Bishop Gregory V. Palmer has extended an invitation to IGRC pastors and laity to join him and the West Ohio Conference this fall for a series of online Leadership Clinics which will be held in September, October and November.

Cost for registration is $20 per session for West Ohio leaders, $40 for non-West Ohio leaders. However, the IGRC will be able to take advantage of the West Ohio price tier as details are being worked out this week. There is also a special price of $50 for all three sessions for West Ohio (and IGRC) registrants and $100 for non-West Ohio leaders if registration is made prior to Sept. 13.

Watch for further information later this week for registration information to lock in the lower price.

Speakers for the individual sessions are as follows:

A three-time New York Times best-selling author who has been called "a pastor for America's outsiders." The community of faith she planted in Denver -- House for All Sinners and Saints -- is a haven for a diverse community seeking affirmation and acceptance. In a time when institutions of every kind are struggling to exert influence and maintain relevance, Nadia's church thrives especially among Millenials. She has a popular podcast, The Confessional with Nadia Bolz-Weber and has been featured in The Washington Post, The New Yorker, NPR's Morning Edition, Fresh Air, on cable news and the BBC World Service. Nadia is a graduate of the Iliff School of Theology.

Beth is known as GE’s Czar of Innovation, a bestselling author, corporate director/advisor, and nature conservationist. She built a career as storyteller, marketer and innovation champion, as GE's first female Vice Chair, as well as Chief Marketing and Commercial Officer. She was President of Integrated Media at NBC Universal as part of her journey through media, which included roles at NBC, CBS and Turner Broadcasting. Beth is currently a director at Nike and EVgo, a Trustee at National Geographic Society, and a partner in Climate Real Impact Solutions. Beth is considered one of "The World's 100 Most Powerful Women” by Forbes magazine, a top ten most influential leader in the US, and a top 20 most influential communicator in the US. Beth’s book Imagine It Forward: Courage, Creativity, and the Power of Change has become a great resource for organizations looking to innovate and change. Beth is a graduate of The College of William and Mary.

Jemar Tisby is a New York Times best-selling author, the Deputy Director of Narrative and Advocacy at the Center for Antiracist Research at Boston University, and the founder of The Witness, Inc. His bestselling books, The Color of Compromise: The Truth about the Church's Complicity in Racism and latest work How to Fight Racism have been used as resources by churches and organizations around the globe. Jemar has been a co-host of the Pass The Mic podcast since its inception seven years ago. His writing has been featured in The Washington Post, The Atlantic, and The New York Times, among others. He is a frequent commentator on media/news outlets. He speaks nationwide on the topics of racial justice, U.S. history and Christianity. Jemar has a degree from the University of Notre Dame and is currently finishing his PhD in History this year at the University of Mississippi where he studies race, religion, and social movements in the 20th century.

The IGRC Committee on Accessibility Ministries is hosting a "Zoominar" (mostly webinar, partly Zoom conversation) on Sunday, Aug.29, from 2 to 4 p.m., featuring the Rev. Dr. David de Freese, a former ELCA bishop, who will share with participants about "Rejoicing Spirits," a "no shush" zone worship model which fully includes people with intellectual disabilities.

FREE resources and support are available to churches, ministerial alliances, parishes, clusters, etc. who would like to launch such a ministry. Register at https://igrc-reg.brtapp.com/RejoicingSpirits to get the login information to join the live session and the link to the recorded session.

The Financial Leadership Series for Churches will collectively cover three modules of financial stewardship content for churches. Participants can sign up for all three or individual modules to meet their ministry goals and vocational needs. Each module, held in an online format, will explore one of three recognized qualities which correlate with growth in generosity: 1) belief in the mission; 2) trust in leadership; and 3) sound financial practices.

The first module begins Sept. 1. To learn more, go to www.garrett.edu/financialleadership.

Back by popular demand, Evangelism for Non-Evangelists is a six-week online course that helps one grow in their faith and develop the skills necessary to share their faith with others in authentic and practical ways. This course is available for clergy and laypersons.

This course begins Sept. 21. To learn more, go to www.garrett.edu/EvangelismOnline.

Registration is now open for Mediation Skills Training Institute for Church Leaders, to be held on Oct.11-15 and Nov. 15-19, sponsored by the Lombard Mennonite Peace Center.

The two identical sessions will be held remotely via Zoom. This workshop is designed to help church leaders deal more effectively with interpersonal, congregational, and other forms of group conflict. For details consult this MSTI Brochure. 

For a complete list of training events being offered by the Lombard Mennonite Peace Center — including our one-day Conflict Transformation Skills and Healthy Congregations — please consult this LMPC 2021 Program Calendar. For online registration go to our website at www.lmpeacecenter.org/all-events. Plan now to take advantage of these outstanding opportunities for spiritual and professional growth!

The Institute for Discipleship at Southwestern College is here to help in an affordable and convenient way. We offer several certifications based on GBHEM education requirements, as well as other leadership courses. It would be my joy to share these with you. 

Persons seeking UM Professional Certification, particularly as part of a route to ordination, should be aware that these courses are not currently approved by GBHEM for that purpose.

Click on the above graphic to learn more and register for the Zoom meeting

Go to: www.igrc.org/umrc to access the online catalog and place your order.

Questions? Comments? Contact Jill Stone at umrc@igrc.org.