IGRC Events-full
February 26, 2018
2018 Annual Conference materials

Materials for attendees of the 2018 Annual Conference are posted online.

The main Annual Conference page is located at: www.igrc.org/ac2018

From the main page, pages for a variety of items will be located on the right-hand side menu. Those that are already live on the website include the following:


Online registration goes live April 2 and ends May 17.
Annual Conference Mission Fair on Friday evening

A Mission Fair designed to provide a dedicated time to generate awareness, enthusiasm and involvement of the mission and ministries, will be held on Friday evening during the 2018 Annual Conference.

All members of the Annual Conference will be encouraged to attend with ice cream bars and popcorn available for everyone.

A request is being made to every group that is requesting display space to have a representative present to answer questions and share ideas with attendees.

The Mission Fair is taking the place of the Annual Conference dinner this year.
March
2-4
Friday-Sunday
Senior High NOW Initiative

Registration is underway for the 2018 Senior High NOW Initiative (formerly Senior High YAR) at Lake Williamson Christian Retreat Center.

Download the forms and register by clicking the NOW Initiative page on the IGRC website.
March
3-10-
24
Various locations
The Light Kids Conference

Conference for kids first through fifth grades hosted by Harvest Ministry Team.

  • March 3 -- Washington Crossroads UMC
  • March 10 -- Marion Aldersgate UMC
  • March 24 -- Troy UMC

Begins at 9 a.m. and concludes at 2 p.m.
March
6
Tuesday
Discovery Day

IGRC Office of Congregational Development is hosting Discovery Day, designed to explore the possibilities for new faith communities in the Conference. The workshop will be March 6 from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the Conference Center in Springfield.

Among the questions that will be discussed:
  • Why start new faith communities?
  • How do we identify what models of new places for new people could be sustainable and viable in our setting?
  • What are the best urban and rural planting strategies?
  • What are the seasons of planting? 
 
Participants will gain valuable insights and explore new opportunities for churches, missional communities, and fresh expressions in this interactive workshop.
 
The Discovery Day will be led by William Chaney, the North Central Jurisdiction New Church Strategist of Discipleship Ministries. William brings years of experience in church planting and training and coaching leaders and churches to start new ministries.
 
The $10 per person cost includes lunch. Registration will close on Feb. 28 or when capacity is reached. Questions to Mike Crawford at mcrawford@igrc.org
March
10
Saturday
Mission Day at Cunningham

Cunningham Children’s Home will host its annual Mission Day on Saturday, March 10, 2018, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Mission Day offers a firsthand look at the mission and exemplary programs offered at Cunningham. Participants learn what happens daily to help the vulnerable and hurting youth that Cunningham serves, the importance of faith for healing, the involvement of United Methodists in Cunningham’s mission, and how to put their prayers, presence, gifts, and service into action. 

Download and complete the and mail it to Cunningham, along with $5 per person, no later than Wednesday, Feb. 28. Adult leaders of your class/group are encouraged to attend.

Space is limited for this special day retreat so registration forms and fees must be received before we can hold spaces for your group. Contact Ginger McKee at gmckee@cunninghamhome.org with questions.
March
10
Saturday
Handbell Festival

The 30th Annual Handbell Festival, sponsored by the IGRC Chapter of the Fellowship of United Methodists in Music and Worship Arts (FUMMWA) will be Saturday, March 10 at Peoria First UMC,116 NE Perry, Peoria, with David Harris of the Raleigh Ringers as the clinician.

Total cost is $40 per registrant if their church group has a Fellowship member, $45 per registrant if the group has no Fellowship member.
March
24
Saturday
CLM Modules 3 and 4

Registration for Certified Lay Minister Modules 3 and 4 are now open through March 3.

Training will be at Vandalia First UMC from 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Module 3 will be taught by Rev. Charliam Renner, pastor of Sullivan First UMC and Module 4 will be taught by Rev. Harold "Bumper" Quick, pastor of Mt. Vernon West Salem Trinity UMC.

Those planning to enroll in Module 4 need a CD to accompany the Module's materials. Contact Ava Williams well in advance of the deadline to request your CD. Module materials may be obtained from your District office.

In order to qualify to become a CLM and be eligible to take the four required modules, one must be or become a Certified Lay Servant and have previously completed License School, or one must have completed a year of seminary studies. More than two must be registered for a module session to be held.

Questions may be directed to: Cheryl Cain at cherylbecker52@yahoo.com or by calling 618-322-5246, or to Ava Williams at: adwilliams2@juno.com or by calling 217-563-7439.
April
4
Wednesday
Anti-racism rally in Washington
I
Illinois Christians Encounter Racism (ICER), a part of the Illinois Conference of Churches, is arranging for buses to Washington DC for the anti-racism rally on the National Mall on April 4, the 50th anniversary of the assassination of Martin Luther King, Jr.

The service in Memphis will be broadcast on the Mall. Buses will leave from LaGrange, Springfield and Carbondale. Cost is $175 per person which includes the bus, a sack lunch, bottle of water and t-shirt. This is the direct cost with no mark-up.
April
16,17

Monday-Tuesday
Unstuck Workshop

Join church consultant Tony Morgan for two sessions in how to get your church unstuck and have greater impact in your community.

The April 16 session will be at Peoria First UMC and is designed for clergy, lay and staff teams. The session will be from 6:30 to 9 p.m.

The April 17 session will be at Pekin First UMC and geared toward pastors and key leaders. It will be from 9 a.m. to noon.

No registration required. Questions to Peggy Hisey .
May
1-3, 5-7

Native American Course of Study

The North Central Jurisdictional Native American Course of Study will be on the Spirit Lake Reservation in Devil's Lake, N.D. for two sessions -- May 1-3 and May 5-7.

Courses offered this year will be:
COS 221 -- Bible II -- Torah and Israel's History and COS 524, Theological Reflection -- May 1-3
COS 323 -- Congregational Care and COS 521 -- Bible V -- Acts, Epistles and Revelation -- May 5-7

For more information, contact Lisa Wiedman .
May
18-
20
Friday-Sunday
UMW Assembly 2018

United Methodist Women is currently the largest faith-based women's organization in the world and Assembly is the largest quadrennial gathering of that organization. At Assembly you viscerally feel “The Power of Bold” with the combined energy of 8,000 women through communal, face-to-face growth, action, celebration and inspiration.

Assembly 2018 will be in Columbus, Ohio. A Ubuntu Day of Service will precede the event's start on May 17.
May
26-31
Saturday-Thursday
Bleacher removal project

The Midwest Mission Distribution Center is needing volunteers for a bleacher removal project May 26-31, at Darlington High School in Darlington, Wis.

There are many facets to the process for individuals to volunteer.

  1. Bleacher Removal: individuals involved must be capable of lifting to load the wood and scrap the metal.
  2. Clerical Assistance: individuals will help to keep track of volunteers on site and the hours worked.
  3. Refreshment Coordinator: individuals to take charge of drinks, snacks and first aid.

For more information, contact Brad Walton, MMDC Operations Manager and copy Tonya Hill, MMDC Operations Coordinator when you send email. Volunteers that commit to the project will be sent a liability form that must be completed before work commences.
June
23
Saturday
Sexual ethics training makeup

A makeup session for the mandatory quadrennial sexual ethics training will be Saturday, June 23, from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 at Sugar Creek UMC in Chatham.

This session is for those individuals who were unable to make one of the three weekday sessions in February.

All clergy and laypersons that are appointed or assigned to a local congregation are required to complete this training once every four years. Registration is open through June 16.
August
6-10
Monday-Friday
District mission trip

The Mississippi River District and New Baden UMC is planning a mission trip to the Blackfeet United Methodist Parish located in Browning, Mont., Aug. 6-10. This is an agricultural and equine mission for the people of the Blackfeet United Methodist Parish. 

For more information check out their website at bumpmission,com . Interested in going?, contact Lisa Wiedman at pastorllisa@gmail.com
October
23-31
Tuesday-Sunday-Wednesday
Bishop's Wesley Heritage Trip

Join Bishop Frank Beard and the 2017 and 2018 Ordination classes from the IGRC for a trip to the birthplace of Methodism. You don't want to miss this golden opportunity to experience and enjoy England.

Get a chance to learn and laugh with the Bishop as we explore our historical roots and retrace the life and legacy of the Wesley family and other significant contributors to the development of the Methodist movement. Travel to Epworth, Oxford, Bristol, London and several charming England villages as we explore our Wesleyan heritage.

Mention Tour HE18 for Bishop Beard's tour
World Council of Churches internships
The World Council of Churches is inviting applications to an Internship Programme in 2018. We will be most grateful for your support in finding suitable candidates.

The application deadline is March 15, and the programme's overarching goal is to strengthen church and ecumenical relations with the churches and create benefits for young people through capacity building, ecumenical formation, regional relations, international and multicultural exposure, and leadership building for work in the churches.
Scholarship information
The Illinois Great Rivers Conference Board of Higher Education and Campus Ministry is offering a scholarship opportunity for the 2018-2019 school year to undergraduate students. Applicants must be members of a United Methodist Church for a minimum of one year. Scholarships awarded will be sent to the community college, college or university that the student will be attending during the 2017-2018 school year to help pay for their undergraduate tuition. The scholarships awarded will be a minimum of $500.  The deadline is March 15.  

Undergraduate and Graduate scholarships through the General Board of Higher Education and Ministry are also available.  The deadline is March 7.

The United Methodist Higher Education Foundation have a variety of scholarships available including the United Methodist Dollar for Scholars program . Applications must be postmarked by March 1.

Please note: Not all United Methodist schools participate in the Dollar for Scholars program. The IGRC Foundation does not participate as well. Check with the school's financial aid office to see if you can qualify.

Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary has announced it will be giving 25 full-tuition scholarships available for students applying for admission as a full-time student for 2018-19.

Ten of the scholarships will be awarded to United Methodist students with awards going to no more than one student per United Methodist conference; five to Hispanic/Latinx students; five to Pan-Methodist fellows; and five students applying to Garrett's new Master of Arts in Public Ministry program. Academic and other requirements must be met. Deadline for applying is April 1.
Online mentor training available for laity

God speaks to every person, but oftentimes young people don’t know how to listen for God’s voice. You can help – become a mentor to a young person in your community! The Timothy Circle has created an online training workshop to give adults the tools and resources to be successful mentors. 

The four-week online training costs $45 and connects participants to a community of fellow mentors as well as a database of volunteer, work, and educational opportunities to help young people grow in their faith and clarify how they are being called by God. 

The online nature of the course means you can log in and participate whenever it is convenient for you. Visit www.TimothyCircle.com to sign up for a January, April or June training. It’s an excellent way to help churches foster intergenerational connections and take an active role in raising up the next generation of disciples!

The Timothy Circle is a joint project of the Foundation for Evangelism (known for their Denman Awards) and the Richard and Julia Wilke Institute for Discipleship (founded by the authors of DISCIPLE Bible Study).
United Methodist Center Contact Information
USPS (U.S. Postal Service)
P.O. Box 19207, Springfield, IL 62794-9207
Office Phone: 217-529-2040
Email: info@igrc.org
UPS and FedEx deliveries only use the street address:
United Methodist Center
5900 S. 2nd Street
Springfield, IL 62711
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