 |
Persons wishing to see a schedule for Covenant Keepers which will be Jan. 30-31 may do so by visiting:
www.igrc.org/ck2017schedule.
Pastors are reminded that Lifetouch will also be available to take photos for a new IGRC clergy directory. Persons getting their photos taken at Covenant Keepers will not have to wait in line at Annual Conference.
|
|
Week of Prayer for the Way Forward Jan. 22-28
Bishop Frank Beard has offered a column on A Way Forward as a resource for the IGRC Wee of Prayer currently underway.
"The need for the light of hope and the healing help of the church has never been more pronounced or critical to addressing the requirements of our rapidly changing world. Simply put, the world needs the church now more than ever," Beard writes. "The problem is not that the church is powerless or ineffective, as has been alleged in some circles. The challenge facing The United Methodist Church is our inability to move forward in unity. We seem bent on choosing sides and selecting allies to help us 'win' and we do so at the cost of losing a battle that is raging outside the doors and hallways of our stained-glass sanctuaries. Our society and our world are drifting toward destruction, while the church engaged in its own internal squabbles becomes less and less effectual."
Read more...
|
|
Registration open for Senior High YAR
Registration is now open for the 2017 Senior High YAR March 10-12 at the Lake Williamson Christian Retreat Center in Carlinville.
Final registration deadline is Feb. 24.
Information and registration forms can be found by visiting:
www.igrc.org/srhighyar
|
|
UMW Spiritual Growth Retreat Feb. 24-25
The 2017 IGRC United Methodist Women Spiritual Growth Retreat will be Feb. 24-25 at Illiopolis UMC.
The theme for this year's retreat is
Make A Joyful Noise: Finding Spiritual Harmony Through Music.
Download a flyer for the event. Registration deadline is Feb. 3.
Cost is $65 based upon double occupancy for overnight accommodations, $20 for the retreat only.
For more information,
contact Sue Coons by email or by calling 815-674-7861.
|
|
Scholarship information for students
The Illinois Great Rivers Conference Board of Higher Education and Campus Ministry is offering a scholarship opportunity for the 2017-2018 school year to any undergraduate.
Applicants must be members of a United Methodist Church for a minimum of one year. Scholarships awarded will be sent to the community college, college or university that the student will be attending during the 2017-2018 school year to help pay for their undergraduate tuition. The scholarships awarded will be a minimum of $500.
Read more...
The General Board of Higher Education and Ministry are currently accepting applications for scholarships and United Methodist student loans for 2017-18.
Read more...
Seminary students that are preparing for a Master of Divinity for pulpit ministry may want to check out the Opal Dancey Fellowship. Students from any United Methodist seminary or Asbury Seminary are eligible.
Read more...
Women ministry students may also want to consider the Sondra Newman Scholarship offered by the Illinois Great Rivers Conference Commission on the Status and Role of Women.
COSROW offers a scholarship for any woman who is 1) a certified candidate from IGRC 2) enrolled in seminary for degree or course of study 3) completed at least one semester of training 4) will also consider CPE training.
Read more...
|
|
Handbell Festival at Salem Grace March 11
The Illinois Great Rivers Conference chapter of The Fellowship of United Methodists in Music and Worship Arts will be holding their 29th annual handbell festival on Saturday, March 11.
To be held at Salem Grace UMC, the featured clinician is Jason Krug. Registration forms are available on our
Early registration deadline is February 11.
|
|
Hungary mission trip deadline nears
Volunteers are sought for a short-term mission to Budapest, Hungary in June of 2017. Our group will teach conversational English to the students of Forrai High School as an outreach with the Pest UMC. We depart June 15 and the mission ends June 24. Participants can continue traveling in Europe at that point or return home. Application deadline is Feb. 15. Please see our brochure with dates, costs, and application form at
www.igrc.org/hungary or contact trip leader, Ken Hutchens at 217-390-1566 or
Brokenhutchens@gmail.com.
|
|
Annual reports can now be filed online
EZRA -- the on-line tool for local churches to report their year-end statistics -- is now available. The Conference office will be sending out instructions and reminders, but if you want to get a jump on it, the website is:
http://ezra.gcfa.org
A link may also be found on the Conference website homepage and at
www.igrc.org/ezra
The username for your church is the six-digit number assigned to your church by GCFA (it is the same number found on your remittance reports from my office). The initial password is password. You will be prompted to change the password when you enter the system for the first time.
Deadline to submit your reports is March 31.
|
|
Fairview Heights Christ to host Large Church Initiative event
Fairview Heights Christ will be hosting the denomination's Large Church Initiative event,
Navigating Change, May 8-10.
Keynote speakers include Jon Acuff, Thom Rainer, Telley Gadson, Brad Kalajainen, Adam Weber, Ashley Cooper and Bishop Robert Schnase.
More information can be obtained from the event website as:
www.lc17.com.
A Facebook page has also been established for the event.
|
|
Two Reaching New People workshops scheduled
Two Reaching New People workshops, sponsored by the IGRC Office of Congregational Development, are currently scheduled this spring: March 11 at Kansas UMC and April 1 at Elmwood UMC.
Plan now to bring a team from your church.
|
|
Mission Day at Cunningham Home March 11
The Annual Mission Day at Cunningham Children's Home will be Saturday, March 11, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Middle school and high school youth groups are invited to join the agency for an inspiring day as we offer a first-hand look at the mission and exemplary programs offered at Cunningham.
Youth will learn:
* what happens daily to help the vulnerable and hurting youth that we serve
* the importance of faith for healing
* the involvement of United Methodists in our mission
* how to put their prayers, presence, gifts, and service into action
Contact Bernice Dallas by email or by calling 217-337-9058 with any questions.
|
|
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...
|
|
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...
|
|
Confirmation retreat at East Bay Camp
A confirmation retreat for middle school and junior high students from sixth to eighth grades are is being offered Feb. 10-12 at East Bay Camp.
The Little Grassy retreat has been cancelled.
The East Bay retreat will be taught by Keith Michaels.
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. The session 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...
|
|
PCC Self-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
|
|
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.
|
|
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...
|
|
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...
|
|
Sincerely,
Paul Black
Illinois Great Rivers Conference
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
