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The Current Week in Review
December 8, 2017
Conference staff, Cabinet
join Bishop Beard in
MMDC Day of Service Here
Members of the IGRC Staff along with members of the IGRC Cabinet accepted an invitation from Bishop Frank J. Beard to participate in a Day of Service Thursday at the Midwest Mission Distribution Center.

A total of 35 individuals, that included some spouses, cut fabric for bookbags, assembled personal dignity kits and cleaning buckets as well as school desks.

The group was also on hand to participate in a circle of prayer which was leaving the MMDC for Nicaragua.
Refugee U.S. mayor-elect is
United Methodist

Wilmot Collins recently made big news by getting elected mayor of a small city.

Media outlets across the U.S. and even internationally shared how a refugee from Liberia, in West Africa, was chosen last month to lead overwhelmingly white Helena, Montana.

Overlooked in the coverage was Collins’ United Methodist background.
Global Ministries, World Methodist Council react to Jerusalem embassy decision

United Methodists have long supported the international consensus that the things that make for just and lasting peace in the Middle East must include a shared Jerusalem.

Read the statements issued by the General Board of Global Ministries and the World Methodist Council on the Jerusalem Embassy Decision.
Delegate counts for 2020 General Conference released

The Secretary of the General Conference announced Saturday the number of delegates assigned to each annual conference for the 2020 General Conference has been calculated, and certificates of election are on the way to bishops and annual conference secretaries.

The computation involves applying a statistical formula contained in The Book of Discipline 2016, which is based on the number of clergy and professing lay members of each annual conference.

The adjustment of the formula resulted in 862 delegates to the 2020 General Conference, as compared to 864 in 2016.
Protests for Dreamers
lead to arrests

United Methodists were among hundreds arrested on the steps of the U.S. Capitol as they demonstrated in support of the DREAM Act.

Some 2,000 young immigrants and their supporters converged on Washington Wednesday to rally congressional support for legislation that would protect the immigrants — commonly known as “Dreamers” — from deportation.

Around 200 DREAM Act supporters — including six United Methodists, a mix of clergy and laity — were arrested for refusing to move from the Capitol steps in an act of civil disobedience.

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
'Underway replenishment' marriage and ministry retreat
In their 30 years of ministry in the Navy chaplaincy, Bob and Christy Phillips led numerous marriage retreats for couples (and single spouses where the partner could not be present). The intense commitments and total claims of the military parallel the realities of marriage for those in ministry. This weekend marriage self-care retreat is the product of facing the challenges, realities and possibilities of being married and in ministry. The dates are Thursday, March 1, beginning with supper and concludes with lunch on Saturday, March 3.

The location is Elsah, nestled under the bluffs of the Mississippi River near Alton, and one of the few villages where all the homes are on the National Historic Registry. Participants will stay in two delightful B&B's located in the village.
Resources
Developing a Safe Sanctuaries policy

If your church does not already have a Safe Sanctuaries policy, BeADisciple.com is offering a course to help you get started.

Remember that there are also trainers available within our conference who can come to your church or work with you by phone for free. See www.igrc.org/safesanctuaries for more information.
Pastor Rudy Rasmus books
to borrow in the UMRC

Pastor Rudy Rasmus and his wife, Pastor Juanita Rasmus will be the speakers for Covenant Keepers 2018.

Check out the various resources by Rudy Rasmus in the UMRC catalog. Just put "Rasmus, Rudy" in the author's field and search.
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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