The United Methodist Church
Northern Illinois Conference
e-News
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Greetings!
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Welcome to the NIC e-News. This newsletter is published every Thursday at 10AM.
Please encourage others to sign up for the e-News; it's a cheap and easy way for us to highlight our website and share information with people across the conference. To forward to a friend or to subscribe, just click the buttons below. Thank you!
Helpful Tip: The e-News has 85% fewer calories than Girl Scout Cookies.
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In Step With the Bishop
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Upcoming visits:
March 11 - DeKalb District Clergy Gathering - Studying the Scriptures with Bishop Jung,10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at Ashton UMC
March 13-14 - Conference Urban Convocation March 21 - Clergy Summit: Sycamore UMC 9-3 PM
March 22 - Carol Stream: St. Andrew Preaching - Worship @ 9:30 and Sunday School Dialogue @ 11:00 AM
March 23 - DeKalb District Cluster Visit - Mendota Cluster All Day - Evening Gathering @ Earlville UMC 7 PM
March 24 - Rockford District Cluster Visit - East Winnebago Boone Cluster - Evening Gathering @ TBA 7 PM
March 25 - Elgin District Cluster Visit - Elgin Cluster - Evening Gathering @ TBA 7 PM
March 28 - Conference UMM
Lenten Breakfast and Worship - Hosted at Villa Park: Calvary Breakfast
@ 8:00 AM and Worship @ 9:00 AM
March 29 - Chicago: West Ridge/Indo Pac Preaching - @ 11:00 AM | |
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Statement on Tragedy in Wiley-Motes Family
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March 3, 2009The people of the United Methodist Church are shocked and saddened to learn of the tragedy that has fallen on the Wiley-Motes family. Kathryn Wiley-Motes was a Bible Study teacher and active lay leader in her church, Living Faith United Methodist Church in Waukegan. She was a former candidate for ordained ministry in the United Methodist Church. Kathy's commitment to her husband and son was a priority in her life. She fulfilled her call to service through her volunteer ministry in the church and her work as church administrative assistant at the Presbyterian Church in Wilmette. From Bishop Hee-Soo Jung, Episcopal leader for Northern Illinois: "It is with great sadness that we have learned of the tragic deaths of Kathryn, Christopher and Richard. This tragic loss of a family under such difficult circumstances affects us all as we are reminded of the fragility of life. We grieve the loss of Christopher, a young life cut short in a sudden and violent way. We are reminded of the need to work diligently for quality care of those struggling emotionally and with mental illness. We commend these dearly beloved children of God to God's care." From Rev. Oscar Carrasco, Superintendent of the Elgin District (which includes Living Faith UMC): "I join Bishop Jung in expressing my deepest sympathy on the loss of Kathryn, Christopher and Richard. To our Living Faith United Methodist Church's congregation and to their pastor, Rev. Melissa Earley, we hold them up in prayer as they deal with the loss of Kathryn, a dear one who impacted and shared with them through Bible Study and leadership. Kathryn's volunteer service in her church and commitment to her family will be remembered and celebrated as a life in service to Christ and His church." Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m. Saturday, March 7 at First Presbyterian Church in Wilmette, 600 9th St. Trinity UMC in Wilmette will hold a Requiem Concert in honor of the Wiley-Motes family at 3:00 p.m. Sunday, March 8. Trinity UMC is at 1024 Lake Ave.
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Women's History Month
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March is Women's History Month. We welcome any essays, stories, or other creative work about the important women in the life and history of your churches. The General Commission on the Status and Role of Women offers bulletin
covers, inserts, and resources to be used during the month of March,
2009. Women: Taking the Lead to Save Our Planet |
Register Now!
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Urban Convocation 2009 is just one week away! Don't miss it!
The event will be Friday and Saturday, March 13-14 at First United Methodist Church, 216 E. Highland Avenue, Elgin,
IL.
To register, or for more information,
please call the Elgin NIC Office at 847-931-0710 or email Natarsha Gardner at ngardner@umcnic.org.
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Annual Conference - Constitutional Amendments
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The 170th Northern Illinois Annual Conference is June 7-9 at Pheasant Run Resort in St. Charles, IL. It will be here before we know it!
This year, we will be voting on several amendments to our Constitution. Check out the Annual Conference Page for more information about these important amendments!
Constitutional Amendments must be ratified by two-thirds of the Annual Conferences in order to take effect. They must be voted up or down by the Annual Conferences; they may not be amended.
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40 days and 40 nights...
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Forty days from today is April 14. How is your church planning ahead?
March - Women's History Month
March 22 - One Great Hour of Sharing
April 12 - Easter Sunday
Some ideas for planning for Easter from Dist. Superintendent Rev. James Preston:
1. Make sure all special Lenten services and offerings can be found WITH TIMES AND DATES on your website and newsletter. Consider highlighting one event on your voicemail. Always have worship times on your voicemail.
2. Consider a clean up of entrances and foyers so that guests encounter clean and welcoming spaces as they enter. Add flowers or plants...possibly purple cloth and a cross on a table. All of these efforts make guests feel more welcome.
3. Consider an online email each week to guests and members with scripture, devotion, and prayer ideas. It is an easy way to help people grow in Christ during this season. Guests appreciate the connection.
4. Start announcing your EASTER services now! Place a banner with times outside or on your sign. Make sure those times are on your web site and other places.
5. Consider a Lenten insert in your bulletin that highlights all of your activities and features scripture readings for the week.
UM Communications also has 50 ideas for under $500 that local churches can use to attract people so they can breeze through our open doors on Easter Sunday.
If you have tips or tricks for worship planning as we approach Lent and Easter, please share them: mkuzma@umcnic.org.
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Share your photos and stories!
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Lynda Carson and Kathy Palmer tie name tags on the Valentine Plates for the homebound and elderly
Add photos of your church events or anything else to our Flickr group! When making the Reporter, we often have space for extra pictures. Add a photo with caption, and you could find your work on the website or Reporter.
Please submit tips, stories, sermons, lyrics and testimonials. Anywhere from 50-700 words is great. Longer pieces are fine, but will probably only run on the web. We especially want to hear stories about new faith communities, revitalizing our church, and working together.
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Town and Rural Grants Available
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Churches in towns under 10,000 population may be eligible for grants. Is yours?
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Pancake Breakfast of the Week
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No one submitted a pancake breakfast this week, so there is no winner. 