News & Updates

August 24, 2023

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Dear Friends,

We had a beautiful clergy family picnic on August 20^th. It happened to be one of the hottest days of this summer! We all sweat a lot, but more importantly, we enjoyed our table fellowship. Many thanks to the picnic planning team! Rev. Joel McClellan, Rev. Leslie Stanford, and Rev. Marilyn Nolan created a dynamic team to unite us through food and friendship—many thanks to everyone who brought a dish to share. I am already looking forward to our picnic next year!

This past two months, much of my time was dedicated to getting to know our pastors and churches. I’m most done with the annual summer clergy interviews. I greatly admire our hard-working and faithful pastors across the district. If you are a layperson reading this letter, would you do me a favor? Please write a Thank-You note to your pastor! Pastor’s work is not a 9 to 5 office work and often involves many hours of behind-the-scenes engagements for pastoral care, community development, and teaching/preaching preparations. Your expression of appreciation will mean so much to your pastors!

As we enter the church conference season, I look forward to visiting your churches and meeting your church leaders this fall. Following Christ is never an easy path. Jesus said, “Enter through the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the road is easy that leads to destruction, and there are many who take it. For the gate is narrow and the road is hard that leads to life, and there are few who find it” (Matthew 7:13- 14, NRSV). We’ve gone through so much. Many of our churches are still trying to recover from COVID. Disaffiliation has been heartbreaking. This is all in addition to the general decline of the mainline denominations. However, I’ve seen so much life, hope, and passion in the churches I have visited! I hope our church conferences this fall will be a time to share our hopes and dreams in God.

Blessings in Christ,

Rev. Dr. Hwa-Young Chong

Prairie North District Superintendent

Sunday, September 24 at 4:00 p.m.

Rockford: Grace UMC

3555 McFarland Road, Rockford, IL 61114

Please join the Bishop as we welcome and celebrate the ministry of Rev. Dr. Hwa-Young Chong as the new District Superintendent of the Prairie North District. The Bishop will bring the message as we gather to sing, pray, hear the Word and break bread together in the Spirit of Christ. A light supper will be served following the service, provided by the people of Grace UMC. All are welcome!

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.

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.

Resources for placemaking in rural areas

The Rural America Placemaking Toolkit is a resource guide to showcase a variety of placemaking activities, projects and success stories across rural America. Placemaking is an intentional approach to community development exploring what it means for a community have an identity. Community partners and citizens of various backgrounds can work together towards a shared identity. Explore creative community conversations using watercolors, community and cultural assessments to think about “Where Your Sidewalk Begins,” cross-sector partnerships that promote community health and more. Read more.

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.

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:

Sept. 15-17: Men's Spiritual Congress: Meet other UM men, relax, and nurture your faith. Read more.
Starting, Sept. 26: Black Healing Collective 18-Month Cohort: Most sessions will be held via Zoom on the 4th Tuesday of the month. Read more.
Sept. 29: United Voices for Children's Raising Our Voices: A Bridge for the Gap event: Kids Above All Distribution Center, 1801 E. Oakton St., Des Plaines.
Sept. 30: Safe Sanctuaries Training: In-person training option to help meet our goal of ensuring safe spaces in our churches. Read more.
Oct. 21: What Makes for a Vital Church Today? Workshop: Presentation by Rev. Dr. Paul 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

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.

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?

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Check out our Submit News page for more details.

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