IGRC Events-full
October 8, 2018
Bishop to host meetings on 2019 General Conference

Bishop Frank J. Beard has announced he will host meetings throughout the Illinois Great Rivers Conference discussing the three plans which have been offered as plans for A Way Forward with regard to the issues of human sexuality and unity.

The following six sites have been confirmed:
  • Sunday, Nov. 11 -- Edwardsville St. Johns UMC, 4 to 6 p.m.
  • Monday, Nov. 12 -- Jacksonville Grace UMC, 4 to 6 p.m.
  • Thursday, Nov. 15 -- Marion First UMC, 7 to 9 p.m.
  • Saturday, Nov. 17 -- Chatsworth UMC, 10 a.m. to noon
  • Sunday, Nov. 18 -- Peoria First UMC, 4 to 6 p.m.
  • Monday, Nov. 19 -- Arthur UMC, 6 to 8 p.m.

If you are planning to attend one of the General Conference briefing sessions, Bishop Beard is asking that you register in advance as a courtesy to our venue host. We are wanting to have adequate seating for those wanting to attend.
October
10
Wednesday
Current Issues facing Today's Youth

The Gateway Foundation, in cooperation with lllinois Church Action (ILCAAAP), are hosting a free seminar to
discuss some of the biggest issues currently facing today’s
youth presented by experts in the field.

The seminar will be Wednsday, Oct. 10, from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at Scheels' second floor meeting room, 3801 S. MacArthur Blvd. in Springfield Lunch will be provided.

A variety of topics will be discussed including:
  • current teen drug trends
  • legislation updates on marijuana
  • the latest on gambling
  • legal aspects facing teens

In, addition, hear testimonies from teens taking the first step
towards lifelong recovery and the challenges they have had to
overcome.

For more information, contact Deborah Kuhns by email or call 217-281-1540.
October
11
Thursday
Mainstream UMC founder to speak at Two Rivers UMC

Rev. Mark Holland, a clergy member of the Great Plains Conference and co-founder of Mainstream UMC , will be speaking at Rock Island Two Rivers UMC on Thursday, Oct. 11, beginning at 10 a.m.

Mainstream UMC is one of several advocacy groups that have emerged in advance of the February 2019 special session of General Conference. Mainstream UMC supports the One Church Plan, proposed by the Commission on A Way Forward and supported by 61 percent of active bishops in the Council of Bishops. 
October
11-12
Thursday-Friday
Pre-retirement seminar

Clergy and spouses who are within 10 years of retirement are invited to attend a Pre-Retirement Seminar hosted by Preachers’ Aid Society and Benefit Fund Oct. 11-12 at the Abraham Lincoln Hotel and Conference Center in Springfield.

For more information, contact Carol Sims at csims@igrc.org or by calling 217-529-3215.

Topics will include: UM pension plan, health insurance, taxes in retirement, Medicare/Medicaid, adjusting to retirement, housing options, identity changes, relationship with spouse, boundaries as retired clergy, relationship with the conference, rest and relaxation, and wills and estate planning,

Persons who register prior to Sept. 24 will also have a personal pension projection with a time for an individual consultation in regard to the projection.
October
12-13
Friday-Saturday
Disaster Response Mini-Academy

IGRC Disaster Response Mini-Academy will be held Oct. 12-13 at Mt. Vernon West Salem Trinity UMC. This mini-academy will include Early Response Training certification and re-certification training, Spiritual & Emotional Care team training, and Connecting Neighbors.
 
Information for the Mini-Academy can be found by visiting: https://www.igrc.org/disasterresponse

For more information contact Bunny Wolfe ( bwolfe@igrc.org ) or Christy Blickensderfer ( cblickensderfer@igrc.org ) at the IGRC Conference Center or Sara Brown ( hashbrown2147@msn.com ).  
October
21
Sunday
Beard to preach Cartwright sermon

Bishop Frank J. Beard will be the preacher at this year's Annual Cartwright Memorial Sermon on Sunday, Oct. 21 at Peter Cartwright UMC in Pleasant Plains.

The service will begin at 10:30 a.m. and is sponsored by the church and the IGRC Commission on Archives and History.
October
25-27
Thursday-Saturday
National Prison Summit

Strengthening the Black Church for the 21st Century will host the National Prison Summit on Mass Incarceration Oct. 25-27 at the Cathedral of Praise Church of God in Christ in Nashville, Tenn.

SBC21 National Prison Summit on Mass Incarceration is identifying and providing transformative training, awareness and resource services to appropriate the passionate and transformative ideas of John Wesley’s prison ministry and reform programs to annual conferences and communities across the Country. The goal is to equip and encourage congregations with fundamental strategies on how to reach and engage persons who have been impacted by incarceration.

For more information, visit the National Prison Summit website
October
27
Saturday
Ignition Middle School Conference

Registration is now open for Ignition, a conference for middle school students grades 6 to 8, which will be held at Troy UMC on Oct. 27 from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Speakers for the day include Sue Busler, Paul Fernandes, and Andrew Spainhour. Harvest will be leading worship. Students will be challenged to grow in faith and live for Jesus. The schedule for the day includes music, worship, fun, seminars, lunch, snack breaks.

Register before Oct. 13 to receive a free Ignition T-Shirt. Find out more by contacting Clint Benesh (618-210-5493) or by visiting the Ignition Conference website.
April/May
28-3
Sunday-Friday
Five Day Academy for Spiritual Formation

The 2019 Five-Day Academy for Spiritual Formation will be April 28-May 3 at King’s House Retreat and Renewal Center in Belleville.

The theme for the 2019 Academy is “Peace”-ing Together a Broken World. Faculty speakers are Bishop Hee-Soo Jung and Dr. Amy Oden. For more information, visit www.igrc.org/fiveday.

Registration begins Nov. 1 at: www.igrc.org/fiveday2019.

The Five-Day Academy for Spiritual Formation, is a program of Upper Room® Ministries, for clergy and laity which provides a daily rhythm of prayer, worship, Eucharist, learning and reflection, in the context of Christian community. Faculty speakers this year are: Bishop Hee Soo Jung, and Dr. Amy Oden.
December
8
Saturday
Safe Sanctuaries - Best Practices

A Safe Sanctuaries – Best Practices training workshop will be held at Raymond Community of Faith, 418 N Springfield Rd., Raymond, IL, on Saturday, Dec. 8, 10 a.m. to noon.

This workshop is designed for churches seeking to develop or update a Safe Sanctuaries policy, but can also be used for training in best practices for leaders in ministry with children, youth, or vulnerable adults.

Topics to be covered include: what to include in a policy, how to report suspected child or elder abuse, and best practices for participation in a congregation by a registered sex offender.

This FREE workshop is supported by your apportionment giving. Registration is encouraged by Dec 1 at https://igrc-reg.brtapp.com/SafeSanctuariesRaymond to ensure sufficient seating and materials. Presenter will be Beth Fender, IGRC Coordinator of Discipleship and New Streams.
Upcoming Certified Lay Minister training weekends

The CLM Coordinating Team has announced the fall 2018 schedule for CLM training. All modules will be held at Little Grassy Camp near Makanda (Carbondale area) in the Cache River District.

Persons interested in the IGRC training to become a CLM must first meet one of the following requirements:
  • Be or become a Certified Lay Servant.
  • Have previously completed License School.
  • Have completed one year of seminary studies.

For more information, please check out the pages on the IGRC website at: http://www.igrc.org/clm
or contact one of our CLM Co-Coordinators, Cheryl Cain,  cherylbecker52@yahoo.com,  618-322-5246; or Ava Williams,  adwilliams2@juno.com,  217-563-7439.

Registration Links and related information can be found on this webpage https://www.igrc.org/modules

Links for registration once they become alive:
Module 2, Part 1  (Registration begins Monday, Oct. 8, and ends Saturday, Oct. 27)
Module 1  (Registration begins Monday, Oct. 29, and ends Saturday, Nov. 17)
Module 2, Part 2  (Registration begins Monday, Oct. 29, and ends Saturday, Nov. 17)
Local church events
October
10-11,
13-14
Wed.-Thurs., Sat.-Sun.
KRD Revival

The Kaskaskia River District will be hosting a District Revival this fall called “Kick-Off of Faith.” 
• Wednesday, Oct. 10 – Mt. Carmel Evangelical UMC
• Thursday, Oct. 11 – Olney First UMC
• Saturday, Oct. 13 – Mt. Vernon Wesley UMC
• Sunday, Oct. 14 – Centralia Cornerstone UMC

Each evening will begin at 5:30 pm with a tailgate cookout of hamburgers, hot dogs, chips, and drink. Services will begin at 7 p.m. with Harvest Ministry Team leading worship and Bishop Frank Beard bringing the message. Childcare will be provided at each location.

If you have any questions about the revival, contact Matt Henson at 618-830-6670 or matt@livingtheadventure.net.
October
28
Sunday
Kewanee plans Reunion Sunday

Kewanee First UMC is hosting a Reunion Sunday, Oct. 28.

The church is extending an invitation to all who have previously worshipped with them or have served as a pastor.

Worship begins at 9 a.m. followed by a fellowship time.
United Methodist Center Contact Information
USPS (U.S. Postal Service)
P.O. Box 19207, Springfield, IL 62794-9207
Office Phone: 217-529-2040
Email: info@igrc.org
UPS and FedEx deliveries only use the street address:
United Methodist Center
5900 S. 2nd Street
Springfield, IL 62711
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