In this issue September's theme: Labor and work - Illinois Great ...

Page 14 Illinois Great Rivers Conference — The Current September 2010
First Thursdays
Cabinet’s call to prayer and fasting resonates with Illinois
Great Rivers Conference United Methodists, congregations
By Paul Black
The idea was simple enough:
What would happen if 140,000 United
Methodists in the southern two-thirds
of Illinois set aside a day a month to
fast and pray for a common need or
dream?
And so, when Cabinet co-chairs
Randy Reese and Janice Griffith stood
before the 2010 IGRC Annual Conference,
they issued the invitation for
folks to join them on the first Thursday
of the month for First Thursdays: A
Call to Prayer and Fasting. And while
the initial invitation was not met with
as much enthusiasm as the announcement
that the annual assessment process
would be streamlined, it planted
a seed that continues to germinate in
the hearts of United Methodists in the
Illinois Great Rivers Conference.
“We are seeking nothing less than
clarity from God about our mission
and purpose, power to live holy lives,
opportunities to testify to the Gospel
of grace, to share the love of Christ
in tangible ways, and the courage to
invite persons to commit their lives
to Christ and become part of Christ’s
holy Church,” Reese said.
As Bishop Gregory V. Palmer noted
in his Episcopal address, the winds
of revival are already, noting that even
though worship attendance and membership
continue to show slight declines,
the number of professions of
faith increased in 2009 for the second
consecutive year.
Within a week, a group was established
on Facebook to share ideas and
best practices as to how to implement
this call to a day of prayer and fasting.
Within a week, 200 persons had joined
and that number has doubled after just
two First Thursday observances.
And the testimonials of individuals
and churches tell a story of transformation.
“I really appreciate the conference
providing tools to help have a theme
each month and I love the idea of sharing
this day with everyone else across
the conference,” wrote Karen Stauffer.
“Although last month (in July) was
not so successful for me, I improved
yesterday completing the fast. Each
month I hope to build a more established
habit of sacrifice and reflection.
Jesus used a time of fasting to prepare
for the next step, I know that if we
draw near to Him, our conference’s
next step will be revealed. “
Rev. Eunjoo Lee, pastor of Coulterville
and Tilden UMC, agrees. “As
I was traveling with my children, I
was about to give up this month and
start next month. However, I thought,
it should be easier than home, because
I did not have to prepare meal. So I
did. It was awesome! While my children
were eating at the restaurant, I
was walking around and praying. I
usually cannot put up with hunger.
My hands are shaky and feel dizzy
when I am hungry. During the fasting,
I was completely fine. I prayed for our
church, our conference, and our bishop.
I believe revival starts with us.”
As pastors and lay leaders have began
this journey, they have also invited
their congregations to join as well.
August’s Back to School theme
was a perfect opportunity for several
churches to combine the day of prayer
and fasting with mission work for the
schools.
In the communities of Girard and
Virden, just south of Springfield, the
fall brought with it a change brought
about school consolidation. The
United Methodist churches in these
two communities used it to provide
ministries to the employees who were
returning to a newly formed school
district.
“We met for a time of prayer and
reflection, primarily centering on
praying for our newly consolidated
school district as well as the students
in other districts and other levels of
education,” explained Rev. Mary Alice
Cunningham. “We also centered
our thoughts and prayers on the safety
of all: students, teachers, bus drivers,
and administrators. We have then encouraged
each other to take a grade
level a week and pray for them during
the school year.”
The churches also assembled more
than 200 goodie bags for all employees
in the new school district. Each
bag included an apple, small school
supplies, “sweet treats” and a card
assuring them that they would be
thought of and prayed for during the
school year.
At Salem Grace UMC, the First
Thursday in August was a prelude to
the church’s blessing of the school
bags on Aug. 15, when school bags
were assembled with school supplies
and prepared for the community’s
children.
At Collinsville and Galva, prayer
walks were organized as part of the
Back to School theme.
“From the reaction of those that
took part, we had to add an evening
prayer walk so we could cover the entire
community and include those who
work during the day,” reported Rev.
Mark Horn, pastor of Collinsville
First UMC.
The Galva Back to School
Walk got the notice of the
Galesburg Register-Mail, who
assisted the congregation in
publicizing the prayer walk.
Resources
Information about the
First Thursday as well as a
link to join the Facebook
group can be found on the
IGRC website at www.
igrc.org/firstthursday
From that introductory
page, there are pages located
along the right-hand
column of the webpage
that will provide some
general resources on prayer
and fasting and resources
(prayers, litanies, hymns and
other worship helps) specific
to the theme of the upcoming
monthly observance.