Peoria’s First United Methodist Church, the city’s oldest Protestant congregation, celebrated its 175th anniversary with a series of activities Oct. 1-5.  The events included:• “Celebrate Jesus!”, a family dinner of praise, music, and stories from former clergy was held at the Peoria Civic Center’s ballroom and attended by some 700 persons.  Interspersed between musical selections by the church’s Praise Band, Sanctuary Choir, Combined Children’s Choirs and the Sanctuary Brass were short interviews with clergy with prior connections to the church.   

Dr. Timothy Bias, the church’s current directing minister, served as emcee and conducted the interviews.  The evening began with a proclamation from the City of Peoria read by Mayor Jim Ardis.

• An all-church picnic was held on Saturday, Oct. 4 and featured music, a potluck and an informal time to reminisce with former pastors.  It was also the first opportunity for the congregation to submit items for a time capsule that is being prepared by a First Church member.

• A special noon dinner was held in the church’s fellowship hall for those in the congregation who have been members more than 50 years.  There were 180 in attendance.

• The Sunday services on Oct. 5 included a guest sermon by new Bishop Gregory Vaughn Palmer and a preaching return to First Church by Rev. Mark Jordan who initiated the praise and worship service 10 years ago.

• Church building tours were conducted on two separate occasions during the week of celebration.

• On Oct. 5, the fellowship hall featured 29 displays of the varied ministries of the church, including those that serve the church’s congregation, those that touch the lives within the local community and those with international impact. 

To commemorate the anniversary, a history book was produced and given to all member families.  2009 calendars, Christmas ornaments, commemorative throws and shirts, all with the 175th logo, have been made available for sale to friends and members of the congregation. 

Extending the anniversary celebration will be banners to be displayed in downtown Peoria for the next several months featuring the 175th logo and seven television ads produced featuring local businesses and church members wishing the church a “Happy Birthday.” Church member Nan McConaghy chaired the 175th anniversary committee. 

The Peoria Jaycees are proud to announce they will be hosting a Check Presentation Ceremony, Thursday October 9th at 7:00 pm held at Old Chicago Downtown Peoria.  Several checks will be presented to local charities as a result of money raised from the International Beer Festival held at the Expo Gardens earlier this year.  Some of the charities benefitting from this year’s event are the Independent Sportsman’s Club, the Peoria Razorbacks Youth Wrestling, the Peoria Junior League’s Peoria Playhouse, Camp New Hope, the Larry Olsen Charity Golf Outing, and Peoria Youth Baseball.  The remaining funds raised from the project go to support many other great community projects the Jaycees sponsor throughout the year.  The Peoria Jaycees are a leadership training organization for individuals from the age of 21-40 years old.  For more information on the Jaycees visit www.jaycees.com or call 309-676-5292. 

The American Red Cross – Central Illinois Chapter responded to the fire at the Henry Hotel last night.  The Red Cross has opened a shelter to aid the victims of the fire.  People in need of shelter because of the fire can check into the shelter at…  1st Presbyterian Church at 511 Wirt Street in Henry, IL Fire victims are also encouraged to come to the shelter for Red Cross assistance if they have other emergency needs due to this event. American Red Cross caseworkers will be available all day to assist them.

The Peoria Jaycees are proud to announce they will be hosting a Check Presentation Ceremony, Thursday October 9^th at 6:00 p.m. held at Old Chicago Downtown Peoria.  Several checks will be presented to local charities as a result of money raised from the International Beer Festival held at Expo
Gardens earlier this year. Some of the charities benefitting from this year’s event are the Independent Sportsman’s Club, the Peoria Razorbacks Youth Wrestling, the Peoria Junior League’s Peoria Playhouse, Camp New Hope , the Larry Olsen Charity Golf Outing, and Peoria Youth Baseball. The remainder of funds raised from the project goes to support many other great community projects the Jaycees sponsor throughout the year. The Peoria Jaycees are a leadership training organization for individuals from the age of 21-40 years old. For more information on the Jaycees visit www.jaycees.com or call 309-676-5292. 

The Chicago-based music group Andrea & Jofrey will perform at a Fundraiser for Green Party Candidate Sheldon Schafer for US Congress on Sunday, Oct. 12th from 5:00 - 9:00 p.m. at the Red Barn, 621 W. Glen in Peoria.

There will be no cover charge. A full bar and menu is available. Donations will be accepted for the Schafer Campaign.

The Red Barn in Peoria is one of their favorite venues. They will share avant guard folk rock on flute and acoustic guitar to help raise funds for Schafer.

 For more info, call Schafer at 868-4028 or go to: www.schaferforcongress.info

One significant contradiction of the AARP debate between US Congressional Candidates on Monday, October 6, from 4:00 – 6:00 p.m. at the downtown Peoria Public Library will be the exclusion of AARP member and official candidate, Sheldon Schafer of the Green Party.

According to Schafer, this is the only major debate from which I have been refused a place at the debate table, while being the only 60 year old in the race. I have been a member of AARP for a decade. Further, I use many of their materials and analyses in formulating my policy on social security reform. I am disappointed that AARP refused to allow me to participate.”

Schafer was excluded because the Washington, D.C. based AARP requires all candidates to show more proof of their credibility than being officially on the Illinois ballot. Even though over 361,000 voters chose the Green party candidate for Governor in Illinois in 2006, which was nearly 11% of the total vote, AARP refused Schafer access to the debate because the Green Party did not previously run a candidate in the 18^th Congressional District, or alternatively, provide a pre-election poll of potential voters showing Schafer has a significant percentage of Illinois voters. The Schafer campaign has spent no money on pre-election polls.

According to Schafer, “Many times when creating policy, ‘one size fits all’ rules handed down from
Washington do not work on the local level. In my campaign I have pointed out this failure of common sense is true form many US Government policies. Instead of following rigid policies America needs creative and independent thinking that is not tied down to the policies of the past.”

Schafer and campaign volunteers will leaflet the arriving audience from 3:15 – 4:00 p.m. in front of the library. For more information, contact the candidate at 309-868-4028 or review the website at www.schaferforcongress.info.

The West Central Illinois Building and Construction Trades Council will hold last minute voter registration on Tuesday, October 7, 2008.Registration will be held in the parking lot of Campustown Save-A-Lot Grocery Store from 6 p.m. to 12 Midnight. Deputy Registrars will be on hand to assist during the last minute push for voter registration. Voters must register to be eligible to vote in November 4, election.

If you have moved in the last 30 days or if you have changed your name, you need to re-register. To register you need two forms of Identification, one with your current address.

The last day to register to vote is Tuesday, October 7, at Midnight.

In response to the growing demand for nurses, OSF Saint Francis Medical Center is holding a Nursing Open House.  

Saturday, October 11, 2008

9 AM – Noon Glen Oak Building - 7th Floor Auditorium, 530 N.E. Glen Oak Ave.

This is an opportunity for anyone interested in a career in nursing to learn more about the opportunities at OSF Saint Francis Medical Center. 

Attendees can schedule an interview on the spot! 

Also included in the day:

• Various nursing departments on hand and available to speak about their area

• Talk with OSF Saint Francis College of Nursing representatives about the BSN and MSN programs

• Opportunity to talk with OSF Saint Francis Professional Recruiters• Learn about the Best at the Bedside Clinical Ladder program 

Contacts onsite during the event: Kay Shank (655-4008) and Don Schultz (655-2036). 

Members of the Media: Please check in at the Security Desk at the main entrance of the Glen
Oak Building. Someone will escort you to the Auditorium. Parking is available in the spaces adjacent to the North Building.

The Methodist Medical Center Service League members will hold their 58th annual Gift Show Saturday, November 8, 2008 in the lobby of the Methodist Atrium, 900 Main Street, from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Parking and admission are free of charge. This year’s gift show will feature hand made items of professional quality for holiday gift giving and/or decorating. As always there will be a wide variety of clothing for children and babies, toys, handmade doll clothes, fashionable jewelry including Sarah Coventry, decorative items for the home, gift-wrap and stationery, unique silk floral arrangements, home made baked goods and candies.  

Service League members are known for their talents in crafts and needlework and this year’s show will feature handmade gifts and decorative items, antiques, and collectibles.  Copies of the Service League cookbook “Hospitality” will be available for purchase.  Raffle tickets offer opportunities for great prizes. 

The Heart of Illinois Chorus Sweet Adelines will perform holiday music as an extra bonus for shoppers, from 9:30 a.m. until noon. 

All proceeds from the Gift Show support patient care services at Methodist Medical Center. Since 1952, the Service League of Methodist Medical Center has raised and donated more than $5 million to enhance programs and patient services at Methodist. In addition to the annual gift show, the Methodist Service League also operates the hospital’s gift and flower shop for the convenience of patients, visitors, and employees. Workshop volunteers also sew turbans and headscarves used by cancer patients and special “heart” pillows given to patients who have undergone heart surgery at Methodist.

The Metropolitan Airport Authority of Peoria will hold a groundbreaking ceremony for its new terminal building on October 10, 2008 at 11:00 a.m.  The organization will also unveil its new brand and name during the event.  Speakers are to include Congressman Ray LaHood, H. Ross Perot and State Legislators.  

For more information:  Ken Spirito  (309) 697-8272 x 123    kspirito@flypia.com