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Tuesday, February 13

Clergy - Elmhurst: First UMC

(232 S. York Rd., Elmhurst, IL.)

Laity - Lombard: First UMC

(155 S. Main St., Lombard, IL.)

Please join Bishop Dan Schwerin for a day of reflection and conversation on your district.

• Clergy will gather for fellowship at 9:30 a.m. with the program beginning at 10 a.m. and concluding with lunch. (Registration needed.)
• Laity will gather for an evening conversation from 6:30 to 8 p.m. (Registration is not needed.)

You are encouraged to join in the gathering for our district, but should the one planned for our district not work for you, any gathering can be attended.

Find all the details here. 

Annual Conference 2024

Sunday, June 16 - Tuesday, June 18

Special Observances and Sessions

• Clergy session: June 5 (location to be announced) 
• Laity session: Sunday afternoon, June 16
• Ordination and commissioning: Sunday evening, June 16 
• Retirement: Monday morning, June 17 
• Memorial: Tuesday morning, June 18 

More Annual Conference details here.

Lay and Clergy input needed for AC Childcare

The annual conference committee is exploring different childcare arrangements, including the possibility of offering on-site care. Those who need childcare (lay and clergy) should complete a short survey so that the committee knows parents’ preferences. Responses are due on Jan. 31. Take the survey.

Looking to serve?

The Nominations Committee is working on the slate of those interested in serving on committees. They invite lay and clergy to express their interest in serving in different administrative and programmatic committees to fill out the nominating form with your committee of interest. For more information and to fill out the Nominating Form, please click here.

 HAPPENING AROUND THE CONFERENCE

LOCAL CHURCH RESOURCES

Find new devotionals and studies for Lent 

Ash Wednesday is right around the corner. During Lent, Christians prepare to celebrate the miracle of Easter through prayer, fasting and other spiritual disciplines. Abingdon Press and The Upper Room have new Lenten studies and resources available. 

Click here to learn more.

Apportionment Highlight -

General Board of Church and Society

The General Board of Church and Society (GBCS) is dedicated to the work of living faith, seeking justice, and pursuing peace. Addressing more than 30 social issues on which The United Methodist Church has claimed a position, Church and Society communicates with policymakers and leaders around the world with the mission of transforming the world.

In 2024, join the GBCS in celebrating the momentous 100-year history of the United Methodist Building and the people called Methodists. Each month, They will highlight notable days offering glimpses into the momentous 100-year history of Methodists walking along side ecumenical partners living their faith through social witness. Read more.

It is time to update the Lay Leadership Portal

The new year often means new people serving in leadership positions at your church Please access the NIC Portal to our database to be sure that we have the correct names and contact information for your key church leaders. (Click here for a list of Leadership chairs we use.) To access the Northern Illinois Conference Lay Leadership Portal, click here. Contact David W. Quinn dquinn@umcnic.org if you need access assistance. For instructions on how to update leadership portal, click here. If you have any other questions, please contact your District Administrative Assistant, Leola Tucker ltucker@umcnic.org. 

NIC Property Insurance Certificates Available

The Lay Leadership portal serves as the source to retrieve the 2024 Certificates of Insurance. Instructions for accessing the insurance documents on the portal are available here. There are two certificates (property and liability) for each church building (church/parsonage/garage/annex/shed). Certificates are also included for leased copiers, bank loan/mortgages, daycares inclusive of an auto id card(s), if applicable. Contact Debbie Rogers drogers@umcnic.org for assistance accessing the portal. Contact Dwayne Jackson, Director of Ministry Protection & Ministry Protection djackson@umcnic.org, with questions and/or changes. Additional information on the NIC Property & Casualty Insurance program is available on the conference website under Risk Management.

Statistical reports due 

It’s that time of year again when each local church gathers its attendance, program, and financial records and submits its statistical report to the Conference. The NIC office uses the statistics you report to asses how your church is doing, to report to the larger denomination, and to calculate apportionments for your church. It’s very important that we have accurate, up-to-date information. 2023 statistics can be entered at stats.gcfa.org. The deadline is February 29, 2024. For resources and more information, click here. If you have questions, contact David W. Quinn at dquinn@umcnic.org. Click here to get started. 

NIC Prayer Network Monthly Zoom Meetings

The NIC Prayer Network is an entryway for joining in common prayer for the ministries of the Northern Illinois Conference. NIC Prayer Network team meets every month on the 2nd Thursday at 10:00 AM to pray for the churches, pastors and ministries of Northern Illinois. The next meeting is Thursday, February 8, at 10:00 a.m. All are invited to join.  No preparation is necessary; just log in. The Zoom link is available here. Meeting ID: 813 9510 9144, Passcode: 459872. You can also call 312-626-6799.

If you’d like to pray but have other appointments at that time, email Katherine Howell at howellkvh@gmail.com and request the agenda or add to the agenda. Also, pray along each week for clergy, churches, leaders, and NIC Advances by visiting the Prayer Network website.

Like Us on Facebook: Prairie Central District

Rev. Jeffry Bross

Prairie Central District Superintendent

jbross@umcnic.org

312-346-9766 ext. 783

Leola Tucker

Administrative Assistant

ltucker@umcnic.org

312-346-9766 ext. 733

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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