Bishop Response to Restore Illinois Plan
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On Tuesday, May 5, Governor J. B. Pritzker laid out a plan to re-open the state of Illinois. The plan takes into account the various parts of the state based on public health criteria. Various phases address the spread of the coronavirus: the rapid spread of the infection, the flattening of the curve, the rate of infection, the impact on hospitals and medical facilities, and eventually the introduction of a vaccine or treatment available to the public. There are five phases that will be applied to various regions of the state.
So far, nothing has changed in terms of gatherings. Religious activities are considered essential up to a maximum of 10 people (unlike non-essential gatherings of a maximum of 10 people in a driveway or park).This regional and phased-in approach is very much in sync with the categories I have given to the Re-Turn Team that is working out various aspects of returning to ministry. The guidelines will be available in mid-May before anyone is able to return to worship or gatherings. Congregations may begin discussing their plans for preparation, care and implementation of the church building for the return of anyone to it.
We can do this! We have sheltered in place since mid-March and have managed to help save lives but we have a long way to go before we can all resume life, work and church in public places. We are saving lives, including our own and those we love. When in doubt, don’t go out and don’t jeopardize the lives of others by violating the Governor’s directives.
Stay at home! Stay alive! And keep others alive!
Sabbath Sunday
Bishop Dyck and the Cabinet are providing a pre-recorded worship service so clergy and worship leaders may take a sabbath. The video will be available to download by May 8.
Click here for more info.
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Online Learning: COVID-19 Impact in Chicago
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Join us via Zoom video conferencing on
Thursday, May 14 at 1 pm
for
The Impact of COVID-19 in Communities of Chicago
.
The Anti-Racism Task Force presents an online conversation with Bishop Sally Dyck and Dr. LaMenta "Sweetie" Conway, Deputy Chief of Medicine for the Illinois Department of Health. They will discuss Dr. Sweetie's experience and insights on how Christians can live out our love of neighbor during these difficult times when healthcare access is unequal and front-line workers are vulnerable.
Click for more information.
To learn more about Dr. Sweetie and her work as founder of the I Am Abel Foundation in developing socially conscious medical scholars who use the platform of medicine to create equity, close gaps and create safer, healthier communities,
click here
. (Dr. Sweetie is married to Rev. Dr. Jacques Conway, Chicago Southern District Superintendent.)
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There's still time to register for the
Thursday, May 7 online learning: Leading Beyond the COVID-19 Pandemic with Rev. Adam Hamilton.
NIC online learning trainings are recorded and shared later, along with other archived Zoom meetings at
umcnic.org/online-learning. Look for future online learning events produced by the NIC Communications Office each Thursday either at 10 am or 1 pm.
If you have a topic you would like covered, email your suggestions to Anne Marie Gerhardt at
agerhardt@umcnic.org.
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Throughout the pandemic, the NIC Communications team has been gathering Frequently Asked Questions regarding COVID-19 and the impact on the Conference, congregations and communities. Find the list
online here. Find more resources and information related to COVID-19
here.
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New Giving Campaign Supports Local Churches
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#IGiveUMC is a
new social media campaign designed to inspire United Methodists, and others, to make donations to local United Methodist churches in honor/memory of someone who’s made a difference to them. Donors will post on social media about their honoree and their gift, along with a request for others to make a donation of their own.
The initial rollout from United Methodist Communications encourages celebrating Mother’s Day by honoring mothers and mother figures. The campaign will continue with various seasonal themes such as Father’s Day and Grandparent’s Day. It also provides the opportunity to recognize any special event—including birthdays, graduations, retirements and church anniversaries—by making a donation to help celebrate the important people in our lives.
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The Discipleship Task Force has launched a new webpage on the Northern Illinois Conference website to provide an opportunity to join together in common prayer.
The webpage at
umcnic.org/prayernetwork hosts a weekly prayer calendar with a Bible verse and devotion by an NIC pastor along with other resources. We will be encouraged to pray for an NIC church, pastor, events of the week, and more. Visit the page for each week of prayers and devotions.
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United Methodists Feeding Neighbors - Foundation Matches Donations
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Through the month of May, the UM Foundation is DOUBLING donations from United Methodists in our Northern Illinois Conference to the three food banks that serve our area up to a total of $50,000!
Foundation board members are supporting this 100% with $8,000 of their own donations. If you have questions, contact UM Foundation President Chris Walters at
cwalters@umfnic.or
g
. For more information,
click for details
.
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Communicator's Corner
Virtual Confirmation
In response to the coronavirus pandemic and official restrictions regarding in-person gatherings, many NIC congregations and pastors have wholeheartedly continued their worship services, Bible studies, devotions, and/or prayer ministries in some form of online setting. While many are weighing the pros and cons of conducting an online confirmation service, some congregations have moved forward in creative “virtual” ways to honor this important rite of passage.
Click here to read more.
Prayers for Tanzania
Missionary Rev. Young Seon (Christina) Kim is asking for continued prayers for Tanzania as COVID-19 continues to spread across the country. Despite the pandemic, construction on the secondary school, the recipient of this year's Bishop's Appeal, continues.
Churches may donate to Rev. Kim's
Advance #3022281
f
or programs and ministry to help her provide food and sanitary supplies for COVID-19 relief in Tanzania. Please indicate your church and that the donation is for COVID-19 relief. Checks with the Advance # in the memo line may also be sent to: Advance GCFA at P.O. Box 9068, New York, NY 10087-9068. Fundraising is also continuing for the construction of the school, which is slated to be completed by Jan.
2021.
Click here
to learn how to donate.
New clergy and search function
In sync with the NIC database, you may now easily search clergy and church information on the NIC website. At the top of the search you will see two tabs: "clergy" and "church." Click which category you are searching for and type in key words to find your entry. The search function is under "Directory" but you may access it at
umcnic.org/directory. If you have changes, please contact Marva Andrews at
mandrews@umcnic.org.
Pandemic tests church's justice commitments
During their first virtual meeting, United Methodist Bishops discussed how COVID-19 is exacerbating already existing injustices. Bishop Sally Dyck
noted that the disease was increasing educational, racial and economic disparities worldwide.
The bishops also discussed how the church could help alleviate suffering.
Heather Hahn reports.
Bishops urge attention to GC2021 date request
The Council of Bishops is pushing General Conference organizers to consider a petition from young United Methodists that requests a change in dates for the 2021 gathering. The Commission on General Conference sets the dates.
Heather Hahn reports.
Learning about child neglect
Calls to abuse hotlines all around the country have lessened over the past couple of months, but that’s not necessarily a good thing. Instead of going to their weekly activities, m
any children are at home with those who abuse or neglect them.
Learn more information from Safe Gathering that may be helpful in your role at a church or organization.
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Around the Conference
The social distancing and government guidelines around the COVID-19 outbreak required many events to be cancelled and/or postponed, but the NIC is finding alternative ways to stay connected.
Click here
f
or the event information on the Conference calendar and stay tuned for updates.
Around the Denomination
- Stewardship Webinar - (May 21) at 6:30 pm CST. The COVID-19 crisis has forced churches to adapt to unforeseen situations. When churches reopen and people can safely leave their homes, will the church be the same as it was before March 2020? Probably not, but that may not necessarily be a bad thing. Join Ken Sloane, Director of Stewardship & Generosity from Discipleship Ministries, as he discusses what might be different in the months ahead. Click here to register.
- Peace with Justice Sunday - (June 7) Peace With Justice Sunday is one of the special Sundays of The United Methodist Church. Each year, on the first Sunday after Pentecost, United Methodists celebrate efforts across the connection that are building peace. For more information and how to donate, click here.
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United Media Resource Center
closed until further notice
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The United Media Resource Center will be closed at least until the end of the State's Executive Stay-at-Home Order.
During this time the UMRC Director Jill Stone cannot send out resources but you may reach her by email at
umrc@igrc.org.
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