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With the large number of disasters encompassing a large area of the globe, UMCOR and the IGRC have established the following Advance Special numbers to channel disaster response giving.
- Advance Special #901670 -- U.S. Disaster Response. This is the UMCOR number that is being used for offerings to assist in disaster relief efforts in the United States and U.S. territories. Donate online...
- Advance Special #982450 -- International Disaster Response. This is the UMCOR number that is being used for areas outside the United States. Donate online...
- Conference Advance Special #6620 -- Midwest Mission Distribution Center. MMDC has been in forefront of assembling and transporting flood buckets and other items from the conference and the North Central Jurisdiction to the affected areas. Donate online...
- Conference Advance Special #6800 -- IGRC Disaster Response. Funds from this Advance purchased and shipped nearly 1,500 plastic totes to Texas following its hurricane, allowing families to begin rebuilding their lives. Funds given to this Advance also undergirds our conference's disaster response whether inside the IGRC or beyond its borders. Donate online...
Offerings may also be made through your local church with the church treasurer remitting the offering amounts with the church's monthly apportionment payments with the earmarking provided with the check to ensure proper accounting.
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Disaster Response training events
The Illinois Great Rivers Conference Disaster Response Mini-Academy will be Sept. 29-30, at East Bay Camp in Hudson. Classes being offered are as follows:
- Early Response Team training
- ERT re-certification
- Connecting Neighbors (Local Church Preparedness)
- Spiritual and Emotional Care Team basic training
- Volunteer in Mission Team Leader training
For information,
download this flyer. If you need more information, please
contact Sara Brown, Chair of Disaster Response committee.
Registration deadline extended to Sept. 26...
Peoria Bethel UMC will host an early response training Nov. 4.
Register online by Oct. 27...
The mission of an early response team is to provide a caring Christian presence in the aftermath of disaster. It is a cooperative effort between the United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR) and the United Methodist Volunteers in Mission. The team is neither a first response group of emergency workers nor a recovery, rebuild or repair team. Rather, it fills a specific need in the early days after a disaster to establish the presence of the church.
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Missions Craft Fair Oct. 14 at Bloomington Wesley
To help families in crisis throughout Illinois, the United Methodist Women of Bloomington Wesley UMC is holding a large, biannual craft fair.
Last held in 2015, the fair is scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 14 at the church, 502 East Front Street, Bloomington, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the church's Wesley Hall (lower level).
All proceeds go to United Methodist Women missions. Lunch will be available. Admission is free.
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Tickets available for
Exponential Conference
Dream Big
is the theme for Exponential 2017. Jesus challenged us with a big dream. If He had sketched out His big dream for His Church, we think it would be something like, "You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth" (Acts 1:8).
The dream that Jesus gave His followers was the dream of a movement. Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria, the ends of the earth-that is a very big dream! We are here because of that dream. As Christ followers and leaders of His church, Jesus is asking us to also dream big! Join hundreds of leaders at this regional event for two days of inspiration, encouragement and equipping
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Reaching New People Workshop Nov. 11
The Office of Congregational Development has scheduled a Reaching New People workshop on Saturday, Nov. 11, 9 am to 3 pm, at Oquawka UMC.
This workshop is designed for the pastor and team of 3 or more people attend (bring as many as you can). The only cost is for lunch and snacks ($10 per person).
A registration limit of 50 people has been set for this workshop.
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NOW Initiative registration is now open
Registration is now open for the NOW Initiative for junior high students which will be Oct. 6-8 at Lake Williamson Christian Retreat Center in Carlinville.
Information and the downloadable forms can be found on the IGRC website at:
Rev. Elizabeth Bjorling Poest will be the speaker and Rev. Miguel Rios will be the worship leader.
Poest has been a full-time youth pastor for 15 years, in ministry with junior high students and pre-teens at a large multi-site church; children and youth at medium-sized suburban university congregation, and now at a smaller urban church in Chicago. Poest is an ordained elder in the Church of the Nazarene, wrote Wired Preteen Curriculum, speaks at camps, revivals, and conferences about getting dusty with Jesus, and this summer led a three-week theological camp for urban high schoolers.
Originally from Monterrey, Mexico, Rev. Rios graduated from the Methodist Seminary, John Wesley and is an ordained elder of the Methodist Church of Mexico. Rev. Rios has toured churches throughout Mexico and the United States, ministering and equipping worship teams as well as providing support for youth groups for at least 20 years. Currently, he is an associate Pastor at First United Methodist Church Peoria and Director of contemporary and bilingual worship services.
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Illinois River District hosts seminars with Bishop Farr
The Illinois River District Leadership Team is bringing Bishop Robert Farr, author of 10 Prescriptions for a Healthy Church to the IGRC. No registration is required and the Bishop will be making presentations at the following times and locations:
- Tuesday Oct. 10, 6:30 to 9 p.m. at Peoria First UMC -- for pastors and teams of lay people
- Wednesday, Oct. 11, 8:30 a.m. to noon at Pekin First UMC -- for clergy
Barr is the episcopal leader of the Missouri Area of The United Methodist Church.
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Mariachi Night at Peoria First UMC
Back by popular demand, Music at First, Peoria First UMC's Music Series, presents
Mariachi Monumental de Mexico and
Mexican Dance Ensemble from Chicago. The two ensembles will be at the church as part of National Hispanic Heritage Month during the church's block part on Sunday, Oct. 15, from 4 to 6 p.m.
The event is free of charge and made possible through the First United Methodist Church Foundation. Attendees are urged to bring their own lawn chairs or blanket. Food will be available for purchased from local vendors.
For more information, visit the
Music at First website or contact
Doug Grogan by email or at 309-673-3641, ext. 117, for more information.
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Worship software workshop
The IGRC chapter of the Fellowship of United Methodists in Music and Worship Arts will be hosting a Worship Software Workshop on Saturday, Oct. 21 at
MidState College in Peoria.
The computer lab space is somewhat limited, registration is on a first come, first served basis.
Download a brochure for more details and information. The number of registrants and learning interests will determine the final structure of the workshop.
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Healthy Masculinity training slated for Oct. 23-26
The Illinois Great Rivers Board of Church and Society and the General Board of Church and Society have partnered to create a special training event called "Theology of Healthy Masculinity" to be held at Two Rivers United Methodist Church in Rock Island, on October 23-26.
Applications are available online...
Applications are being reviewed, and if accepted, the registration, hotel, and some meals will be provided. This event is funded through GBCS grants.
There is a dominant story told in our culture that a man's strength comes from how many people he can control, that his worth is calculated on his paycheck, and that his emotion is his weakness. Christian men are to follow the example of the one who laid down his life for others. who demonstrated his power by allowing himself to be vulnerable, who wept for his friend and for his people, who welcomed the outcast, and who stood up to the powerful.
Many problems of our society stem from an unhealthy understanding of masculinity. Domestic abuse, sexual assault, and suicide are serious issues that must be addressed in the Church. For far too long, the Church has been a part of perpetuating an unhealthy understanding of masculinity. This has to stop.
At this training, participants will learn how the dominant story of masculinity can be challenged with a counter reading of the Biblical story. The foundation of the event is that men and women are created in the image of God, and are equipped to be partners in the created order. An hierarchical understanding of gender stems from an ultimately inadequate reading of Scripture. Participants will be equipped to bring ideas, exercises, and practical resources back to their congregational settings to train other men to understand healthy masculinity.
The workshop is facilitated by the nationally-renowned non-profit organization Men Can Stop Rape. The mission of MCSR is "to mobilize men to use their strength for creating cultures free from violence, especially men's violence against women." While much of MCSR's work has been on college campuses, this workshop represents a new initiative to include a faith-based perspective on their important peacemaking work
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Vermilion River District sponsors interactive evangelism workshop
The Vermilion River District is sponsoring a one-day, interactive workshop on evangelism,
Evangelism for Non-Evangelists, which will be taught be Dr. Mark Teasdale on Nov. 1 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Pontiac First UMC.
All clergy and laity are invited to attend and lunch will be provided. Registration is $25 per person and limited to the first 150 persons.
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Exploration 2017 registration now open
Registration for Exploration, a three-day event for young adults age 18-26, is now open. This biennial event is designed to help attendees listen, discern, and respond to God's call to ordained ministry, as they explore their gifts for service as a deacon or elder in The United Methodist Church. Exploration is a program of the office of young adult discernment and enlistment at the General Board of Higher Education and Ministry (GBHEM).
This year's event will be held Nov. 3-5 in Portland, Oregon. Young adults who have a sense that God might be calling them to ordained ministry, who have wondered what ministry in The United Methodist Church is all about, who would like help sifting through issues involved in an ordained vocation, or who want to learn more about The United Methodist seminaries and theological schools should attend this event. Exploration is part of GBHEM's strategy to enable and resource leadership within the church.
Register or learn more...
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ReVision Conference at Springfield First UMC
Springfield First UMC's ReVision Conference is slated for Nov. 9 from 5:45 to 8 p.m. and Nov. 10 from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Register by Oct.10 to receive the Early Bird rate of $40 for both days and lunch on Friday. Registration after Oct. 10 is $50.
Haydn Shaw, expert on multiple generations, author of Generational IQ and Sticking Points, will be the keynote speaker both days. Haydn will share practical approaches to creating a culture where all the generations can find ways to work together.
Break-out sessions for church leaders will focus on the following areas: youth ministry, children's ministry, worship arts, technical arts, facilities management, connectional ministry, group life, hospitality and missions.
Looking for Continuing Education Credit? If you come Thursday and Friday, there will be 8 hours of lecture time. Attend just Friday and receive 5.5 Hours of lecture time. 10 hours of lecture equals 1 CEU for IGRC. A certificate will be available for pickup after the closing session.
The conference will be full of inspiration, information, practical next steps, and great networking. Together we can learn to work better with our staff, volunteers, congregations, and customers.
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Why Water Matters summit Nov. 16-18
Registration has begun for Why Water Matters, an ecumenical summit offering workshops, worship, and keynote presentations from United Methodist bishops, Native American activists, professors, and ecumenical faith leaders.
Why Water Matters was created in response to the crisis at Standing Rock, and further inspired by the continued need for faithful education and action for water justice. This event has been planned by Native American clergy and laity, with the hopes of creating an inter-generational opportunity for solidarity and transformation. The leadership team encourages each annual conference to bring a small group, including at least one young adult. From our conference, Bishop Frank Beard is attending and several church leaders. IGRC members registering for the event are encouraged to
contact Carol Lakota Eastin for IGRC team information.
Register before Oct. 15 for $195. A
fter Oct. 15, registration increases to $225. Registration includes Thursday dinner, Friday lunch and Friday dinner.
Hotel reservations
can be made with group code WAS. Limited scholarship funds are available. Priority is given to young adults, Native American attendees or other ethnic representatives.
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The Well seminar for local church youth and children's workers
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 First UMC Oct. 5, and in Normal Christ Church 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)!
Visit harvestconferences.org/thewell for more information, or contact Tim Price (tim@troyumc.org).
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Ignition Middle School Conference
Duffy Robbins will be the speaker at Ignition Middle School Conference, hosted by Harvest Ministry and the Troy UMC on Oct. 27-28.
Youth Workers (paid or volunteer), parents, and/or pastors are encouraged to invite middle school students to join them in the event. They will love the worship times, seminars, speakers, recreation, snacks and meals, all designed to help middle school students grow in their faith and deepen their walk with Jesus.
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Renovate in two locales -- Arenzville and East Moline
Renovate Conference, a two-day discipleship event for students in sixth through 12th grades, will be held in two locations during the 2017-18 school year.
Mark your calendars and take a look at the registration information available online now. On Nov. 10-11, Renovate will be held in the Jacksonville area at Arenzville UMC. Another identical version of the conference will be held at East Moline Christ UMC Feb. 9-10, 2018.
The theme for this year's Renovate Conference is DO SOMETHING. Harvest will be leading the music and sessions will be geared around calling to say yes to God's call on their lives, to follow Christ more deeply, and to put action to their faith!
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Apply now to become a Global Mission Fellow
Applications are available online through Jan. 21, 2018, for young adults to become Global Mission Fellows. This program sends young adults aged 20 to 30 to serve throughout the world, where they can grow spiritually and combine faith with justice.
This is a program of the General Board of Global Ministries of The United Methodist Church.
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Missouri Conference, Path One webinars
The Missouri Conference and Path 1 invite you to participate in a monthly "LEARN + LEAD" webinar every third Tuesday from 1 to 2 p.m. Central Time.
In this webinar series pastors, church planters, and lay leaders from churches of all sizes will share their stories of growth and provide tools that you can use in your congregation.
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Sincerely,
Paul Black
Illinois Great Rivers Conference
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