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The Current Week in Review
July 2, 2021
Bishop Beard to have eye surgery July 28,
gives update on health issues

Thanks to everyone for the texts, emails, cards, notes, and other acts of kindness.

You are all an inspiration and a blessing during this time of challenge.

We received the news from our follow up appointment at Mayo Clinic that neither of the initial surgeries were successful. The pressure in both eyes remains at unacceptable levels. My sight is continuing to decrease.

I will be having eye surgery on July 28th for my left eye. The recovery time is 8-10 weeks.

There will be an additional surgery on my right eye when the left eye has had an opportunity to recover.

Thanks again for all of the prayers and support. The Lord has great plans and I can hardly wait to SEE what’s going to happen.

God bless
Bishop Beard
College of Bishops announce special session of jurisdictional conference Nov. 11-13

The North Central College of Bishops announced Thursday a special session of Jurisdictional Conference will be held Nov. 11-13 in Fort Wayne, Ind.

A special session will not allow for the election of new episcopal leadership; however, the call of the special session includes the following as its agenda:
  • To worship and pray together;
  • To hold a memorial service remembering those bishops and bishops’ spouses who have died since our last session of the jurisdictional conference;
  • To celebrate the retirements of Bishop Bruce Ough and Bishop Sally Dyck;
  • To receive an episcopal address;
  • To receive reports on work being done in our jurisdiction and annual conferences on dismantling racism and to consider how we might further this essential work in our jurisdiction and its annual conferences;
  • To utilize the processes being developed by the Connectional Table and other denominational leaders, including jurisdictional leaders, to discuss the future of The United Methodist Church, such discussion could include the development of a covenant for living together as The United Methodist Church in the coming months, regionalization in the future of The United Methodist Church, the future of jurisdictions in The United Methodist Church, and the future work of the North Central Jurisdiction;
  • To receive reports from the NCJ Committee on the Episcopacy, the NCJ Episcopal Leadership Task Force and other appropriate persons on the future shape of episcopal leadership including episcopal areas, and to engage in a conversation about the future deployment of bishops and the role of bishops in The United Methodist Church.

Delegates elected by the 2019 Annual Conference will serve as IGRC delegates to the specially-called session.
Time to order your Journal-Yearbook

Now that the 2021 Annual Conference is over, it is time for lay and clergy members of the Annual Conference to order their Journal-Yearbook.

Lay Members to Annual Conference and Clergy Members are entitled to receive one free copy of the Journal-Yearbook. Extra copies may be purchased at a cost of $12 for a printed journal or $4 for a CD that can is searchable on the computer. Upon publication, the Journal-Yearbook is also posted on the Conference website.

By default, persons receive a CD as their free choice. However, you may request that your free copy by clicking the link below and completing the order form.

Persons wishing additional copies may also place their orders and may either pay for them by credit card upon submitting their order or mail a check, payable to IGRC to: Journal Committee, P. O. Box 19207, Springfield, IL 62794-9207.

Please understand that if you DO NOT place an order by July 15, you will receive a free copy of the Journal Yearbook in CD form rather than in printed form, unless you have opted out of receiving the Journal in the past in which case you will receive neither.
September appeal for Our Conference, Our Kids in honor of Bishop Beard's fifth anniversary

Sept. 1 marks the fifth anniversary of Bishop Frank Beard's tenure as Bishop of the Illinois Area and the Committee on Episcopacy and Our Conference Our Kids Steering Team are collaborating to underscore our appreciation for Bishop Beard’s leadership.

Please join us in celebrating his ministry by engaging in prayer and by collecting a special offering in September from Sunday, Sept. 5 to Sept. 26.

Additional resources will be made available for churches to use during September.
UMCOR awards grant to Florida Conference to support Surfside community survivors, families

UMCOR has joined with The Florida Conference of The United Methodist Church in praying for the Surfside community in Miami following the devastating condo collapse.

UMCOR has awarded a grant to bolster the conference’s disaster relief efforts as they support survivors and families.

Persons wishing to give to this relief effort can give to Advance 901670 and designate "Surfside Florida Disaster Response." You may place your offering Sunday at your local church which will be sent on when the church remits its apportionment payments or you may give online at the button below.
Classifieds
Coordinator of Camping and Retreat Ministries

The Illinois Great Rivers Conference of The United Methodist Church is looking for a creative and confident leader to join our team as the Coordinator of Camping and Retreat Ministries. This person will provide senior-level leadership to multi-site camping ministries programs, oversee program and management site staff, manage a significant budget area, lead marketing and promotion of camps, and provide visionary leadership for camping and retreat ministries as they align with The United Methodist Church’s mission of making disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world. This person will live on-site at the beautiful East Bay Camp on Lake Bloomington in Hudson Illinois.
United Methodist Center Contact Information
USPS (U.S. Postal Service)
P.O. Box 19207, Springfield, IL 62794-9207
Office Phone: 217-529-2040
UPS and FedEx deliveries only use the street address:
United Methodist Center
5900 S. 2nd Street
Springfield, IL 62711
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