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The 2022 Northern Illinois Annual Conference Bishop's Appeal special offering will go toward Ukraine assistance. While immediate needs are great, we know the people of Ukraine will need assistance in the long term. For more details on fundraiser ideas and bringing your collective offering to Annual Conference, visit umcnic.org/Bishopsappeal2022.
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Save the Date:
Prairie Central Picnic in the Park
All clergy and church lay leaders and their families are invited to a special Fall celebration for the district.
Date: August 28, 2022
Time: 4:00pm - 6:00pm
A brief worship will kick us off at 4:00
Location: Peg Bond Center, Batavia, IL
Cost: $10 per person/ $25 maximum per family - covers a meal, snacks and location rental.
Come and join the clergy and elected lay leaders of the district and meet their families. There is no agenda, other than a brief time of worship, fun and fellowship for all. Let's celebrate the love of God, the love of each other and our love of being connected through the United Methodist Church.
A sandwich lunch from Jimmy John's will be provided (gluten free and vegetarian options will be available).
If you or your church would like to provide music, we will have a stage for open microphone opportunities. Contact DS Jeffry if you or other musicians are interested in playing.
Bring a chair to sit on, a water bottle (to save the environment) for lemonade, tea and water, and possibly a lawn game to play.
A registration form will be sent out to clergy and lay leaders later this summer.
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June Reporter Available Online
The June Reporter is now available online and is heading to the post office. Read more about how United Methodists are responding and taking action against recent racially motivated, deadly attacks.
Bishop Hopkins asks in his monthly column, "Will our hope be stronger than our memory?" Learn more about the Board of Pensions initiative to collect stories of Difference Makers among us and to raise funds for future clergy pensions.
Also, find out how local churches are continuing to support Ukraine refugees through mission and service. Read the full issue here.
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2nd Annual Rally Against Racism
With recent racially motivated violence and deadly attacks in the news, once again we come together in solidarity to stand against hate and racism.
Last summer, the NIC Annual Conference Shepherding Team (ACST) and the Anti-racism Task Force (ARTF) joined together to spearhead a way for churches to visibly show their commitment “to live out the conviction that racism is incompatible with Christian teaching.”
Several churches participated by holding rallies in a variety of different ways. Churches were encouraged to be creative and hold Do-it-Yourself or DIY rallies. Click here to watch a video from last summer's rallies.
Join with churches across the Northern Illinois Conference this summer (May through September) to Rally Against Racism. Learn more and sign up today.
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Summer Camp Registration Open
Good News…staff are back on-site at Wesley Woods and Camp Reynoldswood after seasonal layoffs due to the pandemic and several summer camps are scheduled for 2022!
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J.O.Y Camp at Camp Reynoldswood 6/19 - 6/24
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Family Camp - Multi-generational at Wesley Woods Retreat Center 7/03 - 7/08
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Woodland Camp at Camp Reynoldswood 7/24 - 7/29
For pricing and registration, visit niccamp.org/summercamps.
Lifeguards, counselors, and kitchen staff are needed at both camps. If interested, visit niccamp.org/employment.
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Urgent Masonry Work Needed at Reynoldswood | |
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A crew installing a new pool liner at Camp Reynoldswood in Dixon, Ill., arrived Monday and determined that work needs to be done to fill holes and hollows (voids) behind the existing, aged concrete walls so it's solid enough to hold the anchors that will hold the liner.
NIC Outdoor and Retreat Ministries Director Jeff Casey says they urgently need a skilled mason who can either perform the work or provide guidance to staff who has masonry experience but not around pools.
The first summer campers arrive for J.O.Y. Camp starting June 19, so timing is extremely critical.
Please text or call Jeff Casey at 815-494-3877 or John Rocke at 815-494-4315. (John is on-site at Reynoldswood, but Jeff may be more accessible).
Thank you for any and all help that you can provide.
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The United Methodist Church supports 11 fully accredited Historically Black Colleges and Universities, more than any other religious denomination in the U.S.
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A graduate of Bennett College in Greensboro, North Carolina, Josefa Bethea Wall followed the path set by her mother, grandmother and others in her family. Her father attended another historically Black college: Claflin University, Orangeburg, South Carolina. Josefa studied accounting and business administration.
“My college experience,” Josefa said, “helped me discern my interests and turn them into my life’s work in nonprofit management. A small, liberal arts, church-related institution provided me opportunities to develop meaningful relationships with my peers and those with the charge of pushing and pulling us to be our best selves. Many professors and staff members were members of the church I attended, so our interactions were not limited to campus and the classroom. We are still connected more than 30 years later.”
Josefa became a Black College Fund ambassador in 1984, visiting United Methodist congregations, sharing her dreams for the future and saying, “Thank you.” She still loves telling the Black College Fund story.
“As part of a connectional church,” she said, “each member played a part in my education. I represent a return on their investment. I am one of many students who have benefited from their giving.
Through the Apportionments given to the Black College Fund, United Methodist congregations support more than 15,000 students attend institutions, pursuing degrees in agriculture, engineering, social work, forensics, environmental science and more.
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Global Ministries Features Northern Illinois Conference Elder
Rev. Jin Kim, an elder in the Northern Illinois Conference, will be featured in the General Board of Global Ministries #StillInMission Episode 43. on on June 2 at 11 am CST. Register here. Rev. Jin Kim serves as the Coordinator of Pilgrimage of Justice and Peace with the World Council of Churches in Switzerland. Register here. You will have the opportunity to meet in a small group to hear a presentation from each missionary during the call. Registration is limited.
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Peace with Justice Resources available
Peace with Justice Sunday celebration is June 12, 2022. This offering is collected the first Sunday after Pentecost and it supports peace with justice ministries through the General Board of Church and Society and the annual conferences. Half of money donated on Peace with Justice Sunday stays within our conference. Read more about Peace with Justice Sunday and download the resources.
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The trainings are being offered both on-line via zoom and in-person.
The dates offered are:
- Thursday, June 23 - 6:30 pm - Plainfield UMC
- Wednesday, June 29 - 6:30 pm - Plainfield UMC
- Saturday, July 16 - 1:00 pm - Des Plaines: First UMC
- Saturday, July 30 - 10:00 am - Rockford: Christ UMC
- Saturday, August 6 - 10:00 am - Rockford: Christ UMC
- Saturday, August 20 - 1:00 pm - Des Plaines: First UMC
Find more information and register here.
**This free training is an alternative for those who cannot participate in other training options and does not include a background check.
Also, we have redone our NIC Safe Sanctuaries Website. Check out the site for videos, policies, FAQ, downloads and more resources. umcnic.org/safesanctuaries
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Speaker Series: Race, America, and the Church
The Northern Illinois Conference, in partnership with the Indiana Conference and other groups, is pleased to announce a 2022 Speaker Series.
The second event will be held June 23.
Thursday, June 23, 2022, 12:00 -1:30 PM
via Zoom
Speakers: Rev. Derrek Belase, Rev. David Lagos-Fonseca, Rev. Dana Neuhasuer, Rev. Brian Tillman, & Rev. Kathy L. Williams Moderator: Rev. Pamela Pirtle
Representatives from different conferences discuss what the local church and their conferences are doing to address racism.
Register and Learn More
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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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Resources for the Local Church
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United Voices for Children Sunday (May 29) - Information and videos to share with your congregation.
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Pentecost (June 5) - Resources, planning materials and more.
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Peace with Justice Sunday (June 12) - Worship Resources, pew cards, prayers and more.
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Junteenth (June 19) - Overview and ideas to celebrate as well as links to worship resources.
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Father's Day (June 19) - Prayer and video as well as links to 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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