October 10, 2016
 

The United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR) acted quickly in response to the destruction and death caused by Hurricane Matthew in the Caribbean, notably in Haiti.

The provision of emergency supplies, food, health kits, and other assistance builds on UMCOR's sustained presence in Haiti, work that has continued since the disastrous earthquake in January 2010. More than 500 deaths in Haiti have been attributed to Hurricane Matthew, with the greatest loss and storm damage in the southern region.

Assessment work will continue in the Caribbean and will begin this week as parts of Florida, Georgia and the Carolinas begin digging out from the ravages of Hurricane Matthew.

Visit the UMCOR website to keep updated on the church's response.
Giving to Hurricane Matthew relief 

As reports continue regarding Hurricane Matthew's devastating path, the United Methodist Committee on Relief will be responding. While it is still too soon to know the total damage and where help will most be needed, there are two main ways churches may contribute.
 
For all international response, donations may be sent through Advance #982450  UMCOR INTERNATIONAL DISASTER RESPONSE.
 
For all U.S. disaster response, donations may be sent through Advance #901670 UMCOR U.S. DISASTER RESPONSE.
 
You can also donate online to either of these Advances.

Many people and cities on the eastern seacoast of the U.S. remain in the path of this dangerous storm while others throughout the Caribbean search through debris. Let's remember to pray for all of those experiencing loss and danger. Let's also pray for first responders.
 
If you already want to take a team for post hurricane clean up, repair and rebuild, please understand it is important to WAIT until annual conferences along the damaged areas or UMCOR request volunteer help.  Depending upon the yet to be determined damage, it may take several days before it is safe for home owners to re-enter the areas. Damage assessment and organization for volunteers will not be immediate.

Bunny Wolfe
IGRC Coordinator of Missions and Outreach
Dayspring UMC holding four-day Spirit Fire
in support of Standing Rock


In support of the Sioux Water Protectors of the Standing Rock Reservation who are standing against the Dakota Access Pipeline, Dayspring Native American UMC will hold a four-day Spirit Fire to offer prayers of strength, peace, protection, and reconciliation.

The Spirit Fire will begin today at 6 p.m. and continue until 6 p.m. Oct. 14. This 96-hour fire, which must be tended 24 hours per day, will be open to the public for prayer.

While only men are permitted to be fire keepers for Spirit Fires, women are important in the process as well as they provide the food and encouragement to help the men stay alert and in positive conversations.

It is not common for a Spirit Fire to be open to the public. Even more unusual is the fact that the news media will be invited to cover the event. This is because we want to bring as much positive attention as we can to the protest against the pipeline which is being done to protect the people, the earth, and the cemeteries which hold the remains of ancestors.

The four-day event will culminate with a Gathering of Pipes Ceremony to which area pipe carriers will be invited. Anyone who wishes to pray with the pipe carriers may also attend.

Pipe Carriers for the People, as well as those who have personal pipes, are invited to bring their prayer pipes and share in a corporate time of prayer for peace, reconciliation, protection and strength for the Standing Rock Reservation Water Protectors who stand against the Dakota Access Pipeline.

Each person is invited to pray according to his/her own tradition. Please note that this event will be open to the public and a potluck dinner will be served afterward.

Dayspring NA UMC friends and members are asked to help support the fire keepers and visitors in the prayer vigil by providing food and water for those in attendance. They are also encouraged to visit and give encouragement to those who are remaining awake through the night.

No alcohol is permitted on site, and no photographs may be taken of the Spirit Fire or of the pipe ceremony.
Healthy Congregations workshop Oct. 28-29

The IGRC Cabinet and the conference Conflict Transformation team, in cooperation with the Lombard Mennonite Peace Center, is hosting a Healthy Congregations workshop at Sugar Creek UMC Oct. 28-29.

The Healthy Congregations workshop uses the insights of family systems theory to help church leaders and all members become more effective stewards of their congregation's health. The workshop was developed by Dr. Peter Steinke and is based on the work of Dr. Edwin Friedman, author of Generation to Generation: Family Process in Church and Synagogue.

Friedman noted that in many congregations today negative, reactive forces are allowed to set the agenda for the church. What can be done to prevent anxiety from becoming a toxic force in your congregation? The Healthy Congregations worship is designed to equip leaders to respond to the presence or potential threat of anxiety in a congregational system in ways that prevent destructive conflict and help the church stay focused on its unique mission and purpose.

This workshop will help you...
  • Learn how you as a leader can influence the health of your congregation -- how to detect and avoid unhealthy patterns of living together in community.
  • Learn how to keep anxiety from becoming infectious
  • Gain confidence in responding to challenges and opportunities.
  • Learn how to put limits on invasive behavior, manage reactivity, and overcome sabotage.
  • Discover how leaders can function as the congregation's immune system.
  • Learn to focus on strengths, resources, options and the future.
Register online...
World Communion scholarships prepare doctors for Ganta

Prince Patrick Myers, Catherine Griggs, and Dag Tokpa are three United Methodist World Communion Scholars who are studying for medical degrees with the expectation of returning to work at the church-related Ganta Hospital in Liberia.

World Communion Scholarships are funded by offerings given by local churches on World Communion Sunday, celebrated the first Sunday of October.  These stipends (formerly called Crusade Scholarships) were established in 1944 to promote world peace and understanding. The hope was that students, having completed their study/training program, would return to their home countries to serve their churches and communities.

Up until the present time, the program has supported approximately 4,200 students worldwide. Graduates have included doctors, ambassadors, rural developers, teachers, psychologists, theologians, head of churches, to name a few, and are women and men from among Global Ministries' partners worldwide.

If your church didn't take up a Special Offering for World Communion Sunday, it is possible to take up an offering on any Sunday for this scholarship program.

Read more...
Intern applications for 2017 now being accepted

Applications are now being accepted for the 2017 IGRC Intern Program. Prospective interns, prospective mentors, and prospective host churches/ministries are all encouraged to apply.

This year, a new priority deadline of Jan. 20 has been established. Churches/ministries and interns whose application packets are complete by that date will be considered early, with decisions by the first week of February. Any remaining internships will be awarded following the final deadline on March 1.

A total of approximately 15 paid internships are available for summer 2017 and the 2017-18 academic year. Further information, including a handbook and links to online application forms, may be found at  www.igrc.org/interns.
Training grant applicants sought

The Office of Congregational Development is offering training grants for the remainder of 2016. The grants are being offered to church teams which include non-paid lay people. Grant monies are not limited to United Methodist sponsored workshops. The deadline for the requests is Oct. 15.

Umembudi itinerating Oct. 24-Nov. 7 

Jacques Umembudi, program director of the Wings of Caring Aviation Ministry in the Democratic Republic of the Congo will visit the IGRC Oct. 24-Nov. 7. Umembudi has six sponsoring churches in the IGRC and would be open to additional visits.
 
Contact Mission Secretary Carolyn Yockey by email or by calling 309-452-3936. Itineration calendars have been posted for Umembudi on the IGRC website. Guidelines for hosting are also posted.
Chuck takes a look at Sabbath

Sabbath
Sabbath

Sabbath. What is the meaning of "keeping the Sabbath? Is it merely a day of religious observance and abstinence from work? Chuck helps us to understand this interesting word on this, his 109th episode!

The award-winning Chuck Knows Church, a production of Discipleship Ministries, is an online web series. Use each episode in worship, youth groups, fellowship groups, confirmation classes, worship teams, new member classes and late-night snack viewing!

Follow Chuck on his website: www.ChuckKnowsChurch.com
Sincerely,
Paul Black's signature
Paul E. Black
Illinois Great Rivers Conference
217-529-2848
 
 
Like us on Facebook Follow us on Twitter
 
Illinois Great Rivers Conference
217-529-2040
 
 

Copyright � 2016. All Rights Reserved.