Rev. Ethan CarnesSecretary's page

February 1, 2023

Members of the Illinois Great Rivers Annual Conference,

Greetings in the name of our savior, Jesus Christ!  I look forward to seeing you at the 2023 Annual Conference sessions taking place:

  • May 6, 2023
  • June 8-10, 2023
  • December 2, 2023

The May and December online gatherings are special sessions to deal with resolutions related to matters of disaffiliations.  The regular June 8-10 session will be in person at the Peoria Civic Center (Peoria, IL).

Our Annual Conference theme is based in Ecclesiastes 3:2, “A Time to Plant and A Time to Build.”  To prepare for annual conference, please make note of the following items.

Annual Conference & Secretary Website: Don’t forget that the websites and the SCHED app will be key resources for you.  Information on lay member alternates, absentee forms, hotel blocks, legislation, and more can be found at www.igrc.org/secretary and www.igrc.org/ac2023.

Legislative Materials: All 2023 pre-conference and legislative materials will be posted online at www.igrc.org/ac2023downloads.  Resolutions must be sent in by March 10 if legislation impacts finances, pensions health, or changes to the standing rules. All other resolutions must be sent in by March 24. In addition, all pre-conference materials/workbook will be available at the annual conference webpage and SCHED app.  If you wish to receive paper copies of Conference materials through the mail, please contact the Print and Mailroom at 217-529-3267 or P.O. Box 19207, Springfield, IL 62794 by April 29.

Annual Conference Checklist: In this mailing you will see the Annual Conference Checklist.  On the second page is a ‘blueprint’ to use if you wish to submit a resolution to the bar of the conference. 

Streaming for Public Viewing: Sessions will be livestreamed through www.igrc.org/ac2023live for public viewing.

Special Worship Services and Offerings: Continue to watch for announcements about scheduling of the Conference Memorial Service, Conference Retiree Recognition Service and Ordination Service.  All active clergy are required to attend the Ordination Service.  Ordained clergy should wear stoles.  Throughout the Conference Session and Worship Services, there will be invitations and opportunities for individuals and churches to share in special offerings. In addition, each year we remember our deceased clergy members and lay members to annual conference from the previous year.  Submit the names of those deceased persons to Paul Black, pblack@igrc.org, 217-529-2824. 

Special Guests: Special guests to the session may be introduced to the assembly if the request is made in writing to the Conference Secretary. 

Grace and Peace

Rev. Ethan L. Carnes
Annual Conference Secretary
ACSecretary@igrc.org    

Resources

2022 Journal-Yearbook

2021 Journal-Yearbook

Equalization Lay Member to Annual Conference Update Form

Absentee Request Form for Excused Absence from Annual Conference

Change in Lay Member to Annual Conference