Itineracy: Practicing What We Sing
"Ministry is ultimately not about our wants and desires," says Rev. Dr. Terry Harter, Sangamon River District Superintendent. "Nor is it about advancement or job security. Ministry is about bringing in God's kingdom on this earth. It's about feeding the sheep and growing the church wherever we are appointed. Ministry is about giving ourselves away by sharing grace, salvation, shalom, and social and personal holiness."
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Post-General Conference issue
A 28-page issue of The Current, complete with 10 pages devoted to the 2012 General Conference, is now available for viewing online. Print copies should be arriving later this week.
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Apportionment receipts outpacing 2010, 2011
IGRC congregations continue to give faithfully to fund the ministries of the connection. Through March 31, receipts totaled 21 percent, which is ahead of last year's giving as well as 2010's record-setting year. The Spoon River District leads the way having remitted 25.10 percent with Vermilion River District close behind at 23.18 percent.
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Trayvon Martin Discussion
Bishop S. John Roth of the Central/Southern Illinois Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America and Bishop Gregory V. Palmer discuss the Trayvon Martin shooting in a series of seven videos.
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30 Days of Preparation for General Conference
Sign up to receive free daily emails during the 30 days leading up to General Conference. Written by Bishop Robert Schnase, author of Five Fruitful Practices of Faithful Congregations, this series of essays help church leaders throughout the connection engage significant issues about the the future of the church. The series begins March 25.
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Got a minute? Malaria's toll cut in half
Based on the recent 2011 World Malaria Report, issued by the World Health Organization, citing a declining death rate, malaria’s toll has been reduced to an estimated 655,000 deaths annually – down from one million just three years ago.
And IGRC giving to Imagine No Malaria stands at $1.731 million -- just $569,000 shy of the $2.3 million goal.
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Palmer thanks IGRC, urges giving to OGHS
Bishop Gregory V. Palmer thanks IGRC congregations for their response during a visit to Harrisburg following a Feb. 29 tornado that killed seven. He also urges United Methodists to give to the One Great Hour of Sharing offering March 18.
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Recovery almost complete in Ridgway
Bishop Gregory V. Palmer, center, speaks with Ridgway Mayor Becky Mitchell, left, and Rev. Jim Allison, pastor of the Ridgway UMC during the bishop's visit to the Harrisburg area March 5. Bishop Palmer, along with UMCOR executive Tom Hazelwood toured the region surveying the damage and discussing ways in which the church can assist in the recovery.
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Cleanup and Recovery
Patty Ferrell, of Herod, is overcome with emotion after finding the nursing scrubs that are on the hanger that belonged to her daughter, Jaylynn Ferrell, 22, who was killed in a tornado that struck Harrisburg Feb. 29. While persons in Harrisburg and nearby communities begin picking up the pieces, Bishop Gregory V. Palmer has issued a pastoral letter urging United Methodists to join in the response effort.
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