IGRC Events-full
January 30, 2023
Registration deadline for Course of Study
April-May 2023 sessions is Feb. 3

Dates and courses for the 2023 Course of Study Extension School have been announced.
The April-May term term will meet April 14-15 and May 12-13. Registration deadline is Feb. 3. Tuition payment is due at the time of registration or the registration will be cancelled!

All students must take COS 121 and COS 122 before any other classes.

The Extension Course of Study is basically for part-time pastors and exists to provide quality theological training and equipping for ministry. It is administered by the Board of Ordained Ministry of the Illinois Great Rivers Conference. For more information, visit the Course of Study website at: www.igrc.org/cos, or contact the Dean, Rev. Kenneth Hutchens at brokenhutchens@gmail.com

Courses in the April-May 2023 term:
  • COS 123 Formation and Discipleship -- taught by Dr. Beth Fender
  • COS 322 Theological Heritage III: Medieval--Reformation -- taught by Dr. Dennis Powers
Covenant Keepers 2023 registration open

Registration is now open for Covenant Keepers 2023, which will be Feb. 27-28 at the Regency Convention Center in O’Fallon.

The theme for the event is Joyful Resilience, based upon Psalm 30: 11-12 and Isaiah 55:12.

Links for making hotel accommodations have been added to the registration form. Those already registered can access the registration form to get direct links to the Hilton Garden Inn, the Hampton Inn or Fairfield Inn to make reservations with the Covenant Keeper block rates.

After two years of holding the annual gathering of clergy online, the 2023 event returns to an in-person format. The agenda shows a 10:30 a.m. start on Feb. 27 and a end time of 12:30 p.m. Feb. 28.

Registration can be made by clicking the button below.

Cost is $25 per person, which includes lunch Feb. 27 and breakfast Feb. 28.

Individuals are responsible overnight accommodations and for the Feb. 27 evening meal. Rooms are available at the Hilton Garden Inn St. Louis/Shiloh/O’Fallon and the Hampton Inn O’Fallon, both in near proximity to the meeting site.
Creative Rural Ministries webinar

The United Methodist Rural Advocates will be sponsoring a “Creative Rural Ministries” webinar on Saturday, Feb. 11 from 10 to 11:30 a.m. (Central time).

The webinar will be featuring four ministries of rural UM churches in four different states.   Each of these ministries were recipients of grants from the United Methodist Rural Advocates. The hope is that these ministries will inspire other churches to reach beyond their walls and be in creative ministries in their communities.   These ministries and the churches are as follows:

  • Fort Branch UMC, Ft Branch, Ind. -- Back to School Bash - an organized program that gives away as many as 400 or more custom-filled backpacks to students in their area
  • MoCo Feeds- McConnelsville, Ohio -- a food ministry that offers a lunch meal 5 days a week to homeless neighbors and others with the help of volunteers from neighboring churches and service organizations.
  • Clothes 4 U, Belle Vernon UMC, Penn. -- a clothing ministry that runs on a donation in, donation out basis. Any monies donated go into a fund for helping others.
  • Personal Care Pantry, Dakota-Rock Grove UMC Dakota, Ill., Northern Illinois Conference. They provide help to low income families in their community with basis hygiene and household needs.
 
Deadline to register for the webinar is Feb. 1. Download the flyer and complete the registration form.
Light Kids Conference

The Light Kids Conference, a one-day event for children in first - fifth grades will be held in four locations during spring 2023! Church leaders, pastors, and children's pastors are invited to organize a group of children and attend the conference together!

The dates and locations of the conference sessions:
Feb. 11 -- Tuscola UMC
March 4 -- Peoria First UMC
March 25 -- Edwardsville St. Johns UMC
April 1 -- Marion Aldersgate UMC

Each location begins at 9 a.m. and concludes at 2 p.m.. 

Of course, parents or grandparents are welcome to bring their kids and attend with them!
It's going to be a great day of worship with Harvest Ministry, recreation (with a 30-foot inflatable obstacle course), ShoutCo! Puppets, entertainment, pizza lunch, Bible Buzz and lessons around the theme of RISE UP! 

Learn more at www.kidsconference.org or by contact Tim Price at 618-541-8291. 
United Women in Faith Spiritual Growth Retreat

The IGRC United Women in Faith (formerly United Methodist Women) will host its annual Spiritual Growth Retreat on Saturday, Feb. 25, at Chatham UMC from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Greta Long, a second-year seminary student from Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary, will be the speaker. The event's theme is Soul Care: Self, Others and the Divine.

Cost is $30 and includes lunch. Participants are asked to bring snacks to share.

Registration Deadline: Feb. 17, 2023. Questions? Please contact: Susan Connor, Conference President radtech20032003@yahoo.com (Please use “Spiritual Growth Retreat” in the subject line.
Fire-up Conference

The 2023 Sr. High Fire-Up Conference will be Feb, 24-26, at Troy UMC.This weekend discipleship event has happened each February since 1997 and we’re inviting students and their ministry leaders (pastors, youth pastors or other adults) to register to attend.

Roger Palmer of Highview Church in Louisville, Ky., will be speaking and Harvest Worship Band will be leading worship. The theme is DARE TO… and we want to challenge students in the next generation to follow Jesus with all they are and all they have! (Lamentations 3:21).

Registration includes meals, programming, entertainment, and a t-shirt (if you register before the early deadline).

If you have any questions, please contact Tim Price at 618-541-8291 or email tim@troyumc.org
Civil Rights Trip April 13-21, 2023

Normal First UMC is hosting a Civil Rights trip April 13-21.

Visit some of the sites of the Civil Rights Movement and learn more about America’s history of systemic racism.  Learn some of the stories that were left out of our history classes. Share this experience with others, who are committed to the work of restoration, reconciliation, and a new way forward. 
 
The journey will actually begin before the trip. The group will meet together monthly to get acquainted, learn about the places they will be visiting and to open their hearts and minds to new understandings. 
 
The group will depart from Normal First on April 13. Among the sites visited during the trip will be the National Civil Rights Museum and the Loraine Motel in Memphis, Tenn.; Birmingham Civil Rights Institute; worship at the 16th St. Baptist Church; Kelly Ingram Park and the Civil Right District of Birmingham, Ala.; the Rosa Parks Museum, Tuskegee sites. the Equal Justice Initiative Museum and Memorial in Montgomery, Ala.; the Edmund Pettus Bridge, the National Equal Justice Initiative Museum and Memorial and the Old Depot Museum in Selma, Ala.

The group will return to Bloomington-Normal on April 21.

Cost of the trip is $1,300 per person based upon double occupancy on lodging and includes transportation, lodging, tickets and breakfasts. An additional estimated $400 will be needed for personal expenses, lunches and dinners.

A payment of $1,300 per person payable to Normal First UMC will be due by Jan. 15, 2023.

For more information, contact Pastor Kathy King-Nobles by email or phone 309-452-2096.
Missipn Trips
Mission trip to Eastern Kentucky

Living the Adventure Ministries, in partnership with the United Methodist Mountain Mission and UMCOR, is leading a trip to Eastern Kentucky on March 12-18. The team will be working on the ongoing recovery from the July 2022 floods. We are looking for team members to travel with us. If you are interested in learning more about this trip, contact Matt Henson (618-830-6670 or matt@livingtheadventure.net). The cost of the trip is $350/person.
Mission Trip to the Philippines

A Volunteer in Mission trip to Abra, Philippines will be from May 16 to 30.

Registration and a $500 deposit toward the $3,500 total cost is due now.

Download the brochure to learn more!
Mission Trip to Hungary

A Conference Mission Partnership trip to Budapest, Hungary, has been scheduled for June 22 to July 1.

The mission trip, which centers on relationship building, provides opportunities for Hungarians to engage in conversational English.

Cost of the trip is $3,000, with a $500 deposit due Jan. 15. Additional payments of $1,000 are due Feb. 15 and March 15, with the $500 balance due April 15.

For more information, download the trip brochure below or contact Ken Hutchens.
Read more by clicking the graphic above
Disaster Response Training
ERT Recertification -- Feb. 6-7
Training will take place online from 6 to 8 p.m. on Monday and Tuesday, Feb. 6-7.
 
ERT Recertification -- April 3-4
Training will take place online from 6 to 8 p.m. Monday and Tuesday, April 3-4.
 
Connecting Neighbors Training -- Sept. 18 - 19
Training will take place online on from 6 to 8 p.m., Monday and Tuesday, Sept. 18-19.
 
ERT Recertification -- Nov. 6-7
Training will take place online from 6 to 8 p.m. Monday and Tuesday, Nov. 6-7.
Youth Ministries events
Cunningham Mission Day -- Saturday, March 4

Youth groups and Confirmation classes are invited to join us for an inspiring day that includes a first-hand look into our mission and the exemplary programs offered at Cunningham.

At Mission Day, youth learn:
  • what happens daily to help the vulnerable and hurting youth that we serve;
  • the importance of faith for healing;
  • the involvement of United Methodists in our mission; and
  • how to put their prayers, presence, gifts, and service into action.
LaMoine/Spoon River District Youth Rally
-- Saturday, March 18

Macomb Wesley UMC
Save the date. More info to come soon!
WHO? – All students in the LaMoine and Spoon Rver Districts.
WHAT? – Youth Rally
WHERE? – Macomb Wesley United Methodist Church – Macomb, Illinois
WHEN? – Saturday, March 18.
WHY? – A day of CELEBRATION for our youth and youth workers as the new districts begin to form.
 
Bishops Confirmation Rally -- March 25th

WHO? – All students that are engaged in Confirmation Class for 2023 or were recently confirmed and joined the church.
WHAT? –A day of CELEBRATION and Witness with Bishop Beard.
WHERE? – First United Methodist Church – Springfield, Illinois
WHEN? – Saturday, March 25, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
WHY? – To celebrate and share in our common connection with one another in Jesus Christ and our United Methodist Church Family.
COST? – There is a small pre-registration fee of $5 per student. Adult leaders are free but must register so we can have an accurate count for lunch.

 
Youth 2023
Daytona Beach, Florida | July 25-28, 2023

Every four years, youth from throughout The United Methodist Church have gathered for four days of discipleship, fun, and fellowship at the YOUTH event. The event is filled with interactive learning, worship, Bible study, service opportunities, and fellowship time.

Adult leaders who bring youth to our event can expect inspiration, support, and chances to authentically experience what it means to be part of the Methodist and Wesleyan family.
The United Media Resource Center has moved to a new location!  The United Media Resource has entered into a new partnership with Kumler United Methodist Church in Springfield, Illinois. As part of the transition, Kumler UMC will be housing the resource center and managing the lending library of resources at their Kumler Outreach Ministries location.

The UMRC is supported by and serves United Methodist churches in the Illinois Great Rivers Conference, the Northern Illinois Conference, and the Great Plains Conference. Churches in the Iowa Conference are invited to become yearly members. Other denominational groups may e-mail umrc@igrc.org for information on obtaining a UMRC membership for their member churches by becoming a UMRC supporter.

No rental fees! Resources are mailed to IGRC, NIC, and GPC churches at no cost. Borrower pays to return items (or you can drop off items when the building is open). Borrower is responsible for replacement costs of damaged or lost resources.

Phone: 217-523-2269      Email: umrc@igrc.org
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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