IGRC Events-full
September 27, 2021
Join representatives of the General Board of Church and Society on Zoom as they discuss their work and presence on Capitol Hill at 2 p.m. Central time.

Click on the graphic above to register.
September-October
29-1
Wednesday-Friday
Leadership Institute 2021

The Church of the Resurrection in Leawood, Kan., is hosting its Leadership Institute and there are both in-person and online options.

Price of the in-person registration is $299 with registration limited to the first 500 registrants. Persons may also opt for an online experience for $99..

Persons may also organize watch parties for 10 or more registrants at the cost of $649.

For a complete listing of speakers and to register, visit the Leadership Institute 2021 website by clicking the button below.
Church World Service is hosting a call for clergy and judicatory/regional/conference leaders to hear how faith communities can partner with CWS to welcome our Afghan allies and friends. This call will provide a programmatic update on CWS's Afghan Assistance and Placement Program as well as an advocacy update on CWS's Advocacy Team. Attendees will also hear from CWS's Faith Community Organizing Team and CWS's Director of Community Sponsorship and Engagement about how congregations can get involved in welcoming Afghans to their communities.

Attendees will leave this session with action items and resources to equip your congregation as you engage in welcoming Afghans to your community.

Register for the call by clicking the graphic above
September-October
30-2
Thursday-Saturday
Resilience: Healing Practices for Mind, Body and Spirit

You’re invited to join The Upper Room as we create space to listen together as we find our way. Our virtual event will include storytelling, time for personal reflection and conversation, guided spiritual practice, and worship. This gathering offers time for centering and interaction, a fresh array of spiritual practices to help with healing from trauma, and an introduction to spiritual tools you can use in your own healing journey or the healing journey through which you lead others. 

Speakers and workshop leaders include Rev. Sidwell Mokgothu, Rev. Trevor Hudson, Rev. Dr. Amy Steele, Rev. Dr. Ron Bell, Rev. Kimberly Orr, Kara Lassen Oliver, Rev. Beth A. Richardson, and Dianne Harper. 

Join virtually Sept. 30–Oct. 2, for RESILIENCE: Healing Practices for Mind, Body, & Spirit. All sessions will be recorded and available to registrants after the event. 

To read more and register, click the graphic above.
Native American Ministries fall events
The Committees on Native American Ministries for the Baltimore-Washington and Peninsula-Delaware conferences are hosting several events this fall.
 

The second in a five series webinar will explore: “Stealing the Earth: “Whose Land? The Doctrinal Legitimization and Theft of the People’s Land" on Oct. 13 at noon Central time Register for the Zoom webinar.
October
7
Thursday
Preaching When You Don't Feel Like It

Preachers love opening up the Word of God for the People of God. Yet, there are times it takes everything in us to get to church for worship; when life and the world seem like they might fall apart right around us. Through a year of division and heartbreak and online everything, God still has something to say through us, even when we don’t feel like it.
Join Bishop Gregory Palmer and Dr. Valarie Bridgeman Oct. 7 from 9:30 to 11 a.m. for the upcoming Multiply Mini: Preaching When You Don't Feel Like it. Click below for more information.

Multiply Minis are interactive, relevant, and timely trainings for ministry leaders and churches to multiply your impact. Minis are free for West Ohio and IGRC clergy and laity.
October
12
Tuesday
I Don't Like Them, I Need to Get to Know Them Better

The second Multiply Mini for October, I Don't Like Them, I Need to Get to Know Them Better, explores the isolations and tribalism that have been a part of society during the pandemic.

Join us on October 12 as Sam Rodriguez and Rev. April Casperson lead us in this Multiply Mini called I Don't Like Them, I Need to Get to Know Them Better from 9:30 to 11 a.m. We will learn what it looks like to be neighbors to all people, even those who are different from us.

Multiply Minis are interactive, relevant, and timely trainings for ministry leaders and churches to multiply your impact. Minis are free for West Ohio and IGRC clergy and laity.
October
12
Tuesday
The Dangerous Truth about Today's Marijuana

Illinois Chruch Action on Alcohol and Addiction Problems will sponsor a free video presentation from 11 a.m. to noon on Oct. 12.

Laura Stack, a Hall of Fame speaker, best-selling author and founder of Johnny's Ambassadors, will speak. In November 2019, Laura suddenly acquired the undesired wisdom of knowing what it's like to lose a child when her son, Johnny committeed suicide after suffering from delusions triggered from marijuana-induced psychosis.

The presentation will educate parents and teens about the dangers of today's high-THC marijuana on adolescent brain development, mental illness and suicide.
October
14
Thursday
Courage, Creativity and
the Power of Change

Bishop Palmer’s Leadership Clinic continues on Thursday, Oct. 14 with Beth Comstock. 

The clinic will begin at 9 a.m. Central Time. Following her presentation, Bishop Palmer will interview Beth and take questions from the virtual audience.

You can register for this live webcast by clicking the button below. We hope you can take advantage of these clinics and tap into these influential resources who each offer a unique perspective.

Remember: IGRC pastors and laity will get the same pricing as West Ohio's price tier.

In order to register, you will need to set up an account on the West Ohio Conference website. Just follow the link, set up your account and make your selections.


Comstock is known as GE’s Czar of Innovation, a bestselling author, corporate director/advisor, and nature conservationist. She built a career as storyteller, marketer and innovation champion, as GE's first female Vice Chair, as well as Chief Marketing and Commercial Officer. She was President of Integrated Media at NBC Universal as part of her journey through media, which included roles at NBC, CBS and Turner Broadcasting. Beth is currently a director at Nike and EVgo, a Trustee at National Geographic Society, and a partner in Climate Real Impact Solutions. Beth is considered one of "The World's 100 Most Powerful Women” by Forbes magazine, a top ten most influential leader in the US, and a top 20 most influential communicator in the US. Beth’s book Imagine It Forward: Courage, Creativity, and the Power of Change has become a great resource for organizations looking to innovate and change. Beth is a graduate of The College of William and Mary.
October
16
Saturday
Cunningham Be a Hero 5K

You can be a hero in the eyes of Cunningham kids! Join us Saturday, Oct. 16 for Cunningham Children’s Home "Be a Hero 5K."

Whether you move like “The Flash” or at “Hulk” speed, the "Be a Hero 5K" is open to runners and walkers of all skill levels.

All funds raised through the event will help to meet the critical needs of the 777 youth, adults and families served by Cunningham. More information about how our programs help youth and families to heal, learn and grow, can be found at cunninghamhome.org.
October
23
Saturday
Fall Rally with Harvest

Harvest Ministry Team is re-launching its conferences that have been on hold due to the pandemic with a Fall Rally for grades 6 to 12 on Saturday, Oct. 23, from 9 a.m. to 3:45 p.m. at Troy UMC.

The event will focus on Jesus through worship, preaching, seminars, and fun! The $25 registration fee includes refreshments, Chick-Fil-A lunch, all sessions and a free t-shirt (for those registered by Oct. 6).

Contact Tim Price if you have questions.
November
9
Tuesday
Leadership Clinic with Jemar Tisby

Bishop Palmer’s Leadership Clinic's final installment will be Tuesday, Nov. 9 with best-selling author Jemar Tisby.continues

The clinic will begin at 9 a.m. Central Time with a presntation by Tisby followed by Bishop Palmer interviewing his guest and taking questions from the virtual audience.

You can register for this live webcast by clicking the button below. We hope you can take advantage of these clinics and tap into these influential resources who each offer a unique perspective.

Remember: IGRC pastors and laity will get the same pricing as West Ohio's price tier.

In order to register, you will need to set up an account on the West Ohio Conference website. Just follow the link, set up your account and make your selections.

Tisby is a New York Times best-selling author, the Deputy Director of Narrative and Advocacy at the Center for Antiracist Research at Boston University, and the founder of The Witness, Inc. His bestselling books, The Color of Compromise: The Truth about the Church's Complicity in Racism and latest work How to Fight Racism have been used as resources by churches and organizations around the globe. Jemar has been a co-host of the Pass The Mic podcast since its inception seven years ago.

His writing has been featured in The Washington Post, The Atlantic, and The New York Times, among others. He is a frequent commentator on media/news outlets. He speaks nationwide on the topics of racial justice, U.S. history and Christianity. Jemar has a degree from the University of Notre Dame and is currently finishing his PhD in History this year at the University of Mississippi where he studies race, religion, and social movements in the 20th century.
Mediation Skills Training Institute

Registration is now open for Mediation Skills Training Institute for Church Leaders, to be held on Oct.11-15 and Nov. 15-19, sponsored by the Lombard Mennonite Peace Center.

The two identical sessions will be held remotely via Zoom. This workshop is designed to help church leaders deal more effectively with interpersonal, congregational, and other forms of group conflict. For details consult this MSTI Brochure

For a complete list of training events being offered by the Lombard Mennonite Peace Center — including our one-day Conflict Transformation Skills and Healthy Congregations — please consult this LMPC 2021 Program CalendarFor online registration go to our website at www.lmpeacecenter.org/all-events. Plan now to take advantage of these outstanding opportunities for spiritual and professional growth!
Online certification classes

The Institute for Discipleship at Southwestern College is here to help in an affordable and convenient way. We offer several certifications based on GBHEM education requirements, as well as other leadership courses. It would be my joy to share these with you. 
 
There are five practical ministry certifications that are starting on Aug.23, which are designed to give laity in the Church affordable and accessible foundations for ministry. Certifications are available in Spiritual Formation, Missions, Rural Ministry, Women’s Ministry, and Christian Care and Counseling.
 
Each certification consists of four online courses, each just $125. Students receive over 20 weeks of high-quality, small-group instruction for a total of $500. The certifications are split evenly between Biblical and theological instruction and practical, on-the-ground skills.
 
A United Methodist emphasis can be added to any certification with one additional course in United Methodist Studies.

Persons seeking UM Professional Certification, particularly as part of a route to ordination, should be aware that these courses are not currently approved by GBHEM for that purpose.
World Communion Sunday resources

On Oct. 3, United Methodists will join Christians around the globe to recognize oneness in Christ and celebrate #WorldCommunionSunday. In The United Methodist Church, donations to this Special Sunday support scholarships to equip U.S. students of color and international students. Resources for the Special Sunday can be obtained by clicking the button below:
Check out the latest list of resources which may be borrowed for the cost of return postage.

Go to: www.igrc.org/umrc to access the online catalog and place your order.

Questions? Comments? Contact Jill Stone at 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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