If you haven't signed up for the Spring Symposium for Youth Leaders on Saturday, April 30, 9 –11:30 am, you still have time!

The Northern Illinois Conference Discipleship Task Force invites all those in ministry to and with Youth and Young Adults, or longing to start or restart such ministries in their setting, to participate in our third Symposium, Next Steps: Dream into Action on Zoom. Our Speaker, Chris Wilterdink, the Director of Young People’s Ministries from Discipleship Ministries (formerly the General Board of Discipleship) of The United Methodist Church, will offer a presentation on “Mission, Vision, and Strategy” for Youth Ministry that includes information on anti-racist discipleship. 

Save money and register today for the 2022 Northern Illinois Annual Conference through April 29.

The cost of registration increases from $80 to $95 starting April 30. Registration closes May 29. Please note there will be no on-site registration. *Make sure you have a file copy (jpg, jpeg, png, bmp, gif) of your proof of vaccination card handy to upload during registration, which is required.

Annual Conference will meet in person June 8 - 10 at the Renaissance Schaumburg Convention Center. The AC Committee is diligently working to make this a safe gathering for everyone while continuing to monitor COVID-19 infection rates for the area. For current requirements for AC members to attend, please read the health and safety statement.

Clergy Session will be held May 24 in person at New Lenox UMC starting at 9 am. Click for details. You may register through AC registration. If excused from AC but attending the Clergy Session only, contact Marva Andrews at [email protected] for registration. Laity Session will be held June 8 from 11 am - 12 pm at the Schaumburg Convention Center.

Download a Fact Sheet with more details and information. For more dates and information, visit umcnic.org/AC2022.

Click to learn more about this year's speakers and leaders.

The worship services and plenary sessions will be livestreamed on the NIC YouTube Channel for guests and observers. Clergy and lay members of AC must be present in person to vote.

The 2022 Northern Illinois Annual Conference Bishop's Appeal special offering will go toward Ukraine assistance. While immediate needs are great, we know the people of Ukraine will need long-term assistance. For more details on fundraiser ideas and bringing your collective offering to Annual Conference, visit umcnic.org/Bishopsappeal2022.

Thanks to Rev. Keck Mowry, First UMC of Palatine, for organizing special T-Shirt sales to help fundraising efforts for the Bishop's Appeal and support our brothers and sisters in Ukraine. Click here to order and get more information about placing bulk orders for your church to sell.

AC Mission Challenge

The NIC Board of Global Ministries is coordinating with the Midwest Mission Distribution Center (MMDC) to organize its annual conference collection drive for the most needed items at this time. Your church is encouraged to begin collecting donations to fill the truck. MMDC volunteers and the truck will be parked at the Schaumburg Convention Center on June 8 and 9 to take in your donations. Click here for items needed. Download flyer.

Communicator's Corner

As part of its mission to modernize approaches to men’s ministry, the Commission on United Methodist Men has introduced UNITED Men’s Ministry, a resource that focuses more on process than a specific program. The innovative online resource provides a package that includes leader coaching, online learning, support, topical studies and connection. Every church leader who feels their men’s ministry effort could use a restart, an upgrade, or a boost is encouraged to visit UnitedMensMinistry.com to get in on the launch, happening May 1, 2022. Simply register on the website for the launch event and join the movement. Read more.

Kids Above All's annual Diaper Drive is back! Donate diapers of all sizes and wipes to help their parents, caregivers, babies, and toddlers have the essentials they need for a happy and healthy start to their lives together. Click here for an Amazon Wish List. To schedule a drop-off time for your donation, contact Manager of Faith & Community Relations, Deaconess Catherine Inserra, at 847- 224-2870, or at [email protected]. Donation Drop off address: 8765 W. Higgins Rd., Suite 450, Chicago, IL 60631. Time:

For many students, continuing education beyond high school is a challenging decision due to financial circumstances. The United Methodist Foundation wants to empower students to continue their education by providing financial assistance. This scholarship is designed to assist minority United Methodist students to attend a trade school, community college, college, or university. Applications are due April 30. Vist umfnic.org/uplift for more information and to apply.

United Methodist Communication (UMCom) has announced a week-long ecumenical training opportunity launching this spring for anyone in ministry seeking to enhance their communications skills. Communication Learning Week: Taking the Next Step will be held May 9-13, 2022, and is designed with busy schedules in mind. All of the learning week content will be recorded and stored in a learning portal that participants will have access to for six months following the event. Registration opens April 12. Learn more.

Global Ministries Features Northern Illinois Conference Elder

Rev. Jin Kim, who serves as the Coordinator of Pilgrimage of Justice and Peace with the World Council of Churches in Switzerland, will be featured on the Global Ministries Missionary meeting on June 2 at 1 pm CST. Register here. You will have the opportunity to meet in a small group to hear a presentation from each missionary during the call. Registration is limited.

Click here for a new list of various resources to be mailed to your church or home address.

Go to igrc.org/umrc to access the online catalog.

Questions, comments? Contact UMRC Director Jill Stone at [email protected].

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