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As a scholar, he's charted the decline in religion. Now the church he pastors is closing its doors
They plan to gather one last time on Sunday — the handful of mostly elderly members of First Baptist Church in Mt. Vernon, Illinois. They'll say the Lord's Prayer, recite the Apostle's Creed and hear a biblical passage typically used at funerals, “To everything there is a season ... a time to be born, and a time to die.” They'll sing classic hymns — “Amazing Grace,” “It Is Well With My Soul” and, poignantly, “God Be With You Till We Meet Again.”
Heartland Church-Last Service
As a scholar, he's charted the decline in religion. Now the church he pastors is closing its doors. First Baptist Church of Mt. Vernon, Illinois, plans to hold the last service of its 156-year history on Sunday. It's among many U.S. churches that close their doors each year. But there’s a poignant twist in this story. First Baptist’s pastor, Ryan Burge, spends much of his time as a researcher, documenting the dramatic decline in religious affiliation in recent decades. With more Americans abandoning religious affiliation, it's hard to grow and sustain a church, Burge says. He hopes his research, and his personal experience, can provide comfort to other pastors of struggling churches. “This is not all your fault,” Burge tells them.
Coats for Kids Inc. hosted 33rd annual fundraiser, golf scramble on Monday
WEST FRANKFORT — For 33 years, the members of the Egyptian Building and Construction Trades Council have raised money to help school children across Southern Illinois purchase coats and other clothing items through the Coats for Kids Inc. organization. One Monday, they again hosted their Coats for Kids Golf Scramble at the Franklin County Country Club, south of West Frankfort.
WaMaC releases all-conference lists for softball, baseball
The WaMaC conference has released their annual All-Conference list for softball and baseball and the area teams are well represented. All-district teams were also released for softball. Softball. For Benton, Jessa DeMoss, Ana Glawe, Emma Townsley, Hannah Greiner and Layna DeMoss were all named to the First Team with Jess,...
Metro Okays St. Regis Nashville Concept Plan
Turnberry is a step closer to breaking ground on The St. Regis Nashville and The Residences at The St. Regis Nashville. The Metro planning agency voted to approve a concept plan for the project, which would be 46 stories tall. The building, which is set to be one of Nashville’s tallest, is expected to break ground in 2025. At 805 Demonbreun Street, it’s planned to consist of 179 hotel rooms, 40 furnished residences and 141 condo units.
Salem Grade School Board approves new teacher and support contracts
The Salem Grade School Board has approved new contracts with the teacher’s association and support staff. Superintendent Dr. Leslie Foppe says the new two year contract with the teacher’s association includes a 4.5 percent increase in pay each year plus an increased step on the salary scale. She didn’t feel comfortable entering a longer term contract due to dropping corporate income tax revenue and uncertainty over how much state aid the district will be receiving.
NubAbility introduces children to the world of sports ahead of Paralympics
DU QUOIN, Ill. (KFVS) - Next month’s Paralympic games in Paris will showcase the world’s top athletes with disabilities. This week in the Heartland, some kids with disabilities are getting an introduction to the world of sports. Golf clubs swing and basketballs bounce at NubAbility All Sports Camp...
Salem man enters plea deal on stolen vehicle and burglary charges
MARION COUNTY, IL — A Salem man was sentenced Wednesday in Marion County Court to a five-year prison term for crimes dating back to 2021 and up until 2023 across multiple southern Illinois counties. 25-year-old Tristan Rankin entered a plea deal admitting to a June 2023 incident involving unlawful...
Fairfield Woman Arrested After Leaving Kids in Car
(Fairfield) – A Fairfield woman is behind bars on felony charges following the death of a one-year-old boy. According to the Illinois State Police, on July 14th they were requested by the Fairfield Police Department to assist in the death investigation of a 1-year-old male and the severe injury of another 2-year-old male. Both children were reported to have been left in a vehicle for “multiple hours.” On July 16th, after a thorough investigation, the Wayne County State’s Attorney’s Office charged thirty-six-year-old Adreian Hooper on the Class 2 Felony charge of Involuntary Manslaughter, the Class 3 Felony charge of Endangering the Life of a Child Resulting in Death, the Class 4 Felony charge of Reckless Conduct, and Endangering the Life of a Child. Hooper is currently being held at the Wayne County Jail.
1-year-old dies after being left in hot car
FAIRFIELD, Ill. (WJPF) — A Wayne County woman is facing involuntary manslaughter and child endangerment charges after police say she left two children inside of a hot vehicle. Illinois State Police say Adreian Hooper, 36, of Fairfield, was charged on Tuesday, July 16, with involuntary manslaughter, endangering the life...
Shift at AD: Benton promotes Garner as Miller moves focus to Assistant Principal
There is a change in leadership at Benton Consolidated High School. Thursday night, Benton assistant AD Shane Garner was promoted to Athletic Director as former AD Ryan Miller had a change in job description in his position as assistant principal. Miller served as the Athletic Director of the Rangers for...
Fire causes heavy damage to Dix home
Fire has heavily damaged a home in Dix. Jefferson Fire reports Edwin Austin of 308 Northeast Street exited his home Wednesday afternoon when hearing a pop. When going outside to see what was happening, he could see smoke coming from the attic. A short time later, a second caller indicated flames were coming from the second story.
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