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Mission Links Highlight - World Communion Sunday (October 2)

United Methodists join Christians of different traditions to celebrate World Communion Sunday on the first Sunday in October. World Communion Sunday began in 1936 as a way to recognize our ecumenical oneness in Christ and to bring Christians together in a spirit of unity and peace.

In The United Methodist Church, congregations throughout the denomination will also join together to receive a Special Sunday offering, you equip gifted, qualified students from around the globe to become the world changers God created them to be. Your gifts support racial and ethnic students in achieving their educational goals while also transforming communities. Fifty percent of the offering provides scholarships for graduate students from the U.S. and other countries. Thirty-five percent supports ethnic scholarships for undergraduate students. Fifteen percent funds In-Service Training Programs for racial and ethnic persons.

Need downloadable resources to get your congregation ready for World Communion Sunday? UMC Giving has assembled a collection of resources that you can download to promote this Special Sunday.

LOCAL CHURCH RESOURCES

Laity Sunday is coming up

Laity Sunday is a day set aside to remember that every person is invited to embody God’s restoration project of healing love, justice, and world-repair. Sunday this year is October 16th, 2022, but Laity Sunday may be celebrated any Sunday in October to meet your church’s worship schedule. The theme for Laity Sunday this year is RISE UP! And Reveal God’s Grace (2 Timothy - 1: 8-12). Take the opportunity in your church to be in partnership with your pastor and give rest to your pastor by having a laity run worship service. Find resources here.

Accessibility Committee

Are you working to make your church more accessible to everyone? The NIC Committee on Accessibility Ministries invites you to apply for this year's grant program! An inquiry form can be found here. The national Disability Ministries of the UMC also has a grant program that is accepting applications through the end of September, which you can learn more about here.  To stay up to date with the committee's work, follow their Facebook page here.

They are also working to grow our committee and would love any volunteers who are passionate about inclusive ministry. Please contact Violet Johnicker if you are interested.  violetjohnicker@gmail.com / 847-651-4857

Don’t miss discounted Advent resources!

Invite your community to worship with you this Advent with the help of customizable outreach resources. Choose from banners, signs, postcards, invitation cards, posters and more. All are available in a wide variety of designs, languages and messaging. Get up to $250 off these resources by using code UMCA22. This code is available on a first-come, first-served basis until funds are depleted, so don’t delay! (Free social media graphics always available)

Resources in English    Resources in Spanish

Looking for a new study for your small group, congregation or family this Advent? Cokesbury, the retail arm of the United Methodist Publishing House, has put together an interactive comparison chart of its Advent studies so Christians can find the study that best fits their need. Learn more.

Resources to help celebrate National Hispanic Heritage Month

During National Hispanic Heritage Month, we recognize the achievements and contributions of Hispanic Americans in The United Methodist Church and around the world who have inspired others to achieve success. Find more resources here.

Church Conference Forms Available Online

2022 Church Conference materials, including the agenda, are available online at umcnic.org/churchconference. Please encourage your church leadership to begin working on gathering the information as soon as possible. The forms are designed for online submission and will look very similar to last year’s.

NIC Program Ministry Grants Now Open

Applications are being accepted for the NIC's three ministry grants, Social Reform, Congregational Development, and Creative Ministries. The deadline to apply is Nov. 14. To learn more about each grant and for an online application, click here.

Rev. Brian Gilbert

Prairie South District Superintendent

bgilbert@umcnic.org

312-346-9766 ext. 782

Leola Tucker

Administrative Assistant

ltucker@umcnic.org

312-346-9766 ext. 733

Do you have news to share?

We are always looking for stories of what is happening in the local church.  We welcome articles from churches highlighting ministries, outreach, and missions which 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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