eNews  · July 12, 2023
Lake South Churches Share Hymnals & Disciplines
Several churches in the Lake South District, including Grace Calvary in Chicago and churches in Mokena, New Lenox, and Frankfort, gathered over 350 UM Hymnals and Books of Discipline for the Liberia Annual Conference. These 32 boxes are headed to Liberia through Philadelphia, along with those collected in other U.S. conferences. These churches' generosity makes the connection stronger. UMNS photo
Moving Church from Preservation to Connection, a three-part video series from the Foundation for Evangelism, describes how to evaluate a church’s strengths and growth areas toward focusing on its community. It also explains how to get to know the neighbors, make meaningful connections them, and invite them into the life and ministry of God’s people.
The Find-A-Church directory of UM churches in the U.S. is one of the most visited sections of UMC.org, averaging more than 1,000 views daily. Many people look up a church online before visiting, so keeping your church's profile current is crucial. Pastors and church leaders: follow the easy instructions below to update the church profile. (Apportionment giving makes this service possible.)

Resources
The Midwest Methodist Foundation annually offers grants of $500 to $2,000 to churches and church-related organizations (that partner with NIC churches and church members) for new or expanding creative ministries. Applications are due Sept. 15. Read more.


United Women in Faith groups can apply for grants to help local organizing campaigns advance just energy for all. Funding is available for work happening at the circle, unit, district, conference, and jurisdiction level. Collaborative projects with other organizations or groups are encouraged. Awards range from $100 to $3,000. First-round applications are reviewed July 24 and the second deadline is based on available funding. Read more.


Classes about John Wesley and the UMC—some of them free—are available online from the UM Commission on Archives and History’s UM History Hub. Look into “Local Church Historians' School” (free); “Splits, Separations and Reconciliations: Rooted in Wesleyan Grace” ($35), and more. (Apportionment giving makes this available to you.) Read more.
Members of the first UM church in Madagascar stepped up to be the hands and feet of Jesus for people devastated by Cyclone Freddy earlier this year. Ricocheting across the Indian Ocean for five weeks, the violent storm wreaked havoc on the island nation, as well as Malawi, Mozambique, South Africa, and Zimbabwe, killing more than 1,400 people. UM Committee on Relief provided a grant to Madagascar, Malawi, and Mozambique to help pay for food and hygiene supplies. “I had never heard of The United Methodist Church,” said Bodo Abani Marielle (pictured, red hat), head of the village of Andranomavo II and deputy mayor. “I am grateful to this church for providing us with rice, sugar, salt, corn flour and foodstuffs that will enable my family to have meals for about two months.” Your generous giving makes this denomination-wide ministry possible. Read more. 

  • Mission u, July 14-16, Carmelite Spiritual Center, Darien, Ill. Theme: "LIVING THE KIN-DOM: Exploring the Lord's Prayer as a Spiritual Practice for Social Transformation."
  • North Central Jurisdiction Mission Academy, Aug. 1-13, Epworth Forest Camp and Conference Center, North Webster, Ind.



The United Media Resource Center has books, videos, and more for your church's faith formation ministry. Here are some examples of books you can borrow:

  • Belonging Project: Finding Your Tribe and Learning to Thrive, a four-week Bible study by Amberly Neese
  • The Power of God's Names, by Tony Evans
  • Growing Through Disaster: Tools for Financial and Trauma Recovery In Your Faith Community, by Clayton Smith and Matt Schoenfeld
  • Note to Self: Creating Your Guide to a More Spiritual Life, by Charles LaFond
  • One Body: Integrating Teenagers Into the Life of Your Church, by Sam Halverson

Find a list here.

Find the online catalog here. To contact the center, send a message to [email protected]. 
Quick Links 
 Sympathy  
Connect With Us
Please note: Unsubscribing from this eNews list will remove you from all notices from the Northern Illinois Conference, including messages from the bishop, appointment announcements, and sympathy notices.