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Mission Links Highlight -

Kids Above All

Kids Above All (Advance #50000011) is one of the highlighted projects in the NIC Conference Mission Links.

Kids Above All is a Chicago based organization that places the safety, well-being and education of kids and families above everything else, so they can build better lives. The mission of the agency (formerly ChildServ) is to protect, heal and educate children and families so they can build better lives. Kids Above All is also an agent for increased advocacy for equal justice, equal rights and equal opportunity for all kids, in every community.

In addition, Kids Above All offers home-based early childhood and daycare programs to address a growing need in communities across the Chicago area. Those services –along with its work in foster care and adoption, housing for teens and formerly homeless young adults, and counseling – help kids, youth and families who are at risk in Cook, DuPage, Kane and Lake counties to have the best life possible. Find out more at kidsaboveall.org.

Kids Above All Backpack Drive is almost over!

Since 1894, Kids Above All (formerly ChildServ) has placed the safety, well-being, and education of kids above everything else. Running through the summer, you can help ensure that the hundreds of kids in their care have the supplies they need to succeed this school year through the agency's annual backpack drive. Click for details.

Lake South United Methodist Men Honor Pastor for Support

The Lake South District United Methodist Men honored Rev. Dr. Norval F. Brown at their Annual Celebration Banquet on Aug. 13, 2022. They presented Rev. Brown with a plaque honoring him for starting the Men’s Bible Study Class 31 years ago and all the help and support he has given the program since. The banquet is an annual celebration of the men in the district and a “Thank you” for participating in the Bible Study Program.

Ministry X

Ministry X is a new ministry, which targets the next generation, known as Generation X and Millennials, and those who identify/support/align with them in ministry initiatives. The goal is to strengthen/align with them in Ministry Initatives. Our goal is simple, to strengthen the network of our new/up-and-coming leaders in our churches, through social activities and ministry outreach. This will give them better resources and support, while strengthening our local church ministries, individually and collectively. For additional information contact Leola Tucker, Lake South Administrative Assistant, at ltucker@umcnic.org, or DS Jacques Conway at jconway@UMCNIC.org

Lake South District Percussion Academy 

The mission of this Academy is to instruct youth in the development of marching drumming skills for those interested in high school or college marching bands and drum corps ensembles or simply to be part of a great enjoyable program that builds self esteem, character while meeting new friends and performing across the Conference. Persons who interested in additional information or applying to the program need to contact Leola Tucker, Lake South Administrative Assistant, at ltucker@umcnic.org for date and location of the informational session.

FAITH UMC PRESENTS

PASS THE PEA. . .ZZA

Calling All 20-Somethings

Are you looking for a community of Christians your age? Are you looking for a low-key way to get back to church? Whether you’re looking for a piece of pizza or new friends, we’ve got you covered.

Faith UMC in Orland Park is interested in partnering with other churches in our community to collectively help our 20-somethings network and thrive!

INTERESTED? Contact: Cassie Belock Text/Call: 740-381-9484

Flyer with more info here.

September Reporter Available Online

The September Reporter is now available to read online and is delivering to mailboxes soon.

In this issue, learn more about a grant awarded to St. Mark UMC in Chicago to start a Freedom School to provide equitable educational opportunities to K-12 students.

Also, Bishop Hopkins reflects on how the Boy Scouts shaped his early Christianity.

This month's Ministry Makers highlights First UMC in DeKalb and the church's groundbreaking on a new building to help expand their community outreach and read more about a group of NIC lay missioners completing licensing school through courses in Spanish at Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary. To read the full issue, click here.

Safe Sanctuaries Added Training

If you missed one of the six Safe Sanctuaries training opportunities this summer, the Northern Illinois Conference is offering one additional date to help meet our goal of ensuring safe spaces in our churches.

Date: Sat., Aug. 27 at 12 noon

(registration limited to 100 people)

**This free training is an alternate for those who cannot participate in other training options and does not include a background check. For videos, policies, FAQs, downloads, and more resources, visit umcnic.org/safesanctuaries.

Online Via Zoom & In Person - Euclid Avenue UMC, 405 S Euclid Ave, Oak Park, IL

Free event with lunch included.

Learn about sustainable renewable energy practices for local churches, ways to reduce your carbon footprint and hear a report on the United Methodist Interagency Just and Equitable Net-Zero Commitment

• Presentations by Rev. Jenny Phillips, Senior Technical Advisor for Environmental Sustainability at Global Ministries, and Jake Barnett, Wespath Benefits and Investments
• Solar and Geothermal tours
• Resource Tables

More information here.

Fresh Expressions makes space for leaders and pastors to use both traditional services as well as innovative forms of church to live out Christ’s mission. One does not replace the other, but rather creates a mutual benefit for both—a “mixed economy of church.”

Lake South Event

Tuesday, September 20 - 9:00 am to Noon

Oak Lawn: First, 10000 Central Ave, Oak Lawn

Other Events

• Sunday Worship Experience with Rev. Dr Beck - Sunday, September 18 at 9:30 am at Schaumburg: Our Saviour's, 701 E. Schaumburg Rd., Schaumburg, Ill. (847) 352-8181
• Teaching Option - Sunday, September 18 at 2:00 - 5:00 pm at Schaumburg: Our Saviour's, 701 E. Schaumburg Rd., Schaumburg
• Prairie North Teaching Option - Monday, September 19 - 9:00 am to Noon - Freeport: Harmony, 2600 W Pearl City Road, Freeport
• Prairie South Teaching Option - Monday, September 19 - 2:00 pm to 5:00 pm - Dixon: First, 202 S. Peoria Ave, Dixon
• Prairie Central Teaching Option - Tuesday, September 20 - 2:00 pm to 5:00 pm - Naperville: Grace, 300 E. Gartner Road, Naperville
• Lake North Teaching Option - Wednesday, September 21 - 9:00 am to Noon - Park Ridge: First, 418 Touhy Ave, Park Ridge

Register and find out more information here.

CPRES (Clergy Peer Reflection & Engagement Series) was created for clergy. The premise is simple offer a brave space for clergy to have the difficult conversations about racism without fear of judgement, condemnation, and always in a spirit of understanding. The retreat (Sunday, September 11, 6:00 pm - Tuesday, September 13, 12:00 pm Noon) is designed to build a beloved community, willing to share from deep within their hearts. Participants will spend 3 days and two nights at the retreat, building community through worship, Eucharist, spiritual renewal, and holy conversations in small groups. Learn more and register here.

Speaker Series: Race, America, and the Church

The Northern Illinois Conference, in partnership with the Indiana Conference and other groups, is pleased to announce a 2022 Speaker Series.

The third event will be held September 22.

Undenied: No Longer Willing to be Unheard

Thursday, Sept. 22, 2022, 12:00 - 1:30 pm

Rev. Chebon Kernell shares insights and learning related to indigenous communities’ history, present work being done, and how we can be in solidarity as we prepare for the future.

In-person at Our Redeemer's in Schaumburg and online

Register and Learn More

Welcome New Inclusive Collective Campus Minister

The Inclusive Collective (IC), a vibrant, growing, and diverse Northern Illinois Conference and Presbytery of Chicago campus ministry in Chicagoland, is welcoming a new Pastor and Executive Director. After a national search, the IC Board of Directors named Rev. Larry J. Morris III to lead the campus ministry, succeeding Rev. Rich Havard.

Larry is a self-described personality junkie, Apple loyalist, and plant parent. Larry is from Indianapolis, Ind., but has spent the last ten years on the west coast in California and Nevada. He is the co-founder of Communion Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in Henderson, Nev., and owner of Larry J. Morris III, LLC, which helps people and organizations “realize their extraordinary purpose ™.”

Read more here.

NIC Job Opening - Events Coodinator

We are currently seeking a qualified candidate to come join the NIC Program Area team as an Events Coordinator/Administrative Assistant.

The event planner is responsible for all events and registration offered at the conference and district level, either through planning, or guidance for those who do the planning, so every event will have the same high quality of branding and execution. The event planner must have exceptional customer service skills and support capabilities with a passion for planning events. They must be able to work with staff teams and engage volunteer committees to accomplish the task.

This job is a hybrid, full-time position with flexible hours. Some weekend and evening work is required for event support. The position includes both Health Insurance upon hire (with wellness incentives) and Pension Benefits after a vesting period. 

If you know someone who would be interested, click here for the job description and to apply.

Do you have news to share?

We are always looking for stories of what is happening in the local church.  We welcome articles from churches highlighting ministries, outreach, and missions which tell the story of being vital Christians. Events considered should be of conference-wide appeal and United Methodist-related. 

District eNews are sent out the 2nd and 4th Thursdays of the month. Please submit stories and events by end of business on the 2nd and 4th Mondays. Space is limited. Stories of fewer than 250 words are preferred. Submissions will be edited at the discretion of Communications staff. Information can be emailed to communications@umcnic.org.

Check out our Submit News page for more details. 

Rev. Dr. Jacques A. Conway

Lake South District Superintendent

jconway@umcnic.org

312-346-9766 ext. 783

Leola Tucker

Administrative Assistant

ltucker@umcnic.org

312-346-9766 ext 733

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