HR0735 94TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0735 LRB094 15086 MKM 50297 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, Grace United Methodist Church of Springfield is celebrating its 108th anniversary this year; the Church will celebrate this momentous occasion with a three-day event that will mark the Church's long-standing presence in the community with ceremonies of respect, festivity, tribute, and praise; the festival will include a dinner at the Crown Plaza in Springfield featuring Guest Speaker Bishop Leontine Kelly; and

WHEREAS, The original church was founded in 1898 when the Reverend W.E. Wilson was sent to Springfield by the Old Central Missouri Annual Conference to organize a church; in 1968 the Grace United Methodist Church became a part of the Central Illinois Conference of the North Central Jurisdiction; and

WHEREAS, For 108 years, Grace United Methodist Church has sought to hear and follow the Word of God, as it pertains to being in ministry to all of God's children, within the church, the neighborhood, the city, the State, and all corners of God's earth; although it has been through struggles and trials, Grace United Methodist Church has always remembered upon whom it should lean and its strength was regained in following the Great Commission to, "Go therefore, making disciples."; and

WHEREAS, Grace United Methodist Church takes pride in the changes it has seen over the last 108 years, but remains focused on ministering to its brothers and sisters in Jesus Christ, remembering that we are truly blessed that God is always the same; Grace United Methodist Church has never given up and presses on with its mission with pride in its past and faith in its future; the Church has survived by holding true to the principles that God loves, strengthens, and calls us yesterday, today, and forever; if past history can predict the future, Grace United Methodist Church will continue as a congregation that is representative of God's grace; and

WHEREAS, Since its inception, the church has been led by many distinguished pastors and is now under the caring direction of the Reverend Sylvester Weatherall, Directing Pastor and the Reverend William "Bill" Burton, Associate Pastor; the church continues its ministry in the community, working cooperatively with Kumler United Methodist Church as a two-point charge for the purpose of reaching out to the east and near north sides of Springfield; in the future, Grace United Methodist Church hopes to expand its church facility and provide more room for program ministries, Sunday school, music, computer classes, meeting space, and a larger sanctuary and fellowship hall; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-FOURTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we congratulate Grace United Methodist Church on the celebration of 108 years of ministry and community service; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be delivered to the Reverend Sylvester Weatherall, Directing Pastor of Grace United Methodist Church.