January 2022 E-Blast, Second Edition |
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UCC 2022 Yearbook
It's January, and that means it's UCC Yearbook time! An email was sent to all churches on Friday, January 7th with instructions for churches. If you did not receive this email, or have any questions, please call the Conference Office at 708-344-4470 or email Naomi.
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UCC Credit Union Survey
UCC Pension Boards
The Pension Boards is working towards creating a credit union to provide banking services to all UCC members, not just clergy and lay church employees. The effort is in response to a Synod resolution that a credit union would benefit the UCC community, including those for whom traditional banks often don’t serve justly.
Part of the process for obtaining a credit union charter is a survey of potential users. That survey has been circulated (you may have already received the invitation), and we’ve had good response from clergy, but we need to hear from laypeople.
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Join The Movement Update
Rev. Dr. Velda Love
As we approach the annual observance of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. weekend, we want to share some exciting news for the Join the Movement toward Racial Justice community. Since the announcement of this initiative at General Synod 33, we have been working to develop the Join the Movement website so it can become a hub of story-sharing, resources, news and events that draws others to join the movement and opens hearts to new possibilities and practices of racial justice.
We will be adding stories, resources, timely calls to action and reflections on current events in the movement toward racial justice regularly, so make sure to bookmark the page and return often! We hope this new way of nurturing our antiracism practices can be a fitting tribute to the legacy of Dr. King.
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We are happy to announce that our new website will go live on Monday, January 17th!
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Faith, Art, Activism and History meet at San Lucas UCC
Rev. Dr. Marilyn Pagan-Banks, Pastor
Ms. Carmen Flores-Rance, Church Council President
San Lucas UCC has always been at the forefront of of serving and advocating for the residents of the Humboldt Park community doing everything from providing clothing, serving hot meals to the homeless to helping people pay their utilities. This year they are part of an exciting project to ensure that the rich history of this historic Puerto Rican neighborhood will not be erased by gentrification. In a project named for the legendary historian Timuel Black (a political and civil rights activist, educator, historian, prolific author and revered elder statesman and griot of Chicago’s Black community, who recently passed at the age of 102), San Lucas will host STORIES FROM THE WEST SIDE-Community Workshop on January 30 & February 6, 2022. Download the flyer here.
This Storytelling and performance workshop will take place 2914 W North Avenue in Chicago. Members of the community are invited to share stories and reminisce. This will provide the inspiration for improvisations and be the basis of our project "Stories From the West Side" that will culminate in a showcase performance on April 30 at Segundo Ruiz Belvis Cultural Center. Featuring members of: James Sanders & Conjunto James Sanders | Freddy Quintero | Kevin O'Connell | Luis Prieto Rosario Cerqua Rivera Dance Theatre Wilfredo Rivera, Artistic Director.
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Next Generation Leadership Initiative
UCC Pension Boards
The Next Generation Leadership Initiative (NGLI) is a transformative leadership initiative of the UCC Pension Boards. NGLI equips, energizes, and empowers younger United Church of Christ local church pastors to build vibrant congregations that change lives and further God’s mission in the world.
Those who meet the following requirements are encouraged to apply by the deadline of February 1, 2022:
- 35 years of age or under by June 1, 2022
- Served a total of five years or less as an authorized minister in a parish
- Authorized for ministry in and on behalf of the UCC by an Association/Conference
- Hold a called position of 20 hours per week or more in a parish setting
- Committed to long-term ministry in local churches of the United Church of Christ
Click here to learn more about the program, including how to apply.
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Reflecting and Responding on January 6, 2021
January 6 marked one year from the attack on the US Capitol. The following articles are reflections and responses from leaders in the UCC and beyond.
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Active UCC Global H.O.P.E. Appeals
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Our camps are working in creative ways for the guests to continue having an experience to carry them “out of the ordinary and into the sacred”. We are offering rental of cabins and facilities for short term getaways. Each rental has cooking capacity for easy meals. Local restaurants have take-out as well. This is also a great opportunity for those who have an option to work "away" as our views are hard to pass up.
If you wish to escape to “renew in 2022” call Pilgrim Park at 815-447-2390 or Tower Hill at 269-426-3881. Dates may fill quickly. We are close, yet far away, a perfect place to recharge!
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Ordinations, Installations, Ecclesiastical Councils & More |
Jan. 16: Service of Release for Rev. Dr. Stephanie Perdew. 10:00 a.m. at First Congregational Church, Wilmette.
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Conference and Association Meetings |
Jan. 15: Outdoor Ministries Committee Retreat. 1:00 - 5:00 p.m. via Zoom.
Jan. 18: Western COM Meeting. 9:00 a.m. via Zoom.
Jan. 24: CMA Council Meeting. 6:30 p.m. via Zoom.
Jan. 24: CMA Justice & Witness Committee Meeting. 7:00 p.m. via Zoom.
Jan. 25: FAB Committee Meeting. 9:00 a.m. via Zoom.
Feb. 1: Property Committee Meeting. 10:00 a.m. via Zoom.
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Jan. 17: Community Renewal Society Annual MLK Faith In Action Assembly. 10:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. via Facebook and YouTube.
Jan. 19: All Conference Chat. 3:00 p.m. via Zoom. Outdoor Ministries Co-Director Position Overview.
Jan. 26: All Conference Chat. 3:00 p.m. via Zoom. Conference Council Update - 2021 Year End Financials.
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Events and Training Opportunities |
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Annual MLK Faith In Action Assembly
Monday, January 17, 10 AM & 7 PM CST
Community Renewal Society
Community Renewal Society is hosting their Annual Martin Luther King Jr. Faith In Action Assembly virtually on January 17th at 10 am and again at 7 pm. The featured speaker is the Rev. Dr. Otis Moss III from Trinity United Church of Christ. You can watch the assembly using either Facebook or YouTube, links below.
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Trending HR Considerations for Ministries
Friday, January 28, 2022, 1:00 PM CST
UCC Insurance Board
The new year presents emerging HR issues for ministries in 2022. Churches are learning how to pivot and adapt to managing risk during COVID-19 vaccine mandates, discipline and terminations, disability leave management, and updating policies and procedures to account for new changes in the law. Termination of ministry in the call agreement template is also proving to be challenging for some pastors. Register to attend here.
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Boundary Awareness Training
January 29, 9:00 AM - 3:00 PM
Illinois Conference UCC
Conference Minister Rev. Molly Carlson will be hosting a total of four Boundary Awareness Trainings in 2022. The first event will take place via Zoom on Saturday, January 29, 2022 from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Registration is required.
Each training will be capped at 50 participants. You must be present for the full duration of the training in order to receive credit. These trainings will fulfill the requirements in all five Associations of the Illinois Conference and will be based on the Ordained Ministers Code. Registration is open to both active and retired ministers.
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Building the Future for Our Youth
February 7-8, 2022
United Church of Christ
On February 7-8th, the national setting will offer a virtual conference for 100 youth ministers and leaders to reimagine youth ministry, National Youth Event and other events for the future. For more information about the event and updates regarding National Youth Event, you can read this article.
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Empowering Communication Workshops
January/February 2022
Empowering Communication, Inc.
Rev. Joel Westby (ELCA) and Rev. Leslie Ritter-Jenkins (UCC) are offering SIX Empowering Communication workshops for clergy in January and February 2022 via Zoom. Empowering Communication has been a framework that has given us confidence in how we choose to live out our faith in our personal and professional work. Learn more here.
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Mental Health First Aid Classes
NAMI
NAMI Metro Suburban, NAMI DuPage and the Community Memorial Foundation are excited to be offering Mental Health First Aid in LaGrange at the Community Wellness Center (4731 Willow Springs Road). We have Youth and Adult classes scheduled for January, February and March. The flyer can be downloaded here.
Mental Health First Aid takes the fear and hesitation out of addressing someone with a mental illness by improving understanding and providing an action plan that teaches people to safely and responsibly identify and address a mental illness or substance use disorder. When more community members are equipped with the tools they need to help someone who is struggling, more people get the help they need.
Registration is via the QR code and the link on the flyer or HERE. |
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Upcoming Events from Convergence
Rev. Cameron Trimble, CEO
Convergence has multiple event offerings coming up in 2022 including:
- Conflict Transformation Training
- How to be a Digital Minister
- Caring for Others While Not Losing Yourself
- And more!
Click here for more information about this wonderful opportunities!
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Click here to read about Health and Human Service Sunday on January 30. You can access the resources by clicking here. |
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Click here to find a list of Reparatory Racial Justice Resources from the Rev. Dr. Velda Love as a follow-up to Sacred Conversations during Annual Celebration. |
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Advocate Aurora Health Care
COVID-19 Updates - Dec 8, 2021
Safely Reopening Our Doors Toolkit
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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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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 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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