After more than 50 years of ministry, Elgin District Superintendent Rev. Oscar Carrasco has announced his retirement beginning July 1, 2015. He says he will miss most the extraordinary people of the Elgin District, but he will continue to be in prayer for everyone. “Wherever I am, whoever comes to my mind from the times of my life, I will strive to be in prayer for that person,” he said. A retirement celebration for Rev. Carrasco will take place June 7th at 3:00 pm at First UMC in Crystal Lake. Read more on his retirement. And as Rev. Carrasco retires this summer, Bishop Sally Dyck is pleased to announce the appointment of the new Elgin District Superintendent the Rev. Darneather Murph-Heath, effective July 1, 2015 (following Rev. Carrasco’s retirement). Rev. Murph-Heath currently serves as pastor at Schaumburg: Our Saviour’s United Methodist Church. Bishop Dyck celebrates Reverend Murph-Heath’s diverse background in churches small and large, her positive cross-racial/ethnic experiences in leadership and her ability to be direct yet loving. “I look forward to her work on the Elgin District and throughout the conference as she brings strong leadership skills and a sense of humor to her work,” said Bishop Dyck. Read more