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Grand Opening Celebration for Dekalb: First UMC
After almost 20 years of planning, praying, fundraising, and construction, the new Church Building for DeKalb First UMC is finally complete. Mark your calendars and plan to join them for their Grand Opening Celebration on Sunday, September 10, at 2501 N. Annie Glidden Rd, DeKalb, IL (across from the DeKalb County Health Department). The day will begin with a special Morning Worship Service and Building Dedication at 10:00 AM with Bishop Dan Schwerin. From 12:30 -2:30 p.m. there are food and festivities planned including food, games, music, and activities for all ages. Tours of the new facility will also be offered.
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United Methodist Committee On Relief (UMCOR) responds to natural or civil disasters of such magnitude that they overwhelm a community’s ability to recover on its own. When responding to a disaster in the United States, UMCOR provides training, financial assistance, expertise, community collaboration to churches and partners making them more resilient to disasters.
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Join UMs in Helping Maui Recover from Wildfires. Wind-driven wildfires on Maui have prompted evacuations and caused significant loss of life and widespread damage. UMCOR is sending an initial grant for emergency supplies, such as shelf-stable food, water, hygiene items, and tools to help survivors recover belongings. As first responders continue to provide initial aid in the area, please join UMCOR in prayer for those affected.Invite donations through your church so it applies to your Mission Links giving Advance #901670. Read more.
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Explore The Long Shadow of Privilege, Power & Race
The connections among privilege, power, and race are the subject of the next Anti-Racism Film Series session. Many gatherings are taking place on Sept. 21, 6 to 8 p.m., at various locations across the conference and online via Zoom. The gatherings include a soul food meal, presentation by director Frances Causey, and table discussions. (Online participants log in at 6:45.) Before the gathering, please watch the documentary The Long Shadow, directed by filmmaker and investigative journalist Francis Causey. It explores the shameful legacy of American slavery to its insidious ties to racism today. Read more.
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Website Redesign: Your Opinion Needed!
Every few years, an organization’s website needs a refresh. Your Northern Illinois Conference communications staff is working with Big Heart Creative to redesign the NIC website. To make sure that you can easily find on the site the resources and information you want, we need your opinion. Please take this survey to let us know what you need from the conference website. Your feedback will help us create a helpful, easy-to-use website. Take the Survey.
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Resources for placemaking in rural areas
The Rural America Placemaking Toolkit is a resource guide to showcase a variety of placemaking activities, projects and success stories across rural America. Placemaking is an intentional approach to community development exploring what it means for a community have an identity. Community partners and citizens of various backgrounds can work together towards a shared identity. Explore creative community conversations using watercolors, community and cultural assessments to think about “Where Your Sidewalk Begins,” cross-sector partnerships that promote community health and more. Read more.
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HAPPENING AROUND THE CONFERENCE | |
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“Keep the Dream Alive” – United Methodists Stand for Racial Justice
On Sunday, August 27, 2023, the NIC Anti-Racism Task Force will be hosting two back-to-back events in Chicago to honor the 60th Anniversary of the March on Washington and to lift up the on-going work of seeking racial justice.
Find more information and register here.
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Deepen your understanding of our UM beliefs
Registration is open for this fall's groups that will be reading and discussing Living Our Beliefs: The United Methodist Way, by retired UMC Bishop Kenneth L. Carder. Starting in September, groups will meet throughout the conference via Zoom, in person, and hybrid for five to six weeks. Learn more, find a listing of group options, and register here.
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NIC Youth Fall Retreat
The NIC Youth Fall Retreat Team is excited to invite you to our second annual retreat, intended for 6th-12th graders in the Northern Illinois Conference. This year's theme is "Behold." The retreat will happen Fri., Sept. 29 - Sun., Oct. 1 at the Lake Geneva Youth Camp in Lake Geneva, WI. The cost is $140 each person. There is a requirement of one adult who is Safe Sanctuary certified for up to every six youth. We hope you'll join us for a time of rejuvenation, growth and connection!
Click here for more information and to register.
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Blue United Methodist Hymnals available
St. Paul Community Church in Homewood, IL is going through a merger and looking to find a new home for several hundred blue-cover United Methodist Hymnals. If you are interested, contact Ree Grisham reegrisham@hotmail.com.
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Facing the Future event for cross-racial/cross-cultural/multicultural ministry settings
Pastors serving in cross-racial/cross-cultural/multi-cultural appointments are prophetic agents, now more than ever, in the task of creating beloved community in the face of deep, sharp cultural division. The ministry of pastors serving in cross-racial and cross-cultural appointments is vital. Themed "Be3: Being, Belonging, Becoming", Facing the Future 2023 will be grounded in biblical and theological frameworks, foster an environment of affirmation, have engaging, dynamic multicultural worship, and feature practical, relevant workshops and tools to further equip attendees in their CRCC ministry journeys. Read more.
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Learn 21st-Century Hospitality Tips
Many of us sit in the church sanctuary on Sunday mornings with an eye turned toward the door, hoping that new visitors will enter. This might not happen as frequently as we’d like. The Rev. Michael Beck shares tips for being more welcoming and learning how to create pockets of hospitality to be more inviting.
Read more.
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Other Resources
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#BeUMC Resources -Tool Kits, Social Media Kits, Graphics, and more.
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Social Media Shareables - Free graphics for social media for different events, months, and ministries. (Through Outreach, log-in is needed, but resources are free)
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UMC Giving Resources - Mission Moments, Special Sunday Info, Leader Kits, Pew Cards, and more.
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United Media Resource Center - Lending library of Christian materials for local churches, small groups, pastors, children, and individuals.
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Copyright © 2023 Northern Illinois Conference | |
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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