullivan)

Gertrude Clapper (Champaign Faith)

Bernice Daum (Arcola)

Susie Dehm (Champaign First)

Erma Downs (Watseka)

Geraldine Edwards (Watseka)

Phylis Essington (Piper City)

Frances Foster (Champaign First)

Lois Hall (Paxton)

Virginia Harris (Paxton)

Evelyn Hartman (Watseka)

Martha Herrington (Arcola)

Pam Hinton (Champaign Faith)

Barb Jones (Sullivan)

Mildred Key (Arcola)

Leona Kurtenbach (Piper City)

Colleen Lane (Sullivan)

Maria McCoy (Danville St. James)

Karen Meyer (Weldon)

Vicki Monroe (Watseka)

Judy Nesbitt (Catlin)

Carolyn Reed (Champaign Faith)

Helen Stanley (Watseka)

Betty Taylor (Arcola)

Gudney Tock (Champaign First)

Lola Unzicker (Paxton)

Polly Watson (Danville St. James)

Winnie Wilson (Urbana Wesley)

Page 9 The Beacon

NONPROFIT

US POSTAGE

PAID

SAVOY IL

PERMIT NO. 48

Iroquois River District UMW

Savoy United Methodist Church

P. O. Box 65

Savoy, IL 61874

Address Service Requested

2015 Festival of Quilts Honors

Best of Show—Judy Martin

“Stars with Japanese Taupes”

Hand Quilted Bed Quilt—Doris McKinley

“Re-Vision”

Machine Quilted Bed Quilt—Ann Pershing

“Star Light, Star Bright”

Wall Hanging —Sherry Fourez

“Dragonflies”

Antique Quilt—Vera Maase

“Wedding Memories”

Baby Quilt—Anne Casey

“Love for Lillian”

Judge’s Choice—Martha Diehl

“Too Much Fabric”