EMS symbol of Shadrach, Meschach, Abednego

Illinois Great Rivers Conference
United Methodist Men
"Bridging the Gap"

Conference UMM History

The current Illinois Great Rivers Conference United Methodist Men came into existence as a result of the uniting of the 'old' Southern Illinois Conference and the 'old' Central Illinois Conference in 1996. Ralph Wrench was Conference President of Central Illinois Conference UMM and Allen Wiseman was Conference President of the Southern Illinois Conference UMM. The first 'uniting' meeting of the Illinois Great Rivers Conference United Methodist Men took place at Laurel United Methodist Church, 631 S. Grand St., Springfield, IL on Sept 28th,1996 from 09:00 to 12:00 noon. The meeting agenda was:

                    Call to Order - Ralph Wrench
                    Devotions-Tom Starnes, S.I.C. Prayer Advocate
                    Discussion of Proposed Constitution
                    Discussion of Proposed By-Laws
                    Retreats, Conference Meetings
                    Promote International Congress of U.M.M.
                    Dates for next year (Quadrennium)
                    Any other business
                    Closing

Ralph Wrench was the President elect of the new Conference UMM. George Bolinger was later elected President of the Conference UMM upon the death of Ralph Wrench early in 1997.
Illinois Great Rivers Conference UMM celebrated a 'Uniting' ceremony at Shelbyville First United Methodist Church on April 5, 1997. The 'Uniting' Ceremony was attended by our Conference Bishop, Sharon Brown Christopher. An amended version of our Constitution was later on given to the Bishop in September of 1997.

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