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Blessed Holy Week and Happy Easter

Click the video below to watch a Holy Week and Easter Greeting from

Prairie South District Superintendent Rev. Brian Gilbert.

Check out the NIC Vimeo page for more Easter Greetings.

Annual Conference Registration Now Open

Registration for the 2022 Northern Illinois Annual Conference is open with early- bird registration through April 29. The cost is $80. Registration increases to $95 from April 30 to May 29. Please note there will be no on-site registration.

*Make sure you have a file copy (jpg, jpeg, png, bmp, gif) of your proof of vaccination card handy to upload during registration, which is required.

Annual Conference will meet in person June 8 - 10 at the Renaissance Schaumburg Convention Center. The AC Committee is diligently working to make this a safe gathering for everyone while continuing to monitor COVID-19 infection rates for the area. For current requirements for AC members to attend, please read the health and safety statement.

Important Dates:

May 8 - Registration deadline for display tables.

May 17 - Hotel reservation block closes. Click here to reserve a room.

May 24 - Clergy Session in person at New Lenox UMC starting at 9 am. (register with AC registration) Click for details.

June 1 & 2 - Pre-Conference Briefings (choose one at AC registration)

June 8 - Laity Session 11 am - 12 noon (register with AC registration)

June 8 - Annual Conference session opens with Memorial Service at 1:30 pm

June 8 - Legislative Sections at 7 pm

June 8 & 9 - On-site Blueprint for Wellness screenings 7 - 10 am

June 9 - Retirement Service at 8:45 am

June 10 - Ordination Service at 1:30 pm

Download a Fact Sheet with more details and information.

The worship services and plenary sessions will be livestreamed on the NIC YouTube Channel for guests and observers. Clergy and lay members of AC must be present in person to vote.

AC Mission Challenge

The NIC Board of Global Ministries is coordinating with the Midwest Mission Distribution Center (MMDC) to organize its annual conference collection drive for the most needed items at this time. Your church is encouraged to begin collecting items to fill the truck. The board is working on drop-off locations, preferably at the Schaumburg Convention Center on June 8 and 9. Details are being worked out. Click here for items needed. Download flyer.

First 2022 Speaker Series Event Wrap-up

Thank you to all who attended the first event in the 4 part 2022 Speaker Series on Anti-Racism. The event on March 24, titled Unsilenced: Our Stories, Our Voices is available to view on our Vimeo page. Find out more about the future events, download resources from the event and visit links to book recommendations here.

Kids Above All's annual Diaper Drive is back! Donate diapers of all sizes and wipes to help their parents, caregivers, babies, and toddlers have the essentials they need for a happy and healthy start to their lives together. Click here for an Amazon Wish List. To schedule a drop-off time for your donation, contact Manager of Faith & Community Relations, Deaconess Catherine Inserra, at 847- 224-2870, or at cinserra@kidsaboveall.org. Donation Drop off address: 8765 W. Higgins Rd., Suite 450, Chicago, IL 60631. Time: Monday - Friday, 9 am - 4 pm.

Early-bird Discount Extended to April 15

Uplifting Young Methodists Scholarship

For many students, continuing education beyond high school is a challenging decision due to financial circumstances. The United Methodist Foundation wants toempower students to continue their education by providing financial assistance. This scholarship is designed to assist minority United Methodist students to attend a trade school, community college, college, or university. Applications are due April 30. For more information and to apply, click here.

Native American Ministries Sunday (May 1) serves to remind United Methodists of the gifts and contributions made by Native Americans to our society and in our communities. With more than 20,000 Native Americans within the denomination, this Special Sunday helps to ensure that Native American United Methodist leaders are recognized and to celebrate their special voice in The United Methodist Church. Click here for resources to celebrate and promote this Special Sunday. For more ideas from the NIC Committee on Native American Ministries, click here.

A Modern Approach to Men's Ministry

As part of its mission to modernize approaches to men’s ministry, the Commission on United Methodist Men has introduced UNITED Men’s Ministry, a resource that focuses more on process than a specific program. The innovative online resource provides a package that includes leader coaching, online learning, support, topical studies and connection. Every church leader who feels their men’s ministry effort could use a restart, an upgrade, or a boost is encouraged to visit UnitedMensMinistry.com to get in on the launch, happening May 1, 2022. Simply register on the website for the launch event and join the movement. Read more.

Breathe Again event sponsored by United Women in Faith Northern Illinois Conference

Did you know that more than 40% of the US is breathing dirty air? We have the power to take action! Join us Tuesday evening, May 3, 7:00-8:30 pm via Zoom to learn more about the issues surrounding air pollution, its public health impact, and to learn how to contact our elected officials and ask them to take action. Anne Mellinger-Birdsong, Medical Education Advisor of Mothers and Others for Clean Air, will be the guest speaker. More information and registration here.

Communications Learning Week

United Methodist Communication (UMCom) has announced a week-long ecumenical training opportunity launching this spring for anyone in ministry seeking to enhance their communications skills. Communication Learning Week: Taking the Next Step will be held May 9-13, 2022, and is designed with busy schedules in mind. All of the learning week content will be recorded and stored in a learning portal that participants will have access to for six months following the event. Registration opens April 12. Learn more.

Rev. Brian Gilbert

Prairie South District Superintendent

bgilbert@umcnic.org

312-346-9766 ext. 782

Leola Tucker

Administrative Assistant

ltucker@umcnic.org

312-346-9766 ext. 733

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