Don't Let the Word 'Supplemental' Fool You!
For many of us, the word 'supplemental' means information that isn't required, but a helpful addition. Not so for the UCC Yearbook. The Supplemental Yearbook Survey is the important method of collecting virtual worship data that will be added to the data reported in the usual yearbook database. Virtual worship data is essential in reflecting how congregations currently worship and is and will be a permanent part of our annual data collection.
As virtual worship is new to the churches, it is also new for data collection. It will become part of the Data Hub (UCC’s national database), but that will require a system upgrade. In order to make the upgrade as cost effective as possible, data will be collected with the Supplemental Survey until it is decided that the method of collection works for all of us. Then, the upgrade will happen for the Data Hub.
The UCC is collecting in-person and virtual worship separately because they reflect different types of numbers and cannot be counted in the same way. While in-person worship reflects individual people, virtual worship tends to reflect device connections. Multiple people may watch a service on one device, or one person may connect to a single service multiple times. Virtual worship is broken down by type of platform because Facebook Live viewing may be different from the number of participants in a Zoom service. Collecting the data in this way offers the truest picture of the wonderful array of worship experiences our churches are offering now and in the future. The hope is that if this current format is successful, then changes can be made to the Data Hub for the 2023 data collection. Be sure to add the Supplemental Survey to your yearbook report to be sure all worshipers are counted. If you have questions, contact Lynnette here.
Disaster Relief Requests
Dear ISC Friends,
As we are mindful of the loss of lives, injuries, and property damages resulting from Friday night's tornadoes and severe weather that struck several Midwest states, including the Amazon Warehouse in Edwardsville, Illinois, our prayers, care, and concern go out to all those affected. Many of you have already reached out to the Conference with the question, “How can we help?” Please know our UCC Disaster Ministries staff and Conference Disaster Response Coordinators are in contact with FEMA, Emergency Management personnel, and faith-based organizations working in those areas. Immediate needs are housing, food and meals, personal care, and spiritual support.
The UCC Disaster Ministries stands ready to offer information and emergency financial assistance. “Recovery needs, both short- and long-term, will be massive, with damage estimates in the billions of dollars. What’s the best way to help now? Send money,” UCC Disaster Response and Recovery Minister Lesli Remaly said, “For a storm this size, money makes good sense as we know long-term recovery and rebuilding will be necessary.”
Donations through your local church to the UCC Disasters Ministries can be made by sending checks to the Illinois South Conference. (Please make sure to note that these donations are for the UCC Disaster Ministries relief effort.)
Individual financial donations can be made via PayPal through the Conference website or directly to the UCC Disaster Ministries.
Your financial donations will be used to provide housing, food and meals, and family needs for those who have been affected by the storms.
FEMA is working with its federal, state, and local partners as well as governmental agencies to support the needs of areas affected by the tornado outbreak. In addition to a Kentucky FEMA Integration Team member, two FEMA Incident Management Assistance Teams are in Kentucky to assist with federal coordination efforts. An Incident Support Base is being established at Fort Campbell, Kentucky, to rapidly deploy personnel and supplies as needed.
American Red Cross - With more volunteers and supplies moving into the affected areas in the coming days, the Red Cross is working around the clock with partners to make sure everyone has a safe place to stay, emotional support, and comfort in the face of one of the most devastating tornado outbreaks in years. Saturday night, there were at least eight emergency shelters open in Kentucky, where about 190 people sought safe refuge. Shelters are also open in Tennessee.
American Red Cross volunteers are helping to assess the damage in affected communities as areas become accessible to help determine how many families were affected and what types of help they may need in the coming days and weeks. YOU CAN HELP now by scheduling an appointment to give blood or platelets, visit the Red Cross website, or call 1-800-RED CROSS.
I will continue to offer updates from the UCC Disaster Ministries as I receive them. If you would like to contact me, I can be reached via email at pjj48@hotmail.com or by phone at 618-318-0083.
Thank you for your continued prayers and offers of support. Click here for pdf to share with your congregations.
Sincerely,
Priscilla Self
Disaster Response Coordinator of the Illinois South Conference
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Mark your calendars for March 19, 2022, to attend Day of Discipleship.
DuBois 6.0
Campaign
Building Faith,
Building Capacity,
Building For The Next 60 Years
Oct. 2021-Dec. 2022
DuBois Center will turn 60 in 2022, marking the year we took ownership of the land. While the first 60 years have been great, she needs some maintenance and expansion to get her ready for the next 60.
This treasure is the heart of the Illinois South Conference, where thousands of campers have experienced God and creation over the past six decades. Some found their calling to ministry there. Others found summer after summer of fun and friendship. Think of the retreats, the worship, the secrets shared and the children’s laughter. So much life has occurred under the rustling leaves at DuBois Center. Now it’s time for us to prepare for the next 60 years, by improving what we have and getting ready for the future.
To donate, click here. Or Scan the QR code below.
Changing Lives
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Updates from your Conference about the Coronavirus-19
Conference COVID-19 Update #22
Suggested Staff, Employee & Visitor Protocol and Checklist
Previous Updates & Articles
More Worship Resources & Links about COVID-19