Seven Years of Connection, Service and Ministry: Celebrating Amania Drane
Amania Drane will transition out of her role as Project Manager with the Northern Illinois Conference in January 2027 to pursue a personal calling relat…
Posted: November 16 2026 at 12:00 AM
Author: Rev. Libby Rutherford, chair of the Keagy Town & Rural Committee
Food, hospitality and seeing what God is up to in the neighborhood were themes at the Town & Rural Festival on November 7 at Pecatonica UMC. The festival celebrated the Keagy and PACK grants awarded to small-town and rural churches.
DS Rev. Hwa-Young Chong greets the church members attending the festival. Photo provided by Rev. Libby Rutherford.
Churches shared ministries supported by the grants, including food and other essentials pantries, community meals, school supplies, adult coloring and craft nights, activities for kids and youth, and sewing projects for schools. Rev. Michael Beck also shared a video presentation about Fresh Expressions in the rural church.
“If you do things differently, you will get the youth to come. And if you feed them, they will certainly come,” said Ashton UMC Pastor Jan Shaulis.
Claire Timpe, a member of Wesley UMC in Stockton, said, “If you work directly with the school, they will tell you exactly what they need, and that was the genesis of a lot of ministry involving kids and parents.”
Grace UMC in Maple Park used its grant money to start an unconventional grief ministry, blending conversation with making a meal together.
“People grieve in different ways, and while they were creating and sharing something delicious, they realized that they were talking to one another, and in some small way they were healing,” said Peg Yagen, a member of Grace UMC in Maple Park.
Fellowship and sharing ideas is another highlight during the festival. Photo provided by Rev. Libby Rutherford.
“The Keagy Committee gave out almost $48,000 in grant money to churches in more rural areas. These churches planted seeds of hope in their communities, and they blessed so many people with the love of Jesus Christ,” said Rev. Libby Rutherford, chair of the Keagy Town & Rural Committee and pastor of Apple River and Scales Mound UMCs. “Their creative energy was really inspiring to others, and to me personally,” she added.
The Planned Act of Christian Kindness (PACK) grant is up to $500 and is meant to bless communities. The Keagy grant supports larger ministry projects that benefit the community and strengthen the church through evangelism, discipleship, justice and compassion. Keagy awards range from $500 to $5,000.
Applications for 2027 grants will be available on the NIC website beginning in January. For questions about the grants, contact Libby Rutherford.
2026 Keagy/Pack Grant Recipients
- Argo Fay UMC: TACO Brown Bag Lunches
- Ashton UMC: Youth, Essential Pantry
- Brookville UMC: Christmas Boxes
- Cedarville UMC: Food Pantry
- Chemung and Capron UMC: Neighbors’ Roundup
- Creston UMC: Summer Sendoff, Project Healthy Kids
- Dixon: Grace UMC: Adult Coloring, FROG Camp, God Loves Everyone
- Elizabeth UMC: Soul Purpose Meals
- Erie UMC: CARES Closet
- Forreston UMC: Graceful Creations Crafters
- Leaf River UMC: Brewed Connections
- Lena UMC: Kids’ Night Out, Lena Love Feast
- Maple Park: Grace UMC: Nourishing Heart
- Mount Carroll UMC: The Table
- Pecatonica UMC: Personal Care Pantry
- Savanna UMC: Sewing Ladies, School Supplies, Food Pantry
- Shannon: Bethel UMC: Senior Meals, Blessing Bags
- Stockton: Wesley UMC: New Seekers Group
- Tampico UMC: Food Pantry, Buddy Bags, School Supplies
- Thomson UMC: Thomson Together
