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	Better Take That Second Look at 2007 By Michael Miller Peoria Journal Star December 29, 2007 http://www.pjstar.com/stories/122907/MIC_BFB1KULE.040.php At first, it didn't look like 2007 deserved a look back at religion news in Peoria. Then I started going through the archives and realized how much I had forgotten. PRAYER: Mayor James Ardis called on the city's ministers in early November to lead a 40-day prayer effort aimed at reducing Peoria's crime rate. The sessions will start at 6 p.m. Monday, with all of them being held each night at 6 through Feb. 8 at 700 Main St., Peoria. Some critics pooh-poohed the idea of prayer, but the pastors haven't wavered. CRIME: Prayer was also put to use at vigils held after shooting deaths that plagued Peoria through the first half of 2007. The Rev. Harvey Burnett, pastor of New Bethel Church of God in Christ in Peoria, organized a group called the Peoria Association of Pastors for Community and Spiritual Renewal, which held a march against violence in June. Burnett's profile continued to be raised with his involvement in such community issues as the jaywalking tickets issued to Manual High School students and a gun buyback held in conjunction with Peoria police that netted more than 120 weapons. CATHOLICS: The Catholic Diocese of Peoria gave special devotion to the icon of Our Mother of Perpetual Help as part of a celebration of the 130th anniversary of Bishop John Lancaster Spalding's arrival in Peoria. Bishop Daniel Jenky also celebrated some anniversaries of his own: his fifth as bishop of Peoria and 10th overall as a bishop. The diocese was busy on the legal front as well, with several lawsuits alleging sexual misconduct on the part of diocesan priests being refiled early in the year - they had been withdrawn a year earlier - and some new ones being filed. Most of them, however, have been dismissed due to the age of the alleged incidents. Survivors Network of Those Abused by Priests representatives continued to demand that the diocese take further steps related to the clergy sex-abuse issue. Jenky also joined with Jewish Federation of Peoria executive director Sue Katz in calling for Peoria-area residents to mail postcards encouraging officials to take action to stop the genocide in the Darfur region of Sudan. EPISCOPALIANS: Diocese of Quincy representatives continued to edge closer to leaving The Episcopal Church over issues of Scriptural interpretation and polity. After the national church's House of Bishops failed to take steps that satisfied conservatives, Quincy's annual synod decided to see what other dissident dioceses would do. So far, one of them, San Joaquin in California, has decided to leave TEC. DIVESTMENT: Calls for divestment of stock in Caterpillar Inc. held by the United Methodist Church's pension plan didn't make it to a vote at this year's Illinois Great Rivers Conference meeting when time ran out. Those who proposed the resolution don't want the UMC to have stock in companies which sell certain types of products to Israel. It's likely the issue will come up at 2008's General Conference. The IGRC leader, Bishop Sharon Brown Christopher, announced she'll retire from the episcopacy. That created an opening that will be filled next summer, with the Rev. Timothy Bias, pastor of Peoria First United Methodist Church, a candidate for the job. IMAM: Abu Usamah At-Thahabi, the former imam of the Islamic Center of Peoria, was secretly recorded in a British mosque by an investigative TV program making what appeared to be intolerant statements about non-Muslims. At-Thahabi then released his own video in which he rebutted the program's conclusions. FOOD: Pantries at churches and other facilities began to run low this summer, but rebounded after groups made appeals through the news media. Demand remains high, though, pantry and food bank organizers say. CELEBRATIONS: Trinity Lutheran Church of Peoria celebrated its 150th anniversary with events throughout the year, and Peoria Heights Congregational Church celebrated its 100th birthday with a concert and a change in denominations. PHCC voted to leave the United Church of Christ in 2006 and this year joined the Conservative Congregational Christian Conference. FATHER-DAUGHTER EVENTS: The Purity Ball sponsored by The Christian Center in early November again gained national media attention as one of several such events in the nation. New Hope International Ministries held its second father-daughter event in the spring. VISITORS: Missionary to Sudan Michele Perry, born with one leg, one hip and one kidney, visited Bradley-Epworth United Methodist Church to talk about the orphanage she started in Sudan. ... Retired Canadian Anglican Bishop Donald Harvey taught in the Diocese of Quincy and talked about his struggles with the liberal drift of the Canadian church. ... Anna Baltzer, a Jewish woman who advocates for Palestinians in the West Bank, gave a talk at Bradley University. MICHAEL MILLER covers religion for the Journal Star. Write to him in care of the Journal Star, 1 News Plaza, Peoria, IL 61643, call him at 686-3106, or send e-mail to mmiller@pjstar.com
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