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News & Updates

January 23, 2025

** Note ** You are receiving the district eNews because your name is in our Lay Leadership Database as a leader in your local church. If you are no longer interested in receiving the District eNews, please click the Update Profile link at the bottom of the email. (Clicking UnSubscribe means you will not receive ANY emails from the conference including appointment announcements, sympathy notices and weekly eNews)

Celebrating MLK: Emphasizing Connection

Around 150 people gathered at Downers Grove: First UMC for the NIC Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration on Sunday. It was both a worship service of remembrance and recommitment to the understanding that more work must be done to fulfill his dream. Rev. Danita R. Anderson spoke, and “It takes all of us,” guest speaker Rev. Danita R Anderson stated. “Whether we like it or not, we’re connected. It doesn’t matter if we look alike, it doesn’t matter if we think alike … we are connected.”

Watch the livestream recording on YouTube.

Read the article in the Daily Herald.

Resources for Putting Faith into Action

In recent times, many clergy and lay leaders have expressed concern regarding how to navigate some challenging topics within their congregations. The Office of the Connectional Ministry, Conference Board of Church and Society, and Rockford Urban Ministry have worked together to put together a document containing valuable resources to support churches in their advocacy efforts concerning immigration issues, LGBTQ+ rights, denouncing Christian nationalism, and others. These resources are compiled to provide guidance, support, and information that can help facilitate meaningful conversations and encourage a spirit of inclusivity and justice within your communities. Learn more.

Donate to California Wildfire Relief and Recovery Efforts

As countless families and communities face the overwhelming aftermath of the fires in California, UMCOR is supporting the efforts of conference disaster response ministries across the region. Evacuees are receiving food and other essential supplies. trained volunteers are preparing to assist where it is safe to do so.


Donate through your church to the United Methodist Committee on Relief’s (UMCOR) U.S. Disaster Response Fund. One hundred percent of your donation directly supports recovery work for U.S. disasters, including these wildfires.

Download a bulletin insert.

Read more about how UMCOR is helping.

Upcoming Events.png

Click on the event title below to find out more information

Black History Month

Feb.


Scouting Ministries Sunday

Any Sunday in Feb. or March


Laity Convocation

Feb. 8


Benefits Lunch and Learn

Feb. 12


Valentine's Day

Feb. 14


Reaching Out, Welcoming In

Feb. 15


Reconciling Ministries Gathering

Feb. 15


President's Day

Feb. 17


Bible Study with the Bishop

Feb. 24 & 25


Statistical Reports Due

Feb. 28


Ash Wednesday

March 5


Daylight Savings Begins

March 9


Benefits Lunch and Learn

March 19


UMCOR Sunday

March 30


United Voices for Children 5th Sunday Appeal

March 30

Morrison United Methodist Church Made Christmas Brighter for 96 local children

This year Morrison United Methodist Church coordinated Christmas gifts for 96 children ages birth through 8th grade, through the Helping Hands program that began in the 1970s. Helping Hands, run through the Morrison United Methodist Church, is a year-round program and is totally funded by donations from organizations, churches and private individuals. Churches, organizations, credit unions, the Morrison High School Key Club and private individuals offer to purchase gifts so they are given the child’s name, their age, sizes and a list of needs.


The Christmas gift program is not the only thing that Helping Hands does in the community. In December, they also did the following:

  • Paid $100 towards a water bill so the person would not be shut off.
  • Helped an individual who no heat because the electricity had been shut off with immediate housing and finding resources for the future.
  • Purchased and delivered formula for a young mother had no formula for her baby.
  • Purchased diapers and formula for another young mother.

Laity Convocation 2025 - All are Welcome!

Sat., Feb. 8

9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.


New Lenox UMC

339 W. Haven Ave.


Cost: $15 or with a box lunch for $25

Walk Ins are welcome but registration preferred.


Our theme for Laity Convocation is, “A Renewed Hope—Episode MMXXV: May God’s Grace Be with You.” Our time together will include a Star Wars perspective of good versus evil as we embrace what lies ahead in 2025 (MMXXV) and beyond. Please wear your favorite Star Wars attire. Childcare will be provided, Learn more.

Reaching Out, Welcoming In

An inspiring and practical day of learning and connection as we explore how to effectively reach out and welcome in through digital strategies and ministry values. Hosted and sponsored by Midwest Methodist Foundation, Wisconsin United Methodist Foundation, and the UMC Conferences of Northern Illinois and Wisconsin.


Saturday, February 15, 9:30 a.m. - 3 p.m.

Rockford: Christ UMC, 4509 Highcrest Rd, Rockford,


Cost: $20 per person (includes lunch) or $10 per person virtual via Zoom

Learn more.

This Bible study with Bishop Dan Schwerin will offer a quiet space away from the busyness of everyday life. It’s an opportunity to come together to deepen our faith, renew our spirits, and strengthen our community. We hope you will join us for this refreshing time of reflection and connection. Learn more and register.

2025 Keagy and PACK Grant Applications Now Available for Small Town and Rural Churches

Are you a small town or rural church, meaning a church outside urban and suburban areas? Have you been dreaming of a creative ministry opportunity in your community, but need a little financial help? The Northern Illinois Conference awards two grants for rural ministry each year — the PACK (Planned Act of Christian Kindness) Grant and the Keagy Grant — to empower small-town and rural churches in their community outreach.  The grant applications can be found online and the deadline is March 31. If you have any questions about the grants or the grant process, please contact Rev. Libby Rutherford. Learn more.

Save the Date

Tell Your United Methodist Story

An oral history app is ready to compile the history of United Methodism, one testimony at a time. United Methodist Stories, developed exclusively by the General Commission on Archives and History (GCAH), is now available for widespread use on all mobile devices. Read more.

Apportionments Unite Us and Strengthen Our Ministries

Being United Methodist means being connectional, which means all local United Methodist churches working together.


Do you know that in the 2025 NIC budget (which was passed unanimously by the members of the annual conference in session):

  • 16 percent benefits local churches and districts through equitable compensation, creation of new faith communities, and congregational redevelopment
  • 30 percent funds programs that support the NIC’s ministries, including the Board of Ordained Ministry and the Annual Conference Shepherding Team
  • 29 percent supports clergy leadership for conference, districts and local churches
  • 25 percent makes possible conference services, including the Board of Trustees, Archives and History, and Finance and Administration

Your apportionment giving is essential to keeping our churches connected and growing so we can keep the future of the UMC vital. Read more.

 HAPPENING AROUND THE CONFERENCE

Webinar Recordings Available

The two January webinars from the NIC Finance and Administration office were well attended and full of great information. You can find recordings of both events on their respective websites or below.

This webinar is for churches wanting to extend hospitality to the houseless while also understanding liability and risk. Learn more.

Matters related to staffing as well as finance can be complex for churches, especially since volunteers care for much of the work. Learn more.

NIC UW Faith Training

The Prairie Central, North, and South District United Women in Faith will be having a joint winter event on Saturday, February 22 at 9 a.m. via Zoom. "Helping You ~ Helping Others" will be the topic for the morning. We are excited to announce that Praveena Balasundaram from the National office will be joining as well as Vanessa and Tony from Northcott Neighborhood House, a National Mission Institution in Milwaukee. Read more.

Other Upcoming Conference Events:

LOCAL CHURCH RESOURCES

Grants Available for Small and Medium Churches

The Foundation for Evangelism has opened the 2025 Equipping the Local Church grant cycle. Up to 50 grants of $5,000 or $10,000 are available to small and medium sized churches, or clusters of churches working together, in a Wesleyan-tradition denomination. Deadline is Feb. 28. Read more.

UM Scholarship Opportunities

There are multiple scholarship opportunities for scholarships for students who are members of the United Methodist church. Last year over 30 students from NIC received scholarships through these programs!

  • United Methodist Higher Education Foundation The foundation’s scholarship program awards $2 million annually to nearly 1,000 students attending United Methodist-related institutions of higher education. Scholarship applications are open until April 1. To learn more and apply, click here.
  • General Board of Higher Education and Ministry (GBHEM) GBHEM Scholarships offer financial aid to United Methodist students pursuing undergraduate and graduate degrees. Every year, an average of $4 million is awarded to help students in the United States and abroad pursue their dreams through higher education. Scholarship applications are open until March 31.To learn more and apply, click here.
  • Midwest Methodist Foundation MMF wants to empower students to continue their education by providing financial assistance. Scholarship applications are open until April 30. To learn more and apply, click here.


Considering higher education? - The School Showcase is a great place to start. This powerful tool helps students learn about schools, seminaries, colleges, universities and other institutions serving United Methodists. Learn more.

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. 2024 statistics can be entered at stats.gcfa.org. The deadline is February 28, 2025. For resources and more information, click here. If you have questions, contact David W. Quinn at dquinn@umcnic.org. Click here to get started.

Suicide Hotline available

For those contemplating suicide or who just desperately need someone with whom to talk. It is confidential and free. Just call 988. The service has also been expanded for Spanish-speaking persons and deaf or hard-of-hearing persons, including those who use American Sign Language.

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

872-810-0864


Leola Tucker

Administrative Assistant

ltucker@umcnic.org

872-810-0913

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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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