PLEASE NOTE: if you unsubscribe from this email you will no longer receive any communications from the Illinois Conference - including bereavement messages, event notices, and more.

Faithful Fridays

Friday, May 11, 2023

Mental Health Sunday

May is Mental Health Awareness Month and the UCC MHN wants to make sure you have resources to best equip you for a Mental Health Sunday! We are sending our newest PDF for Worship Resources for your Mental Health Sunday created by the UCC, UCC MHN, and United Church of Canada, as well as two videos to use during this time.


One video by our chair, Bishop Allyson Abrams can be used to make an appeal to support the MHN and to become WISE congregations or organizations. The other video by Rev. Dr. Sarah Lund can be used to show the importance of caring for our youth and understanding their mental health needs. Please consider using both of these powerful videos during your worship services this month as we raise awareness about mental health challenges and mental wellness.


Thank you,


Bishop Allyson D. Nelson Abrams, PhD

Chair, UCC Mental Health Network

Mental Health Sunday Resources

Pastor & Church Finance Cohort

Weekly Starting June 6th | $100


We are ready to launch the first of four Cohorts for church clergy and leaders. The first Cohort will be "Pastor & Church Finance" and registration is now open! The cohort will be limited to the first 14 who register. The course is 8 weeks long and the cost is $100 per participant.


The start date has been moved back to Tuesday, June 6th. This cohort will meet via Zoom for 8 weeks on Tuesdays from 6:00 - 7:00 p.m. The meetings will be consecutive weeks with the exception of July 4th when there will be no class. The class dates are: 6/6, 6/13, 6/20, 6/27, 7/11, 7/18, 7/25 and 8/1.


  • Target Audience: Pastors/Clergy
  • Topics to Include: Duties of Church Officers, Conflicts of Interest, Segregation of Duties, How to Lose Your Tax Exemption, Accountable Plans, Housing Allowance, Budgets the Inspire Giving, Understanding Your Financial Reports, Managing Restricted & Designated Funds, Preventing Church Fraud. 
Register Online Here

Outdoor Ministries - Camp of the Week!

Faith + Pride Camp

July 23-28 at Pilgrim Park Camp

Grades 7-12 | Fee: $405

Directors: Jamie Kirscher, Dennis Kirscher


A brand-new camp designed specifically for LGBTQ+ youth and allies. Youth of any sexual orientation and gender/gender expression are welcome! If you are looking for a place where you can come as you are, where your full identity is affirmed and celebrated, and where you are surrounded by a community of support and love...then join us at Faith + Pride Camp this summer!

Online Registration
2023 ODM COVID Policy

SAVE THE DATE FOR THE 2023 ANNUAL CELEBRATION!


The Illinois Conference Annual Celebration is in-person again!


Theme: “Repentance, Rekindle, Revival”

Place: Yorkville Congregational UCC

Date: November 3rd and 4th, 2023

Keynote speaker: The Rev. Dr. Karen Georgia A. Thompson


We will have worship, business, workshops, a celebration banquet, fellowship, and fun. More details to come. Registration will begin in August.

Boundary Trainings

May 23 & July 15


Conference Minister, Rev. Molly Carlson, will offer two online Boundary Trainings via Zoom based on the Ordained Minister’s Code. There will be two offerings this year. The first is on May 23rd and the second is on July 15th. Both classes will take place from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. 


There is no cost for Authorized Ministers of the IL Conference. These classes are also good for retired ministers. We need a minimum 18 registered to make the class work and will accept up to 48 for each session. We will cancel the week before if registration is too low. Attendance is required at the entire session. Click on the button below to register for your preferred date. 

May 23 Registration
July 15 Registration

Can the Church Change?

May 22-26


Do you think the church can change? Throughout the course of these conversations, we will identify important practice, action, and reflection space churches could take up when learning to decolonize their imaginations for a creative, flourishing future.


10 voices answering the important question: How do we decolonize the imagination and visions for the future? Do you think the church can change? It's a big question. If yes, what's the most important direction for that change? Where do you see the Spirit at work in our current shifts? What is the most important practice, action, reflection space churches could take up when learning to decolonize their imaginations for a creative, flourishing future? Registration is FREE! Learn more and register here. 

Learn More/Register

Pacific Islanders and Asian American Heritage Month

Rev. Sharon Lee Mei-Shem MacArthur, current moderator of national PAAM, shared information about a series of PAAM churches' worship information, starting from Easter.


This year, the National UCC Worship Office is thrilled to partner with Pacific Islander and Asian American Ministries to provide Worship Ways prayers and liturgies for the Easter Season written by members of our PAAM communities. Resources available at Worship Ways - United Church of Christ.


Click here to download the document from Rev. MacArthur and learn more!

United Church of Hyde Park in Chicago will host a special event, Taiwanese Music Interactive Concert, on Saturday, May 20th, at 3 pm, in honor of AAPI and PAAM in May. This event is co-hosted by Taiwanese Association of America the Greater Chicago Chapter as well. You can view/download the flyer below or click here to access the event on Eventbrite.

You are receiving this message because you are listed on our Conference email list, one of our leadership/committee email lists, or because you previously subscribed to receive our e-newsletters. PLEASE NOTE: if you unsubscribe from this email you will no longer receive any communications from the Illinois Conference - including bereavement messages, event notices and more.


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FAITHFUL FRIDAYS is published by the Illinois Conference of the United Church of Christ, 1840 Westchester Blvd, Suite 200, Westchester, IL 60154. The Rev. Molly Carlson, Conference Minister; Sarah Lohrbach, Editor. Copy may be sent to: SarahLohrbach@ilucc.org. 

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