** 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) | |
|
Prepare for Annual Conference 2025
Monday, June 9 - Wednesday, June 11
Renaissance Schaumburg Convention Center
Submissions opened for the following:
Other things to note:
-
Childcare: The Annual Conference Committee has worked hard to organize a child care option for the AC members. Childcare will be provided during session times by Schaumburg: Our Saviour's UMC in conjunction with Schaumburg: Our Redeemer's UMC. Sign-up and payment will be a part of the Annual Conference registration. More information to come.
-
Mass Choir: This year we are again inviting churches to send 4-5 members from their church choirs to join in a large NIC Mass Choir to sing during the Celebration of Ministry Service on Monday, June 9, at 7 p.m. For those interested please fill out the form here.
-
Memorial Service: The deadline for submission of names and photos of annual conference lay members to be included in the Memorial Service is May 9. This includes anyone who has passed since May 2024. Please send the information to ACMedia@umcnic.org.
-
Registration: Member and guest registration begins on April 1. There is no cost to register as a guest.
-
Volunteers: Help is needed for a successful Annual Conference. We need registration volunteers, ushers/plenary pages, greeters, information desk volunteers and more to help Annual Conference run smoothly and efficiently. Volunteers need to be at least 16 and cannot be voting members. Those interested in volunteering should fill out the volunteer form by May 5.
| |
This Bible study with Bishop Dan Schwerin will offer a quiet space away from the busyness of everyday life. It’s an opportunity to come together to deepen our faith, renew our spirits, and strengthen our community. We hope you will join us for this refreshing time of reflection and connection. Learn more and register. | |
|
Naperville: Grace UMC extends an invitation to all to attend an informational meeting on Sun., March 2 at 12 p.m. in Room 234 at 300 E. Gartner Rd, for the upcoming Youth Summer Mission Trip opportunity. Come learn what it means to serve with Side x Side, a week long away trip for those who have completed 8th grade, high school and college students, young adults, and “seasoned” adults. Attendance at the meeting does not obligate you to attend the trip, and you don't have to be a member of Grace UMC to join us. Friends and neighbors are welcome too! Questions? Please contact Gaye Lynn Loufek, Director of Youth Ministries and Missions. Learn more.
| |
|
There are other opportunities for Lay Academies. Feel free to choose the one that works for your schedule and needs.
| |
It's Black History Month. The NIC offers you a variety of resources to observe this part of American history through worship, learning, and action. Find it here. | |
|
Repair the Harm to Children Update
As we continue our journey of repair and restoration, we extend our heartfelt gratitude to the churches and individuals who have faithfully contributed to their pledges and payments.
We have currently collected $547,223.78. This is about 70% of our total, leaving us with $195,205.22 left to raise.
While we celebrate the progress we’ve made, there is still work to be done. We encourage those who have not yet contributed to join us in fulfilling our collective responsibility. Every contribution—large or small—helps us complete our financial commitment as we continue to live into our work of listening, healing, and protecting. Learn more.
| |
|
Being United Methodist means being connectional, which means all local United Methodist churches working together.
| |
Currently, as of the end of 2024, our collection rates are as follows:
- NIC Apportionments - 80%
- General Church Apportionments - 47%
- Health and Pension - 98%
- Property Insurance - 86%
We will be publishing a list shortly of individual church's contributions. Every one makes a difference in sustaining our conference’s mission and impact in the community. Help spread our ministry and mission by committing to paying your 2025 apportionments today. Remember, 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. If you are not sure where your church stands on their contributions, please reach out to your pastor or church treasurer.
| |
The 2024 Statistics Reports for local churches are due on Friday, February 28. Thank you to those who have already started and to those who have submitted their data. If you have yet to start, 2024 statistics can be entered at stats.gcfa.org. For resources and more information, click here. If you have questions, contact David W. Quinn at dquinn@umcnic.org.
| |
HAPPENING AROUND THE CONFERENCE | |
|
Reaching Out, Welcoming In
An inspiring and practical day of learning and connection as we explore how to effectively reach out and welcome in through digital strategies and ministry values. Hosted and sponsored by Midwest Methodist Foundation, Wisconsin United Methodist Foundation, and the UMC Conferences of Northern Illinois and Wisconsin.
Saturday, February 15, 9:30 a.m. - 3 p.m.
Rockford: Christ UMC, 4509 Highcrest Rd, Rockford,
Cost: $20 per person (includes lunch) or $10 per person virtual via Zoom
Learn more.
| |
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.
| |
Visit a local exhibit about Native Children
The NIC Committee on Native American Ministries (CONAM) invites you to attend the exhibit, “Away From Home, American Indian Boarding School Stories” at Aurora University, from January 28 – March 14. This would be a great outing for your confirmation class, racial justice groups, or any group interested in learning more about American history. For more information about the work of the NIC CONAM, please contact Rev. Dr. Michelle Lacock. Learn more about the exhibit.
| |
Other Upcoming Conference Events:
-
2nd & 4th Wednesday at noon: Weekly Methodist Liaison Office update and virtual prayer meeting. Participants will hear from a Palestinian speaker and meet in small groups for prayer. Methodists and others from around the world participate. Read more.
-
Feb. 15: Rainbows, Resistance and Reconciliation (3Rs), Reconciling Ministries Gathering: A Celebration of Intersectional Pride for those are a Reconciling Methodist (or would like to learn more) Read more.
-
Feb. 18 & 25, March 11, April 1: Teaching Tuesdays: Join Rev. Christian Coon on select Tuesdays at 11 a.m. for learning opportunities. Read more.
-
Feb. 21: How to Use AI Tools for Church Ministry: Session with Jason Moore, a trainer in tech and ministry. at First UMC of Madison, Wis., invites NIC people to attend. Read more.
-
March 19: Benefits Lunch & Learn: Take a short Lenten Retreat with Cheryl Weaver, Conference Benefits officer. Read more.
-
March 25: Order of Elders Gathering 2025: Gathering for Elders,event includes fellowship, fail-a-bration contest, word cafe and fun activities. Read more.
-
March 30: United Voices for Children 5th Sunday Appeal: Set aside the offering on 5th Sundays for UVC's affiliated agencies. Read more.
| | | |
|
Scouting Sunday Resources
The NIC observes Scouting Sunday on one of the Sundays in February or March. It’s a day to honor youngsters in Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, and Big Brothers Big Sisters. UM Men offers some resources—including the patch pictured here. Read more.
| |
|
How to Incorporate Your Church
There are many good reasons to incorporate a local church. For one, it shields individual church officers and members from legal liability. UM Council on Finance and Administration has a useful guide to the process. It’s made available to you at no cost by churches that pay 100 percent of their apportionments.
Read more.
| |
UM Scholarship Opportunities
There are multiple 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!
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.
| |
|
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.
| | | |
Copyright © 2025 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.
| | | | |
