| May 26, 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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Annual Conference Tidbits
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Ushers are needed for Plenary Sessions Contact Char Hoffmann at char-rfumc@sbcglobal.net or call River Forest UMC at 708-771-3668.
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Bishop's Schedule
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May 26 - Interfaith Celebration: UMC and Council of Islamic Organizations of Greater Chicago at Northwestern University
June 6 - Cabinet Meeting
June 8-11 - Annual Conference
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Red Ribbon Award
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Rev. Gregory D. Gross, LCSW, an ordained deacon in the United Methodist Church who is the Clinical Manager of the HIV Testing & Prevention Program at Center on Halsted in Chicago is the recipient of "The Compassionate Heart" Red Ribbon Award from the Illinois State Board of Education and the Illinois Department of Public Health.
"The Compassionate Heart Award" is presented for outstanding work in the HIV continuum of care that has significantly improved the quality of life for people living with HIV/AIDS.
The Center on Halsted was the recipient of a small grant from the Northern Illinois Conference in 2010 from the World Aids Day offering.
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Annual Conference News
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Clergy IDs for Delegate Election Now Available on the website. Click here to find your number.
New Registration costs
Register On-Line Last day to register online June 1 - cost $75 June 2-7 No registrations or meal purchases accepted. (pay by check or credit card) June 8 on-site: $75 (pay by cash, check or credit card)
You will need to know your church name and number when you register. If you aren't sure, you can check for it in this PDF. Here they are listed alphabetically by city. When you register they are listed by number with name.
Meals at Annual Conference 2011
Reminder to purchase your meals in advance.
All meal tickets must be purchased before end of day June 8. All sales are final.
For a list of the meals that you will be able to sign up for and pay for during registration click here.
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New Conference Leaders Sought
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The Northern Illinois Conference Nominations Committee is seeking nominations for prospective conference leaders. Those with gifts and a strong interest in Administrative areas as well as Program areas are encouraged to submit forms to be considered at the 2011 Annual Conference Session. Forms should be submitted as soon as possible to John Stryker PO Box 7206, Buffalo Grove, IL 60089 or by email: noms@johnstryker.com Download form
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Joplin tornado hits UM churches, members
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Several United Methodist churches in Joplin, Mo., were scrambling to provide shelter Monday morning for church members and others whose homes were damaged by a tornado the day before.
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Tornado survivors walk down a road
in Joplin, Mo.
Missouri Bishop Robert Schnase
asks for prayer and
donations to help those affected by the twister
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At least two churches also suffered extensive damage.
The Rev. Christopher Sloan, pastor of Christ's Community United Methodist Church, compared viewing the aftermath to looking at a "lunar landscape."
The devastation is so well defined, he added, that "when you get on a hill, you can see a path through the city."
United Methodists are also responding to deadly tornadoes that touched down over the weekend in Kansas and Minnesota. The twisters left at least one person dead in northern Minneapolis and killed another in Reading, a town of about 250 people in eastern Kansas.
Winds ripped off the roof of Reading United Methodist Church, and the building may be a total loss. About 20 homes in the town were destroyed.
Donations to help UMCOR respond to "Spring Storms 2011" can be made here.
Read Linda Bloom's full article >>
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Hispanic/Latino Lay Academy
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The Lay Academy was appropriately held at El Mesias UMC located, in Elgin, IL. This church is in the process of documenting its rich Hispanic/ Latino history. El Mesias is one of a few Hispanic/ Latino churches that does not share its facilities with another United Methodist Church congregation.
The Lay Speakers Academy's first session opened on May 14 with special guest speaker, Bishop Joel Martinez, retired bishop from Rio Grande Conference.
The second and concluding session happened on Saturday, May 21 2011. A special worship service was held to celebrate the graduates of the Hispanic/ Latino Lay Speakers Academy and the 18 graduates of the Conference Academy for Faith Community Development which was a two year commitment under Harvest 2020.  The incredible worship service included - praise dancers, contemporary worship music and amazing food. This combined graduation celebration included a dinner with our Bishop Hee-Soo Jung, the graduates and their families. District Superintendent Rev. Oscar Carrusco offered a challenging message to the graduates. 
Read the full story by Karen Sersen- Elgin District Lay Speakers Academy Director >>
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Institute for Congregational Development
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On Thursday, May 19, a dinner and celebration was held at Wheatland Salem UMC in Naperville for the graduates of the Institute for Congregational Development (ICD). Congratulations go out to each graduate and their two year commitment to this process. "The dinner was an amazing experience with everyone sharing their testimonies," said Rev. J. Martin Lee, Director of Congregational Development and Redevelopment. Rev. Michael Jones who is going to Dixon: First, and dreams of birthing a new Faith Community in the most economically challenged area of the city shared his testimony. "I've had a passion to reach people for Christ but I didn't have the skill set to know how to do that in a good way," said Rev. Jones. "This is equipping us with the skills that we need. All the things I was learning, I was bringing back to my church and it really created some new energy."
Bishop Hee-Soo Jung told the graduates, "This is a great and joyful celebration and I thank you for your excitement for our church and God's work."
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Turnaround Church Boot Camp
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 Two Days with Paul Nickerson
June 4 & 5, 2011
Paul has more than 30 years of experience as a local pastor, judicatory leader and church consultant.
Turnaround Church Boot Camp teaches you to: Understand your community, network in that mission field, Design invitational events, develop excellent hospitality, and build teams and receive coaching. Deadline for registration for hotel May 19. Registration for commuters, May 29.
8:30 a.m. registration
9:00 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.
Location: Crowne Plaza Hotel,
2875 N. Milwaukee, Northbrook
Cost: $175 teams of up to 3 persons, $30 each additional person. Pastors must be on the team.
Registration includes lunch and morning coffee. Registration forms are available on the conference website. For more information contact: Judy Siaba 312-346-9766 ext 124, or jsiaba@umcnic.org
Flyer
A Harvest 2020: Healthy Discipleship event
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| Art Contest - Deadline Extended |
Calling all Northern Illinois United Methodist Children who are in 1st to 8th Grade. Please enter the ART CONTEST for the cover of the 2011-2012 RAINBOW COVENANT BOOK. This year's theme is: "It's in our Hands" Please have the drawings on an 8 1/2 x 11" white paper with the width being 8 1/2". On the lower right hand corner of the BACK of the artwork please print: Artist's name, age, address, phone number, church and district. The cover artwork will be voted on by the attendees of the Rainbow Covenant Luncheon at our Northern Illinois Annual Conference this June, 2011. Mail by June 1, 2011 to: Mari Schirmer 7S 348 Baltusrol Lane Naperville, IL 60540
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Local Church Events
| Local church events are posted on the web.
Read about May Events
Read about June Events |
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FREE CHOIR MUSIC!!!
More than 40 years of music from Chicago Lawn UMC choirs.
Contact: Marcelle Wilkins @773-434-8328 or email @ marcelle126@sbcglobal.net
FREE Children's Choir Robes
Arlington Heights FUMC has about 30 children's choir robes in good condition.
They're wheat-colored cotton with velcro closures and range in sizes to
fit 3feet tall up to approx. 5 foot 4 inches tall. They also have fabric on a bolt if anyone wishes to make more robes to match. Contact: Francy Bearden,Coordinator of Music Ministries Office: 847-255-5112 ext. 22 Church email: f.bearden@fumcah.com
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