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Help needed to welcome incoming Immigrants
More than 750 asylum seekers from Central and South America have now arrived on buses sent from Texas since Aug. 31, according to the city of Chicago.
In collaboration with local, state, and federal agencies, the city of Chicago is taking action to welcome and ensure these migrants have access to shelter, food, and other resources.
NIC Collection sites for newly arriving Immigrants/Asylees
Several churches across the conference in each district are serving as donation collection sites to be convenient, centralized locations in order to bring the items to the city. For the list of locations, contact and drop-off instructions, click here.
For information on volunteering, donation requests and other ways to help, click on the following links:
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A big THANK YOU to all who participated in Safe Sanctuaries trainings this past year either online or in person.
We are continuing to have more and more people trained in ways to protect the vulnerable in our communities.
You can learn more about Safe Sanctuaries here. If you have not been trained, please check out the online trainings through Safe Gatherings.
If you have any questions, contact Rev. Arlene Christopherson via email.
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United Methodists join Christians of different traditions to celebrate World Communion Sunday on the first Sunday in October. World Communion Sunday began in 1936 as a way to recognize our ecumenical oneness in Christ and to bring Christians together in a spirit of unity and peace.
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In The United Methodist Church, congregations throughout the denomination will also join together to receive a Special Sunday offering, you equip gifted, qualified students from around the globe to become the world changers God created them to be. Your gifts support racial and ethnic students in achieving their educational goals while also transforming communities. Fifty percent of the offering provides scholarships for graduate students from the U.S. and other countries. Thirty-five percent supports ethnic scholarships for undergraduate students. Fifteen percent funds In-Service Training Programs for racial and ethnic persons.
Need downloadable resources to get your congregation ready for World Communion Sunday? UMC Giving has assembled a collection of resources that you can download to promote this Special Sunday.
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HAPPENING AROUND THE CONFERENCE | |
St. Mark UMC, 8441 S. St. Lawrence Ave., Chicago, IL
The content of this 4-hour workshop is for people of Black African heritage and will:
- Define racial trauma.
- Discuss the significant impact that racial trauma has historically had and continues to have within the Black community including the UMC.
- Discuss coping strategies that have been used within the Black community for healing our trauma.
Cost: $25 (includes lunch) Space is limited.
Registration and more info here.
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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 16th, 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.
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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. The national Disability Ministries of the UMC also has a grant program that is accepting applications through the end of September, which you can learn more about 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
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Resource Links
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Pastor Appreciation Month (October) - Ideas and starters for appreciating your pastor.
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United Voices for Children Sunday (October 30) - Information and videos to share with your congregation.
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Native American Heritage Month (November) - Prayers and worship resources.
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All Saints Day (November 1) - Prayers and liturgy resources
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Advent Resources (starts November 27) - Candle Lighting, Graphics, and more coming.
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#BeUMC Resources -Tool Kits, Social Media Kits, Graphics, and more.
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Social Media Shareables - Free graphics for social media for different events, months and ministries. (Through Outreach, log in is needed but resources are free)
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UMC Giving Resources - Mission Moments, Special Sunday Info, Leader Kits, Pew Cards and more.
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United Media Resource Center - Lending library of Christian materials for local churches - for small groups, pastors, children and individuals.
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Copyright © 2022 Northern Illinois Conference | |
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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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