PASTORAL APPOINTMENT

Greg was raised in Springfield, IL as the son of a Free Methodist Pastor.  He came to faith through the influence of his parents and youth group and then went to study history and political science at Greenville University in southern Illinois.  After college, he spent a year serving the Free Methodist Church as a short-term missionary in China where he taught at a university.  After returning and graduating from Asbury Theological Seminary in Kentucky, Greg and his family moved to the near eastside of Indianapolis where he served as the senior pastor of the Indianapolis First Free Methodist Church.  After four years of rewarding but challenging times in that at-risk urban environment, Greg returned to school to earn his Masters in Theology from Duke Divinity School in North Carolina and Ph.D in historical theology from Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary in Evanston, Illinois.  Despite these academic credentials, however, Greg is a pastor at heart and longs to help others learn to live more like Jesus.  Greg is the father of two daughters, Lydah (13) and Eve (11) who live with their mother in Evanston most of the time, but who also visit their father frequently. In his free time, Greg enjoys doting on his girls, having conversations with friends, walking his dog, and maybe even playing the occasional video game.  

Pastor Greg will begin serving, full-time, effective July 1, 2020.   

In the UMC pastors are appointed by a Bishop that oversees an episcopal area. 

Pray for Pastor Greg and Family in June

Above all else, guard your heart,

for it is the wellspring of life.

- Proverbs 4:23 -

Holy Communion & Farewell Services

Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

“God, thank you for sending me to love these people.  Thank you for their love.” 

This has been the prayer I have prayed every Sunday before worship since 2015.  It has been my hope to never take you for granted.  I have loved my church family.  I will cherish every moment with you.  Prior to COVID-19, I prayed the prayer above at the altar.  During COVID-19, I pray that before I click ‘record’ on the camera.  While the pews have been empty, I’ve been going through each one, remembering where you sit.  I imagine you there and I say pray for you to be blessed when you return.  Know that your pews have been anointed and prepared. 

On July 5, 2015, I celebrated my first worship at GUMC with Holy Communion.  I can think of no other way than to end with that Sacrament.  Our final time at the Table.  Would you join me?

On June 1, Illinois is planned to step into phase 3 of reopening.  GUMC will follow under our protocols.  This includes services under 10 people.  My last Sunday at GUMC is June 14.  We will celebrate the Sacrament of Holy Communion.  Along with the Service of Word and Table our time will conclude will have a pastoral farewell service.  Our normal online service will be available at 8 am. Please considering worshiping with us online only if you are in the vulnerable population with a compromised immunity.

On June 14 you are invited to schedule, yes schedule, a time to receive communion in groups of no more than 10 people.  Together we will confess our sin, receive God’s agape love in bread and cup, pray, and be assured of our forgiveness and salvation.

PLEASE invite someone to join us in this experience. 

6 Services of Word and Table

You're asked to pick a time to worship!  Every person counts as 1 slot/worshiper.

A bulletin with liturgy will be given to you as you enter. 

Service Times: 

Service 1:        10:00am – 10:20am

Service 2:        10:30am – 10:50am

Service 3:        11:00am – 11:20am

Service 4:        11:30am – 11:50am

Break

Service 5:        1:00pm – 1:20pm –

Service 6:        1:30pm – 1:50pm –

GUMC re-entry plan:

Coronavirus Episcopal Update May 29

Bishop Frank J. Beard

Resident Bishop, Illinois Great Rivers Conference

Bishop Beard hosts Illinois River District Meeting

You're Invited

COVID 19 Facts from Faith Community Nurse

• Not Social Distancing, but PHYSICAL DISTANCING!  We remain social!
• Not Quarantine/Lockdown but RETREATING FOR WELLNESS!
• Not Isolating but PROTECTING OUR HEALTH!
• Not In Fear, But IN FAITH!
• Not We Will Get Through This, but WE ARE GETTING THROUGH THIS!

We are learning daily about how to combat this virus.  I will share the facts I have gathered from the CDC site, which is a reliable site.

SPREAD OF DISEASE:

• Person to person by cough or sneeze.
• Touching face, eyes, mouth after touching infected surface.
• It can live on surfaces for hours to a day.

PREVENTION:

• WASH your Hands for 20 seconds with soap and water, often.
• Cover your cough or sneeze with tissue or sleeve (throw tissue away, wash shirt).
• Stay at home, do not gather in groups.
• Stay 6 feet away from people when you are in public.
• Wear a mask whenever in public.
• Clean any surface with household cleaner and let air dry (frequently touched surfaces include; doorknobs, desks, keyboards, phones, tables, light switches, counter tops, faucets, sinks, toilets, children’s toys).
• Laundry: Wash clothes on warmest appropriate water setting. Dry completely on warmest appropriate setting.
• Leave shoes outside the home.
• Phone number COVID 19 nurse/provider hotline-1-833-673-5669 or text OSF to 67634.

TESTING SITES:

Several drive thru testing sites now up and running. Testing consists of a nasal swab inserted to the back of your throat for 10 seconds.  Must be able to hold still, sites not for young children.

1. Heartland Health Services- 2321 N Wisconsin Ave, Peoria 61604 Mon-Fri 9am to 4 pm and Sat. 9 am to 12 noon.
2.  Peoria City/County Health Dept 2116 Sheridan RD, Peoria 61604 Hours Sat and Sun 10 am to 2 pm.
3. Peoria Park District John Gwynn Park at Faucet Field, Peoria 61605 Hours TBA.

SYMPTOMS TO QUALIFY for TESTING include: (They are really testing everyone)

1. High risk individuals who have COVID 19 symptoms.
2. People living in temporary shelters.
3. People with known exposure positive test or a person with symptoms.
4. Those older than 60 with chronic health conditions that would make them at risk for complications.
5. Frontline workers and essential workers with symptoms. Ex: health care personnel, grocery store employees, licensed childcare workers, bus drivers, etc.

Many persons are being safely treated at home and are in constant contact with medical personnel.  They are provided with the monitoring equipment to check vital signs while staying in quarantine.  Guidelines are given for when to seek treatment at a medical facility.

All of the Faith Community Nurses are praying for your safety and wellness during this changing time.  Please call with any questions or concerns to the hotline or your Primary Care office.  You will be guided to the proper care.

Illini Bluffs

Community Micro-pantry

Birthday Updates

SPIRIT SNACKS 4 TIGER TUMMIES

TAKES A BREAK

MAY FINANCIAL UPDATE

The Finance Committee reports the following offerings for April and May.  Please note that because of our current worship status, offerings are still coming in for the month of May.  The Finance Committee thanks you for your giving.  Every tithe, offering, and donation go to mission and ministry.  Giving is a spiritual discipline and a practice of discipleship.  

2020 Budget

• $149,100.00

April 2020

• $11,763.21 in total usable offerings in April 2020.

May 2020 Offering (since May 12)

• $5,100.00 in total usable offerings. 

How you can give when the building is closed.

1. Write a check.  You can write your check out to 'Glasford United Methodist Church.'  Place your offering in an envelop and take it to Glasford Bank and tell them to, "give this to Sheila."  Sheila Westhafer, our Financial Secretary, will deposit the check and mark your giving record.
2. EFT.  Electronic Funds Transfer through your bank.  You can set up a transfer at anytime using your bank. You can also stop these automatic deposits at anytime.  You will need your routing number and the churches. (Sheila can help you).
3. PayPal.  Go to www.glasfordumc.com/giving.  You can give online using PayPal.  A step-by-step guide to that can be found below.
4. Direct Deposit.  You can fill out a direct deposit form (found below).  By filling out this form you can initiate a transfer of moneys from you bank account to the church account automatically.  

GUMC Church Council & Finance Committee

~ Statement Regarding the Death of George Floyd~

The video footage is more than disturbing, it is mind-boggling.

 “I can’t believe what we just saw!” We all watched in horror-filled disbelief as George Floyd, handcuffed and pinned to the ground by an officer’s knee on his neck, gasped, “I can’t breathe!”  Mr. Floyd died as others helplessly watched. This senseless act cannot be excused or simply dismissed by any of us because it affects all of us.
 
The list of African American men that have suffered death through senseless acts, like this one, continues to grow, even as the racial tensions and divisions in our nation continues to escalate. The voices of Christians, as well as all of good will, dare not remain idly silent, as these nonsensical acts continue.
 
It is the job of every Christian to serve as conduits of grace, mercy, and love so that the dark forces of our world might experience the liberating light of Jesus Christ. It is our job to help stamp out hatred in any form. Therefore, I encourage all United Methodist to pray for the families that are affected by this most recent tragedy, as well as those suffering a similar plight in recent months. I remind us all that it is our duty, as sisters and brothers, to stand-up, speak-out, and advocate for those that are hurting and marginalized, so that justice may become a reality.
 
I invite you to join me in praying for the Floyd family, the cities of Minneapolis / St. Paul, and other communities throughout our Nation and World experiencing unrest and turmoil. As we pray, let us also remain firmly committed to the task of renouncing the spiritual forces of wickedness, as we resist evil, injustice, oppression and pledge anew our commitment to walk after the manner of Jesus Christ.
 
God Bless
Bishop Frank J. Beard

Devotional: Patience & Hope

And patience produces character, and character produces hope. And this hope will never disappoint us, because God has poured out his love to fill our hearts. He gave us his love through the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to us. When we were unable to help ourselves, at the right time, Christ died for us, although we were living against God.

- Romans 5:4-6