UNITED METHODIST CHURCH WINCHESTER, ILLINOIS

Lay, clergy gather for 2025 Annual Conference

By Paul Black

PEORIA – The Illinois Great Rivers Annual Conference met June 5-7 at the Peoria Civic Center with the theme, Hope That Doesn’t Disappoint, based upon Romans 5:5, the first of four expressions focusing on a quadrennial theme of Rivers of Grace.

The session was the first with the IGRC for Bishops David Bard and Kennetha J. Bigham-Tsai, who are jointly overseeing the Illinois Great Rivers Conference for the 2024-2028 quadrennium.

Bishop Bigham-Tsai, who also is Bishop of the Iowa Area, preached the opening worship and Bishop Bard preached the Service of Ordination and Commissioning. The Rev. John McIntosh preached the Memorial Service in which 55 clergy and clergy spouses were remembered as well as five lay members. Retiring pastor, the Rev. Dr. Craig Hill, preached the Retiree Recognition Service (see p. 5) in which 30 clergy retired with a combined 716.13 years of service.

Lay and clergy members voted on four constitutional amendments that were approved by a 2/3 majority by the 2020/2024 General Conference. In order for the amendments to be ratified, a 2/3 majority is needed in the aggregate of all annual conferences worldwide. Results on the voting will be announced following a canvass once all annual conferences have voted.

Among the other legislation that will be discussed includes the renewal of the Conference Standing Rules. In addition, three new standing rules were adopted – a new IGRC vision and mission statement – the first update since 2006; a standing rule that provides clergy receiving new appoints to be granted the last two weeks (including two Sundays) a release from all pastoral responsibilities; and a new process for nominating youth to the Conference Council on Youth Ministries.

Legislation calling for the Conference Board of Trustees to study a possible sale of the Conference Center in Springfield was approved on a 557-143 vote. The resolution, which was amended, directs the trustees to present a cost-benefit analysis with additional meeting options and ways to provide office space for staff at the 2026 Annual Conference.

The Conference approved a $7,604,000 budget for 2026, a reduction of $408,853 from 2025 but $300,000 larger than what the Conference Council on Finance and Administration recommended. Annual Conference members added $300,000 to the 2026 and 2027 budgets when passing a resolution providing additional funding for Little Grassy Camp.

The conference’s financial health has remained strong. While the 2024 budget approved by the 2023 Annual Conference projected using $700,000 from conference reserve funds, the actual 2024 deficit was $133,000.

The additional funding on Little Grassy Camp comes after the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announced in December 2024 that it will completely drain Little Grassy Lake in order to repair the dam that created the lake. The camp is located on the shores of Little Grassy Lake , which is part of the Crab Orchard National Wildlife Refuge.

A new Service of Ministry celebrated the consecration of Deaconess Christina Krost of Mattoon; 10 newly-assigned lay pastors; 11 newly-certified lay speakers; five newly-certified lay ministers; seven newly-licensed local pastors; and six local pastors who complete the Course of Study in the past year. In addition, five clergy from other annual conferences or denominations serving within the IGRC were introduced as was one clergy member transferring his membership to the IGRC and Rev. Deepak Holkar being recognized as a general evangelist of the church.

Rev. Sara Isbell and the Rev. Dr. James Fielder were introduced as new conference superintendents. Rev. Angie Lee and Rev. Nic Showalter were recognized for eight years of service on the Cabinet and both are returning to the local church.Dr. James Fielder; as well as the announcement of this year’s One Matters Award and the Denman Evangelism Awards.

Fourteen congregations with a combined 2,201 years of ministry completed their missions — Bartonville, Beason, Brimfield, Brooklyn, Browns, Calhoun, Crab Orchard, Green River, Herrick, Iuka, Murdock, Stewardson, Trinity Chapel (St. Elmo) and Wellington.

The annual conference also approved an increase to the health insurance allowance to $20,000 paid to full-time pastors for 2026. The increase is the second since 2015, when the conference closed out its self-insured program in lieu of a health insurance allowance which was set at that time at $17,500.

Minimum salaries were also granted a 2.5 percent increase. In 2026, minimum salaries for clergy in full connection, associate members and provisional elders will be $53,403, and $49,004 for full-time local pastors.

Retirees under the pre-1982 pension plan will see a 2 percent increase to $897 per active service year in 2026, funded by a gift from Preachers’ Aid Society and Benefit Fund. The Conference will also hear a presentation on Compass, the new clergy retirement plan which will be implemented Jan. 1, 2026.

Four elders and a deacon were ordained. Five clergy were commissioned as provisional elders.

The 2026 Annual Conference will be June 4-6, 2026, at the Peoria Civic Center.