STRENGTHENING THE TIES THAT BIND US TOGETHER
Day of Discipleship – May 1, 2021 – via Zoom
Fee for the event: $25/person. To see workshops. To Register. If you need assistance with the fee, please contact the ISC registrar at jriechmann@iscucc.org
Schedule for the day:
8:45 am - 9:00 am Participants log in
9:00 am - 9:30 am Opening devotion and presentation of schedule
9:30 am - 10:10 am Session A
10:20 am - 11:00 am Session B
11:10 am - 11:50 am Session C
The 40-minute workshop times are intended to offer the last ten minutes (at least) for questions and comments from the attendees. Ten-minute breaks between the workshops will allow all participants to get away from their screens for a bit and choose their next workshop. All six sessions will be available for all three workshop times.
You do NOT need to choose workshops until the day of the event.
Space to Put Our Best Foot Forward
The DuBois Center office needs your help to replace the DuBois Center office flooring so that the new Acting Director, Haley Elliott can “put her best foot forward” in her new position at DuBois Center.
An office update, started in late 2017, needs to be finished. The Conference Property Committee has undertaken the lead on this project and identified these necessary updates:
· Prepare and paint all interior walls and ceilings,
· Replace all ceiling light fixtures,
· Remove carpeting in one office,
· Level all floors,
· Install all new baseboard trim and
· Cover all floors with new laminated flooring.
Currently the office has four types of flooring, of which all are not level from room to room. Some small areas might be old asbestos tiles and some areas are down to the sub-floor, as you can see in these photos.
Volunteers have offered to provide the labor to do everything except lay the new flooring. Dave Hoffmann, Co-Chair of the Property Committee, has secured a price of just under $9,000 for the new flooring materials and installation. The Conference Council Executive Committee has given approval for this work; however, we lack a big portion of the funds to start with the floor replacement. That’s where you come in – your donations, your intent to donate, or your skill in laying flooring is needed soon to “put our best foot forward” in welcoming Haley to the Illinois South Conference and DuBois Center.
Donations are welcomed from individuals, churches and/or their organizations. Checks can be sent to the ISC office at 1312 Broadway, Highland IL 62249 or click here to donate online. Designate your donations to the DuBois Office Flooring Project.
If your group plans to donate or raise money to donate to this, please contact Julie at 618-357-1809 or email.
If you or your group have experience with this type of work and want to volunteer to help, contact one of the ISC Property Co-Chairs: Priscilla Self at 618-318-0083 or email or Dave Hoffmann at 618-791-7002 or email.
Exciting News for DuBois Center and the Illinois South Conference of the United Church of Christ
The Search Committee and the Executive Committee are pleased to announce the Illinois South Conference has extended a two-year contract with Hayley Elliott for the position of Acting Director of Outdoor Ministry. After an extensive search process which included: Zoom interviews; submissions of candidates’ faith journeys and personal theology; a strategic plan of staffing, programming, finances, and partnerships for the coming year at DuBois Center; checking candidates’ professional references; and an onsite tour of DuBois, the Search Committee unanimously recommended Hayley to serve as the Acting Director of Outdoor Ministry.
Hayley Elliott was born and raised in West Virginia, where love of nature and earth were instilled in her from a young age. She spent most of her formative summers at church camp and has fond memories of learning to swim, making friends, playing games, and learning the importance of faith formation in this setting. As she grew up, she began volunteering at camp and eventually became a camp counselor.
Hayley received a B.S. in Business Administration from Mars Hill University. Her undergraduate capstone project was related to the digital and social marketing of camps and how to reach new audiences and form new partnerships. After completing undergraduate studies, Hayley entered Vanderbilt Divinity School in Nashville, where she completed an MTS (Master of Theological Studies) degree. While in divinity school, Hayley furthered her commitment to youth education by working at a local elementary and middle school as the lead counselor in their afterschool and summer programs.
After graduating from Vanderbilt Divinity School, Hayley and her wife, Rachel, moved to Denver, Colorado so that Rachel could complete a yearlong CPE (Clinical Pastoral Education) residency. During this time, Hayley worked full time as an anti-money laundering analyst while maintaining an additional role as a co-director for youth and children at Sixth Avenue UCC and sharing her gifts at LaForet Conference and Retreat Center, the Rocky Mountain Conference's camp.
Hayley is very passionate about outdoor ministry within the United Church of Christ and excited about the future of caring for God's creation and extending God's extravagant welcome at DuBois Center!
Hayley will begin her new ministry with us on Monday, April 5, 2021. In the meantime, the Outdoor Ministry Team has done a phenomenal job creating staffing, programming, and safety contingency plans to hold programming this summer in some form at DuBois Center with summer staff onsite to welcome children, youth, and adults to experience what makes DuBois Center such a special and sacred space.
The Illinois South Conference sincerely thanks the Search Committee for the time and energy they spent in prayerful and Spirit-led discussions, deliberations, and decisions.
Its members were:
Craig Bielke, Illinois South Conference member at large and leader of Conference-wide youth retreats held at DuBois Center
Hank Henderson, representative of the Personnel Committee of the Conference and member of St. John UCC, Trenton, Illinois
Rachel Kinzinger, representative of the Outdoor Ministry Team of the Conference and former staff member of DuBois Center
Nancy Wagner, current chairperson of the Outdoor Ministry Team of the Conference and member of St. Paul UCC, Lebanon, IL
Dr. Jill Baker, ex-officio member and Moderator of the Illinois South Conference
Rev. Shana Johnson, ex-officio member and Conference Minister of the Illinois South Conference
We can’t wait for you to meet Hayley soon!! Click here for a pdf version of the announcement to share with your congregations.
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Changing Lives
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Ecuador Partnership
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Advent St. Nicholas
Church in Ecuador
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ISC Hunger/Food Action
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Disaster Ministries
Save the Date for the 3rd Annual Pastors’ Retreat sponsored by the ISC Local Church Ministry Team on Wednesday, May 12 and on Thursday, May 13 from 10 am – 2 pm on both days at the Mercy Center in St. Louis, Missouri. The retreat will be based on the book, Pursuing Pastoral Excellence by Paul Hopkins. We are planning on a mixture of free time activities, such as walking the labyrinth or the beautiful grounds as well as indoor and outdoor safe (based on current CDC guidelines) socially distanced group activities. Click here for a flier.
Updates from your Conference about the Coronavirus-19
Conference COVID-19 Update #19
Suggested Staff, Employee & Visitor Protocol and Checklist
Previous Updates & Articles
More Worship Resources & Links about COVID
UPCOMING STEWARDSHIP WEBINARS From the UCC Generosity Outreach Officer, Rev. Andrew Warner
July 28 at 3 pm: Pastors & Paychecks: The Inner Work of our Relationship with Money
A Reflection with Pastors. Click here to join the meeting at that date and time.
Aug 23 at 5:30 pm: Annual Campaigns 101
An Introduction to Stewardship for Pastors and Lay Leaders
Designed for pastors and lay leaders planning an annual pledge campaign, we will explore ways to create an effective campaign. We will reflect on core purpose of a campaign, discuss practical steps leaders can take, and explore creative ideas to design a campaign uniquely suited to your congregation. Join this webinar to develop and strengthen plans for a successful fall campaign. Click here to join the meeting at that date and time.
Oct 6 at 4 pm: Don’t Beg – Rethinking the Stewardship Sermon
A Conversation with Pastors
A Bible Study for pastors as we think through options for sermons on Stewardship for a fall pledge campaign. We will be guided by Henri Nouwen’s observation, “Fundraising is precisely the opposite of begging. Rather, we are declaring, ‘We have a vision that is amazing and exciting.’” Click here to join the meeting at that date and time.
Nov 10 at 5:30 pm: Planned Giving to Support Mission and Ministry
An Introduction to Planned Giving for Pastors and Lay Leaders
While a significant wealth transfer occurs (and will occur) in our country as our eldest generation passes, many congregations and ministries remain unprepared to promote planned giving options among their members. Only 5% of people leave a charitable bequest even though nearly a third of people would if asked or invited to consider one. Through this webinar, you will learn key concepts and create an actionable plan for your congregation or ministry. Click here to join the meeting at that date and time.
Illinois South Conference shares the inspiring stories that show the faith-filled lives within our Conference. We hope this gives you comfort during this time of sheltering in place.
If you know of stories that show people being the church, please send it to ISCspirit@iscucc.org. Share the stories that are warming your heart. #ISCspirit.
To see all of the #iscspirit stories, click here.