September 29, 2017


This week marked the one-month anniversary of Hurricane Harvey's landfall and the two Texas conferences of The United Methodist Church are in the beginning stages of the rebuilding process and they are asking for volunteer teams to assist.

You may visit the Texas Recovers webpage for more information.

Some options to consider:
  1. Put an adult work team together to volunteer by filling out the form at http://www.txcumc.org/disastervolunteerteamreg. Other questions about volunteering can be emailed to Pyppa Johnson at: pypjohnson@txcumc.org
  2. Help is still needed throughout the Conference where neighborhoods are still in shambles.
  3. Make your travel plans
  4. Prepare your work team and gather the needed supplies including the following:
The Rio Texas Conference has established an information page concerning Harvey relief. The current request is for early responders that are UMCOR certified. Information on signing up a team can be found there as well.

Rev. Jeff Bealmear, pastor of Monticello UMC, is leading a team the week of Oct. 7.

The Florida Conference of The United Methodist Church is now receiving volunteers following Hurricane Irma.

 
This week, UMCOR Sager Brown Depot is sending 3,700 cleaning buckets to the Florida Conference of The United Methodist Church to support cleanup efforts. The cleaning kits will be distributed where they are most needed. More relief supply kits from UMCOR Sager Brown will be sent to other churches in Florida impacted by hurricane Irma.



Disaster response training events scheduled

Peoria Bethel UMC has announced an early response training event for Nov. 4. Many of the requests from the Texas, Rio Grande and Florida conferences will be requesting persons that are trained early responders so getting trained will position you for opportunities to assist hands-on with disaster response.


A recertification for early responders who need to renew will be Nov. 10 at Fairbury UMC in the Vermilion River District. Register online by Nov. 3...

An early response training for new early responders will be Nov. 11 at Fairbury UMC.
 
Additional training events and links to register will be posted on the IGRC Disaster Response page as they become available.
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...
Campus ministers connect career ministry options

For many students on United Methodist-related college campuses, choosing a major is just one part of looking forward. They question how they can mesh a career with a passion for service and the church.

Campus ministers and chaplains are uniquely suited to help guide these young adults through this process. They have been in the same position themselves.

Rev. Tim Harrison of McKendree University found immersion trips to be an eye-opening experience for many of his students. Destinations have included Central America, the southwestern United States and, locally, the St. Louis area near the school.
Click on the cover to view the October issue
October issue arrives this weekend

The October issue of The Current should be arriving over the weekend.

The cover story is on disaster relief and the ministry of the United Methodist Committee on Relief. The coverage includes a story from West Virginia where flood recovery efforts continue a year after the flood and a long-term commitment in Sierra Leone where mudslides have been prevalent. The center two pages focus on IGRC efforts and the latest information from Hurricanes Harvey, Irma and Maria.

Bishop Frank Beard shares his thoughts on the future of The United Methodist Church; invites IGRC congregations to participate in a Day of Prayer Walking Nov. 18 and also encourages churches to observe Pastor Appreciation Month during October.

Retired pastor Danny Cox thanks the IGRC for its prayers and support during his recent hospital stay in Costa Rica. PASBF Executive Director Keith Anderson offers information on identity theft and ways to minimize its impact.

The issue also spotlights 109-year-old Doris Snyder, a member of Peoria First UMC and a story on Murphysboro UMC's annual Blessing of the Animals which will take place Sunday.

There is also a story on a new group, Uniting Methodists, that advocate that the church stay together amidst differences on human sexuality. And United Methodists have been at the forefront in advocacy for the Dreamers -- children brought to the United States by their parents and a call for observance of Migration Sunday on Dec. 3.
Sincerely,
Paul Black's signature
Paul E. Black
Illinois Great Rivers Conference
217-529-2848 
 
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