For information, please   download this flyer. If you need more information, please contact Sara Brown, Chair of Disaster Response committee.

Register online by Sept. 20...

Fairfield First UMC will host an Early Response Team training event on Saturday, Sept. 23.

The mission of an early response team is to provide a caring Christian presence in the aftermath of disaster. It is a cooperative effort between the United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR) and the United Methodist Volunteers in Mission. The team is neither a first response group of emergency workers nor a recovery, rebuild or repair team. Rather, it fills a specific need in the early days after a disaster to establish the presence of the church.

Register for the ERT training by Sept. 15...

Training events for learning about the new online charge conference forms are still underway. Pastors were mailed links to the forms on July 27. However, pastors serving multi-point charges may have only received a link to one of their churches. 

If you are unable to access ALL of your charge conference forms with ALL of your churches, contact your District office and they will be able to send those links to you. Or you may email Michele Willson or call her at 217-529-3122  in the IGRC Communications office and she will be able to assist you.

Training events that remain include:

• Monday, Aug. 28 -- Neoga Grace UMC, 6:30 p.m.
• Tuesday, Aug. 29 -- O'Fallon First UMC, 6 p.m.

Each workshop lasts about an hour with time available to answer your questions and provide any missing materials you may need.

Back by popular demand, Music at First, Peoria First UMC's Music Series, presents Mariachi Monumental de Mexico and Mexican Dance Ensemble from Chicago. The two ensembles will be at the church as part of National Hispanic Heritage Month during the church's block part on Sunday, Oct. 15, from 4 to 6 p.m.

The event is free of charge and made possible through the First United Methodist Church Foundation. Attendees are urged to bring their own lawn chairs or blanket. Food will be available for purchased from local vendors.

For more information, visit the Music at First website or contact Doug Grogan by email or at 309-673-3641, ext. 117, for more information.

Cisco UMC is sponsoring an ice cream social and bake sale on Sunday, Sept. 10, from 4 to 6 p.m.

All items at the event are homemade.

Proceeds from the event will be used for an adult mission trip to Appalachia.

The installation service for Spoon River District Superintendent Stephen Granadosin will be on Saturday, Sept. 23, beginning at 3:30 p.m. at Galesburg First UMC. 

The Vermilion River District United Methodist Men will host a UMM Fall Rally on Saturday, Sept. 23, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Kankakee Asbury UMC.

Speakers for the rally included Ken Hudgkins, president of the North Central Jurisdiction UMM and Jerry Motsigner, former IGRC UMM President.

Breakfast and a sloppy joe luncheon will be served. Tickets are $8 in advance, $10 at the door. Payment for ticket orders can be sent to: Bruce Richardson, 602 N. Maple, Herscher, IL 60941.

A freewill offering will be taken to offset travel costs for the speakers.

Registration is open for The Well, a seminar for local church youth workers and children's ministry workers. The event will be hosted in O'Fallon First UMC Oct. 5, and in Normal Christ Church Oct. 12.

The identical events begin run from 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., concluding with lunch. 

Topics are "The Emotionally Healthy Ministry Leader" and "More Than Enough Volunteers." Every participant receives five months of personalized follow up coaching (in partnership with Ministry Architects)!

Visit harvestconferences.org/thewell for more information, or contact Tim Price ([email protected]).

Register or learn more...

Registration has begun for Why Water Matters, an ecumenical summit offering workshops, worship, and keynote presentations from United Methodist bishops, Native American activists, professors, and ecumenical faith leaders.

The summit will be held Nov. 16-18, Embassy Suites Airport, Minneapolis, Minn. Keynotes and presenters include Bishop Sally Dyck, Bishop Bruce Ough, Chief Arvol Looking Horse, Dr. Randy Woodley, Lionel Little Eagle Pinn, John Hill, Rev. E. Michelle Ledder, Rev. Paul Perez and Laura Pfeffer.  

Why Water Matters was created in response to the crisis at Standing Rock, and further inspired by the continued need for faithful education and action for water justice.  This event has been planned by Native American clergy and laity, with the hopes of creating an inter-generational opportunity for solidarity and transformation.  The leadership team encourages each annual conference to bring a small group, including at least one young adult. From our conference, Bishop Frank Beard is attending and several church leaders. IGRC members registering for the event are encouraged to  contact Carol Lakota Eastin for IGRC team information.

This summit will provide a theological foundation for environmental action, teach faith and community leaders to engage in direct communication with government agencies and commercial companies that oversee the care of bodies of water, offer tools for creating effective solidarity with Native American spiritual and tribal leaders whose source/s of water has become threatened, and empower individuals to create an action plan for water advocacy and/or sustainability in their local communities.

Register before Sept. 1 for the early bird rate ($175).  After Sept. 1, registration increases to $195 and after Oct. 15, to $225.  Registration includes Thursday dinner, Friday lunch and Friday dinner.   Hotel reservations can be made with group code WAS.  Limited scholarship funds are available. Priority is given to young adults, Native American attendees or other ethnic representatives.