Sullivan UMC—J. Michael Smith
Looking for Organizers…
It is time to get organized for several events that are coming up fast
- Vacation Bible School
- July 4 Parade
- Mother’s Day festivities
- Graduate Recognition Sunday
- Memorial Day Slide Show
- Father’s Day at Wyman Park
- August Back to School Bash
- Welcome event for the new pastor (after July 1)
If you are interested in helping to organize any of these events
Whether you are an old timer and want to keep traditions going
Or whether you have some fresh ideas you’d like to try…
Please respond to me as soon as possible (217-898-3148 or jms754@gmail.com) and we will get the ball rolling. Those interested will be assigned a host from the Bridging Table to assist in bringing the resources of the church together for the event.
Proposed Building Use Policy
Numerous church policies are regularly updated by the appropriate committees and sent to the Church Council for approval. I have sent the Trustees (Chip Hagen, Trevor Poe, Dave Sowers) a boilerplate building use policy to review, amend, and submit to the Council. If you have any opinions (including amendments)—now is the time to suggest them. It will be most helpful if you would write those suggestions down and send them to the church, myself, or one of the trustees.
All comments and suggestions will be carefully heard and reviewed—and the trustees may ask for further clarification or reasoning. Please offer your input within the next couple weeks. Nothing is set in stone—NOW IS THE TIME TO SPEAK UP—BEFORE DECISIONS ARE MADE.
See a copy of the Building Use Proposal at https://jmichaelsmith.net/2026/03/31/building-use-policy/
Purposeful Fellowship with Other United Methodists
The following three opportunities are coming up in April and May.
FOR ANYONE:
April 15: Springfield Advocacy Day, sponsored by our annual conference’s Board of Church and Society and the Northern Illinois UMC Conference’s Commission on Religion and Race. An opportunity to talk with our own state legislators about issues such as the environment, immigration, and education. Lunch will be provide. No cost—except one’s own transportation.
FOR WOMEN
Saturday, April 20: United Women of Faith East District Spring gathering—in Villa Grove, 9:30 a.m. The program will be “Were You There?” It will be presented by storyteller/dramatist Patty Winn. Please register by April 10. Cost–$15 per person. Send registration check to Barbara Ingersoll, 2 N. Walnut St., Villa Grove, IL 61956.
This annual District Meeting will also include love gifts brought by various UWM units around the district:
- Hand soap pumps, men’s socks—tall or short—white or black, men’s deodorant, men’s body wash, adult soft bristle toothbrushes– for Cunningham Children’s Home
- Infant/toddler socks, new or gently used infant/toddler tees or onesies, and petroleum jelly–for Lessie Bates Davis Neighborhood House
Friday, May 1: United Women of Faith East District Personal Growth Seminar—In Shelbyville at Fourth Street UMC, 9 a.m. until noon. Using the book, Under the Skin: the Hidden Toll of Racism on American Lives and on the Health of Our Nation, (from this year’s UWF Reading Program), Ginny Riggins will guide the study. No registration necessary. No cost.
You may contact Susan Connor about any of the above events and arrange transportation or ask questions.
I am in town both tomorrow and Thursday. I will be on vacation between April 6 and 16.
Repertoire 