"To be the church with a servant's heart." - Our Mission

Do not worry about anything,

but pray and ask God for everything you need, always giving thanks.

- Philippians 4:6 -

GUMC ONLINE WORSHIP AVAILABLE

DURING COVID-19 PANDEMIC 

Pastoral Letter: The Church and the COVID-19

by Rev. Ethan L. Carnes

Dear GUMC,

Without a doubt, the COVID-19 pandemic is changing everything about our daily lives.  On Tuesday, March 17, 2020 the Church Council met to discuss Glasford UMC ministry, finances, and community impact. 

As your pastor, I cannot help but see God at work.  For over a year there has been a theme that I feel God has inspired for us to live into.  “Have faith over fear.” If there has ever been a time to have faith over fear, it is now! 

As disciples of Christ, it will be our role to be a non-anxious and peace-filled presence in the community.  In a time of feeling so helpless, we can all practice various ways to ensure the health of our loved ones and community.  Two pandemic health practices are ‘social distancing’ and frequent handwashing.  But did you know there is another pandemic taking place?  Our District Superintendent, Rev. Mary Kathryn Peace, said in a recent message “loneliness is a disease.”  Quite right.  Fear, loneliness, selfishness, and anxiety are pandemics of the soul that we can prevent as disciples of Christ. 

So, what can you do to be Christ’s presence:

1. Pray for Christ’s peace.
2. Worship online and in spirit.
3. Practice selflessness over selfishness.
4. Be a neighbor.
5. Be generous.

Bishop Beard has issued a statement to the Illinois Great Rivers Conference to suspend all ‘in-person’ worship services until March 31.  The CDC has stated that there should be gatherings of no more than 10 persons.  GUMC will suspend all in-person worship services until March 31.  We will continue to follow the guidelines of state official and medical experts.  As of right now, Easter is still scheduled, as well as the annual Easter Egg Hunt.  However, please note that all scheduled events are day-by-day as the pandemic changes.

Here is how you can participate in your faith and be in mission during this time.

Online daily devotions

Starting March 23, Pastor Ethan will have a daily devotion posted on our website.  It is our hope that these short devotions would help you invite the Holy Spirit into your day.  These can be found at: https://www.glasfordumc.com/daily-devotions

Online Worship Services & Special Events

“Church is not cancelled; the building is just closed.”  The people of God are the church.  This is a time to show people our faith is not dependent on a building.  Every Sunday you can worship online with a posted worship video on our website.  This video will be posted by 10 am, every Sunday. An email and Facebook post will also go out to you with a link to the video.  You can watch this at: www.glasforduc.com/sermon

Be Generous

During this time, please remember that GUMC still has staff and bills to pay.  In addition, our missional call is needed more than ever!  We realize that the pandemic will affect every person’s finances differently.  Nonetheless, please do not withhold your generosity out of fear.  While we may not be taking an offering in the traditional ways, you are still encouraged to give.  You can give online or through multiple other ways (below). 

Be a Neighbor

Take 5 minutes to call someone that is a part of the pandemic’s vulnerable population. These persons include: 80+years old, chronic health issues, respiratory diseases, impaired mobility, low income, etc.  If you wonder how to initiate the conversation, try this:

“Hi _______, I just wanted to call as a brother/sister in Christ and ask how you were doing and if you needed anything.  Can I help you with (groceries/a chore/ or something else)?  Are you feeling anxious/worried, tell me about it…? Can I say I prayer with you before I let you go?  ‘Great Physician, please be with ________ throughout this time. ______ is a loved child of God.  Help me, our church, and our community to be there for one another in this time.  Please give us a sense of peace and safety in this time. Jesus, we lean on you.  Amen.’”

Consider Rescheduling

GUMC does not have any weddings, showers, birthday parties, or other major events on the calendar for March.  However, if you are planning a wedding, I (pastor) want to give you serious thought in rescheduling your wedding or large events.  If the current guidelines continue, no wedding or large event will be held at GUMC.  Data suggests the peak of the pandemic to be in the next 6-8 weeks.  In truth, no one has any idea what will happen the next few months as we enter summer.  Please do not put others at risk.   In the unfortunate circumstance that a loved one dies, please consider having a much smaller gathering or postpone the funeral until a later date. 

Be in Mission

GUMC will be working with other churches, organizations, and Illini Bluffs School District to initiate a program called, Illini Bluffs Community Micro-Pantry.  We need the support of your prayers, presence, gifts, and witness more than ever.  Some of these current missions include our grocery assistance program and Spirit-Snacks for Tiger Tummies.  If worship is cancelled in April, a ‘social distancing sign-up sheet’ will start to have the snacks packed for the month.  More proactive programs will be initiated with community partnership.  You can learn about them below.

Remember, the church is not a building.  We are the church.  God is still in control. Let it be so.

Too blessed to be stressed

Pastor Ethan

Illini Bluffs

Community Micro-pantry

Questions and Answers

Can I volunteer or donate?

If you want to donate, please check the donation list in the link above.  The micro-pantry is in its early stages.  As the pandemic develops, we could see a need for volunteers.  At the present time, the Illini Bluffs school unions are drafting volunteers, along with essential staff.  If you want to be a potential volunteer, please call the micro-pantry number at: 815-627-0367.  

What can I bring and is there a limit on pick-up items?

We encourage you to use the donation-list in the link above under "drop off."   However, there might be an essential item we missed, go ahead and drop it off.  All drop-off items are sorted.  The micro-pantry is an honor system.  It's a 'give something/take something' initiative.   

Search and Share

We encourage you to take 5-10 minutes each day with your family and search for something that someone might use.  This might be formula, diapers, extra-canned goods or non-perishables, etc. in your home that you'll never use.  However, to someone else it could be a blessing!

How is this stationed, sanitary, and staffed?

The two stations are to avoid crowds.  We encourage you to practice pausing and waiting to walk up to a micro-station to avoid contact with  multiple persons or a person in the vulnerable population.  In addition, the stations are cleaned frequently with proper cleaner, along with all donations.  There will be a hand-sanitizer station on site.  The microstations will be staffed by school volunteers and other volunteers as needed.  However, the whole purpose is to utilize as little people as possible for social distancing.

What if I can't drive?

Please call the micro-pantry number: 815-627-0367.  Pastor Ethan will find a volunteer to check the pantry and see if we can get something you need.  Likewise, if you have a donation you'd like to drop-off, we can coordinate coming to you using social distancing and CDC guidelines.  

What's GUMC's role?

GUMC already plays an integral role in our 'Spirit Snacks for Tiger Tummies' program.  The school greatly appreciates and needs this for families on the free and reduced list. 

GUMC can be vital volunteers to help deliver or pick-up donations. 

We can also practice radical generosity.  Many in our congregation are in a financially stable place and can afford to purchase many things on the snack list or micro-station donation list.  If you can afford it, consider that your generosity from your excess could help stabilize a family, curb anxiety and fear, enable the feeling of support, and cause tears of joy instead of tears of sorrow.

Where can I get information?

Information on the micro-pantry can be found through an information promo video on Youtube, GUMC's and Illini Bluffs social media and web platforms (www.glasfordumc.com/www.illinibluffs.com).  Information will be placed in the area papers.  In addition, information and participation is encouraged to be shared by you!

Why the micro-pantry?

We are in a crisis.  Based on data, the pandemic is to peak in the next 6-8 weeks.  We are in close proximity to a major city in Illinois.  The virus is to be taken seriously, but so will the economic impact for families as things close.  The micro-pantry is low-cost, easy to implement and allows us to follow the CDC recommended guidelines. Furthermore, the micro-pantry is able to expand as it is re-evaluated based on needs. 

Who is supporting this?

Illini Bluffs, Glasford UMC, and our community!

Have tiger pride, give something/take something!

SPIRIT SNACKS 4 TIGER TUMMIES

IN NEED

FINANCIAL IMPACT OF

COVID-19 AND GUMC

Have you ever viewed GUMC as a small business?  We are in the business of ministry, mission, and reaching people for Jesus.  Yes, those things cost money, even in a pandemic.   Now more than ever, charities need you!  Now more than ever, the GUMC needs you to keep giving.  The GUMC Council will be sending a letter out to the congregation on ways to give.  The purpose of this letter is to educate our church family about the ways to give in a time when we are unsure when in-person worship will take place again. 

GUMC employs three people and their families on a salary.  Bills still come in, even if the building is closed.  Our community relies on our ministries and support, many listed above.  It can be easy to neglect the spiritual practice of giving when we are not worshiping as a community, side-by-side.  But remember, you are an employer and you have bills and ministry initiatives.  

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.  

A congregational letter with the information above will go out next week.

GUMC Church Council

Episcopal Letter: Bishop Frank J. Beard

Resident Bishop, Illinois Great Rivers Annual Conference

Thank you for being willing to embrace ministry in new, creative and innovate ways. When doors close God always provides windows of opportunity for folks looking to serve others in the name of Christ. Keep your eyes open for these new opportunities.

I am requesting that all IGRC congregations suspend in-person worship and gatherings that do not comply with the suggestions of our Local, State, and Federal leaders' guidelines to slow the spread of the COVID-19 virus. This request is effective immediately and will last through March 31st. Updates and adjustments will be provided as needed and further instructions will be released on or before April 1st.

The issue of life and safety for all concerned has led me to believe that this brief respite will enable us to comply with our federal and state officials and to assist in the battle against this deadly pandemic.

The decision to participate in this temporary shut-down will have immediate consequences for most of our church ministries, our lay employees, pastors, and missionaries. The financial impact has the potential to become overwhelming.  It will be essential that we all pull together and model extravagant generosity and Christian stewardship that goes the extra mile.

We have the capacity to give; my hope is that we will have the desire to give more. Here are my suggestions:

1. Don't wait to be asked to give above and beyond. Be a pacesetter and model for others to emulate.

2. Participate in electronic giving, if possible and available. Checks are still accepted!

3. Encourage others to give by reminding them of the need to keep ministry funds flowing so that the work of Christ is not hampered.

4. Make sure that the pastor(s) gets paid. The pastors will be working even if the church is not gathering. Many will have increased responsibilities during this crisis.

5. Keep everyone employed! Now is not the time to reduce or cut church ministry staff.

6.  Make sure that our missionaries and outreach centers continue to receive adequate funding.

7.  Pay your apportionments! This will enable us to keep the IGRC ministries strong and vital.

Our IGRC Communications and Connectional Ministries are available to help you with worship resources. They have developed a section on the Conference website (www.igrc.org/coronavirus) that includes a number of resources and webinars to equip leaders to do worship / ministry. New materials are added every day so check back frequently. Here are a couple of worship options:

1. I will be recording a 15 to 20-minute video each week that may be utilized as part of or instead of a worship service. These messages will be available on Friday for download or viewing from the IGRC website.

2. Churches can access a FREE telephone conference call system, www.freeconferencecall.com, which may allow a church to gather via a telephone call. This is a very low-tech option that can be easily done without any set-up cost.

Information and updates regarding the COVID-19 GUIDELINES will be available on our website as they become available.  Make sure that you visit this site before passing on information that may not be accurate.  We will keep you informed and up-to-date with the latest information available.

During this time of observing safe space and the practice of personal distancing, be reminded that we are called to promote faith, hope and love. Things will change but these three things will always remain. I have found the IGRC family to be resilient. We will persevere together as we keep our faith in Jesus Christ, and as we remain committed to the task of making disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world.

God Bless,

Bishop Frank J. Beard

Events & Cancellations

Now - March 31

March 22: Online Service posted at www.glasfordumc.com/sermon on Sunday at 10 a.

March 25: Lenten Dinners and Worship- Cancelled till further notice. 

March 24: Worship Launch Team - Video/Voice Call

March 27: Trustee Clean-Up.  Less than 10 ppl allowed in building. 

March 29: Online Service posted at www.glasfordumc.com/sermon on Sunday at 10 am.

March 29: Hospitality Workshop: Cancelled. New date TBD.

All events and worship services will be addressed on April 1 with the announcement of new CDC, IDPH, State Official, and Episcopal actions.

Under the CDC and State guidelines, no more than 10 persons will be allowed in the Glasford United Methodist Church building at a time.  Staff will be on site to do essential tasks.