Illinois Great Rivers Conference 2025 Journal-Yearbook
Journal & Yearbook – $10,000 The publication and distribution of the annual Journal serves the local church by making sure the plans, policies, actions and deliberations of the annual conference are transparent and freely accessible. The fund provides the Journal Publication Committee to publish the Journal via print or disk and provides for the distribution of the Journal to pastors and local churches. Legal Expense Fund – $125,000 The legal expense fund serves the local church by protecting the Conference assets in contract negotiations and potential or actual litigious situations. The cost of making legal mistakes are far greater than the cost associated with making wise legal decisions. The fund is utilized primarily to ensure the Conference treats everyone fairly and compliant with all laws. Illinois Episcopal Area Office – $306,313 The Illinois Area Office serves the local church, the annual conference and the denomination by providing a place to connect with the Illinois Great Rivers Conference Bishop and Cabinet. The Area Office houses the Bishop’s office located in the United Methodist Center in Springfield. It serves for high-level conversations, decisions, strategies and ministry resources for the Conference. The fund provides for staff salaries who support the ministry of the Bishop and Cabinet, office expenses, and programs to benefit pastors and ministries. Travel and expenses for the Bishop are paid by the General Church from the “Episcopal Fund” (see above.) Committee on Episcopacy – $2,000 The Committee on Episcopacy serves the local church by providing a direct link between the churches and the Bishop. The responsibilities of the Conference Committee on Episcopacy are found in The Book of Discipline (¶637). The committee provides support and feedback for the Bishop. It also serves as a conduit of information to all levels of The United Methodist Church regarding the needs of the conference and its Episcopal leader. Two-thirds of the committee’s members are laity from local churches. The fund provides for meeting expenses, but the committee is free to use the fund for the enhancement of the ministry of the Bishop. Episcopal Residence Committee – $1,000 The Episcopal Residence Committee serves the local church by maintaining a residence for the Bishop which is safe and comfortable for the Episcopal family. The residence offers a warm place of hospitality for guests and enables the Bishop to be housed within easy access of the conference offices. The Book of Discipline (¶637) outlines the responsibilities of the Episcopal Residence Committee which primarily ensures the Bishop’s residence is appropriately cared for. Acting similarly to local church trustees who oversee a parsonage, the committee supervises any expenditure of funds for maintenance and upkeep of the structure. The fund provides for meeting expenses with another fund providing for the maintenance and upkeep expenses. Conference Center – $150,000 The United Methodist Center in Springfield serves the local church by providing a convenient and centralized Conference meeting location. The Center houses six
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