News & Updates

July 28, 2022

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Summer Mission Trips

Many churches are starting up Mission Trips after a pause or change due COVID. It is great to see everyone being the hands and feet of Christ in our world.

2022 Henderson Mission Team from Menota First

This year a team of faithful servants made a trip to the Henderson Settlement in Frakes, Kentucky to complete a home repair project for a young family of six. This year marked the 14^th year that the First United Methodist Church of Mendota, Illinois has sent a team to the southeastern corner of Kentucky to do building projects. The team this year was made up of 7 people ranging in age from 12 to 66. Prior teams have ranged from 7 to 12 people, from age 12 to 70+. No matter what the age or size of the group, they have all had a heart for serving those in need. The scope of projects over the years has consisted of building porches, storage sheds, roofing, painting, laying flooring, and a room addition shell. Teams have also served the settlement by doing projects on campus. A wide range of projects has been undertaken, including planting flowers, power washing outdoor buildings, installing gutter guards, sealing decks, and, the biggest challenge which we did a couple of years ago, the team began the first phase of an administrative office by demo-ing the interior of a former medical clinic.

The team, with the help of the church and community, fund-raise for not only the cost of the repairs, but also the expenses of making the 600-mile trip to the settlement. Our teams have been made up of 51 different friends and family members, some of whom were Methodist, and some from different denominations. Many have made the trip multiple times. The community of Frakes is very appreciative to have the assistance of work camp teams come and spend the week, but the team gets more from the residents of the area than they will ever know. It is a week of spiritual growth that has left a mark on all our hearts. When asked how we measure the success of our work, the answer is easy. When each camper declares their intent to return before we ever get home, when they continue their service in the church and community, when they encourage others to be a part of the trip. It’s taking time off work to share the love of God with strangers. It’s getting up early each morning while in camp and being without cell phones and TV for a week.

This trip is made possible because we heard God calling each of us to serve our brothers and sisters who are in need. Thank you to everyone who makes trips like this possible.

Written by Cathy Burke, First United Methodist Church Mission Team

We would love to hear your stories and see your photos. Share with us by sending information and photos to LSmith@UMCNIC.org.

Mission Links Highlight - United Methodist Volunteers in Mission (UMVIM)

United Methodist Volunteers in Mission is a grassroots movement of United Methodists who seek to put their “Christian Love in Action.” Since the 1970s, UMVIM has offered a framework through which disciples can engage in short-term mission locally, nationally, and globally.

Our volunteers are lay and clergy, young and old, with differing abilities and vocations, from all walks of life. Tens of thousands of United Methodists engage in short-term mission each year in ministries as varied as disaster response, community development, pastor training, microenterprise, agriculture, Vacation Bible School, building repair and construction, and medical/dental services. There is a place for everyone to serve.

The Northern Illinois Conference celebrates Volunteers in Mission any Sunday in July or August (NIC Fund #901375) To learn about VIM or how to organize a team in your congregation, visit here.

UMVIM Mission Journey Grants

If your congregation is looking for support, there are grants available. These grants, up to $1000, provide financial support for Northern Illinois Conference (NIC) districts and local churches with a passion and plan for organizing, funding and leading youth and/or adult Mission Journey teams. Find more information here.

First United Methodist Church of DeKalb Ground Breaking

After almost 20 years of planning, location searching, architectural drawings, fundraising and much prayer, First United Methodist Church of Dekalb broke ground on Sunday, July 24.

Many came to participate in the ceremony, including Bishop Hopkins and Rev. Martin Lee. The cost for the construction is estimated at $5.8 million with $4.84 million already donated and pledged. The new building will sit on 15.7 acres.

Since 1894, Kids Above All (formerly ChildServ) has placed the safety, well-being, and education of kids above everything else. Running through the summer, you can help ensure that the hundreds of kids in their care have the supplies they need to succeed this school year through the agency's annual backpack drive. Click for details.

The Northern Illinois Conference is offering 6 training options to help meet our goal of ensuring safe spaces in our churches.

The trainings are being offered both on-line via zoom and in-person.

The dates offered are:

~~Thursday, June 23 - 6:30 pm - Plainfield UMC~~ (Event Complete)
~~Wednesday, June 29 - 6:30 pm - Plainfield UMC~~ (Event Complete)
~~Saturday, July 16 - 1:00 pm - Des Plaines: First UMC~~ (Event Complete)
Saturday, July 30 - 10:00 am - Rockford: Christ UMC
Saturday, August 6 - 10:00 am - Rockford: Christ UMC
Saturday, August 20 - 1:00 pm - Des Plaines: First UMC

Find more information and register here.

**This free training is an alternative for those who cannot participate in other training options and does not include a background check.

Also, we have redone our NIC Safe Sanctuaries Website. Check out the site for videos, policies, FAQ, downloads and more resources.

Connecting NIC Youth Leaders in Learning & Service

The Discipleship Task Force began a collaboration with the Anti-racism Task Force in February of this year to discern a way forward to best engage local church youth leaders in meaningful, connectional experiences where Christ is revealed through prayer, information sharing, reflections, and action to better serve our youth. As a follow-up, youth leaders are invited for a meeting, lunch, and volunteer opportunity on Sat., August 6, from 9 am – 12 pm. We will spend about one hour of our time together filling backpacks for Kids Above All, which will be given to youth returning to school. The meeting location is 8765 W. Higgins Rd., Chicago, IL. Space is limited. Please email Amania Drane at adrane@umcnic.org by Fri., July 29, 4 pm if you are interested. You will be notified to let you know if space is still available.

Mission u Summer 2022

August 19 & 20

United Women in Faith Northern Illinois Conference (formerly UMW) is offering classes for all ages. There are 4 locations for in person and will also offer a virtual option.

The adult curriculum, Who Can We Be Together, brings participants deeper into Jesus’ teachings to explore what it means to be in community.
The youth curriculum, Community in the Midst of Challenging Times, will help young people interpret scripture for today’s world, and deepen community connections through intergenerational dialogue.
Through transformative activities and spiritual practices, participants in the children’s curriculum, Our Growing Tree, will discover joy and empowerment in the scriptures and find support in their journeys of self-love and community building.

Find out more information here.

Online Via Zoom & In Person - Euclid Avenue UMC, 405 S Euclid Ave, Oak Park, IL

Free event with lunch included. More information here.

2nd Annual Rally Against Racism

We come together in solidarity to stand against hate and racism.

Last summer, the NIC Annual Conference Shepherding Team (ACST) and the Anti-racism Task Force (ARTF) joined together to spearhead a way for churches to visibly show their commitment “to live out the conviction that racism is incompatible with Christian teaching.”

Thank you to Bolingbrook: Friendship, Elmhurst: First, Schaumburg: Our Saviour’s and Cary UMC for signing up to participate this year. Join with churches across the Northern Illinois Conference this summer (May through September) to Rally Against Racism. Learn more and sign up today.

Difference Makers Initiative

The Difference Maker initiative is up and running! Please go to the Difference Maker webpage. Click on the Honored Difference Makers tab to read a stories including about Rev. Brittany Isaac and a story about Rev. Raydean Davis, a Different Maker in her life. You can also view a video made by Rev. Jacques Conway about a Difference Maker in his life.

Please go to umcnic.org/differencemakers and click on Tell Your Story to open an online form. You can also click on the Honored Difference Makers tab to read stories that have been told by others.

UVC 2022 Award Nominations

Each year, UVC gives these special awards to honor extraordinary volunteer service or advocacy efforts on behalf of children, youth and/or families throughout the Northern Illinois Conference. There are three awards: the Bishop Jesse. R. DeWitt Award, the Katherine B. Greene Award, and the Rev. Margaret Ann Williams Award. Learn more and submit nominations. Nominations are due July 31st.

NIC Job Opening - Events Coodinator

We are currently seeking a qualified candidate to come join the NIC Program Area team as an Events Coordinator/Administrative Assistant.

The event planner is responsible for all events and registration offered at the conference and district level, either through planning, or guidance for those who do the planning, so every event will have the same high quality of branding and execution. The event planner must have exceptional customer service skills and support capabilities with a passion for planning events. They must be able to work with staff teams and engage volunteer committees to accomplish the task.

This job is a hybrid, full-time position with flexible hours. Some weekend and evening work is required for event support. The position includes both Health Insurance upon hire (with wellness incentives) and Pension Benefits after a vesting period.

If you know someone who would be interested, click here for the job description and to apply.

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.

Resources for the Local Church

Volunteers in Mission Sunday (Any Sunday in July or August) - Songs, Liturgy, Posters, Mission Moments, Sermon Starters, and more
United Voices for Children Sunday (July 31) - Information and videos to share with your congregation.
#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 - for small groups, pastors, children and individuals.

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

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