The United Methodist Church
Northern Illinois Conference
eNews for December 3
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Welcome to the Thursday NIC eNews. For comments or questions, please see our new submission guidelines or email communications@umcnic.org.
Thanks,
Matt Kuzma
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Free Event this Saturday - A Day of Hope
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 In celebration of World AIDS Day, our conference will offer free HIV testing and a service of worship and education at Hartzell Memorial UMC, 3330 S. King Dr. in Chicago this Saturday from 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
The event is free and open to the public. We especially encourage youth groups and any congregations who conduct missions in the areas of health, health education and senior citizen outreach. Churches that conduct international missions may also find this information particularly helpful. The event will feature expert speakers Rev. Don Messner and Rev. Charles Straight and music from Genesis Connection, the Southern District United Methodist Men's
Choir, and the youth choir from The Zone. Lunch and T-shirts are free for the first 200 people at the door. Join us! A Day of Hope |
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In Step With the Bishop
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Bishop Jung with the faithful at Ingleside UMC, before we had fun moving around sanctuary furniture and planning out where a new altar might go
By Matt Kuzma
I must admit that I was skeptical. He visits every church? In person? It seemed like a pretty inefficient use of a Bishop's time. Boy, was I wrong.
Two weeks ago, I tagged along with Bishop Jung, Oscar Carrasco and Jean Bush on a tour of several Elgin District congregations. Now that the Bishop has visited more than 360 of our churches in person, he has the routine down, but for me, it was eye-opening. We met with clergy and lay leaders. We prayed together. We talked about where the church is strong, and where it needs to grow. And we saw a whole lot of construction!
These conversations could happen by phone, email, or a giant web conference. But then they'd be much less meaningful.
At each church, the Bishop prays in the sanctuary, then after meeting with folks from the congregation, he asks, "When I lift up this congregation in prayer, what do you want me to pray for?"
The answers come from the heart: Patience. Strength to continue our global missions. Courage to reach out and welcome new people in. Peace for our brothers and sisters who have lost jobs.
Then, we join hands and pray together. It's moving in a way no conference call or meeting could match.
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New this week on UMCNIC.org
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Free Small Group Training, Saturday Dec. 12
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Open to all churches:
"Theology of Class Meetings: Our United Methodist Heritage of Small Groups in the Mode of John Wesley" led by Barry Bryant, Associate Director of UM & Wesleyan History at Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary.
9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at Bethany UMC in Itasca, 400 N. Walnut St., Itasca, IL 60143
This is the first of six sessions about small groups, how they work, and how to implement them in your congregation. For more information, please contact Jean Bush at jbush@umcnic.org or visit our website.
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Council of Bishops Special Appeal for the Philippines
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In September and October, 2009, four powerful typhoons hit the
Philippines, causing widespread devastation. At least 1,000 people were
killed, and thousands more were displaced because of flooding and
landslides.
The Council of Bishops has issued a Churchwide Appeal for Philippines Disasters (No. 818-002-PHP). Contributions will provide
humanitarian relief and support for the ministries and congregations of
The United Methodist Church in the Philippines. Please pray for your
sisters and brothers in the Philippines and give generously. One
hundred percent of every donation goes to the Churchwide Appeal for
Philippines Disasters. Donations for this appeal are credited to Rainbow Covenant giving. Please contact Merrie Bunt at mbunt@umcnic.org for more information. |
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Events around the Districts
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Pancake Breakfast of the Week
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As a wise monster once said, "C is for cookie."
1. Bethany of Fox Valley UMC
The annual Cookie Walk and Bazaar at Bethany will be
December 5 from 9am-2pm. This fundraiser includes a cookie walk, bazaar and
lunch ($5 served from 11-1). The cookie walk is the sale of thousands of
cookies. Customers purchase a container, put on a plastic glove and walk
around tables laden with cookies to choose their favorites. The bazaar is a
sale of handmade craft items, baked goods, candies and gift baskets. Please
join us!
2. Grace UMC, Rockford 
Chili and Soup Dinner
Wednesday, December 9, 2009
Grace United Methodist Church
3555 McFarland Rd., Northeast Rockford
Come join us! Serving from 5-7 p.m.
Menu: Chili, Soup, Corn Bread, Beverages & Desserts
$7.00 Adults; $3.50 for ages 4-10; 3 and under Free!
Tickets may be purchased at the door or from any GRACE CHURCH member.
Call 815-637-4561 for more information.
Please send your pancake breakfast or other meal to communications@umcnic.org with the subject line "Pancakes."
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