News & Updates

November 14, 2024

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There will be only 1 district eNews in November due to Thanksgiving.

The next district eNews will be December 12. Stay up to date with the latest conference events on the calendar, the latest News on the news page, and the lastest eNews in the weekly eNewsletter.

We are living in a post-Christendom, post-Election, post-pandemic, post-General Conference world!

In our church conferences this fall, Bishop Schwerin’s video message has been calling us to pay attention to grace. I’ve offered the definition of grace I heard years ago, from Rev. Dr Marcia McFee:

“God loves you, and there is nothing you can do about it!”

But grace, of course, is more than a warm fuzzy feeling. John Wesley taught that God's grace is unearned, first and foremost. However, we are not to be idle waiting to experience grace but to intentionally engage in the “means of grace.” Means of grace are spiritual practices that deepen our faith, call us into the new creation, and bear fruit in our discipleship. The Wesleyan means of grace include the more traditional spiritual disciplines: studying the scriptures, prayer, fasting, regularly attending worship, healthy living, tithing, sharing our faith with others, regularly sharing in the sacraments. But the means of grace also include acts of mercy: visiting the sick, visiting those in prison, feeding the hungry, and giving generously to the needs of others, seeking justice, ending oppression and discrimination (for instance Wesley challenged Methodists to end slavery), and addressing the needs of the poor.

In this season of our life together, I hope you will continue to root yourselves in these means of grace…for the sake of your own soul, and for the sake of our mission, which remains the same:

To make disciples of Jesus Christ, for the transformation of the (post-Election, post-pandemic, post-General Conference, post- Christendom) world!

Rev. Wendy Hardin Hermann

Superintendent, Prairie Central District

Bishop encourages us to avoid violence and care for the vulnerable after the election

Our national elections were heavily fraught with conflict this year. A real danger remains that those tensions could explode into violence. "We must be people of nonviolence, doing what we can to avoid intimidating others, and offering support to the most vulnerable. Check on persons of color—clergy and laity—who may be most vulnerable. Seek the welfare of the whole."

Read Bishop Schwerin's pastoral letter.

Read the pastoral letter from UMC Council of Bishops.

Keagy Grants grow rural churches’ ministries with their neighbors

Representatives from 27 churches met on Nov. 2 at Grace United Methodist Church in Dixon to celebrate 31 grant-supported projects impacting local communities. Through PACK and Keagy Grants, totaling nearly $45,000, churches launched initiatives in outreach, resources, and youth engagement. The day included devotions, anti-racism discussions, story-sharing, and fellowship. Read more.

Immigrants and Refugee Ministries Grants Boost Hope

New neighbors in Northern Illinois who came from other lands are experiencing God’s love through God’s people, thanks to the 14 churches and organizations that received conference Immigrants and Refugees Ministry grants. Recipients of the grants, which were funded by the 2023 Bishop’s Appeal, offered a breadth of ministries that would address almost all aspects of migrant families' experiences. Read more.

Congratulations to the Prairie Central Churches that were awarded Grants.

First United Methodist Church Nueva Vida, Aurora, “Helping Refugee Families”
New Hope UMC, West Chicago, “Latino Legal Help”

November/December Reporter Available Online

Catch up on the most recent news and photos from creative activities from around the district including churches celebrating milestone anniversaries. Bishop Dan Schwerin shares his reflections on ubuntu. In her inaugural column, Rev. Danita R. Anderson shares about her guides in faith. Rev. Fabiola Grandon-Mayer reminds us about new opportunities. Rev. Christian Coon talks about cheering on churches. Co-Lay Leader Eugene Williams reflects on “The Rabbi’s Gift” and its message of radical grace. Cate Whitcomb reflects on 30 years of membership, where themes of faith, community, and mission have guided her family’s giving. Rev. Dave Yim highlights the Korean Clergy Caucus kicking off Soccer Together.

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

NIC DAY Youth Leader Fall 2024 Gatherings

The NIC's Discipling Anti-racist Youth (DAY) leadership team is sponsoring district-wide youth leader informal gatherings around a table, enjoying a meal together and discussing ways in which we can support one another and help build connections with other youth leaders and youth ministry programs in our respective districts.

Prairie Central: Sat., Nov. 16, 4 p.m.

Come for an ice cream at Colonial Cafe, 1625 E. Main Street (rt. 64), St. Charles

Led by Deacon Sharon Rice at Naperville: Community UMC.

Learn more.

Creative Ministry Grants Deadline Extended until November 21

The grant application team has decided to extend the deadline for the Creative Ministries grant applications to give more churches a chance to apply. This grant aims to encourage creative, collaborative ministry programs throughout the conference. The grants support new, risk-taking initiatives to impact your community. Application deadline: ~~Oct. 30,~~ NOW Nov. 21 Learn more.

HEAL Well Makes Cities Greener

"Heat islands" in urban areas have few trees to provide shade, making these neighborhoods hotter than others. Help plant trees and/or work on community gardens in those areas with a new NIC Anti-Racism Advocacy Partners initiative, HEAL Well. Sign up now to express interest. Learn more.

Tuesday, November, 19 2 p.m.

Online Via Zoom

Free event - no registration needed

Does your church employ lay staff? If so, you may want to attend this webinar on changes made in July to the Fair Labor Standards Act.The U.S.

Learn more at this free webinar for pastors, Staff-Parish Relations Committee chairs, and other church leaders involved in staff relations and human resources.

Learn more.

2nd Annual Prairie Central District Advent Concert

Sunday, December 8, 3 p.m.

Glen Ellyn: First UMC,

424 Forest Ave., Glen Ellyn

Audience members and performers welcome.

Learn more.

Anyone who is interested in performing (solo, small group, choir - you choose!) should please reach out to Rev. Dave Price. There is space for 12 acts/performers, and as it is first come, first served, please sign up quickly!

Click here for classes, more information and registration.

HAPPENING AROUND THE CONFERENCE

Navigating troubled waters-Trauma, Resilience, & Hope in Ministry

December 9 - 10, 2024

Woodstock Loyola Retreat Center

Learn more.

Join the Northern Illinois Conference Filipino-American United Methodists and the Fellowship of Asian-Americans for their 2024 Christmas Services.

December 1, 4 - 5:30 p.m.

Friendship UMC,

305 E Boughton Rd., Bolingbrook, IL

Preacher: Rev. Hazel Joyce D. Salatan

December 15, 4 - 5:30 p.m.

Good Samaritan UMC, 960 Army Trail Rd., Addison, IL

Preacher: Rev. Arnel D. Vasquez

For more information: Please call/text Deaconess Joann Melad @ 773-677-9160

J.O.Y. Camp Winter Weekend Registration Open!

Winter Weekend provides campers with all of the best aspects of JOY Camp, with a wintery twist! There will still be lots of time to worship together and to connect with friends both new and old. Winter Weekend will be held from Jan. 3 to 5, 2025.

The weekend is open to current 4th graders through current high school seniors.The registration fee is $65 per attendee. Learn more.

Other Upcoming Conference Events:

2^nd & 4^th 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
Nov. 18-20: National Workshop on Christian Unity: An opportunity to learn ecumenical theology, worship together and have fellowship with other Christians in the US. This year it is held in Chicago. Read more.
Nov. 20: Benefits Lunch & Learn: Getting Ready for Tax Season: With Cheryl Weaver, Conference Benefits officer. November's topic focuses on what clergy need to know about taxes. Read more.
Dec. 4: Methodist-Muslim Dinner 2024: Gathering of NIC and Council of Islamic Organizations of Greater Chicago members. Includes dinner, speakers and conversation. Read more.
Dec. 17: Benefits Lunch & Learn: Spiritual Health, With Cheryl Weaver, Conference Benefits officer. Celebrate Advent and take a breather from the busyness of the season. Read more

LOCAL CHURCH RESOURCES

Get the Latest Conference Directory

The NIC directory is now published! It contains contact information for conference churches, clergy, laity, committees, and agencies. View online or download a free PDF version. Or purchase a paperback version from Amazon. Click below to learn about all these options. Read more.

Mission Link Highlight -

United Methodist Student Sunday

United Methodist Student Sunday is one of six denomination-wide Special Sundays that is celebrated on November 23. It funds a channel of hope for young scholars.

Supporting United Methodist students gives them a financial boost to help them realize their dreams, and a spiritual boost to help them recognize that the church has confidence in them and in their gifts. It offers encouragement and builds them up to be strong leaders in the church and the world. Every year, General Board of Higher Education and Ministry awards an average of $5.5 million in financial aid to United Methodist students.

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

Currently, as of the end of October 2024, our collection rates are as follows:

NIC Apportionments - 68%
General Church Apportionments - 34%
Health and Pension - 76%
Property Insurance - 77%

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.

Pre-order Your United Methodist Official Resources

The new UM Discipline, Book of Resolutions, Social Principles and Set of Leadership Guidelines are available to order from Cokesbury. The Discipline/Resolutions will be sent in January, and the Social Principles are to be sent in April. Learn more.

2024 Church Conference Reports

Just a quick reminder that all Church Conference (CC) forms & reports are due at least 1 week prior to your CC date. There is plenty of time to submit them in time if you plan ahead and submit them early. We encourage everyone to be working on them now. All-Things-Church-Conference can be found here.

Leadership Portal Temporarily Closed

Churches: Access to the Lay Leadership Portal is now CLOSED. Conference staff are spending the next few months moving data to a new database. It includes a user feature that we will integrate into the church portal. Watch for announcements of when it is up and running. Questions? Contact Leola Tucker or Debbie Rogers.

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.

Like Us on Facebook: Prairie Central District

Rev. Wendy Hardin-Hermann

Prairie Central District Superintendent

whardinhermann@umcnic.org

872-810-0873

Leola Tucker

Administrative Assistant

ltucker@umcnic.org

872-810-0913

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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