Churches Condemn Hate, Urge Action After Shootings |
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After what officials quickly identified as a racist attack at a Buffalo, New York supermarket, United Methodists are responding with prayers, counseling and condemnations of hate.
Many church members in Buffalo are also grieving the loss of friends and loved ones who were among the 10 people killed in that mass shooting on May 14. United Methodists also are responding after a gunman opened fire at a Presbyterian church in Laguna Woods, California. Click to read the article. Read more from GCORR.
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2nd Annual Rally Against Racism
Last summer, the NIC Annual Conference Shepherding Team (ACST) and the Anti-racism Task Force (ARTF) joined together to spearhead a way for churches to visibly show their commitment “to live out the conviction that racism is incompatible with Christian teaching.”
Several churches participated by holding rallies in a variety of different ways. Churches were encouraged to be creative and hold Do-it-Yourself or DIY rallies. Click here to watch a video from last summer's rallies.
Join with churches across the Northern Illinois Conference this summer (May through September) to Rally Against Racism. Learn more and sign up today.
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Annual Conference Registration Ends May 29 |
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Registration remains open through May 29. Cost is $95 (early-bird registration ended April 29.) Please note there will be no on-site registration. *Make sure you have a file copy (.jpg, jpeg, png) of your proof of vaccination card handy to upload during registration, which is required.
After two years of virtual sessions, Annual Conference will meet in person June 8 - 10 at the Renaissance Schaumburg Convention Center. The AC Committee is diligently working to make this a safe gathering for everyone while continuing to monitor COVID-19 infection rates for the area. For current requirements for AC members to attend, please read the health and safety statement.
More info:
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Legislation and Historical documents are posted online at umcnic.org/AC2022docs.
- For an abbreviated agenda, click here.
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Click to learn more about this year's speakers and leaders.
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Download a Fact Sheet with more details and information. For more dates and information, visit umcnic.org/AC2022.
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Hotel Reservation deadline extended until May 19. Click here to reserve your room at Annual Conference.
- The worship services and plenary sessions will be livestreamed on the NIC YouTube Channel for guests and observers. Clergy and lay members of AC must be present in person to vote.
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Volunteer opportunities. Ushers, plenary pages, greeters, secretarial pool members, set up/clean up crew, and more are needed to help Annual Conference run smoothly and efficiently. If interested, please contact Laura Lopez, Events Administrator, at [email protected].
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2022 Bishop's Appeal for Ukraine Assistance |
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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 long-term assistance. For more details on fundraiser ideas and bringing your collective offering to Annual Conference, visit umcnic.org/Bishopsappeal2022.
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T-Shirt Sales
There's still time to buy a shirt or place a bulk order to help raise money for this year's Bishop's Appeal and support our brothers and sisters in Ukraine.
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AC Mission Challenge
The NIC Board of Global Ministries is coordinating with the Midwest Mission Distribution Center (MMDC) to organize its fill-the-truck collection drive for the most needed items at this time. The truck will be parked at the Schaumburg Convention Center on June 8 and 9 to take in your donations. Click here for items needed. Download flyer.
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Summer Camp Registration Open - Lifeguards needed |
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Good News…staff are back on-site at Wesley Woods and Camp Reynoldswood after seasonal layoffs due to the pandemic and several summer camps are scheduled for 2022!
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J.O.Y Camp at Camp Reynoldswood 6/19 - 6/24
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Family Camp - Multi-generational at Wesley Woods Retreat Center 7/03 - 7/08
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Woodland Camp at Camp Reynoldswood 7/24 - 7/29
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All are invited to attend this event to celebrate Asian American Pacific Islander month on Sunday, May 22 from 4 - 6 pm at First Korean United Methodist Church, 655 E. Hintz Rd., Wheeling, IL.
The worship service featuring Bishop John L. Hopkins will be followed by dinner. This program is in partnership with the Northern Illinois Conference Fellowship of Asian Americans and the ACST Anti-Racism Task Force.
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Communicator's Corner
NIC Missionary Rev. Jin Yang Kim, who is serving the World Council of Churches (WCC) in Geneva, Switzerland, will be one of several missionaries featured on the Global Ministries' monthly Zoom meeting, #StillinMission, on June 2 at 11 am 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.
Racial Justice Prayer & Action Challenge
The General Commission on Religion and Race (GCORR) recently launched the Racial Justice Prayer & Action Challenge, which starts on Juneteenth. Check out the resource webpage which now features weekly prayers and litanies, and will soon include French, Korean, Spanish, and Tagalog translations. Click here for more details.
Public Student Loan Forgiveness Program Possible Eligibility
Federal student loan forgiveness may be an option for you—and Wespath has compiled resources to help you learn if you qualify, how to complete the application and more. Click here for more information and Wespathy's recent webinar recording featuring Scott Filter, an expert on the federal student loan forgiveness program.
YOUTH 2023 Registration Open
Every four years, youth from throughout The United Methodist Church have gathered for four days of discipleship, fun, and fellowship at the YOUTH event. The event is filled with interactive learning, worship, Bible study, service opportunities, and fellowship time. Adult leaders who bring youth to our event can expect inspiration, support, and chances to authentically experience what it means to be part of the Methodist and Wesleyan family. Start planning today and register for this great event in Daytona Beach, Florida from July 25-28, 2023. Click here for more information.
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Mark your calendar
Around the Conference
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Taizé Service - (May 29) at 5 pm Poplar Grove United Methodist Church, 105 E. Grove St., Poplar Grove. Rev. Dr. Tércio Junker and the musicians at Poplar Grove UMC will host this special service of song, prayer and reflection. Download a flyer.
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NIC Early Response Team (ERT) Virtual Recertification Training: Dates: Thurs., June 16 and Fri., June 17 from 7 - 9 pm CDT. Cost: Free. A new member ERT training class is still in the planning stages for Sat., June 25. If you are interested in either class, please contact Colin Monk at [email protected].
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Safe Sanctuaries Training - The Northern Illinois Conference is offering six training options this summer to help meet our goal of ensuring safe spaces in our churches. The training is being offered both online via zoom and in person. For dates, more information, and to register, click here. **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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Speaker Series: Race, America, and the Church - (June 23) 12 - 1:30 pm via Zoom. The Northern Illinois Conference, in partnership with the Indiana Conference and other groups, is pleased to host the second webinar of the 2022 Speaker Series with the topic "Unafraid: Stand up for Social Justice." Speakers: Rev. Derrek Belase, Rev. David Lagos-Fonseca, Rev. Dana Neuhasuer, Rev. Brian Tillman, & Rev. Kathy L. Williams. Moderator: Rev. Pamela Pirtle. Representatives from different conferences will discuss what the local church and their conferences are doing to address racism. Register and learn more, here.
Around the Connection
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Heritage Sunday - (May 22) Heritage Sunday (Aldersgate Day) calls the Church to remember the past by committing itself to the continuing call of God. This year's theme is “Splits, Separations, and Reconciliations.” From now through the remainder of the year, the General Commission on Archives and History (GCAH) will be producing and releasing a number of resources to help the denomination better understand the multifaceted and multi-faced history of the Methodist movement in a global context. Click to read more.
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Peace with Justice Sunday - (June 12) Half of the funds collected for this Special Sunday offering provide grants to local churches, districts, conferences, and other affiliated organizations that advocate for peace with justice. The other fifty percent of the offering remains in our annual conference to develop local peace with justice ministries. Click here for a promotional toolkit and resources.
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United Media Resource Center |
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Click here for a new list of various resources to be mailed to your church or home address.
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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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