March 30, 2022
Annual Conference Registration Opens April 4
The 2022 Northern Illinois Annual Conference will meet in person June 8 - 10 at the Renaissance Schaumburg Convention Center. The Annual Conference Committee has been diligently working to make this a safe gathering for everyone while monitoring COVID-19 infection rates for the area. For current requirements for AC members to attend, please read the health and safety statement.

Important Dates:
April 4 - Online registration opens
April 6 - Legislation and Historical documents due (email to ACdocuments@umcnic.org - instructions at umcnic.org/AC2022)
May 24 - Clergy Session in person at New Lenox UMC starting at 9 am. Click for details.
June 1 & 2 - Pre-Conference Briefings
June 8 - Laity Session 11 am - 12 noon (register with AC registration)
June 8 - Annual Conference session opens with Memorial Service at 1:30 pm
June 8 - Legislative Sections at 7 pm
June 8 & 9 - On-site Blueprint for Wellness screenings 7 - 10 am
June 9 - Retirement Service at 8:45 am
June 10 - Ordination Service at 1:30 pm

Download a Fact Sheet with more details and information.
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.
2022 Bishop's Appeal for Ukraine Assistance
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 assistance in the long term. For more details on fundraiser ideas and bringing your collective offering to Annual Conference, visit umcnic.org/Bishopsappeal2022.

T-Shirt Sales
Thanks to Rev. Keck Mowry, First UMC Palatine, for organizing special T-shirt sales to help fundraising efforts for the Bishop's Appeal. Click here to order or get more information about bulk orders for your church.
Communicator's Corner

Rev. Kyeong-ah Woo, an elder in the Northern Illinois Conference, will be featured in the General Board of Global Ministries #StillInMission Episode 41 on April 7 at 1 pm CST. Kyeong-ah Woo is serving as the Consultant to the WCC Assembly Programs & Workshop Coordinator with the World Council of Churches in Switzerland. Register here. 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 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.

Uplifting Young Methodists Scholarship
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.

Early-bird Discount Extended for Five-Day Academy Retreat
Registration is open for the Five Day Academy for Spiritual Formation, "Come to the Waters," at the Siena Retreat Center in Racine, WI on Lake Michigan from Oct. 2 - 7, 2022, sponsored by the NIC Spiritual Formation Committee. The cost is $625 per person if you register before April 15. This includes tuition, private room and bath, and all meals. Registration cost after that date is $700 per person. Click here for details and registration. Download the brochure.

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.

In the News: Logan Square Church Gets Boost to Convert to Affordable Housing
A nonprofit developer is getting $2 million in federal funds to convert a Logan Square church into affordable apartments. The housing advocate organization, LUCHA, was one of 10 developers and community organizations awarded funding from Congress with support from Rep. Jesús “Chuy” García, according to a news release. The funds will be used to convert the nearly 100-year-old Humboldt Park Methodist Church at 2122 N. Mozart St. into 22 affordable apartments, a project aimed at combating gentrification-fueled displacement in Logan Square. Read more.
Mark your calendar

Around the Conference
  • Certified Lay Minister Informational Sessions - Three options all online via Zoom: Thursday, March 31 at 7:00 pm, Saturday, April 2 at 9:30 am, Tuesday, April 5 at 1:00 pm. The NIC Committee on Lay Servant Ministries invites you to attend an informational session to learn: What is a Certified Lay Minister (CLM)? What do they do? What is the process to become a Certified Lay Minister? How do I know if I’m being called? How do I begin? To register and learn more, click here.

  • Preview of "How to Reach New People” - (April 2) from 10 - 11:30 am (via Zoom) The NIC Office of Congregational Development and Redevelopment will be sponsoring a cohort of churches that would like to reach new people and make a difference by undergoing coach training with Paul Nickerson. This is an opportunity to preview this process to see if it would be helpful for your church. Click here for details.

  • Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month Celebration - (May 22) 4 - 6 pm at First Korean United Methodist Church, 655 E. Hintz Rd., Wheeling. The program featuring Bishop John L. Hopkins will be followed by dinner. This event is in partnership with the Northern Illinois Conference Fellowship of Asian Americans and the ACST Anti-RacismTask Force. No cost to attend but please register here.


Around the Connection


  • United Women in Faith Assembly - (May 20 - 22) in Orlando, FL. As you may know, change is coming to United Methodist Women and they are excited that Assembly is the first place where you can experience that change in person or virtually! This is a moment in United Methodist Women's history when you will look back and say “I was there! I can tell the story because I was present.” This is a "don’t miss" Assembly with a chance to learn more about all the new opportunities created for current members and new women. The final date for registration is April 11. The fee is $365 for in person, $235 for virtual. Registration at assembly2022.org.
United Media Resource Center
Click here for a list of books on gun violence that can 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 umrc@igrc.org.
 
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