Illinois South Conference COVID-19 ResponseUPDATE #14, June 29, 2020
Illinois South Conference shares the inspiring stories that show the faith-filled lives within our Conference. We hope this gives you comfort during this time of sheltering in place. If you know of stories that show people being the church, please send it to iscspirit@iscucc.org. Share the stories that are warming your heart. #ISCspirit.
COVID-19 Didn't Stop Columbia St. Paul UCC from Celebrating
Last Sunday marks Rev. Bob Goddard's last Sunday at St. Paul UCC in Columbia, Illinois as he moves into retirement.
Although they had not begun in-person worship at the church, it didn't stop them from celebrating the ministry that Rev. Goddard has shared with them. The church put together a beautiful service to celebrate his ministry including a special message from Chris Cox, the CEO of Hoyleton Youth and Family Services, and a video presentation of their special memories of him as their pastor and teacher. The Zoom party filled 4 screens of people attending to help them celebrate.
Thank you Bob for your tremendous ministry and for all the ways you have shared your gifts, pastoral presence and heart for mission with so many. Bob has also served the Illinois South Conference on the Finance Ministry Team, speaking at Day of Discipleship, attending General Synod and as a member of the Green DuBois committee.
Illinois South Conference - Flamingo'd!!
Collinsville St. John UCC held a fundraising event to raise some money for the youth group of the church AND to add a bit of joy to all of us. The participants could donate money and specify who would be graced with pink flamingos in the yard. It would make smiles in the community and funds for the youth group. We hope you smile while viewing these photos. If you want to find out more about the fundraising program, contact Pastor Katie Jo at pastorkatiejo@stjohnucc-collinsville.com. Notice, the flamingo wearing a mask!
Mascoutah St. John UCC Prepare Pillows, Pillowcases and Fleece Throws for KindercottageAt a February "sewing day" a group of 40 people gathered to prepare pillows, pillowcases and fleece throws for the children of Uni-Pres Kindercottage. The group included several of St. John's Happy Quilters and many others.
In June, they packed three cars with the pillows, pillowcases, and fleece throws and delivered them to Uni-Pres Kindercottage in East St. Louis. The original plan was for all the quilters to deliver our load and meet the children and staff; however, they could only go into the entrance of the building. The Director of Kindercottage, Brenda Crisp, said that the donation was the best excitement for her staff as well as her students. The staff had a great time choosing specific pillowcases to match the children in their classes. The children received their pillows a few days later.
Thank you to these churches for their OCWM donations received the past two weeks. These donations continue to support all the work of the Conference.
Addieville - Zion UCC
Biddleborn - Trinity UCC
Carbondale - Church of the Good Shepherd
Centralia - St. Peter UCC
Darmstadt - Holy Ghost UCC
Dupo - Christ UCC
East St. Louis - Good Shepherd of Faith
Edwardsville - St. Paul UCC
Fairview Heights - St. John UCC
Godfrey - Evangelical UCC
Highland - Evangelical UCC
Maeystown - St. John UCC
Marion - Zion UCC
Mascoutah - St. John UCC
New Baden - Zion UCC
New Hanover - Zoar UCC
Pana - United in Faith
Red Bud - St. Peter UCC
St. Jacob - St. Jacob UCC
Troy - Friedens UCC
Waterloo - St. Paul UCC
And anonymous gifts from individual
Helpful Information
- Conference Wide Book Study on Racism- The Justice and Mission Committee will be sponsoring an evening biweekly book study on White Fragility: Why It’s so Hard for White People to Talk About Racismby Robin DiAngelo. This four-session study can be a meaningful first step for well-intentioned white people to engage in the Christ centered work of dismantling racism and seeking equity and justice for black and brown people. The group will meet biweekly on Wednesdays at 6:30pm, starting on July 22. Weekly Connection will have more details on how to register and where to purchase the book. This online experience is open to all members of the Conference, and it will be led by our Conference Minister, Rev. Shana Johnson.
- Save the Date: our Justice and Mission Committee is preparing for a Peace Rally at the Highland office July 25, 10am-Noon. Watch Weekly Connection for more details.
- Remember to wear masks and keep social distance if you are worshiping in person, regardless of whether you’re inside or outside. We’re all eager to return to some sense of normalcy, but the safest rules for avoiding COVID-19 haven’t changed. If you need help with the guidelines, refer to: Faithfully Phasing Forward, the ISC guidebook, on the Conference website; The UCC’s many COVID-19 resources; and the Restore Illinois Plan.
- This is the last edition of the COVID-19 Update for the foreseeable future. Should infection rates change in our area, or if Illinois changes direction on reopening, we will return to publication to share current information as needed.
Worship Resources
- We have worship resources on the Conference website, with a link on the home page.
Together in Christ’s ministry with you,
Dr. Jill Baker, Conference Moderator
Rev. Christy Eckert, Conference Vice-Moderator
Mr. Dwight Asselmeier, Conference Treasurer
Rev. Ivan Horn, Conference Secretary
Rev. Shana Johnson, IL South Conference Minister
Rev. Rosemary Captain
Ms. Virginia Ilch
Rev. R.J. Morgan
Rev. Mike Southcombe
Ms. Barbara VanAusdall