News & Updates

November 9, 2023

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There will be only 1 district eNews in November due to Thanksgiving.

The next district eNews will be December 14. Stay up to date with the latest conference events on the calendar, the latest News on the news page, and the lastest eNews in the weekly eNewsletter.

Fisk choir offers uplifting concert for church’s 101st anniversary

The Fisk University Choir moved the crowd with rhythm, spirit and song at a Friday night Evanston concert celebrating the 101st anniversary of Sherman United Methodist Church. Sherman UMC’s longstanding relationship with the choir began in 2006 when the church agreed to provide a meal after one of the choir’s concert performances near Evanston. Read more.

The Long Shadow Screening at Wayfarer Theaters

Did you miss seeing The Long Shadow with the Anti-Racism film series or do you want to see it in a group and discuss? The Together is Better Alliance is partnering with the Wayfarer Theater to show The Long Shadow on Thurs., November 16 at 6 p.m. at 1850 2nd St, Highland Park, IL 60035. There is a concession stand, but people are welcome to bring their own food. After the screening, there will be a discussion about the film.

RSVP to Maureen Wierema.

2023 Film Series Fourth Quarter focus: Latinx History & Culture

Tim Alexander, chairman of the film series, says that the films shown so far this year have been well received, “The positive responses we have seen as a result of our evaluations show that folks have learned new details that will assist them in going deeper in their understanding of the roots of racism in America.”

Join the Anti-Racism Task Force for the last event in the Film Series on Thurs. Nov. 30, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at various locations across the conference (and online). The evening will start with a selection of Latin American food, a presentation by Dr. Rudolph Reyes II (pictured right), and end table discussions. Before attending the event, it is recommended to watch the documentary The Bronze Screen directed and produced by Susan Racho and Alberto Dominguez.

Lake North Locations:

Des Plaines: First UMC, 668 Graceland Avenue, Des Plaines, IL
Northbrook: Northbrook UMC, 1190 Western Avenue, Northbrook, IL

SAVE THE DATE: Sat., Jan. 20

Apply for a Grant for Your Church's Ministry

Looking for a financial boost to help get a ministry off the ground? Healthy churches look share God’s love with their neighbors in meaningful ways. The NIC offers a number of grants to turn your church’s plan into reality. Some of the deadlines are approaching, so visit the grants web page now in order to plan ahead.

Mission Link Highlight - United Methodist Student Sunday

United Methodist Student Sunday is one of six denomination-wide Special Sundays that is celebrated on November 26. It funds a channel of hope for young scholars.

The burden of taking on prohibitive amounts of debt can feel overwhelming. It limits bright, qualified students from bringing their full selves into the professions to which they feel called. Supporting United Methodist students gives them a financial boost to help them realize their dreams, and a spiritual boost to help them recognize that the church has confidence in them and in their gifts. It offers encouragement and builds them up to be strong leaders in the church and the world.

Every year, General Board of Higher Education and Ministry awards an average of $5.5 million in financial aid to United Methodist students. Read more here and give at your church on Nov 26.

'The Recap' offers snapshot of denomination news

The latest episode, episode 12, of “The Recap” video series remembers those affected by war in the Middle East, celebrates Hispanic Heritage Month and highlights United Methodists putting their faith into action. Produced by United Methodist Communications, “The Recap” helps viewers gain a better understanding of what is going on in The United Methodist Church, find inspiration in stories of ministry and learn how the denomination is transforming the world. Watch episode.

HAPPENING AROUND THE CONFERENCE

Access the Amazon Gift list here.

Help MYSI Provide Youth a Merry Christmas

For many of the youth served by Methodist Youth Services Inc., this will be the first Christmas they celebrate. MYSI has worked with their five sites to identify a wish list of festive and useful gifts for the young people. Read over the list and contact MYSI if you and/or your church would like to contribute. Read the list.

Sunday, December 3 at 4 p.m.

Wheatland Salem UMC, 1852 95th St, Naperville

Choirs, bands, and singers from across the conference will join in singing in English or their native language. Dinner to follow. Participation from choirs, bands, and solo singers are welcome. More information.

Other Upcoming Conference Events:

Nov. 11: Safe Sanctuaries Training: Free in-person training option to help meet our goal of ensuring safe spaces in our churches. Read more.
Nov. 12: NIC Fellowship of Asian Americans Assembly and Election of Officers: The FAA will review by-laws and hold an election of officers, followed by dinner served at the Church. Read more.
Dec. 3: NIC Delegates to General Conference meeting: Meeting for Delegates to General Conference to meet with each other and hear questions about the upcoming GC. All are welcome. Read more.
Feb. 16-18, 2024: Exploration 2024: For young adults ages 18-26 who are considering a calling to ordained ministry. Registration is now open. Read more.

LOCAL CHURCH RESOURCES

Opportunities for Native American month

The diverse cultures of Native American people will be featured during November, which is Native American Heritage Month. Bryan Tener, a member of the Cheyenne and Arapaho tribes, writes about joining one of four warrior societies and lists some resources to help better understand Native Americans. Read more.

Picture Advent starting soon!

#pictureAdvent is an intergenerational, spirit-filled, invitational, and reflective way to approach Advent. With a daily devotion in the style of 'Visio Divina' (Divine Seeing), you are invited to reflect on the scripture through images, questions, and prayer. Find #pictureAdvent on Facebook or sign-up to receive the daily email. Learn more.

2024 Property & Casualty Premiums May Rise

The NIC risk management department is now assembling information for the 2024 property insurance renewal. Driven by global factors such as climate change, increases in health care expenses, and political and economic shifts, the 2024 insurance renewal is shaping up to be challenging. NIC churches preparing their 2024 budget should factor a 12 to 18 percent increase above 2023 premiums. We'll provide an update when 2024 terms are finalized.

Contact Dwayne Jackson for information

2023 Church Conference Reports

Just a quick reminder that all Church Conference (CC) forms & reports are due at least 1 week prior to your CC date. There is plenty of time to submit them in time if you plan ahead and submit them early. We encourage everyone to be working on them now. All Things Church Conference can be found here.

NIC Prayer Network Monthly Zoom Meetings**Note date change**

The NIC Prayer Network is an entryway for joining in common prayer for the ministries of the Northern Illinois Conference. NIC Prayer Network team meets every month on the 2nd Thursday at 10:00 AM to pray for the churches, pastors and ministries of Northern Illinois. The next meeting is Thursday, December 14, at 10:00 a.m. All are invited to join. No preparation is necessary; just log in. The Zoom link is available here . Meeting ID: 813 9510 9144, Passcode: 459872. You can also call 312-626-6799.

If you’d like to pray but have other appointments at that time, email Katherine Howell at howellkvh@gmail.com and request the agenda or add to the agenda. Also, pray along each week for clergy, churches, leaders, and NIC Advances by visiting the Prayer Network website.

Other Resources

#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, small groups, pastors, children, and individuals.

Rev. Brittany Isaac

Lake North District Superintendent

bisaac@umcnic.org

312-346-9766 ext. 785

Debra Rogers

Administrative Assistant

drogers@umcnic.org

630-465-2941

Do you have news to share?

We are always looking for stories of what is happening in your church. We welcome articles from churches highlighting ministries, outreach, and missions that 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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