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Hope Expects Newness for Whatever Comes Next
Hope is not just a perspective but an action. Rev. Danita Anderson, assistant to Bishop Schwerin, reminds us that we live with, worship, and serve a God who always presents us with new opportunities and new challenges.
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"When we practice hope, we see the possibilities of newness, no longer stuck in a place that feels depressing and desolate," she says in her column "Hope for What Comes Next."
"Practicing hope means that we begin to look with new eyes at our everyday encounters and see new possibilities." Read more
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Nominate Someone for #BeUMC Award
A church, layperson, and clergyperson who best personifies the UMC mission and vision are eligible for nomination for the new #BeUMC Awards. The recognition, initiated by UM Communications, debuts this year. We'll celebrate the winners at Annual Conference this year. Learn about the award; nominations open Feb. 3. Read more
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'Practicing Hope' Devotionals Coming
You'll receive this year's devotional, "A Year of Practicing Hope," prepared by the NIC Committee on Discipleship and Spiritual Formation, at an upcoming gathering for lay or clergy. Clergy and laypeople from the Northern Illinois and Wisconsin conferences contributed entries. It's also downloadable and useful for group studies. Read more
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Laity: Attend Convocation, March 21
Save the date for Laity Convocation, "Moving Forward with Hope," March 21, 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at First UMC of Glen Ellyn. There will also be "watch parties" at a few locations. Convocation is a great place to grow in faith and get to know more United Methodists. More details coming soon
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Bishops Condemn ICE Agents' Violence
Responding to the recent deaths of two Minnesotans at the hands of ICE agents, the UM Council of Bishops state, "The violence being perpetrated on our streets, the loss of safety, and the inhumane treatment of God’s children are hurting us all. We cannot stay silent in the face of the evils of our day." They urge UMs to recall their baptismal vows and Micah 6:8. Read more
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Become a United Methodist Earthkeeper
If you have a passion for creation care, consider becoming a United Methodist Earthkeeper. This entails a training on sustainable practices, advocacy, and the intersection of racism and environmental degradation. Participants work on a project to earn certification. Apply by March 25 for the May 1-16 session. Read more
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Explore How UMs 'Love Boldly'
In last weekend's Council of Bishops webinar, church scholars and leaders considered how Wesleyan theology shapes who UMs are around the globe. They focused on the theology of the UMC’s vision to “love boldly.” Now available as a recording, this is the first of three webinars leading up to the bishops' Leadership Gathering this fall. Read more
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UM Bible Translator Remembered
The Rev. Mbayo Mwepu Maxime, an iconic figure in the North Katanga Conference and one of the few scholars to have translated the Bible into his region's native language, passed away on Jan. 3 at age 70. His translation of the Bible into Kiluba (Dibuku Dijila) took more than five years. He is remembered as a "passionate evangelist." Read more
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In Case You Missed It
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Interested in an interfaith bus tour for youth? Contact Sharon Rice by Feb. 8.
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IGNITE, North Central Jurisdiction's ministry discernment event, takes place March 13-15 at Wespath in Glenview. It's for people of all ages who are sensing a call to lay or ordained ministry. Register by Feb. 15.
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Free Tools Every UM Leader Should Have
Running the day-to-day administration of a local church or ministry often stretches both time and budget. UMC's General Council on Finance and Administration has gathered several high-quality free ministry (or nonprofit-discounted) tools available to help ministry leaders with design, accounting, presentations, communication, and overall administration. Find their roundup of some of the most useful tools that can help your ministry run more smoothly. Read more
Seven Strategies for Dealing with Doubt
According to Ann Lamott (who credits Paul Tillich), "The opposite of faith is not doubt but certainty. Certainty is missing the point entirely." Many people of faith harbor serious doubts. They may question God’s goodness, compassion, involvement in the world, and sometimes, even God’s existence. While some experiencing doubt (or hearing about others' doubts) might experience anxiety, an honest engagement with doubt can lead to deepened faith. UMC.org offers seven practices that can incorporate doubt into deepened faith. Read more
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UM Clinic Cares for Migrants on a Difficult Journey
Housed at the government-run Irregular Migrant Assistance Center, or CAMI (Centro de Atención al Migrante Irregulares), in Danlí, Honduras, a UMC-supported clinic provides free health care to migrants who are exhausted after crossing Nicaragua or eastern Honduras.
The clinic was established by the UM Mission in Honduras, led by Global Ministries and Bishop Rubén Saenz, the mission’s episcopal leader.
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A Haitian mother of three said the migrant center and an UMCOR health clinic have given her family “peace and hope” on their journey to find a better life. She and her children are fleeing violence in Haiti, where gangs control large areas. She wants to reunite with family members in the U.S.
“I feel very grateful to everyone here at the clinic and the center,” she said. “When you flee violence and poverty, you don’t know whom to turn to for help. Here we were treated with respect and care, and that gives us hope to continue our journey. My children were able to rest and recover.”
A display (pictured) of information for migrants is sponsored by United Nations international immigration programs and the U.S. embassy.
Photo by the Rev. Gustavo Vasquez, UM News.
Read more
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Around the Conference
Prairie Central District Training: "Culture Shift: Cultivating Healthy Congregations," Jan. 31, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., NEW LOCATION: First UMC of Lombard & Villa Park, 155 S. Main, Lombard.
Pastoral Transitions 101 Webinar, Feb. 3, 7 to 8 p.m., online. For SPRCs and interested church members. Learn the basics of itineracy and the appointment system, how to welcome and support a new pastor, and what to expect when a pastor retires.
Lake North District Training, "Lead Your Church in Changing Times, Feb. 7, 8:30 a.m. to 12:45 p.m.; UMC of Libertyville.
Tuesday Teaching: Refreshing Your Church’s Website, Feb. 10,
11 a.m. Learn tools for streamlining and simplifying your church website.
Immigration 101: Welcoming the Stranger, Feb. 15, 12:30 to 3 p.m., at Our Saviour's UMC, Schaumburg. The NIC Advocacy Partners' Immigration Committee is hosting this event, which will clarify the facts surrounding immigration and provide a theological grounding of our call to action.
Clergy Days Apart with the Bishop, Feb. 16 (Hinsdale UMC) and 17 (Sycamore UMC), 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Register now for your preferred date.
Prairie South District Training, March 7, Oregon UMC; 9 a.m. to noon.
Prairie North District Training, March 7, Christ UMC, Rockford; 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Order of Elders Gathering, March 17. 9 a.m. to noon, Barrington UMC. An opportunity to pause, reconnect, and share the table with other elders, this gathering is intentionally relational and collegial.
"Moving Forward with Hope" Laity Convocation, March 21, 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., at First UMC of Glen Ellyn.
United Voices for Children Fifth Sunday Appeal, March 30.
Around the Connection
Team Leader Training for Volunteers in Mission: Feb. 3, 10, 17, and 24, 6 to 7:30 p.m. online. Prepares leaders with mission theology, how to find a project, budgeting, recruiting, safety, cultural awareness, and more.
Scout Sunday, a week of your church's choice in February or March
Methodist Liaison Office in Jerusalem update and virtual prayer meetings, second and fourth Wednesdays of each month at noon. Next meetings: Feb. 11 and 25. Send an email to the MLO office to request log-in information.
Ash Wednesday/First Day of Lent, Feb. 18
Bishops' Vision Statement Seminar, "Wesleyan Mission: Serve Joyfully," Feb. 21, 9 to 10:30 a.m., online
A Public Witness for Immigration Justice, Feb. 25, Washington, D.C. Several UMC agencies are sponsors. Join ecumenical and interfaith leaders and communities for a public witness grounded in worship, moral courage, and solidarity with our neighbors.
Bishops' Vision Statement Seminar, "Wesleyan Leadership: Lead Courageously," March 21, 9 to 10:30 a.m., online
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Reminder: The NIC cabinet and bishop observe a weekly sabbath from Thursday evening to Friday noon. During that time, they will refrain from using electronic devices. Barring an emergency, they will not respond to phone calls, emails, or texts.
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Children and Youth Resources
“Story of Lent: Speed Sketch Bible Stories,” DVD, six stories, all ages, 2 to 6 min. each
“Jesus Storybook Bible: Volume 4,” DVD, four Lent/Easter stories, preschool through early elementary, 4 to 7 min. each
Destination Easter! Lenten Programs & Practices for Youth, by Kathy Hershman and Kaylea Hutson
Easter-rific! by Tina Houser
Make Room: A Child's Guide to Lent and Easter, by Laura Alary
Messy Easter, by Jane Leadbetter
Sharing the Easter Faith with Children, by Carolyn Brown
The United Media Resource Center has books, DVDs, and more to lend to your church's Christian education, faith formation, and book club ministries for children, youth, and adults. Borrow a resource of your own interest as well. Check their online catalog.
List of resources
Online catalog (now with shopping-cart feature)
Contact the center
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