In Sympathy: Royal A Speidel
Rev. Royal A Speidel, a retired member of the Northern Illinois Conference passed away on Sunday, July 21, 2024.
United Methodist leaders and the Boy Scouts of America (BSA) have reached an agreement about new Affiliation and Facility Use Agreements between congregations, scouting units and the BSA.
Over the last year, leaders of The United Methodist Church engaged in the Boy Scouts of America reorganization because of sexual abuse in scouting programs over the last 80 years. United Methodist Leaders and the BSA each have worked toward ending sexual abuse and the number of cases have decreased dramatically in United Methodist scouting programs to the point that only 1% of all the claims involving UM scout troops occurred in the last 20 years. But one case is too many. The United Methodist Church does not tolerate child sexual abuse. We are all called to continue to work toward ending child sexual abuse.
As United Methodists, we have reached a settlement by working closely with representatives for the survivors. Our agreement which includes education about safety, review of current policies and a $30 million settlement was developed by listening to and conversations with survivors.
UM leaders also recognized that the chartering system needed to be updated. UM leaders and the BSA have agreed to a new Affiliation Agreement that replaces former charters with an Affiliation Agreement. This agreement may be found at the web link below. The agreement clarifies the role of the congregation and increased insurance for congregations. The following are key points about the agreement.
Rev. Royal A Speidel, a retired member of the Northern Illinois Conference passed away on Sunday, July 21, 2024.
Mrs. Kathryn Rockwood, the surviving spouse of Rev. Theodore Rockwood of the Northern Illinois Conference passed away on Sunday, June 30, 2024.
A pastoral letter on the assassination attempt on former president Donald Trump
In his sermon honoring retiring Bishops Trimble and Palmer, Bishop Schwerin said that what he most appreciates about them—besides their tireless passio…