2025 Journal-Yearbook

Illinois Great Rivers Conference 2025 Journal-Yearbook

Tim Cook spoke in favor of the amendment. 596 votes cast CA 3—Racial Justice. Bob Dodd spoke in opposition to the language used in the amendment. Since everyone has some type of advantage and disadvantage in life, the focus of the church should be on the mission of The United Methodist Church. John Kutz asked for clarification: should the amendment also include lines 1-2 on page 43? Secretary Hempstead affirmed that. Ben Craddock spoke in favor of the amendment and in opposition to the logic of Bob Dodd’s speech. Tia Fielder spoke in favor of the amendment. Amy Hasfjord spoke in favor of the amendment. Bill Wiggs spoke in opposition to the amendment saying the church is dying because too much time is spent on political items like this. 554 votes cast Before moving to CA 4, Secretary Hempstead announced the death of Old Testament scholar Walter Brueggemann at age 92. CA 4—Clergy Education requirements. Nicholas Jordan spoke against the amend- ment. Beverly Wilkes-Null, General Conference Delegate, offered information that this amendment clarification for what is already in the Book of Discipline. Eric Swanson, General Conference delegate, offered reassurance that we would continue with all agreements with our full communion bodies. Anish Hermon, General Con- ference delegate, reminded the body that there are 15 United Methodist institutions and over 50 that are recognized by the University Senate so there are many options to meet this education requirement. Joy Schlessleman asked if the requirement to be in “active ministry for two years prior to the election” means that retired clergy are ineligible to serves as conference delegates. Beverly Wilkes-Null stated that it simply means that there must be two years of active service before someone is eligible to be a delegate. Jonathon Brashear asked for clarification if this amendment is referring to the election of delegates, not to the delegates themselves. Bishop Bigham-Tsai said yes. Anish Hermon affirmed that the people that are affected by this amendment are those that are in provisional status. Lori Harvey questioned the number “74” in the text of line 31. Bishop Bigham-Tsai called it a typo. David Duchovney asked if elders went to course of study as the amendment seemed to imply. Bishop Bigham-Tsai affirmed that only local pastors attend course of study school and that the content of this amendment will affect those in provisional status only. Anu Sherman reaffirmed that answer. Shalom Renner spoke in opposition based on the idea that the univer- sity senate might have too much power over potential candidates for ministry. Anu Sherman reiterated that it only affects those who are provisional members and local pastors. Nathan Jeffries spoke in favor. 568 votes cast BISHOP BIGHAM-TSAI OFFERED PRAYER COUNCIL OF FINANCE AND ADMINISTRATION BUDGET FIRST PRESENTATION: Neal Miller, chair of CCFA, presented Legislative Items 108, 109, and Reports 203, 204. Voting will occur Friday. Expected apportionment revenue is $6,479,702. Reserve fund income estimate is $824,445. Total budget as presented is $7,304,147. The 2025 General Church Appor- tionments is 24.77% of the IGRC budget. CCFA has implemented a plan to reduce IGRC Local Church Apportionment per- centage year by year with the goal of reaching 10% by 2029. For 2026, the percentage is 11.20%, down from 11.50% in 2025. COMMITTEE ON STANDING RULES FIRST PRESENTATION: Haley Hausman, chair, presented LI 110, the entire text of the standing rules, as well as LI 111, 112 and 113, which would make changes to the standing rules. Voting will occur on Friday.

60 Daily Proceedings