The United Methodist Church
Northern Illinois Conference

eNews for October 8
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The October 16 issue of the Reporter is now available on our website. Enjoy!
 
 October and November events

NIC organizing to oppose video poker expansion

By Nancy Duel

Update: Chicago Sun-Times: "Countywide ban could put city on notice"

OPERATION LET THE PEOPLE DECIDE - REQUEST REPEAL OF VIDEO POKER

The Illinois General Assembly is convened in Veto Session on Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday this week.  A bill will be introduced calling for the repeal of Video Poker that was passed last spring and signed by Governor Quinn over the summer.  Please contact your Illinois Senator and Representative to ask them to support this repeal legislation.  If you need information on your Senator and Representative, go to the Illinois General Assembly website: www.ilga.gov

Information Meetings on video poker, with Tom Grey speaking, will be held in Woodstock on Friday, October 16, 7:00 pm, at VFW, 240 Throop St;  Humboldt Park UMC, 2120 N Mozart St, Chicago, on Monday, October 19, 7:30 pm;  and Rogers Park, Chicago on Wednesday, October 21, 7:00 pm, at Chicago Public Library, 6907 N Clark St.  Please plan to attend if any of these are convenient for you.

For more information or to schedule an informational meeting in your area contact Nancy Duel at 847-259-3793 or [email protected]

For more background information visit these websites:  www.ilcaaap.org and www.StopPredatoryGambling.org
Invitation to celebration of Bethany Methodist Communities

From Rev. Dr. Stephen Dahl, President, Bethany Methodist Communities
           
Please join The Bethany Methodist Family on Sunday, October 25th to celebrate 120 years of our older adult ministry. We will host Called To Care: A Benefit for the Good Samaritan Fund at 2:00 PM at the North Shore Holiday Inn, 5300 West Touhy in Skokie. I hope you'll attend our no-charge event and spread the word to friends and neighbors. We'll share refreshments and fellowship, announce new projects to care for a growing number of seniors with physical, emotional and spiritual needs, and encourage support for our mission. We'll also welcome internationally-known pianist Todd Schroeder, who will entertain and tell stories about performing at the White House, on Oprah, and with the Mormon Tabernacle Choir, as well as composing for Disney, recording stars and TV. 
 
Bethany's relationships with the people and congregations of what would become the UMC began in 1890, when our founders modeled us on the Good Samaritan of Scripture. Our Good Samaritan Fund ensures housing, health, social and spiritual care for elders at all our sites - Bethany Retirement Community and Methodist Hospital in Chicago, at Bethany Terrace in Morton Grove, and at Chestnut Square in Glenview - and for outreach and resources to assist all within the NIC.
 
Call 773/989-1354 for reservations. I hope to see you on October 25th!
 
World Food Day is October 16

From the United Methodist Committee on Relief:
 
According to Bread for the World, a Christian organization seeking justice for the world's hungry people, an estimated 1.2 billion people in the world go hungry. Three million children worldwide under five years of age die because they are undernourished.
World Food Day is on Oct. 16. Help create awareness about world hunger and support UMCOR hunger programs by using the available resources.

Learn about world hunger and poverty by downloading Ten Facts About Hunger a new online resource to share with your local church or community group. You may also download World Food Day: Creating Sustainable Systems church bulletin, which highlights how youth and adults in Armenia are learning farm management, beekeeping and nutrition. A World Food Day Power Point slide is also available to collect a special offering toward UMCOR-supported hunger programs.

Observe World Food Day with your gifts to World Hunger and Poverty, UMCOR Advance #982920.
Mark Miller to lead music workshop

From Mark Bowman, United Church of Rogers Park

Mark A. Miller will lead a workshop, "Creating Community Through Music: Ancient/Future Resources for a Singing Church," on November 7 and 8, 2009. Miller is arguably the preeminent United Methodist musician of our day.  He was Director of Music for the 2008 General Conference, served on the editorial committee of Zion Still Sings and his songs appear in The Faith We Sing and numerous other songbooks. He serves on the faculty at Drew University and Yale University. He is in great demand as a composer, worship leader, teach and performer.
 
This workshop is part of the Worship Alive! series co-sponsored by the Northern Illinois Conference. You can attend either the Saturday workshop, November 7th, at the Presbyterian Church of Western Springs or the Sunday workshop, November 8th, at the United Church of Rogers Park.  Workshop is from 2:00 to 5:00 p.m. both days. You can find more details at http://www.ucrogerspark.org/WorshipAlive/Miller.htm or by calling me at 773-728-8274.  Registration is $35 paid in advance; $45 at the door. Discount of 20% for group of three or more persons from a congregation.
 
Invitation to Interfaith Youth event - October 25

From David Braden, Holy Covenant UMC and Interfaith Youth Core

I would like to cordially invite you to attend a special conversation between the Rev. Jim Wallis of Sojourners and my Executive Director, Dr. Eboo Patel, of the Interfaith Youth Core. Rev. Wallis and Dr. Patel will be discussing the importance of interfaith cooperation in our religiously diverse world that is too often marred in religious conflict. The event is open to the public and I encourage you to invite your youth groups and congregations to attend.

When: Sunday, October 25th, 2009, 7 p.m. (doors open at 6 p.m.)
Where: Pick-Staiger Auditorium, Northwestern  University, 50 Arts Circle Dr., Evanston, IL
Cost: Free and open to the public. Limited seating available - arrive early!
For any questions please contact Amber Hacker (312.573.8937 or [email protected]).
Invitation to Chicago Religious Leadership Network event

From Rev. Chris Pierson, Director of Connectional Ministries

Please join me Thursday, October 22 for the Chicago Religious Leadership Network on Latin America's 2009 Annual Luncheon, kicking off a year-long celebration of CRLN's 20th anniversary. 

During those twenty years, CRLN has brought dozens of Latin American human rights and religious leaders to Chicago.  Learning first-hand from these leaders, we are equipped and engaged to advocate for US policies that build justice and peace.  Reserve your place today to join with area faith leaders to hear Laura Carlsen, Director of the Americas Policy Program at the Center for International Policy's Mexico City office, and Mexican advocate for human rights and military reform, General Jos� Francisco Gallardo and celebrate CRLN's 20 years of solidarity and advocacy.  Reserve your place today! 

Contact Sharon Hunter-Smith at [email protected] or 773-293-2964 for more information.
Clergy and Church Directory available online

 
Pancake Breakfast of the Week

Lots of candidates for community meals...whose cuisine will reign supreme?

1. Fourth St. Aurora
 
An annual fall pancake breakfast, craft sale and sweet sale will be held from 7:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 7, at Fourth Street United Methodist Church, 551 S. Fourth St. in Aurora. The public is invited. The sponsor is the church's United Methodist Women's group. The pancake breakfast includes sausage, orange juice and coffee or milk. Tickets are $4 for adults, $2.50 for children under 10 and $12.00 for a family of four.
 
A new feature will be frozen homemade pies. Apple, cherry, pumpkin and pecan varieties will be available. Call (630) 897-5257 for information.

2. Coleta UMC

Saturday, October 24 from 4:30 to 7:00 Coleta United Methodist Church is holding its annual chicken and  homemade noodles dinner.  The dinner includes chicken and noodles, mashed potatoes, gravy, green beans or corn, salad, dessert and drink.  It is a free will donation.  Take out is available.
 
3. Bethany of Fox Valley UMC

Church & Community Breakfast,  October 17, 2009 - Time:  8:00am to 12:00 Noon
Route 34 and Ridge Ave, 2200 Ridge Ave, Aurora, (630) 851-8010
Donations only

ALL YOU CAN EAT!  People say its the best breakfast ever! 

*****Serving ****** Serving ****** Serving
Scrambled eggs, Biscuits & sausage gravy, Sausage patties, Bacon, American fried potatoes   (regular & spicy), Pancakes, French toast (made to order)

4. Northern Illinois University Campus Ministry

WHO: NIU Wesley FoundationpancakeNIU
WHAT: Good Morning Huskies Pancake Breakfast
WHEN: Sunday, October 18th
WHERE: 321 Oak Street, DeKalb First UMC
Tickets available at the door: $8.00

5. Burlington

Turkey Dinner,  Saturday, November 7th, from 4:30 to 6:30 pm. at 195 West Center Street, across from the Fire station in Burlington. Carry-outs will be available from 4:30-6:30 pm.

The popular homemade menu features roast turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, squash, gravy, cranberries, green beans, and many types of pies and cakes! 
Proceeds from this dinner help support the programs of the UMC in Burlington.  Please come and bring your friends and neighbors for this annual tradition of good food. Adults $10, children 6-12 $4, under 6 are free.


Please send your pancake breakfast or other meal to [email protected] with the subject line "Pancakes."