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Apportionments allow us to do together what no church, district, or annual conference could do alone.

The General Commission on Archives and History serves the church through the ministry of memory, allowing United Methodists to learn from our past while envisioning our future. United Methodists support GCAH through the World Service Fund. Many resources and guidance are available to those capturing and preserving the history of their congregation and conference.

The United Methodist Church celebrates Heritage Sunday annually near Aldersgate Day (May 24). This year Heritage Sunday is May 21. The observance provides an opportunity for reflection on heritage, celebration of where the Church has been, how it understands itself as it shapes us today, and the meaning of Christian conferencing. The theme for Heritage Sunday 2023: “Local Church Histories: The Cornerstone of Our Faith.” Find worship resources and more here.

 HAPPENING AROUND THE CONFERENCE

LOCAL CHURCH RESOURCES

Mindful tips for celebrating Mother's and Father's Day

From those who have experienced the loss of a parent to families struggling with infertility or distance from loved ones, it's crucial to be sensitive to these sensitivities and offer outreach opportunities to show that you care.Find 4 tips here.

Discipleship Ministries offers a Litany for Mother's Day that celebrates mothers in all forms, closing with thanks for the women who have served as influencers: "We thank you, Lord, for the women who have influenced our lives in so many ways. We pray that we will honor them in everything we do." Find the resource here.

May is Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, a time when we honor the history and contributions of members of this fastest-growing population in the United States. This is a diverse group of people with origins in the Far East, Southeast Asia and the Pacific Islands. In The United Methodist Church, we have an opportunity for a richer experience of worship and life as the people of God when we celebrate the voices of our Asian American and Pacific Islander brothers and sisters among us. Find worship resources and more here.

Active Shooter Online Training for Churches

Two web-based training modules on "Active Shooter: Run, Fight & Hide" and "Violence in the Workplace" are available. Participants may take the training individually or as a group. Interested churches: send an email to Dwayne Jackson, NIC director of risk management and ministry protection (insurance), and include church name, title of person presenting the request, and number of training assignments required. Contact Dwayne Jackson.

We have seen an increase in email scams from senders pretending to be the bishop or district superintendents. If you receive emails from the conference that are not from email addresses that end in @umcnic.org, these are NOT from the conference office. It is spam and fraudulent. To be clear, the conference will NOT contact you or solicit anything via generic email. All financial gifts must always be received through the conference's regular collections process. If you ever get an email or phone call that seems strange or odd, do not immediately click "respond." First, contact your district administrative assistant for verification.

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. You’re welcome to join in praying for the upcoming events of our conference.  The next meeting is Friday, May 12 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.

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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