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News & Updates

August 24, 2023

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United Methodists Stand for Racial Justice!

On Sunday, August 27, 2023, join the NIC Anti-Racism Task Force in 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.

Lake South District Encouraging Conversations

To get to know everyone better, DS Dr. Audrea Nanabray has times planned to meet everyone. Called Lake South District Encouraging Conversations, these will be times of sharing and encouragement on our journey for Christ. Laity are encouraged to sign up to meet with her on a first come first served basis for the remaining Summer conversation on Sept 2nd from 10:00 am - noon at 10010 S. Union Ave, Chicago, IL. (Lake South District Home Office). Click here for the sign up. During their interviews, she will meet with clergy over the next two months. We will do more clergy and laity group meetings next year.

Click here for registration and more information.

Sat., Sept. 16th, 9 a.m. - noon

Prayer Breakfast, Tickets: $25


Sun., Sept. 17th, 10:30 a.m.

UWFaith Sunday Morning Worship Service

Click here for more information.

Upcoming Events.png

Click on the event title below to find out more information

Keep the Dream Alive Event

August 27


UVC Child Advocacy Award Nominations Due

August 30


Lake South District Encouraging Conversation

Sept 2


Christian Education Sunday

Sept 3


Labor Day

Sept 4


Grandparent's Day

Sept 11


9/11 Remembrance

Sept 11


Hispanic Heritage Month

Sept 15 - Oct 15


UMM Men's Spiritual Congress

Sept 15-17


23 Film Series: Privilege, Power and Race

Sept 21


Black Healing Collective 18-Month Cohort Starts

Sept 26


World Communion Sunday

Oct 1

Filipino Churches Apple Picking Extravaganza

Mabuhay! Several Filipino area churches and ministries will be coming together to go apple picking on September 23rd at Jonamac Orchard at 19412 Shabbona Road in Malta, Illinois. If you would like to come have fun (whether or not you are Filipino, you are always welcome!) meet us at 10 a.m. or join up with us later in the day by reaching out to Hannah Kardon at revkardon@gmail.com or (717) 512-8112

Mission Link Highlight - UMCOR US Disaster Response and Recovery

United Methodist Committee On Relief (UMCOR) responds to natural or civil disasters of such magnitude that they overwhelm a community’s ability to recover on its own. When responding to a disaster in the United States, UMCOR provides training, financial assistance, expertise, community collaboration to churches and partners making them more resilient to disasters.

Join UMs in Helping Maui Recover from Wildfires. Wind-driven wildfires on Maui have prompted evacuations and caused significant loss of life and widespread damage. UMCOR is sending an initial grant for emergency supplies, such as shelf-stable food, water, hygiene items, and tools to help survivors recover belongings. As first responders continue to provide initial aid in the area, please join UMCOR in prayer for those affected.Invite donations through your church so it applies to your Mission Links giving Advance #901670. Read more.

Explore The Long Shadow of Privilege, Power & Race

The connections among privilege, power, and race are the subject of the next Anti-Racism Film Series session. Many gatherings are taking place on Sept. 21, 6 to 8 p.m., at various locations across the conference and online via Zoom. The gatherings include a soul food meal, presentation by director Frances Causey, and table discussions. (Online participants log in at 6:45.) Before the gathering, please watch the documentary The Long Shadow, directed by filmmaker and investigative journalist Francis Causey. It explores the shameful legacy of American slavery to its insidious ties to racism today. Read more.

Website Redesign: Your Opinion Needed!

Every few years, an organization’s website needs a refresh. Your Northern Illinois Conference communications staff is working with Big Heart Creative to redesign the NIC website. To make sure that you can easily find on the site the resources and information you want, we need your opinion. Please take this survey to let us know what you need from the conference website. Your feedback will help us create a helpful, easy-to-use website. Take the Survey.

 HAPPENING AROUND THE CONFERENCE

Deepen your understanding of our UM beliefs

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.

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.

Other Upcoming Conference Events:

LOCAL CHURCH RESOURCES

Blue United Methodist Hymnals available

St. Paul Community Church in Homewood, IL is going through a merger and looking to find a new home for several hundred blue-cover United Methodist Hymnals. If you are interested, contact Ree Grisham reegrisham@hotmail.com.

Facing the Future event for cross-racial/cross-cultural/multicultural ministry settings

Pastors serving in cross-racial/cross-cultural/multi-cultural appointments are prophetic agents, now more than ever, in the task of creating beloved community in the face of deep, sharp cultural division. The ministry of pastors serving in cross-racial and cross-cultural appointments is vital. Themed "Be3: Being, Belonging, Becoming", Facing the Future 2023 will be grounded in biblical and theological frameworks, foster an environment of affirmation, have engaging, dynamic multicultural worship, and feature practical, relevant workshops and tools to further equip attendees in their CRCC ministry journeys. Read more.

Learn 21st-Century Hospitality Tips

Many of us sit in the church sanctuary on Sunday mornings with an eye turned toward the door, hoping that new visitors will enter. This might not happen as frequently as we’d like. The Rev. Michael Beck shares tips for being more welcoming and learning how to create pockets of hospitality to be more inviting. 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, September 8 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.

Rev. Audrea Nanabray

Lake South District Superintendent

ananabray@umcnic.org

312-346-9766 ext. 783


Leola Tucker

Administrative Assistant

ltucker@umcnic.org

312-346-9766 ext. 733

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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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