NIC eNews for October 20, 2021

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October 20, 2021

Tending to the Harvest Weekend - Nov. 13-14 Sponsored by the NIC Discipleship Task Force

The "Growing Together Symposium" held via Zoom will focus on Ephesians 4:15 and be held Sat., Nov. 13 from

9 - 11 am.

The presenter will be Rev. Kyungsu Park, who will talk about the connection between discipleship and relationship.

After the presentation, attendees are encouraged to participate in breakout sessions,“Let’s Talk About IDS: Intentional Discipleship Systems” on discipling youth and other members of your church. Click button for more info and registration.

MORE INFO

A Conference Worship Service will be held Sun. Nov. 14 at 4 pm (note new time).

Location: Our Saviour's UMC, 701 E. Schaumburg Rd., Schaumburg, IL. The event will also be livestreamed.

Keynote Speaker: Rev. Olu Brown, Senior Pastor at Impact Church, Atlanta, GA.

The first 100 people to register will receive a special "Tending to the Harvest" lapel pin. Click below for more info and registration.

MORE INFO

Communicator's Corner

Fall Ministry Grant Applications Open

Applications are now being accepted for the NIC's three ministry grants, Social Reform, Congregational Development, and Creative Ministries. The deadline to apply is Nov. 1. To learn more about each grant and for an online application, click here.

Disaster Response in Louisiana

Keep in your prayers the NIC Disaster Coordinator and ten-person Emergency Response Team (ERT) currently near New Orleans, Louisiana helping with cleanup from Hurricane IDA. The crew consists of seven volunteers from First UMC in Morris and three from Grace UMC in Naperville. They're staying at Munholland UMC and working in the town of LaPlace, which is about 25 northwest of New Orleans. This area was one of the hardest hit from not only 150+ mph winds but also large-scale flooding. You can follow their progress on the NIC Disaster Response Facebook page.

Mark your calendar

Click here for event information on the Conference calendar and check back often for updates.

Around the Conference

NIC UMW Annual Virtual Celebration - (Oct. 23) 9:30 - 11 am. Cost: $10. The theme will be "Leaning on the Everlasting Arms; Listening, Transforming, Reaching Out." The keynote speaker will be Rev. Megan Dean Tobola, Lead Pastor at Naperville: Wesley. Megan was a 2010 UMW Scholarship recipient, and she will bring a message to remind us to "Lean on God" for inner peace and strength during these hectic, stressful, and trying times of our lives. Click here to register.
5th Sunday Appeal - (Oct. 31) United Voices for Children (UVC) would like to thank Northern Illinois congregations for their faithful support through 5th Sunday Appeal offerings in 2021. Your generosity helps UVC and its partners' Kids Above All, MYSI, and Rosecrance as they serve at-risk children, youth and families in our communities. Sunday, Oct. 31 is the final 5th Sunday Appal of the year. You may either write a check payable to the church with "5th Sunday Appeal" in the memo line or simply donate online here.
Center for Changing Lives Virtual Gala - (Nov. 6) 6 - 8 pm. The Center for Changing Lives (CCL), formerly known as Humboldt Park Social Services, a bilingual (English/Spanish) Financial Opportunity Center that connects people, resources and opportunities, invites you to join them for an evening of hope, resilience, and solidarity. The virtual event on Zoom will include an interactive cooking demonstration of sofrito y pastelón de yuca with Urban Pilón, danzas (dances) from Ballet Folklórico de Chicago, and saludos (greetings) from the danzantes (dancers) of Aztec Dance of Chicago. Click here for tickets and sponsorship.
KAIROS interactive Blanket Exercise - (Nov. 7) 11:30 am - 1 pm. Join Wesley UMC Aurora, 14 N. May St., Aurora, and special guest, Joseph Standing Bear, for a teaching moment of the history between the Indigenous and non-indigenous peoples of North America. Light refreshments will be served prior to the event. This event is free and will be held outdoors (weather permitting). Pre-registration is requested by clicking here. This event is in partnership with the NIC Anti-Racism Task Force as well as the NIC Committee on Native American Ministries.

Around the Connection

Webinar to Help Reinvigorate Black Churches - (Oct. 21) 6:30 pm Sponsored by Strengthening the Black Church for the 21st Century (SBC21). This month-long series of webinars will give Black clergy and ministry leaders tips on growing and transforming their congregations and communities. The webinars will kick off the 25th-anniversary celebration of SBC21. The celebration will include a national conference. Registration is required. Click for details.
Discussion Series Explores What it Means to be United Methodist - (Oct. 5 - Dec. 21) “Tuesdays at the Table: Should I stay? Or should I go?” is a new discussion series for United Methodists, presented by the Connectional Table (CT) in cooperation with general agencies and contributors. Weekly segments will explore topics aimed at helping viewers better understand their faith, their church and themselves. The sessions will premiere every Tuesday at 10:00 am CT on Facebook, and will also be available for later viewing at UMC.org/ComeToTheTable and the UMC YouTube channel. For details, click here.