IGRC Events-full
December 20, 2021
Last issue for 2021

This issue of IGRC Events-full will be the last one for 2021. The Conference Center will be closed from Dec. 24 to Jan.3.

The next publication date for IGRC Events-full will be Monday, Jan. 3.
Equalization list released for additional lay members to 2022 Annual Conference

Annual Conference Secretary Ethan Carnes has announced that 198 congregations will have an additional lay member to annual conference to equalize the number of clergy and laity members for the 2022 Annual Conference session.

Churches which paid 100 percent of their apportionments in the previous year (in this case, 2020) are to be granted one "equalization member.”  Eligibility will be granted to the 198 largest churches according to membership who have paid 100 percent of their 2020 apportionments. Equalization members are elected to serve to the end of the quadrennium if the congregation continues to pay 100 percent of its apportionments.
Registration is now open for Covenant Keepers 2022

Registration is now open for Covenant Keepers 2022 which will be a hybrid event Jan. 31-Feb. 1 at Troy UMC.
 
Registration can be found on the IGRC website at: https://www.igrc.org/ck2022. At the time of registration, persons will have the choice of registering for the in-person event at or online by Zoom. Registration for either option will be $25 per person.

In keeping with the theme of excellence, the planning team wants to assure everyone that they are paying attention to daily COVID updates. Everyone’s safety is a top priority. You are encouraged to continue to register and to keep watch for future updates. Covenant Keepers will not be cancelled. If necessary, it will become a totally virtual event automatically moving in-person registrants into the virtual mode. If this occurs, you will receive adequate notice to cancel hotel reservations.

No meals will be served onsite and participants will be responsible for their own overnight accommodations. There are several hotels in Troy within a short driving distance from the church. Time for the event will be from 1 to 5 p.m. Jan. 31, and from 9 a.m. to noon Feb. 1.
 
The theme is Called to Holy Excellence, based upon Philippians 4:4-9. 
Mandatory sexual ethics training to be online with three options of dates

Desiring to provide support and encouragement to our clergy, the Board of Ordained Ministry with the Bishop’s Response Team on Relational Ethics is offering a fresh approach to the 2021-2024 Quadrennial Ethics and Boundary Training events. Though still mandatory for all appointed and assigned clergy and lay ministers, this year’s workshop will engage the topic of relational ethics from a “whole person” perspective – considering how to strengthen both personal and professional relationships in a highly stressful environment. 
 
The presenter will be the Rev. Dr. David C. Olsen, co-author with Nancy Devor, of the book, Saying No to Say Yes: Everyday Boundaries and Pastoral Excellence (2015). The book explores the difficulties clergy face when they attempt to say “no” by setting effective boundaries in order to say “yes” to the life-giving call of ministry. 
 
Dr. Olson will weave together the basics of boundary-training with a deep understanding of the stressors of church leadership during a pandemic. You’ll glean insights that will encourage and strengthen you not only for leadership within the church, but for all relationships.
 
This quadrennial training (5.5-hour webinar) will be offered via Zoom on the following dates. Register now for ONE of these three dates. Though identical in content, each training will be hosted live with Dr. Olson leading each one and engaging the unique questions which arise during each session.  
 
Dates: Thursday, Jan.13
           Friday, Jan.14
           Saturday, Jan. 15
 
Each webinar will begin at 9 a.m. and end at 3:30 p.m. Each will be broken into 4 sections with a lunch break.
 
Topics to be covered will begin with the necessity and history of boundary awareness, the complexity of boundaries in church settings as well as types of boundary issues including the obvious sexual misconduct, social media, email, etc.  The afternoon focuses on what makes boundaries so complicated: looking at both internal psychological issues and systemic issues and ending with prevention strategies. Special attention will be given throughout the sessions to the impact of significant anxiety over COVID and the way it has made boundary setting even more complex. Dr. Olson will offer wisdom and encouragement for saying “yes” to the life-giving call of ministry even in the midst of a pandemic.

The training is mandatory for all persons under appointment and will fulfill the requirement for the 2021-24 quadrennium.
January
11
Tuesday
Special MLK Leadership Clinic

Bishop Palmer’s is inviting you to participate in a special MLK edition of his Leadership Clinics on Jan. 11 2022, from 9 to 11 a.m. CST.

Dr. Willie Jennings. a classmate of Bishop Palmer's and a theological mentor to many, will be the guest speaker. Dr. Jennings is the Associate Professor of Systematic Theology at Yale Divinity School. He is also well-published, authoring several books and over 40 scholarly essays. Dr. Jennings is a Calvin College graduate, receiving his M.Div. from Fuller Theological Seminary and his Ph.D. in religion and ethics from Duke Theological Seminary. An ordained Baptist pastor, Dr. Jennings is recognized as a major figure in theological education across North America. I hope you will join us for this timely and relevant virtual training opportunity with Dr. Jennings. 

A special price of $10 is available for all participants with 100% of the proceeds being given to General Commission on Religion and Race of the UMC to support their ongoing work helping the church and the world to be free from the brokenness of racism.
Applications sought for 2022, 2022-23 interns

Applications are now being accepted for the 2022 and 2022-23 IGRC Intern Program.

Prospective interns, mentors, and host churches/ministries are all welcome to apply. The priority deadline for early consideration is January 18, 2022. The final application deadline is March 1, 2022. Further information and application links may be found at www.igrc.org/interns.

Questions may be directed to Beth Fender at bfender@igrc.org.
Check out the latest list of resources which may be borrowed for the cost of return postage.

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

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

Please remember that the UMRC will be closed from Dec. 18 to Jan. 3.
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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