May 1, 2017
Hdr_IGRC Eventsfull


Registration for the 2017 Annual Conference is underway. Here are some helpful links:
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.

Workshops for the 2017 Annual Conference:
  • Building the Church in Prayer -- Rev. Dr. Terry Tekyl. 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.
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.

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:
  • Wednesday Afternoon: Illinois River District
  • Wednesday Evening: Sangamon River District
  • Thursday Morning: Cache River District
  • Thursday Afternoon: LaMoine River District
  • Thursday Evening: Vermilion River District
  • Friday Morning: Spoon River District
  • Friday Afternoon: Mississippi River District
  • Friday Evening: Kaskaskia River District
  • Saturday Morning: Iroquois River District
  • Saturday Afternoon: Embarras River District
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:
  • Socks -- Infants 0-3 months to boys and girls large (4-10 girls and 3-9 boys).
  • Onesies
  • Underwear -- All sizes from 2T-3T to girls size 16 and boys 18-20
The Midwest Mission Distribution Center will be in the loading dock area outside the Peoria Civic Center lobby area to take collections. 
Duke Alumni to meet offsite for Thursday lunch

Duke Divinity School Alumni will be meeting offsite at a nearby restaurant during Thursday lunch. For more details and to register, contact Casey Taylor at 309-363-8868.

Ice cream socials following adjournment Thursday 

Two ice cream socials will be sponsored by the Fellowship of Local Pastors and Asbury Seminary, Alumni, Friends and Family, following adjournment on Thursday.
 
Tickets are required for the events and may be purchased as part of the registration process at: www.igrc.org/ac2017registration.
Special meal speakers announced

Several sponsors of special meals have announced speakers for their dinners.
  • Brynne Howard, a member of the Iowa Justice for Our Neighbors (JFON) ministry, will speak at the Hispanic Ministries dinner on Thursday evening. Iowa Justice For Our Neighbors (JFON) is a faith-driven ministry, welcoming immigrants into our churches and communities by providing free, high-quality immigration legal services, education, and advocacy.  Iowa Justice For Our Neighbors has been serving clients in our communities since 1999.Established by the United Methodist Committee on Relief in 1999, Iowa JFON helps people from all over the world.  Services are available to all without regard to race, gender, or religion.
  • IGRC retired pastor Richard McGuire will be portraying Judge Joseph Cunningham at this year's United Methodist Women dinner Thursday evening. Recently while serving on the Board of Directors of Cunningham Children's Home, McGuire was asked to portray Champaign County Judge Joseph Cunningham, who along with his wife Mary, in 1895 donated their 15-acre Urbana house and estate to start a home for needy children and youth. Cunningham was a newspaper owner, writer and editor, lawyer, judge, close friend of Abraham Lincoln, author, historian, public speaker, philanthropist, Christian and  Methodist. McGuire will tell those gathered about Cunningham in a first-person portrayal as well as the origin of and the continuing mission of Cunningham Children's Home in Urbana.
  • Rev. Dr. Thomas Logsdon will be the guest speaker at the Social Justice Dinner on Thursday evening. Logsdon will speak on the church and people with disabilities in a presentation entitled, A Place at the Table. Other sponsoring groups of Social Justice dinners include the Board of Church and Society, Status and Role of Women, and the Commission on Religion and Race as well as one of MFSA's sub group RUMI.
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.
Nominations sought for the Cramer-Heuerman Social Justice Award

Today is the final day for clergy nominations 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.
 
Nominations should be sent to: Pat Davis, 3204 Ridge Park Rd., Urbana, IL  61802, or by emailing: pat@bnpdavis.com
Making a Good Move seminar May 12-13

Today is also the deadline for registering for Making a Good Move seminar May 12-13 at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Springfield. 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 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. 

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...
Internship applications being accepted through June 30

The IGRC Intern Program is currently accepting applications from both prospective interns and prospective host churches/ministries for paid internships to be served during the 2017-18 academic year. Application deadline is June 30.

Further information and application links are available at www.igrc.org/interns. Questions may be directed to Beth Fender ( bfender@igrc.org, 217-529-2611).
Russian group in concert at Pawnee, Thayer UMC's
 
The public is invited to special musical event. The Russian choral ensemble from St. Petersburg, Russia, "LYRA", will be presenting a concert of Russian Folk music and Sacred songs of the Russian Orthodox Church at the Thayer United Methodist Church on Monday, May 8, at Pawnee UMC, and on Tuesday, May 9, at Thayer UMC. Both concerts are at 7 p.m.

The concert is free but a free-will offering will be taken to help defray travel expenses.

The main goal of "LYRA's" activity is exploring and popularizing Russian choir music. Through their performances, they want to help introduce the enormous musical heritage of the Russian Orthodox Church, as well as traditions of Russian folk music to all people who are interested in Russia, its history and culture.

For more information, call either 217-625-4381, 217-965-2128 or 217-691-6406 or visit:
http://www.lyra-online.org/en/home_en.html

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.
'Gathering Time' exhibit at the Foster Gallery 

Gathering Time, a series of photographic prints and Time Based Media by the Leunigs, will be on display at the Foster Gallery for Christianity and the Fine Arts in the First United Methodist Church from April 23 through June 4.

The opening reception will be from 5 to 9 p.m. May 5, during the monthly First Friday event at the church. Music will be provided by Paul Adams.

As frequent travelers, the Leunigs have taken photographs all over the world. While they have photographed many unique sights, the images in "Gathering Time" represent something more universal.

Read more...
 
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.
 
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.  

The Well opens registration with an early registration discount

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 Oct. 5, and in Normal 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)!

Register before June 1 to receive the best registration rate! Visit harvestconferences.org/thewell for more information, or contact Tim Price (tim@troyumc.org).


Missionary to itinerate this summer in IGRC

Connie Wieck
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.
 
Native American Indian Festival planned in conjunction with total solar eclipse

Southern Illinois is gearing up for a total solar eclipse which will take place Aug. 21.

A three-day Native American Indian Festival is scheduled for Little Grassy Camp Aug. 19-21. The festival will run from noon to dark on Aug. 19 and 20 and from 8 to 11 a.m. Aug. 21.

The " Great American Total Solar Eclipse" will darken skies all the way from Oregon to South Carolina, along a stretch of land about 70 miles (113 kilometers) wide. People who descend upon this "path of totality" for the big event are in for an unforgettable experience, said eclipse expert Jay Pasachoff, an astronomer at Williams College in Massachusetts.

The eclipse, scheduled for just before noon. Aug. 21, will last up to 2 hours, 40.2 minutes along a path that directly goes through Makanda, Ill. Makanda's duration will be 2 hours, 38 minutes and the greatest eclipse will be in Western Kentucky.

"It's a tremendous opportunity," Pasachoff told Space.com. "It's a chance to see the universe change around you."

A total solar eclipse last darkened soil on the U.S. mainland on Feb. 26, 1979. But August 2017 will mark the first time in 99 years that such an event is "readily available to people from coast to coast," Pasachoff said.

Read more...

Register for the Native American Indian Festival...
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.

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.

A special registration link is offering a discount for IGRC registrants.

If you register by May 10, the rate is $349, a savings of $115 off the current non-member registration fee of $464. After May 31, the Illinois Great Rivers rate will be $399.

ALSO, by May 10, you'll receive a complimentary transportation pass for the evening events where parking is limited. This $50 option will be complimentary for you if you register by May 10.
 
 Read more and register...
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.
Sincerely,
Paul Black's signature
Paul Black
Illinois Great Rivers Conference
 
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217-529-2040