News & Updates

April 27, 2023

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Hello Prairie South District!

As many of you may know, Annual Conference is just a few short weeks away. I hope that all of you will hold your church’s lay member to Conference and all the clergy and people involved in Annual Conference in your prayers. I know your lay members will come back and share with your church their reports after Conference is finished this year.

For those of you who are coming, I am looking forward to seeing you at the Renaissance Center June 6^th-8^th. We are going to be doing a few things as a District to have some fun this year. First off, we will be playing District Conference Bingo! Feel free to stop by my table and pick up your bingo card and play along. All I ask is that you don’t scream out “BINGO!” when you win. Rather, just come to my table for your prize!

Also, we will be having a district candy potluck. For those of you who have been to conference in the past, you know we sit at tables with various members and clergy from all over the conference. This year we will start sitting on tables on Wednesday. It is a great chance to get to know new people and make some amazing new friends. And what can be more “Methodist” than a potluck? But rather than bring a covered dish, I am asking you to bring your favorite candy to share with all your tablemates (on Wednesday and Thursday). This way we can be both hospitable and share a little bit of who we are with each other as we worship, learn, and do the work of the Annual Conference.

Don't forget if you are not attending Annual Conference, you and your church can still participate by gathering items for the Mission Collection or raising money for the Bishop's Appeal (see more information below).

Again, I look forward to seeing all of you that are coming to Conference.

Rev. Brian Gilbert

Prairie South District Superintendent

May Reporter Available Online

The May Reporter is now available to read online and will be delivered to mailboxes soon.

Learn about NIC Members helping with storm recovery, the Film Series is igniting discussions, how one church became a Reconciling Congregation, and the campaign to help repair the harm to children. In their columns, Bishop Schwerin invites us to encourage each other and Rev. Arlene Christopherson gives us a glimpse behind the scenes of Annual Conference.

Check out the issue online and read the news stories here.

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

United Voices for Children Sunday is celebrated on each fifth Sunday in months with five Sundays. The next time we celebrate is April 30.

United Voices for Children (UVC) is a coalition of NIC congregations, agencies, groups and individuals that speaks and acts on behalf of children, youth and families in need. Funds are divided among the institutions in the UVC coalition: Kids Above All (formerly ChildServ), Rosecrance Health Network and MYSI (formerly Methodist Youth Services, Inc.) Learn more about the 5th Sunday Appeal here.

Registration price increases April 29! Register and learn more here.
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.

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 parked outside Annual Conference. Learn more here.

HAPPENING AROUND THE CONFERENCE

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.

Explore Asian Cultures at Anti-Racism Film Series

At this quarter’s Anti-Racism Film Series, discover the rich history and culture of the multitude of Asian communities. On May 25, from 6 to 8 p.m., ten host sites will serve a meal followed by a presentation and panel discussion. (You may also attend via Zoom.) The series guides participants into deeper awareness of race and ethnicity. Register and find more information here.

LOCAL CHURCH RESOURCES

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.

May is Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, a time when we honor the history and contributions of members of this fastest-growing population in the United States. This is a diverse group of people with origins in the Far East, Southeast Asia and the Pacific Islands. In The United Methodist Church, we have an opportunity for a richer experience of worship and life as the people of God when we celebrate the voices of our Asian American and Pacific Islander brothers and sisters among us. Find worship resources and more here.

The United Methodist Church celebrates Heritage Sunday annually near Aldersgate Day (May 24). This year Heritage Sunday is May 21. The observance provides an opportunity for reflection on heritage, celebration of where the Church has been, how it understands itself as it shapes us today, and the meaning of Christian conferencing. The theme for Heritage Sunday 2023: “Local Church Histories: The Cornerstone of Our Faith.” Find worship resources and more here.

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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