This Week's Current Week in Review

The Current Week in Review

March 12, 2021

Singing restrictions relaxed

Bishop Frank J. Beard and the Cabinet of the Illinois Great Rivers Conference announced Thursday a relaxation on singing during in-person worship due to the latest metrics as well as a growing number of persons being vaccinated.

Singing is permitted but mask wearing and social distancing increases to 10 feet of distance between households. In addition, pastors and musicians on the platform must be a minimum of 25 feet from the congregation, be masked and/or behind a plexiglas shield.

The Pressing On document has been revised to include these new guidelines as well as guidelines for fully vaccinated people. These changes were made following an announcement from the Centers for Disease Control, providing the first guidance on persons who have received their full regimen of vaccines.

DOWNLOAD UPDATED PRESSING ON DOCUMENT

Churches increase access to Covid-19 vaccines

Each weekday since the year started, older adults have poured into a United Methodist church in southern Indiana.

They don’t have to wear their Sunday best, but they all have to roll up a sleeve.

Community United Methodist Church in Vincennes, Indiana, is working with its county health department to distribute the COVID-19 vaccine. The church has moved its food pantry and Alcoholics Anonymous meetings so its recreational center can serve as a daily clinic.

“Anything we can do to help the community to get through the COVID and help relieve some of the stress and the worry, that’s what we want to do,” said the Rev. Darren Williams, the church’s pastor. “Everybody at the church is all for it and very excited to help.”

Leaders with imperfect knowledge

Leaders today are faced with the challenge of deciding how to move forward with imperfect knowledge.

Lewis Center Director Frederick Douglas Powe Jr. says leaders must risk action when they have enough knowledge to head in the right direction. He outlines decision-making principles for situations when gathering all the data isn’t a realistic option.

Clergy: get smart about your taxes

Clergy face some unique challenges when it comes to things like Social Security payments, estimated tax payments, housing allowances or exclusions, and reimbursed expenses. There are questions you may have about implications of the pandemic on your 2020 tax situation. Your corner tax preparer may not understand the unique situation of clergy and finding a preparer who does can save you substantially in money and aggravation. Join us as the Rev. Don Joiner, a certified financial planner, helps us navigate the preparation of taxes and planning for a sound financial future.

VIEW THE WEBINAR AND DOWNLOAD RESOURCES

Conference Prayer Team seeking devotions

Laity and Clergy:

The IGRC Prayer Team is in need of devotions to be publish as part of this weekly devotional. If you will, write a short devotion and email it to: Aletha Weatherall at aletha.warner@att.net

Thank you in advance.

The IGRC Prayer Team

Click on the graphic above to learn more

Click on the graphic for more information

UMCOR Sunday

March 14

UMCOR Sunday (formerly the One Great Hour of Sharing) can be observed any Sunday, although the official observance is the Fourth Sunday of Lent (March 14 in 2021).

Resources to assist your congregation's promotion of this Special Sunday offering is now available.

A pastor's and leader's kit can be ordered as well as resources for the congregation in English, Spanish and Korean.

Click the button below to order what you need free of charge.

Native American Ministries Sunday

April 18

Native American Ministries Sunday can be observed on any Sunday, although the official observance is the second Sunday after Easter (April 18 in 2021).

This offering helps to develop and strengthen Native American ministries in the Annual Conferences, Native American rural, urban, reservation ministries and communities relating to the General Board of Global Ministries. It also provides scholarships for Native Americans attending United Methodist schools of theology. This fund is distributed by the General Board of Higher Education and Ministries and The General Board of Global Ministries.

Resources to assist your congregation's promotion of this Special Sunday offering is now available.

A pastor's and leader's kit can be ordered as well as resources for the congregation in English, Spanish and Korean.

Click the button below to order what you need free of charge.

Visit our website

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