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June 26, 2025

** 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)

Thank you to all who donated to the Mission Challenge for Midwest Mission

Good work NIC, for donating over 4,000 pounds of goods, over $1,000 and several large items to the Midwest Mission truck through the Mission Challenge!

If you missed out on the challenge, don’t worry. A list of the most needed items for kits can be found here. There are also online shopping and donation options (see the side bar on the page). You also can always send donations to the center directly or drop off at the NIC permanent sites.

Successful Bishop's Appeal to Support Innovative Outreach

Churches and individuals across the Northern Illinois Conference responded with overwhelming generosity to this year's Bishop's Appeal for local churches. A total of $18,746.95 was raised so far. If you missed bringing your church's donation, you can still donate.

Watch the Bishop's Appeal presentation from Annual Conference. 

Congratulations Hinckley United Methodist Church!

The One Matters Discipleship Award highlights churches who have in recent years moved from zero baptisms and zero professions of faith into positive numbers. Hinckley UMC is the 2025 winner for Prairie South. Read their story.



Learn more about the One Matters Award Winners here.

Watch the One Matters Award presentation here.

Quilt Presentation Celebrates Diversity and Creativity

The NIC Anti-Racism Task Force unveiled the Arts & Culture Quilt at AC. It is a powerful symbol of unity, justice, and cultural pride. Created from quilt squares submitted by individuals and churches across the conference, the piece honors diverse stories and the shared call to racial equity. The quilt stands as a lasting tribute to the ongoing work of anti-racism and the beauty of our collective witness. Read more.

Help Needed on New Committees

Legislation at AC created two new Committees: the Committee on Creation Care and the Committee on Inclusion. The Nominations Committee is now seeking individuals interested in joining. We'd like to invite you to fill out the form or share it with anyone you think will be a helpful addition. Learn more.

Save the Date!

For information, contact Pastor Marcia Peddicord, Director, at marcia.peddicord@gmail.com or 815-579-5938.

 HAPPENING AROUND THE CONFERENCE

LOCAL CHURCH RESOURCES

Help us celebrate the vibrant ministry happening in our district!

Mission Trips and Vacation Bible School (VBS) Bible School (VBS) programs are among our most cherished stories, and we would like to feature yours in the NIC District eNews later this summer. If your church is hosted/is hosting a VBS or sent/is sending a mission team, we’d love to see it. Please send photos and a brief description to lsmith@umcnic.org. Let’s inspire one another by sharing how God is at work in our communities. Please send any photos and short descriptions to lsmith@umcnic.org.

Church Marketing and Communications Webinars Offered

Throughout July, MyCom will host a special series of webinars open to anyone looking to strengthen their communication ministry. These sessions will explore essential topics like branding, marketing, social media and public relations, offering practical tools and insights for building connection and community. Learn more.

Connectional Giving Update

Currently, as of the end of May 2025, our collection rates are as follows:  

• NIC and General Church Apportionments: 69%  
• Health and Pension: 91%  
• Clergy Responsibility: 88%  
• Property Insurance: 52%   

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 ask your pastor or church treasurer.

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.

Rev. Brian Gilbert

Prairie South District Superintendent

bgilbert@umcnic.org

872-810-0864

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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