SHARE:  

View as Webpage

News & Updates

January 9, 2025

** Note ** You are receiving the district eNews because your name is in our Lay Leadership Database as a leader in your local church. If you are no longer interested in receiving the District eNews, please click the Update Profile link at the bottom of the email. (Clicking UnSubscribe means you will not receive ANY emails from the conference including appointment announcements, sympathy notices and weekly eNews)

NIC Grants Boost Church Ministries to Communities

Northern Illinois Conference’s grants for churches provide financial and resource support for particular ministries undertaken by congregations and related organizations. More than $100,000 was distributed in 2024 through the Creative Ministries, Social Reform, Volunteer in Mission, Accessibility, Keagy/Town & Rural, and Migrant Needs Assistance (2023 Bishop’s Appeal) grants. These enabled congregations to remain vibrant centers of worship and service in their communities and beyond. Read more.


Congratulations to the following Prairie South churches that received Creative Ministries, Social Reform, Volunteer in Mission, and Accessibility grants.

  • Dixon: Grace (Volunteers in Mission)
  • Morrison (Social Reform)
  • Oregon (Creative Ministry)
  • Rochelle (Creative Ministry)
  • Waterman (Creative Ministry)

Sun., Jan. 19, at 3 p.m. at First UMC in Downers Grove

Celebrate the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. at the NIC's annual gathering. Rev. Danita R. Anderson, assistant to the Bishop, will speak on “The Unfinished Agenda.” A light dinner follows. There is no charge, but registration is requested. Learn more.

January/February Reporter Available Online

Catch up on the most recent news and photos from the conference. Learn how the conference task forces are becoming part of permanent committees. Martha Rudy from Evanston: First talks about how they are supporting the Repair the Harm to Children campaign. Read about how pastors are building resilience. Rev. Fabiola Grandon-Mayer gives us tips for living into grace. Rev. Christian Coon talks about ashes and grace. Co-Lay Leader Eugene Williams talks about renewing hope and strengthening faith.


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

Upcoming Events.png

Click on the event title below to find out more information

Ministry with the Houseless

Jan. 9


Benefits Lunch and Learn

Jan. 15


Human Resources and Finances Webinar

Jan. 16


NIC MLK Celebration

Jan. 19


Human Relations Day

Jan. 19


Martin Luther King, Jr Day

Jan. 20


Black History Month

Feb.


Scouting Ministries Sunday

Any Sunday in Feb. or March


Laity Convocation

Feb. 8


Benefits Lunch and Learn

Feb. 12


Valentine's Day

Feb. 14


Rainbows, Resistance and Reconciliation

Feb. 15


President's Day

Feb. 17


Ash Wednesday

March 5

Plans Are Shaping Up for 2025 Annual Conference

Under the theme “Grace is Sufficient,” clergy and elected lay members will gather for Northern Illinois Conference’s 186th session, June 9-11, at the Renaissance Schaumburg Convention Center, 1551 N. Thoreau Dr., Schaumburg, IL. Services will express cultural diversity, according to Pastor Jacob Tipantasig-Wolverton, who is overseeing worship planning. The ordination service will include a liturgical dance group.

There will be three worship services: 

•   Celebration of Ministry: June 9, evening 

•   Memorial service: June 10, late afternoon

•   Retirement celebration: June 11, mid morning

A mass choir, which many enjoyed last year, will be organized again. Learn more.

What If We Made 2025 A Year of Grace?

"How might we be changed if we focused our lives more and more on grace?" Bishop Dan Schwerin poses this question for reflection as he announces that the Northern Illinois-Wisconsin Episcopal Area will observe 2025 as a Year of Grace. Read more.

Let’s Build a Brainbox

Over the past year, clergy in the Northern Illinois Conference have discussed challenges like clergy burnout and struggling “zombie” churches that drain resources and energy. Inspired by the concept of a “brainbox” as a hub for wisdom and innovation, the conversation has shifted toward building solutions that support clergy and congregations. If you would like to be involved in further conversation about how we might move into this new season as local churches, as pastors, and as a conference, please take a moment to complete this form. Learn more.

Pastoral Letter Addressing Plight of Migrants, Immigrants and Refugees

The Council of Bishops has prayerfully put together a letter composed of some of our statements in the Social Principles, to invite the church to prayer and welcome for the immigrants among us. Bishop Schwerin asks that the Council of Bishops letter be read (or this video shown) in every one of our churches this Sunday. "I will pray that we continue to follow Jesus in prayer, dialogue, and grace for each other in the measure that God has offered grace to each of us," Bishop says. The letter is also available in Korean and Spanish. Read Bishop Schwerin's note. Read the Council of Bishop's letter.

Save the Date

Mission Link Highlight -

Human Relations Day


Human Relations Day is a special Sunday across our denomination, focused on fostering better relationships and supporting community and youth outreach. On the Sunday before Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s birthday, we celebrate and take up a special offering to help bring his vision of a “beloved community” to life. Your gifts support important programs like Community Developers, United Methodist Voluntary Services, and Youth Offender Rehabilitation.


HOW TO GIVE: Write a check to your local church and write, “Human Relations Day offering” in the memo line. Churches can give through the NIC Apportionment process. Read more.

Apportionments Deadline Approaching

Members of the 2024 annual conference session, which includes all clergy and an equal number of lay people, voted unanimously to approve the 2025 NIC budget. Approving the budget entails agreeing to fund the budget. Members, please lead your churches to pay their apportionment in full. It is only by churches’ paying their apportionment at 100 percent that we can strengthen NIC churches and support the UMC’s transforming presence here and around the world. The deadline for 2024 Apportionments to be postmarked is January 17, 2025. ACH payments are no longer accepted for 2024.

 HAPPENING AROUND THE CONFERENCE

Sat., Feb. 8

9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.


New Lenox UMC

339 W. Haven Ave.


Cost: $15 or with a box lunch for $25

Walk Ins are welcome but registration preferred.


Our theme for Laity Convocation is, “A Renewed Hope—Episode MMXXV: May God’s Grace Be with You.” Our time together will include a Star Wars perspective of good versus evil as we embrace what lies ahead in 2025 (MMXXV) and beyond. Please wear your favorite Star Wars attire. Childcare will be provided, Learn more.

Webinars offered by the NIC Finance and Admin. Team

Thurs., Jan. 9 at 7 p.m.

online via Zoom

This webinar is for churches wanting to extend hospitality to the houseless while also understanding liability and risk. Learn more.

Thurs., Jan. 16 at 7 p.m.

online via Zoom

Matters related to staffing as well as finance can be complex for churches, especially since volunteers care for much of the work. Join for helpful advice. Learn more.

NCJ Youth Mission Journey

This year the youth mission journey for our North Central Jurisdiction will be helping the communities in the Milwaukee and Brown Deer area, from June 22 - 28. The host church is Brown Deer UMC in Brown Deer, WI. If you are interested contact Rev. Dr. Tammy Kuntz, NCJ VIM Coordinator, at umvimncj.coor@gmail.com before January 30.

NIC UW Faith Training

The Prairie Central, North, and South District United Women in Faith will be having a joint winter event on Saturday, February 22 at 9 a.m. via Zoom. "Helping You ~ Helping Others" will be the topic for the morning. We are excited to announce that Praveena Balasundaram from the National office will be joining as well as Vanessa and Tony from Northcott Neighborhood House, a National Mission Institution in Milwaukee. Read more.

Other Upcoming Conference Events:

LOCAL CHURCH RESOURCES

UM Scholarship Opportunities

There are multiple scholarship opportunities for scholarships for students who are members of the United Methodist church. Last year over 30 students from NIC received scholarships through these programs!

  • United Methodist Higher Education Foundation The foundation’s scholarship program awards $2 million annually to nearly 1,000 students attending United Methodist-related institutions of higher education. Scholarship applications are open until April 1, 2025. To learn more and apply, click here.
  • General Board of Higher Education and Ministry (GBHEM) GBHEM Scholarships offer financial aid to United Methodist students pursuing undergraduate and graduate degrees. Every year, an average of $4 million is awarded to help students in the United States and abroad pursue their dreams through higher education. Scholarship applications are open until March 31, 2025.To learn more and apply, click here.
  • Midwest Methodist Foundation MMF wants to empower students to continue their education by providing financial assistance. More information coming soon.


Considering higher education? - The School Showcase is a great place to start. This powerful tool helps students learn about schools, seminaries, colleges, universities and other institutions serving United Methodists. Learn more.

Statistical reports due 

It’s that time of year again when each local church gathers its attendance, program, and financial records and submits its statistical report to the Conference. The NIC office uses the statistics you report to asses how your church is doing, to report to the larger denomination, and to calculate apportionments for your church. It’s very important that we have accurate, up-to-date information. 2024 statistics can be entered at stats.gcfa.org. The deadline is February 28, 2025. For resources and more information, click here. If you have questions, contact David W. Quinn at dquinn@umcnic.org. Click here to get started.

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.

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

872-810-0864


Leola Tucker

Administrative Assistant

ltucker@umcnic.org

872-810-0913

Facebook  Instagram  Twitter  YouTube  Web

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!

If you would like to receive the weekly Conference eNews and other important announcements, including sympathy notices and appointment announcements, please sign up online or click the Update Profile button at the bottom of this email.


NOTE - Clicking UNSUBSCRIBE below means you will be unsubscribing from ALL Constant Contact emails from the NIC (Appointment Announcements, Sympathy Notices, etc). If you want to stop receiving one newsletter, please click "Update Profile" below.