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NIC Winners of United Voices for Children Awards
Every year, United Voices for Children recognizes people and organizations that provide remarkable ministry service or advocacy efforts on behalf of children, youth, and/or families throughout the NIC. Honored this year are St. Mark UMC Freedom School, Rev. Tura Foster Gillespie, Dr. Dana Weiner, Shelley Frizelis, and Tanya Lozano Washington. Read more
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Rev. Dr. Irene Taylor and Nadia Kanhai from the Northern Illinois Conference have been recognized as outstanding alumnae at two United Methodist higher education institutions this year. Seven NIC people are among the Faithful 50 who will be recognized by Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary's Center for the Church and the Black Experience. The Northern Illinois Conference proudly applauds these exemplary Christian leaders! Read more.
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On October 7, we celebrated Hispanic/Latinx ministries in our conference at Movement in the City UMC in Franklin Park! Laity and Clergy celebrated with worship and fellowship. A lunch prepared by members of the Hispanic community was enjoyed. Training was provided by Rev. Dr. Lydia Muñoz, Executive Director of the National Plan for Hispanic/Latino Ministries. See more photos & watch a video recap here.
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Order of Deaconess/Home Missioner (DHM) Celebrating 135 Years of Love, Justice & Service
For those called to a lifetime of lay ministry, a supportive community is crucial to the ability to fulfill the mission of taking the Gospel to the world. Many deaconesses and home missioners say their covenant community and relationship with the church are what keep them going as they attempt to be Jesus in a tangible way. The Office of Deaconess & Home Missioner is a part of United Women in Faith. Reach out to Deaconess Joy Hayag, jhayag@christumc.cc, for a presentation at your church. Read more.
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Meet a Missionary from Central America
Cristian Schlick, a United Methodist missionary who serves migrants from Central America and Mexico, will be visiting the NIC from Oct. 24 to Nov. 1. He will visit a number of churches and will meet with various people and groups to talk about his work. Attend one of these gatherings to learn more about this compassionate ministry.
- Oct. 26, 7 p.m.: Our Saviour’s UMC, Schaumburg
- Oct. 27, 5 p.m.: First UMC, DeKalb
- Oct. 29, 10:30 a.m.: Trinity UMC, Mt. Prospect
- Oct. 29, 2 p.m.: The Movement in the City (Spanish), Franklin Park
- Oct. 30, noon: Brooke Road, Rockford
Questions? Contact Rev. Shirley Pulgar Hughes.
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HAPPENING AROUND THE CONFERENCE | |
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Vital Partnerships: New Models of Cooperative Ministry
Attend this workshop and explore new ways your church might become healthier through a merger.
Saturday, November 4, 2023 9 a.m. - 3 p.m.
Journey of Hope UMC
37W040 Highland Ave, Elgin, IL
Cost: $20 Box Lunch Provided
Learn more.
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Multiplying Love Presentation
The NIC Book Club will be wrapping up their book study of Living Our Beliefs, the United Methodist Way by retired Bishop Kenneth Carder by early November. The book study and the renewed interest of living out our faith as followers of Jesus Christ and as United Methodists has led us to host a presentation and Q&A on Mon., Nov. 6, 1 p.m. NNoted Wesleyan scholar Rev. Dr. Paul Chilcote will be presenting on “Multiplying Love” which comes from his recently released book, Multiplying Love: A Vision of United Methodist Life Together. Read more.
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Join the Anti-Racism Task Force for the last event in the Film Series on Thurs. Nov. 30, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at various locations across the conference (and online). The evening will start with a selection of Latin American food, a presentation by Dr. Rudolph Reyes II, and end table discussions. Before attending the event, it is recommended to watch the documentary The Bronze Screen directed and produced by Susan Racho and Alberto Dominguez.
“Using The Bronze Screen, will explore an aspect of racism that is often overlooked- been embedded in the films we have watched since childhood. The films mentioned don’t appear racist when watched for pure entertainment but the backstories of how they were made and the subtle racism that took place between the stars and the producers/directors are informative," Tim Alexander, chairman of the Film Series, affirmed.
Read more and find a link to the film here.
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2023 NIC Journal Available
The Journal of the 184th Northern Illinois Annual Conference held June 6 - 8, 20223, is now published. A free downloadable pdf is available on the conference website. It is also available to purchase online through Amazon. The cost of the paperback is $12. Read more.
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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.
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2024 Property & Casualty Premiums May Rise
The NIC risk management department is in the midst of assembling insurance coverage for the 2024 property insurance renewal. Driven by global factors that include significant climate change, ongoing rise in health care expenses, and the impact of political and economic shifts, the 2024 insurance renewal is shaping up to be rather challenging. Our continuing goal is to procure comprehensive coverage that provides appropriate limits with fair deductibles to our valued churches. For the upcoming insurance renewals, church members may well see premium increases for their own home/renters, auto, and medical insurance coverage. Based on these market conditions, the conference is similarly expecting to experience substantial increases in insurance premiums. Consequently, NIC churches preparing their 2024 budget should factor a 12 to 18 percent increase above the 2023 allocated insurance premium. We will provide an update when 2024 insurance renewal terms are finalized. If you have questions, contact Dwayne Jackson, NIC Director Risk Management and Ministry Protection.
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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.
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NIC Prayer Network Monthly Zoom Meetings**Note date change**
The NIC Prayer Network is an entryway for joining in common prayer for the ministries of the Northern Illinois Conference. The next meeting is Thursday, November 9, at 10:00 a.m. All are invited to join. No preparation is necessary; just log in. The Zoom link is available here. Meeting ID: 813 9510 9144, Passcode: 459872. You can also call 312-626-6799.
If you’d like to pray but have other appointments at that time, email Katherine Howell at howellkvh@gmail.com 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.
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Other Resources
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#BeUMC Resources -Tool Kits, Social Media Kits, Graphics, and more.
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Social Media Shareables - Free graphics for social media for different events, months, and ministries. (Through Outreach, log-in is needed, but resources are free)
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UMC Giving Resources - Mission Moments, Special Sunday Info, Leader Kits, Pew Cards, and more.
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United Media Resource Center - Lending library of Christian materials for local churches, small groups, pastors, children, and individuals.
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Copyright © 2023 Northern Illinois Conference | |
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.
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Check out our Submit News page for more details.
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