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At their March 10 meeting, NIC's General Conference delegates heard summaries of important legislation on regionalization, removing harmful language from the Discipline, the revised Social Principles, and more. Their sending forth takes place on April 7. Read more.
Join NIC's delegates to General and Jurisdictional conferences in daily prayer from April 1 to May 5.
Download the prayer calendar.
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Golden Cross Winners Offer Compassion to Seniors
NIC has recognized five exemplary leaders in senior services by granting them Golden Cross awards. Donations to Golden Cross Sunday offerings fund grants for deserving workers in senior-serving institutions to further their service among older adults. Chaplain Melanie Myatt, Jillian Price, Lana Pearson, Ashley Pinedo-Belmontes, and Jobert Dulay were honored. Read more.
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Annual Conference 2024 Updates
Sunday, June 16 - Tuesday, June 18
Renaissance Schaumburg Convention Center
Volunteers Needed
We need ushers, plenary pages, legislative section leaders, greeters, secretarial pool members, and more to help annual conference session run smoothly and efficiently. Volunteer for the entire conference, one day, or even part of a day. No previous experience is necessary. Contact Bri Wadlington, Events Administrator, if you have questions. Interested? Complete this volunteer form.
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Things to note:
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Registration: Voting members and guests should plan on registering on the Annual Conference website. Registration will open here on April 3. Registration includes Clergy Session or Laity Session, Pre-conference briefings and some meal options. The cost before April 29 is $115. The cost rises to $130 until May 29. There will be no on-site registration.
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Hotel rooms: The Renaissance Schaumburg Convention Center Hotel is holding a block of rooms for conference attendees at a special rate. The reservation deadline is May 25. Any remaining rooms will be released on May 26. Cost: $185 plus 11% tax per night. Call (888) 236-2427 (mention Northern Illinois Conference UMC) or reserve online.
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Mission Links Spotlight:
Native American Ministries Sunday, April 14
This Special Sunday is a denomination wide celebration designed to raise awareness and remind United Methodists of the gifts and contributions made by Native Americans to our society. An offering is taken on this Special Sunday to support vital ministries and churches in the Native American communities. The offering allows The United Methodist Church to partner with existing native ministries to develop new programs on behalf of Native Americans. Learn more.
HOW TO GIVE: Write a check to your local church and write, “Native American Ministries Sunday offering” in the memo line. Churches can give through the NIC Apportionment process.
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HAPPENING AROUND THE CONFERENCE | |
Saturday, April 13, 9:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
Aurora: Wesley UMC, 14 N May St., Aurora
Cost $15
The fee includes registration, continental breakfast, and a light lunch.
If this fee precludes you from attending, please don't hesitate to contact Amania Drane.
Learn more.
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Help Kids Above All to provide essential health and safety items for the young kids and parents in their programs with their Healthy Babies Drive.
Read more.
Another way to support KAA is by giving to United Voices for Children in the 5th Sunday Appeal on Sunday, March 31. Learn more.
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Fed up with today's divisive conversations?
Let's do something about it.
Join the NIC Anti-Racism Task Force and the ARTF Advocacy Partners for a workshop that will help you through difficult political conversations with people in your life.
Braver Angels Workshop: Skills for Bridging the Divide
Monday, April 15, 7 to 8:30 p.m.
Free on Zoom. Learn more.
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Experiencing Holy Week through art
Artists at West Market Street United Methodist Church were asked to depict the Stations of the Cross through various mediums. As they interpreted the Scriptures of Holy Week, these United Methodists found themselves experiencing Christ’s crucifixion ― and their own faith ― in new ways. United Methodist Communications has a video. Read more.
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Rural Church Grant Deadlines Approaching
Are you a rural church that has a great ministry idea but you need some money to get it off the ground? Then, consider applying for a PACK Grant (Planned Act of Christian Kindness) or Keagy Grant. Deadline: March 31.
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PACK Grants are from $100-$500 for strategically reaching out and blessing the lives of your community neighbors. Examples of PACK grants include supporting teachers with school supplies for their classrooms, providing snacks and water at a local parade or treating first responders to pizza as a thank you.
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Keagy Grants are from $500-$3000. They are also typically community-facing ministries and can be used as seed money to start a new ministry or strengthen an existing ministry. Examples include a summer reading program for kids, a senior ministry with meals and entertainment and start-up funds for a teen ministry.
If you have any questions, please contact Rev. Libby Rutherford. Learn more and apply here.
Other grants available
- The Migrant Needs grant, funded by the 2023 Bishop’s Appeal, is offering funds for churches in ministry with migrants in your community. Priority will be given to proposals that directly assist individuals or families and include cost-sharing or additional sources of support, whether in-kind, volunteer hours, or financial contributions. Read more.
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NIC Property Insurance News
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Review the 2024 letter that addresses property premium allocation, property insurance statements (posted monthly rather than quarterly), insurance packet, and property claim activity.
- 2024 Certificates of Insurance are available on the Lay Leadership Portal Instructions are available here. Contact Debbie Rogers drogers@umcnic.org for assistance accessing the portal. Contact Dwayne Jackson, Director of Ministry Protection & Ministry Protection djackson@umcnic.org, with questions and/or changes.
- Additional information on the NIC Property & Casualty Insurance program is available on the conference website under Risk Management.
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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 © 2024 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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