Report from Illinois Mennonite Convention:

The Annual Illinois Mennonite Convention took place on April 9th-11th, and I served as representative for the congregation.
The gathering was a time of celebration and connection with people from around Illinois. I bring greetings from Chuck Neufeld, our conference minister, and other conference leaders, including our new Conference Moderator, Cal Zehr, pastor of Willow Springs Mennonite Church.
At the conference, I received financial reports about the conference. We spent about 150,000$ this last year (Chuck Neufeld and his support staff make up the vast majority of conference expenses) and brought in 175,000$, which is a pleasant change from the most recent years when we have gone into a deficit. Next year, Chuck would like to hire a half time associate conference pastor, so next year’s budget will aim for 180,000$.
Chuck is pushing all congregations to ‘Activate’ their membership in Illinois Mennonite Conference. Right now, 50% of congregations in the conference give nothing to conference at all, and 20% of congregations make up 80% of all conference giving. We fall in the middle 30%. Chuck is hoping that all congregations will engage in some conference activities and giving every year.
The Southern Illinois Mission Partnership continues to flourish, with small worshiping groups growing around Southern Illinois.
The denominational reports from Mennonite Church USA included a report from Mennonite Mutual Aid, which is changing its name to Everance, and from Mennonite Education Agency, which is working on a large scale Mennonite distance learning program for all age ranges. When it becomes a little more solidified, I will provide more information.
I encourage you to consider making a trip to the Illinois Mennonite Conference some year, it is a delightful experience, and a good chance to learn about the broader Mennonite Church.

If you are interested in more information, the annual workbook can be downloaded here:
http://illinois.mennonite.net/Docs_for_2010_Assembly_files/Annual%20Report%202010%2010318.pdf
Grace and peace,
Samuel Voth Schrag