As parts of the U.S. continue to experience flooding including southeastern Kentucky, UMCOR is ready to respond to natural and civil disasters by providing training, financial assistance, expertise and community collaboration to churches and partners.
Torrential rains brought several flood warnings to parts of the northern Illinois area this past Sunday into Monday. Forecasters say some of the hardest hit areas included Stephenson County centered in/around Freeport. Heavy rain pushed creeks and streams out of their banks, flooding farm fields, roads, and towns, meteorologists reported. Prairie North District Superintendent Rev. Fabiola Grandon Mayer reported that thankfully there was no major damage but a few parsonages and church basements flooded.
You may give to support impacted communities in need and remember that 100% of your donation goes to the designated project. To give to UMCOR's disaster relief fund, click here.
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Safe Sanctuaries Training - One More Date |
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One Remaining date:
- Saturday, August 20 - 1:00 pm - Des Plaines: First UMC
**This free training is an alternate for those who cannot participate in other training options and does not include a background check. For videos, policies, FAQs, downloads, and more resources, visit umcnic.org/safesanctuaries.
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Welcome New Campus Minister to
Inclusive Collective
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After an extensive search process, the Inclusive Collective campus ministry based at the University of Illinois Chicago is pleased to announce Rev. Larry J. Morris III as their new Executive Director/Lead Pastor. He takes on this role vacated by former Campus Minister Rich Havard, who accepted a position as Program Manager at the Wayfarer Foundation earlier this year.
Larry is from Indianapolis, Ind., but has spent the last ten years on the west coast in California and Nevada. He is the co-founder of Communion Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in Henderson, Nev., and owner of Larry J. Morris III, LLC, which helps people and organizations “realize their extraordinary purpose™.”
Larry comes to the Inclusive Collective with a variety of unique experiences, such as community organizing, diversity, equity and inclusion consulting, and program development and management. Read more.
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"The Northern Illinois Conference gives thanks to the leadership of Rev. Richard Havard, who was a blessing leading the campus ministry at the University of Illinois Chicago for six and a half years, creating a dynamic ministry with college students across the Chicagoland area," said Dir. of Connectional Ministries Rev. Arlene Christopherson.
"We are excited to welcome Rev. Larry J. Morris III as Executive Director and Lead Pastor. We look forward to our continued relationship with this vital campus ministry in partnership with the Presbyterian Church."
A special dinner and worship introducing Larry will be held on Friday, August 29, 2022, at 6:15 pm. More details to come.
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NIC Job Opening - Events Coodinator |
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Do you know someone who would enjoy joining the NIC Program Area Team as an Events Coordinator/Administrative Assistant?
We are currently taking applications for this position that is responsible for all events and registration offered at the conference and district level.
This job is a hybrid, full-time position with flexible hours. Some weekend and evening work is required for event support. The position includes both Health Insurance upon hire (with wellness incentives) and Pension Benefits after a vesting period.
Click here for the job description and info on how to apply.
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NCJ Episcopacy Committee Recommends 9 Bishops
The North Central Jurisdictional (NCJ) Committee on the Episcopacy, after consultation with the NCJ College of Bishops, proposes the following: 1) The North Central Jurisdiction will reverse the decision of NCJ 2021 recommending to reduce the number of bishops to eight, thereby returning the total number to nine active bishops, beginning January 1, 2023, until the next General Conference declares otherwise. 2) Additionally, the NCJ will be asked to reaffirm the Dakotas and Minnesota returning to a single episcopal area, being served by one (1) bishop. The NCJ will convene in Fort Wayne, Ind., Nov. 2-5, 2022. Click here to read the press release.
Church and Society Accepting Grant Applications
Applications are being accepted for three grant programs operated by United Methodist Church and Society. The deadline is Sept. 16 to apply for Ethnic Local Church, Human Relations Day and Peace with Justice grants, which range from $2,000 to $5,000. Applicants must be a United Methodist church, district, conference or other affiliated organization, or an ecumenical group or organization with a formal partnership with The United Methodist Church.
UM Foundation Creative Ministry Grants
The Foundation’s grants program annually offers funding of $500 – $2,000 to local churches and church-related organizations as they develop new or expanded creative ministries. A “church-related organization” is any organization within our conference area that partners with a local United Methodist church and/or members of the United Methodist Church in our conference. The Foundation has granted more than $1,000,000 to 200+ ministries since 1999. Grant applications are due Sept. 15. Click here for more information.
UM Foundation is Hiring a Client Relations Associate
The United Methodist Foundation of the Northern Illinois Conference is seeking to add to its small staff that provides a range of services for more than 120 local churches, a dozen organizations, and 200+ individuals through investment management, endowment genesis & growth, trustee & custodial services, planned giving programs, donor consultation, stewardship development, financial best practices, and ministry grants & scholarships. Since 1949 the Foundation’s mission is to “encourage lifelong generosity with God’s abundance.” The Foundation thrives on client trust and providing high-quality solutions at a reasonable cost. The Foundation’s work environment is a hybrid home/office with most work executed through cloud-based solutions.
Registration Open for Facing the Future 2022
After a brief hiatus during the pandemic, the General Commission on Religion and Race (GCORR) is bringing back the agency's Facing the Future training for pastors serving cross-racial, cross-cultural, and multicultural contexts. "Be Still as a Spiritual Practice" online event will be held Nov. 16 from 1 - 7 pm EST. Early registration ends Aug. 31. Cost. $45. Click here for details.
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Around the Conference
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Mission U - Aug. 19 & 20. United Women in Faith Northern Illinois Conference (formerly UMW) is offering classes for all ages for their Summer Mission u hybrid session, "Who Can We be Together?: Building Communities of Hope and Joy." Choose from one of four in-person locations or a virtual option. Click here to register. Deadline to register is noon on Aug. 17. Click here for the schedule.
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Renewable Energy Summit - Sat., Sept. 10 from 9 am - 2 pm. Hosted by NIC Eco-Sustainability Task Force and Co-Sponsored by Wespath and Global Ministries at Euclid Avenue UMC, 405 S. Euclid Ave., Oak Park. Learn about sustainable renewable energy practices for local churches, ways to reduce your carbon footprint, and hear a report on the United Methodist Interagency Just and Equitable Net-Zero Commitment. Click here to register.
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Clergy Peer & Reflection Engagement Series (CPRES) Retreat - Sept. 11 - 13. Location: Loyola University Retreat and Ecology Campus, 2710 S. Country Club Road, Woodstock, IL. Cost: $250 per person (includes registration fee, single occupancy, private room and bath, and all meals). Open to United Methodist clergy in the Northern IL Conference. Space is limited. For details and registration, click here.
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United Voices for Children Awards Program - Tues., Sept. 13 at 11 am. Join UVC for their online program to raise awareness and present child advocacy awards, "Raising Our Voices Through Resources; A Bridge for the Gap." Watch a video promo.
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Fresh Expressions Teaching Offerings - Sept. 18 - 21. Explore the wave of new Christian churches emerging to reach unchurched and de-churched people living in a culture that is increasingly non-religious and multi-religious. Sponsored by the NIC Office of Congregational Development and Redevelopment. Special Guest Speaker: Rev. Dr. Michael Beck, Director of Re-missioning with Fresh Expressions. Come for a Sunday worship experience and one of six teachings across the conference. For details and to register, click here.
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Speaker Series: Race, America, and the Church - Sept. 22 from 12 - 1:30 pm. This third program in the Speaker Series is Undenied: No Longer Willing to be Unheard with special guest speaker, Rev. Chebon Kernell who will share his insights and learning related to indigenous communities’ history, present work being done, and how we can be in solidarity as we prepare for the future. In-person at Our Redeemer's in Schaumburg and online. Register and learn more.
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NIC Fall Youth Retreat - Sept. 23 - 25 at Lake Geneva Youth Camp. The retreat theme is “Jesus, Others, and You,” (J.O.Y.) based on Philippians 2:2, “complete my joy by thinking the same way, having the same love, being united, and agreeing with each other.” Please click on the QR Code on the flyer or click here for additional information, the application and payment details. The cost is $135 per person and includes 2-night accommodations, 5 meals, programming, and a t-shirt.
Around the Connection
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Junius B. Dotson Institute Inaugural Event - Aug. 18 & 19 in Atlanta, GA. SBC21 encourages all pastors, laity and leaders to attend this one-of-a-kind global institute that provides training in the sacred music of African church traditions and beyond. With seminar options for both beginner and advanced worship/music leaders, there is something for everyone. Registration is still open. Click here for details.
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Creative Models for Community Ministry - Sept. 6 through Oct. 18. This seven-session webinar series from Discipleship Ministries will guide you through seven models to offer a glimpse of what will work best in your context and the resources to help get you started so your congregation’s goals for community engagement can be met. Each session will provide an opportunity for questions, feedback, and sharing ideas with participants and panelists. The cost for the series is $50. For more information, click here.
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BeADisciple.com Course: Helping Young People Hear God at Church - Sept. 26 - Oct. 14. Developing a church that encourages actively seeking and following God’s call takes intentional planning. This course teaches you how to create a church environment that actively talks about and encourages a sense of calling in young people. Cost: $45. Click for more information.
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United Media Resource Summer Update |
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All items are unpacked and there's some organizing to do, but the UMRC is settling into its new location at Kumler Outreach Ministries in Springfield, Ill.
Things to know:
Kumler Outreach Ministries
Attn: United Media Resource Center
303 E North Grand Ave
Springfield IL 62702-3822
- Resources will be sent out as soon as possible; hopefully this week!
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*Please note an unsubscribe from this eNews will remove you from all notices from the Conference, including messages from the Bishop, appointments and sympathy announcements. |
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