2025 Journal-Yearbook

Illinois Great Rivers Conference 2025 Journal-Yearbook

entities for the Conference, Archives, Central District office, Conference office, Episcopal Area office, IGRC Foundation, and the Preachers Aid Society and Benefit Fund office. The funds are used for utilities, insurance, maintenance and upkeep of the building. The Center was paid in full in 2024. Bishop’s Initiatives – $30,000 The Bishop’s initiatives serve the local church by enabling the Bishop to facilitate effective new programs, ministries and opportunities without undergoing the process of board and committee approvals. The fund enables the Bishop to effectively initiate a new vision initiative. Bishop’s Resource Team on Relational Ethics - $5,000 The Bishop’s Resource Team on Relational Ethics shall oversee the systemic awareness, training and compliance of the clergy and laity of the Illinois Great Rivers Conference to the standards of relational ethics upheld by the conference policies on Sexual Ethics and Safe Sanctuaries. General Administration Fund –$139,538 This is a General Church Apportionment. The General Administration Fund serves the local church by providing administrative funds for denominational entities that provide quality resources for local churches and answer important questions. It also enables delegates from local churches to have a voice and vote in the formation of denominational decisions and policies. As stated in the Book of Discipline (¶813), “the General Administration Fund shall provide for the expenses of the sessions of the General Conference, the Judicial Council, special commissions and committees constituted by the General Conference, and other administrative agencies and activities recommended for inclusion in the general administration budget by the General Council on Finance and Administration and approved by the General Conference.” The General Administration Fund is the means supporting the General Church. Interdenominational Cooperation Fund – $11,818 This is a General Church Apportionment. The Interdenominational Cooperation Fund serves the local church by providing participation in ecumenical efforts for the work of Jesus Christ. Local churches, conferences and denominations are stronger together than as separate entities in serving Jesus. As outlined by The Book of Discipline (¶814), “this fund shall provide United Methodist Support of the basic budgets of those organizations that relate to the ecumenical responsibilities of the Council of Bishops.” Jurisdictional Conference Fund – $25,000 The Jurisdictional Conference Fund serves the local church by providing the means to elect leaders who are integral to the life of the church and by extending the missional reach of each congregation. The North Central Jurisdictional Conference is a regional organization of The United Methodist Church which comprises the states of the upper Midwest. The funds are utilized primarily for expenses relating to the NCJ Conference session, which is held every four years. This is where Bishops are elected

Legislative Items 89