This Week's Current Week in Review

The Current Week in Review

January 7, 2022

Bishop to host Conversation sessions Jan. 19

We are back from the holidays and Bishop Frank J. Beard is on the job. He will be hosting a listening session on Jan. 19 for laity.

Bishop Beard is inviting IGRC laity to attend one of two sessions on Thursday, Jan. 19 -- either at 3 p.m. or at 5:30 p.m.

This will be the first time Bishop Beard will have to visit and listen to laity since returning from his medical leave. There isn't really any set agenda other than a word of encouragement from Bishop Beard and time to answer questions you may have.

We are asking you to register your attendance in order that the link is not published unless you register.

Each session is limited to 500 persons.

IGRC Clergy: separate sessions have been scheduled for you. Please look for the email for the particulars. However, if the date scheduled does not work for you, you are more than welcome to join either of the Jan. 19 sessions.

Covenant Keepers 2022 to be all virtual

The planning committee for Covenant Keepers 2022 announced Thursday that it will switch the Jan. 31-Feb. 1 event to an all-virtual event in light of current COVID trends with the Omicron variant.

For those that have already registered for the in-person option, you can cancel any hotel reservation you may have.

All those who are registered should have received an email today with the Zoom log-in credentials. If you have not received those call-in credentials, contact Paul Black immediately. DO NOT WAIT UNTIL THE DAY OF THE EVENT! There are many responsibilities on those days to ensure the technology runs smoothly that the tech team won't be able to help you the day of the event with missing credentials.

Registration is still underway and any future registrants will receive the credentials in their confirmation email.

Special MLK edition of Bishop Palmer's Leadership Clinics

Bishop Gregory V. Palmer is hosting a special MLK Edition of his Leadership Clinic online on Tuesday, Jan. 11 from 9 to 11 a.m. CST.

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 Divinity School. An ordained Baptist pastor, Dr.

Jennings is recognized as a major figure in theological education across North America.

Registration fee is $10 for all participants and 100% of the proceeds will be 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.

Mandatory sexual ethics training to be online with three options of dates

Registration is still underway for the Quadrennial Ethics and Boundary Training event which will be held virtually on three different times -- Jan. 13, 14 and 15.

Credentials for calling into the Zoom Room have been sent today to all who have registered. Persons who register between now and the event will receive the call-in information in their confirmation email.

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.

Each webinar will begin at 9:00 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.

Human Relations Day offering Jan. 16

On Human Relations Day, we join other UMC congregations in a special offering to support neighborhood ministries through Community Developers, community advocacy through United Methodist Voluntary Services and work with at-risk youth through the Youth Offender Rehabilitation Programs.

In recognizing Human Relations Day, we are called to make an impact in communities where people struggle because they don’t have the tools or resources to reach their God-given potential. Our gifts are part of building beloved community through faith-based volunteer programs, community developers and programs that work with at-risk teens.