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** Note ** You are receiving the district eNews because your name is in our Lay Leadership Database as a leader in your local church.
This email is a way to keep you updated on what is happening in your district and within the conference. This email comes out 2 times a month on the 2nd and 4th Thursdays. If you are no longer interested in recieving the District eNews please click the Update Profile link at the bottom of the email. (Clicking UnSubscribe means you will not receive ANY emails from the conference including apportionment announcements, sympathy notices and weekly eNews)
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Oswego Methodists give back at holidays
Christmas was brighter for Oswego-area families thanks to Oswego's Church of the Good Shepherd United Methodist and Little Shepherd Preschool.
"Our congregation and our preschool parents together provided many gifts for area families," said Janet McCarty, president of United Methodist Women which sponsored the collections.
She noted that Good Shepherd congregants provided toys for 75 children through the Salvation Army’s Angel Tree program. Additionally, congregants gave eight members of three families clothes, toys, and household items through the Share Your Blessings program of the Kendall County Health Department.
According to McCarty, "This is an example of putting our faith, hope and love in action. A big thank you to Amanda Sidhu and her dad for delivering the Angel Tree gifts and to Judy and Chuck Schurman for delivering Share Your Blessings gifts."
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Apportionment Receipts Exceed Expectations
Despite challenging times and strain on church finances because of the ongoing pandemic, apportionment receipts for 2021 far exceeded expectations and will allow the Conference to pay 100 percent General Church apportionments for the first time in a decade.
The Conference Council on Finance and Administration (CCFA) gives thanks to all the churches that faithfully paid their apportionments, which totaled nearly $5.6 million for the Conference budget and General Church funds. NIC Treasurer Lonnie Chafin says this year’s numbers improved $900,000 (19%) over 2020’s results.
Read More.
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The February Reporter is now available online and heading to the post office for delivery.
Check out the new design! In this issue, Bishop Hopkins shares what he learned about generosity from his childhood and thanks NIC churches for stepping up their apportionment giving in 2021. As we celebrate Black History Month in February, learn how the Heritage Center is working to preserve stories of Black Methodists in America. Also, read how the latest omicron surge is affecting churches and learn about the CodeRed bus tour across the conference. Read more.
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5th Sunday Appeal - January 30
For more than 30 years, United Voices for Children (UVC) has helped congregations serve Northern Illinois' most vulnerable populations through our partnership with Kids Above All, MYSI and Rosecrance. Be a part of this important work by supporting UVC's Fifth Sunday Appeal on Sunday, January 30, 2022. Click here for resources for the local church to inform your congregation and community. Need 5th Sunday Appeal envelopes? Email UVC at unitedvoicesforchildren@gmail.com to request special giving envelopes. Click here to donate. Thank you for your support!
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NIC UMW Mission u
February 4-5 Hybrid at Hinsdale UMC Mission u is presented by United Methodist Women for all (children, youth, men and women). Fees $45 for in person (lunch included), $15 for each virtual adult, $5 for each child or youth with a maximum of $15 for children and youth per family. Register by January 30.
Click here for details.
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Clergy Get Smart About Your Taxes
February 7 11 am - 12 pm Online Join this free webinar presented by Discipleship Ministries. Clergy face some unique challenges when it comes to things like Social Security payments, estimated tax payments, housing allowances or exclusions, and reimbursed expenses. Join the Rev. Don Joiner, a certified financial planner, to help navigate the preparation of taxes and planning for a sound financial future. Click here to register.
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NIC UMM Annual Breakfast
March 12 starting 8:30 am. In-person and livestreamed from Grace UMC, 3555 McFarland Rd, Rockford, IL. Guest Speaker Greg Arnold, UMM's new General Secretary. Cost $10. No cost for pastors. Click here for details.
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Harmony For Hunger Concert
March 18 6:30 - 9 pm.
Hosted by the Prairie North District UMM at Hononegah High School Performing Arts Center, 307 Salem Street, Rockton, IL.
Cost $15.
100% of the proceeds will go toward area food pantries and the Society of St. Andrew's meals for millions.
Click here for details.
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Resources for the Local Church
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United Voices for Children 5th Sunday Appeal (Sunday, January 30) - Resources for the local Church
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Black History Month (month of February) - Worship Resources
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UMCOR Sunday (March 27) - Worship Resources, Children's Resources, Social Media graphics, videos and more.
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Lent - Worship Resources, Stations of the Cross, Studies, Spiritual Practices, and more.
- Passion Play Small Group Study by Rev. Rob Fuquay
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Easter and Holy Week - Worship Resources, Hymns, Devotions, Outreach Resources, 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 - for small groups, pastors, children and individuals.
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