Rockford Urban Ministries Records, 1962+ | Northern Illinois University

The Rockford Urban Ministries is a program developed by the Rockford District of the Northern Illinois Conference of the United Methodist Church in 1962 to meet pressing social problems of people living within the city which were not being met by any other institutional structures at that time.

Through the efforts of the District Superintendent, Merlyn Northwest, and concerned Methodists within the city, Edsel Ammons was appointed to be the first director of a ministry which was yet to be developed in terms of goals and programs.

The primary concerns in the “early days” centered on the needs of what then was seen as the Black community, then constituting around 5% of the total population.  Edsel Ammons said in 1963: “We still have time to work to lay the foundations for brotherhood and inclusiveness, to be the redemptive agency in a community that will experience increasingly the tensions which accompany change.”  Other early efforts were in programs concerning neighborhood schools, evangelism for all new people, single young adults, youth needs, and utilization of the strength of  the Methodist Men’s organizations.  Ammons assisted in the organization of a neighborhood community council in the 7th ward, and sought to relate Black families to Grace Church.  The Winnebago Street Church was reorganized during this time, becoming The United Methodist Parish of Christ the Carpenter.  The presence of an Urban Work program was a considerable influence in determining the style of ministry which was developed there for our ministry to the Southwest quadrant of the city.

In January, 1966, the Shepherd of the Streets program was first discussed as a ministry to Rockford.  Its purpose was to reach the alienated youth of the city, to find drop-outs and troubled youth where ever they were and to work with them in the re-building of their lives.  During the next 11 years this program reached literally hundreds of youth; first with the leadership of Charles Kraft, then David Hauman, and finally a series of short term directors.  The program was discontinued in 1977 both because of lack of funds and because other institutions filled the void.  United Methodists can be justifiably proud for their support of this program.

Charles Jordan was appointed to the position as executive director of this ministry in June 1966.  Work with the Black community continued.  Jordan assisted the formation of the Westside Community Organization (WESCO), a community-wide project enlisting many groups to bring about significant change which could not be accomplished by individuals groups.  Genesis Halfway House for ex-prisoners was begun, as well as many other projects.  It is noted that WESCO, with leadership from Jordan, submitted a 10 point plan for greater inclusiveness in the school district in 1969.  Much value was seen also in Jordan’s serving on the Rockford Housing Authority Board.

Membership on the governing council has been made up of concerned lay people and Methodist clergy who have given the work stability and versatility in the great number of programs developed.  Action Research Teams within the group in 1970, for example, were: Education and Training, Local Church and Lay Involvement, WESCO, Christ the Carpenter, and Shepherd of the Streets, as well as an executive committee.  Ray Herbert from Grace Church was the first chairperson followed by John Schumaker from Out Master’s, Don Mahan from Beth Eden, William Risinger from Centennial, Carl Plath from Our Master’s, Linda Wilke from Aldersgate and James Galbreath from Bethany, the present chairperson. [Other people have served as chair since the writing of this history.]

E. Maynard Beal was appointed the executive director from June 1972 up to June 1981.  Many of the same concerns as held by the council and former directors continued to be the agenda, including community organization work, race relations, school segregation concerns, and enablement of United Methodist laity to be in ministry within the community.  The Management of Conflict and Know Your Community became the first two programs, the purpose of which was to enable individual congregations to become more effective in their mission.  The Shepherd of the Streets continued until 1977 and support was given for the Spanish Speaking ministry through the 4-S Center.  Other activities under Beal included involvement in public education, housing, equality of opportunity, economic development, hospice and emerging political issues.

In June 1981 C. Abner Hammonds was appointed to dual positions of pastor of Christ the Carpenter and executive director of RUM.  Priorities for 1981-1982 included the support for the growing Northwest Illinois Hospice Association, development of a three-county-wide prison ministry group called START, economic development for the Southwest quadrant through involvement with the South/West Improvement Corporation, and joint ministries with the churches of “Old Rockford.”  The Old Rockford Action Research Team successfully brought together representatives fo the nine United Methodists Congregations in the area south of Auburn and west of 20th Street and was able to get the Administrative Board/Council of each church to adopt a “Service District” ensuring that each block in the area was within the purview of United Methodist ministry.  Other projects included evangelism workshops, peace and justice issues and a legislative breakfast.

In April of 1985 Stanley Campbell became the first lay, part-time director of RUM.  He initiated support for small church run mission projects: • Promised Land Employment Service, providing counseling to the long time unemployed, this program has put over 300 people into full time jobs, and assisted 200 people in gaining training and support. • Rockford Neighborhood Redevelopment, rehabilitating dilapidated housing and reselling, at cost, to people who could otherwise not afford to purchase a home. • Rockford Are Hunger Walk, which raises over $17,000 per year for CROP/Church World Service.

Stan also works on issues that affect the poor in Rockford’s communities; racism, sexism, welfare rights, and city development.  RUM has successfully lobbied for and is working on, upgrading the existing programs and facilities of the juvenile detention center.  Under Stan’s leadership RUM is exploring peace and justice issues, particularly conversions of weapons production to peaceful purposes, Central American issues, sanctuary, and South African anti-apartheid work.