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Illinois Conference
United Church of Christ
E-Newsletter
March 2022, First Edition
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UCC 2022 Yearbook - Data Hub closes March 2nd!
If you have any questions, please call the Conference Office at 708-344-4470 or email Naomi. Click here to download the instructions from National.
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UCC officers share prayer for Ukraine
We the officers of the United Church of Christ join our prayers with those of churches and people of faith all over the globe that the attack against Ukraine will cease...
Read more
www.ucc.org
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Disaster Relief Bucket Challenge
Illinois Conference Disaster Ministries
We have a challenge from now through May 30th to assemble 500 Church World Service Emergency Cleanup Buckets. Will your church commit to assemble at least ten (10) buckets to help us meet this goal?
For more information, email our Conference Disaster Coordinator, Roger Dart at disaster@ilucc.org.
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A Message for TPIRC Congregations
The Rev. Melody Seaton
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Peace and Greetings TPIRC Congregations,
It is our prayer during these uncertain times that you can still feel God’s presence. Life has happened to us in many different ways, but the God we serve has remained faithful. If you can hold onto that image and promise, I believe we can accomplish much.
My team has hit the ground running and have established an aggressive schedule for keeping this valuable program moving forward. However, we can’t do this without your participation and input. Some of you had great things to say about TPIRC and we need to keep them flourishing and share with others. Some had experiences that didn’t meet their needs. Let’s come together and see how we can change that perspective.
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Roger Dart's "Foot in the Door" to Disaster Ministry
United Church of Christ News
"When Hurricane Katrina devastated the Gulf Coast in 2005, Roger Dart was self-employed full time as a licensed, certified pedorthist and a part-time third-year seminarian at Chicago Theological Seminary. His senior pastor at what was then the Congregational Church in Deerfield, Ill., invited him to be part of a week-long UMCOR disaster recovery mission trip to Laurel, Miss. Dart did not hesitate. ..."
Click here to read the full article about Roger Dart's journey to becoming the Illinois Conference Disaster Coordinator, and learn why disaster ministry is important.
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Nollau Leadership Institute 2022-2023 Enrollment is Open
UCC Council for Health and Human Service Ministries
The Nollau Leadership Institute is CHHSM’s signature program with more than 250 attendees in its 20+ years. Enrollment is now open and the short online application can be found here. Through retreats, online interactions, and peer mentoring, this program is intended to support leadership formation through a variety of learning modalities and a community of practice. Grounded in the tradition of the United Church of Christ, rituals, contemplative practices, small group sharing, and embodiment are all part of the program - alongside the interactive didactic sessions.
The Nollau faculty has a tradition of updating content based on feedback from participants. This year's class will be no exception, but it will also have the benefit of implementing recommendations from the Race, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (RDEI) Audit CHHSM completed as part of its commitment to anti-racism. Leadership will be examined, and practiced, through the lenses of anti-oppression, social justice, and a deep sense of self and others. Learn more and apply here.
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Summer Volunteers Needed!
Tower Hill Camp and Retreat Center
Volunteer and enrich your life by helping others! Tower Hill Camp needs you in 2022, especially during the month of July, to work our dining hall. You would be setting up, serving, and cleaning up three meals a day for our youth camps. We would provide you housing in Gammon Hall and meals for a week. As a "blessing" we offer volunteers a week stay (off season) in return for their week of volunteering! So connect, engage, and enhance your life by calling Tower Hill at 269-426-3881 for details!
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Active UCC Global H.O.P.E. Appeals
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Yes, our camps are open! And busy getting all things ready to expand, uplift, shape and form your life! Visit our website to see what retreats, camps, get-aways, and programs are available at Tower Hill and Pilgrim Park this year.
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Ordinations, Installations, Ecclesiastical Councils & More |
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Events in the Illinois Conference & Beyond |
Mar. 2: Ash Wednesday. There will be NO All Conference Chat.
Mar. 9: All Conference Chat. 3:00 p.m. via Zoom. ACM with Responsibilities for Program, Innovation, and Events Position Overview.
Mar. 16: All Conference Chat. 3:00 p.m. via Zoom. TPRIC Program Director, Coordinator, and Assistant Positions Overview.
Mar. 23: All Conference Chat. 3:00 p.m. via Zoom. Associate Conference Minister with Responsibilities for Pastoral Transitions Position Overview.
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Conference and Association Meetings |
Feb. 28: CMA Justice & Witness Committee Meeting. 7:00 p.m. via Zoom.
Mar. 1: Property Committee Meeting. 10:00 a.m. via Zoom.
Mar. 3: Prairie Association COM Meeting. 9:00 a.m. via Zoom.
Mar. 10: Fox Valley Association COM Meeting. 9:00 a.m. via Zoom.
Mar. 10: CMA Church & Ministry Committee Meeting. 12:00 p.m. via Zoom.
Mar. 12: Outdoor Ministries Committee Meeting. 9:00 a.m. via Zoom.
Mar. 12: Eastern Association Council Meeting. 11:00 a.m. via Zoom.
Mar. 15: FAB Committee Meeting. 9:00 a.m. via Zoom.
Mar. 15: Western Association COM Meeting. 9:00 a.m. via Zoom.
Mar. 19: Conference Council Meeting. 10:00 a.m. via Zoom.
Mar. 21: CMA Council Meeting. 6:30 p.m. via Zoom.
Mar. 27: Western Association Spring Meeting. 2:00 p.m. via Zoom.
Mar. 28: CMA Justice & Witness Committee Meeting. 7:00 p.m. via Zoom.
Mar. 30: Eastern Association COM Meeting. 9:30 a.m. via Zoom.
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Events and Training Opportunities |
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US Military & Environmental Justice
Wednesday, March 9 @ 12 PM CST
United Church of Christ Webinars
The U.S. Military is one of the world’s biggest polluters. What do faith communities need to know about this in order to protect God’s creation and to love our neighbors? Learn from those engaged in the struggle by registering for this webinar. Even if you can’t make the scheduled time of 12 PM CST on Wednesday, March 9th, still sign-up, and we will send you a recording. Register now!
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Farewell Celebration-Amistad Chapel
Sunday, March 12 @ 1:30 PM CST
United Church of Christ
It’s sacred space. A gathering place. A vessel of God’s love, of worship and extravagant welcome. The Amistad Chapel at the United Church of Christ Church House has served all those roles since 2000, anchoring the downtown Cleveland building that has been home to the denomination’s national headquarters since 1990. On March 13, Amistad Sunday, the chapel will host its last worship service at 2:30 p.m. ET, a commemoration of the mission and ministry of the building lovingly referred to as “700 Prospect.” Read more.
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André LaCocque Interreligious Lecture
Tuesday, March 15 @ 6:30 PM CST
Chicago Theological Seminary
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Restoring Nature Webinar
Wednesday, March 23 @ 12 PM CST
United Church of Christ Webinars
Douglas Tallamy’s books have awakened thousands to the problem of wildlife decline and the solution that resides in habitat restoration. This is a solution of which you and your faith community can be a part. The solution can be as close as your backyard or the property surrounding your place of worship. In this webinar, Tallamy will outline the crisis faced and what we can do in response. Even if you can’t make the scheduled time of 12 pm CST on Wednesday, March 23rd, still sign-up, and we will send you a recording. Register now!
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Recurring East Side Vaccination Event
Every Sunday, 1:00-4:00 PM CST
Advocate United Church of Christ
10259 S. Avenue L, Chicago
Advocate United Church of Christ in Chicago is hosting a recurring vaccination event every Sunday from 1:00 - 4:00 p.m. This is a Healthy Chicago Equity Zone Community Event in partnership with Youth Advcocay Foundation, Vax Chi Nation, Phalanx Family Services, and Victory Pharmacy. Minors must be accompanied by parents. While supplies last-receive a $50 gift for first and second doses! Email your name and cell phone number to connecttoyaf@gmail.com to sign up for your appointment and reserve your gift card! Download the flyer here.
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One Great Hour of Sharing 2022
United Church of Christ
One Great Hour of Sharing (OGHS) special mission offering of the United Church of Christ involves you in disaster, refugee/immigration, and development ministries throughout the world. When a disaster strikes or people are displaced or made refugees by violence or extreme poverty, you are part of the immediate response and of the long-term recovery.
The 2022 OGHS offering date is March 27th. View more information and access the resources by clicking here.
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New Materials Available for Stewardship!
UCC Resources
“From Bread and Cup to Faith and Giving” makes the connection between our experience of God and our generosity as disciples. It includes practical tools such as logos, commitment cards, bulletin inserts, and letters. The materials also provide resources for preaching and teaching about stewardship throughout the year. Campaign guidance and calendars help leaders make the best use of these robust materials for their specific context and size.
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Free Chairs!!
Christ Church UCC - Des Plaines
Christ Church UCC - Des Plaines (located at 1492 Henry Avenue) has about 35-40 folding chairs free to whoever would like them and can pick them up. Call the church office (847-297-4230 to make arrangements Monday through Friday between the hours of 10:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m.
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Willing to Respond - A New Resource!
UCC Disaster Ministries
Does your congregation desire to be more prepared for disasters, both to protect yourselves and to help your neighbors in time of need? Willing to Respond is for you! This new and rapidly growing network is providing congregations with practical tools, training and relationships, including online resources and connection to denominational, ecumenical and other disaster response resources. It's simple to access and easy to register.
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Resources to Support the Safety/Security of Religious Organizations
Department of Homeland Security
Department of Justice (DOJ) and Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) have shared information on to protect against and prevent violence aimed at houses of worship.
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Advocate Aurora Health Care
COVID-19 Updates - Dec. 2021
Safely Reopening Our Doors Toolkit
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Justice Resources
UCC Justice and Peace Action Network
Weekly action alerts based on what is happening at that time in Congress.
Digital platform for sharing ideas focused on building a faith-filled/faith-rooted movement for the care of creation.
A weekly editorial opinion column written by the staff of Justice and Witness Ministries.
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Recently Added Lay Employment Opportunities:
NEW POSTING: Sawyer (MI), Tower Hill Camp seeks Summer Staff
For more lay employment opportunity postings, click here.
Please let us know if you have a job opening you would like to have shared,
and also update us once the position is filled. Contact Sarah Lohrbach.
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Church Newsletter Request |
Please send us your newsletters so we can keep up with what's going on in your church.
Address for printed newsletters: Illinois Conference UCC, 1840 Westchester Blvd., Suite 200, Westchester, IL 60154. Electronic newsletters: Please add Sarah Lohrbach at SarahLohrbach@ilucc.org to your church’s mailing list.
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THE ILLINOIS CONFERENCE UCC E-BLAST is published by the Illinois Conference of the United Church of Christ, 1840 Westchester Blvd., Suite 200, Westchester, IL 60154. The Rev. Molly Carlson, Conference Minister; Sarah Lohrbach, Editor. Copy may be sent to: SarahLohrbach@ilucc.org.
This communication is made possible by your contributions to
Our Church's Wider Mission
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Illinois Conference of the United Church of Christ | (708) 344-4470
1840 Westchester Blvd., Suite 200, Westchester, IL 60154
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