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Tuesday is UMC #GivingTuesday. Last year, thanks to the extravagant generosity of United Methodists, $2.8 million was raised on UMC #GivingTuesday.
UMC #GivingTuesday is part of an international movement to extend the spirit of giving thanks into the Advent season. It offers an opportunity to start off the holiday season by giving instead of receiving.
UMC #GivingTuesday offers United Methodists a way to participate by supporting projects through The Advance.
Donation matches
The Advance remains committed to sustaining a strong foundation that allows projects and missionaries to build relationships and empower ministries.
In the past, the Advance was fortunate to offer matching funds to motivate giving. While matching funds will not be available this year, The Advance continues to allocate 100 percent of all giving to the designated project and missionary with the administrative overhead covered through apportionments.
This Advent, encourage your congregation to "Give Light, Give Love and Give Life through the Advance by clicking on the image above to make your donation.
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Wednesday final deadline for Holy Land Pilgrimage
Wednesday is the final deadline for persons wishing to travel with Bishop Frank and Melissa Beard to the Holy Land in February 2017.
Late registration fees for all guests on the IGRC Holy Land Pilgrimage have been waived through Nov. 30, but full payment must be made at the time of registration so airline tickets may be purchased.
Departure is Feb. 13, 2017 and will include the 2016 class of newly-ordained pastors.
Read more and register...
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Covenant Keepers 2017 registration open
Online registration is now open for Covenant Keepers 2017 which will be Jan. 30-31 at the Holiday Inn and Convention Center in East Peoria.
Cost for registration
is $30 per person and includes a Monday noon luncheon.
The theme for this event is: CK2017: Keepers of the Covenant.
Keynote speakers for the event are
Dr. Jay Carter and Dr. Sandra Whitacre Herron.
Read more and register online...
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Five-Day Academy for Spiritual Formation slated
The 2017 Five-Day Academy for Spiritual Formation will be April 23-28 at Lake Williamson Christian Center in Carlinville.
The Academy is a program of Upper Room Ministries, providing an opportunity for clergy and laity to tune their hearts toward God through a daily rhythm of prayer, worship, learning and reflection. Each day includes teachings by gifted spiritual leaders to deepen our walk with God, periods of silence, morning and evening prayer, Eucharist, and an opportunity to share with and encourage one another.
Registration through March 6 is $675 which includes tuition, room and board plus all supplies for the week. After March 6, the cost rises to $700 through April 3. Rooms are single occupancy with private baths. A $100 non-refundable deposit is required at the time of registration.
Continuing education credit is available for participants who commit to full-time participation.
Read more and register online...
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Certified Lay Minister training Dec. 2 and 3
Friday is the deadline for Certified Lay Ministry training to be held Dec. 2-3 at Vandalia First UMC.
Module 1:
Call and Covenant for Ministry will be offered from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. Friday and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday.
Cost for the training is $50. Rev. David Kueker will be the course instructor.
For more information,
contact Cheryl Cain by email or phoning 618-322-5246, or Ava Williams by email or by calling 217-563-7439.
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Extension School offerings for the Spring term
Dec. 10 is the deadline to register for the February-March classes in the IGRC Course of Study Extension School for part-time local pastors.
Among the classes which will meet Feb. 3-4 and March 3-4 are:
- COS 122: Theological Heritage: Introduction
- COS 322: Theological Heritage III: Medieval and Reformation
- COS 524: Theological Reflection: The Practice of Ministry
Read more and register online...
Feb. 10 is the deadline to register for the April-May classes. These classes will meet April 7-8 and May 5-6. The classes offered in this term are:
- COS 123: Formation and Discipleship
- COS 223: Worship and Sacraments
Read more and register online...
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Deaf, Hard of Hearing ministry grant funds available
Do you have someone in your church who is interested in taking American Sign Language classes in order to provide ASL interpretation in churches? OR does your church have an idea for ministry with Deaf, Hard-of-Hearing, or Late Deafened people that needs a little boost getting off the ground?
Then the IGRC Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing Ministry would like to help you out!
The committee now has a form and procedure for requesting grant monies for just these types of situations.
For more information or to request an application, please contact: Bunny Wolfe (bwolfe@igrc.org), Rev. Jean Hembrough - Committee Co-Chair (jeanh@jaxcentenary.org), or Carrie Grieme - Committee Co-Chair (carrieemoore@yahoo.com). We very much look forward to partnering with you to expand the ministries with Deaf, Hard-of-Hearing, and Late Deafened people within our Conference!
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Ross to lead Wesley Heritage Tour in July 2017
In 2015, Dr. Roger Ross, directing pastor of Springfield First UMC, had the joy of tracing the life and times of Methodism's founder, John Wesley. In July 2017, he is planning a return visit.
Through Educational Opportunities Tours, Ross will lead a group as they journey through England and discover the roots of the early Church and the
history-changing ministry of John Wesley.
Visit London, Oxford, the ancient Roman cities of York and Bath, the Old Rectory in Epworth where John Wesley grew up, and much more. This nine-day guided tour will leave from either St. Louis or Chicago on July 11, and return on July 19.
Cost is $3,896 which includes international airfare, first class hotels, daily buffet breakfast and dinner, entrance fees, professional tour guides, and deluxe motorcoaches.
Register early and save! If registered by Dec
. 11, 2016,
save $50. By Jan
. 11, 2017,
save $25.
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Confirmation retreats at East Bay, Little Grassy camps
Confirmation retreats for middle school and junior high students from sixth to eighth grades are being offered at East Bay and Little Grassy camps in February.
The East Bay retreat will be taught by Keith Michaels Feb. 10-12, and the Little Grassy retreat will be led by Ed Hoke and Christine Cunningham Feb. 24-26.
Confirmands will be discussing such questions as:
- What does it mean to be a member of a church?
- What are YOUR responsibilities?
- What expectations come with confirmation?
Material from Credo will give an opportunity for your students to grow as they learn.
Retreats are designed to complement, not replace the confirmation classes at the local church.
Register early for your first choice of camp. Retreats will start at 7 p.m. Friday and end after worship by 11 a.m. Sunday.
Cost for the retreat is $100 per person for two nights. One adult must attend with each group of five or fewer youth.
Read more...
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Harvest Ministry Teams seeks intern spring 2017
Harvest Ministry Teams, based in Troy, IL is seeking an Spring Semester Intern for worship and conference ministry. The internship begins in mid January and concludes in July. Potential experiences through the internship include ministry through worship at Harvest events, conference planning and execution, summer team planning and worship leadership in the local church on a regular basis.
Read more...
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Renovate Youth Conference
Renovate Youth Conference is a two discipleship event for students in 6th - 12th grades hosted in East Moline Feb. 10-11. Early Registration cost is $35 for students and $20 for adults.
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Fire-up Conference
Crystal Kirgiss will be the speaker for the 2017 Fire-Up Senior High Conference hosted at Troy UMC Feb. 24-26.
Kirgiss serves as adjunct faculty at Purdue University where she teaches English and researches the history of adolescence. For 25 years, she has worked with students in church, parachurch, educational, and community settings. She is the author of many books for adults and students, most recently
In Search of Adolescence: A New Look At an Old Idea which presents a broad historical survey of youth throughout the centuries. She regularly speaks to youth workers, parents, students, and congregations on a variety of topics. She lives in Indiana with her husband Mark, a veteran youth worker.
The weekend consists of worship, small groups, seminars, meals, recreation and community.
Registration is now open and for more information, visit the link below or call 618-667-6241.
Read more and register online...
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Light Kids Conference in three locations
Harvest Ministry Teams will host three Light Kids Conferences for children in first through fifth grade and their ministry leaders.
The conference will be at Washington Crossroads UMC on March 4; Troy UMC on March 25 and Marion Aldersgate on April 1.
The one-day event includes music, Bible Buzz, MERGE Recreation, entertainment, snacks, lunch and worship times centered around the theme RESCUED!
Read more...
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Save the Dates!
UMW Spiritual Growth Retreat: Feb. 24-25, Illiopolis UMC. Reservation deadline: Feb. 3. More details to follow.
Personal Care Retreat: April 21-22, Our Lady of the Snows Shrine. More details to follow.
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Sincerely,
Paul Black
Illinois Great Rivers Conference
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