News

Barber Scholarship Applicants Sought

Applications are now being accepted for the Barber Scholarship administered by a committee at the Onarga UMC. Applications may be received by contacting the Barber Scholarship Committee at the Onarga UMC either by fax, U.S. Mail or E-mail.  Requests should include complete mailing addresses as applications are sent by U.S. Mail. Applications are due by May 31 with the announcement of recipients being made in July. Scholarships are awarded to persons pursuing Christian service...

East Bay Connection

To learn more about what is happening at East Bay Camp and Retreat click here!...

Griffith appointed Assistant to the Bishop

SPRINGFIELD – Bishop Gregory V. Palmer has announced the appointment of the Rev. Janice L. Griffith as Executive Assistant to the Bishop, effective July 1. Griffith, who is currently in her sixth year as Spoon River District Superintendent, will succeed the Rev. John Hartleroad, Jr., who is retiring after six years of service. Ironically, Griffith succeeded Hartleroad as Spoon River District Superintendent when Hartleroad was appointed Assistant to the Bishop in 2006. Hartleroad served...

What's Involved in Becoming a Prison Ministry Volunteer

Ministry in the prison system in Illinois is one that is not seen as a viable ministry by many people.  You work with men and women who are convicted felons. I worked in the Illinois Department of Corrections for more than 20 years and my chapel programs were enhanced by volunteers.  They provided various types of programs for the inmate populations at John A. Graham Correction Center in Hillsboro and the Vandalia Correctional Center that I served. We had Bible studies, prayer...

Opportunities Abound for Prison Ministry Both Inside and Outside the Facility

I am a United Methodist chaplain with more than 25 years’ experience in the Federal Bureau of Prisons. I was asked the question, “How can a congregation get involved in prison ministry?” My first thought was that they may already be involved and not know it. Prison ministry is much more than going into a facility and teaching a Bible study. Re-entry programs are now looked upon as the most important part of reducing recidivism and crime in the community. If there is...

Briefing previews General Conference issues

Editor’s note:This is look at issues explored at a recent Pre-General Conference News Briefing in Tampa, Fla. A separate story, which will be posted on umc.org, will focus on the proposal to restructure the church.   TAMPA, Fla. (UMNS) — Diverse issues presented at a recent three-day briefing signaled the workload ahead for the lawmaking body of The United Methodist Church, which meets this spring. More than 300 delegates, communicators and others who will be part of the...

At the Roots of Methodism: Wesley fought for Prison Reform

With the prison population in many parts of the world on the increase (the number of people in Britain's jails, for example, is at an all-time high), the church's ministry to prisoners and the prison system has never been more vital. Methodists, of course, should know that the Gospel imperative to visit those in prison was picked up very strongly by John Wesley and the early movement that he started. And he didn't limit his work to visitations, either. The appalling conditions of the prison...

Finding God in Prison

By Sam Hodges and Nick Liao If a society’s approach to punishment reflects its understanding of God, the $68 billion U.S. prison system is a crucible for theology On a clear, brisk Sunday morning in January 2009, Ken Carder and his students arrived by appointment, in separate cars, at the Bureau of Prisons Federal Correctional Institution north of Durham, N.C. The class members, who had met only once before, had not formed a bond. Most of the students had never been inside a jail or...

An Audience for Both Prisoner and President

VANDALIA – Phyllis Rames recalls a 1992 meeting at Vandalia Correctional Center as a life-changing event. As one of several persons representing various churches in the community, Rames met with the chaplain of the facility as speakers talked about getting involved in prison ministry. “I didn’t want to go,” Rames recalled in a feeling reminiscent of John Wesley’s Aldersgate experience. “I reluctantly went and we listened to the speakers and then...

Fasting for Hunger luncheon

A Bread and Water Fast, aimed at focusing attention on the issues of hunger, is being planned by the IGRC Board of Church and Society for this year’s Social Justice meal at the 2012 Annual Conference. The Fasting for Hunger lunch will be held on Thursday noon (June 7) at the Peoria Civic Center.   Kathleen Finkle of HELPS Ministry based in Jacksonville will share information about hunger in the state of Illinois and discuss specific ways for the whole church to help serve local...

COSROW to Sponsor Workshop, Webcast

The IGRC Commission on the Role & Status of Women will present an informational workshop on sexual ethics on Friday, March 9, from 10 a.m. to noon at the United Methodist Center. The workshop will also be webcast from the IGRC website at www.igrc.org/webcast. Participants will be able to email their questions during the webcast to cosrow@igrc.org.   The webcast workshop is entitled,Many Gifts/One Spirit: Relationships for a Fully Inclusive Church; A, B, & C. Topics that will be...

Ethnic Pastors Retreat Rescheduled for March 8

A retreat for ethnic pastors in cross-cultural and cross-racial appointments will be held on Thursday, March 8 at the Conference Center. The event is jointly sponsored by the Bishop's Task Force on Cross-Racial and Cross-Cultural Appointments and the Area Office of Pastoral Care and Counseling. The event brochure can be downloaded from the IGRC website at www.igrc.org/forms/detail/999. Dr. Anne Joh, associate professor of systematic theology at Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary will be...

Haitian education leader to visit IGRC

SPRINGFIELD -- Rev. Edzaire Paul will be in the Illinois Great Rivers Conference the last week of February and the first week of March. He will travel throughout the Conference to tell the story of support received by the Alain Rocourt Endowment Fund because of the generosity of many United Methodist churches and individuals. Listed is a tentative itinerary. Make plans to attend and hear about the life changing ministry that is supported by the generous people of the Illinois Great Rivers...

Henson elected NAUME vice president

Rev. Matt Henson, general evangelist from the IGRC was elected vice president of the National Association of United Methodist Evangelists (NAUME) at its annual meeting Jan. 3-6. Bishop Gregory V. Palmer appointed Henson as a general evangelist July 1. He is available for revivals, retreats, conferences, evangelistic events, trainings, youth events, and mission trip and youth consultation. Henson also leads trips to Haiti where the United Methodist Church continues to work with the Methodist...

Essays sought for Karleen Dude Essay Contest

Young people who have benefited from the involvement of a caring adult who acted as their advocate are invited to participate in the Karleen Dude Child Advocacy Youth Essay Contest. Each year, beginning in 2012, United Voices for Children will present awards to two youth authors who submit winning essays that focus on the theme: “An Adult Who Is My Special Advocate.” An advocate is a person who speaks for children or youth who cannot or may not speak for...

Nominations sought for Mary Renfro Lifetime Achievement Award

Nominations are being sought for the first Mary Renfro Lifetime Achievement Award for work as a child advocate. A child advocate is a person who speaks for children who cannot or may not speak for themselves. Nominees shall be an individual who is a member of a United Methodist Church; actively advocates on behalf of children; serves as a role model for others who care for the well-being of children; and has been involved in child advocacy for 20 or more years.   To nominate a person...

Platform announced for Covenant Keepers 2012

Singer, song writer and worship leader Keith Elder will be leading the worship and the Southern Gospel group, the Wanda Mountain Boys will perform an evening concert for Covenant Keepers 2012, which will be held Feb. 6-7, at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Springfield. Online registration is underway... Child care will be provided free of charge to Covenant Keeper participants... Elder has spoken and performed for more than 30 years in a wide variety of church, conference, and community...

Bishops Endorse 20/20 AIDS-Free Initiative

Bishop Gregory V. Palmer is one of 55 United Methodist bishops that has endorsed the 20/20: Visioning an AIDS-Free World initiative by lending their personal and financial support. This effort by the United Methodist Global AIDS Fund Committee seeks to mobilize the denomination to raise $5 million for HIV and AIDS education, prevention, care, and treatment around the world. Retired Bishop Fritz Mutti, Kansas City, Missouri, notes that “United Methodist episcopal leaders believe that...

Health Miles program announces changes, includes retirees, spouses

For Active and Retired participants in the IGRC Group Health Insurance Plan: Changes are coming to the HealthMiles walking program: Retirees and Spouses who are in the IGRC health insurance plan can now join the program. Go to www.virginhealthmiles.com/igrc to sign up. Hint: choose "Other" for your department. The Preachers' Aid Society and Benefit Fund is paying for retirees' participation. For all members - the Rewards system is changing. It will be goal-based instead of total...

IRS keeps mileage rates the same for 2012

WASHINGTON — The Internal Revenue Service issued the 2012 optional standard mileage rates used to calculate the deductible costs of operating an automobile for business, charitable, medical or moving purposes Dec. 9. Beginning on Jan. 1, 2012, the standard mileage rates for the use of a car (also vans, pickups or panel trucks) will be: 55.5 cents per mile for business miles driven 23 cents per mile driven for medical or moving purposes 14 cents per mile driven in service...