Illinois Great Rivers Conference 2025 Journal-Yearbook
these unique contributions to cause of Christ in Illinois. The Commission also schedules the annual Prentice Sermon in the spring and the annual Cartwright Memorial Sermon in the fall. South District Superintendent Stan Irvin preached the 2025 Prentice Sermon at Murphysboro UMC April 27 and officiated the dedication of a grave marker for pioneer preacher, the Rev. Philip Davis. The grave marker was purchased by the church, in partnership with the Commission on Archives and History and Preachers Aid Society and Benefit Fund and will mark the grave that previously has been without a grave stone. The 2026 Prentice Sermon has been scheduled for April 12, 2026, at Bushnell UMC with Rev. Dr. Alan Newhall preaching. The 2024 Cartwright Sermon was preached by Bishop David Bard and the 2025 sermon will be preached by the Rev. Dr. Charliam Renner, Executive Assistant to the Bishop, on Oct. 19. Rev. Dr. Alan Newhall, Chair IGRC Commission on Archives and History Commission on Communications The Book of Discipline (2020/2024) mandates a Commission on Communications or other structure to be a “service agency to meet the communication, publication, multimedia, public and media relations, interpretation and promotional needs of the conference” (¶646). 2024 and into 2025, the communications ministry continues adapt to new realities of fewer resources and adapting to fulfill the basic needs of the conference. Our volunteers are the key to carrying out those essential services – whether at Annual Conference, Covenant Keepers, the United Women in Faith’s Mission u, the Black Methodists for Church Renewal’s Good Friday Service and other events to which we are called to provide assistance. Video conferencing has become the norm rather than the exception in a post- pandemic world that has trimmed meeting costs of mileage, meals and lodging. Video production manager Bob Schafer oversees the conferencing option as well as supporting ministries that need video support. The 2025 Annual Conference will be a hybrid event with participation by lay and clergy both online and in-person. If successful, it presents a new option for holding future Annual Conferences, which may also impact the size and scope of where Annual Conference is held and how it is carried out. On the print side, we continue to publish our monthly award-winning news magazine, The Curren t. Our graphic designer, Kim Halusan continues to support the various ministries of the Conference with her exceptional talent as seen in The Current , brochures and other items requested by conference ministries, including the Journal-Yearbook. Beginning in September 2025, The Current will be transitioning to a digital format that will be emailed to local church leaders and anyone who would like to receive it free of charge. While our print circulation is presently at 5,000, the Conference has
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