News & Updates

September 14, 2023

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This Is My Story

The beloved hymn, Blessed Assurance, has the well-known refrain, “This is my story, this is my song, praising my Savior all the day long.”

I think every believer in Christ has had an experience with God that we will never forget. It is likely the case that God has done something for us that lets us know that God is God and that God is with us. It may be that we have experienced God’s presence in ways that our words fail to fully express. There is something inside of us that knows that we have encountered God. Our first experience like that begins our story with God, our testimony, our personal statement of faith. It is likely that we cannot be talked out of it.

These types of encounters with God not only affirm why we believe, but can also inspire faith in someone else who wants to believe and might be looking for a reason to believe. What God has done for us can help to give another person the assurance that God is real and that God is with them as well.

Many of us may be uncomfortable with the thought of talking to others about our faith in God. We may not be “the type.” Yet we are likely the type who care about people and who would help someone in need if we were able to do so. The trouble is that most of us don’t ‘wear our needs on our sleeves’ so to speak. We don’t tend to let others know what is really going on inside of us. Generally speaking, other people don’t either. So people can be walking around hurting behind their smile and we don’t know it. People can be carrying burdens of which we are unaware. We don’t know how something God has brought us through can help someone else to make it through RIGHT NOW. Something that we are harboring in our heart can potentially determine whether someone gives up or goes on; whether someone turns away from God or turns to God; whether someone walks away or walks into church this Sunday. Ways that God has been good to us can help someone begin their journey of surrendering to and seeking God. If only they knew what God has done for us, they could know that God can do it for them. But they won’t ask. Still, we must tell.

I know that assumptions have had a bad rap and may have landed us in an unpleasant place a time or two. But we may be able to safely assume that someone we encounter today could use some good news. We have the power to make someone’s heart smile. We have the ability to usher someone into an encounter with God by telling them about ours. We can make a difference in someone’s day—maybe in their life. If only we could transfer our God-encounter from our heart through our lips, God could use us to transfer a soul from despair to hope.

Perhaps we could start the conversation by commenting on the weather, slide into a few words about our favorite restaurant, ease into a discussion about a must-see movie, and then make our way into mentioning our encounter with Christ that, by the way, they might also enjoy. Through something simple yet so profound, we can make an eternal difference to someone in a matter of moments, helping someone else to have a story, a song, and a praise for our Savior.

The first 10 people who try this next week and send me an email to tell me about it (ananabray@umcnic.org), I will share with the Bishop how very awesome you are!

DS Aurdrea Nanabray

Lake South District Superintendent

September Reporter Available Online

The September Reporter is now available to read online and in mailboxes soon.

Learn how Children Are Blossoming at St Marks UMC's CDF Freedom School. Read updates from the ACST, General Conference Delegates, and the Bishop Sharing Team. In their columns, Bishop Dan Schwerin reflects on how the spirit is making us one, Rev. Arlene Christopherson reminds us it is back to school time, and Co-Lay Leader Connie Augsburger shares about taking time to restore your soul.

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

Sat., Sept. 16th, 9 a.m. - noon

Prayer Breakfast, Tickets: $25

Sun., Sept. 17th, 10:30 a.m.

UWFaith Sunday Morning Worship Service

Click here for more information.

Filipino Churches Apple Picking Extravaganza

Mabuhay! Several Filipino area churches and ministries will be coming together to go apple picking on September 23rd at Jonamac Orchard at 19412 Shabbona Road in Malta, Illinois. If you would like to come have fun (whether or not you are Filipino, you are always welcome!) meet us at 10 a.m. or join up with us later in the day by reaching out to Hannah Kardon at revkardon@gmail.com or (717) 512-8112

More information and registration here.

Class list and registration here.

Other Lay Academy offerings:

Prairie South: Oct. 21 & 28, Mount Morris: Disciples UMC
Prairie North: Oct. 28 & 29, Rockford:Beth Eden UMC
Prairie Central: Nov. 4 & 11, Schaumburg: Our Redeemer's UMC

Join in the discussion around Privilege, Power & Race

Multiple gatherings are taking place on Sept. 21, 6 to 8 p.m., at various locations across the conference. A Zoom option for participation and discussion is also available. Registration is strongly encouraged.

The gatherings include a soul food meal, a presentation by director Frances Causey, and table discussions. (Online participants log in at 6:45.) Before the gathering, please watch the documentary The Long Shadow , directed by filmmaker and investigative journalist Francis Causey. It explores the shameful legacy of American slavery to its insidious ties to racism today. Read more.

HAPPENING AROUND THE CONFERENCE

Planning for Health Support Groups

The Discipleship Task Force Disciples Nurturing Action or DNA ministry will be rolling out in early 2024. This new ministry will provide support groups for clergy and lay to journey together toward better mind, body, and spiritual health through Biblically informed and prayerful discussions. We would like your feedback as we start planning. Click here for the survey.

DNA Ministry event recommendation: Be the Spark Leadership Summit: Sat., Sept. 30 in Wheaton, IL

Black Clergy and Laity: Join the Black Healing Collective to Examine Racial Trauma & Lead Healing

A Black Healing Collective Cohort is forming to enhance individuals’ capacity to help churches and communities become more trauma-informed and resilient. Black NIC lay and clergy will meet for 12 to 18 months to explore how racial trauma affects themselves as well as congregations and society. Monthly meetings will include skill-building and leadership development. Additional activities will include outings, travel, and learning and engagement opportunities. This will be a life-changing and empowering experience.

Learn more.

Celebremos los Ministerios Hispanos/Latinos en nuestra Conferencia del Norte de Illinois con un tiempo de adoración, capacitación, compañerismo, renovación y camaradería. Ven con todos los miembros de tu iglesia. Tod@s son bienvenidos.

Celebrate the Hispanic/Latino ministries in the conference with a time of worship, training, fellowship, renewal, and camaraderie. Invite your church to attend! All are welcome. Translation equipment and nursery will be provided. The celebration takes place at Franklin Park UMC, 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

Apportionment Highlight - World Service Fund: General Board of Church and Society

The World Service Fund is one of seven apportioned funds of The United Methodist Church. The World Service Fund is the financial lifeline to a long list of Christian mission and ministry throughout the denomination. The General Board of Church and Society, funded by the World Service Fund, is dedicated to the work of living faith, seeking justice, and pursuing peace. Church and Society lives out the calling to work toward personal and social holiness through five program priorities, all grounded in racial justice: poverty, climate, health, peace, and civil & human rights.

A few of the services offered by Church and Society include:

Letters to My Daughters Fall 2023 Study: A virtual monthly study companion that will examine the intersection of faith and advocacy as it relates to the social conditions of women, girls, and femmes. Find all the resources and future dates here.
Sacred Worth Books Database: Created to honor the dignity and sacred worth of all God's children, use this resource to search for children's books with diverse main characters. Access the database here.
2023 Faith & Facts Cards: The Faith and Facts cards are a set of half-sheet cards on a number of social issues. On any given issue, they explore what the Bible says, what The United Methodist Church says, some facts about the issue, and then action steps to address the issue. Read more.
Gun Violence Prevention Resources: All forms of violence are detestable, but guns make violence more deadly and more frequent. Read more.

Website Redesign: Your Opinion Needed!

Every few years, an organization’s website needs a refresh. Your Northern Illinois Conference communications staff is working with Big Heart Creative to redesign the NIC website. To make sure that you can easily find on the site the resources and information you want, we need your opinion. Please take this survey to let us know what you need from the conference website. Your feedback will help us create a helpful, easy-to-use website. Take the Survey.

NIC Prayer Network Monthly Zoom Meetings

The NIC Prayer Network is an entryway for joining in common prayer for the ministries of the Northern Illinois Conference. The next meeting is Friday, October 13 at 10:00 am. All are invited to join. No preparation is necessary, just log in. The Zoom link is available here. Meeting ID: 897 7835 0821 Passcode: 152529

If you’d like to pray but have other appointments at that time, email us DiscipleshipTF@umcnic.org and request the agenda or add to the agenda. Also, pray along each week for clergy, churches, leaders, and NIC Advances by visiting the Prayer Network website.

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.

Rev. Audrea Nanabray

Lake South District Superintendent

ananabray@umcnic.org

312-346-9766 ext. 783

Leola Tucker

Administrative Assistant

ltucker@umcnic.org

312-346-9766 ext. 733

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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