The United Methodist Church
Northern Illinois Conference
eNews for December 17
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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
Director of Communications
P.S. Many thanks to the NIC Personnel Committee, Beth Swanick, Rev. Chris Pierson, Judy Pohlman and Bishop Jung for their trust. I am honored to serve you!
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In Step With the Bishop: Holy Texts
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By Matt Kuzma
Holy texts-but not the kind you're thinking of.
This week, the U.S. Census Bureau released research that shows text messaging in the U.S. doubled from December of 2007 to December 2008. 65% of all adults send or receive a text message, and in total, cell phone users sent 110 billion messages last December alone.
What is the last text you sent? Did it convey the message you really wanted to send? What message could you send someone today to share the love of Christ?
On Monday, I decided to text Bishop Jung and ask him for any special prayers that the conference could lift up in the eNews this week. Here is his text message reply.
Here are my prayers:
1. Ministry w poor around conference- shelters, food pantry, community ministries 2. New faith communities and leaders n continuous planting vision 3. Peace and no more victims in inner city gun violence 4. Philippine recovery n human right justice 5. Christmas peace for all Christians
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RSVP Now! Laity Convocation - January 16 |
LAITY CONVOCATION
Show Me The Way: Focus on Ministry with the Poor and Improving Global Health
When: January 16, 2010 Where: Sycamore UMC, 160 Johnson Ave., Sycamore, IL Time: Registration 8:00 a.m. Program: 8:45 a.m. - 2:45 p.m.
Keynote Speaker: Bishop Felton E. May
Cost: $12.00 (including breakfast & lunch) if pre-registered, or $15.00 at door
The council of Bishops of the UMC has led the church in
concentrating upon four area of focus for the church's mission. Two of
them will be addressed at this event:
1) Engaging in ministry with the poor.
2) stamping out killer diseases of poverty by improving health globally.
You will learn how to: Start new health and poverty ministries to reach out to your community Develop the internal framework needed to support health and poverty ministries Engage and mobilize community leaders to promote and support your ministry Identify resources in your community to support your health and poverty ministry
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New this week on UMCNIC.org
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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. |
Survey for all clergywomen from Bishop Sally Dyck
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Bishop
Sally Dyck
Minnesota
Area Office
Bishop.dyck@mnumc.org
To all clergywomen in all categories of ministry:
The General Board of Higher Education and Ministry has in
the past sponsored an international clergywomen's consultation each
quadrennium. This quadrennium each jurisdiction is responsible for implementing
its own clergywomen's gathering with the hope that we can have a global one
again in 2014.
The women bishops in the jurisdiction have been asked to see
what the interest is for such an event and who might be willing to provide
leadership for it yet this quadrennium. Therefore, please take the time to complete
the survey linked below by January 15, 2010.
http://public.gbhem.org/snapwebhost/surveylogin.asp?k=125908485434
Blessings of hope, peace, joy and love in this Advent/Christmas
season,
Bishops Linda Lee, Deborah Kiesey and Sally Dyck (NCJ)
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Harvest 2020 Update - New Faith Community g2g Church
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 Ed. note: Chicago Southeast g2g is one of our Harvest 2020 New Faith Communities. To donate to this or any of our new faith communities, please visit our donation page.
By Rev. Zaki L. Zaki
With the help of our Annual Conference and all of you, God continues to do great things
at g2g Church (please visit us at www.g2gChurch.org)
We currently have 180 teens, young adults, and children who attend 12 weekly small groups where they study the Bible, share, and grow spiritually. We also conduct weekly worship and monthly Youth Nights.
Recently, g2g started praying that God would open a door for us to
serve at one of the most violent neighborhoods in Chicago. The
Bush neighborhood, to the north of us, is an extremely poor community
that has been devestated by violence, drugs, and gangs. After much
prayer, God opened the door for g2g to begin weekly Bible Study,
mentoring, leadership development, boxing, and fitness programs at
the public school in the community, New Sullivan School. Next month,
we will also begin a community-wide Celebration and Worship twice a
month.
At New Sullivan Elementary School, we have installed a boxing ring,
punching bags, and fitness equipment. Every Monday and Wednesday from
3:15 to 5:15 p.m., we send a g2g boxing & fitness coach and a
Mentoring & Bible Study Coach. The two g2g coaches work with a
group of 30 teen students selected by the school because of discipline,
violence, and academic problems.
g2g has started a similar program at Douglas Taylor Elementary School
in the Calumet Park area. We are there on Tuesdays and Thursdays to work
with 30 teen students from that school.
At both schools, Community-wide Celebrations and Worship will be
conducted every other week and will include a Parent's Resource Fair to
reach-out to the parents and to serve the entire community.
g2g is currently training mentors and coaches to start additional
programs at three additional schools; Thorp Elementary School, Bright
Elemetary School, and Epic Academy High School. We hope to start these
programs in January.
To
celebrate this new beginning, we have organized a Community-Wide
Celebration on Friday, December 18th from 6 to 8 p.m. at The Zone
(11731 S. Avenue O, Chicago IL 60617)
Local Artists
will display their art, school children from several schools
will display their posters around the theme of "Peace in My Community",
and our Latin Dancers and Youth Band, LH2O will perform.
Dr.
Nelson, Principal of New Sullivan School, and Dr. Truesdale, Principal
of Douglas Taylor will be honored for their leadership.
Please honor us by your Presence with us on December 18th.
Thank you for your much appreciated support.
Rev. Dr. Zaki L. Zaki (773-497-4141)
Planting Pastor, g2g Church
Founder, The Zone Youth & Community Center
Pastor, East Side United Methodist Church
Chairperson, Southeast Chicago Anti-gang Initiative
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Clergy Tax Seminar - January 27
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Looking for help with your 2009 taxes? Help is on the way!
The United Methodist Foundation announces a seminar to assist clergy with preparation of their 2009 tax returns. The seminar will be led by Lynette Rice, CPA. Lynette
is a Benefits Education Specialist with the General Board of Pension
and Health Benefits and an active United Methodist with many years of
experience working with clergy financial issues. Her presentation will
be informative and interactive.
Event Sponsors: General Board of Pension and Health Benefits and the United Methodist Foundation of NIC
When: 8:30 registration, program from 9 a.m. to noon, Wednesday, January 27, 2010
Where: Barrington United Methodist Church: 98 Algonquin Road, Barrington, Illinois 60010
Cost: $10 if Pre-registered; $12 at the door
Link to Registration Form
For further information, please contact Foundation staff:
Harry Nicol, hnicol@umcnic.org, 312.346.9766, ext. 103
Janet Boryk, jboryk@umcnic.org, 312.346.9766, ext. 106
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Media Resource Centerclosed for holidays
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By Susan Gieseler
The
Media Resource Center will be closed between Dec. 22, 2009, and Jan. 3, 2010.
All resource requests received by 2 PM, Friday, Dec. 16 will be responded to
and shipped as requested. Resources requested for the Jan. 2010, will be
shipped on Jan. 4, if available. I hope that all of you have a wonderful
Christmas, and that you can feel the gift of Christ's Spirit filling your
heart.
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Amazing progress on video poker fight
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By Nancy Duel
Cook
County, DuPage County, Kane County, Lake County, Addison, Batavia,
Beach Park, Burbank, Burr Ridge, Bloomingdale, Buffalo Grove,
Carbondale, Carol Stream, Country Club Hills, Darien, East Dundee,
Elburn, Elmhurst, Evanston, Glen Ellyn, Glenview, Hanover Park,
Hawthorn Woods, Highland Park, Itasca, Kildeer, La Grange, Lake Bluff,
Lake Forest, Libertyville, Lincolnwood, Lisle, Mettawa, Mount Prospect,
Naperville, Northbrook, Oak Park, Oakbrook Terrace, Orland Park, Palos
Heights, Rochester, Rosemont, Schiller Park, South Holland, Villa Park,
Wayne, West Chicago, Wheaton, Wilmette, Winfield.
Thank you to all of you that have worked to achieve this great accomplishment.
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Apportionments Update
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By Merrie Bunt, NIC Apportionments Administrator
As 2009 draws to a close, many will define this year by economic instability and uncertainty which may be felt for months
and months to come. Despite this current situation, the churches of the
Northern Illinois Conference have continued to demonstrate their faithfulness
and generosity through their apportionment giving. Apportionments are the
share that each local church pays to support critical mission and ministries at
every level of the United Methodist Church.
As of December
15th, 60 churches have paid 100% of their 2009 apportionments!
Many more churches have also expressed their commitment to paying all or most
of their apportionments. We continue to pray that each and every
congregation is able to meet and exceed their goal for year-end apportionment
giving.
We celebrate with the following churches that have paid
100% of their apportionments:
Aurora District
AURORA: NUEVA VIDA, AURORA: SOUTH ASIAN UMC, GREEN GARDEN, LEMONT, LISLE: FAITH, MANHATTAN, MINOOKA, MORRIS: FIRST, NAPERVILLE: KOREAN UMC, NEW LENOX, WHEATON: ALDERSGATE, BOLINGBROOK: CROSSROADS OF FAITH
Chicago Northwestern District
CHICAGO: CHURCH OF THE THREE CROSSES, CHICAGO: INDO PAK, CHICAGO: MANDELL, DEERFIELD: CHRIST, EVANSTON: EMMANUEL, OAK PARK: EUCLID AVENUE
Chicago Southern District
CHICAGO: GRACE KOREAN, CHICAGO: HARTZELL MEMORIAL, CHICAGO: MORGAN PARK, CHICAGO: NEW GRESHAM, CHICAGO: SOUTH SHORE, CHICAGO: UNION AVENUE, CHICAGO: UNITED CHURCH OF HYDE PARK, THORNTON
DeKalb District
CORTLAND, DIXON: FIRST, EARLVILLE, ELKHORN, ESMOND, KIRKLAND, LEON, LIGHTHOUSE, LYNDON, MALTA, SENECA: FIRST, STEWARD
Elgin District
ANTIOCH, ELGIN: WESLEY, LIBERTYVILLE, WINTHROP HARBOR: NORTH PRAIRIE, WAUCONDA: FEDERATED, WINTHROP HARBOR, WOODSTOCK: FIRST, BEACH PARK: YORK HOUSE, WAUKEGAN: METODIST UNIDA SAN PABLO
Rockford District
APPLE RIVER, ARGO FAY, BLAINE, FAIRHAVEN, FORRESTON: FIRST, HUNTER, MCCONNELL, OWEN CENTER, PECATONICA, RED OAK , ROCKFORD: BETHANY, ROCKFORD: CHRIST THE CARPENTER, SHIRLAND
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Congratulations!
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Rev. Cheon Eui Oh
and his wife, Sim Hyang Hwang, are the proud parents of a healthy baby girl,
Elena, who was born on Tuesday, December 8th at Northshore University
Health System in Evanston. (Rev. Oh serves the Orangeville and Afolkey
churches.)
Congratulations
may be sent to:
Rev Cheon Eui
Oh & Sim Hyang Hwang
PO Box 98, Orangeville IL
61060
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Pancake Breakfast of the Week
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 See, I knew there was Scriptural backing for the pancake breakfast!
AURORA, Ill.-Three Aurora churches will partner to provide a free homemade meal for area residents Friday (Dec. 18).
The
fourth annual holiday Master's Meal will be held from 4 to 7 p.m. at
Wesley United Methodist Church, 14 N. May St. in Aurora. Co-sponsors
are Wesley UMC, Fourth St. UMC and Bethany of Fox Valley UMC.
The
menu includes baked turkey and ham, cornbread dressing, mashed potatoes
and gravy, green beans, tossed salad, cranberry sauce, dinner rolls,
desserts and beverages.
Each
diner will receive a free gift bag. A limited number of free shoes,
coats, jackets, sweaters, caps and gloves will also be given away.
Rev.
David Eichelberger, pastor of Fourth St. UMC, said the holiday Master's
Meal is a unique fellowship experience where the love of the babe of
Bethlehem is shown especially at this time of year.
Inspiration
for the Master's Meal comes from a parable in the Biblical book of
Matthew. In the story, a master sent workers into the community to
invite strangers to a feast when his invited guests didn't respond to
his invitation.
Free transportation is available. For transportation or information, call (630) 896-1033.
Please send your pancake breakfast or other meal to communications@umcnic.org with the subject line "Pancakes."
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