SAVE THE DATE
Illinois South Conference
2022 Ministers’ Retreat:
“Creative Connections”
November 2 and 3, 2022
Todd Hall Retreat and Conference Center, Columbia, IL
The Local Church Ministries Team is offering a time away for Illinois South ministers (both active and retired) to be welcomed into community, spiritually nourished, and boosted in creative confidence. We will engage our theme of Creative Connections by providing activities, conversations, and creative projects that will remind us that we are created in God’s image and help us find the joy and courage in that once again! Whether you consider yourself “creative” or not, there will be something for you at this retreat. Registration information will be available soon.

DuBois 6.0 Update

What can you do to support DuBois 6.0?
  • Volunteer to work on a project- the Property Committee would welcome your help.
  • Make a personal or congregational donation- we can take everything from cash to stock and cryptocurrency.
  • And while you’re at it, put our outdoor ministry center in your prayers for both a safe summer filled with fun and a successful capital campaign.
We’re building faith, building capacity and building for the next 60 years.  To donate, click here.

Give to the Scholarship Fund to bring Campers to DuBois Center

Each year, DuBois Center serves hundreds of campers who are both part of our Illinois South Conference churches and our area neighbors. For some, attending camp would not be possible without the generous gift of a camp scholarship. Each week, campers enjoy countless activities including horseback riding, water mat play while swimming, gaga ball games, campfire cook-outs, and creek walks. They also have a chance to step away into nature, form lifelong friendships, and experience faith formation in a lasting and fun way. Simply put, camp changes lives through radical acceptance, risk-taking in a safe environment, and the chance to step away from busy lives, sports schedules, and all of the things that often distract our attention.
Consider supporting the transformative power of camp this summer by donating to our scholarship fund. This allows us to continue to provide this needed space to our neighbors. You can mail checks to the office or consider an online donation. All funds designated to our scholarship fund will help us provide the camp experience to those who may not be able to experience it this summer otherwise.
Payroll for Pastors
Often the Conference office receives calls about whether a minister is an independent contractor or a W-2 employee. Heather Kimmel, legal counsel of the United Church of Christ has added a section on the United Church of Christ website which is a helpful overview in addressing this question.  We encourage you to read and share with the bookke​eper and/or the person(s) who handles finances in your church.

UCC response to the war and humanitarian crisis in Ukraine. These links can be shared with families, friends, and the entire congregation.

A Prayer for the Ukraine People
Appeal for Humanitarian Aid to Ukraine
Ukraine Emergency Appeal

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Click here.

Changing Lives

Donate to
OCWM

Donate to
Friends of the Conference

Donate to
DuBois Center

Donate to
Ecuador Partnership

Donate to
Advent St. Nicholas
Church in Ecuador

Donate to
ISC Hunger/Food Action

Donate to
Disaster Ministries

Does your congregation desire to be more prepared for disasters, both to protect yourselves and to extend love to your neighbors in time of crisis? Then Willing to Respond is for you!
Willing to Respond is a United Church of Christ collaboration with Disciples of Christ’s Week of Compassion. It’s simple to access and has an easy three-step process to register.
“Willing to Respond is not a one-size-fits-all program,” emphasized Lesli Remaly, United Church of Christ Minister for Disaster Response and Recovery. “The way you serve is up to your congregation, as God is leading you.
“In fact,” Remaly said, “Your congregation may already be serving disaster survivors by assembling CWS Kits and Emergency Clean-Up Buckets, contributing to UCC appeals, deploying work teams to disaster rebuilding sites or helping people in your community clean up after a flood or storm.
“Willing to Respond will help your congregation review its experience, available resources, and community context; discern your growing edges; and get ready to respond when disaster strikes,” she said. “The Willing to Respond network helps your congregation get connected to collaborate.”
For more information and assistance with registering your congregation or church group, please contact our Illinois South Conference, UCC Disaster Coordinator, Priscilla Self here or 618-318-0083.

Zoom Prayer and Lectionary Lunch Hour for Pastors
The Local Church Ministries team hosts a weekly Zoom Prayer and Lectionary Lunch Hour on Wednesdays from 12:30 pm to 1:30 pm for all Illinois South Conference pastors. This is an opportunity for clergy in the Conference to get together for weekly prayer, support, and the sharing of preaching and worship ideas for the coming Sunday.  An email with Zoom link was sent to all pastors. The same link is used each week.