The Current Week in Review
October 8, 2021
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BSA, UMC issue joint statement on bankruptcy,
Bishop, Treasurer provide updated guidance
The Boy Scouts of America and The United Methodist Church issue a joint statement announcing that charters that expire Dec. 31, 2021, will remain in force until March 31, 2022, in an effort to resolve the impasse between the two parties.
Bishop Gregory V. Palmer and Rev. Mike Potts have issued a letter, saying, "...a pause in implementing any further decisions concerning the future of scouting within the life of your local church is now being recommended by both the BSA and national United Methodist leaders. We believe that this joint statement signals that the concerns being expressed by United Methodist leaders are being heard and that some progress is being made in the various negotiations that have been taking place on a national level. We recommend that your church continue your study of whether scouting continues to be an effective ministry tool but accept this invitation not to implement any final decision concerning the future of scouting at your local church at this time and to continue your church’s current relationship with your local BSA council until we know more about the results of these negotiations, which we now believe will be revealed prior to March 31, 2022"
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Bishop Beard gives health update
Bishop Frank J. Beard issued the following statement today regarding his medical progress:
Dear Members and Friends of the IGRC:
God is good!
The surgery on my left eye was successful and the healing process is nearly completed. The doctors are pleased with the results.
My eyesight in my left eye has been stabilized. The surgery did not restore the vision that I've lost but, Praise the Lord, I am no longer losing vision in my left eye.
Thanks to all of your prayers, calls, emails, notes, prayer blanket/shawls and expressions of kindness. I love you all and am honored to serve in this great Conference.
Please keep the prayers flowing heavenward. Surgery on my right eye will take place Oct. 27 at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn. The recuperation time is about 10 weeks. Please pray for a successful surgery and a speedy recovery. I plan on returning to active ministry on Jan. 1, 2022.
Thanks for the gracious support and cooperation that you have given to Bishop Palmer, Rev. Janice Griffith and the IGRC leadership team. I look forward to SEEING you all soon.
God bless,
Bishop Frank J. Beard
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Delivered to you webinar
Nov. 8-9
Wespath Benefits and Investments – Delivered to You takes place in the afternoon for two days, Nov. 8-9. The event will begin at 1 p.m. and end at 4:30 p.m. CST on both days. On November 9, there will be optional breakout opportunities beginning at 11:30 a.m. CST.
The virtual link to attend will be sent to you within one week of the event from Wespath Events.
Participants will:
- Get tips to manage your Mental-Emotional, Financial, Spiritual, Social and Physical health and the benefits and services available to you,
- Be inspired to do things differently,
- Learn tips and tricks for using Benefits Access
- Hear more about the Savings Grace Financial curriculum available for you and your congregation
- Receive an exciting Event Care Kit full of great things - delivered right to your door - so you can participate fully and enjoy this event more
- Connect virtually, learn and enjoy being with other clergy across the denomination
The registration fee is just $59 and includes the event Care Package that will be shipped to you in advance. As a Pastor Appreciation gift, IGRC will reimburse half of the cost to anyone who fully completes the webinar. Since CEU's will be issued, participants seeking reimbursement may submit a copy of the CEU Certificate as proof of completion.
Copies may be emailed to the Rev. Dr. Jacqui King (jking@igrc.org) or may be mailed to IGRC, Office of Ministerial Excellence, P. O. Box 19207, Springfield, IL 62794-9207.
The deadline for registration is Friday, Oct. 29. This deadline ensures that you will receive the Care Package and all of the materials to participate fully and enjoy the event.
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A period of reckoning
Bishop Gregory V. Palmer notes that society is in a period of reckoning.
"The reckoning with regard to race, culture and ethnicity is especially rife in North America right now. The social reckonings that come to help us better understand who we are and how we got to be that way do not come on a particular timetable and never feel particularly comfortable or convenient," he writes. "They may have been predictable but our human propensity to suppress and placate them as a way of avoiding them always prove futile. The end we hope for is not shame and guilt; it is repentance, reconciliation, healing and justice. But the journey starts with acknowledgement and repentance."
The most recent incident involved Native American children being sent to boarding schools. Predecessor denominations of The United Methodist Church were sponsors of such schools.
Bishop Palmer invites today's church to participate in understanding the harm done to these children.
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The United Methodist Foundation has updated its Year-End giving brochure to provide information on prudent charitable giving that maximizes tax benefits and provides much needed resources to non-profits.
To download your copy, click the picture on the right
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Covenant Keepers 2022 Jan. 31-Feb. 1
Covenant Keepers 2022 will take on a new look as a panel of speakers will be a part of the program Jan. 31-Feb. 1, 2022.
Organizers are planning for both a virtual and an in-person event since a decision has not been made as to whether it will be possible to host the meeting in-person. Time for the event will be from noon to 5 p.m. Jan. 31 and from 9 a.m. to noon Feb. 1.
Utilizing the theme Called to Holy Excellence, based upon Philippians 4:8-9, speakers will address the issue from a variety of perspectives.
Speakers include Rev. Dr. Jaqui King, IGRC’s new Director of Ministerial Excellence; Rev. Dr. Curtis Brown and Rev. Dr. Bener Agtatrap, authors of Ready, Set, Plant: The How and Why of Starting New Churches; Rev. David Neckers, retired clergy from the Indiana Conference, consultant and coach.
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Bishop Palmer's midweek service
Bishop Palmer has extended an invitation to the IGRC to join in with the midweek service online at 11 a.m. Central time each Wednesday.
The Facebook Live event will be shared on the IGRC Facebook group.
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Charge Conference materials available online
Forms and other materials needed to prepare for the 2021 Charge Conference season are now posted online on the IGRC website.
Forms can be accessed through the Church Portal page located in the upper right corner of the IGRC Homepage.
- Choose your District
- Choose your Church
- Type in the six-digit GCFA number for the church as the password
In addition, the Finance Office has put together information needed to build local church budgets for 2022. Apportionments are also available below.
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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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