The United Methodist Church
Northern Illinois Conference

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Welcome to the Thursday NIC eNews. For comments or questions, please see our new submission guidelines or email [email protected].
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Response to Disaster in Haiti

Churches across Northern Illinois are responding to the disaster through prayer, donations and action. Thank you for your support. See the third column of any page on our website for links to how you and your church can help out.

Our Disaster Response Coordinator is:
Rev. Christina Vosteen - [email protected]

http://www.umcnic.org

UMC Worldwide Response

* NEW Sign up for more information on future mission trips to Haiti

* NEW One Great Hour of Sharing

* NEW Give money to Grace Children's Hospital in Port-au-Prince

New this week on UMCNIC.org

Haiti Relief Donations Qualify for Immediate Tax Relief
By Christine Dodson, North Carolina Annual Conference

Harvest 2020 Lenten Prayer Card
By Harvest 2020 Spiritual Formation team
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February is Black History Month

For resources on Black History Month, including writings by John Wesley on the subjects of slavery and injustice, please visit the General Board of Global Ministries.

How Are Your Church's Short-Term Investments Doing?

By Rev. Harry Nicol, United Methodist Foundation

Many churches have short-term investments. These invested funds may be money being held before moving forward on a building project, funds being saved for a future purchase, etc. These short-term investments are most commonly held in certificates of deposit (CDs) and money market funds. They are sometimes held in checking and savings accounts. Sometimes churches, seeking to be cautious, even put long-term investments in these vehicles.

To address the historically low recent returns on these "safe" investments, the United Methodist Foundation has recently made available an ultra short-term bond fund managed by PIMCO, which may provide a good option to some groups willing to accept very modest risk to achieve a somewhat more attractive return. 

If your church has concerns about its short-term investments, this short-term bond fund could be an alternative. Call the Foundation (312-346-9766) and talk to Harry Nicol (ext. 103) or Carolyn Cook (ext. 104) about this option. It's inexpensive, relatively safe, has potential for modest gain, and the Foundation handles the management for you.

You can also visit the Foundation's website, http://www.nicumf.org, for more details about or entire investment program.
The Week Ahead

NIC Calendar

1/29-31: DeKalb District Winter Lay Academy
Lay Speaking Courses for local/certified and to begin/renew as Lay Speakers
 
1/30: Aurora District UMW Mission Team Meeting

1/30: Congregational Resource Center - Church in Community

1/30: Elgin Leadership Development

1/30: NW District Lead 2010

1/31: Potluck, Deacon Gregory Gross discusses his trip to Mutare, Zimbabwe


Pancake Breakfast of the Week
 
1. Elgin First UMCpancakes

The Youth of First UMC, 216 East Highland Avenue, Elgin, will be servi
ng a Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper on Tuesday, February 16. 6:00 to 7:30 p.m.  Free-will offering.  Proceeds go to the Summer Youth Mission Trip to the Cumberland Mountains.

2. Riverside UMC

58th Annual Pancake Day - Saturday, February 6, 8:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m.
82 Woodside Rd., Riverside. $8.00 for adults, $6.00 for pre-teens. Featuring: All-you-can-eat pancakes & sausage and a 5-hour Music Variety Show. Native American Music, Blues, Jazz, Vocals, Piano, Contemporary Violin, Opera. For more information, contact Tom Sisulak, 708-447-3767 or Pastor Doug Asbury, 708-442-1982.

3. Emmanuel and East Jordan UMCs of Polo and Sterling will be serving the 49th annual pancake supper on Wednesday evening, February 3. All-you-can-eat pancakes, custom made sausage, apple sauce, Jello salads and beverages are offered from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m. at Emmanuel UMC, 702 E. Dixon St., across from the high school football field in Polo. Tickets are $5.50 for adults, $3.50 children 5 -10 years and free for those 4 years and under. Contact 815-946-3212 for inquiries.

4. Mount Hope UMC, Johnsburg

Souper Bowl of Caring Sunday, Feb. 7th at Mount Hope United Methodist Church, 1015 W. Broadway, Johnsburg, IL. Homemade bowls of soup will be served by the Youth after the 10:30 worship service.  Donations collected will be given to FISH, the local food pantry.


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