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Annual Conference Updates
Read news articles about all that happened during our busy three days of Annual Conference on the news page of our website here. Articles include the Bishop's State of the Conference Address, the Shepherding Team talking about change, a listing of those highlighted in the Celebration of Ministry, discussing the practices of civil conversations during Laity Convocation, disaffiliations, and more. Check out this chart for a summary of the legislation results.
Videos and Photos
If you were unable to attend Annual Conference, missed any moments or want to share portions with your congregation, most of the videos are posted on our Vimeo channel. You'll also find some videos that we ran out of time to show. Click on this Vimeo Showcase to find all of the Services, including the powerful Korean Peace Reflection and Prayer, a Bible Study with Dr. Rolf Nolasco (2 parts), Bishop Dan Schwerin's Episcopal Address, a Laity Address from Mark Manzi, Hwa-Young Chong and Liz Gracie for the Shepherding Team reminding us that Urgency is Not Enough, and more. All of the plenary sessions are available on the NIC YouTube channel here.
To view photos from the three days, click here. For Ordination photos, click here.
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Good work, Northern Illinois Conference, for donating about 7,000 pounds of goods to the Midwest Mission truck through the Mission Challenge! We helped provide for their most urgent needs.
If you missed out on the challenge, don’t worry. A list of the most needed items can be found here. There are also online shopping and donation options (see the side bar on the page here). You also can always send donations to the center directly or drop off at the NIC permanent sites:
- Lake North: Maywood: Neighborhood UMC or Glenview UMC
- Lake South: New Lenox UMC
- Prairie Central: Fox River Grove: Community
- Prairie North: Lanark UMC
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Churches and individuals across the Northern Illinois Conference responded with overwhelming generosity to this year's Bishop's Appeal to help support migrant needs in our community. A total of over $23,000 was raised so far. If you missed bringing your church's donation, you can still donate online.
Watch the Bishop's Appeal presentation from Annual Conference here.
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HAPPENING AROUND THE CONFERENCE | |
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Join Kids Above All on Thursday, June 22, 2023 for their 6th annual Stand Up For Kids Comedy Night! This year’s event will be held at The Greenhouse Theater Center in Chicago. Cocktail hour will be from 7-8 p.m. and the show will run from 8-9:30 p.m.
This year’s performers are again some of the most talented and hilarious comedians in the country, all three of whom happen to be from the Chicago area. They are Anthony Fuentes (Zanies and The Laugh Factory, Chicago), Calvin Evans (NBC’s “Chicago PD” and “Shameless” on Showtime) and Patti Vasquez (Top Chicago comedian & Host, WCPT 820). More information and ticket purchases available here.
If you have any questions about the event, please contact Zulma Colon, Vice President of Resource Development, at zcolon@kidsaboveall.org or (773) 867-7361.
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Prepare for the Fall NIC Book Club
For more than 10 years, retired Bishop Kenneth L. Carder’s book, Living our Beliefs: The United Methodist Way, has been a staple for essential reading by the United Methodist Church Discipleship Ministries. The prayerful reading and study of this book provides an understanding of the beliefs and practices of the United Methodist Church as defined in Part II of The Book of Discipline.
Rev. G. Morris Jarkloh, Chair of The Discipleship Task Force NIC Book Club, invites you to join us as we learn together. If you’re interested in being a Discussion Leader, please sign up by clicking here.
Learn more about the NIC Book Club here.
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We need your photos!
We are looking to highlight Mission Trips and VBS Programs in the NIC district eNews later this summer. We need your photos! Please send any photos and short descriptions to lsmith@umcnic.org.
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It's Appointment Change Season.
In the months of June and July, many United Methodist congregations are in the midst of a pastoral change. Perhaps the pastor your church has known for years is being appointed to another congregation or retiring, and a new pastor is on the way. Many of our churches are welcoming new pastors. Find resources for welcoming a new pastor here.
Do you know why United Methodists have itinernant pastors? Check out this article from Ask the UMC about why United Methodist pastors change churches.
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Grants Available to Help Strengthen the Ethnic Local Church
Discipleship Ministries is pleased to offer the Racial Ethnic Local Church Concerns (RELCC) Grant, which provides funding to support the ethnic local church through leadership training, small groups, worship, stewardship, and spiritual formation as it engages in developing disciple-making systems inside the church walls and in the community. Applications are due September 30, 2023. Click here for more information.
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Did you or someone you know participate in the March on Washington in 1963?
The Anti-racism Task Force is currently planning a 60-Year Anniversary Celebration of the 8/28/1963 March on Washington. If you know someone who participated in the 1963 March on Washington, please contact Amania Drane at adrane@umcnic.org. Additional details will be forthcoming.
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What is your DNA?
The Discipleship Task Force will be rolling out a new initiative called Disciple Nurturing Attitude or DNA. DNA will provide opportunities for small group learning, engagement, prayer, and Biblical insight around your mental, physical, and nutritional health. If you are interested in volunteering on the planning team, please email Amania Drane at adrane@umcnic.org.
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Other Resources
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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, small groups, pastors, children, and individuals.
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Copyright © 2023 Northern Illinois Conference | |
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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Keep Up to Date With All Conference Events and News in the Weekly Email!
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