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Annual Conference 2017 shortened by a half day
Bishop Frank J. Beard, in consultation with the Executive Team of the Annual Conference Sessions committee has announced that the 2017 Annual Conference will be held June 8-10 at the Peoria Civic Center.
Plans are to have the clergy and laity sessions begin at 10 a.m. Thursday with the opening worship set for 1:30 p.m. Thursday afternoon with the Service of Ordination and Commissioning being held on Saturday morning.
While the shorter agenda may not actually result in persons being able to reduce the number of lodging nights, it is an ongoing attempt at listening to attendees and trying to make the schedule easier for those who must take time off from their work to attend.
The Sessions Committee will be working on streamlining the agenda and further announcements will be made as plans unfold.
The 2017 theme is Let's Get Fired Up! and will focus on ministries to children.
Photos for the clergy directory will also be taken at the annual conference session as well as at Covenant Keepers Jan. 30-31 at the East Peoria Holiday Inn.
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UMCOR grants target U.S. flooding
Nearly $2 million for disaster response funding for flooding in four U.S. states was approved during the annual fall board meeting of the United Methodist Committee on Relief.
The denomination's Louisiana Conference received a total of $700,000 to assist with recovery in the southern part of the state,
where six trillion gallons of rainwater fell in just three days
in August.
Also approved was $500,000
for flood recovery in West Virginia
, where historic floods in June damaged or destroyed thousands of homes, along with United Methodist churches and parsonages. The West Virginia Conference will target about 120 vulnerable families living near churches and other facilities to better arrange support for volunteer teams.
Grants addressed two regions of Texas that experienced flooding in 2016. The Texas Conference is receiving a total of $300,000 to help 200 households in 10 counties recovery from flooding that
occurred from March to May
. A $200,000 grant for the Central Texas Conference is helping with home repairs and case management assisting families affected by extensive flooding in Hood County in early June.
The Mississippi Conference received $250,000 to support its response to March floods that hit the state's most vulnerable populations. "Due to the lack of insurance and the high degree of poverty in the affected areas, the recovery is expected to take up to two years," the grant proposal said.
Other small initial grants from UMCOR have addressed damage caused by Hurricane Matthew. Amick left for Haiti,
one of the regions hit by the hurricane,
after the Board of Global Ministries meeting concluded on Oct. 22.
UMCOR directors also approved grants from the Haiti Emergency Advance - $199, 530 for a microcredit project and $1.84 million for Phase III of the
New College Bird project
For all international response, donations may be sent through
Advance #982450 UMCOR INTERNATIONAL DISASTER RESPONSE.
For all U.S. disaster response, donations may be sent through
Advance #901670 UMCOR U.S. DISASTER RESPONSE.
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Liberian Ebola survivors report sight problems
Two health facilities of The United Methodist Church in Liberia have confirmed that most of the Ebola survivors seeking care have complaints about their sight and general body weakness.
Authorities at these facilities - Ganta United Methodist Hospital in Nimba County and Weala United Methodist Clinic in Margibi County - said most of the sight problems reported by their patients are a lingering result of suffering from the Ebola virus.
"Though unconfirmed by further medical examination, the situation is now taking center stage among post-Ebola strategists," said Patrick Mantor, administrator of the Ganta United Methodist Hospital. Asked how they were able to arrive at this conclusion, Mantor said the epidemiological history of the patients always ends with the issue of Ebola. "The issue is now under serious study by all the health entities of Liberia," he emphasized.
Once an epicenter of the Ebola virus, Ganta City has since recovered from the traumatic effect of the virus. The hospital, which played a vital role in serving the community, is still on the alert for any resurgence of the virus. Mantor said authorities have improved the hospital facilities and have increased awareness, adding, "patients who come to the hospital with strong fever are given special attention and, if possible, isolated until we are certain that their case is not Ebola."
Read more...
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Intern applications for 2017 now being accepted
Applications are now being accepted for the 2017 IGRC Intern Program. Prospective interns, prospective mentors, and prospective host churches/ministries are all encouraged to apply.
This year, a new priority deadline of Jan. 20 has been established. Churches/ministries and interns whose application packets are complete by that date will be considered early, with decisions by the first week of February. Any remaining internships will be awarded following the final deadline on March 1.
A total of approximately 15 paid internships are available for summer 2017 and the 2017-18 academic year. Further information, including a handbook and links to online application forms, may be found at
www.igrc.org/interns.
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UMC #Giving Tuesday set for Nov. 29
Mark your calendars! UMC #GivingTuesday is Nov. 29. Last year, thanks to the extravagant generosity of our supporters, we raised just short of $2.8 million 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 with he LIFE."
As you know, 100 percent of all gifts made through my Advance number directly support the missionary community.
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. This year, while matching funds will not be available. To keep this momentum going, The Advance continues to allocate 100 percent of all giving to the designated project and missionary with the administrative overhead covered through apportionments.
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Chuck Knows Church double feature
We all know what the word "church" means, right? Well, not so fast! Chuck explores all the meanings of this powerful word in his 111th episode!
Where did the Torah come from and why is it important to us? Chuck explains its history and meaning in this, his 110th episode!
The award-winning
Chuck Knows Church, a production of Discipleship Ministries, is an online web series. Use each episode in worship, youth groups, fellowship groups, confirmation classes, worship teams, new member classes and late-night snack viewing!
Follow Chuck on his website:
www.ChuckKnowsChurch.com
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Sincerely,
Paul E. Black
Illinois Great Rivers Conference
217-529-2848
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