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The main page for the 2017 Annual Conference is: www.igrc.org/ac2017. Secondary pages are found to the right-hand menu area. Additional pages will be added as information becomes available.
The various sections of the Pre-Conference Workbook will be posted in the near future. However, other information that is available now includes:
- Secretary's letter from Annual Conference Secretary Joy Caschetta. This letter along with an annual conference checklist will be arriving in the mail but you can view it online now.
- Annual Conference Checklist includes a list of deadlines, some of which have changed due to the shortened annual conference schedule.
- Hotel list of the Annual Conference block of rooms. Conferees are responsible for making their own reservations. Now is the best time to reserve your room. Rates are guaranteed through May 16, but rooms are assigned on a first-come, first-served basis.
- Frequently Asked Questions. Provides answers to the most commonly asked questions about Annual Conference.
- Information on submitting reports/resolutions. Provides a summary on the process for submitting items for consideration by the Annual Conference. Includes the deadlines, dates and responsibilities.
- Information on A/V and tech support. Information for presenters at the Annual Conference. Includes deadlines to ensure third-party items work with the equipment and those who seek help for creative assistance by IGRC Communications. Deadlines are strictly enforced! Plan early!
- Agenda for the 2017 Annual Conference approved by the Sessions Committee March 10. Persons are able to set up a mobile app and pre-select which agenda items apply to them. Once set up, the app sends a daily schedule to the user each morning prior to the start of Annual Conference. Any last-minute changes to room assignments and schedule will be pushed out through the app to those using it.
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Workshops announced for 2017 Annual Conference
Four workshops will be offered each of two days on Thursday and Friday noon at the 2017 Annual Conference. Identical sessions will be offered both days and each person will be able to register for the workshops as part of the Annual Conference registration that will open April 1.
Workshops for the 2017 Annual Conference:
- Building the Church in Prayer -- Rev. Dr. Terry Tekyl, author of several books, including Pray and Grow, Pray the Price, Blueprint for the House of Prayer, Acts 29, Preyed on or Prayed For, Making Room to Pray, How to Pray After You've Kicked the Dog and Outside the Camp. Dr. Tekyl will also be the Friday Morning Manna speaker and speaker at the Saturday Morning Community Prayer Breakfast that will be held at nearby Bethel UMC and hosted by the Conference's United Methodist Men.
- Can We Talk?: Respectful Communication in a Polarized Church and Society -- Rev. Stephanie Ann Hixon, executive director of the JustPeace Center for Mediation and Conflict Transformation.
- Evangelism for Non-Evangelists -- Rev. Dr. Mark R. Teasdale, E. Stanley Jones Associate Professor of Evangelism, Garret-Evangelical Theological Seminary.
- Reaching New and Next Generations: Ministry with Gen Xers and Millennials -- Rev. Dr. Joe Scheets and Rev. Jessica Baldyga, pastors of Effingham Centenary UMC in the Embarras River District.
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Religion and Race to host pre-Conference event
The Conference Commission on Religion and Race will host a program, A Day of New Beginnings, which will be from 2 to 6 p.m. on Wednesday, June 7, prior to the start of Annual Conference
Refreshments consisting of fruits, cheese tray and crackers and cookies will be provided free of charge.
In order to have an estimated headcount, please indicate whether you will attend below. Should crowd exceed the size of the room, a change in rooms will be made to accommodate the crowd.
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Conference Prayer Vigil during Annual Conference
Each year during Annual Conference, laity ask each district to pray at a certain designated time for the Conference. This certainly doesn't mean that this is the only time you can pray but it gives each district a designated time.
Assignments for the 2017 Annual Conference are as follows:
Annual Conference Special offering and collections
Three offerings will be taken at the 2017 Annual Conference as well as collections for two agencies. Churches are encouraged to take up collections for each of these offerings and send them with their lay or clergy member to Annual Conference. This allows the church to write one check and the congregation to be credited for its gift.
An offering for the John Kofi Asmah School in West Point, Liberia, will be taken for furnishings for the school IGRC laity built several years ago.
An offering will also be taken for the Ordinands' Trip in Spring 2018 during the Service of Ordination and Commissioning. This trip is used to form spiritual leaders at the beginning of their ministry.
A third offering will be taken as part of the Black College Ambassador's report for the Tom Brown Scholarship at Wiley College. The relationship with Wiley College is long-standing and the offering is held annually in memory of the late Rev. Tom Brown, a former trustee of the school from the former Central Illinois Conference.
In addition, the Midwest Mission Distribution Center is asking for items for kits assembled by the Center:
- Kitchen dishwashing gloves
- Insect repellent spray, 6 to 14 oz. (ex. Off, Cutter)
- Scouring pads
- Pens -- no advertising
- Protractors
The Center will also be collecting the following items for Fair Hope Ministry, a Danville-area agency in the Iroquois River District. Churches are encouraged to have an Undie Sunday prior to Annual Conference to collect these items:
The Midwest Mission Distribution Center will be in the loading dock area outside the Peoria Civic Center lobby area to take collections.
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Register for your clergy directory photo
Appointments are now being accepted on June 8-9 by LifeTouch for clergy to have a new photo taken for the 2017 Clergy Directory.
Persons can click on the photo to the right to be taken to the appointment page. Persons getting a photo taken will received a free 8 x 10 or wallet size photos. Photo badges can be obtained for $3.
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Nominations sought for the Cramer-Heuerman Social Justice Award
Nominations of clergy are being sought for the Cramer-Heuerman Social Justice Award which is awarded in the odd-numbered years by the IGRC chapter of the Methodist Federation for Social Action.
In essay form, nominators are asked to explain why the nominee exemplifies the work of MFSA and lives a life in accordance with the objectives of MFSA. Work, volunteer activities, lifetime and lifestyle characteristics and pursuits, as well as any relevant dates, activities or achievements will be considered.
The award will be given at the Social Justice Banquet at Annual Conference Thursday evening.
All nominations must be
submitted by May 1, and should be sent to:
Pat Davis, 3204 Ridge Park Rd., Urbana, IL 61802, or by emailing:
pat@bnpdavis.com
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Making a Good Move seminar May 12-13
Many pastors have already begun the work of preparing for your next appointment. There are movers to contact, items to pack and many arrangements to be made before that important day arrives. Bishop Frank J. Beard joins with the Cabinet in praying for a smooth transition for you and those who might be traveling with you.
It is in that spirit that a seminar is being designed to be helpful as you begin your new appointment as pastor and congregation. Bishop Beard, along with Rev. Mike Crawford and Rev. Gifty Smith, will be facilitating a workshop entitled Making a Good Move. This two-day event is designed to enhance your ministry and to prepare you for a successful transition.
ALL clergy that are receiving a new appointment are expected to be present at this seminar along with representatives of their new church/charge.
The Making a Good Move event will take place on May 12-13, at the Crowne Plaza in Springfield, IL. The workshop will begin on Friday at 4 p.m. and continue until 8 p.m. Dinner will be provided. On Saturday, a light breakfast will be offered, beginning at 8 a.m. and concluding at noon.
There is no charge for this workshop; however, you will need to make your own arrangements for lodging. We anticipate that the receiving congregation(s) will care for the lodging and mileage reimbursements. The Crowne Plaza has reserved a block of rooms for us at $109 per night. Call the hotel (217-529-7777) and identify yourself as part of the Illinois Great Rivers Conference group.
Registration deadline is May 1.
Should you have any questions about this event, please contact Nancy Patton at the Illinois Great Rivers Conference Office (217-529-2397,
njpatton@igrc.org). Please secure your reservation as soon as possible.
Register for the Making a Good Move seminar...
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Stroble to preach Prentice Sermon at Mt. Carmel Trinity UMC April 23
Mt. Carmel Trinity UMC will host the annual Prentice Sermon, sponsored by the IGRC Commission on Archives and History on Sunday, April 23, at the church's 9 a.m. worship service.
Dr. Paul Stroble, chair of the Commission on Archives and History, will be the preacher.
The Prentice Sermon began with a bequest from a Methodist layman in Springfield to honor a group of persons who are well known for their untiring proclamation of the Gospel, the pioneer Methodist circuit riding preachers. Hiram Buck Prentice made his bequest to the Illinois Conference in 1922 to pay the expenses of one of the ministers of the Illinois Conference to preach upon the topic, "the Ministry and service as exemplified by the lives and labors of pioneer preachers of the Illinois Annual Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church."
Mt. Carmel is one of two IGRC communities that will be celebrating its 200th anniversary in 2017 and three Methodist ministers were instrumental in the community's founding.
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Mulberry Grove UMC celebrates milestones
Mulberry Grove UMC will celebrate its 187th anniversary and 150 years in the current sanctuary with a special celebration service April 23 at 1:30 p.m.
Everyone is invited to attend and a special invitation is being extended to former pastors and members.
For more information, contact Bob Chase at rwchase@frontiernet.net or by calling 618-749-5745.
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IGRC Board of Global Ministries partners for Potato Drop
The Conference Board of Global Ministries will host a Potato Drop on Saturday, April 29, at the Central Illinois Food Bank, 1937 E. Cook St., Springfield, IL 62703.
Volunteers are needed to work at the Food Bank to sort canned and frozen food. A minimum of 40 volunteers are needed for this effort.ld like to get a minimum of 40 volunteers to help on this day. Please also email Jeff Thornton at
jathorn66@att.net
if your group is planning on working at the event on this day.
The Potato Drop will be begin at 8 a.m. and should finish with sufficient volunteers by 10:30 a.m.
Potatoes will be available one of two ways. An estimated 38,000 pounds will be available for distribution. The first way to obtain potatoes is to pick them up in person at the Food Bank the day of the event. Those wishing to do so will need to email their requests to Jeff Thornton at
jathorn66@att.net
. The potatoes should be in individual 10 pound bags wrapped in 50 pounds bundles.
The second method of distribution will be partner agencies of Central Illinois Foodbank will be able to order the amount through the Foodbank.
The Central Illinois Food Bank will distribute close to 12 million pounds of food supplies to those that are hungry this year.
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Reaching New People workshop April 29
Registration is still open through April 22 for the Reaching New People workshop, sponsored by the IGRC Office of Congregational Development.
The April 29 workshop will be held at Gibson City UMC.
Plan now to bring a team from your church.
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Blue Sunday April 30
Blue Sunday is a day designated for churches to pray for children from hard places and for the compassionate people who care for them. Please take a moment on April 30, in your worship service, around your family table, in your private time with God, to pray for children and families who have been impacted by various types of trauma. Then pray for the dedicated people who care for these children and families every day.
Read more...
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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.
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Women of Faith: A Day of New Beginnings
Springfield Kumler, Grace and Douglas Ave. UMC's are jointly hosting a spring women's conference, Women of Faith: A Day of New Beginnings on Saturday, May 6, at Douglas Ave. UMC.
Keynote speaker for the event will be Rev. Gifty Roberts-Smith. Presentations will also be made by Rev. Nancy Wilson and Rev. Sylvester and Aletha Weatherall. Topics will include a new beginning, forgiveness and healing. Special guest for the event will be Melissa Beard, wife of Bishop Frank J. Beard.
Registration and check-in will be from 8:30 to 9 a.m., with the conference running from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Cost is $20 per person and includes both a continental breakfast and lunch.
Register by calling Kumler UMC at 217-523-2046 or by emailing: kumler2010@aol.com by April 26.
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Missionary to itinerate this summer in IGRC
Connie Wieck, a missionary through the General Board of Global Ministries will be itinerating in the Illinois Great Rivers Conference from July 15 to Aug. 28.
Her Sunday mornings are filled but there are many opening throughout the weeks and churches who would like to have her visit may do so by contacting Carolyn Yockey at
CLPY508@aol.com,or by calling 309-452-3936. Travel time will be taken into consideration so that her schedule can be clustered to make maximum use of the time available.
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Beautiful U Conference April 22
Harvest Ministry Team will host its Beautiful U Girl's Conference for teen girls and their female ministry leaders on Saturday, April 22, at Troy UMC.
The conference, which will run from 9 a.m. to 3:45 p.m., will include various speakers, workshops, crafts, worship and music aimed at helping girls recognize that true beauty comes from the heart in love with God.
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Revolucion 2017 youth conference April 21-22
Peoria First UMC will host Revolucion 2017 youth conference April 21-22 for youth ages 14 to 20.
The theme for the event is My Identity and Purpose. Participants will be challenged to find their identity and purpose through God through worship, speakers, breakout sessions and games.
Keynote speakers are Eugene Daniel and Efrain Reyes.
Cost is $20.
Register online...
Awaken for the Awakening May 6
Peoria First UMC is hosting a seminar,
Awaken for the Awakening, on Saturday, May 6, from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., featuring J.D. Walt of Seedbed.
The seminar is open to the public with child care/programming available for infants and children.
Cost for the event is $8 which cover lunch for adults (children are free). The fee must be paid online at the time of registration.
Dr. Walt will also be speaking on Sunday, May 7, at the church's 8:30 and 11 a.m. services.
Read more and register online...
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Mazon UMC 7th Annual 5K Run
The Mazon United Methodist 7th Annual 5K run will be on Saturday, June 3.
Registration begins at 7:30 a.m. under the pavilion in Mazon City Park. Race day registration is $35, cash or check only. Race starts at 9 a.m. on Seneca St. A total of eight trophies and 72 medals will be awarded.
Pre-registration is available at www.active.com for $30. Entry by May 15 guarantees you a T-shirt in your selected size. Paper entry forms are also available from Pastor Karen Fabian by emailing her at mazonmethodist@aol.com or by calling/texting 815-483-9343.
Churches, businesses, and individuals can also sponsor this event and get their name and/or logo on the back of our official 5K T-shirts. Contact Fabian no later than May 15 if you are interested in being sponsor.
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FUMMWA hosts Awaken 2017 in Little Rock
The Fellowship of United Methodists in Music and Worship Arts will gather to July 24-27, in Little Rock, Ark., to explore what it means to engage in transformative worship in communities that are full of complexities, conflicts, and politics during its biennial convocation.
Titled Awaken 2017: Wake up! Worship. What's next?, the convocation is a unique event for
musicians, dancers, visual artists, preachers, and all who seek to serve God's people by
designing and leading participatory worship experiences.
During the event, attendees will gather for daily worship in addition to learning through a wide
variety of seminars and hands-on experiences, as well as numerous choral reading sessions. A
highlight of the event will be a panel discussion on the Little Rock Nine held at Philander Smith
College, a historically Black college affiliated with The United Methodist Church.
Read more and register...
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Upcoming church finance webinars
The General Board of Discipleship is offering an upcoming webinar free to church leaders and clergy. There is no cost to participate in the seminars, which have been made possible through generous support of churches to the World Service Fund.
Offering Electronic Giving: What Are You Waiting For?
Thursday, May 11
6:30 p.m. Central
PRESENTER: Ken Sloane, Director of Stewardship and Connectional Ministries
Electronic giving is not the future of charitable giving, it is the present reality. If your church is not offering this as an option for those who attend your church, you are missing out on generous giving. If there have been obstacles to making this option available to your church, we will talk about them in this webinar.
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Sincerely,
Paul Black
Illinois Great Rivers Conference
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