** 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) | | The clergy family picnic was wonderful! It was a joy to welcome new pastors and their families and to share food, fellowship, and meaningful conversation together. Many thanks to Faith UMC in Freeport for hosting this special gathering, and to the picnic committee for their hard work in making it such an enjoyable event.
Check out photos and a video from the Prairie North Clergy Picnic here. | |
Roscoe USA 250 Celebration
Roscoe UMC invited our community to an event Sat., July 18 from to celebrate the 250th birthday of our country. Food, music, games, face painting, a bouncy house and fellowship were enjoyed by the participants. The participants came together to sing our national anthem, led by Jaime Cross. The anthem ended with explosions of red, white and blue biodegradable confetti cannons.
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Rockford Churches Support Westview Elementary
Aldersgate UMC and Beth Eden UMC in Rockford served more than 300 hot dog dinners at Westview Elementary School’s back-to-school night on Aug. 11. For four years, the churches have partnered with Westview and other west-side schools to provide supplies, teacher support, winter gear, emergency clothing, meals, and activities—building a trusted relationship with students, families, and staff.
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Help us celebrate your ministries!
Mission trips, church camps, and Vacation Bible School make great summer stories. Share yours in an upcoming NIC District eNews by sending photos and a brief description to Lisa Smith.
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Hope is more than optimism—it calls us to action. As Rev. Fabiola Grandon-Mayer reflects, advocacy is a spiritual practice that makes our faith visible by standing with those experiencing fear, uncertainty, and injustice. At this year's Annual Conference, nearly 200 clergy and laity embodied this active hope by standing with immigrant neighbors and advocating for dignity, justice, and compassion. Read more.
Learn how your congregation can practice hope through advocacy by participating in the Conference-Wide Faithful Action Day. Churches are encouraged to plan a prayer vigil, rally, march, training, or other faithful action on Sept. 13 or another convenient date.
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Christmas Institute Nurtures Youth
The 2026 Christmas Institute in July, a beloved Filipino-American UM tradition, gathered 55 people from the NIC and Illinois Great Rivers Conference July 19-21 for a transformational experience of worship, fellowship, learning, and leadership development at Camp Sullivan in Oak Forest, Illinois. Youth encountered Christ in caring Christian community. Read More.
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Several staffing changes are taking place across the Northern Illinois Conference, including retirements, departures, and new staff joining the Conference to support its ongoing work. Rev. Victoria Rebeck, director of communications, retires Sept. 1, and Marva Andrews, executive assistant to the bishop, retires Oct. 1. Rev. Cheryl Weaver, conference benefits officer, will join the Wisconsin Conference full-time starting Oct. 1. Shelley Harold will begin as the Prairie South district assistant Aug. 17. The Conference is seeking applicants for Lake South and Prairie Central district assistant positions, director of communications and a part-time benefits officer, with additional opening for executive assistant to follow. Read more.
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View and discuss My Omaha
This September, NIC and Collective Action to Build Community (CA2BC) are hosting multiple free screenings of My Omaha from Sept. 14–20. My Omaha explores a son’s search for truth and common ground with his father while examining racial divisions between Omaha’s Black and white communities. There is also an at-home individual streaming option available during this time period, with a private viewing link emailed to participants. Learn more.
Plus, don’t miss a special live Zoom conversation with film director, Nick Beaulieu, and community activist, Leo Louis II. on Sun., Sept. 20, at 3 p.m.
Click here to learn more and register.
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Other Lay Academies offered around the conference:
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Lake South: Oct. 3 & 10, 9 a.m.–3 p.m., Location: TBD
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Prairie South: Oct. 10 & 17, 8:30 a.m.–2:30 p.m., Mt. Morris: Disciples, 102 N. Maple Ave.
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Prairie Central: Nov. 7 & 14, 8:30 a.m.–4 p.m., Lombard: First UMC, 155 S. Main St.
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Lake North: Nov. 7 & 14, 8:30 a.m.–3:30 p.m., Oak Park: Euclid Avenue UMC, 405 S. Euclid Ave.
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For more than 30 years, United Voices for Children (UVC) has helped congregations serve Northern Illinois' most vulnerable populations through our partnership with Kids Above All, MYSI, and Rosecrance. Be a part of this important work by supporting UVC's Fifth Sunday Appeal on Sunday, August 30. Through this collaborative giving effort, United Methodist congregations of all sizes can make a real difference in the lives of at-risk children, youth and families. Learn more.
HOW TO GIVE: Write a check to your local church and write, “UVC 5th Sunday” in the memo line. Churches can give through the NIC Apportionment process.
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Connectional Giving Update
Every contribution makes a difference in sustaining our conference’s mission and impact in the community. If you are not sure where your church stands on their contributions, please reach out to your pastor or church treasurer.
Learn more.
| | HAPPENING AROUND THE CONFERENCE | |
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Join Northern Illinois Conference United Methodist Men for the Annual Spiritual Congress, Sept. 11–13, at Conference Point Center in Williams Bay, Wis. This annual retreat offers men a weekend of renewal through worship, learning, fellowship, prayer, service, and relaxation. Enjoy inspiring speakers, music, a service project, UMM awards, a Christian movie, and time together along the shores of Lake Geneva. Come for one, two, or all three days, with overnight accommodations available. All men are welcome! Learn more.
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Join Youth from Across Northern Illinois This Fall
Experience a weekend of faith, friendship, and adventure at the Northern Illinois Conference Youth Fall Retreat, Sept. 25–27, at Camp Timber-lee in East Troy, Wis. Connect with youth (grades 6-12) from across the conference through inspiring worship, small groups, campfires, and exciting outdoor activities, including zip-lining, fishing, axe throwing, and more. Registration is now open—don’t miss this opportunity to grow in faith, make new friends, and create lasting memories. Learn more and register today. Learn more.
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Safe Sanctuaries Fall Online Training
Help create safe, trusting spaces where children, youth, elders, and all people can experience God’s love and fellowship. Join the Training on Sat., Sept. 26, from 9 a.m.–12 p.m. via Zoom. The $20 registration fee includes class instruction and a background check. Learn more.
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Saturday, Sept. 26, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Bethany of Fox Valley UMC in Aurora
This free event features accessible worship, four workshop sessions, lunch with a panel discussion (optional $10 lunch fee), and practical tools to help churches become more welcoming and accessible to people of all abilities. Workshop topics include disability awareness, accessible worship, neurodiversity, advocacy, technology, and creating inclusive ministries on any budget. Learn more.
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Clergy: Innovate for Our Future
Clergy are invited to the School of Leadership, Sept. 29–Oct. 1 at Green Lake Conference Center in Wis. Featuring Rev. Dr. Kenda Creasy Dean, the gathering offers renewal, learning, and conversation on innovative ministry leadership. Registration is $100 (after subsidy), including meals; lodging is separate. Use code NIC for the reduced rate. Learn more.
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Other Upcoming Events
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Through Aug. 20: KAA Back-to-School Drive: Donate new backpacks, school supplies, gift cards, or purchase items through the Amazon Wish List. Contact Catherine Inserra if you have questions. View the list.
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Before Oct. 31: DIY Faithful Action: Loving Our Neighbor Community Engagement Event. Encourages each congregation to organize an event that works for their church while bearing witness to God’s commandment to "love your neighbor as yourself.” CCORR created a checklist to assist with event planning.
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Sept. 3, 10, 17 and 24: Online VIM Team Leader Training. For mission leaders, whether you’re leading for the first time, have led teams in the past, or have completed the training previously and are looking for updated information.
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Aug. 24-27: AI & Church Online Summit. Explore how to make faithful, human-centered choices about technology and ministry.
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Sept. 13: Conference-Wide Faithful Action Day. A day for NIC churches to step out of their sanctuaries to march, pray, and sing in a large-scale show of support for our immigrant brothers and sisters.
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Sept. 24: UVC Raising Our Voices. Annual advocacy & awards event for United Voices for Children
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Several grants and scholarships are available this fall to support local churches and leaders.
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Equitable Compensation Grants: The NIC Equitable Compensation Committee offers support to churches/charges with a full-time pastor experiencing financial hardship. Deadline extended: Aug. 14.
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Racial Ethnic Local Church Concerns: Grants of up to $10,000 from Discipleship Ministries support leadership training, small groups, worship, stewardship, and spiritual formation in ethnic United Methodist churches. Deadline: Aug. 17.
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GBCS Grants: The General Board of Church and Society (GBCS) awards grants to United Methodist congregations and groups related to The United Methodist Church in three categories: Peace with Justice, Ethnic Local Church and Human Relations Day. Deadline: Aug. 31 at 5 p.m. EDT
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Midwest Methodist Foundation: Up to $5,000 will be awarded to two churches in each NIC district for new or expanded programs, with priority given to community outreach and service. Deadline: Sept. 30.
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NIC UWFaith Scholarship: The NIC Chapter of United Women in Faith offers a scholarship for women pursuing ordained or lay church vocations. The guidelines can be found here. Deadline: Sept. 15
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Brush Up on Your Hospitality Skills
Small acts of hospitality can make a lasting difference. Avoid behaviors that make visitors uncomfortable, such as asking them to move, overwhelming them, ignoring them, or discussing church conflicts.
Instead, smile, connect and guide. Get to know visitors, invite them to events and ministries, show them around, and introduce them to people with similar interests or life experiences. One genuine connection may be all it takes to help someone feel at home. 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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Other Resources
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ResourceUMC—your online destination for United Methodist Church leaders. Whether you’re seeking inspiration or practical information, this site is your go-to resource. Check back often for fresh ideas and insights to empower your leadership across our connection.
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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.
| | | | Copyright © 2026 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.
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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