News & Updates

October 24, 2024

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Support Clergy Facing Racist Bullying and Violence

News and social media outlets are reporting an increase of white Christian nationalist rhetoric, some of it calling for mass deportations. This has provoked bullying against our clergy who are serving in cross-racial appointments.

"The increase in race-based taunting at schools, some people telling our clergy who are here lawfully to go home, harm done to parsonage property, and the backdrop of racist rhetoric impacts all of us, particularly persons of color and especially children," Bishop Dan Schwerin says.

The bishop asked church Staff-Parish Relations Committees and lay leadership more broadly to develop a plan for supporting and protecting our clergy and clergy families as this rhetoric increases anxiety.

"With multiracial leadership, The United Methodist Church is particularly ready to lead evangelically for our time," the bishop affirms. "We are blessed to be in mission with Christ for the transformation of the world in these days." Read more

Hurricane Relief and Cleanup Continues

As the recovery from recent hurricanes continues, we remain committed to supporting those affected by the storms. In the Holston Conference, teams arrive to help with hurricane cleanup. Fresh Expressions churches are showing up to respond to Hurricane Helene in Western North Carolina. Midwest Mission sent three shipments of disaster relief supplies and are working to send more.

(Mike DuBose/UMNS photo)

What NOT to Do for Hurricane Relief

People want to help after a natural disaster, but some efforts and donations can actually be extremely unhelpful, adding to the burdens of already stressed people. Any item—or volunteer—they did not explicitly request becomes a burden and is wasted. Read more.

Ways to Help Hurricane Relief

Financial donations to UMCOR support local efforts to accomplish immediate relief and long-term recovery. To give write a check to your local church and note the fund that you want to support. (UMCOR U.S. Disaster Response or NIC Disaster Response) Churches can also give through the NIC Apportionment process.
The NIC Disaster Response Team is continuing to work on coordinating volunteer opportunities. We will share the information as we have it.
Midwest Mission's supply of disaster relief are getting heavily depleted as they send supplies to areas affected by the recent hurricanes. Their current requests are for Cleaning Kits, Hygiene Kits, tarps, and trash bags. Items needed for kits are listed here. Kits can be dropped off at several of the drop-off sites in our conference; see the image below. Download a bulletin insert about donating to relief. Download a screen image about donating to relief.

Midwest Mission is one of our Mission Link Northern Illinois Conference Project supported organizations.

Learn more about Mission Links.

Grant Deadlines Approaching

Social Reform Grants: The NIC Board of Church and Society provides financial assistance to churches that have a passion and a plan for addressing a social justice-related concern. Projects can address domestic or international injustices. Application deadline: Oct. 30. Learn more.
Creative Ministry Grants: Coordinated by the program ministry members of the Annual Conference Shepherding Team, this grant aims to encourage creative, collaborative ministry programs throughout the conference. The grants support new, risk-taking initiatives to impact your community. Application deadline: Oct. 30. Learn more.
Church and Society Grants: The General Board of Church and Society (GBCS) awards grants to United Methodist congregations and groups related to The United Methodist Church through Peace with Justice programs, the Ethnic Local Church and Human Relations Day. Applications are due Oct. 31. Learn more.

HAPPENING AROUND THE CONFERENCE

Navigating troubled waters-Trauma, Resilience, & Hope in Ministry

December 9 - 10, 2024

Woodstock Loyola Retreat Center

Learn more.

J.O.Y. Camp Winter Weekend Registration Open!

Winter Weekend provides campers with all of the best aspects of JOY Camp, with a wintery twist! There will still be lots of time to worship together and to connect with friends both new and old. Winter Weekend will be held from Jan. 3 to 5, 2025.

The weekend is open to current 4th graders through current high school seniors.The registration fee is $65 per attendee. Learn more.

Other Upcoming Conference Events:

2^nd & 4^th Wednesday at noon: Weekly Methodist Liaison Office update and virtual prayer meeting. Participants will hear from a Palestinian speaker and meet in small groups for prayer. Methodists and others from around the world participate. Read more.
Oct. 26: United Women in Faith 2024 Annual Celebration Worship, business meeting, lunch and leadership training. Read more.
Nov. 2: Keagy Town and Rural Festival: Celebrate and hear about how the Keagy Grants that positively impacted towns and rural areas in Northern Illinois. Read more
Nov. 9: Celebration for Migrant Assistance Grants Recipients: Celebrate and hear about how the 2023 Bishop's Appeal has positively impacted the lives of migrants. Read more.
Nov. 18-20: National Workshop on Christian Unity: An opportunity to learn ecumenical theology, worship together and have fellowship with other Christians in the US. This year it is held in Chicago. Read more.
Nov. 20: Benefits Lunch & Learn: Getting Ready for Tax Season, With Cheryl Weaver, Conference Benefits officer. November's topic focuses on what clergy need to know about taxes. Read more

LOCAL CHURCH RESOURCES

Pre-order Your United Methodist Official Resources

The new UM Discipline, Book of Resolutions, Social Principles and Set of Leadership Guidelines are available to order from Cokesbury. The Discipline/Resolutions will be sent in January, and the Social Principles are to be sent in April. Learn more.

2024 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.

Leadership Portal Temporarily Closed

Churches: Access to the Lay Leadership Portal is now CLOSED. Conference staff are spending the next few months moving data to a new database. It includes a user feature that we will integrate into the church portal. Watch for announcements of when it is up and running. Questions? Contact Leola Tucker or Debbie Rogers.

Suicide Hotline available

For those contemplating suicide or who just desperately need someone with whom to talk. It is confidential and free. Just call 988. The service has also been expanded for Spanish-speaking persons and deaf or hard-of-hearing persons, including those who use American Sign Language.

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. Audrea Nanabray

Lake South District Superintendent

ananabray@umcnic.org

872-810-0894

Leola Tucker

Administrative Assistant

ltucker@umcnic.org

872-810-0913

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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