EA Consulting Steward 
Our Eastern Association Stewardship Consultant is Larry McCure, a member of First Congregational UCC in Lockport. Larry serves our Association as well as being a part of the Stewardship Team of the Illinois Conference which has as its goal “Growing Stewards and Stewardship Resources” for local congregations and the Wider Church. Larry is dedicated to being available to our congregations for Stewardship training in a variety of ways, including sharing a Sunday morning sermon witnessing to his own journey toward “joyful giving!” Larry may be reached at
ljm17746@sbcglobal.net or (815) 838-3736. He’s waiting for
your invitation!
Larry’s Ledger …
Thanksgiving is only three days away as I write this installment of Larry’s Ledger. As I think back over this past year I have been blessed in so many ways.
In my local church I’m part of a men’s prayer group that meets on the first and third Saturday of the month. We share what’s going on in our lives, review the church prayer list and add our own joys and concerns to our prayers. During Lent Pastor Matt suggested we could take on something extra to prepare for Easter and grow in our faith. We have a Stephen minister who visit s and gives communion to those unable to attend worship. I became her assistant during Lent and have continued to do this. I especially look forward to the HUGS and sharing what’s happening at church and telling funny stories. Sometimes we cry like when the Cubs got swept by the Diamondbacks. The people we visit continue to bless me each in their own special ways. Pastor Matt has also allowed me to assist with the confirmation class. This is truly a blessing and a joy as we teach and learn each Sunday with the seven confirmands.
At the Eastern Association (EA) I have been the Consulting Steward since its inception. (Did you know that Pat Morton was the first moderator of EA and on Dec 16 she will be ordained.) Meeting, planning and working with the churches of EA on stewardship in addition to being a blessing has been a privilege and honor. I have learned and grown so much in my faith journey. This fall has been one of my busiest as I worked with 4 churches on stewardship. I was especially blessed in July when I served as a camp counselor for camp Worship and Wonder at Pilgrim Park. You see this was my first youth camp experience. I enjoyed it so much I’ve agreed to do it again in 2008. It was a joy to see community building through the week. I learned at least a hundred new camp songs and even went swimming. In the spring I was asked to serve as Vice Moderator for EA and I thought why not with the restructuring of the IL Conf, Rosa Frias would be the last Moderator of EA. It turns out that Robin Henry of WA had a similar thought. All kidding aside it truly is a blessing to serve as an officer in EA.
On a personal level I am blessed to be married to Patricia for 33 years. Yes, it’s OK to pray for Pat. I could not be as active in our church and beyond with out her love and support. She is my teacher, mentor, and friend. So far we’ve been blessed with good health and in retirement have been able to travel outside the US.
Well, it’s time to say a few words about OCWM. I wish to extend a heartfelt thanks to all the churches of EA for the OCWM giving through October. We are almost $4,500 below our giving for the same period last year. As the IL Conf we are almost $4,000 above the giving for the same period last year.
I will lift up 2 EA churches whose OCWM giving is over $1,000 more for the same period last year. They are: Community UCC, Champaign and Immanuel UCC, Peotone.
I wish every church and its faith community a Happy Thanksgiving and a spirit filled Christmas.
Shalom
Lawrence (Larry) McCure
EA Consulting Steward