This Week's Issue of The Current Week in Review

September 8, 2017

In anticipation of folks asking about Advance numbers for Hurricane Irma, UMCOR will use Advance #901670 for US Disaster Response. You can earmark it for Hurricane Irma, but it may be better stewardship to leave it without earmarking so as to give UMCOR greater flexibility in responding to the needs that are emerging as time goes on. Advance #982450 for International Disaster Response for needs outside the US, such as Mexico and Central America earthquake relief.

UMCOR is recognized for its financial integrity and was recently added to the list of CNN's publicgood.com list of charities.

Donations to UMCOR and flood buckets

Bishop Beard is asking each church take a special offering during the month of September for UMCOR U.S. Disaster Response Advance #901670.

Donations may be sent through the monthly church remittance form or checks may be made payable to IGRC with Advance #901670 and mailed to: Illinois Great Rivers Conference, Attention: Treasurer's Office, P.O. Box 19207, Springfield, IL 62794.

UMCOR also has online giving available...

To donate toward the purchase of supplies for cleaning buckets (the cost per bucket is roughly $65):

Donate through IGRC Advance #6620 and designate for cleaning buckets.
Donate directly to Midwest Mission Distribution, 1022 New City Road, P.O. Box 56, Chatham, IL 62629

Donate online to Midwest Mission Distribution Center...

Assemble flood buckets

Donations centers are now established at Little Grassy Camp and East Bay Camp. Both IGRC campsites will receive cleaning bucket supplies Sept. 1-16. Items collected will be taken to Midwest Mission Distribution Center.

For more information contact Little Grassy Camp at 618-457-6030 or East Bay Camp at 309-365-7631. Items may also be delivered directly to Midwest Mission Distribution Center, 1022 New City Road, Chatham, IL 62629

Needed cleaning supplies:

Liquid Laundry Detergent (1-50 oz. bottle or 2-25oz. bottles

Liquid Household Cleaner (12 to 16 oz. bottle - no spray bottles)

Scouring Pads (NO stainless steel or pads with soap)

Cleaning Wipes (Handi wipes - No terry cleaning towels)

Dish Soap (16 to 28 oz. bottles)

Air Freshener (aerosol or pump)

Insect Repellent Spray (6 to 14 oz)

Long Handle Scrub Brush

Sponges (NO cellulose sponges due to mold issues)

Clothes Pins

Clothes Line (Cotton or Plastic 70 to 100 ft. in length)

Heavy Duty Trash Bags (33 to 45 gallon size)

Dust Masks

Dishwashing Gloves (sturdy for multiple uses)

Work Gloves (Cotton with leather palm or all leather)

Disaster response training events scheduled

Several training events to become certified as early responders as well as re-certification of those whose certifications are lapsing have been scheduled.

Additional training events and links to register will be posted on the IGRC Disaster Response page as they become available.

Sept. 15 ERT Recertification Class - Monticello UMC 6-10 p.m.

Sept. 16 ERT Class - Monticello UMC 8:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

Sept. 23 ERT Class - Fairfield UMC 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

Sept. 29-30 Disaster Response Mini Academy at East Bay Camp

Classes Offered:

ERT (Early Response Team Training)

ERT Recertification

Spiritual & Emotional Care Team Basic Training

Connecting Neighbors (Local Church Preparedness)

Volunteers in Mission Team Leader Training

Volunteer opportunities

Please do not self-deploy to volunteer.

There is now a request for ONLY ERT Trained Volunteers in the Rio Texas Conference. It will be up to 2 weeks before volunteers will be accepted in the Texas Conference.

To register an ERT team go to the following website: https://riotexas.org/ert-volunteer-team-registration

Once you have registered to take a volunteer team, please send the following information to Lori Owen at [email protected]:

Name of Team Leader
Team Leader Contact Information
Dates of Team
Location of Work Assignment
Specific Skills Requested
Are others invited to join this team?

For IGRC team information go to: http://www.igrc.org/missionopportunities?topic=Disaster%20Response

Book drive underway for Philippine pastors

A campaign across Illinois is underway to collect books for shipment to the Philippines.

Rev. Noah Panlilio of Malta UMC and Mr. Pong Javier of Cosmopolitan UMC in Melrose Park are leading the drive in the Northern Illinois Conference along with Superintendent Stephen Granadosin of the Spoon River District in the IGRC. This is a national campaign for the National Association of Filipino American United Methodists (NAFAUM).

Would you help give a gift that lasts?

Books will be shipped Oct. 15 for arrival in the Philippines by Dec. 15.

Click here for details and drop-off locations...

Hispanic pastor optimistic, urges patience following DACA decision

Rev. Adrian Garcia is telling those impacted by the recension of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program not to worry.

"I know it is hard, but wait and see how Congress will react," said Adrian Garcia, pastor of First United Methodist Church.

With a six-month clock ticking, Garcia hopes lawmakers will quickly devise a swifter path towards gaining green cards and citizenship.

"Many of the first generation, Hispanic immigrants came to Peoria 30 years ago...I think 40 percent of the second generation is under DACA. It may be more," Garcia said.

Meanwhile, United Methodists are calling for Congress to act on behalf of unauthorized immigrants who came to the U.S. as children. Specifically, they are seeking ways for "Dreamers" to remain in the U.S., continue contributing to their communities and be on the pathway to citizenship.

Bishop speaks at DACA rally...

Fire claims life of Indian dental instructor at Ganta

Dr. Shane Sam Mathew of India, a dentist at Ganta United Methodist Hospital in Liberia, died in a fire that gutted his residence at the Ganta Mission Station Sept. 3. He was 25.

Hospital authorities are still investigating the cause of the fire.

Mathew was working with the hospital as part of a partnership between the Christian Dental College in Ludhiana, India, United Methodist University and the Liberian government. Mathew also served as an instructor for the nurse dental practitioner program at the nursing college of United Methodist University in Nimba County.

Coalition fights for labor issues in Liberian election

The United Methodist leader of the Civil Society and Trade Union Institutions of Liberia says it will only endorse labor-friendly presidential candidates in its country's election.

General elections in Liberia to elect a new president and House of Representatives will be Oct. 10. President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, a United Methodist and Africa's first female president, is stepping down after leading the country since 2006.

Five United Methodists are contesting for the office of president of the Republic of Liberia.

Sincerely,

Paul E. Black
Illinois Great Rivers Conference
217-529-2848

Illinois Great Rivers Conference
217-529-2040