Recent News

On April 11, 2011, Rev. Amy DeLong, United Methodist Clergy in the Wisconsin Annual Conference, will be tried for living a larger love than is permitted by the United Methodist Church. Rev. DeLong finds herself on the wrong side of church law because of:

• Pastoral Care (she officiated at the Holy Union of a loving lesbian couple) and
• Love (she and Val, her partner of 15 years, share a life-affirming, deeply loving relationship).

In December, the Conference Committee on Investigation, following a required hearing with Rev. DeLong, forwarded the Bill of Charges needed to move into the trial phase of the judicial process. The committee also offered an unprecedented affirming statement:

"Rev. Amy DeLong has shown extraordinary courage to step forward and freely acknowledge her sexual orientation, and her commitment to be in ministry to all persons, regardless of their sexual orientation."

Wisconsin Bishop, Linda Lee, has named Bishop Bruce Blake as the Presiding Officer (judge) for the trial. Rev. Donald Frank has agreed to serve as Counsel for the Church (prosecuting attorney) and Rev. Scott Campbell of MASS. will serve as Amy's Counsel for the Defense (defense attorney); Rev. Ermalou Roller, who is affiliated with our church, serves with Campbell on Amy's Defense Team. A jury pool of Wisconsin United Methodist clergy will now be assembled and, from that pool, 13 clergy will be selected to serve during the trial and subsequent penalty phase.

Rev. DeLong is on a difficult path that has been well-traveled by gay and lesbian Christians and countless others (including women and people from a variety of racial and ethnic groups) who have been told by the Church that their identity and being are unacceptable.

This Sunday, January 30, there will be an offering envelope in the bulletin for the United Voices for Children – Fifth Sunday Appeal. UVC is a coalition of groups and individuals within the Northern Illinois Conference of the United Methodist Church. Your gift will help with the work of ChildServ, United Methodist Youth Services, Marcy-Newberry Association and Rosecrance Health Network.

For more advocacy information, check out the web site at: http://www.umvoices4kids.org.

The youth group has a new name! And so does its home!

Ignite

The youth group is now called Ignite, with the goal of being the spark that starts the fire. Our hope is that being a member of Ignite will change kids' lives and move them to help change the lives of their friends. The purpose of the United Methodist Church is to make disciples for Jesus Christ. Ignite will help to do that by building community through fun, fellowship and service.

The Open Door

The youth center is now called The Open Door to show that everyone is welcome. OK, the big joke is that The Open Door is locked most of the time. As we have found in the last few months, if the door is unlocked, furniture and equipment walks off and vandalism happens. But we are having fun in The Open Door. Movie nights, two weeks of watching the Bears in the NFL Playoffs, OB classes, playing pool and air hockey. 

Our latest improvement to The Open Door is to install black-out shades so the video system can be used during the day. So far the Youth Ministries Work Area has spent $525 buying them. If any one would like to help offset that cost the youth are happy to accept donations!