NIC eNews for Sept. 30, 2020

September 30, 2020

Annual Conference Bible Study Registration

October 1, 8 & 22 at 10am

Rev. Junius Dotson, General Secretary of Discipleship Ministries, will lead us in a three-session online Bible study via a Zoom webinar focusing on the Annual Conference's three strategic goals.

All clergy and laity in the NIC are invited and encouraged to participate in all three online sessions. (You don't have to be a Lay Member of Annual Conference.)

Registration is required for each session to receive your Zoom link.

Registration for the first session focusing on "Growing and Reaching New Disciples of Jesus Christ" on October 1 closes at 10pm TONIGHT, Wed. Sept. 30. Click on the registration links to sign up for each session.

For the latest Annual Conference information, visit umcnic.org/AC2020.

OCTOBER 1 Session

OCTOBER 8 Session

OCTOBER 22 Session

October Reporter now available online

In this issue of the Reporter, read more about Annual Conference 2020 plans for the first ever "virtual" event. Also, learn how United Methodists across the country are helping victims of natural disasters. Plus, read encouraging stories about NIC pastors finding new ways to engage in ministry.

The print edition is in the mail but read the online pdf today by clicking here.

October Reporter

ReTurn Plan Update

As we continue to adjust to living through a pandemic, churches should remain alert regarding the level of restrictions in their region.

Some regions are improving and lifting restrictions; others are experiencing increased COVID-19 cases and upping restrictions. It appears the levels of restrictions will be fluid for months to come.

It’s important for churches to have a ReTurn Plan, but it’s equally important to have a plan should restrictions require churches to close to any in-person gatherings—potentially within a very short period of time. Churches should also have a plan of action if members of the congregation are either exposed or diagnosed with COVID-19.

This is our new reality, and churches that develop plans for communication and implementation will be able to respond quickly and decisively when circumstances change.

Although the State of Illinois doesn’t specifically designate places of worship, there are restrictions on the number of people gathering and the circumstances (e.g,. rooms should be filled up to 25% capacity or a limited number of people present, etc.)

Churches still need to abide by all the same health safety precautions for their in-person gatherings. The State stipulates that for every in-person gathering of two or more persons (who are not sheltering together), the use of masks, hand sanitizing, and social distancing are required. Finally, do not go anywhere if you are not feeling well until you know whether it is COVID-related or not. This is how we care for our neighbors…and ourselves.

~Bishop Sally Dyck

NIC Prayer Network

Patricia Arne, laity from Steward United Methodist Church, offers this week's prayer and devotion.

"Abba Father, we come to you in awe of all you have created and sustained, from everlasting to everlasting. May You bless us with an awareness of Your presence with us as we go throughout today, giving us glimpses of Your strength and power. We give You thanks, and praise Your glorious name! In the mighty name of Your Son Jesus. Amen." Read more.

The Discipleship Task Force invites laity or clergy who enjoy writing to submit a devotion (250 words), including a Bible verse and prayer. Share what is on your heart with the NIC by emailing [email protected].

Prayer Network

Communicator's Corner

Brighten a child's Christmas

The holidays are right around the corner and that means it's time for the Kids Above All Holiday Gift Drive! Each year through the generosity of community and corporate partners, Kids Above All (formerly ChildServ) helps the children in their programs have a great Christmas. Click here to watch a video and learn more. This year's drive runs from November 30 - December 16. For more information or to sponsor a child, contact Deaconess Catherine Inserra at [email protected] or (847) 224-2870.

UMM hold conference to address challenges of our times

The United Methodist Men’s online Spiritual Congress 2020 brought clergy and laity together to hear top leaders discuss ways to mitigate and eventually eliminate racism. Some speakers provided an overview; others gave concrete ways to improve understanding, build trust, and break down barriers. Organized by the NIC United Methodist Men, 184 men and women registered for the program, which was held September 19 via a Zoom webinar. Learn more.

GBHEM - Women of Color Scholars’ Series: Sun-Ah Kang breaks gendered barriers in theology

South Korea native Sun-Ah Kang vividly remembers the moment God called her to be a champion for women in ministry. “When I was in high school, I went to this retreat and the guest speaker was a male, very old, retired pastor,” Kang recounted. “He talked about how sin came to the world through women. He said that all women have to apologize for their sins… So, that’s how I got really interested in learning the Bible… I thought ‘How in the world can we have such an extremely violent oppressing teaching?’” Kang, a provisional member in the NIC who serves Chadwick, Hickory Grove and Fairhaven, felt called by God to learn more, to do more. Read her story from the General Board of Higher Education and Ministry (GBHEM).

Help match gift to NIJFON

Northern Illinois Justice for Our Neighbors (NIJFON) has been blessed with a $25,000 gift from Berry Memorial UMC in Chicago through the sale of their church’s historic building. NIJFON would like to challenge the 350+ United Methodist congregations in the Northern Illinois Conference to match this generous gift and raise a total of $25,000 to double this blessing! The donations will help NIJFON to continue to provide free, high-quality immigration legal services to our immigrant, refugee and asylum-seeking neighbors. Click here to learn more.

Mark your calendar

Around the Conference

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

Rockford District Lay Academy "Lay Servants Lead in Conflict Resolution" - (Oct. 5, 12, 19, 26, and Nov. 2) This course will equip and empower lay servants to help lead through times of conflict and steer these difficult times into moments of positive transformation. Cost: $10. Students must attend all 5 scheduled classes to complete the course. Click for more information and registration.
Indigenous Peoples Day Celebration - (Oct. 12) 1pm - 2:30pm. The Northern Illinois Conference Anti-Racism Task Force and the Committee on Native American Ministries invite teens and young adults to a virtual celebration of worship, learning, and discussion via Zoom in honor of Indigenous Peoples Day. Click here for details and to register.
Intentional Discipleship Systems Training - (Oct. 14 or 15) Sponsored by the NIC Office of Congregational Development and Redevelopment. Learn the "how" of forming disciples and the "how" of growing generous disciples with Rev. Scott Hughes and Rev. Ken Sloane. Choose either date. Sessions are identical trainings and will be held via Zoom. Click to register.
Immigration Issues and the 2020 Election - (Oct. 15) 12 - 1pm. Conversation via Zoom sponsored by NIJFON with special guest Melissa Bowe, National JFON Advocacy Manager. To reserve your spot, email Paula Cripps-Vallejo at [email protected]. Download flyer.
UMW Annual Celebration - (Oct. 24) Save the date for the NIC UMW Annual Conference meeting, which will be held via Zoom. This year's theme is "LISTEN: WITH FRESH EARS AND EYES!" The guest speaker is Rev. Danira Parra, who is pastor of Dayspring Native American UMC in East Peoria, Ill. Look for more information and registration at umwnic.org.
Introduction to Coaching - (Oct. 29) 9am - noon and 1:30 - 4pm. Coach Jim Griffith will lead this interactive webinar for new, turnaround, or vital churches. Sponsored by the NIC Office of Congregational Development and Redevelopment. Learn more and register today.
Save the date for Laity Convocation 2021 - (Feb. 13) The NIC Board of Laity has scheduled an online event for next year's Laity Convocation - "The Other Side: Explore the Possibilities of Church in a Post-Pandemic World." More details to come. Download the save the date flyer.

Around the Denomination

Hispanic-Latino Heritage Month - (Sept. 15 - Oct. 15) Explore tools from Resource UMC designed to celebrate the contributions of Hispanic-Latino individuals in your community over the 30 days and beyond. Click here for more information.
Inaugural UM Global AIDS Committee Webinar - (Oct. 1) 1pm CT. This first in a series of webinars will explore how COVID-19 is impacting the global effort to reduce HIV infections and AIDS deaths. Participants will come to better understand how global lockdowns have resulted in malnutrition, missed treatments and lack of access to preventive medicine and testing. Click for details. Watch on Facebook.
World Communion Sunday - (Oct. 4) Celebrated the first Sunday in October, this Special Sunday offering supports the educational preparation and training of United Methodists from around the world and bolsters recruitment, training and retention of racial-ethnic people for leadership positions at every level of the church. Click here for resources.
"I Am Her" Women’s Leadership Summit - (Oct. 8 - 10) Hosted by the General Commission on the Status and Role of Women, this virtual event will not be your ordinary conference. It’s a movement of women coming together to Be Inspired, Be Empowered, and Be Equipped to do the work personally, professionally and within The United Methodist Church to connect. The keynote speaker will be New York Times best-selling author Nadia Bolz-Weber. Cost: $39. CEUs available. Registration is now open.
North Central Jurisdiction Mission Academy - (Oct. 9 - 31) A different session will be held each day! All are offered via Zoom at 2:00pm. The goals are to reunite people called to mission, inform, train, energize and share the story. Attend as many sessions as you choose. No overlapping or missing one discussion for another. Click for more info and to register.
PAUMCS Zoom Workshop - (Oct. 26) 10am - 3pm. The Northern Illinois Conference Chapter of PAUMCS (Professional Administrators of the United Methodist Connectional Structure) invites all church secretaries and administrative staff to join them in…BEING VITAL. Click for details.
"Leading into Change" Perkins Fall Convocation - (Nov. 15 - 16) Through engaging plenaries with keynote speakers Kirk Franklin and Tod Bolsinger, and collaborative workshops led by skilled leaders, this virtual event will help equip participants to generate ideas and strategies for tomorrow and beyond! Registration is open with early-bird pricing of $65 through Sept. 21. Click for details.