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News & Updates

August 11, 2022

** Note ** You are receiving the district eNews because your name is in our Lay Leadership Database as a leader in your local church. If you are no longer interested in receiving the District eNews, please click the Update Profile link at the bottom of the email. (Clicking UnSubscribe means you will not receive ANY emails from the conference including apportionment announcements, sympathy notices and weekly eNews)

Hello Lake South Leaders,


The Lake South District has a budding ministry named Ministry X, 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 these generations in ministry initiatives. 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 myself at jconway@UMCNIC.org.


God Bless,

Rev. Jacques Conway

Lake South District Superintendent, NIC UMC

Lake South District Confirmation Class 2022-2023

Teens in 7th grade through high school are invited to participate in a joint Confirmation Program starting Sunday, Sept. 18 and hosted by Palos UMC and First UMC of Evergreen Park. An informational meeting will be held on Sunday, Sept. 11, at 6 pm. Please contact Miss Kim at kids@faithumcop.org or District Superintendent Jacques Conway at jconway@UMCNIC.org for additional information. 

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.

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Volunteers in Mission Sunday

Any Sunday in July or August


Safe Sanctuary Trainings

August 20


Mission u

August 19

August 20


Christian Education Sunday

September 4


Labor Day

September 5


Renewable Energy Summit

September 10


CPRES Retreat

September 11-13


UMM Spiritual Congress

September 16-18


Fresh Expressions 2022

September 18-21


Race, America and the Church - Undenied

September 22


NIC Fall Youth Retreat

September 23-25


Pastor Appreciation Month

October

Summer 2022 Mission Trip Updates

The United Methodist Church of New Lenox facilitated a volunteer work camp experience called "Camping with Purpose" at UMC's Camp Reyoldswood in Dixon, Ill. Twelve adults and three youth volunteered to work on projects getting the camp ready for the 2022 season. Picnic tables were scraped, sanded and painted. A whole building was scraped, sanded and painted. Lodging curtains were cleaned, and trees were trimmed. Some volunteers came just for the day while others brought their RVs or stayed in lodging at the camp for days of work. Projects completed, fellowship, and new friendships were the outcomes.

Submitted by Susan Reyelts

An enthusiastic group of 18 from Compassion United Methodist Church in Brookfield, Ill., volunteered at the Midwest Mission Distribution Center (MMDC). While there, they participated in a variety of work that the site offers. Several folks packed various kits (personal hygiene, home care and student supply kits) that the mission sends around the world. Others in the group worked on the reclaimed bleacher wood that has been donated to the mission. They scraped gum, plugged holes, and sanded and coated pieces to make them like new to then be used for student desks. The group toured the site and saw all the mission opportunities offered at MMDC as well as how the mission is growing and providing help around the corner and around the world. Submitted by Joy Stonequist

Apportionment Highlight - General Commission on the Status and Role of Women (World Service Fund)



The General Commission on the Status and Role of Women (GCSRW), which has its offices located right here in Chicago, and was started in the Northern Illinois Conference, is funded through the World Service Fund portion of our apportionments.

The General Commission on the Status and Role of Women is 50 years young! The agency’s work now spans the world and connects United Methodists to valuable resources that enable all levels of the church to champion the full inclusion of women in the denomination. Thanks to generous congregational support through the World Service Fund, GCSRW employs a small but mighty team dedicated to women’s full and equal participation in the life of The United Methodist Church. Over the past 50 years, the agency has accomplished much in terms of advocacy for women, but as data indicates, its work is far from complete.


Celebrating successes, commemorating a difficult journey and organizing future work, GCSRW staff and supporters remain committed to greater advocacy for women. Recognizing the challenges, the General Commission on the Status and Role of Women looks forward to the next 50 years, grounded with the enlivening hope that, together, we will fulfill our mission.

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.

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The Northern Illinois Conference is offering training options to help meet our goal of ensuring safe spaces in our churches.


Only one training left - both in person and on Zoom!

Saturday, August 20 - 1:00 pm - Des Plaines: First UMC


Find more information and register here.

**This free training is an alternative for those who cannot participate in other training options and does not include a background check.


Also, we have reworked our NIC Safe Sanctuaries Website. Check out the site for videos, policies, FAQ, downloads and more resources.

Mission u Summer 2022

August 19 & 20


United Women in Faith Northern Illinois Conference (formerly UMW) is offering classes for all ages. There are 4 locations for in person and will also offer a virtual option.

  • The adult curriculum, Who Can We Be Together, brings participants deeper into Jesus’ teachings to explore what it means to be in community.
  • The youth curriculum, Community in the Midst of Challenging Times, will help young people interpret scripture for today’s world, and deepen community connections through intergenerational dialogue.
  • Through transformative activities and spiritual practices, participants in the children’s curriculum, Our Growing Tree, will discover joy and empowerment in the scriptures and find support in their journeys of self-love and community building.

Find out more information here. Registration deadline is noon on Aug. 17.

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

Free event with lunch included. More information here.

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

Last Call!

The first NIC Book Club session Kneeling with Giants by Gary Neal Hansen is winding up. Dr. Hansen’s videos will only be available on the Discipleship Task Force website for a few more weeks. 


If you haven’t seen them yet, please treat yourself and take time to see all four. Many have already gained invaluable tools for enhancing and enriching their prayer styles. You can access the recordings here.


Then, watch for our next NIC Book Club selection! Coming soon!

2nd Annual Rally Against Racism


With recent racially motivated violence and deadly attacks in the news, once again we come together in solidarity to stand against hate and racism.


Last summer, the NIC Annual Conference Shepherding Team (ACST) and the Anti-racism Task Force (ARTF) joined together to spearhead a way for churches to visibly show their commitment “to live out the conviction that racism is incompatible with Christian teaching.”


Several churches participated by holding rallies in a variety of different ways. Churches were encouraged to be creative and hold Do-it-Yourself or DIY rallies. Click here to watch a video from last summer's rallies.


Join with churches across the Northern Illinois Conference this summer (May through September) to Rally Against Racism. Learn more and sign up today.

NIC Job Opening - Events Coordinator

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. 

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Resources for the Local Church

  • Volunteers in Mission Sunday (Any Sunday in July or August) - Songs, Liturgy, Posters, Mission Moments, Sermon Starters, and more
  • Christian Education Sunday (September 4) -Tips for getting your christian education started and to continue it growing.
  • Labor Day (September 5) - Ways Churches can honor the weekend.
  • #BeUMC Resources -Tool Kits, Social Media Kits, Graphics, and more.
  • Social Media Shareables - Free graphics for social media for different events, months and ministries. (Through Outreach, log in is needed but resources are free)
  • UMC Giving Resources - Mission Moments, Special Sunday Info, Leader Kits, Pew Cards and more.
  • United Media Resource Center - Lending library of Christian materials for local churches - for small groups, pastors, children and individuals.

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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