Meet your new Conference President!
At last week's Annual Celebration, the slate of leaders for the Illinois Conference was voted on and approved, including the new Conference President, Rev. Jon Prain. Jon is pastor at The Federated Church in Avon, Illinois. Jon wants to make sure folks in the Conference know how to get a hold of him! His email is jon.prain@gmail.com and his mobile number is (309) 255-6702 - calls and texts are welcome!
We offer our thanks to David Holston for his leadership over the last two years, and offer our prayers and blessings to Rev. Jon Prain as he begins his leadership!
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Community Renewal Society Recognizes Social Justice Leaders
On Thursday, October 20, 2022, the Community Renewal Society held its 140th Annual Membership Assembly entitled, “Together, We Win!” Each year, CRS staff and board members come together to recognize partners and friends who have contributed to and inspired the Community Renewal Society’s work for racial and economic justice. This year, several honorees were recognized for their distinguished and longstanding service for equity, inclusion, and the principles of Beloved Community - including a few representatives from the Illinois Conference!
Click here to read the full press release and learn about all the honorees.
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Advocate Aurora Recognized as Top Organization for Diversity!
Advocate Aurora Health has been recognized by Modern Healthcare as a Top Organization for Diversity - 2022. Additionally, Dr. Alvia Siddiqi, interim chief medical officer, is honored as a Top Diversity Leader – Leader to Watch. This recognition program highlights the country’s top diverse health care executives and organizations influencing policy, care delivery and public health while advancing DEI initiatives in their organizations and across the industry. More than 1,000 nominations were received for these prestigious honors.
AAH is recognized for their diverse workforce, robust DEI action plans, inclusive hiring practices and tying leader compensation to DEI goals. The 10 Diversity Leaders to Watch are standout leaders across the country who are widening access to care and cultivating wellness in their communities. Dr. Siddiqi’s work to eliminate uncontrolled hypertension in our communities of color is highlighted.
Click here to read more about these recognitions and learn about all the top organizations, leaders to watch, and more.
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Pathways Theological Education Courses
PATHWAYS Theological Education, Inc., invites you to explore its Progressive Christian theological education courses. Through the website you can connect with the Registrar about your interests and questions. Courses announced to date for Winter I Term (January 2023) include: UCC History and Polity, and a new Clinical Pastoral Education for Urban Settings. Other courses are available through conversation and expressed needs.
To view the PATHWAYS core three-level curriculum for ministerial preparation, leadership development and continuing education, go to the Ministerial Preparation page on the PATHWAYS website. To express an interest and explore further what courses may be available for the Winter 1 Term (January 2023), please contact the Registrar, Melissa Ashmore, (registrar@pathwaystheological.org) for a conversation about your interests and needs.
Our courses are affordable, asynchronous, and online for maximum flexibility to fit the schedules of busy people who still want to deepen their understanding of the Christian faith. Each course offers participants the opportunity to develop competency in the subject matter as well as the chance to meet and work with a diverse group from across the United States. Whether you are called to a pastoral role, a congregational or community leader seeking new skills, or a curious inquirer, PATHWAYS has courses to expand your thinking, enhance your knowledge, and exhilarate your soul.
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Global H.O.P.E. Active Appeals
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For nearly 100 years, our camps have helped to create spiritually uplifting experiences for countless people of every age. Call Tower Hill (269-426-3881) or Pilgrim Park (815-447-2390) today to schedule a time for you, your family, or your church to discover this transformative experience firsthand.
If you have the ability, please consider a donation to the Outdoor Ministries General Fund to help keep our doors open for many seasons to come!
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Opportunities to step "Out of the Ordinary, Into the Sacred" |
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Clergy Praycations
3-days, 2-nights - only $60!
Call Pilgrim Park or Tower Hill
to book yours today!
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Quilt Retreat
December 8-11
Pilgrim Park
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Events and Training Opportunities |
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Pre-Retirement Planning Seminar
Wednesday, November 2, 11 AM - 3 PM CST
UCC Pension Boards
If you are an actively-contributing Pension Boards member, 45 years of age or older, we invite you to join a Pensions Boards' Financial Wellness Seminar themed “Planning for the Transition to Retirement. Whether you are planning to retire soon or are in the middle of your career, clergy or lay, this seminar is designed to help you transition to retirement. Register here by November 1, 2022. You will receive the information for joining the meeting after you register.
In this session, we will discuss the following: The retirement planning process and assessing if you are on track; Social Security planning including common questions; Decisions you'll need to make when starting your PBUCC retirement benefits; Medicare and other insurance considerations; Investing planning as you approach retirement; Common estate planning documents; Planning for a fulfilling life after retirement.
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The Abraham Joshua Heschel Lecture:
Everything is Interfaith Now, Even at Elmhurst
Thursday, November 3, 7:30 PM
Elmhurst University
In a discussion about meeting each other across religious difference—in the public square, in the media, in the workplace and on campus—Rachel Mikva, Herman E. Schaalman Professor in Jewish Studies at Chicago Theological Seminary (CTS), and CTS President Brad Braxton will explore the idea that interfaith is everywhere, and what it means at Elmhurst University and beyond. Learn more/signup here.
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Climate Ambassador Training
Saturday, November 5, 10 AM-2 PM CST
United Church of Christ
How do we link our faith to the climate crisis? How do we effectively talk about climate change with others? What opportunities do we have to make a difference in our local churches and communities? These questions and more will be addressed in the Blessed Tomorrow Ambassadors Training Program that is being offered by the United Church of Christ and ecoAmerica. This free, virtual, interactive training will take place on Saturday, November 5th from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm CST. Featured presenters include the Rev. Carol Devine, the Rev. Dr. Brooks Berndt, the Rev. Emma Brewer-Wallin, the Rev. Michael Malcom, and Andrew Wells-Bean. Learn more and register here!
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An American Martyr in Persia w/ Reza Aslan
Thursday, November 10, 7:00 PM
Chicago Theological Seminary
Join us at First Congregational UCC in Naperville, Illinois for a very special FREE event. Author and historian Reza Aslan will join CTS board member Rev. Mark Winters for a discussion on Reza’s latest book, An American Martyr in Persia: The Epic Life and Tragic Death of Howard Baskerville. A book signing will follow the event. Books will be available for purchase on site.
First Congregational UCC Naperville
25 E Benton Ave, Naperville, IL 60540
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Centering the Silence Summit
November 14-18, 2022
Convergence
Even in progressive faith spaces, we have historically silenced the voices of humans who are not part of the dominant culture. This summit will flip the script and only feature such voices. We will ask each of these important voices what they believe is the single greatest social and liberative challenge facing us at this time, and, more importantly, what is the church's responsibility in the conversation? Learn more/register here.
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November Calendar at a Glance |
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Ordinations, Installations, Ecclesiastical Councils & More |
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Events in the Illinois Conference & Beyond |
Nov 19: Summer Camp Director Meeting. 2:00 p.m. Details coming soon.
Nov 23: NO All Conference Chat.
Nov 24-25: Conference office CLOSED.
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Conference and Association Committee Meetings |
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Nov 1: Property Committee Meeting. 10:00 a.m. via Zoom.
Nov 3: Prairie Committee on Ministry. 9:00 a.m. via Zoom.
Nob 10: FVA Committee on Ministry. 9:00 a.m. via Zoom.
Nov 10: CMA Church & Ministry. 12:00 p.m. via Zoom.
Nov 12: Outdoor Ministries Committee Mtg. 9:00 a.m. via Zoom.
Nov 12: Stewardship Committee Mtg. 3:00 p.m. via Zoom.
Nov 15: FAB Committee Meeting. 9:00 a.m. via Zoom.
Nov 15: Western Committee on Ministry. 9:00 a.m. via Zoom.
Nov 19: Conference Council Mtg. 11:00 a.m. via Zoom.
Nov 21: CMA Council Mtg. 6:30 p.m. via Zoom.
Nov 23: Eastern Committee on Ministry. 9:30 a.m. via Zoom.
Nov 28: CMA Justice & Witness. 7:00 p.m. via Zoom.
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My Congregation Votes
Community Renewal Society
Community Renewal Society presents My Congregation Votes, a campaign to encourage voter engagement and civic participation in the upcoming mid-term and municipal elections. CRS will coordinate various events during the month of October to promote voter registration in our member congregations, as well as provide a voter guide that will help inform local and statewide communities. We look forward to partnering with you to work to build electoral power and push for progressive leaders and legislation.
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Digital Ministry Resources
Convergence, Rev. Jim Keat
I think it's safe to say that this "Digital Ministry" thing is here to stay. For some of us this is a relief and exciting, as we're eager to dive into this brave new world. For others this is terrifying, as we finally figured out how to run a Zoom meeting and that's only the tip of the digital ministry iceberg.
For all of us, this means that we need to continue to learn new skills, borrow new ideas, and try new things. Which is why I'm making weekly videos on my YouTube channel to help pastors and faith leaders learn how to do digital ministry. These videos are completely free and I my hope is that they can help as many pastors as possible.
Here are a few that I think pastors might find especially helpful:
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Advocate Aurora Health Care
Safely Reopening Our Doors Toolkit
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Recently Added Lay Employment Opportunities:
For more lay employment opportunity postings, click here.
Please let us know if you have a job opening you would like to share,
and also update us once the position is filled. Contact Sarah Lohrbach.
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Church Newsletter Request |
Please send us your newsletters so we can keep up with what's going on in your church.
Address for printed newsletters: Illinois Conference UCC, 1840 Westchester Blvd., Suite 200, Westchester, IL 60154. Electronic newsletters: Please add Sarah Lohrbach at SarahLohrbach@ilucc.org to your church’s mailing list.
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THE ILLINOIS CONFERENCE UCC E-NEWSLETTER is published by the Illinois Conference of the United Church of Christ, 1840 Westchester Blvd., Suite 200, Westchester, IL 60154. The Rev. Molly Carlson, Conference Minister; Sarah Lohrbach, Editor. Copy may be sent to: SarahLohrbach@ilucc.org.
This communication is made possible by your contributions to
Our Church's Wider Mission
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Illinois Conference of the United Church of Christ | (708) 344-4470
1840 Westchester Blvd., Suite 200, Westchester, IL 60154
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