The Current Week in Review
January 15, 2021
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IGRC moves to Regional Tier mitigations
Bishop Frank J. Beard and members of the Illinois Great Rivers Conference Extended Cabinet announced Jan. 12 the lifting of suspension of in-person worship in churches and moving back to regional mitigation based upon four metrics:
- Test positivity rate of less than 12 percent, based upon a 7-day rolling average
- Hospital bed availability of more than 20 percent in Intensive Care Units, based upon a 3-day rolling average
- Hospital medical and surgical bed availability of more than 20 percent, based upon a 3-day rolling average
- A decrease in Covid-19 patients in the hospital, based upon a 7-day rolling average
As a result, based upon Jan. 12 metrics in these four areas, Regions 2, 3 and 7 will move from Tier 3 mitigations to Tier 2 effective immediately. Region 5 met all four metrics and also moved to Tier 2 on Jan. 14. Regions 4 and 6 remain in Tier 3 mitigations until the metrics meet guidelines outlined in the IGRC Pressing On document. The Region metrics can be found at the link below. Be sure to pull down and select your Region to get the most up-to-date information.
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Guidelines issued for attendance with virtual worship, other statistics for year-end reporting
The IGRC Finance office has sent the following email to appointed pastors and local church treasurers concerning the Ezra statistical reports for 2020. A link can be found on the IGRC Homepage at the top. Deadline for filing is Feb. 28.
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IGRC begins reorganization process
Bishop Frank J. Beard announced today that conference leadership has embarked on a reorganization process for the Illinois Great Rivers Conference – the result of positioning the church for a post-pandemic world.
Consultants from the General Council on Finance and Administration are working with conference leadership in this process.
“Just like local congregations have had to employ new practices and methods during the past 10 months, conference leadership has had to do so as well,” Bishop Beard said. “This process is not driven by finances, dwindling numbers nor the possibility of a future split in The United Methodist Church.”
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United Church of Altona leaves denomination, purchases the property from IGRC
The Illinois Great Rivers Annual Conference of The United Methodist Church reached a financial and property settlement with the former United Church of Altona United Methodist Church.
UCA was a United Methodist congregation, originally organized in 1855.
The former United Methodist members have organized a new congregation known as The Grove Community Church. Under the terms of the settlement, the Illinois Great Rivers Conference will relinquish its interest in the real estate located at 212 N. Depot Street, Altona, to the non-denominational Grove Community Church.
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COB President issues a Call to Action
In observance of the Martin Luther King Jr.’s birthday and the upcoming inauguration of Joe Biden as the 46th president of the United States, the Council of Bishops President Bishop Cynthia Fierro Harvey has issued a call to action letter.
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Bishop to speak at Unity Service
The Three Rivers Parish (Pleasant Grove, Ellsworth and Colfax UMC’s) and East Alton First UMC will host a virtual Unity Service in observance of Martin Luther King Day on Sunday, Jan. 17 at 4 p.m.
Bishop Frank J. Beard, episcopal leader of the Illinois Area, will be the guest speaker for the event. Pastor Bobby Davis is the host pastor with Pastor Ken Burgard of Downs UMC will speak and Pastor Ed Granadosin of East Alton First UMC.
If there are questions, you may contact Davis at 618-409-2914, the Ellsworth UMC office at 309-724-8266 or the Colfax UMC office at 309-723-6551 for more information.
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AU vice chancellor Furusa dies at 59
Professor Munashe Furusa, Africa University's fourth vice chancellor, died suddenly Jan. 13 at a local hospital. He was 59. He is being remembered as an innovative educational leader. Eveline Chikwanah and Kathy L. Gilbert report.
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Why do United Methodists observe
Human Relations Day?
Every January, on the Sunday before the observation of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.'s birthday, United Methodists come together to help bridge the gap between church and community by participating in an offering on Human Relations Day. Ask The UMC, a ministry of United Methodist Communications, has more on this churchwide Special Sunday.
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Covenant Keepers 2021 registration open
Bishop Beard has announced that Covenant Keepers 2021 will be held virtually on a single day -- Thursday, Jan. 28.
Registration will be required to receive credentials for logging into the Zoom meeting.
Speakers for the event will be Rev. Susan Beaumont, author of How to Lead When You Don't Know Where You Are. Beaumont is a consultant, coach, author and spiritual director who worked with hundreds of congregations and denominational bodies across the United States and Canada. She is known for her ground-breaking work in the leadership dynamics of large congregations.
Before establishing her own practice, Susan worked for nine years as a Senior Consultant with the Alban Institute. Susan has also served on the faculty of two business schools, teaching graduate level courses in leadership, management and organizational behavior. She has corporate experience in human resource management and organizational development. She currently teaches at Wesley Theological Seminary.
The other platform speaker, Romal Tune, is a thought leader, speaker and author. The focus of his life’s work is using the power of storytelling to bring about meaningful change. I teach individuals, non-profits and companies how to tap into the uniqueness of their stories and experience exponential growth.
Joining Covenant Keepers and preaching will be Bishop Sharma Lewis, episcopal leader for the Richmond, Va. Area of The United Methodist Church. Lewis made history when she was elected as the first African-American woman bishop in the Southeastern Jurisdiction in 2016.
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Internship priority deadline nears |
The priority deadline for the IGRC Intern Program is today. If you are or know of a young adult who would be interested in serving in a ministry internship this summer, or if your church or ministry would be interested in hosting an intern, click the button below for all the details and application links. |
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Accessibility grants available
The deadline for Architectural Grant applications is Jan. 31, 2021.
If your church has a project that will make your building more physically accessible to the disability community, the IGRC Committee on Accessibility Ministries may be able to help you with a small grant.
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Igniting a Prayer Revolution online video series
All IGRC churches are invited to Ignite a Prayer Revolution. The short series of videos found at https://www.igrcreach1000.org/revolutionary-prayer will challenge your church to take simple, yet powerful, steps to open yourselves to the next season of ministry God has for you.
All seven (currently; more will be added) videos can be watched in less than 30 minutes. Some will provide concrete examples of how IGRC churches are engaged in revolutionary prayer.
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Clergy Assistance Program
Make sure your IGRC pastor knows about this benefit provided through your apportionment dollars at work.
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United Methodist Center Contact Information |
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USPS (U.S. Postal Service)
P.O. Box 19207, Springfield, IL 62794-9207
Office Phone: 217-529-2040
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UPS and FedEx deliveries only use the street address:
United Methodist Center
5900 S. 2nd Street
Springfield, IL 62711
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