On the Wednesday before Christmas last year, those in 
attendance were treated to a program by Jim McClarey about the history of Santa Claus. It was one of the best programs I've ever experienced. How impressive that a man of the cloth could so eloquently and passionately wed a secular holiday story with the true spiritual meaning of Christmas. Yet if you knew Jim's past, you would realize that his ability to perfectly blend these two is also a statement of his personal and professional past.
James "Jim" McClarey was born in Mattoon, Illinois and was raised in a spiritual family. His father, grandfather, and uncle were all pastors. While Jim would eventually continue that family tradition, he would do so along a different path.
As a child Jim lived in Pekin from age 6 thru 11 while his dad served as the Associate Pastor at Grace United Methodist Church. While here, he attended C.B. Smith School. His family moved, spending three years in Quincy and one year in Shelbyville. Graduating from high school Jim attended Illinois Wesleyan, not to pursue a career in the ministry, but in business with Business Administration being his major. "Being a pastor was the last thing on my mind", Jim admits to this day.
Out of college he landed a "great job" with Alpha Graphics - a company much like Kinko's. He spent time in Tucson, Texas and Georgia, all in the span of close to a year. As the business field was unfolding before him, Jim was contemplating his future in it. "I spent a lot of time thinking and praying about why I was on this earth", he confessed. "I prayed about what God had planned for me other than possibly being a pastor. One day I was running and suddenly stopped, got on my knees, and said 'Lord, alright! I'll be a pastor, but you've got the wrong guy and I'm sure I'll prove it.' It was either what I wanted to do or what God wanted me to do. That was 32 years ago."
Jim attended seminary at a school associated with Northwestern University. he entered the ministry serving three different churches in three small Illinois communities: Perry, Baylis, and Fishhook. They each had their own service - one at 9 am; one at 10 am; and another at 11 am. Jim covered them all. He was there for 3 years, then on to Winchester, IL for 6 1/2 years, and Savoy for 18 1/2 years. It was then that he again heard God's call and returned to Pekin and First United Methodist Church - 43 years after leaving as a child.
While in each of his posts, Jim felt strongly about his responsibility to give back to the communities he served. That effort began by joining Kiwanis in Winchester. When he moved to Savoy, he found that they had no Kiwanis Club but did have a Rotary Club. In his many years in service there, Jim served as Vocational Service Chair, Community Service Chair, and President. He was also named a Paul Harris Fellow. Of course his transfer to us was only natural.
Asked what he enjoyed most about Rotary, he said, "I'm a big believer in volunteering in the community, of serving beyond yourself. In community service, as Christians, that's what we're supposed to do. We need to expand our circle of fellowship beyond the church."
In all my years in Rotary, I can't recall knowing any that are more polite than Jim McClarey. I received many emails explaining why he might miss a meeting or had his schedule rearranged. I also received a number of simple inquiries asking if there was anything else he could do to be of service. He is simply "top quality".
Rotary was founded as a collection of diverse vocations, gathering together to gain better understanding of the world we enjoy. Having served in the business world and then finding his true calling in the clergy, Jim McClarey embodies those treasured Rotary underpinnings. But, I have only seen him make one error: that inner feeling that by choosing the ministry, he would not be a good pastor.
On that point, he was dead wrong! What a credit he is to his Lord. He is a valued newer member of the Pekin Rotary Club and we are blessed by the caring and giving attitude that he brings.
Gary Gillis
