December 2021 E-Blast, First Edition |
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Faith Brings Hope that No Pandemic Can Quench
Rev. Dr. John C. Dorhauer
Dear Friends in Christ,
The world has changed. Familiar patterns in life, in worship and in work have been closeted in order to secure the safety and health of ourselves, our loved ones, our classmates and colleagues. New patterns will arrive, some of which we will welcome, some of which we will not. Grief upon grief has been visited upon us all. Hope and joy are harder to locate these days; while virulence and distrust, anger and vitriol appear around every corner. ... Read more here.
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Extended Clinical Pastoral Education Unit Openings
Riverside Medical Center, Kankakee
The Pastoral Care Office at Riverside Medical Center, in Kankakee, IL is now accepting applications for our next extended unit of Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) – a training that aids individuals in being more self-aware, develops pastoral skills in relationship with others, and enhances the ability to empathically come alongside others in an inclusive supportive manner. We presently have three students so the unit can move forward. I would be happy to add up to four Members in Discernment into this CPE unit. This is an extended unit which allows for individuals to work while taking CPE.
Orientation is January 24th and 25th and the unit runs from February 1 - June 21, 2022.
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57th Annual Celebration Recap
In cased you missed all or part of our 57th Annual Celebration from November 16-20, 2021, you can see a recap of what happened and watch all available recordings and videos by clicking on the image or the link below.
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Join the Movement toward Racial Justice
UCC Witness for Justice, Rev. Dr. Velda Love
Our nation is deeply immersed in a resurgence of racist tactics and behaviors that calls for a deeper commitment to eradicate the ongoing practices of oppression, hate speech, individual bigotry, and overt violence against communities of color. The movement for black lives is sacred and spiritual. The movement for racial justice cannot be separated from faith commitments and commandments as taught in Old and New Testaments.
Why Join the Movement toward Racial Justice?
Join the Movement toward Racial Justice is an invitation to demonstrate God’s love and to partner with others who are working for the common good. The Christian church began as a movement towards a just world through the teachings of Jesus. As disciples of Jesus, we believe it is our mandate to work for and seek justice, love, and compassion. Join the Movement toward Racial Justice was featured as a new campaign initiative during General Synod 33. ... Read more here.
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Medical Debt Relief Campaign
The Illinois Conference is STRONGER TOGETHER when we act together for mission and justice. We are now halfway through week 9 of our 10 week Medical Debt Relief Campaign and have raised $16,595! That equals a total of $1,659,500 in medical debt that will be erased!
We have a week and a half remaining in our campaign. Let's see how much more we can raise by working together!
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New Portal for Ministers' Profiles:
Training Opportunities and More
UCC MESA
A new online platform for United Church of Christ profiles goes live Dec. 6. Ministers can sign up now to learn how to use it. So can others who work in the UCC search-and-call process. The update "does not include any content revision to the Ministerial Profile itself," said the Rev. Elizabeth Dilley, leader of the Ministerial Excellence, Support and Authorization team. "However, the new layout will be organized in a more user-friendly manner."
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All Conference Chat -
Taking a Break for December
We are taking a hiatus from our weekly All Conference Chat for the month of December. We know this is a busy time of year for our congregations and figured you could use a few less events on your calendar. We will resume our weekly chats in January 2022. Have a blessed Advent!
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Active UCC Global H.O.P.E. Appeals
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Winter Staycations
Tower Hill and Pilgrim Park provide a place of rest and respite for our guests, especially during the winter months when it's hard to get away. We're close, but far-away and just a phone call away from a great escape from the everyday.
Several options and accommodations are available, perfect for small families, family reunions and specialize retreats. This is an exceptional time to visit, enjoy the beautiful wildlife and scenery that our camps have to offer. We promise your soul will thank you!
If you wish to escape for a needed rest call Pilgrim Park at 815-447-2390 or Tower Hill at 269-426-3881. Dates may fill up quickly, so don't wait!
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Winter Praycations for Clergy
The Illinois Conference Outdoor Ministries are once again offering Winter Praycations - a time of rest and recreation between the two busiest seasons in the church year. We offer this time so our clergy are able to continue to serve our congregations and communities with integrity and vitality, and to respond to the call of God with courage and compassion. Clergy and their families are invited to register for a 3 day, 2 night stay at either Pilgrim Park or Tower Hill Camp. Registration fee is only $60 (made possible through a generous grant from the Brown Endowment Fund). Download the flyer here. |
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Ordinations, Installations, Anniversaries and More |
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Conference and Association Meetings |
Dec. 4: Personnel Committee Meeting. 9:30 a.m. via Zoom.
Dec. 7: Property Committee Meeting. 10:00 a.m. via Zoom.
Dec. 21: Western COM Meeting. 9:00 a.m. via Zoom.
Dec. 21: Outdoor Ministries Committee Meeting. 6:00 p.m. via Zoom.
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Dec. 7: Boundary Training. 2:30-4:30 p.m. via Zoom. Class is full.
Dec. 9: Boundary Training. 6:30-8:30 p.m. via Zoom. Register Here.
There will be no All Conference Chat for the month of December.
We will resume our weekly chats in 2022.
Have a blessed Advent Season!
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Events and Training Opportunities |
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A Festival of Lessons and Carols
Friday, Dec. 3rd, 4 and 7 PM CST
Elmhurst University
Elmhurst University invites you to an evening of lessons and carols in Hammerschmidt Memorial Chapel with time-honored music performed by the Elmhurst University Choirs. Admission is Free and all are welcome! Click here to download the flyer.
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How to Get Your Student Loans Forgiven
Friday, December 3rd, 1:00 PM CST
UCC and National Council of Churches
Religious workers AND clergy are now eligible for Public Service Student Loan Forgiveness (PSLF)!! Attorney Ashley Harrington, a senior level official from the Federal Student Aid office of the US Department of Education, will walk us through recent updates to the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program and other methods that can help ALL borrowers (including religious workers and clergy) reduce or better manage student loans.
Register today and share this invitation with clergy and religious workers and all others in your network who might benefit! All that have student loan debt are welcome!
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Bringing it Home: Interfaith Roundtable on Homeless
Thursday, Dec. 9th, 6:30-8 PM CST
Chicago Coalition for the Homeless
In July, the UCC General Synod passed A RESOLUTION TO DECLARE AND RESPOND TO RACISM AS A PUBLIC HEALTH CRISIS. Our country’s history of racial discrimination in real estate and banking, along with continued wage discrimination, have made housing instability skewed so that people of color are overrepresented among the homeless. 59% of Chicagoans experiencing homelessness are Black, and 25% are Latinx. Numerous severe health problems are linked to the experience of homelessness in all age groups.
On December 9th five leaders of different faith traditions will speak from the perspectives of their religious backgrounds on responding to people experiencing homelessness. This virtual gathering will feature the CMA’s Associate Conference Minister, the Rev. Dr. Terrill Murff, as well as representatives of Roman Catholic, Jewish, Islamic, and Baha’i faiths. Afterwards, we will enter breakout rooms for further discussion. Click here to download the flyer.
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Holiday Blessings Sacred Choral Concerts
December 3rd, 5th, and 11th
Lux Cantorum Chicago
Lux Cantorum is thrilled to share the blessing of a return to safe, in-person concert performances. The concert will be performed without an intermission, and will run slightly over an hour in length. An invitation to experience divine presence from many faith traditions, featuring works by J. S. Bach, S. Rachmaninoff, D. Forrest and others. Advance e-ticket purchase is required.
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700 Prospect Commemoration - New Date!
Sunday, March 13, 2022
United Church of Christ
The United Church of Christ national setting is not quite ready to say farewell to Amistad Chapel. The chapel’s last worship service, originally slated for Dec. 4, at 2:30 ET, has now been moved to the second Sunday in March, March 13, 2022, which is traditionally Amistad Sunday. Read more here about the reasons, the building, and the impending move from 700 Prospect.
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Click here to view and purchase the UCC "Rooted in Love" 2021 Stewardship theme resources. |
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Click here to find information and resources for the 2021 Christmas Fund Offering Suggested Date: Dec 19. |
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Click here to access prayers, a new toolkit, multimedia resources and more for Advent from the UCC. |
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Justice Resources
UCC Justice and Peace Action Network
DC Action Center
Each week, the D.C. Office creates an action alert based on what is happening at that time in Congress, and offers you the opportunity to contact your legislators with just one click! You can find all the alerts here.
The Pollinator
The Pollinator is a digital platform of the UCC for the sharing of ideas and inspiration. Its focus is the building of a faith-filled and faith-rooted movement for the care of creation.
Witness for Justice
Looking for up-to-date social justice commentary? Check out Witness for Justice, a weekly editorial opinion column written by the staff of Justice and Witness Ministries.
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Creation Justice Resources
UCC Creation Justice Ministries
Since its inception in 2013, the UCC's Environmental Justice Ministry has worked closely with an ecumenical organization known as Creation Justice Ministries (CJM). Recently, CJM published a series of theological reflections that each sought to answer this question:
The Rev. Allyson Sawtell has created a new website for sharing liturgy, poetry, essays, and songs focused primarily around environmental healing and justice.
Hans Holznagel from the UCC news team has recently published three climate-related articles on UCC actions and perspectives:
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Toolkit for Addressing Health Misinformation
United States Surgeon General
The Surgeon General’s Community Toolkit for Addressing Health Misinformation provides specific guidance and resources for health care providers, educators, librarians, faith leaders, and trusted community members to understand, identify, and stop the spread of health misinformation in their communities. The toolkit provides 22 pages of specific guidance and resources. Get the resources here.
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Advocate Aurora Health Care
Safely Reopening Our Doors Toolkit
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Please let us know if you have a job opening you would like to have shared,
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-BLAST 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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