Two New District Superintendents Installed
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The Rev. Fabiola Grandon-Mayer was officially installed as the Rockford District Superintendent during a service at Beth Eden UMC in Rockford on Sunday, Sept. 28.
Bishop Dyck welcomed Grandon-Mayer and said she has a great global awareness of the United Methodist Church. Born and raised in Chile, Grandon-Mayer received God's call to be a pastor at age 17. She coordinated a youth and mission program for all of Latin America and the Caribbean and was the director of youth and young adult ministry for the World Methodist Council.
"Fabiola has tremendous knowledge with the church around the world," said Bishop Dyck. "She has wonderful processing skills and brings unique gifts to the Cabinet. I know you will not only come to know her as your District Superintendent but also as your spiritual leader."
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The Rev. Brian Gilbert was officially installed and welcomed as the DeKalb District Superintendent on Sunday, Sept. 22 at First UMC in Dixon.
Bishop Sally Dyck said it is a great joy to have Gilbert on the Cabinet. "He has a keen sense of what's happening around us," she said to the clergy and laity who gathered from around the district for the service. "Whether it's the weather and how it's affecting the farmers or the uncertainty of the denomination, Brian will keep helping to direct your attention to what we are all about – and that is to be the church of Jesus Christ."
Bishop Dyck also said Gilbert is unabashedly a "Methodist nerd," which is a good thing and what we need right now, she added. "He is deeply rooted in our history and our tradition and truly the core of what it means to be a Methodist. I think that will serve you well," Dyck said.
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Registration Open for Special Session
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Northern Illinois Annual Conference lay members and clergy may now register for the
Nov. 16 Special Session
from 9am - 1pm (check-in opens at 8:30am). It will be held at Kishwaukee College, 21193 Malta Road, Malta, IL.
Registration cost is $10. Off-site childcare at Malta UMC will be available. Pre-order a box lunch to go for $8.
Click here
for more information.
Mission Collection
The Midwest Mission Distribution Center will have its truck parked outside Kishwaukee College from 8am - 9am on Nov. 16 to collect donations for Hurricane Dorian relief for the Bahamas.
Click here
for a list of items needed and bring them before you check-in for the Special Session! Thank you for your support!
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Support Our Farming Families
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At the
Nov. 16 Annual Conference Special Session
, a Bishop's Appeal offering will be taken to help our local farmers who are facing hardships due to a rainy, cold spring that delayed planting and a drought in July that further hampered the growing season.
Bishop Dyck encourages churches to take an offering and donate as you are able. "Farming is the backbone of not only our economy but our culture," she said,. "Let's be supportive of our farmers. It will be greatly appreciated and every amount, no matter how big or small, will help."
In November, the Keagy Town and Rural Committee will begin to review applications for grants for farm families upwards to $500 to be used for personal and family needs to aid with ongoing costs of living. The Farm Family Aid Grant application forms will be released October 10 and received into early 2020 for eligible farmers.
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Program Ministry Grant Applications Open
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Churches may apply for one of three grants available through the NIC Program Office under the categories of Social Reform, Congregational Redevelopment, and Creative Ministries. Fall grant applications will be accepted through
Oct. 15, 2019.
For complete grant descriptions, instructions and the online application, click below.
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The 2019 Journal of the June 2-4 Northern Illinois Annual Conference is now available to purchase online through Amazon.
The cost of the paperback is $12.
Click here
for more information and to download a pdf version for free.
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"Canoeing the Mountains" Workshop
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Registration is open for this engaging workshop sponsored by the NIC Office of Congregational Development and Redevelopment on Oct. 17 from 9am - 3pm at First Korean UMC, 655 East Hintz Rd., Wheeling, IL
(new location).
Based on the book "Canoeing the Mountains: Christian Leadership in Uncharted Territory
," a
uthor and Fuller Theological Seminary Assistant Professor Tod Bolsinger presents ideas and practical tools that will equip UMC leaders to move into the future and learn to lead in a world that looks nothing like it did in the past.
Cost $50 (includes a box lunch),
$70 at the door.
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Communicator's Corner
HealthFlex Exchange Workshops in October
HealthFlex participants (
full-time clergy, spouses and lay employees)
are invited to learn more about the shift to the HealthFlex Exchange, effective January 1, 2020, at one of five workshops across the conference this October. The workshops will be led by NIC and Wespath staff to
help you choose the plan that works best for your family's needs and budget
. The open enrollment period is from
October 30 - November 14.
For more information and to register for a workshop,
click here
.
Chuck is Back!
A free online teaching series based on
Chuck Knows Church
and designed to help congregations discuss critical issues that potentially could prevent them from being vital churches, is now available from Discipleship Ministries. The 16-session video teaching series uses a study guide to help congregations talk and learn about topics such as discipleship systems, evangelism, stewardship, church committees that work, innovation, and more. For more information and to register, go to
chuck.umcdiscipleship.org
.
"Unwrap Christmas" in Communities Around the Globe
When it comes to what matters most at Christmas, people say that it’s spending time with family and friends. United Methodist Communications’ 2019
Unwrap Christmas
event campaign is designed to help local churches offer meaningful places for people to connect with one another throughout the Advent season. United Methodist Communications is supporting these outreach efforts by offering event grants and other resources to local United Methodist churches.
A limited number of $300 grants to offset the costs of the invitational items is available. Learn more at
Outreach.com/UMC
.
GCORR Presents a Free Online Course –
"Implicit Bias: What We Don’t Think We Think"
This resource has been created for anyone who is interested in learning and teaching others about implicit bias. The learning engagements included in each section allow for individual work, group work, and sermon preparation. Each exercise is an invitation to the sacred journey of discovering with your church and community how God is leading you to use this material faithfully within your context.
Enroll in the course.
Global Mission Fellows Applications Open
The Global Mission Fellows Program is accepting applications through Jan. 7, 2020. This two-year program is a wonderful way for young adults, ages 20-30, to engage with local communities outside of their home context, connect the church in mission, and grow in personal and social holiness. All who fall within the age range and who are passionate about putting their faith into action while addressing the root causes of injustice are encouraged to apply.
Click here
for more information.
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Around the Conference
Click here
f
or the Conference Calendar and more upcoming events...
- A Day in the Country - (Oct. 14) 7am - 4:30pm at Jonamac Orchard in Malta, IL. The DeKalb District invites kids in the Chicago Metro Districts to experience life in the country with them on Columbus Day. Enjoy apple doughnuts, farm animals, pumpkins, tractors, and so much more! Space is limited. Sign up online by Oct. 7. Download the flyer.
- Plumbline Reunion - (Oct. 14) 9am - 2pm at Community UMC, 20 Center St., Naperville, IL. The NIC has been taking high school students to New York City on the 4-day Plumbline Tour since 2002. In 2019, we took students to Washington, D.C. Whether you went on the tour in 2002, in recent years, or any years in between, we’d love to see you to reconnect. Click here for more info. Click here to register.
- Trustees Workshop - (Oct. 19) 9am - 12:30pm at Naperville: Grace, 300 E. Garner Road, Naperville, IL. The opening session, “Best Practices for Local Church Trustees,” will be for all attendees. This session will include local church checklists for maintenance and safety items, emergency procedures manual, keeping current with background checks for staff and volunteers, and how to share space. Click here to register.
- "Launch to Life" Rosecrance Benefit - (Oct. 22) 11:30am - 1:30pm at the JW Marriott, 151 W Adams St., Chicago. Featuring David Sheff, Author of the New York Times #1 best seller, “Beautiful Boy: A Father’s Journey Through His Son’s Addiction,” which was adapted into a movie in 2018. Proceeds from the event will benefit life-saving programs at Rosecrance in the Chicagoland area. Click for tickets.
- Change Management Seminar - (Oct. 29 - Nov. 5) Tuesday evenings from 5:30pm - 9pm at Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary, 2121 Sheridan Road, Evanston, IL. The seminar is free with support from the Lilly Endowment Inc. and Garrett-Evangelical’s Leading Vibrant Congregations: A Collaboration of Faith and Finance Grant. Click here for more info. Click here to register.
Around the Denomination
- Hispanic Heritage Month - (Sept. 15-Oct. 15) United Methodist Communications suggests five ways to celebrate Hispanic-Latino culture and provides resources for inviting surrounding communities to join in church events. Read five ways to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month. Discipleship Ministries also offers a special liturgy month and some suggested activities.
- World Communion Sunday - (Oct. 6) World Communion Sunday is one of six Special Sunday offerings. Our designated gifts benefit students around the world by providing scholarships, mentoring, and training. As we come together to receive Holy Communion with Christians around the world, we recognize our unity and shared commitment to building God’s Kingdom on earth. Click for more info.
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United Media Resource Center
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Click here
for
a
list of selected books on social action.
Visit the resource center's
website
for the latest catalog and more information on how to check out and return items.
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