| April 28, 2011 |
Please send emails about e-news or the Reporter to Anne Marie Gerhardt, Dir. of Communications at communications@umcnic.org. All submissions for e-news must be received, in writing no later than 4:00 PM on Tuesday each week.
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Bishop's Schedule
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April 26-28 - New England Conference Clergy Retreat, Bishop Jung is serving as the guest leader for "A Journey with Elijah: Seeking Spiritual Renewal"
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April 30 - 7:45am
Morning Worship Leader for the North Central Jurisdiction RX Connection @ Glen Ellyn: First UMC - A gathering of those creating healthy communities in impoverished societies.
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Different Drummers
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In the latest edition of Different Drummers, Rev. Phil Blackwell from First United Methodist Church in Chicago talks with youth about God's role in natural disasters.
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Different Drummers: Where is God in Disasters?
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UMF 2011 Grantees
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Since 1999 the United Methodist Foundation has provided small grants to churches and related agencies to encourage new and emerging ministries.
Read more about the 26 grantees funded in 2011 here. |
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NIC-VIM Mission Fair- May 7
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All are invited to a Mission Fair from 2:30-5:30pm on Saturday, May 7, at Woodrige UMC. This fair will feature a time for displays of Volunteers in Mission trips and a time for worship. Come and see what's been happening with Volunteers in Mission! Bishop Daniel Arichea from the UMC Manila Episcopate in the Philippines will celebrate at the worship service. This worship will include a special celebration of Filipino ministries in the US. A special time of Philippine dance and music will also be included. Displays will feature the stories and photos from Volunteers in Mission (VIM) trips from this past year and before. Displays from Haiti, Bolivia, and the Philippines will be included. Displays will open at 2:30pm and will be open again after the worship. Anyone who has been involved in an NIC Mission here in the US or overseas is invited to provide a display for the Fair at no cost. Contact VIM Mission Chair Carol Meynen at cmeynen@gmail.com by April 30. Admission is free and a collection at worship will benefit the Central Conference Pension Initiative for overseas UMC pastors and deacons. For more information, contact Carol Meynen (cmeynen@gmail.com) or Rev. Michael Mann (mmann@umcnic.org)
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7 Bishops Preach at
Good Friday Service
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7 Bishops participated in the 7 last words of Christ on Good Friday
at St. Mark UMC in Chicago
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Guest Speakers included: Bishop Hee-Soo Jung, Bishop Gregory Palmer, Bishop Linda Lee, Rev. Dr. Bishop Roy Holmes, Bishop Sally Dyc, Bishop Julius Calvin Trimble and Bishop Jonathon Keaton.
Elgin District Supt. Oscar Carrasco attended the service and said, "People were moved to their feet. Each Bishop delivered a powerful message."  | |
Bishop Hee-Soo Jung preaching at the
Good Friday Service
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Bishop Helps Downers Grove
First UMC Celebrate 175th Anniversary
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Bishop Jung baptized Brady Nolan Hecht, son of Brian and Janet Hecht during the
Easter morning service.
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Bishop Hee-Soo Jung delivered the message Easter morning at three services at Downers Grove: First UMC. At the 9:30am service, he had the priviledge of baptizing a baby. "It was a great Sunday," said Music Coordinator, Andi Kinsella.
Downers Grove First UMC was founded in 1836, when Rev. Stephen Beggs added Downers Grove to his circuit, only four years after the settlement was first established by Pierce Downer. Throughout 2011, the church will be celebrating their heritage as the first organized church in Downers Grove.
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Golden Cross Sunday - May 1
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"Do not cast me off in the time of old age; do not forsake me when my strength is spent." Psalm 71:9 This Sunday, May 1 is the annual Golden Cross/United Adult Services Sunday. The theme, "A Day to Share...A Way to Care for Older Adults" is presented in a DVD hopefully you have seen recently. It was produced by the NIC-Older Adult Council earlier this year. The district superintendents distributed them to the pastors of each congregation.
The DVD highlight's the five agencies, Bethany Methodist Communities, Oak Crest DeKalb Area Retirement Center, Rainbow Ridge - Division of Kreider Services, United Methodist Homes and Services and Wesley Willows Corporation along with one of our scholarship recipients.
With the increased "graying of the churches" we ask you to give generously on this special offering Sunday for the continued support and services they bring. And by the way, it is part of the Rainbow Covenant! If for some reason, you haven't seen the DVD, take a moment to watch it now.
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Older Adults Ministry in the Northern Illinois Conference
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If your congregation is unable to have this special giving this Sunday, please do it another Sunday in May remembering to note it for 'Golden Cross/United Adult Services Sunday'. Thanking you in advance.
Rita L. Smith,
Older Adult Council Chairman
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Creative Ministries Grant
Deadline May 1
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The Northern Illinois Conference Program Council is accepting applications for Creative Ministries Grants (formerly called Emerging Ministries) to help fund new ministry projects.
Some examples of past recipients include Mandell UMC which received monies for their "Hip-Hop: Anti-Violence events and the United Methodist Foundation received a grant to broadcast to various locations the 2010 Stewardship Conference with Clif Christopher which attracted more than 400 attendees.
Applications need to be sent in by May 1, 2011. The forms are available to download by clicking here. |
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2011 Annual Conference News
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Memorial Service In just a few weeks we will be together in St. Charles at the 2011 Annual Conference Session. It is our tradition to celebrate the ministries of those Clergy members and Lay Members to Annual Conference who have passed away since our last session together. This Memorial Service will be celebrated on the first day of Annual Conference as the opening worship, at 10:00am.
Please review your church records and if any Lay members to the Annual Conference have passed away, we will need the following information:
Name, Local Church, Date of Death, Dates of service, Picture
This information should be forwarded to:
Ms. Susan Gieseler
Northern Illinois Conference Office
217 Division St.
Elgin, Il 60120
FAX: 847-931-0732
sgieseler@umcnic.org
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SOS: Repeal Video Poker and Oppose Slots at Racetracks
|  "Gambling is a menace to society..." Now is the time to urge your State Senator to support Senate Bill 17, which would repeal the Video Gaming Act of 2009. This bill passed very quickly in the Illinois General Assembly in May 2009. The Annual Conference in June 2009 voiced it's opposition sending signed letters to Governor Quinn asking him to veto the Video Gaming Act, but he signed the bill anyway. Now Senate President John Cullerton has introduced SB17 to repeal the Video Gaming Act. Please ask your State Senator to support this bill. Our witness needs to be made now with our State Legislators. Many bills are rushed through the General Assembly each May, just before adjournment on May 31. Additionally, another concern is House Bill 3107, which would place 900 to 1200 slot machines at each of the state's 6 racetracks. Please ask your State Representative to oppose HB 3107. PLEASE ACT NOW. Call, e-mail, or visit your Senator and Representative. For contact information, or if you do not know who your legislators are, go on line to: www.elections.il.gov and search by address, district or zip code. For more information or any questions, please contact Nancy Duel at nduel@aol.com or 847-259-3793. Read the full story>> |
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NIC United Methodist Women Legislative Day
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The NIC United Methodist Women's 4th Annual Legislative Action Day is Wednesday, May 4, 2011 in Springfield, IL.
Please join the United Methodist Women for a Faith-in-Action Day as we put our faith in action for women, children, youth and older adults. We will gather in the Chapel on the first floor of the Capitol at 10:30 AM for prayer and training. Contact Jessie Cunningham, NIC UMW Social Action Coordinator, @ jessieray9@aol.com for additional information and registration.
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Local Church Events
| News about local church events has been posted on the web.
Read about April Events
Read about May Events
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