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Join in the discussion around Privilege, Power & Race

Multiple gatherings are taking place on Sept. 21, 6 to 8 p.m., at various locations across the conference. A Zoom option for participation and discussion is also available. Registration is strongly encouraged.

The gatherings include a soul food meal, a presentation by director Frances Causey, and table discussions. (Online participants log in at 6:45.) Before the gathering, please watch the documentary The Long Shadow , directed by filmmaker and investigative journalist Francis Causey. It explores the shameful legacy of American slavery to its insidious ties to racism today. Read more.

 HAPPENING AROUND THE CONFERENCE

LOCAL CHURCH RESOURCES

Get the Latest Conference Directory

The NIC directory is now published! It contains contact information for conference churches, clergy, laity, committees, and agencies. View online or download a free PDF version. Or purchase a paperback version from Amazon. Click below to learn about all these options. Read more.

UMC Outreach Resources for Advent

UM Communications offers churches customizable Advent outreach resources―banners, postcards, invitation cards, posters, digital ads, worship graphics and more. Your church's name, website, street address, and information like service times and age-specific programming can be included. Over 20 designs are available. The agency is offering a $300 credit toward these resources. Use code UMCA23. Limited amount of discounts available.

See what's available and how to order.

Hay Recursos de Aviento en Español.

2023 Church Conference Reports

Just a quick reminder that all Church Conference (CC) forms & reports are due at least 1 week prior to your CC date. There is plenty of time to submit them in time if you plan ahead and submit them early. We encourage everyone to be working on them now. All-Things-Church-Conference can be found here.

Apportionment Highlight - World Service Fund: General Board of Church and Society

The World Service Fund is one of seven apportioned funds of The United Methodist Church. The World Service Fund is the financial lifeline to a long list of Christian mission and ministry throughout the denomination. The General Board of Church and Society, funded by the World Service Fund, is dedicated to the work of living faith, seeking justice, and pursuing peace. Church and Society lives out the calling to work toward personal and social holiness through five program priorities, all grounded in racial justice: poverty, climate, health, peace, and civil & human rights.

A few of the services offered by Church and Society include:

• Letters to My Daughters Fall 2023 Study: A virtual monthly study companion that will examine the intersection of faith and advocacy as it relates to the social conditions of women, girls, and femmes. Find all the resources and future dates here.
• Sacred Worth Books Database: Created to honor the dignity and sacred worth of all God's children, use this resource to search for children's books with diverse main characters. Access the database here.
• 2023 Faith & Facts Cards: The Faith and Facts cards are a set of half-sheet cards on a number of social issues. On any given issue, they explore what the Bible says, what The United Methodist Church says, some facts about the issue, and then action steps to address the issue. Read more.
• Gun Violence Prevention Resources: All forms of violence are detestable, but guns make violence more deadly and more frequent. Read more.

Website Redesign: Your Opinion Needed!

Every few years, an organization’s website needs a refresh. Your Northern Illinois Conference communications staff is working with Big Heart Creative to redesign the NIC website. To make sure that you can easily find on the site the resources and information you want, we need your opinion. Please take this survey to let us know what you need from the conference website. Your feedback will help us create a helpful, easy-to-use website. Take the Survey.

NIC Prayer Network Monthly Zoom Meetings

The NIC Prayer Network is an entryway for joining in common prayer for the ministries of the Northern Illinois Conference. The next meeting is Friday, October 13 at 10:00 am. All are invited to join.  No preparation is necessary; just log in. The Zoom link is available here. Meeting ID: 897 7835 0821 Passcode: 152529

If you’d like to pray but have other appointments at that time, email us DiscipleshipTF@umcnic.org and request the agenda or add to the agenda. Also, pray along each week for clergy, churches, leaders, and NIC Advances by visiting the Prayer Network website.

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. 

Keep Up to Date With All Conference Events and News in the Weekly Email!

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