Sullivan UMC—J. Michael Smith

Hospital News

Norma Hickenbottom is in Sarah Bush Hospital trying to get her strength back.  Serious breathing problems.

Statistical News

I submitted our 2025 “statistical report” to the annual conference earlier today.  Some numbers were hard to find, but our office staff did what we could.  Each year this report includes the current number of official members (210 for our church at the close of 2025), average worship attendance, number of new members, number of members who withdrew or transferred elsewhere, numbers of deaths, and all sorts of financial data.

Some numbers I had to base on last year’s statistics, but I have some doubts about them.  For instance, until we update the records, it appears that we officially have 134 female members and 80 male.  Not sure about that.  

Another “iffy” statistic we turn in is the “value of all land and buildings.”  We have been telling the conference that the figure is $5 million.  But estimating the actual dollar worth of a church building is tricky business.  That figure is not indicative of what the market might actually bear.

The most interesting statistic is that “deaths” of members went down 85% between 2024 and 2025.  I don’t know whether I should congratulate Mike Fender for leading his flock so safely through the valley of the shadow of death—or whether I should congratulate the congregation for eating healthier, driving more safely, and getting more sleep.

Save the Date

As many of you know, my wife (Jie Wu) is also a United Methodist pastor.  She serves the church in Mansfield, Illinois.  It is our custom to trade pulpits once a quarter or so.  That gives all of you a break from listening to me—and a chance to see whether my wife is actually real—or I’ve merely pretended to be married.  This quarter we will exchange places on March 8 (Sunday after next.)  We will have one service on March 8—10 a.m., in Friendship Hall.  She will be sharing her personal story in the sermon that day on her journey from growing up an atheist in China to becoming a United Methodist pastor in Illinois.  You will like her—as she is much more interesting and likeable than I am.