United Methodist Communications has created a video series The Recap to help us gain a better understanding of what is going on in The United Methodist Church, find inspiration in stories of ministry, and learn how our denomination is transforming the world. The most recent episode is # 4. In this episode:

On Thurs., Jan. 31, NIC's One Big Tribe was the worship accompaniment ensemble for the Assoc. of Directors of Connectional Ministry meeting at Wespath.

The day's One Big Tribe Collective participants included Felicia Patton (Buffalo Grove-Kingswood UMC), Catherine Inserria (Kids Above All), Celinne Mencia (Oak Park St. John UMC), Stewart McKenzie (Schaumburg Our Saviour's), Rich Rubietta (Circuit Rider), Darneather Murph Heath (retired DS) and Judith Siaba (Oak Park Euclid Ave). One Big Tribe is an inclusive and ever-expanding group of artists who collaborate to help inspire and unite the human race, through the Arts. OBT helps artists connect with one another to create beloved community on earth, as we prepare for Christ’s final advent.

Dreaming of putting together a mission journey but need some help getting started? Lead mission journeys but want to be more intentional? Come to our one-hour panel discussion, "Connecting for Mission: a Conversation for Dreamers, Planners, and Volunteers," on February 23rd from 7-8 via Zoom. This will be a panel of experienced team leaders who have traveled nationally and internationally. This is a collaborative effort of the Anti-Racism and Discipleship Task Forces to equip our churches in leading youth mission experiences. We invite youth leaders and those who lead youth in mission to attend. Kris Aves, NIC UMVIM co-coordinator, with extensive experience leading youth in mission locally and nationally, will moderate. Click here to register for the link.

February is Black History Month! There are also many resources available throughout the United Methodist denomination for you to use. Click here to find more resources.

Lent starts on February 22. There are many resources available around from around the denomination. Click here for a sample of the resources.

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.2022 statistics can be entered at umctables.org. The deadline is February 28, 2023. For resources and more information, click here. If you have questions, contact David Quinn at dquinn@umcnic.org.

Click here to get started.

Scholarship Applications are now being accepted for the following UMC-based scholarships:

The Ethnic Young Adult (EYA) program, through the United Methodist General Board of Church and Society (GBCS), is for young justice seekers willing to unpack their faith and identity and develop a deeper understanding of justice. Applications for the 2023 Summer Co-hort are due by March 6th, 2023. To learn more and apply, visit the internship page.

Women in the Eastern District of the Kenya-Ethiopia Conference are benefitting from a program that helps them save money and start income-generating projects. Table banking is a group-based funding strategy that aims to improve economic life for the marginalized — especially underprivileged women in rural areas. Each time members meet, they save money from which they can take short- or long-term loans. Since its inception, the conference’s table-banking project has enrolled over 500 women. Click here to read more.

The United Media Resource Center has received new DVD studies available for lending. Check out the listing here.

Resources include:

Find the online catalog here. The UMRC email address is umrc@igrc.org. 

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