 |
|
Registration is now open for Covenant Keepers 2018 which will be Jan. 29-30 at the Regency Conference Center in O'Fallon.The theme for this year's event is
Fanning the Flames.
Cost is $40 per person and a block of rooms are available at a variety of motel venues.
Childcare will be available upon advanced request.
The event, which begins on Monday at noon and ends at 11:30 a.m. Tuesday will have the Revs. Rudy and Juanita Rasmus as keynote speakers.
The agenda has been fashioned to provide adequate time for fellowship with fellow clergy. Monday's activities include a luncheon at noon and concludes by 6 p.m. for dinner and a time to connect with others. Tuesday will include a continental breakfast. The agenda also includes both a time of teaching and a time for questions.
The praise band from Christ Church in Fairview Heights will be providing music.
|
|
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.
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.
|
|
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.
|
|
Registration open for Clergy Mentor training events
Registration is now open for clergy mentor training hosted by the IGRC Board of Ministry.
Clergy Mentors work with Local Pastors who have not completed the Course of Study and Provisional Members. This support during the first few years of appointive ministry is essential for the formation of our pastors.
Local Pastors who have completed the Course of Study, Associate Members, and Full Member Elders and Deacons are eligible to be trained and assigned as Clergy Mentors.
There is no cost to participants, but registration is required.
The following sessions are scheduled in the Mississippi River, Kaskaskia River, LaMoine, Illinois River, and Spoon River districts. Additional training sessions are being scheduled by the Mentor Coordination and Training team. Locations that we are considering include Decatur and Pontiac, but those are still unconfirmed at this time and will likely be scheduled for January or February 2018. All sessions are from 9 a.m. to noon.
- Nov. 13 -- Edwardsville St. Johns UMC
- Nov. 14 -- Mt. Vernon West Salem Trinity UMC
- Nov. 16 -- Peoria Northwest UMC
- Nov. 28 -- Rushville UMC
- Jan. 16, 2018 -- Galesburg First UMC
Questions?
Contact Shane Smith
|
|
 |
|
Donor Sabbath weekend of Nov. 10
The Illinois Conference of Churches is encouraging congregations to participate in Donor Sabbath, a national observance aimed at raising awareness for organ donation which will be observed the weekend of Nov. 10.
As United Methodists, organ donation is supported by the
Book of Resolutions which states:.
"Organ transplantation and organ donation are acts of charity, agape love, and self-sacrifice. We recognize the life-giving benefits of organ and other tissue donation and encourage all people of faith to become organ and tissue donors as part of their love and ministry to others in need" (ΒΆ 162 (W)).
As a way to embody this stand in our corporate worship life, General Conference 2000 urged all United Methodist congregations to celebrate "Organ Donation Sunday" on the second Sunday prior to Thanksgiving week, which is recognized in interfaith circles in the U.S. as "National Donor Sabbath." (See Book of Resolutions 2012, pp. 439-440).
Materials are available by contacting Liz Hager of the Illinois Secretary of State's office at: lhager@isos.net or 217-827-5945; or Karen Kohnke, kkohnke@isos.net or by calling 309-830-3296. You may also visit the organ donation website at www.lifegoeson.com.
National Donor Sabbath materials and resources are available at the National Donor Sabbath website, www.donatelife.net/nds/ There are flyers, bulletin inserts and much more.
Donor Sabbath and can also be observed on an alternate weekend
|
|
The Okee Dokee Brothers in concert at Peoria First
Peoria First UMC is hosting a concert Nov. 12 featuring the Grammy Award-winning artist, The Okee Dokee Brothers. The 4 p.m.concert is part of the church's music series, Music at First.
The Okee Dokee Brothers received a Grammy in 2015 for the Best Children's Album. These beloved and critically-acclaimed American bluesgrass and folk musicians are known for delighting crowds with wholesome tunes the whole family can enjoy.
The concert is free, but tickets are required.
|
|
Opening to God spiritual disciplines retreat Feb. 2-3
Registration will begin Nov. 1 for Opening to God: A Retreat, a spiritual disciplines retreat Feb. 2-3 at East Bay Camp.
The purpose of the retreat is to provide an immersion experience to help lay and clergy explore spiritual disciplines they may have never tried before and/or about which they wish to know more. It will be planned so that a large group of people can participate with a number of different leaders.
Each small group session will be 1 1/2 hours long with a 45-minute presentation, 30 minute self-directed "practice" time on the discipline followed by 15 minutes of sharing and feedback. Exact timing is flexible as long as all three parts are included. Four small group sessions are scheduled during the retreat.
In addition, there will be a one-hour presentation period on topics for which it isn't possible to do "practice" time.
Cost is $75 for those staying at East Bay, $50 for commuters.
|
|
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.
This event has been planned by Native American clergy and laity, with the hopes of creating an inter-generational opportunity for solidarity and transformation. 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.
Registration is
$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.
|
|
United Methodist Student Day Nov. 26
Think about the young people in your congregation as you prepare to celebrate United Methodist Student Day on Nov. 26. By celebrating and promoting generosity on this Special Sunday of The United Methodist Church, you are wrapping your arms around tomorrow's Christian leaders.
Now is the time to share this message with your congregation and church leaders so that they, too, have the opportunity to ensure a brighter future for United Methodist students.
Download the United Methodist Student Day pastor's kit today for all the tools you need to celebrate on Nov. 26. You'll find sermon starters, social media images, e-books, videos and so much more to get your church excited about this special day.
To enhance your celebration, order leaflet offering envelopes and posters at www.umcgiving.org/ss or call 888-346-3862.
|
|
Children's Ministry Leader's Retreat Jan. 19-20
Are you engaged in ministry with children? Are you looking for time away, new ideas, and fellowship with other children's ministry leaders?
The next 24-hour Children's Ministry Leaders' Retreat will be Jan. 19-20, 2018, at East Bay Camp.
Workshop leaders include Rev. Kim Stuby, Minister of Mission Expansion at East Bay; Rev. Jennie Edwards Bertrand, pastor of Hope Church in Bloomington and Director of the Wesley Foundation at ISU; and Rev. Beth Fender, IGRC Coordinator of Discipleship and New Streams.
|
|
Registration open for Bishop's Wesleyan Heritage trip
Join Bishop Frank Beard and the 2017 and 2018 Ordination classes from the IGRC for a trip to the birthplace of Methodism. You don't want to miss this golden opportunity to experience and enjoy England.
Get a chance to learn and laugh with the Bishop as we explore our historical roots and retrace the life and legacy of the Wesley family and other significant contributors to the development of the Methodist movement. Travel to Epworth, Oxford, Bristol, London and several charming England villages as we explore our Wesleyan heritage.
This all-inclusive trip from Oct. 23-31, 2018, begins in either St. Louis, Indianapolis, or Chicago. The tour includes roundtrip international airfare, first class hotel accommodations, daily breakfast buffet, dinner, deluxe motor-coach transportation, guided tours and sightseeing.
Travel with members from your church, small group, clergy covenant group, or come on your own. You will not regret this experience. The basic tour cost is $3,598.
Churches may want to consider blessing their pastor with this special opportunity to walk where Wesley walked. Participants are sure to be inspired and blessed.
Early registration has started and discounts are now available. Post-Tour extensions are available in London or in Ireland.
Start with a strong sentence that engages your readers and introduces them to the focus of your email. Keep it short and let the rest of the email cover the details.
Contact Educational Opportunities by email or call 1-800-247-0017. Mention Tour HE18 for Bishop Beard's tour.
|
|
Save the Date for these upcoming events
Sexual Ethics Training events
will be Feb. 5-9, at various sites throughout the Conference. The training is required for all persons who are providing pastoral leadership in local churches. The training is a one-day event. Sites for the training are still being secured and will be announced in the near future.
Self-Care Retreat,
sponsored by the Office of Pastoral Care and Counseling will be April 25-27, at Pere Marquette State Park Lodge near Grafton. The retreat has been extended an extra day and will include more free time in response to feedback from the 2017 retreat.
2018 Annual Conference
is slated for June 7-9 at the Peoria Civic Center. And for those that plan ahead -- the dates for future years, as set by Bishop Beard following the 2017 Annual Conference action to remain in Peoria are: June 6-8, 2019; June 4-6, 2020; June 10-12, 2021 and June 9-11, 2022.
|
|
UMCOR Advance Special numbers
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.
|
|
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!
|
|
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.
|
|
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.
|
|
Sincerely,
Paul Black
Illinois Great Rivers Conference
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
