illinois great rivers conference logo
IGRC Events-full
February 14, 2023
2023 Annual Conference information released

Information on the regular session of the 2023 Annual Conference was released this week with a letter from Annual Conference Secretary Ethan Carnes.

The regular session will be an in-person event June 8-10 at the Peoria Civic Center. Two special sessions -- one on May 6 and the other on Dec. 2 -- will be held virtually to solely consider disaffiliation agreements negotiated between the Conference and the departing churches.

Registration for the June session will open April 3. Registration for the May special session is already open, and persons will need to register in order to receive credentials for the online meeting.
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.
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 those remaining conference sessions:
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
Mission 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!
Disaster Response Training
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 Youth Rally --Saturday, March 18
Macomb Wesley UMC 
10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
$10 per person. 

Iroquois / Embarras Youth Rally -- Sunday, April 30
Mattoon First UMC
2 to 5 p.m.
$5 per person
COST? – There is a small pre-registration fee of Five Dollars ($5.00) per person. 

Illinois / Vermilion Youth Rally
Morton UMC
4 to 7 p.m.
$5 per person

 
Bishops Confirmation Rally -- March 25
Springfield First UMC
10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
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.


Crash Course on Youth Ministry
 
A crash course condenses lots of practical material so that you can understand that material quickly. A crash course is not where we strap you behind the wheel of a youth ministry bus, point you downhill toward the goal of inspiring youth to live Christ-like lives, and say, “Hope you don’t crash!” as you hit every bump in the road on your way to making disciples.
 
Trainings will be held via video call online on the second Thursdays of the month at 3:30 pm.
Trips/Retreats - Thursday March 9th 3:30 pm
Self-Care Sabbath - Thursday April 13th 3:30 pm
Keeping Volunteers - Thursday May 11th 3:30 pm
Administration - Thursday July 13th 3:30 pm
Discipleship - Thursday August 10th 3:30 pm
Fundraising - Thursday September 14th 3:30 pm
 Digital Youth Ministry - Thursday October 12th 3:30 pm
 UM Heritage Beliefs - Thursday November 9th 3:30 pm
 Speaking Adolescent - Thursday December 14th 3:30 pm
 
Youth 2023
Daytona Beach, Florida | July 25-28

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
About      Bishop Beard       News       Get Involved       Our Conference, Our Kids
Connect With Us