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The Methodist Liaison Office in Jerusalem, where NIC elder Jane Eesley (pictured) is appointed, invites you to an online ministry update and prayer meeting on Oct. 25 at noon (CT). This is a “soft launch” of what they hope will be a weekly gathering. Join them in prayer and help them shape future gatherings. To register, send an email to MLOJ and Mrs. Samar Hashweh will send you a Zoom link.
Contact MLOJ
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This period in the church's live has been called liminal space; we are at a threshold, Bishop Dan Schwerin says. "Spiritual leadership in this season must be grounded in a deep trust and capacity for negative capability [uncertainty and unknowing that allows attention to creating], so that we can deal with troubling uncertainty. I believe our mission is slowly moving from institutional maintenance to kin-dom influence, from internally focused to missionally focused."
Read more
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Give some Christmas joy to children and youth who’ve experienced trauma. Donate toys to Kids Above All's Holiday Gift Drive, Nov. 27 through Dec. 13. You may sponsor a child, donate toys through the Amazon.com registry, and/or volunteer in the toy room. For information, contact Deaconess Catherine Inserra.
Read more
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The NIC risk management department is now assembling insurance coverage for the 2024 property insurance renewal. Due to many factors, the 2024 insurance renewal costs may be challenging. Based on market conditions, the conference is also expecting substantial increases in insurance premiums. NIC churches should factor into their 2024 budget a 12 to 18 percent increase in premium costs. We will provide an update when 2024 insurance renewal terms are finalized. If you have questions, contact Dwayne Jackson, NIC Director Risk Management and Ministry Protection.
Contact Dwayne Jackson
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NIC Print Journal is Now Available
You may now order the print 2023 conference journal; click here. Or download a free copy.
Walking the Way of Integrity: Group Study
What does it mean to act and live with integrity? Why is it important within our relationships and communities of faith? How might we heed the call of Christ to turn inward, cleaning the inside of the cup so that the outside also may be clean? Walking the Way of Integrity, a study from the UM General Commission on the Status and Role of Women, invites you into deep spiritual reflection in search of wholeness, rooted in biblical faith. Download leaders' and participants' guides for free. Read more
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Wembonyama Higher Pedagogical Institute received support from the UMC in Central Congo to recover from a fire that destroyed its computer laboratory in April. The fire caused complete loss of the building and much of its information technology equipment. The institute was established in 1982 as a UM higher-education institution in the Democratic Republic of Congo; it specializes in teacher training. Ten years after its creation, the school was recognized and taken over by the Congolese state. The buildings were constructed by American missionaries. The church has raised over $12,000 to rebuild and replace 45 laptops to equip the computer lab. UM Bishop Daniel Lunge, Central Congo Episcopal Area, noted that the funds raised are proof that “the United Methodists of Central Congo have already internalized our message of self-reliance more than 100 years after the departure of the American missionaries who built this very building.” Read more
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Around the Conference
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Meet UMC Missionary Cristian Schlick: Cristian Schlick, a UM missionary who serves migrants from Central America and Mexico, will be visiting the NIC from Oct. 24 to Nov. 1. Attend one of these gatherings to learn more about this compassionate ministry.
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Oct. 26, 7 p.m.: Our Saviour’s UMC, Schaumburg
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Oct. 27, 5 p.m.: First UMC, DeKalb
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Oct. 29, 10:30 a.m.: Trinity UMC, Mt. Prospect
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Oct. 29, 2 p.m.: The Movement in the City
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Oct. 30, noon: Brooke Road, Rockford
- Fall 2023 Lay Academy offerings:
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Prairie North, Oct. 28 & 29, Rockford: Beth Eden UMC
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Prairie Central, Nov. 4 & 11, Schaumburg: Our Redeemer's UMC
Around the Connection
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Exploration 2024, Feb. 16-18, 2024, Orlando, FL. For young adults ages 18-26 who are considering a calling to ordained ministry. Registration is now open.
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Intergenerational Ministry
For churches of any size, intergenerational faith-formation can be very effective, when done well.
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All Are Welcome: A Primer for Intentional Intergenerational Ministry and Dialogue, by James Gambone
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Generations Together: Caring, Praying, Learning, Celebrating, and Serving Faithfully, by Kathie Amidei, Jim Merhaut, and John Roberto
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Intergenerational Christian Formation: Bringing the Whole Church Together in Ministry, Community, and Worship, by Holly Catterton Allen and Christine Lawton Ross
List of more resources
Find the online catalog here. To contact the center, send a message to umrc@igrc.org.
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