The Need is Vast after Kentucky Flooding
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The Kentucky Conference is mobilizing in response to devastating flooding from torrential rains that deluged the area overnight July 27-28 submerging hundreds of houses and businesses and claiming more than 35 lives in Eastern Kentucky.
As flood response efforts continue across areas of eastern Kentucky, UMCOR issued a solidarity grant of $10,000 to the Kentucky Conference, which has handed out hundreds of flood buckets. Read more.
Last year, UMCOR responded to the needs of 234,229 survivors of disasters, collaborating with local partners to identify the most vulnerable families and communities. Click to see some of the ways your ongoing support is making an impact.
Click to read how to help with the recent St. Louis area flooding.
To give to UMCOR's disaster relief fund, click here.
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A lengthy ruling released last Friday in the Boy Scouts of America's (BSA) bankruptcy proceedings indicates that most of the reorganization plan meets the criteria of bankruptcy law and is constitutional.
The ruling approves the United Methodist portion of the settlement, but the BSA must address several more matters for the plan to be confirmed.
"The United Methodist settlement sought to put the survivors first and the continuation of safe Scouting for present Scouts as high priorities," said Bishop John Schol, who chairs the United Methodist leadership team created to support United Methodist chartering associations in the matter.
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Safe Sanctuaries Training |
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Two Remaining dates:
- Saturday, August 6 - 10:00 am - Rockford: Christ UMC
- 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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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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2nd Annual DIY Rally Against Racism |
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Summer is flying by, but there's still time for churches to hold a Do It Yourself (DIY) Rally Against Racism.
Last summer, the NIC Annual Conference Shepherding Team (ACST) and the Anti-racism Task Force (ARTF) joined together to spearhead the idea of DIY Rallies as a way for churches to visibly show their commitment “to live out the conviction that racism is incompatible with Christian teaching.”
Click here to watch a video from last summer's rallies.
Thank you to Bolingbrook: Friendship, Elmhurst: First, Schaumburg: Our Saviour’s and Cary UMC for signing up to participate this year! Learn more about holding your own rally and sign up today.
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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.
Kids Above All Back-to-School Drive
Running through August 26, you can help ensure that the hundreds of kids in the care of Kids Above All have the supplies they need to succeed this school year through the agency's annual backpack drive. Recommended donation drop-off is between July 27 and August 12. If you have a small group interested in volunteering, Kids Above All needs many helping hands to assemble the backpacks. To find a link to the Amazon wish list and more information, visit kidsaboveall.org/bts-drive. To volunteer, please contact Catherine Inserra, Manager of Faith & Community Relations, at [email protected] or 847-224-2870.
Guide Offers Discounts, Resources for Ministry
The General Council on Finance and Administration has released its updated Ministry Resource Guide. The free guide features special offers, discounts and programs from vetted ministry partners and is designed to help local churches and other United Methodist ministries.
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 Wed., 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.
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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. Click for details and registration.
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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. Click here for details and to register.
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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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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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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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