News & Updates

April 11, 2024

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Annual Conference 2024 Updates

Sunday, June 16 - Tuesday, June 18

Registration is Open

Lay and clergy voting members: The online form allows you to register for the annual conference session, clergy session, laity session, pre-conference briefings, the Global Ministries Lunch (June 17), and the Multi-Cultural/Cross-Cultural/Cross-Racial Breakfast (June 18). The fee for voting members is $115 and raises to $130 after April 29.

Guests: Use the same online form and choose the guest option (no fee). The form allows you also to register for the Global Ministries Lunch on June 17 and the Multi-Cultural/Cross-Cultural/Cross-Racial Breakfast on June 18.

Registration closes on May 29. There will be no on-site registration. Register here.

Other action items:

Submit legislation or historical documents.
Volunteer to help.
Reserve your hotel room.
Sign up for Blueprint for Wellness Health Screenings through your Wespath account.
Request a video or media presentation.
Sign up for a display table.
Join the mass choir at Ordination & Commissioning.
Apply for a childcare grant to defray costs of childcare arrangements.
Submit names of passed lay members for the Memorial Service.

Learn more about Fresh Expressions

Two years ago, Rev. Dr. Michael Beck visited every district and gave a presentation about Fresh Expressions. Recently, six people attended the National Gathering of Fresh Expressions. Now, he is coming back to follow up about the current movement. Join us on Tuesday, April 16 at 7 p.m. for a 90-minute discussion about the Fresh Expression Movement. Learn more.

School of Congregational Development

NIC is hosting the UMC School of Congregational Development, Aug. 4-7, in Schaumburg. It will focus on three principles: SEE, CREATE, DISCIPLE. Register to attend or see the event up close by volunteering to help! Intereste in volunteering? Fill out this interest form.

Resources from the Midwest Methodist Foundation

Uplifting Young Methodists Scholarships Apply for scholarships designed to assist minority United Methodist students to attend a trade school, community college, college, or university. There are four student scholarships for the 2024-25 school year for the amount of $2500. One recipient will receive an additional $1000 as the Carolyn J. Cook Scholar. Applications are due April 30. Learn more.
Generosity Hotline The Foundation and Horizons Stewardship are partnering to provide on-demand generosity coaching to Northern Illinois Methodist churches at no cost and no obligation to you or your church. Connect to Horizons today!
Beyond Cash Giving Are you considering charitable giving beyond your regular cash giving? The top three ways to give current gifts beyond direct cash are appreciated securities, Qualified Charitable Distributions (QCD) and Donor-Advised Funds (DAF). Learn more.

Apportionment Highlight - General Conference

The General Administration Fund underwrites and finances general church activities that are administrative in nature, rather than program-related—like General Conference, the legislative branch of the church. Learn more.

The General Conference of The United Methodist Church is a key decision-making body that plays a crucial role in shaping the church's doctrine, policies, and social principles. Think of it as the highest legislative body, akin to a parliament or congress, where representatives from United Methodist congregations around the world gather every four years. Learn more.

Join NIC in daily prayer (April 1 to May 5) for the UMC General and Jurisdictional conferences. The Lake North District prepared a prayer calendar that lists people and concerns to pray for each day. Download the prayer calendar.

General Conference News
Understand the General Conference Legislation
Key ways your congregation can prepare for General Conference 2024.
What local church leaders need to know about General Conference 2024.
How to talk to your church before, during and after.
Interested in serving as marshals or pages are encouraged to apply online no later than April 15.

HAPPENING AROUND THE CONFERENCE

New Episcopal Area Office Space and Website Determined

The new Northern Illinois–Wisconsin Episcopal Area will have offices in the Wespath building in Glenview, Ill., and a dedicated website. NIL task force members are planning to meet with conference groups, boards, and committees to share more details about the relationship. “Although there will be an office, we foresee the bishop taking on a circuit-rider responsibilities in caring for the membership in both annual conferences,” Rev. McCoy said. Read more.

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.

Braver Angels Workshop: Skills for Bridging the Divide

Monday, April 15, 7 to 8:30 p.m.

Free on Zoom. Learn more.

Other Upcoming Conference Events:

Every Wednesday at noon: Weekly Methodist Liaison Office update and virtual prayer meeting. Participants will hear from a Palestinian speaker and meet in small groups for prayer. Methodists and others from around the world participate. Read more
April 13: Transitions Workshop: For SPRC members and Pastors that are experiencing an appointment change in 2024. It will help participants understand their roles. Read more.
April 14: Native American Ministries Sunday
April 15: Extended Application for UM Higher Education Foundation Scholarships
April 18 - April 20: Celebrate the Mess Conference: Learn about the Messy Church movement at this conference right in our backyard. Read more.
May 31 - June 2: UWFaith 2024 North Central Jurisdiction Event. Join UWFaith members from across the jurisdiction to pray, listen and engage. Read more.

LOCAL CHURCH RESOURCES

The Recap: What you need to know

Catch up on the latest United Methodist happenings around the connection, including the 100th anniversary of the United Methodist Building and how Methodists in Mexico and Africa serve migrants, refugees and those impacted by climate change. Read more.

Tax Exemption Certificates Available

The current Illinois Sales Tax Exemption Certificate will expire on May 1. The NIC office has received a new certificate that expires in 2029. Please reach out to your District admin Leola Tucker if you need a copy of the certificate.

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.

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 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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