News & Updates

July 14, 2022

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As you read this I will be in my third week of a six week renewal leave that includes travel and intentional time of being with family. On more than one occasion I have been told that I am a better human doing that a human being. In Biblical terms, I am a better Martha than I am Mary.

"As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to him. She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet listening to what he said. But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked, “Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!”

“Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things, but few things are needed—or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.”

Our society praises the Martha’s, which means we often do not follow Mary’s path. We don’t allow ourselves to just be, to dwell in the moment, to drink deeply of the wisdom of Jesus, to root into our faith and “waste time” in prayer or contemplation.

This summer, I hope that you can have the opportunity to rest from the chaos of life. Not a sit down and watch all 18 seasons of Grey’s Anatomy while on vacation kind of rest. Let’s face it, that’s not rest. I wish you the rest that comes from doing things that bring you joy, that connect you more fully to God and to the ones you love. I hope that you make time to contemplate a bird sitting on a branch, or a grandchild riding their scooter or a kite flying high in the sky. Where is God in these small miracles? These are places of being.

Peace and rest,

Rev. Brittany Isaac

Lake North District Superintendent

Photo essay: United Methodists Stand with Ukraine

As we celebrate the generosity given to the 2022 Bishop's Appeal to support Ukraine, know that your donations are helping hundreds of refugees and providing humanitarian aid in the country.

UM News reporter Joey Butler and photographer Mike DuBose traveled to Eastern Europe in late May to share stories of United Methodists’ humanitarian ministry. View photo essay.

Church Communities Gather to Grieve, Remember and Pray after Highland Park Parade Tragedy

What was supposed to be a day of celebration and fun turned into sheer chaos, trauma, fear and unimaginable heartache after a gunman opened fire on 4th of July parade-goers in Highland Park, Ill., killing seven people and wounding dozens more.

United Methodist churches and the faith community continue to be a place of comfort and healing.

Read more on how United Methodist pastors joined together to pray for the community.

Click here for photos from Won Jung Park for News Magazine Chicago.

Read Bishop Hopkins' statement on the tragedy.

Gun Violence Prevention Resources:

Everytown for Gun Safety at everytown.org
General Board of Church and Society at umcjustice.org

Vivian Matthews, former District Lay Leader, faithful member of the District Lay Servant Ministries Team and active member of Chicago: Mandell, passed away July 5, 2022, in Arkansas surrounded by her family. Our prayers are for the many people who love her and remember her caring, generous spirit. Information about services and how to reach out to her family will be available soon by her Mandell UMC family.

Since 1894, Kids Above All (formerly ChildServ) has placed the safety, well-being, and education of kids above everything else. Running through the summer, you can help ensure that the hundreds of kids in their care have the supplies they need to succeed this school year through the agency's annual backpack drive. Click for details.

The Northern Illinois Conference is offering 6 training options to help meet our goal of ensuring safe spaces in our churches.

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~~ (Event Complete)
~~Wednesday, June 29 - 6:30 pm - Plainfield UMC~~ (Event Complete)
~~Saturday, July 16 - 1:00 pm - Des Plaines: First UMC~~

(Event Registration Closed)

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.

Apportionment Highlight -

Africa University

One of the seven funds in the UMC General Church Apportionments is Africa University. This fund supports the first fully accredited UM-related institution on the African continent that promotes independence and empowerment through a diverse student body from across the continent. Because of our 100% Apportionment payments, we helped ensure access to a life-changing higher education experience for Africa University students.

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.

Update Your Find-A-Church Profile

Find-A-Church is the official online directory of United Methodist churches in the United States, developed by United Methodist Communications. It is one of the most visited sections of UMC.org, averaging more than 1,000 page views a day. Find-A-Church helps you to connect with busy people in your community on their terms, on their time and in their comfort zone. It also serves as a companion to your church’s existing website — giving you twice the local visibility online.

You’ll achieve the best results from your Find-A-Church profile when you update your church’s information. (It’s free and easy to update) Here are some reasons why:

An updated profile is more relevant to your visitors’ needs.
You can link to your Facebook page, Twitter feed, Instagram and Flickr accounts
Visitors can search activities through the online calendar.
As worship schedules change (Christmas, Easter, etc.), you can edit as needed.

With pastoral changes and people looking to connect with a church, now is the time to make sure your church’s information is up to date.

Easy updating instructions here.

Ephesus Project Updates

The NIC Anti-Racism Task Force (ARTF) is making updates to its Ephesus Project, a church/pulpit exchange, which has gone through some changes since its initial start. A “do-it-yourself” guide with a template is now available providing resources to learn about racism and racial equity that can be done in phases. ARTF hopes the guide will give churches more flexibility to start a pulpit exchange on their own. Click here for the guide.

Help Share Stories of Difference Makers

Have our churches “Made a Difference?" Of course, they have! Every one of our churches has helped change lives. We need stories to tell us how.

The NIC Board of Pensions introduced the “You Made a Difference” initiative at the 2022 session of the Annual Conference on June 9 to help share stories of how others within the UMC connection made a difference in our lives and also raise funds to support future clergy pension programs.

Please go to umcnic.org/differencemakers and click on “Tell Your Story” to open an online form. You can also click on the “Honored Difference Makers” tab to read stories that have been told by others.

UVC 2022 Award Nominations

Each year, UVC gives these special awards to honor extraordinary volunteer service or advocacy efforts on behalf of children, youth and/or families throughout the Northern Illinois Conference. There are three awards: the Bishop Jesse. R. DeWitt Award, the Katherine B. Greene Award, and the Rev. Margaret Ann Williams Award. Learn more and submit nominations. Nominations are due July 31st.

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.

Resources for the Local Church

Volunteers in Mission Sunday (Any Sunday in July or August) - Songs, Liturgy, Posters, Mission Moments, Sermon Starters, and more
United Voices for Children Sunday (July 31) - Information and videos to share with your congregation.
#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. Brittany Isaac

Lake North District Superintendent

bisaac@umcnic.org

312-346-9766 ext. 785

Debra Rogers

Administrative Assistant

drogers@umcnic.org

630-465-2941

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