News & Updates

October 13, 2022

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October is Pastor (or Clergy) Appreciation Month. It is a time to say “thank you” to the people who may be most visible as preachers and teachers, but who, in reality, are on-call 24/7 standing with congregants and others to offer spiritual and other support. Click here to find some ways for your congregation to show their appreciation.

at Ottawa First UMC at 100 West Jefferson Street, Ottawa, IL

Registration is $40.00. More information and, registration and class options here.

Join us at the Albany UMC (at 502 First Ave in Albany, Ill) for the Town & Rural Festival on Saturday, Nov. 19 from 9 am - 12 noon. Keagy and PACK grant recipients will present their ministries. All are welcome to attend.

Migrant Assistance - Volunteers Needed

Latest reports indicate that 1,500 migrants have arrived so far on buses to Chicago from Texas and more continue to arrive almost every day. It's projected as many as 10,000 migrants could arrive in the Chicago area by the end of the calendar year. So, there continues to be a significant need to provide a welcome for those arriving.

"We primarily need volunteers right now to help with providing individuals and families transportation to various appointments (medical, legal, etc.)," said NIC Refugee Coordinator, Rev. Jonathan Crail. For anyone interested in volunteering, we encourage them to sign up as a volunteer as a first step (unless they are already a volunteer with the NIC), and list “Bus Response” on their volunteer application in the Volunteer Interests field.

Crail also says World Relief still needs hygiene kits, while the agency has begun to provide direct services to some of the families and individuals arriving on the buses. Hygiene kits include a durable bag to hold items, shampoo, soap, toothbrushes & toothpaste, deodorant, disposable razors & shaving cream, feminine hygiene products, socks, basic first aid supplies and ibuprofen/acetomenaphin.

The Prairie South collection sites are:

Sycamore UMC, 160 Johnson Ave., Sycamore, IL 60178

Contact: Debbie Elleson - Debbie@sycamoreumc.org

815-895-9113

Drop Off Hours: M-F, 10-2

Sugar Grove UMC, 176 Main St., Sugar Grove, IL 60554

Contact: Rev. Tammy Scott - revtammyscott@gmail.com

630-254-4127

Office open Mondays & Thursdays 8:30-Noon.

Bin located near rear entrance for after hours donations!

Channahon UMC, 24751 West Eames St., Channahon, IL 60410

Contact: Lana Stafford - lantwin@sbcglobal.net

(815) 467-5275

Drop Off Hours: T-F 9:00 to 1:00, Saturday by appt

Click to learn more about ways to help.

Apportionments Highlight - General Commission on Archives and History (World Service Fund)

Thanks to United Methodist support of Archives and History through the World Service Fund, we learn about our church’s rich history.

The General Commission on Archives and History of The United Methodist Church recently announced the launching of their online teaching platform, the UM History Hub (umhistoryhub.teachable.com).

The hub homepage invites members to understand the past, investigate the present and envision the future. The hub currently offers registration for the Local Church Historians’ School; a fully online course that focuses on past denominational splits, separations and reconciliations; a timeline of UMC history by artist Charlie Baber; a fully online course for youth to pique their interest in Wesleyan roots; access to the “Un-Tied Methodism” podcast; and new UMC history swag.

Announcement: The Conference Office is Moving!

The Board of Trustees is excited to announce the Northern Illinois Conference office is moving to a new location in Chicago’s East Loop. The office will relocate to a 30-story building along the riverfront at 303 E. Wacker Drive on Nov. 1.

HAPPENING AROUND THE CONFERENCE

NIC Hispanic/Latinx Ministries Celebration - Oct. 15 from 9 am - 1 pm at Des Plaines First UMC, 668 Graceland Ave, Des Plaines, IL. This event is free and breakfast and lunch will be offered.. Guest Preacher: Javier A. Viera, Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary, President and Professor of Education and Leadership. Guest Speaker: Paola Márquez, first-year Ph.D. student at Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary. RSVP to Patricia Bonilla at patricia.bonilla@garrett.edu. Click here to learn more.

NIC United Women in Faith Annual Meeting - Sat., Oct. 22. Theme: Turn it Up! Registration opens at 8:30 am, and Program begins at 9:00 am at Sycamore UMC, 160 Johnson Ave., Sycamore, IL. Cost $5. Click here for more information and registration.

The Discipleship Task Force is excited about the Fall NIC Book Club selection, Soul Reset by the late Junius Dotson! Rev Dotson spoke at one of our Laity Convocations and also led the Bible Study for our Annual Conference. Here Junius Dotson tells his story, and here is how this study works for congregations. Click here for details and to sign up today!

Nov. 13 at 4 pm at Journey of Hope UMC, 37W040 Highland Ave., Elgin, IL. The Discipleship Task Force is delighted to announce the NIC’s second Tending to the Harvest fall conference-wide worship service based on Matthew 9:37, “Then he said to his disciples, ‘The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few.’”Guest preacher: Rev. Dr. Mai-Anh Le Tran from Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary. The service will also be livestreamed. Click here for more information and registration.

LOCAL CHURCH RESOURCES

Laity Sunday is coming up

Laity Sunday is a day set aside to remember that every person is invited to embody God’s restoration project of healing love, justice, and world-repair. Sunday this year is October 16, 2022, but Laity Sunday may be celebrated any Sunday in October to meet your church’s worship schedule. The theme for Laity Sunday this year is RISE UP! And Reveal God’s Grace (2 Timothy - 1: 8-12). Take the opportunity in your church to be in partnership with your pastor and give rest to your pastor by having a laity run worship service. Find resources here.

2022-2023 NIC Directory Available to Purchase

Are you looking to replace your NIC directory with one that has the most recent info?

A paperback copy of the 2022-2023 Directory of NIC churches, clergy, laity, committees, and agencies is now available to purchase for $6.25 on Amazon or available for free to download on the NIC website.

Go to umcnic.org/directory for details.

Accessibility Committee

Are you working to make your church more accessible to everyone? The NIC Committee on Accessibility Ministries invites you to apply for this year's grant program! An inquiry form can be found here. To stay up to date with the committee's work, follow their Facebook page here.

They are also working to grow our committee and would love any volunteers who are passionate about inclusive ministry. Please contact Violet Johnicker if you are interested. violetjohnicker@gmail.com / 847-651-4857.

Don’t miss discounted Advent resources!

Invite your community to worship with you this Advent with the help of customizable outreach resources. Choose from banners, signs, postcards, invitation cards, posters and more. All are available in a wide variety of designs, languages and messaging. Get up to $250 off these resources by using code UMCA22. This code is available on a first-come, first-served basis until funds are depleted, so don’t delay! (Free social media graphics always available)

Resources in English Resources in Spanish

Looking for a new study for your small group, congregation or family this Advent? Cokesbury, the retail arm of the United Methodist Publishing House, has put together an interactive comparison chart of its Advent studies so Christians can find the study that best fits their need. Learn more.

The Society of St. Andrew has also created an advent devotional for free. Find out more here.

Church Conference Forms Available Online

2022 Church Conference materials, including the agenda, are available online at umcnic.org/churchconference. Please encourage your church leadership to begin working on gathering the information as soon as possible. The forms are designed for online submission and will look very similar to last year’s.

NIC Program Ministry Grants Now Open

Applications are being accepted for the NIC's three ministry grants, Social Reform, Congregational Development, and Creative Ministries. The deadline to apply is Nov. 14. To learn more about each grant and for an online application, click here.

New October Devotion from NIC Co-Lay Leader Eugene Williams and this month's weekly prayers over pastors, churches, and ministries.

Resource Links

Pastor Appreciation Month (October) - Ideas and starters for appreciating your pastor.
United Voices for Children Sunday (October 30) - Information and videos to share with your congregation.
Native American Heritage Month (November) - Prayers and worship resources.
All Saints Day (November 1) - Prayers and liturgy resources
Advent Resources (starts November 27) - Candle Lighting, Graphics, and more coming.
#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

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.

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