This Week's Current Week in Review

The Current Week in Review

November 30, 2018

Beard to hold two briefings in Marion Dec. 3

Due to high demand, Bishop Frank J. Beard will be doing a SECOND General Conference 2019 briefing on Monday, Dec. 3 at Marion First UMC from 1 to 3 p.m. This is in addition to the 7 to 9 p.m. session already scheduled.

Registration hasn't changed. Click on the button below to register. Registration is capped at 150 just like the other sessions.

The 7 to 9 p.m. session is currently at capacity with those who had planned to attend the Nov. 15 session which was postponed due to weather. If you wish to cancel your spot in the evening session, contact Paul Black or contact Michele Willson. When the registration is cancelled, the 7 to 9 p.m. session will accept additional registrations until it is at capacity again.

If you wish to change your registration to the afternoon session, cancel your evening registration above and re-register, choosing the 1 to 3 p.m. option for the afternoon session.

IGRC Communications has produced the above video from the Nov. 19 Arthur UMC briefing.

Take Board of Pensions Health Insurance Survey

Appointed active clergy are invited to participate in the Board of Pensions' Health Insurance Survey between now and Dec. 31.

In an email sent out to active appointed clergy, CBOP Chair Brad Schumaker and IGRC Director of Administrative Services Mike Potts wrote:

"On behalf of the Board of Pensions and Health Benefits, we are asking if you can make this brief survey on your health insurance coverage a priority. In order for your Board of Pensions and Health Benefits to faithfully serve your family, we are conducting a survey to learn where you are turning for health insurance AND gain an estimation of what your insurance coverage is costing you.

"This survey is completely anonymous. We would like you to complete the survey by Dec. 31, 2018. After the information is gathered, your Board of Pension and Health Benefits can be better informed as to how to best proceed at the 2019 Annual Conference session and beyond as we faithfully provide for our clergy.

Thank you for your time AND for the opportunity to serve your family."

PARTICIPATE IN THE SURVEY

Harris to highlight Annual Conference concert

Five-time Grammy and 11-time Dove Award recipient Larnelle Harris will perform in concert on Friday, June 7, 7:30 p.m. at Carver Arena in the Peoria Civic Center during the 2019 Annual Conference.

The concert is a fundraiser for the IGRC campaign, Our Conference, Our Kids.

The choir from Peoria Bethel UMC will join Harris on stage for several selections during the concert.

Tickets go on sale Jan. 15 in a pre-sale for IGRC members at $20 and $30. On Feb. 1, tickets go on sale to the public Feb. 1 for $25 and $35. All tickets will be sold through Ticketmaster and will not be a part of the normal Annual Conference registration process. The link and discount code will be share closer to the Jan. 15 launch.

December issue of

The Currrent, 2019 Camping Guide

The December 2018 issue of The Current is in the mail and should be arriving in the next few days. It includes the 2019 Camping Guide.

You may also click the cover to the right and view the issue online.

Applications open for Global Mission Fellows

The United Methodist Board of Global Ministries is taking applications from young Christian adults who are interested in becoming Global Mission Fellows. Applicants must be ages 20 to 30 and commit to two years of service. Global Mission Fellows work to address the roots of injustice. Early-access deadline is Dec. 3.

General Conference information

Special session pre-registration online

Guests and observers to the 2019 Special Session of the General Conference, The United Methodist Church’s top legislative assembly, may now pre-register online. General Conference will meet in St. Louis, Missouri at the America’s Center Feb. 23-26, 2019.

Volunteers needed for General Conference

Persons wishing to volunteer for hospitality and other committees working the special session of General Conference in February 2019 may now apply to register.

Preference will be given to Missouri and Illinois Great Rivers members. All volunteers will be required to sign a covenant agreement, liability waiver, participate in hospitality and intercultural awareness training, as well as job-specific training.