Laity Convocation Registration Open
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Registration is open for the 2020 Laity Convocation on
Feb. 8
at Sycamore UMC. This year's theme is "Unpacking Racism." This event will focus on one of the adopted strategic goals of our Annual Conference: “To live out the conviction that racism is incompatible with Christian teaching.”
The day will begin with worship, followed by a Bible study led by NIC Bishop Sally Dyck. A panel of lay and clergy will help us examine the topic of racism through stories, question-and-answer sessions, and brainstorming ideas for how individuals and churches can become leaders in pursuing equity in society.
Click here
to learn more. Registration deadline is
Feb. 5 at noon. Optional box lunch is available for $10 if attendees register by
Jan. 30.
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Road to GC2020 Conversations
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General Conference 2020 (GC2020) will be here before we know it (May 5-15 in Minneapolis)—and we know many throughout the NIC have questions.
Two new locations and times in Sycamore and Dolton have been added since the initial announcement.
Dates:
- Sunday, Feb. 2 @ 3-5pm: River Forest UMC, 7970 Lake St., River Forest
- Thursday, Feb. 13 @ 3-5pm: Woodridge UMC, 2700 75th St., Woodridge
- Thursday Feb. 13 @ 7-9pm: Schaumburg: Our Saviour’s, 701 E. Schaumburg Rd., Schaumburg
- Sunday, Feb. 16 @ 3-5pm: Rockford: Christ, 4509 Highcrest Rd., Rockford
- NEW Sunday, Feb. 16 @ 7-9pm: Sycamore UMC, 160 Johnson Ave., Sycamore
- NEW Saturday, Mar. 7 @ 10am-Noon: Dolton: Faith UMC, 15015 Grant St., Dolton
Conversations are open to members of all NIC churches—you do not have to attend a conversation within your district.
For more info on what's being presented at GC2020, the Advance Daily Christian Advocate (ADCA), which contains the agenda, rules, delegate listings, petitions, reports from the general agencies/commissions and study committees, information for delegates, and codes of conduct for the General Conference, is now available
online.
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Communicator's Corner
Statistical reporting
It’s that time of year for local churches to enter their statistical tables from the previous year. Know that the NIC uses the statistics to calculate apportionments for your church. 2019 statistics should be entered at
umctables.org by
February 28, 2020. Fore more information, visit
umcnic.org/statisticalreporting. If you have questions, contact David Quinn at
dquinn@umcnic.org.
Black History Month resources
February is Black History Month, a time to celebrate the historical contributions of African Americans to the worship life, mission, and ministry of the church. While the month-long celebration recognizes progress made, it also reawakens us to systemic issues of poverty, discrimination, and inequality. For prayers and other resources,
click here.
Many people in your community will be searching for a place to explore the miracle of Easter. Get ready to reach out with worship and event invitations! Customizable designs are available, including new artwork options and expanded language offerings. Use code UMCEA20 to receive $300 off your order.
Click to order
.
Ethnic Young Adult Interns for 2020
The General Board of Church and Society is recruiting young justice seekers for this summer’s Ethnic Young Adult internship cohort. The Ethnic Young Adult Internship (EYA) program is designed for young adults willing to unpack their faith and identity. EYAs are placed with partner organizations working to address social injustices. The program runs June 6 - Aug. 1, 2020.
Click here
to learn more and apply.
Five reasons one background check is not enough
Most organizations today recognize that it is essential to screen employees and volunteers. But of those organizations, it is evident there are two prevailing opinions regarding the frequency of background checks: those who run one background check at the beginning of a person’s service and then never again; and those who run background checks at regular intervals. Which camp do you fall in, and why?
Click to read more
from Safe Gatherings. For more information on background checks with NIC's partner Trusted Employees,
click here.
Forms available for episcopal candidates
Candidates who wish to be considered for election to the episcopacy by the 2020 North Central Jurisdictional Conference (NCJ) may download the form and discernment guidelines from
www.umcnic.org/news/episcopal-nominations
.
In February 2020, the NIC delegation will invite all interested candidates to an interview. After discernment, the delegation will announce their endorsement.
The NCJ Conference will take place July 15-18 in Fort Wayne, Ind.
Click here
to read more and access the forms.
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Around the Conference
Click here
f
or the Conference Calendar and more upcoming events.
- LEAD 2020 Rockford District Training Event - (Feb. 1) 8:30am-12:30pm at Freeport: Faith, 1440 S. Walnut Ave, Freeport, IL. Click for information.
- Erasing Hate - (Feb. 9) 2pm at Kingswood UMC, 401 W. Dundee Rd., Buffalo Grove. Kingswood UMC and Beth-Am Synagogue in Buffalo Grove along with the Simon Wiesenthal Center in Los Angeles are co-hosting this event featuring Keynote Speaker TM Garrett of the Memphis Peace Project, C.H.A.N.G.E. Download the flyer for more info.
- Clergy Tax Seminar - (Feb. 20) 9am-12pm at Sycamore UMC, 160 Johnson Ave, Sycamore, IL. Cost $10. Lunch not included. Sponsored by the United Methodist Foundation of the NIC. The seminar instructor will be Ellen Feliciano, an enrolled agent and a master tax advisor with H&R Block. Visit umfnic.org/clergy-tax-seminar for more info.
- LEAD 2020 Elgin District Training Event - (Feb. 22) 8am-12noon at Elgin: Epworth UMC, 37W040 Highland Avenue, Elgin, IL. For more information and registration, click here.
- ChildServ Road Trip for Youth - (Feb. 23) 7-8:30pm at First UMC of LaGrange, 100 W. Cossitt Ave., LaGrange, IL. Youth in 7th grades through high school are invited to learn about homelessness, poverty, and modeling empathy. Download the flyer.
- John Wesley Institute - (Feb. 23-24) at Elmhurst: First, 232 S York St, Elmhurst, IL. Featured speaker: Dr. Ashley Dreff, author of “Entangled: a History of American Methodism, Politics, and Sexuality.” Cost: $150 ($100 for students). For more information and to register, click here.
- Green Summit: It Works for Us! (Feb 29) 9am - 1pm at Sycamore UMC, 160 Johnson Ave., Sycamore, IL. Hear from the Eco-Sustainability Task Force, learn how faith communities are taking on green initiatives, and come away inspired as we continue to "green" our faith communities. Cost is $10. Click here to learn more.
- Youth Mission Team Leader Webinar - (Feb. 29) 9:30am. United Methodist Volunteers in Mission (UMVIM) North Central Jurisdiction is hosting a two-hour webinar for all leaders of Youth Mission teams. This is a time for learning, conversation, and connection for all things Youth Mission. Click here to sign up.
- Justice Songfest with Mark Miller - (Mar. 7) Evanston: First UMC, 516 Church Street, Evanston, IL. Cost: $15. Hosted by the Music Ministry and Reconciling Task Force of First UMC of Evanston, the day includes a series of morning and afternoon workshops and rehearsals with Mark Miller culminating in an evening concert. Registration is open. For questions, contact Brian Schoettler at 847.864.6181. To register, visit faithatfirst.com/registrations.
Around the Denomination
- UMCOR Sunday - (March 22) Through the United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR), we can make a difference in the lives of communities and individuals whose lives have been upended by storms, wars, climate change, and displacement. Through UMCOR, we see the impact of extravagant grace through the generosity of United Methodists. Click for resources.
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United Media Resource Center
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Click here
for
a list of sport-themed
resources.
Visit the Center's
website
for the latest catalog and more information on how to check out and return items.
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