2026 Will Be a Year of Hope
Bishop Schwerin looks ahead to 2026 by turning to scripture; specifically, Psalm 130:5: “I wait for the Lord; my soul waits, and in his word, I hope.” He ponders, What kind of spiritual focus is nee…
Mr. Geoffrey S. Kruse-Safford, spouse of clergy member Rev. Lisa Anne Kruse-Safford of the Northern Illinois Conference, passed away on Friday, July 3, 2020, at age 54.
Rev. Lisa Kruse-Safford is currently appointed to Crystal Lake: First. Prior to this appointment, she served the Rockford District as Superintendent for seven years. Her other previous appointments included Elgin: Cornerstone as well as a three-point charge, Poplar Grove/ Blaine/Hunter, and before that La Moille: Community.
An outdoor visitation will be held on Saturday, July 11, from 9 am until 12 noon at First Church, 236 W. Crystal Lake Ave, Crystal Lake, IL. Social distancing and masks will be a shared practice. A private family funeral service will be held at 1:30 pm, where it will be live-streamed on YouTube: https://youtu.be/cYZDjJcHNXs
Interment will be private.
Geoffrey was a lifelong United Methodist who believed in tithing. In lieu of flowers, donations for an endowment fund may be made to First Church, 236 W. Crystal Lake Ave, Crystal Lake, IL 60014. This donation will leave a legacy of his faithfulness.
Messages of condolences may be sent to the Kruse-Safford family:
Rev. Lisa Anne Kruse-Safford
380 Ridge Ave.
Crystal Lake, IL 60014
Bishop Schwerin looks ahead to 2026 by turning to scripture; specifically, Psalm 130:5: “I wait for the Lord; my soul waits, and in his word, I hope.” He ponders, What kind of spiritual focus is nee…
Rev. Lora Zink, a retired member of the Northern Illinois Conference, passed away on Tuesday, Aug. 12, 2025.
Mrs. Freda Whittle, surviving spouse of Rev. Paul Whittle Jr., a deceased member of the Northern Illinois Conference, passed away on April 16, 2025.
This summer, churches across the conference brought vacation Bible school to life, each one putting its own unique spin on the beloved tradition. From creative scheduling and special…