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News & Updates

May 25, 2023

** 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 appointment announcements, sympathy notices and weekly eNews)

On Saturday, May 21, the Prairie North gathered to celebrate District Superintendent Rev. Fabiola Grandon-Mayer's ministry in the district as she transitions to the Director of Connectional Ministry. The District Superintendency committee put together a wonderful service that included music and witness from across the district, Fabiola's children even shared music with us. Thank you to all who came and participated.

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Click on the event title below to find out more information

2023 Film Series - Asian History and Culture

May 25


AC Registration Closes 

May 28


Pentecost  

May 28


Memorial Day 

May 29


AC Pre-Conference Briefings

May 30 & 31


Peace with Justice Sunday

June 4


Annual Conference

June 6 - 8


Father's Day

June 18


Juneteenth

June 19


John Wesley’s Birthday

June 28

Chemung UMC to have last worship service before merger

On June 1, the Chemung United Methodist Church and Capron United Methodist Church will merge to be known as Capron United Methodist Church.


Pastor Jay Shin and the congregation of Chemung United Methodist Church invite everyone to celebrate Christ and their long legacy of ministry together in the community of Chemung at their final worship service on Sunday, May 28 at 1:00 at Chemung UMC (23814 IL-173, Harvard, IL 60033).


Questions? Please contact Rev. Shin 815-569-2050.

June Reporter Available Online

The June Reporter is now available to read online and will be delivered to mailboxes soon.


Learn about the NIC Civil Rights Pilgrimage, 2 conference churches that received grants for green outreach and Council of Bishop updates. In their columns, Bishop Schwerin speaks about broken connections and healing connections and Rev. Arlene Christopherson speaks about how we are all invited.


Check out the issue online and read the news stories here.

HAPPENING AROUND THE CONFERENCE

Registration is open until May 28. Registration is available for free for guests. Register and learn more here.


Special Services

  • Celebration of Ministry (includes ordination and commissioning): Tues., June 6, 7:00 pm
  • Retirement Service: Wed., June 7, 10:00 am
  • Korean Peace Reflection & Prayer: June 7, evening during Plenary 6 starts at 7:00 pm
  • Memorial Service: Thursday morning, June 8, 10:30 am


As this year marks the 70th anniversary of the armistice of the Korean War, the Korea Peace Reflections and Prayer will give Annual Conference members the opportunity to pray together for the armistice treaty to be superseded by a peace treaty.


Group Meals

Some organizations will be hosting on-site group meals, others will be hosting off-site meals. Please check with your organization regarding meals.

Please note that meals marked with an * are INVITE ONLY.



Tuesday, June 6

  • Extension Ministry Lunch* - starts at noon - hosted on-site in Utopia A
  • Ordination Reception - evening after Celebration of Ministry - hosted on-site in Nirvana A

Wednesday, June 7

  • Cross-Cultural/Cross-Racial Breakfast * - starts at 7:00 am - hosted on-site in the Nirvana Ballroom
  • Retired Clergy Lunch * - starts at noon - hosted on-site in Utopia A & B
  • Mission Links Lunch - Program includes speaker, David Makobo from DR Congo, Africa. Contact Shirley Pulgar-Hughes at shirleymph@gmail.com with any questions. Reserve your spot by filling out the form here. Fee: $10 - starts at 12:30 pm - at Our Saviour's UMC, 701 E. Schaumburg Rd., Schaumburg.
  • Open Reception to Celebrate Carolyn Cook's Retirement from 42+ years with the Foundation - Contact Demetra Kidd dkidd@umfnic.org with any questions - 5 - 7:00 pm - hosted on-site in Utopia C & D
  • Order of Deacon's Dinner * - Dinner for deacons and deacon candidates - starting at 5:00 pm - Westwood Tavern, 1385 N. Meacham Rd., Schaumburg.
  • Fellowship of Asian Americans Dinner - Program includes honoring retiring Asian American clergy, welcoming new Asian American clergy, and welcoming Rev. Hwa-Young Chong as Prairie North District Superintendent. Fee: $15 Contact Rev. Ayla Samson at pastorayla05@gmail.com to reserve your place. - 5 to 7 pm - at Our Saviour's UMC, 701 E. Schaumburg Rd., Schaumburg.

Thursday, June 8

  • Memorial Service Reception * - 10:00 am - hosted on-site in Utopia A


If groups wish to share information about their meal on this page, they can contact Lisa Smith for coordination at ACmedia@umcnic.org.


More updates and details will be posted in the NIC eNews and on the website at umcnic.org/AC2023.

Mission Challenge Collection Drive

Send your church’s donated items for Midwest Mission to Annual Conference. The organization sends tangible resources to those in need to make an intangible difference in their lives through hope and empowerment. Collect items from their list of most-needed items. Donations will be accepted on June 6 from 7 am to 4 pm and June 7 from 7 am to noon in the mission truck parked outside Annual Conference. Learn more here.

Bishop's Appeal for Migrant Needs

This year, the Bishop’s Appeal focuses on migrant needs. Your donations will help area organizations provide migrants with immediate needs like hygiene kits, temporary shelter, and food and longer-term needs like employment, housing, medical care, and legal assistance. As a conference we will partner with groups such as Justice For Our Neighbors, World Relief, Refugee One, Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights, and NIC congregations. Bring your congregation’s donation to Annual Conference. Read more here.

LOCAL CHURCH RESOURCES

Apportionments allow us to do together what no church, district, or annual conference could do alone.


Every leader in the United Methodist Church, at some time, will have to explain our connectional giving (apportionments, mission shares, etc.). Here are five tips from Ken Sloane, Director of Stewardship & Generosity, to help you be prepared for that conversation.


  1. The Process is Democratic, Not Autocratic
  2. Shift the Conversation to Mission/Ministry Shares
  3. Connectional Is Best
  4. Move the Perspective from “They” to “We”
  5. Tell Stories of Impact and Scale

Read more here.


For more information on Apportionments, including stories, resources, explanations, and the NIC break down visit umcnic.org/apportionments.

Prepare for the Fall NIC Book Club

Join the NIC Book Club this fall as they study Bishop Kenneth Carder’s book Living Our Beliefs: The United Methodist Way.


If you are attending Annual Conference, stop by the Discipleship Task Force table and enter to win a copy of this book. You may also buy a book there at the discounted rate of $10.


“I am super excited about this year's Book Club,” says. Rev. G. Morris Jarkloh Jr., the pastor ofWest Ridge United Methodist Church in the Lake North District and the chair of the NIC Book Club. “I look forward to seeing all of you, clergy and laity, as we together deepen our faith with God.”


Learn more about the NIC Book Club and watch a video from Bishop Kenneth Carder here.

Active Shooter Online Training for Churches

Two web-based training modules on "Active Shooter: Run, Fight & Hide" and "Violence in the Workplace" are available. Participants may take the training individually or as a group. Interested churches: send an email to Dwayne Jackson, NIC director of risk management and ministry protection (insurance), and include church name, title of person presenting the request, and number of training assignments required. Contact Dwayne Jackson.

Parent and Guardian Training Available for Free

Parents play a critical role in safeguarding their children while they are participating in church ministries.

Through this training (67 minutes), parents will learn:

  • Common grooming behaviors sexual predators use with parents and church staff
  • What to do if a parent suspects abuse
  • Teaching your child about keeping themselves safe


Click here to access the free training.

NIC Prayer Network Monthly Zoom Meetings

The NIC Prayer Network is an entryway for joining in common prayer for the ministries of the Northern Illinois Conference. You’re welcome to join in praying for the upcoming events of our conference.  The next meeting is Friday, June 9 at 10:00 am. All are invited to join.  No preparation is necessary, just log in. The Zoom link is available here. Meeting ID: 897 7835 0821 Passcode: 152529


If you’d like to pray but have other appointments at that time, email us DiscipleshipTF@umcnic.org 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.

Like Us on Facebook: Prairie North District


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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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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