News & Updates

April 25, 2024

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General Conference is Underway

The 2020 General Conference of the United Methodist Church started on Tuesday! (Yes, Postponed 2020, not 2024.)

Stay up to date with all things General Conference:

Learn about General Conference
Read the NIC news updates
Watch the Livestream
Catch up on previous Livestreams.
W atch an Introductory primer video.
Receive Quick updates to mobile devices
Folllow the news on UM News Service

Annual Conference 2024 Updates

Sunday, June 16 - Tuesday, June 18

Registration is Open

Reserve Your Hotel Room

Make your hotel reservations under the NIC room block and pricing for the Renaissance Schaumburg Convention Center at 1551 N. Thoreau Dr., Schaumburg. Reserve online or call (888) 236-2427.

Volunteers Needed

Annual conference relies on ushers, plenary pages, legislative section leaders, greeters, secretarial pool members, and more. Volunteer for the entire conference, for one day, or even a part of a day. No previous experience is necessary. Fill out the form here to note your interest.

Reserve a Display Table

The convention center can accommodate more display tables this year. If you would like to share information about your ministry area or group, reserve a table for only $50. Request a table. Read the guidelines.

This year, UVC is the recipient of the Bishop’s Appeal. For 45 years, United Voices for Children (UVC), an organization related to the Northern Illinois Conference, has been advocating for children, youth, and families on behalf of its three affiliated agencies: Rosecrance, Kids Above All (formerly ChildServ), and MYSI (formerly Methodist Youth Services Inc.). Bring a check for your church’s donation to Annual Conference. These will be collected on the afternoon of Monday, June 17. Learn More.

The NIC Board of Global Ministries is collecting items for homecare kits and personal dignity kits for Midwest Mission. Obtain items from their list of most needed items and bring them to the mission truck, which will be parked in the east lot of the convention center on Sunday, June 16, and Monday, June 17. Learn more.

Other action items:

Sign up for Blueprint for Wellness Health Screenings through your Wespath account.
Join the mass choir at Ordination & Commissioning.
Apply for a childcare grant to defray costs of childcare arrangements.
Submit names of passed lay members for the Memorial Service.

Save the Date - Sunday, June 9

Join Church Office Staff for a Fun Workshop

Join fellow PAUMCS from around the conference in their Regional In-Person Workshop - Worship through Brushstrokes: How Art Heals on Thursday, May 9 from 9 a.m. to noon. 3 locations available - Rochelle UMC (709 Fourth Ave, Rochelle IL 61068) is the closest for those in Prairie Central. If you register by May 1, the cost is only $15 and includes all supplies and lunch. Learn more.

Lobby Day uses lessons of the past to change the present

Early in the morning of April 18 2024, 22 members of the Northern Illinois Conference Anti-Racism Task Force, boarded a bus or piled into cars to descend on Springfield to speak to state legislators about issues of racial injustice that concern us—with a focus on environmental justice, the school to prison pipeline, and immigration.

Representatives from each district met with their respective elected officials. Prairie Central representatives meet with the IL Senate Minority Leader, John Curran. Read more.

May/June Reporter Available Online

Learn about how the Arts and Culture Series is embracing diversity (and creating a quilt) and how the ARTF is disciplining Anti-Racist Youth. Read local church stories of 100-year re-dedications and acts of love. Rev. Martin Lee shares his reflection on mentors and the lessons of humility. Co-Lay Leader Eugene Williams reminds us that we are Easter people and to choose love over fear. Rev. Arlene Christopherson gives us background on General Conference. Rev. Fabiola Grandon-Mayer shares about how young people are the "TODAY" of the church.

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

Mission Link Highlight - Golden Cross Sunday, May 5, 2024

In The United Methodist Church, Golden Cross Sunday is one of five opportunities for special annual conference offerings. Financial gifts benefit health and welfare ministries in the conference.

On Golden Cross Sunday, God works through our prayers and support in acts of mercy to bless the lives of individuals of all ages and at all stages of life. Each year, portions of the donations to Golden Cross Sunday offerings fund grants for deserving workers in senior-serving institutions to further their service among older adults.

HOW TO GIVE: Write a check to your local church and write, “Golden Cross Sunday offering” in the memo line. Churches can give through the NIC Apportionment process. Learn more.

HAPPENING AROUND THE CONFERENCE

Help Kids Above All to provide essential health and safety items for the young kids and parents in their programs with their Healthy Babies Drive.

PART 2 Saturday, May 18

9 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.

Aurora: Wesley UMC, 14 N May St., Aurora

This is a continuation of the April 13 event to discuss and engage with Youth Leaders to wrestle with and share insights on leading youth to grow into critical-thinking, racial justice-minded followers of Jesus Christ. There is no cost for this event and all Youth Leaders or those desiring to work with youth are welcome (no need to have attended Part 1). Learn more.

JOY Camp Registration Open!

JOY Camp is a week-long overnight camp open to incoming 5th Grade students through newly graduated high school seniors hosted at Camp Reynoldswood. The camp runs from June 23rd to June 29th and has a total cost of $590 with discounts available for early registration (prior to June 1st), siblings, and payment in full at registration. Learn more.

School of Congregational Development

NIC is hosting the UMC School of Congregational Development, Aug. 4-7, in Schaumburg. It will focus on three principles: SEE, CREATE, DISCIPLE. Register to attend or see the event up close by volunteering to help! Intereste in volunteering? Fill out this interest form.

Other Upcoming Conference Events:

May 2: Rosecrance Sneaker Ball: Benefits recovery programs. Learn more.
May 9: PAUMCS regional gatherings: In-person gatherings for church office administrators to network, learn about ourselves and others Learn more.
May 19: Heritage Sunday
May 26: Peace with Justice Sunday
May 31 - June 2: UWFaith 2024 North Central Jurisdiction Event. Join UWFaith members from across the jurisdiction to pray, listen and engage. Read more.

LOCAL CHURCH RESOURCES

Resources from the Midwest Methodist Foundation

Uplifting Young Methodists Scholarships Apply for scholarships designed to assist minority United Methodist students to attend a trade school, community college, college, or university. There are four student scholarships for the 2024-25 school year for the amount of $2500. One recipient will receive an additional $1000 as the Carolyn J. Cook Scholar. Applications are due April 30. Learn more.
Generosity Hotline The Foundation and Horizons Stewardship are partnering to provide on-demand generosity coaching to Northern Illinois Methodist churches at no cost and no obligation to you or your church. Connect to Horizons today!
Beyond Cash Giving Are you considering charitable giving beyond your regular cash giving? The top three ways to give current gifts beyond direct cash are appreciated securities, Qualified Charitable Distributions (QCD) and Donor-Advised Funds (DAF). Learn more.

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.

Like Us on Facebook: Prairie Central District

Rev. Jeffry Bross

Prairie Central District Superintendent

jbross@umcnic.org

312-346-9766 ext. 783

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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