** Note ** You are receiving the district eNews because your name is in our Lay Leadership Database as a leader in your local church. If you are no longer interested in receiving 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 appointment announcements, sympathy notices and weekly eNews) | |
|
Nominate a Child Advocacy Leader
Each year the United Voices for Children Board of Directors selects individuals or groups to receive their Annual Child Advocacy Awards. These awards honor extraordinary service or advocacy efforts on behalf of children, youth, and/or families throughout the NIC. Any United Methodist member, congregation, or friend of UVC in Northern Illinois and the Chicago area can submit a nomination to receive one of these awards. Award winners will receive a grant for their organization or ministry, a commemorative plaque, recognition in the annual conference program, and local media outlets. Read about the award categories and nominate someone by Aug. 30. Read more.
| |
|
Mission Links Highlight - United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR)
Originally founded in 1940 in response to displaced and vulnerable populations in the wake of World War II, The United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR) is a ministry of The United Methodist Church through the General Board of Global Ministries. Their goal is to assist the most vulnerable people affected by crisis or chronic need without regard to their race, religion, gender, or sexual orientation.
| |
|
Global Ministries seeks to strengthen the ability of the church and communities to respond to disasters and provide humanitarian relief both near and far. The core of this work is accomplished through disaster relief and recovery, risk-reduction programming, addressing the needs and rights of migrants worldwide and improving livelihoods and food security. The intentional care of creation and advancing environmental sustainability also reduces the impact of disaster. Learn more.
| |
HAPPENING AROUND THE CONFERENCE | |
|
Celebrate United Voices for Children Sunday on July 30
Be a part of this important work by supporting UVC's Fifth Sunday Appeal on Sunday, July 30, a part of the Mission Links program. Click here for resources for the local church to inform your congregation and community. Gifts designated for UVC can be indicated with a fund code of 778 or simply by writing “for United Voices for Children.”
| |
Register for the Fall NIC Book Club Registration is open for this fall's groups that will be reading and discussing Living Our Beliefs: The United Methodist Way, by retired UMC Bishop Kenneth L. Carder. Starting in September, groups will meet throughout the conference, via Zoom, in person, and hybrid for five to six weeks. Learn more, find a listing of group options, and register here.
| |
“Keep the Dream Alive” – United Methodists Stand for Racial Justice
On Sunday, August 27, 2023, the NIC Anti-Racism Task Force will be hosting two back-to-back events in Chicago to honor the 60th Anniversary of the March on Washington and to lift up the on-going work of seeking racial justice.
Find more information and register here.
| |
Save the Date: Men's Spiritual Congress, Sept. 15-17
Meet other UM men, relax, and nurture your faith at UM Men’s 2023 Spiritual Congress, Sept. 15-17, at Conference Point Center in Williams Bay, Wis. The theme is “Relevant Conversations”; guest speaker is Major Gen. John L. Borling, USAF (Ret.), a highly decorated veteran who spent more than six years as a POW in North Vietnam. He is the author of Taps on the Walls: Poems from the Hanoi Hilton. Read more.
| | | |
|
Many Grant Options Available for Local Churches
-
North Central Jurisdiction Mission Grants: The North Central Jurisdiction Mission Council is now accepting applications for mission grants. Requests should describe how this grant will benefit a ministry for the entire jurisdiction and how you intend to communicate this connection. Applications are due Sept. 1. Read more.
-
Midwest Methodist Foundation Creative Ministry Grant: The foundation annually offers funding of $500 to $2,000 to churches and church-related organizations for new or expanded creative ministries. (A church-related organization is any organization within our conference area that partners with a local UM church and/or members of a UM congregation in our conference.) Applications are due Sept.15. Read more.
-
Grants Available to Help Strengthen the Ethnic Local Church: Discipleship Ministries is pleased to offer the Racial Ethnic Local Church Concerns (RELCC) Grant, which provides funding to support the ethnic local church through leadership training, small groups, worship, stewardship, and spiritual formation as it engages in developing disciple-making systems inside the church walls and in the community. Applications are due Sept. 30. Read more.
| |
Other Resources
-
#BeUMC Resources -Tool Kits, Social Media Kits, Graphics, and more.
-
Social Media Shareables - Free graphics for social media for different events, months, and ministries. (Through Outreach, log-in is needed, but resources are free)
-
UMC Giving Resources - Mission Moments, Special Sunday Info, Leader Kits, Pew Cards, and more.
-
United Media Resource Center - Lending library of Christian materials for local churches, small groups, pastors, children, and individuals.
| | | |
Copyright © 2023 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.
| |
Keep Up To Date With All Conference Events
in the Weekly Email!
If you would like to receive the weekly Conference eNews and other important announcements, including sympathy notices and appointment announcements, please sign up online or click the Update Profile button at the bottom of this email.
NOTE - Clicking UNSUBSCRIBE below means you will be unsubscribing from ALL Constant Contact emails from the NIC (Appointment Announcements, Sympathy Notices, etc). If you want to stop receiving one newsletter, please click "Update Profile" below.
| | | | |
