The Current Week in Review
October 5, 2018
October issue of The Current on its way

The October issue of The Current is on its way and should be arriving in your mailboxes this weekend.

The October issue focuses on disaster response and the work of the United Methodist Committee on Relief both nationally and internationally.

Remember: UMCOR has two primary Advance numbers for contributions for disaster response.

#901670 -- United States Disaster Response
#982450 -- International Disaster Resonse

Using these two numbers and designating a location, you can participate in the church's mission of relieving suffer and helping those in need.

Click on the cover to the right and you can read it online.
Charitable giving and the new tax law

The United Methodist Foundation has produced a two-page flyer on charitable giving and the new tax law.

The flyer can easily be adapted as a bulletin insert and provides information to assist the church as it makes its financial commitment for 2019.
Participate in the young adult ministry survey

The Young Adult Committee of the Illinois Great Rivers Conference of the United Methodist Church seeks to help connect young adults in local churches and faith communities to one another and the resources of the United Methodist Church to foster their spiritual journey, advocate for their leadership, and affirm their gifts. The Young Adult Committee also seeks to help local churches connect with young adults on their spiritual journey. 

We need your input as we develop relationships and resources to help young adults (ages 18-35) on their spiritual journey. If you are a young adult, please take a moment to fill out this survey. Please share this survey with young adults you know. This survey is confidential and will take you no more than five minutes. There is an option to share your email and phone number to receive information from the committee about our work and ways to connect. Deadline is Nov. 5, 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 dates 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.

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.
Behavioral Health Forum slated in Normal

McLean County Department of Public Health, in cooperation with the Town of Normal and the City of Bloomington, are hosting a behavioral health forum, from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the Bloomington-Normal Marriott and Conference Center and Normal Theater on Monday, Oct. 8.

Dr. Suzanna Flores is the keynote speaker. Her presentation, Facehooked: How Social Media Affects our Emotions, Relationships and Lives, is part of an agenda that includes sessions on:
  • Ending the Silence
  • Techniques for Addressing Behavioral Health
  • Can We Talk?: Addressing Behavioral Health Issues and Understanding Mental Illness vs. the Average Teenage Mind
  • Mindful Movement
  • Bullying 101
  • Panel discussion by Youth Board from Project Oz
  • "What Can I Do to Make a Difference?"

Lunch and Learn Sessions with option to purchase a box lunch for $7. For questions or more info, contact Trisha Malott, at trisha.malott@mcleancountyil.gov
Breaking Barriers: HIV and AIDS ministry conference in Indianapolis Oct. 25-27

St. Luke's UMC in Indianapolis will host an HIV and AIDS Ministry Conference Oct. 25-27. The event is sponsored by the Global AIDS Committee of The United Methodist Church and co-sponsored by the annual conferences in the North Central Jurisdiction, including the Illinois Great Rivers Conference.

Special guests and speakers for the event include Dr. Deborah Birx, global AIDS coordination and U.S. Special Representative for Global Health Diplomacy; HIV activist Hydeia Broadbent; and Bishops Minerva Carcano, Julius Trimble and Tracy Smith Malone.

Learn more and register online before Oct. 11. The hotel deadline for securing rooms within the event block is Oct. 1. For further event details, contact Linda Bales Todd.
ERT teams requested in North Carolina

North Carolina Conference is requesting ERT teams to help with Hurricane Florence clean up. A lot of teams are needed throughout the area.  ERT trained teams may contact  disasterresponse@nccum.org  or call the NC Conference Disaster Call Center at 1-888-440-9167 to register a team to work. Please call and register a team before traveling to the area and do not self deploy. 
 
Bunny Wolfe
IGRC Missions/Outreach Coordinator
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
About        Bishop Beard         News         Get Involved         Our Conference, Our Kids
Connect With Us