Click below to download the individual Charge Conference Forms for
2009.
Click on the Lay Speaking
link above for more information on Lay Speaking and the class schedules. Click
here for the 2009 Lay
Speaking Renewal Form and the
Application to begin Lay Speaking Please register early so
you will receive your reading material early enough to have it read before the
class starts.
Kumler Outreach Ministries Needs
- Join in to help Kumler Outreach Ministries provide
Thanksgiving for needy families in Springfield. On Nov. 23 and Nov. 24,
Kumler Outreach Ministries will offer Thanksgiving baskets on a first-come
first-served basis. Included in the baskets will be turkeys, stuffing,
instant mashed potatoes, cranberry sauce, canned vegetables, a pie or other
dessert, pumpkin and a roll of frozen biscuits. One way you can help is to
donate the "trimmings" or give a financial gift toward the cost of the
turkeys. (Kumler provides these baskets thanks to donations above and
beyond its regular budget.)
Right now, you can go to Save-a-Lot on Clear Lake in Springfield and spend $50
and get a 20 lb turkey for 19 cents a pound. You could get your own
turkey, some trimmings and pick up some items to help Kumler Outreach
Ministries.
As winter approaches, Kumler Outreach Ministries is thinking about items they
are going to be needing. These items can be dropped off at Kumler Outreach
Center, 303 N. Grand Ave., Springfield Monday through Friday from 8:00 am to
4:00 pm. (This is the former Trinity UMC building which was donated to
Kumler Outreach Ministries.) These items are needed at the present
time: Adult gloves; Coats in all sizes (Children's & women's and
particularly large men's); blankets; bath soap, Deodorant, Shampoo, Conditioner,
razors; laundry detergent, size 4 & 5 diapers. The ministry is also
looking for churches/groups/individuals to "adopt" children at
Christmas and buy them a new outfit of clothes. Of course, they are always happy to receive
canned food items, and/or
cash donations too. All donations are appreciated. For more
information, e-mail kumlerumc@hotmail.com
or call 217/523-2269 between 8:00 am to 4:00 pm. Kumler UMC
Outreach Ministries, is
Conference Advance Special #6270.
Any monetary donations
should be sent through IGRC with your check made payable to IGRC, but in the
memo line indicate it is for Kumler Outreach Ministries, Advance Special
#6270. If you would like to have Sharon come to your church or group for a speaking program at your church about the Outreach
Ministries contact her at the above e-mail or telephone number.
United Methodist Men Ingathering -
The UMM gathered at the Illiopolis UMC for the Great Ingathering of
the Sangamon River District on Sat Oct 31. Items such as Cleaning Supplies,
Clothing, books, games, kitchen ware, toys, furniture, electronics, etc were
collected for the following agencies: Henderson Settlement, Oasis,
Good Samaritan Inn, Kumler Neighborhood Ministries, Mountain Mission, and
Goodwill.
Churches from across the District showed up in van’s,
cars, trucks, stock trailers you name it with donations to send to the agencies.
This one day project usually brings in a value of In-Kind and Cash of over
$65,000. The Ingathering board also needs cash offerings to sustain the expenses
incurred for stamps, paper, printing, and delivery expense to some of the
agencies. We would be glad to attend your church or one of your men’s meetings
if you would like more information. The District UMM also sponsor a Potato Drop
in the spring where 42,000 pounds of potatoes are delivered and distributed in
the Springfield and Decatur area Food Ministries. For $50.00 you can sponsor
1,000 pounds of potatoes.
Rochester UMC - will be
sponsoring another Introduction to Centering Prayer Workshop at the Chiara
Center on Monday, November 30 from 9:00 am to 2:00 pm. Rev. Jack Swank
will be leading the workshop. Rev. Swank is a commissioned presenter with
Contemplative Outreach. For a copy of the brochure, contact Carole Strick
at the Rochester church 217/498-7179 or cstrick@rochestermethodist.org
or download a copy at http://www.chiaracenter.org
Overnight accommodations for November 29 may be made by contacting the Chiara
Center directly at 217/523-0901.
Sherman UMC -will hold their
11th Annual Village Christmas on December 5 from 9:00 am to 2:00 pm. They
will have Craft Booths, a Cookie Walk, Children's Make It & Take It, Tea
Rings, SUMW Country Cupboard, UMM Pecans, a Tea Room 9:00 to 11:00, and
Luncheon 11:00-1:00. For more information, call Louise at 638-3334 or
Donna at 629-7492.
Fountain of Life UMC - will
have a live Nativity and Christmas Market on Saturday, December 5 from 11:00 am
to 7:00 pm. They will have music performances at 12:30 , 2:00 and 4:00
pm. Have a photo taken on a real old-fashioned sleigh. There will be
tasty soups, fresh bread, hot dogs, desserts, Christmas cake and Cookie
walks. In the market, there will be several different booths with products
for sale that would make great gifts, or for your own use. For more
information, contact the church office at 217/364-5433 or e-mail at follivenativity@yahoo.com
The church is located at 302 South Street, Buffalo, IL.
Douglas Avenue UMC - will hold
their annual Cookie Walk on December 12 from 8:00 am to Noon (or until sold
out!). The church is located at the corner of Douglas and Governor streets
in Springfield. Homemade cookies and candy will be available. Park in the parking lot
on the south side of the church, or parking is available on the street.
Enter the church through the Patio doors on the south-side lower level. If
you cannot navigate steps, call ahead a day or two in advance to make
arrangements on how to enter the church. (Construction is ongoing at the
church presently during installation of an elevator, but there is still parking
available in the lot, and entry to the patio is not a problem.) For more
information, call the church office at 546-4631 or Madelyn Woodruff at
585-8745.
Ministry in Gbarnga, Liberia -
Rev. Ben Korpellah sent this message recently: "God has blessed us
with such a wonderful partnership relationship. Over 482 parishioners have
been touched and blessed by the extravagant gift from your district. The
inclination we want you to have is that indeed, the funds are doing enormously
well, in consultation with our VIM Coordinator, for our people and the Second
Kieyea UMC family.
Interestingly, a few days ago, we were honored with the presence of
Bishop Innis as a way of following up with us and he can explain better his
experience. We assumed he was overwhelmed by the level of work we've
achieved so far for God's Church through the sharing by you and your people with
us what God has blessed you with. May it be replenished in many folds.
Please know that we are conducting special prayers for all of you,
the work force and those who haven't responded to the Liberian initiative to be
touched.
The first two pictures are of 2nd Kieyea UMC work in progress, and
inside of 2nd Kieyea UMC.
The following pictures are
of Bishop Innis at the Saukoko First UMC Parsonage.
Ministry in Weala, Liberia -
Rev. Paye Cooper Mondolo wrote to us on September 14.
"Today is the first day of school. It was so wonderful that we were
able to distribute school bags with the students. (Pictures by class are
shown below.) The reason the students are not all in uniform is that in the
first week of school students are allowed time to get all of their school
supplies. The school will be very populated this year as it is the only
school in this area that has qualified teachers. Praise be to God for His
blessing.
Picture of the High School Building on September 15, 2009.
Finishing touches are being completed.
LIBERIAN INITIATIVE
- To help support our brothers and sisters in Liberia, each District in Illinois
Great Rivers is paired with districts in Liberia. In the Sangamon River
District, we are paired with the Gbarnga District, Superintendent Ben Korpellah;
and the Weala District, Superintendent Paye Mondolo. There are three main
areas of support for which we have Advance Special and Conference Advance
numbers. Donations to these should be sent to the Conference treasurers
office in the same manner that Apportionments are sent. Please clearly
mark your checks to show the Conference Advance number for which the donation is
to be credited. These donations will receive 5 Star Credit. Scholarships:
Gbarnga District # 2097 - Weala District # 2100. Pastor Salary
Support: Gbarnga District #2098 - Weala District # 2101. Reconstruction
Assistance: Gbarnga District # 2099 - Weala District
#2102.
There are also some "Special" funds in the
District: Wells, and a Truck Fund. None of the Special projects have Advance special status, will not
count toward 5 Star status, and have no #'s. From time to time, other
projects will be determined for which we will accept donations, such as to build
new churches or repair existing churches. Donations for the Special
projects should be sent to the District Office with a letter explaining for what
the donation is intended (i.e. trucks, wells, etc.)
Checks should still be made payable to IGRC, but as stated above, mail to the
District Office, P O Box 3487, Springfield 62708. Donations in any amount
are accepted and appreciated. To cover the full cost of a well, a donation
of $1,500 is needed. To cover the full cost of a truck, the amount needed
is $10,000. We sent donations to purchase a truck for the Gbarnga District
last year, and on May 14, 2009 sent donations to purchase the truck for the
Weala District. Most of the funds for the Weala truck came from the
Harvesters Cluster churches. The balance in the truck fund will be
used for repairs on the trucks as needed and for new tires, etc. The people in Liberia are deeply grateful for the support they are receiving
from their brothers and sisters in the Sangamon River District and Conference
wide. Donations for three wells have been sent from this
district.
The Weala District Center and Parsonage is now completed and
all of the money needed for this project has been sent. Checks have been sent
using the balance of money donated during the Hands of Hope project. This
money will be used to build one new church in each Weala and Gbarnga districts,
and for repairs on churches, and to assist in purchasing land for new churches.
In addition, Springfield First UMC has donated enough money to construct the
High School building at the John Wesley School in the Weala district. Thank you to all the people in Sangamon River District
for making these projects possible.
RETIRED
CLERGY LUNCHEONS -
The West-Side District Retired Clergy group meets for lunch on the second
Monday of each month at 11:30 am in Springfield at the
Lighthouse Restaurant, 3751 S. 6th St. in the Travel Lodge Motel building.
All Retired Ministers, spouses and Retired clergy widows are invited to
attend. The next gathering will be on November 9. Rev. Harry &
Barbara Deffley will be the Hosts. Please call the Deffley's at
585-6750 or e-mail
at bj.hk.deffley@sbcglobal.net
to make your reservation.
Reservations are requested just to have an idea on how much room is needed,
but not required. Everyone will order from the menu.
The East-Side District Retired Clergy group meets for lunch the
third Wednesday of each month at Camp One-Way at 11:30. Their next
gathering will be on August 19. All Retired Ministers, spouses and Retired clergy widows are invited to
attend. From I-72, take
exit 122 and travel South for 2 miles. Watch for the Mt Auburn sign and
turn left. Go 3.5 miles to the Mt. Auburn blacktop (Christian county hwy
2), turn left and go 3 miles. You will see Camp One Way's main building on
the right. To make reservations or ask questions, call Don Ferrill
217/935-3502 or Claude Mosher 217/877-6192.
District Mission Banquet - will be
held on November 7, 2009 at First UMC, Decatur with the theme "Give Thanks
For Mission". The evening will begin at 6:00 pm. A meal of Ham,
Scalloped Potatoes, Salad, Vegetable, Dessert and drink will be served for a
cost of $8 per person. The Mission Chairs of each church will soon receive
a letter about this. Churches are encouraged to bring displays and
information about their mission projects and/or trips to the banquet.
Special emphasis will be given to provide information and support for the work
trip going to Liberia in February and for the Central Illinois Christian In
Mission projects. Items will be available for purchase from SERRV and
Twice Giving Gift shop from the Midwest Mission Distribution Center.
Proceeds from the banquet will be used to help support the Liberia Work Trip and
Christian in Mission projects. If you would like more information, call
Betty and/or Gordon Eckols at 217/692-2546. Each church is encouraged to
have someone attend the banquet.
Athens UMC - WOMEN OF
PROMISE is held on the third Tuesday of each month in the Upper Room at Athens
United Methodist Church at 110 W. Jackson St. January through October.
This
group will not meet during November or December. All area women are invited to attend either the morning session from
10:00 AM - Noon, or the evening session from 6:30-8:30 PM.
A light, delicious meal will be served and childcare is provided.
For reservations, please call 636-8785 or email kay@kaycoach.com
Transportation in the
local area can be provided if requested in advance by calling 636-8844, and an
elevator is available for those with limited mobility.
A $6 donation is suggested.
Kumler UMC - WOMEN With
PURPOSE (WWP), is held on the third Thursday of each month at
6:00 to 8:00 pm
in the Fellowship Hall - Kumler United
Methodist
Church,
600 N. 5th St
. All women in the community
are invited to attend. There will be a
potluck meal
beginning at
6:00 pm to share and wonderful speakers.
If child care is
needed please call the church at 523-2046 and leave a message for Flo Scott,
Women’s Ministry Leader. The
church is located at
600 North 5th St.
in Springfield. All Women With Purpose events are non-denominational by design and open
to all area women and their guests.
Asbury Children's Supper Hour
- Thank
you for your kindness and generosity throughout the year. Our
children's Supper hour is held Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday and
I can be reached there at 522 8147 between 2PM and 5PM on those days or at home
787 2693. If you would like to find out how you can help, please
call. Asbury Children's Supper Hour is Conference Advanced Special
#6460. Donations may be sent to the Conference Treasurer's Office with
this # in the memo line. Thank
you again and God bless. Vicki Potter, Director
