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Music, food, crafts highlight Aurora Methodists' inaugural youth arts camp
Music, food and crafts highlighted an inaugural arts camp for youth at Wesley United Methodist Church in Aurora June 20-23.
Camp coordinator Michelle Curiel, Wesley director of praise and worship, said the free camp was held in partnership with Simply Destinee, an Aurora dance center.
About 40 neighborhood children ages 4-12 attended the camp from 5:30 to 8 p.m. evenings. Leaders included 15 youth and adults. Activities opened with a free dinner. Children were invited to bring home leftovers.
According to Curiel, "The kids had a fantastic time dancing, baking, creating music and art all while learning different ways to love themselves and those around them. "Highlights of the week included cheering on friends during dance circles, making music with Boomwhackers, creating self- representation nametags and baking Oreo balls!
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"The kids learned self affirmations such as ‘If you can’t love yourself, how are you gonna love somebody else’, ‘I can ask for support!’, ‘I can acknowledge my feelings by noticing them’ and ‘If it doesn’t feed your soul, let it go!’" Curiel added that children participated in different activities to explore the affirmations through dancing, music, art and culinary activities.
In an art station, children created self-representation flags. After planning flags on paper, they crafted personal flags with felt. Many children chose bright colors and hearts to represent their kindness and love for others, Curiel said. "We’re very much looking forward to what next year has to bring!" she concluded.
For more information, call (630) 229-0231 or visit wesleyumcaurora.org
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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.
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The trainings are being offered both on-line via zoom and in-person.
The dates offered are:
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Thursday, June 23 - 6:30 pm - Plainfield UMC (Event Complete)
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Wednesday, June 29 - 6:30 pm - Plainfield UMC (Event Complete)
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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.
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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.
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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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Update Your Find-A-Chuch 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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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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Volunteers in Mission Sunday (Any Sunday in July or August) - Songs, Liturgy, Posters, Mission Moments, Sermon Starters, and more
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United Voices for Children Sunday (July 31) - Information and videos to share with your congregation.
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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 - for small groups, pastors, children and individuals.
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