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The Current Week in Review
January 5, 2018
Bishop announces times of conversation around
A Way Forward

Bishop Frank J. Beard has announced that a sixth location has been added for Conversations on A Way Forward on Sunday, Feb. 18, at Collinsville First UMC.
 
The session will start with Check-In at 2:30 p.m. and the session will be from 3 to 5:30 p.m.
 
Making a Way Forward Conversations will be held at the following locations. Please register on-line by clicking the link below for the location you wish to attend. There is no cost, but registration is requested to ensure adequate space for the expected crowd:

Jan. 20 -- Coal City UMC , 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Jan. 27 -- East Moline Christ UMC, 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Feb. 3 -- Quincy Vermont Street UMC, 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Feb. 10 -- Mattoon First UMC, 10 a.m to 12:30 p.m.
Feb. 18 -- Collinsville First UMC, 3 to 5:30 p.m.
Feb. 24 -- Metropolis First UMC, 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Liberia's president-elect is
United Methodist

Liberia Area Bishop Samuel J. Quire Jr. is calling on all Liberians, especially United Methodists, to support President-elect George Manneh Weah.

Weah, a United Methodist and former soccer star, is expected to be sworn in Jan. 22, taking over power from President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, who also is a United Methodist. Weah was elected by more than 61 percent of the vote over his rival, Vice President Joseph N. Boakai, during a Dec. 26 presidential runoff election.
Council of Bishops issues New Year's Day letter

Bishop Bruce R. Ough, writing on behalf of the Council of Bishops, thanks United Methodists for their continued prayers for the Commission on a Way Forward and encourages renewal of covenant.

Upcoming events
January
29-30
Monday-Tuesday
Covenant Keepers 2018

Online registration is underway for Covenant Keepers 2018 at the Regency Conference Center in O'Fallon. The Revs. Rudy and Juanita Rasmus will be the keynote speakers with the praise band from Christ Church in Fairview Heights leading the worship. Deadline for registration is Jan. 19.
February
6-8
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Sexual Ethics Training

The mandatory quadrennial sexual ethics training will be held at three sites across the conference. Sites for the training are at Mt. Vernon West Salem Trinity UMC, Springfield First UMC and Peoria First UMC. This training is required for persons who are appointed or assigned to a local church
Prayer request updates
Carol Russell update

Carol had successful surgery Thursday, replacing skull bone flap. She will be going home Sunday (Jan. 7) -- three months after our accident. 
 
Please pray for good return on continued home health and out patient therapy. Thank you so much. 
 
Roger Russell 
Cache River District Superintendent
Resources
Human Relations Day
Sunday, Jan. 14

To continue the ministry of Jesus, Human Relations Day is set aside as a Special Sunday that calls the church to participate in helping all God's children to realize their potential.

Through church's Community Developer Program, at-risk youth are nurtured, communities' self-improvement efforts are strengthened and the oppressed have an advocate.
Commission on A Way Forward issues resource

The Commission on a Way Forward and the Council of Bishops have provided a booklet that listed some of the resources that the Commission has been using as part of its preparation for the interim report it released in October.

The booklet also contains a page on the three proposed sketches of the models that bishops are using to have conversations in their respective areas.
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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