News & Updates

April 13, 2023

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Mission Links helps you live out the beatitudes and be a blessing for projects around the block and around the world.

As you and your congregation start thinking of summer mission journeys, United Methodist Volunteers in Mission (UMVIM) is an important resource.

UMVIM is the official short-term volunteer sending agency of the United Methodist Church. The UMVIM network offers guidance, organization, and training for more than 125,000 volunteers each year who give of their time and talent to minister with the poor, build churches and other mission facilities, assist in disaster recovery efforts, participate in community health programs and take part in leadership training events each year. UMVIM – North Central Jurisdiction (UMVIM-NCJ) supports efforts by individuals and teams of volunteers within the NCJ who are invited by and work with the local host United Methodist church or affiliated agency to bring Christ’s healing to situations of need.

UMVIM is supported by Mission Links dollars both locally and regionally.

UMVIM-NCJ (Advance #901375)
Volunteers in Mission - NIC Fund (Advance #901375)

Join the NIC Volunteers in Mission for their training on Sat., April 22 from 9:00 am to noon at Freeport: Harmony UMC, 2600 W Pearl City Road, Freeport, IL. This training is available to anyone leading a mission or going on a mission journey across town or across the world. A light breakfast and lunch will be served. A free-will offering will be taken. More information and registration here.

Prairie South's First UMC in Morris Disaster Relief Team in Mississippi

First UMC in Morris has deployed its Early Response Team (ERT) to the Rolling Fork, MS, area to assist in cleanup after the March 27 tornadoes. The ERT will work in Mississippi from April 10 to 16. Consider supporting this important ministry through monetary donations. Mail your gifts to First UMC, 118 W Jackson St, Morris, IL 60450. And pray for those whose homes, schools, and workplaces were damaged and for the Morris ERT’s compassionate efforts. Keep up to date with the team and their progress on the NIC Disaster Response Facebook Page. [PHOTO BY COMMUNITY FDN NW MISSISSIPPI/UMNS]

Pray for & Support Storm-Battered Communities

Northern Illinois communities have been hit by violent storms over the past few weeks. These include Belvidere, where a tornado touched ground on March 31, and Camp Reynoldswood, which suffered damage to the roof of one of its buildings on April 4. Bishop Dan Schwerin asks us to pray with him for the communities and people affected.

Read Bishop Schwerin's prayer and learn how to support relief efforts.

NIC Repair the Harm to Children Campaign launched

As you may know, the Boy Scouts of America recently settled a lawsuit related to accusations of sexual abuse of children. The Repair the Harm to Children campaign was created to address the needs of the survivors in three ways; listening and providing healing to the survivors, contributing our fair share to the survivor fund established by the U.S. Bankruptcy Court, and working to create safeguards against harm in the future. We seek pledges from churches and individuals to fund restorative healing for the survivors. Click here for more information.

Registration is now open! Register and learn more here.
Bishop's Appeal for Migrant Needs: This year, the Bishop’s Appeal focuses on migrant needs. Your donations will help area organizations provide migrants with immediate needs like hygiene kits, temporary shelter, and food and longer-term needs like employment, housing, medical care, and legal assistance. Read more here.
"Fill the Truck" With Disaster Relief Supplies: The NIC Board of Global Ministries is collecting disaster relief kit items for Midwest Mission. Collect items from their list of most-needed items and bring them to the mission truck, which will be parked in the east lot outside the convention center. Learn more here.
Health Screenings are available for those who participate in the conference health insurance plan. Set your appointment in Virgin Pulse.

Other important information:

Childcare will not be offered on-site this year. Limited funds are available for Childcare Scholarships - Due May 15
Display Table Application and Guidelines - Due May 1
Presentation Request Form - Due May 8
Submit names and photos of AC lay members who have passed since May 2022 - email Communications@umcnic.org - Due May 2
Volunteer Opportunities - email Bri Wadlington, events@umcnic.org

More updates and details will be posted in the NIC eNews and on the website at umcnic.org/AC2023.

HAPPENING AROUND THE CONFERENCE

Becoming the Beloved Community Special Youth Leaders Presentation

The Discipling Anti-Racism Youth (DAY) group will be holding its 2nd quarter event on Sat., April 29, 9 am – noon at Community UMC in Naperville. The workshop will be facilitated by the Becoming the Beloved Community (BBC) team led by Dr. Richard Guzman. The discussion will engage participants and get their feedback on ways to talk to youth about racial justice and equity work. All conference youth leaders are encouraged to attend. Please click here to register. Questions? Contact Deacon Sharon Rice at deacon_sharon@hotmail.com. More information on the Becoming Beloved Community available here.

Donate Childcare Supplies to Kids Above All

Kids Above All's Happy Babies Drive is collecting childcare supplies so that parents, caregivers, babies, and toddlers have the essentials they need for a happy and healthy start to their lives together. They've created a wish list of the most needed items. The donation location, as well as volunteer opportunities, for this year’s drive is Kids Above All’s Better Life Distribution Center, located at 1801 E. Oakton in Des Plaines, IL 60018. Learn more here.

LOCAL CHURCH RESOURCES

Native American Ministries Special Sunday approaching

On April 23 we will be celebrating and collecting money for the Native American Ministries Special Sunday. The day serves to remind United Methodists of the gifts and contributions made by Native Americans to our society and in our communities. Donations support vital ministries and churches in the Native American communities and allow the UMC to partner with existing native ministries to develop new programs on behalf of Native Americans. Half of the donations collected remain within the Annual Conference to provide hope to children and youth, hope for a brighter future in impoverished communities, and a voice to those who have felt voiceless for years. Pastor and leader resources are available here.

Earth Day Resources

Earth Day is April 22. Discipleship Ministries wants to help you raise your congregation’s awareness of our collective responsibility to care for the creation God has entrusted to us. They have created a list of resources including worship materials, children's messages, courses, books, music, and more. Your apportionment giving makes these resources available. Click here to access the resources.

Shop UMC Market & Support Ministries

Now that Amazon Smile is no longer available encourage your supporters to use UMC Market. Like Amazon Smile, UMC Market enables online shoppers to raise donations for your ministry or church simply by making purchases. Nearly 2,000 vendors participate, including Expedia, Kohl’s, Ticketmaster, and Walmart. Visit UMC Market.

Other Resources

#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, small groups, pastors, children, and individuals.

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

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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