October 2021 E-Blast, First Edition |
|
|
Annual Celebration!
November 16-20, Virtual
This year’s Annual Celebration will be a little different! The completely virtual format, held from November 16 – 20, will offer inspiring worship services and learning opportunities as well as sessions for conducting the business of our conference.
Beginning Tuesday, November 16, each day will offer different ways for participants to connect. Each morning will begin with a devotional time to set our intention for the day. Afternoons will offer learning opportunities and evenings will have worship services, panel discussions and fellowship time.
|
|
Medical Debt Relief Campaign
10 Million in 10 Weeks
We have an exciting challenge that we can only possibly achieve if we work together. After all, we are STRONGER TOGETHER. We have a challenge set to relieve $10M of medical debt that is burdening our neighbors right here in Illinois. If we can raise $100,000 by the end of November, we have the opportunity to purchase debt through RIP Medical Debt in partnership with the national setting of the UCC. This amount of money can relieve $10,000,000 of debt off the backs of our neighbors most in need. I know no better way to express our faith in practice! Download our pre-made bulletin insert for use in your church: PDF format or Word format.
|
|
|
Free Hymnals!!
Emington Congregational Church has approximately 250 copies of the hymnal "Praise! Our Songs and Hymns" published by Brentwood-Benson Music Publishing. They are to be donated to any church that wants or needs them. The only request is that you either pay for shipping costs or arrange to pick them up in Emington. Contact Grant Speece if you are interested. |
|
Mosquitoes in the Labyrinth
Rev. Brandyn Simmons
|
|
I was recently presenting at a leadership retreat on grounds that had beautiful rolling hills, gorgeous flowers, and a labyrinth. I decided to take a walk and go down to the labyrinth that was down a moraine in a sort of basin. It was dusk and as I folded my hands in a contemplative pose and fixed my gaze just in front of my feet, I entered the mysterious maze. |
|
Active UCC Global H.O.P.E. Appeals
|
|
CWS Emergency Clean-Up Buckets and Kits
This is an urgent call to churches to assemble CWS Emergency Clean-Up Buckets and School and Hygiene Kits. CWS stocks Buckets and Kits for disasters like Ida, which in turn can deplete these supplies quickly. Get full specifications, and apply for a $250 UCC Kits Matching Grant to make your contribution go even farther!
|
|
Our camps are working in creative ways for the guests of coming generations to continue having an experience to carry them “out of the ordinary and into the sacred”.
This fall we are offering rental of cabins and facilities for short term getaways, a unique way to enjoy time in a natural, safe environment. Each rental has cooking capacity for easy meals, as guests are asked to provide their own meals, local restaurants have take-out as well. This is also a great opportunity for guests who have an option to work "away" as our views inspire and renew.
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, as we are close, yet far away, a perfect place to recharge.
|
|
Be the Healing Conference
October 8-9, 2021
United Church of Christ
Participants will learn about improvement as a science and its implications for supporting healing initiatives and social justice as a framework that helps to accelerate how we learn to improve. It is a user and problem centered approach to accelerate teaching and learning through action, learning by doing. Register Here.
|
|
Shelby Rooks Lecture
Thursday, Oct. 14, 6:00 PM
Chicago Theological Seminary
CTS is pleased to welcome Dr. Keri L. Day as our guest speaker for the annual C. Shelby Rooks Lecture. This event will be held virtually. Register today by clicking the button below! Dr. Day is an Associate Professor of Constructive Theology and African American Religion at Princeton Theological Seminary in Princeton, NJ. She earned an M.A. in Religion and Ethics from Yale University Divinity School and received her Ph.D. in Religion from Vanderbilt University. Her academic research focuses on how African American theology and black religious thought address global economics, especially among women of the African Diaspora.
In the weeks leading up to the lecture, CTS is encouraging donors to support the Center for the Study of Black Faith and Life (CSBFL). CTS created the CSBFL as a manifestation of our commitment to combatting racial division and dismantling white supremacy and racism. The CSBFL equips leaders with the skills to embody faithfulness and critical reflection in the pursuit of racial equity.
|
|
18th Annual Awards Benefit and Concert
October 20, 6:00 PM
A Just Harvest
This year’s event will include a special performance by Julian “J.Kwest” DeShazier, an Emmy Award-winning musician featured in the video “Strange Fruit,” a commemoration of the Billie Holiday song and a meditation on racial violence. The Chicago native and graduate of Morehouse College and the University of Chicago is also pastor of University Church – a Sanctuary congregation for immigrants.
|
|
Outdoor Ministries - Fall Adult Retreat
Pre-retirement and Retirement: A Spiritual Path
Sunday, October 24th - Tuesday, October 26
Tower Hill Camp and Retreat Center
Leader: Rev. Jeffrey Phillips
There are many ways to think about our pre-retirement and retirement years. This retreat will help participants consider these stages of life from a spiritual perspective as we reflect on thoughts from Anne Lamott’s recent book, Dusk, Night, Dawn, and engage in various contemplative practices. Download the Flyer here.
|
|
Ordinations, Installations, and Other Celebrations
Oct. 17: Little Home Church by the Wayside 150th Anniversary Celebration.
|
|
Conference and Association Meetings |
Oct. 5: Property Committee Meeting. 10:00 a.m. via Zoom.
Oct. 9: Personnel Committee Meeting. 9:30 a.m. via Zoom.
Oct. 16: Chicago Metropolitan Association Fall Meeting. More details coming soon.
Oct. 17: Eastern Association Fall Meeting. 6:00 p.m. More details coming soon.
Oct. 19: FAB Committee Meeting. 9:00 a.m. via Zoom.
Oct. 19: Outdoor Ministry Committee Meeting. 6:00 p.m. via Zoom.
Oct. 23: Conference Council Meeting. 10:00 a.m. via Zoom.
Oct. 25: CMA Justice & Witness Team meeting. 7:00 p.m. via Zoom.
|
|
Oct. 6: All Conference Chat. 3:00 p.m. via Zoom. UCC Pacific Islander and Asian American Ministries
Oct. 7: Pilgrim Congregational Church presents: Linking Anti-Blackness and Anti-Immigration. 6:30 p.m. via Zoom. Registration Required.
Oct. 13: All Conference Chat. 3:00 p.m. via Zoom. Medical Debt Relief - Part One.
Oct. 20: All Conference Chat. 3:00 p.m. via Zoom. Medical Debt Relief - Part Two.
Oct. 27: All Conference Chat. 3:00 p.m. via Zoom. Monthly Conference Update.
|
|
Click here to view and purchase the UCC "Rooted in Love" 2021 Stewardship theme resources. |
|
Click here to view resources from the UCC Disabilities Ministries for Access Sunday on October 10, 2021. |
|
Click here for information about the 2021 Neighbors in Need "Unfailing Love" Special Offering October 3. |
|
Chicago Resource Hub
NORC at the University of Chicago, is a nonprofit organization working with the Chicago Department of Public Health. NORC plays a critical role in the program by operating the Resource Coordination Hub. Click here for a full overview of the Resource Hub.
Resource Navigators at the Chicago COVID-19 Resource Coordination Hub are available to help Chicago residents connect with organizations that can provide necessities like food, medication, housing, utility assistance programs, and more. The service is confidential and free. Click here to download the Resource Hub flyer in English and Spanish. |
|
Training for UCC Churches: Serving Afghan Refugees |
|
|
|
The 90-minute presentation, “Training for UCC Churches: Serving Afghan Refugees,” can be viewed at this link.
|
|
COVID-19 Vaccination Updates and More
Advocate Health Care
|
|
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.
|
|
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.
|
|
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
|
|
Illinois Conference of the United Church of Christ | (708) 344-4470
1840 Westchester Blvd., Suite 200, Westchester, IL 60154
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
