This Week's IGRC Events-full

IGRC Events-full

December 6, 2021

Equalization list released for additional lay members to 2022 Annual Conference

Annual Conference Secretary Ethan Carnes has announced that 198 congregations will have an additional lay member to annual conference to equalize the number of clergy and laity members for the 2022 Annual Conference session.

Churches which paid 100 percent of their apportionments in the previous year (in this case, 2020) are to be granted one "equalization member.” Eligibility will be granted to the 198 largest churches according to membership who have paid 100 percent of their 2020 apportionments. Equalization members are elected to serve to the end of the quadrennium if the congregation continues to pay 100 percent of its apportionments.

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

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.

This quadrennial training (5.5-hour webinar) will be offered via Zoom on the following dates. Register now for ONE of these three dates. Though identical in content, each training will be hosted live with Dr. Olson leading each one and engaging the unique questions which arise during each session.

Dates: Thursday, Jan.13

Friday, Jan.14

Saturday, Jan. 15

Each webinar will begin at 9 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.

January

Tuesday

Special MLK Leadership Clinic

Bishop Palmer’s is inviting you to participate in a special MLK edition of his Leadership Clinics on Jan. 11 2022, from 9 to 11 a.m. CST.

Dr. Willie Jennings. a classmate of Bishop Palmer's and a theological mentor to many, will be the guest speaker. 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 Theological Seminary. An ordained Baptist pastor, Dr. Jennings is recognized as a major figure in theological education across North America. I hope you will join us for this timely and relevant virtual training opportunity with Dr. Jennings.

A special price of $10 is available for all participants with 100% of the proceeds being 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.

Luminaries of Hope and Live Nativity

Cunningham Children’s Home will host a special holiday drive thru event: Luminaries of Hope and Live Nativity, December 11 and 18 from 6 to 8 p.m.

Along with a live nativity, Cunningham’s campus, located at 1301 N. Cunningham Avenue in Urbana, will be lit up with 794 Luminaries of Hope, representing each of the youth, adults and families the agency served this year through its residential, educational and community-based services.

For $10, the public can purchase a luminary, in honor or memory of someone special, to be included along the drive. For a suggested donation of $5, the community is invited to drive through our campus and enjoy this special event.

When guests arrive, they will receive a program featuring the names of all who have purchased luminaries of hope and the names for whom they are honoring or memorializing. Proceeds will support the programs at Cunningham.

Click on the graphics below to learn more

Applications sought for 2022, 2022-23 interns

Applications are now being accepted for the 2022 and 2022-23 IGRC Intern Program.

Prospective interns, mentors, and host churches/ministries are all welcome to apply. The priority deadline for early consideration is January 18, 2022. The final application deadline is March 1, 2022. Further information and application links may be found at www.igrc.org/interns.

Questions may be directed to Beth Fender at bfender@igrc.org.