News & Updates

December 9, 2021

Dear Prairie North District friends,

It's unbelievable that we are almost at the end of the year. We have finished the church conference season, and it's been wonderful to have the opportunity to talk with churches in person about past storms and how Jesus has made a way.

Now we have entered Advent, a time to prepare ourselves for the coming of The Messiah. We know that we will be experiencing Advent and Christmas in a "new normal," and churches continue finding creative ways to journey through this season with creativity and passion. This is a very special time, and how wonderful to celebrate it as a church family and open our doors for our communities. Today, more than ever, people are hungry to hear the message of hope, peace, joy, love… Jesus!

I invite you not to be distracted by the busyness and the "lights" of the season and let us turn our eyes upon the real light of the world, Jesus. Walk with faith, look at the future with hope, live with enthusiasm, serve with passion, and follow Jesus Christ's example wherever you go. “Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel.” - Isa. 7:14(NIV).

Advent blessings!!

Rev. Fabiola Grandon-Mayer

Prairie North District Superintendent

Peter Mayer Stars and Promises Concert

Roscoe United Methodist is hosting the December 17th "Ring Out the Bells 2022" Stars & Promises concert at Hononegah High School Performing Arts Center, 307 Salem Street, Rockton, IL at 7:30 PM, Doors open at 6:30 PM. Proceeds benefit Gigi's Playhouse and Rockton Food Pantry.

General seating is $35 through EventBrite

Cedarville UMC featured on WREX!

Cedarville UMC was the focus of an Inspiring 815 story on WREX for their drive-thru food pantry. Each month they are feeding hundreds of families. Find more about this inspiring story here.

800 Thanksgiving Meals Served at Court Street UMC

People lined up to receive meals as dozens of volunteers were hard at work, preparing over 800 meals for those in need. Find more about the great work in a news story on WREX here.

Prairie North training Jan 2022 FB Image.png

Rockford District Clergy Zoom Feb 2022.png

The Discipleship Task Force is seeking 12 people from across the conference to participate in a 4 session book discussion pilot starting in early January. The pilot group will be reading and discussing Kneeling with Giants by Gary Neal Hansen. After the pilot, there will be a conference-wide NIC Book Club reading this same book. The intention is to deepen our prayer lives and our faith journey, as well as make connections and friendships with other United Methodists around the conference in-person or via Zoom.

Visit www.umcnic.org/Discipleship/NICBookClub for more information on the book.

If you are interested in participating in the pilot, please email Amania Drane, NIC Strategic Initiatives Project Manager at a drane@umcnic.org by Wednesday, 12/22.

2021 Conference Journal

The Journal of the 182nd Northern Illinois Annual Conference held July 16 -17 and Oct. 1 - 2 is now available to purchase online through Amazon.com.

The cost of the paperback is $14.

A free downloadable pdf is available on the conference website at umcnic.org/journal.

December/January Reporter Available

Avoid the holiday bustle, and read the December/January Reporter now online! It is in the mail but delivery may be delayed competing with all those Christmas cards and packages!

In his monthly column, Bishop John L. Hopkins brings you Christmas greetings and hopes for 2022 as he continues as NIC's Interim Bishop. Also, read more about one Chicago church that received a more than million-dollar grant to help restore its historic building. Find out more about the recent North Central Jurisdictional Special Conference held virtually Nov. 10 and 11. Plus, learn how you can get involved in a new Discipleship Task Force Book Club.

Download it now!

Are you looking to help Refugees?

The Afghan Refugee Resettlement Reimbursement program will reimburse up to $1,000 per local United Methodist church in the United States that is in a sponsorship relationship with Church World Service. Expenses eligible for reimbursement must fit the following criteria:

Pre-arrival support, such as: setting up/furnishing an apartment; providing a culturally appropriate welcome meal; welcoming a family at the airport.
Post-arrival support: assisting in English Language Learners (ELL) tutoring; providing transportation to medical appointments; assisting with grocery shopping or community navigation; mentorship.
Providing other financial support to a newly arrived Afghan family to help them adjust to life in the U.S.

Find full details, including application forms here.

Resources for the Local Church

Advent and Christmas Planning Resources - from UMC Discipleship
Human Relations Day (Sunday, January 16) - Worship resources, pew cards, social media images, children's resources, videos and more
Martin Luther King, Jr Day (Monday, January 17) - Social Media Images
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.

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Rev. Fabiola Grandon-Mayer

Prairie North District Superintendent

fgrandon-mayer@umcnic.org

312 346 9766 Ext. 781

Debra Rogers

Administrative Assistant

drogers@umcnic.org

630-465-2941

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