** 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) | |
|
Prairie Central Informal Gatherings with the District Superintendent
Informational gatherings will be held today, second Thursday of the month, August 10 .
Zoom Links (The links will stay the same for all meetings, though clergy links and lay links will be different)
Clergy Gathering 9:00 am link.
Lay Gathering 7:00 pm link.
Lay persons: This is NOT for Lay Leaders only. It is intended for all lay persons who want to know more about what is going on and be connected.
The next meeting will be September 7.
| |
HAPPENING AROUND THE CONFERENCE | |
|
“Keep the Dream Alive” – United Methodists Stand for Racial Justice
On Sunday, August 27, 2023, the NIC Anti-Racism Task Force will be hosting two back-to-back events in Chicago to honor the 60th Anniversary of the March on Washington and to lift up the on-going work of seeking racial justice.
Find more information and register here.
| |
Nominate a Child Advocacy Leader
Each year the United Voices for Children Board of Directors selects individuals or groups to receive their Annual Child Advocacy Awards. These awards honor extraordinary service or advocacy efforts on behalf of children, youth, and/or families throughout the NIC. Any United Methodist member, congregation, or friend of UVC in Northern Illinois and the Chicago area can submit a nomination to receive one of these awards. Award winners will receive a grant for their organization or ministry, a commemorative plaque, recognition in the annual conference program, and local media outlets. Read about the award categories and nominate someone by Aug. 30. Read more.
| |
NIC Youth Fall Retreat
The NIC Youth Fall Retreat Team is excited to invite you to our second annual retreat, intended for 6th-12th graders in the Northern Illinois Conference. This year's theme is "Behold." The retreat will happen Fri., Sept. 29 - Sun., Oct. 1 at the Lake Geneva Youth Camp in Lake Geneva, WI. The cost is $140 each person. There is a requirement of one adult who is Safe Sanctuary certified for up to every six youth. We hope you'll join us for a time of rejuvenation, growth and connection!
Click here for more information and to register.
|  | |
12 - 18 month Cohort Program beginning in Fall
The Black Healing Collective Cohort is a small group created to understand racial trauma personally, congregationally, and in society. The cohort program will utilize trauma-informed research and practices to develop a pathway(s) toward healing. The cohort will be 12-18 months with various leadership development and skill-building monthly meetings, outings, travel, and learning and engagement opportunities to enhance individual capacity to support the church and community in becoming more trauma-informed and resilient. Learn more here.
| | | |
|
In the United Methodist Church, we deeply appreciate the value of ecumenism—the desire to find common ground and foster unity among different Christian traditions. The Interdenominational Cooperation Fund allows The United Methodist Church to partner with our Christian family worldwide to fulfill our shared mission. As followers of Christ, we are bound together by a common purpose: to love and serve God wholeheartedly. Our faith teaches us that through the Holy Spirit, we become part of God's family, joining the multitude of believers across various churches and denominations.
| |
|
Many Grant Options Available for Local Churches
| |
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.
| | | |
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.
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.
| | | | |
