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IGRC Events-full
March 16, 2026
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Festival of Quilts April 10-11 at Cunningham Home
The 22nd Annual Festival of Quilts will be April 10-11 at Cunningham Children's Home.
The festival hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. April 10 and 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. April 11. A suggested donation of $10 per person is requested. No reservation is required. Youth age 12 and under are free with a purchased adult ticket.
The Festival includes:
- A quilt show with hand and machine quilted pieces including contemporary designs as well as antique quilts on loan for display and admiration
- A quilt sale featuring beautiful traditional and contemporary quilts and wall hangings
- Centerpieces and Such with unique and decorative items our supporters have decorated, enhanced and “made their own” available for purchase
- A gift shop packed with generously donated handcrafted items
- A bake sale with delicious homemade goodies and treats
- Campus tours of our Urbana campus to learn more about Cunningham's mission and ministry
Read more at: https://cunningham.org/get-involved/events/festival-of-quilts
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EIU Wesley Foundation wants you to 'Share the Love' for campus ministries
EIU Wesley Foundation invites you to "Share The Love" for campus ministries! We want to know why YOU love campus ministry, college religious life groups, and all ministries for young adults. Share your story about campus ministry (as a college student, a parent of a college student, a pastor, a church member, a board member, etc.) with us, and we will share it on our social media and give a shout-out to whatever ministry you tell us about. Sharing your story helps support EIU Wesley Foundation and helps all of us celebrate the life-changing work of ministries for young adults!
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Nominations sought for #BeUMC Awards
The IGRC Commission on Communications, in cooperation with the Illinois Great Rivers Conference and United Methodist Communications, is accepting nominations for the first #BeUMC Awards which will be presented at the 2026 Annual Conference.
The presentation will be part of Friday morning's Celebration of Ministry service.
The #BeUMC Award honors one church, one layperson, and one clergy member each year who exemplify the spirit and mission of the United Methodist Church: to make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world. Nominees of this award should also reflect our shared UMC vision - to love boldly, serve joyfully, and lead courageously.
ALL Award nominations must be submitted no later than March 31.
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Choir members for BMCR Good Friday Service sought
The IGRC Chapter of Black Methodists for Church Renewal is currently recruiting choir members and musicians who would be willing to be a part of a special gospel choir or provide music for the annual Good Friday service, which will be recorded at Springfield Grace at 1 p.m. on Friday, March 27.
The service will then be released for playback at 9 a.m. April 3.
Interested parties are asked to contact Rev. Cary Beckwith by email or by calling (314) 302-6131.
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2026 Annual Conference information
Annual Conference Secretary, the Rev. Dr. Camilla Hempstead has sent out her letter regarding the 2026 Annual Conference, which will be held June 4-6 at the Peoria Civic Center.
Due to a scheduling conflict at the Civic Center, a separate, stand-alone Clergy Session has been announced for Thursday, May 21, at Charleston Wesley UMC. Clergy will need to register for BOTH the Clergy Session and the plenary session at the Civic Center. Registration will be open from April 1 to May 15. Participants will have the option of joining both the Clergy Session and Plenary Sessions online or in-person.
A list of hotels in Peoria are posted on the IGRC website along with requests display space (deadline: April 1).
You can access information on the 2026 Annual Conference from the IGRC Homepage. The link is located in the right-hand section listed beneath the Featured Links or the direct address is: https://www.igrc.org/ac2026.
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Final webinar on Lead Courageously
The Council of Bishops is inviting all United Methodists to join in a series of webinars to prepare for this October’s Leadership Gathering. The purpose of the Leadership Gathering is to help The United Methodist Church prayerfully discern its next chapter after a season of upheaval.
The third and final session, “Lead Courageously,” will be from 9 to 10:30 a.m. Central time on Saturday, March 21. The session will discuss the Wesleyan understanding of what it means to be “church,” the unique Methodist structure known as “connectionalism,” shared leadership and reimagining church life.
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Two additional service opportunities for clergy
The co-chairs for each of the Orders (Deacons, Elders and Fellowship of Licensed Local Pastors and Associate Members) continue to work together to provide times for all clergy and CLM’s to come together for missional service, growth, fellowship, and fun.
On Thursday, May 7, two opportunities have been organized to serve Christ side by side at different ends of the Conference. Spero Family Services (2023 East Richview Road, Mt. Vernon, IL) will welcome a team to help them with two different projects: planting flowers and spreading mulch or helping at the daycare center during their craft and reading times. Our time at Spero will run from 9:00 – Noon. Lunch will be provided.
Also on Thursday, May 7, Chaddock Children’s Home in Quincy (205 South 24th Street) will open their doors for a team to help them at their location. Weather allowing, the team will work outside preparing the grounds for summer. If the weather interferes with that plan, the team will work in one of the cottages. If serving at Chaddock, please plan to arrive at 10 a.m. and conclude the day at 3 p.m. If you can only come for a part of the day, please feel free to join anyway! The staff at Chaddock will also be providing lunch.
Register for either of these service opportunities by April 16 so that each agency can be provided with the number of people who will be in attendance.
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Bishops' 2026 Confirmation Rally
Bishop David Bard is inviting confirmands and their adult leaders to a Confirmation Rally March 21 at Rochester UMC. Registration deadline is March 16.
"One of the great privileges of serving as your bishop is witnessing young people say 'yes' to following Jesus," Bishop Bard said. "Confirmation represents that pivotal moment when they claim their baptismal faith as their own. While each congregation celebrates this milestone beautifully, there's something powerful about gathering our confirmands from across the conference together."
The rally is scheduled for 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. During that time, Bishop Bard will share a message with the confirmands as well as communion. The day will include worship, ministry presentations, fellowship, and time to discover confirmands are not alone in their decision to follow Christ. They'll see that their commitment connects them to a vibrant community of believers.
In an increasingly fragmented world, our youth need to experience the wider church to understand they belong to something greater. This rally helps them see the energy and joy of being part of our United Methodist connection
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Stephen Ministries offering celebration, learning event
Two Midwest congregations will be hosting regional, cross-denominational celebration and learning events by Stephen Ministries, the international Christian educational nonprofit best known for the Stephen Ministry system of lay caregiving.
The first, was hosted by Anderson Hills Church in Cincinnati, was held March 7. The second, hosted by Avon United Methodist Church in Indianapolis, will be held on April 11.
These events, part of Stephen Ministries’ 50th anniversary tour, are open to the general public and feature presentations on topics such as grief, what Jesus teaches us about empathy, caring for full-time caregivers, expanding congregational care through Stephen Ministry, and how churches can help combat the mental health crisis.
Stephen Ministries’ founder, Dr. Kenneth C. Haugk, and other members of the organization’s teaching faculty will be speaking at the events.
Stephen Ministries was founded in 1975 by Haugk, a pastor and clinical psychologist. Over the half-century since, the organization’s resources have been used by tens of thousands of congregations worldwide, representing over 190 Christian denominations. Through Stephen Ministry in particular, more than 600,000 people have been trained as lay caregivers, and they in turn have provided care to millions of hurting people.
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Church Survival Guide for a Cybersecurity Journey
March 18, 1 p.m., Central time
This second session in our Cybersecurity Training series is designed for pastors, staff, and key volunteers who want clear, approachable guidance to help protect their congregation, finances, and mission in an increasingly digital world.
What you’ll gain from this training:
- A practical, ministry-appropriate way to think about cybersecurity as faithful stewardship
- Guidance on recognizing and responding to common threats like phishing and pastor-impersonation scams
- Simple steps to strengthen passwords, accounts, devices, and online giving systems
- A framework for preparing an incident response plan—before a crisis happens
- Actionable next steps your church can begin using right away
| | Click on the above graphic for more infromatiion and to register for Advocacy Day in Springfield | | |
Endorsement 101 with the UMEA Director
What is endorsement? What does endorsement mean? How can persons that are called into ministry (but not local church ministries) still serve in ministry through The United Methodist Church?
These questions will be addressed and answered in a webinar with the United Methodist Endorsing Agency Director, the Rev. Dr. Kent Lundy, on Thursday, April 23, from 3 to 4 p.m. Central Time. Endorsement is available to licensed local pastors, deacons (provisional and full members) and elders (provisional the full members). The session will also discuss the growing demand for chaplains.
Registration is required in order to receive log-in credentials for this webinar.
Reach out to Rev. Dr. Kent A. Lundy, UMEA Director with questions at klundy@gbhem.org
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Church Hacks for Church Leaders
Encouraging Keynotes from:
Dennis Miller, Senior Pastor, Ginghamsburg Church
Dennis Miller serves as Chief Dreamer and Senion Pastor of Ginghamsburg United Methodist Church. Prior to his appointment in 2022, he served as Foothills District Superintendent for the West Ohio Conference, overseeing 170 local congregations. He holds degrees from Asbury University, Asbury Theological Seminary and United Theological Seminary, and is the uathor of Happy Trails and The Athenian Method.
Adam Hamilton, Lead Pastor, Church of the Resurrection
Adam Hamilton is the founding pastor of the United Methodist Church of the Resurrection, launched in 1990 and grown under his leadership into one of the largest United Methodist congregations in the United States. He is a widely-read author (35+ books) and is known for helping people make sense of Christian faith and scripture while emphasizing outward-focused, bridge-building ministry.
Debi Nixon, Congregational Development/Donor Development Leader,
Church of the Resurrection
Debi Nixon serves in a senior generosity and donor-relations role connected to the Resurrection Foundation and has held a range of leadership roles at Church of the Resurrection (children's ministry, discipleship, missions, leadership development, multi-site oversight and capital campaigns). She is also a speaker on radical hospitality and its role in disciple-making churches.
Jason Moore, Expert, A.I. and the Church
Jason Moore brings more than two decades of experience designing and training churches in communications, guest readiness, creative worship, and hybrid ministry. He has led widely-used trainings and webinars across The United Methodist Church, seminaries, ecumenical networks and is the author of multiple books including AI and the Church: A Clear Guide for the Curious and Courageous.
Gain field-tested insights from experienced church staff non-profit agency leaders. Learn new strategies for mission, discipleship, community engagement and personal renewal. Dialogue freely about how the Church can solve the world's biggest problems. Experience the hospitality of Ginghamsburg Church, located in Tipp City, Ohio, north of Dayton, along I-75.
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Iowa hosts Academy
Oct. 18-23
The Iowa Conference is inviting neighboring conference clergy and laypersons to a Five-Day Academy for Spriitual Formation Oct. 18-23, at Wesley Woods Camp & Retreat Center in Indianola, Iowa.
The Five-Day Academy offers an intentional pause—five days to rest into God, listen deeply, and recover holy rhythms with companions on the journey in a monastic-patterned retreat of worship, teaching, silence, and community practices.
Each day follows a gracious cadence: morning, afternoon, and evening worship; faculty presentations; periods of silence; Listening Circles; shared meals; and the overnight Great Silence, with ample free time for rest, hiking, conversation, and reading.
Faculty for this Academy is Rev. Dr. Elaine A. Heath, author, retreat leader, and abbess of the Farmastery at Spring Forest, and Rev. Jerry Haas, a longtime leader in the Academy movement and minister of spiritual formation and social justice.
The Academy has formed thousands of pilgrims since 1983, blending academic formation with experiential practices that shape both inner life and outward witness. 3.0 Continuing Education Units (CEUs) from the General Board of Discipleship are available; a $15 fee will be collected at the event for those who wish to claim CEUs.
Registration includes a $100 non-refundable deposit, with an additional $300 due June 15, and the remaining balance due Sept. 15. Tiered pricing makes early commitment affordable: cember 31, 2025), early-bird $695 (by March 31, 2026), and regular $795 (April 1–September 15, 2026). For those who prefer a simpler setting, rustic cabins (no running water; shower house ~20 yards away) are available at a $150 discount from the registration fee.
After registering, participants will be invited to share worship gifts, note any dietary needs, and receive a suggested pre-event reading from the faculty. October weather in Indianola can range from warm afternoons to chilly evenings; plan for layers when walking between cabins and worship spaces on the wooded, prairie-ringed grounds of Wesley Woods.
For more information, contact Jerry Oakland at academy4sf.iowa@gmail.com or 712-730-0049,
| | Registration is now open! | | |
Youth Rally slated for June 14
at WIU Wesley Foundation
SUNDAY, June 14th, 4 to 7 p.m.
Registration Deadline is June 11
Who: All students in middle school and high school
What: A day of connection, fellowship, worship, and service through meal packing
Where: WIU Wesley Foundation, Macomb
Why: To celebrate and share in our common connection with one another in Jesus Christ and our United Methodist Church family.
Cost: There is a small pre-registration fee of $15 per person.
Schedule:
· Check-in 4 p.m.
· Rice Meal Packing 4 to 5 p.m.
· Dinner 5:30 to 6 p.m.
· Worship 6 to 7 p.m.
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Bishops hosting Wesley Heritage Tour Nov. 11-19
Bishop Kennetha J. Bigham-Tsai and David Bard, along with newly-ordained pastors in the IGRC, Iowa and Michigan conferences are inviting persons to join them on a Wesley Heritage Tour Nov. 11-19.
The Heritage Tour takes one where it all began with an exploration of sites important in the lives of the Wesleys and of the people called Methodists.
All-inclusive packages start at $4,498 from Chicago, $4,598 from St. Louis and and $4,698 from Indianapolis.
To register, visit: www.EO.travel/mytrip Enter HE26 as the Tour number, Enter 111126 as date; Code G and ID of 61729.
For more information, contact Kristin Franklin, kfranklin@igrc.org or Rev. Dr. Charliam Renner, crenner@igrc.org
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Upcoming certified lay servant classes
Lay Servant Ministries help Christians to claim their spiritual gifts, talents, and skills by offering empowering training. This training encourages them to find places to use their God given gifts in ministry while providing them a network of support.
Basic Course
Introduction to Lay Ministry: The BASIC Course is the foundational course for individuals wishing to become Certified Lay Servants. But this course can also be used as part of a discipleship plan for anyone in the church to acquaint them with spiritual gifts, calling and responsibilities as followers of Jesus. Training is offered by district committees of Lay Servant Ministries. It is offered in a variety of formats, times and places. The required text is available through Upper Room, Amazon and Cokesbury. New classes have been added for 2026!
Advanced Courses
Advanced courses are developed by Discipleship Ministries in cooperation with the Education Committee of the Association of Conference Directors of Lay Servant Ministries. Advanced courses provide at least 10 hours of instruction. Advanced courses use a required text and will involve pre-course assignments. New classes have been added for 2026!
Lay Servant Ministries courses are open to ALL, whether or not an enrollee applies to serve as a lay servant. Classes that "count toward the Lay Speaker track" may be taken by anyone, not just individuals pursuing Certified Lay Speaker status.
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Certified Lay Ministry Gathering at four locations April 11
Celebrating Jesus and You
Saturday, April 11
Four strategic locations have been selected for a Zoom streaming broadcast from Springfield: IGRC Conference Center (Springfield), Mt. Vernon First UMC, Belleville Union UMC, and the North District Area Office.
Our guest speaker will be Roger Grimmett who will speak on "Being comes before doing: Close Proximity with Jesus".
The day will begin at 10:00 a.m. and will conclude at 12:05 p.m. We cannot wait to see you!
Contact Susie Wurth to obtain more information.
| | Click on the above graphic to register for the Clergywomen's Retreat | | |
The United Media Resource Center is located at Kumler Outreach Ministries in Springfield.
The UMRC is supported by and serves United Methodist churches in the Illinois Great Rivers Conference, the Northern Illinois Conference, and the Great Plains Conference. Churches in the Iowa Conference are invited to become yearly members. Other denominational groups may e-mail umrc@igrc.org for information on obtaining a UMRC membership for their member churches by becoming a UMRC supporter.
No rental fees! Resources are mailed to IGRC, NIC, and GPC churches at no cost. Borrower pays to return items (or you can drop off items when the building is open). Borrower is responsible for replacement costs of damaged or lost resources.
Phone: 217-523-2269 Email: umrc@igrc.org
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