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The last day for local churches to send in apportionments and contributions to the conference office to have it count toward 2016 is by the end of the business day on January 9, 2017.
It has to be received in our office by January 9th, not postmarked on January 9th.
Please have your treasurer clearly denote that the money is for 2016.
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Week of Prayer for the Way Forward Jan. 22-28
Bishop Frank J. Beard is asking that the Illinois Great Rivers Conference set aside the week of Jan. 22-28, 2017, as a Week of Prayer for the Way Forward Commission and its work.
The week selected is part of a church-wide call to prayer in 2017 and 2018 as the Commission moves forward its work. Bishops of the church have covenanted with one another to pray 15 minutes each day for the Commission. The second phase is involving each individual annual conference in prayer for a week.
Bishop Beard said the selection of the week of Jan. 22 was strategic in that events inside and outside the church have called for people to be united.
"The week will be the first week in which a new president will be leading the country following a very contentious campaign," he said. "And the week overlaps the Week of Prayer and Christian Unity, a worldwide ecumenical focusing on unity within the Christian faith."
Prayer coordinators have been recruited and will be assisting Bishop Beard during the week. Additional resources will be provided in the weeks prior to Jan. 22 to assist congregations and pastors in this endeavor.
The Upper Room has developed a website called
UMCprays.org. The website features many tools and resources to help you to plan for the week of prayer.
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Retirees holding prayer vigil for pastors, spouses
Preachers' Aid Society and the IGRC retired clergy are currently holding a prayer vigil, lifting up active pastors and spouses during the 12 days of Christmas.
Between the first and last day which will be conference-wide, the prayer vigil will rotate among the 10 districts.
Here is the remaining schedule for our conference and districts to follow. We invite all of the IGRC retired clergy to pray for the active clergy each of the 12 days. As far as is possible, please pray for the active clergy by name.
Jan. 3
Spoon River District
Jan. 4
Vermilion River District
Jan. 5
Conference-wide prayer
No sign-up is required.
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VIM Mission Leadership Training Jan. 21
tThe 2017 VIM Mission Leadership Training will be Saturday, Jan. 21 at O'Fallon UMC. in O'Fallon.
This training is for anyone who is planning to lead a mission trip in 2017. They will learn the practical details of planning and carrying out a mission work trip and how to prepare the team members for the experience.
Information and registration can be found at:
http://www.igrc.org/2017missionworktriptraining.
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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. Deadline for securing a room reservation at the block rate is Wednesday, Jan. 11.
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.
This is a perfect opportunity to split the costs with unused continuing education funds for 2016 and then pay the balance after the first of the year.
Continuing education credit is available for participants who commit to full-time participation.
Read more and register online...
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Extension School offerings for the April-May term
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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Ross to lead Wesley Heritage Tour in July 2017
Dr. Roger Ross, directing pastor of Springfield First UMC, is leading a Wesley Heritage Tour July 11-19.
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 registeredby 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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PCC Personal Care Retreat April 21-22
The office of Pastoral Care and Counseling will host a Self-Care Retreat for IGRC clergy and spouses April 21-22 at the National Shrine of Our Lady of the Snows in Belleville.
Childcare will be available at a cost of $10 per family and will be provided at Belleville St. Matthew UMC, just minutes from the Shrine. Parents must pick up and drop off children as no transportation will be provided. Childcare registration deadline is April 1 and reservations can be made at
www.igrc.org/selfcare2017-childcare
.
Topics of workshops during the retreat include:
- Do We Encourage or Discourage Self-Care as a Culture?
- Our Healthiest Selves with Nutrition and Exercise
- Sacred Spaces: An Experiential Faith Exploration
- Wake Up Your Life
- Chair Yoga and Healthy Living
- Marriage Self-Care
- Finding Your Treasures
- "What My Spouse Doesn't Tell Me" Benefits Education
- Understanding Stress and Management of Chronic Stress
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New Testament II class offered by Belleville St. Matthew UMC
Following up on a fall study of the Gospels and Acts, Belleville St. Matthew is offering a survey class of the rest of the New Testament -- its writings, underlying background and history, and major themes. The course is a six-day, nine-session seminary seminar led by Dr. Robert Yarbrough, Professor of New Testament at Covenant Seminary. This cost of this course is a freewill donation.
Classes will be: Jan. 13 (6:30 to 9 p.m.); Jan. 14 (9 to 11:30 a.m. and 12:30 to 2 p.m.);
Feb. 17 (6:30 to 9 p.m.); Feb. 18 (9 to 11:30 a.m. and 12:30 to 2 p.m.); March 10 (6:30 to 9 p.m.) and March 11 (9 to 11:30 a.m. and 12:30 to 2 p.m.)
The class will be held at Belleville St. Matthew UMC's Choir Room (under the Sanctuary).
For more information or to register, contact Rev. Jon Carrell at (618) 397-5994 or by email at
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Renovate Youth Conference
Renovate Youth Conference is a two-day 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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Sincerely,
Paul Black
Illinois Great Rivers Conference
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