News & Updates

August 10, 2023

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Dear Friends,

Grace and peace to you in Christ!

It’s been about a month since I started serving you as District Superintendent at Prairie North. This first month went by so fast! I did most of the annual summer one-on-one meetings with district pastors during this time. Through these meetings, I learned so much about our pastors and churches. I greatly look forward to visiting many of our churches this fall during the church conference season!

I’m so glad to know that clusters are active in our district. I had a wonderful time visiting Jo Davies and Rockford clusters. Cluster gatherings give a much-needed opportunity for our pastors to support and connect. Pastoral ministry can be, at times, lonely and exhausting. I believe that connecting with other pastors can be simply joyful and inspiring. I look forward to visiting all the clusters this year.

I also recently came back from a week-long DS training at Lake Junaluska. There’s much more to learn, but it was great to have this basic training done. Additionally, it was beautiful traveling with my colleagues Rev. Audrea Nanabray and Rev. Fabiola Grandon-Mayer (our former DS!).

Every event, visit, and conversation has been an encounter with God’s gracious presence. I’m deeply grateful for the faithfulness and dedication of our pastors serving our churches in urban, suburban, and rural congregations. Not one church is like the other. Each church has its own unique challenges and opportunities. The common denominator is that we all have the passion and joy of serving Christ!

Please know that you can reach me anytime with any questions or matters. I’d like to get to know you!

Blessings in Christ’s loving Spirit,

Rev. Dr. Hwa-Young Chong

Prairie North District Superintendent

Many churches have been holding Vacation Bible School and Day Camps through out the summer. We enjoy seeing churches getting back together - all the different themes, kids and fun being had.

Apple River UMC's VBS theme was Peacebuilders, which was created by a local teacher and parishioner. Every day they explored peace with Jesus through story, art, exercise and even snack time: what peace is, what it feels like, how we model it, and how we mend relationships with it.

Faith UMC in Freeport celebrated VBS in late July and early August with their Day Camp. The theme was "We are all connected. Participants donned matching rainbow tie-dye shrts. They participated in man activities that even included a pool party. Day Camp is a continuation of Wacky Wednesdays, weekly Wednesday actvities that kids are invited to all summer.

Christ UMC in Rockford celebrated VBS with Super Heros Hotline. Activities include games, science lab, assembly, devotion, and a superhero photo booth. Tent time is a favorite class in VBS. They collected for Hoo Haven, a volunteer organization that rehabilitates and releases sick, injured or orphaned wildlife.

Read more VBS stories from across the conference here.

We would love to hear your stories and see your photos.

Share with us by sending information and photos to LSmith@UMCNIC.org.

SAVE THE DATE

Clergy Family Picnic - Prairie North District

Sunday, August 20 4:00 - 6:00 pm

Freeport: Faith UMC

1440 South Walnut Avenue, Freeport, IL 61032

All Prairie North District pastors and their families are invited to attend our annual Clergy Family Picnic of our Prairie North District on Sunday, August 20 at 4:00 pm. Hotdogs and burgers will be provided. Please bring salad, dessert, or a side dish to share. We will greet our new pastors and their families, and there will be games and goodie bags for children. An EVITE Invitation will be sent for your to RSVP.

at 4:00 pm

Rockford: Grace UMC

3555 McFarland Road, Rockford, IL 61114

More Information to come

Shirah Brothers

Sunday, August 20th

during worship (9:30 am)

First UMC in Savanna, IL

This concert/service will be free and open to the public regardless of denomination, with a love offering.

More information here.

Fall Annual Meeting of the Prairie North District United Women in Faith

Saturday, September 23, 2023

at 9:30 a.m - 12 noon

Brooke Road United Methodist Church, Rockford IL

Cost: $12 includes lunch

More information here.

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.

Watch the video intro for the Fall NIC Book Club here.

It's Back to School Season!

Over the next month or two, students, teachers, and school staff across the conference will return to the classroom. Back-to-school Sundays or nights are a beloved and much-needed mainstay in many United Methodist churches. Congregations will be blessing backpacks, collecting and distributing school supplies, hosting seasonal events, supporting teachers and other staff, and beginning or continuing partnerships with schools.

There are many resources available for your church:

Pray, bless, support: Ideas and aids for back-to-school ministry: A wealth of worship, children's ministry, and ministry resources, as well as images and social media graphics posted on Resource UMC
Back to School Social Media Graphics, free from Resource UMC and Outreach
Family Prayers for School Mornings by Rethink Church
Back to School Blessing for different age groups from Discipleship Ministries
Back to School Blessing Video from United Methodist Communications
Deepen your Back to School Night, three tips from Church and Society

See you at church!

The end of summer brings new opportunities to grow in our faith and reignite our passion for serving others. It’s time to head back to church, and as we connect with each other, let’s invite someone to join us on the life-changing journey of discipleship and ministry.

Watch this video to find inspiration and share it with others as an invitation.

HAPPENING AROUND THE CONFERENCE

“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.

Worship & Musical Celebration at First UMC at the Temple at 1:30 pm with light refreshments served before
Rally & March across the street from the Church at Daley Plaza at 2:30 pm

Find more information and register here.

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.

NIC Youth Fall Retreat

The NIC Youth Fall Retreat Team is excited to invite you to our second annual retreat, intended for 6th-12th graders in the Northern Illinois Conference. This year's theme is "Behold." The retreat will happen Fri., Sept. 29 - Sun., Oct. 1 at the Lake Geneva Youth Camp in Lake Geneva, WI. The cost is $140 each person. There is a requirement of one adult who is Safe Sanctuary certified for up to every six youth. We hope you'll join us for a time of rejuvenation, growth and connection!

Click here for more information and to register.

12 - 18 month Cohort Program beginning in Fall

The Black Healing Collective Cohort is a small group created to understand racial trauma personally, congregationally, and in society. The cohort program will utilize trauma-informed research and practices to develop a pathway(s) toward healing. The cohort will be 12-18 months with various leadership development and skill-building monthly meetings, outings, travel, and learning and engagement opportunities to enhance individual capacity to support the church and community in becoming more trauma-informed and resilient. Learn more here.

Other Upcoming Conference Events:

Sept. 15-17: Men's Spiritual Congress: Meet other UM men, relax, and nurture your faith. Read more.
Sept. 21: 23 Film Series: Privilege, Power and Race: Meal, presentation, panel discussion and table discussions around privilege, power, and race at many locations across the conference. Read more.
Oct. 21: What Makes for a Vital Church Today? Workshop: Presentation by Rev. Dr. Pail Nickerson. Read more.
Nov. 4: Vital Partnerships: New Models of Cooperative Ministries: Attend this workshop and explore new ways your church might become healthier through a merger. Read more.

LOCAL CHURCH RESOURCES

Apportionment Highlight - Interdenominational Cooperation Fund

In the United Methodist Church, we deeply appreciate the value of ecumenism—the desire to find common ground and foster unity among different Christian traditions. The Interdenominational Cooperation Fund allows The United Methodist Church to partner with our Christian family worldwide to fulfill our shared mission. As followers of Christ, we are bound together by a common purpose: to love and serve God wholeheartedly. Our faith teaches us that through the Holy Spirit, we become part of God's family, joining the multitude of believers across various churches and denominations.

Many Grant Options Available for Local Churches

North Central Jurisdiction Mission Grants: Applications are due Sept. 1. Read more.
Midwest Methodist Foundation Creative Ministry Grant: Applications are due Sept.15. Read more.
Grants Available to Help Strengthen the Ethnic Local Church: Applications are due Sept. 30. Read more.

NIC Prayer Network Monthly Zoom Meetings

The NIC Prayer Network is an entryway for joining in common prayer for the ministries of the Northern Illinois Conference. The next meeting is Friday, August 11 at 10:00 am. All are invited to join. No preparation is necessary, just log in. The Zoom link is available here. Meeting ID: 897 7835 0821 Passcode: 152529

If you’d like to pray but have other appointments at that time, email us DiscipleshipTF@umcnic.org and request the agenda or add to the agenda. Also, pray along each week for clergy, churches, leaders, and NIC Advances by visiting the Prayer Network website.

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.

Like Us on Facebook: Prairie North District

Rev. Hwa-Young Chong

Prairie North District Superintendent

hychong@umcnic.org

312 346 9766 Ext. 781

Debra Rogers

Administrative Assistant

drogers@umcnic.org

630-465-2941

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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