The United Methodist Church
Northern Illinois Conference
e-News for July 2, 2009
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| Greetings! |
Welcome to the NIC e-News. This newsletter is published every Thursday morning.
Can we do anything to help you? If you or your church have any communication needs, please contact Matt at mkuzma@umcnic.org.
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The Power of a New Dream
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From Rev. Larry Hilkemann, DeKalb Superintendent
Their lives intersected that night. As a result, a new story is being told. A woman from the country
made a promise to a pastor in the city: "I am willing to be your
senior citizen in your new church start."
On that night at Annual
Conference, when Harvest 2020 was celebrated, stories were told and
dreams were revealed, Linda Corwin-Graber listened as Rev. Trey Hall spoke of his dream of
starting a new church. The words of his dream fell upon the receptive
ears and the heart of Linda who dreamed of living in the city.
Linda is the Lay Delegate from
her congregation and has lived all of her
years in Creston, a small town just west of
DeKalb on Highway 38. Inspired by her sister, who died prematurely in 1982, Linda decided that
she was not going to die regretting that which was undone. She is a leader in the DeKalb District, organizing mission trips to Iowa and Mississippi. But now it's the city that inspires her.
"I have always dreamed of
living in the city, " said Linda. "I want to experience the pulse of
the city, I want to walk and to know some of her neighborhoods. I want
to go to the opera for the first time and I want to return to the
ballet. I want to know and experience new styles of
worship. I am excited about all of this."
This one, who has only known rural life, will rent an apartment in
downtown Chicago for one year so she and her husband of 41 years can try this new experience. Something new will come of all of this. What it will be is yet to be revealed. For certain, our God is able.
Writes the ancient one: "Now
to him who by the power at work within us is able to do far more
abundantly than all that we ask or think (or dream) to that God be
glory..." Ephesians 3:20
May it be so.
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Upcoming Events at Outdoor Retreat Ministries
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Northern Illinois Conference Weekend Retreat for Youth and Youth Leaders
$80 per person
For more information contact Rev. Barb Javore
847-835-0588 (home)
847-835-1227 (church)
rsjavore@comcast.net
Adult Astronomy Camp
The retreat will include learning about stars, galaxies, planets, and black holes, and also a star-gazing pontoon boat ride on Lake Geneva, and a trip to the Yerkes Observatory to see the world's largest refracting telescope. It will cost $100 per person and we only have room for 12 people. Ages are 16+.
Fall Confirmation Camps
Also, we will be hosting three separate Confirmation Camps on October 2-3, October 16-17, and November 21-22. This year our theme is "True North." with the intent to offer a fun but informative weekend where you and others can explore what it means to be a United Methodist. Participating in this retreat will also provide you with an opportunity to meet other youth within our Annual Conference who are engaged in the same process you are.
Thank you,
Joshua Easton
joshua@niccamp.org
815-494-0444
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Play addresses youth violence
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From Rev. Jerry Miller
The
James Downing Theatre housed at Edison Park United Methodist Church
located at 6740 N. Oliphant in Chicago will present William Mastrosimone's play, "Bang Bang You're Dead."
The play was written in the wake of the school
massacres that occurred in Paducah, Jonesboro, and Springfield to raise
awareness about school violence. Chicago leads in the number student deaths by gunfire. The number so far this year killed by gunfire is over 30.
Playwright and Screen Writer, William Mastrosimone wrote Bang Bang
You're Dead to show and end violence and teasing between teenagers in
schools.
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'Fun Day' at Malden UMC
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eNews Tip: Pictures of fun hats get published!
From Deacon Beth Galbreath
Inspired by Earlville UMC's Fun Days program, Malden UMC hosted a
community 'Fun Day' on June 13 which attracted a dozen neighborhood
children to an afternoon of games, snacks, crafts, and a treasure hunt based on
a 'Pirates!' nautical theme from a Veggie Tales story of "The
Pirates Who Don't Do Anything." Participants baked 'chocolate
chip sea-biscuits,' learned to fold (and sail) paper boats and pirate
hats and worked together as crews to surmount each challenge they received in
the treasure hunt. The next Fun Day is July 12, when we plan to take the trolley to see "The Wizard of Oz" and return to the church for homemade ice cream after the play.
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Congregation Resource Centers
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From Rev. Char HoffmanOn behalf of Bishop Jung, the
Cabinet, and the NIC Program Council, all churches in the NIC are invited
to participate in the pilot round of the Congregation Resource Center
(CRC) model for developing leadership in the Northern Illinois Conference.
Participants in CRC will have access to nationally-known facilitators,
experience the encouragement, support, and challenge of peers, and share
their own stories of success in an atmosphere of covenant accountability
and learning. Churches in the first round of CRC will choose either
the Church in Community track or New Dynamics in Faith Formation.
The program will kick off at
Wheatland Salem UMC on July 11 from 10:00 a.m. to noon with a time for all
interested churches to gather for questions and answers. CRC churches will meet four times within a year with a final celebration
planned for April 2010. The Program Council was excited and
intrigued by the possibilities this program presents. We think this will be a terrific way to help good churches become great churches.
Please contact Char ( char-rfumc@sbcglobal.net; 708/771-3668) or Jean Bush ( jbush@umcnic.org) at the
NIC Program Office for further information.
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Rock Falls UMC Confirmation
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From Sally Schumaker
On May 17th, the Rock Falls United Methodist Church
celebrated Confirmation Sunday with four youth joining our church. They
included Devan Kuhlemier, Tracy Bohlken, Katlyn Gray and Tiah Ashley with Pastor
Thomas Moe.
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Free items!
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From Debbie Watts, Grace UMC Joliet
We have two items:
a small altar and a pulpit. Free for the hauling. Please contact Debbie
Watts at 815-725-7632 or gracejoliet@comcast.net.
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| Pancake Breakfast of the Week |
 Can you say Pancakes A la Mode? Norway UMC On Tuesday evening, July 14, Norway UMC in Sheridan will hold its annual ice cream social from 5-7 p.m. on the church lawn. The event celebrates the 156th year of the church and proceeds will benefit the steeple fund. The meal will consist of BBQ and ham sandwiches, chips, baked beans, beverage, and a slice of homemade pie a la mode. Carryouts will be available. While you are eating, you can enjoy some good old old Gospel music performed by Rob and friends. The complete meal cost is $7per adult, $4 per child three and older, no charge if under 3. The hosts say, rain or shine and even if you just come for dessert, "velkommen".
South Elgin: Community UMC July 4 from 8-10 a.m. Community UMC in South Elgin is hosting its annual Pancake Breakfast. We are located at the corner of Spring and Collins St. Proceeds benefit the youth mission to Appalachia to repair homes. We have sent crews for 25 years and estimate the pancake breakfast to be the 24th annual. We serve pancakes, sausage, scrambled eggs, orange juice, and coffee. $4.50 for adults and $ 3.50 for children. Bring your lounge chairs and stay to watch the South Elgin parade, which starts at 10.
Shirland UMC Shirland UMC Men's Pancake Breakfast on Saturday July 4, 2009, from 6 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. This long-running breakfast ends just in time for the local Fourth of July Parade. This all you can eat breakfast is done for donations.
 Please send candidates for Pancake Breakfast (or other community meal) of the Week to mkuzma@umcnic.org, subject line "Pancakes." | |
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