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In the News
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Aurora Church says final prayers ~ Chicago Tribune | |
After 174 years, the first church in Aurora's history, First United Methodist, held a closing service Sunday, June 26.
Several former pastors and members returned to participate in the service
and a following luncheon. The closing was due to a decline in attendance
from a high of 850 members to 27.
Church offices will be locked for the last time June 30.
(Al Benson photo)
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++++++++++++++++++++++++  Rockford Urban Ministries (RUM) 49th Annual Dinner was held June 24. Rob Warden, Executive Director Northwestern Law University's Center of Wrongful Convictions was the keynote speaker speaking on "How Illinois Abolished the Death Penalty."  | |
Rob Warden
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RUM is the social justice outreach of 20 area United Methodist Churches. The latest projects include opening JustGoods, a fair trade store at 201 Seventh Street; placing a wind generator on the roof; and Rockford Work Camps. RWC invites church volunteers to help low income families repair their homes. This summer, 12 volunteer groups will work on a dozen homes.
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Bishop's Schedule
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June 27-July 9 - Leadership for: Five Day Spiritual Formation Academy Seoul, South Korea
July 12-13 - Council of Bishops, Executive Committee
July 13-14 - Korean National Plan Meeting
July 18 - National Korean Cross Racial Appointment Gathering
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NIC Job Openings
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The Northern Illinois Conference is seeking candidates for several open positions. Click on the job title for more information.
JFON Regional Attorney
Administrative Assistant to the Rockford/ DeKalb District Superintendants
Administrative Assistant to the NIC Northwestern/ Southern District Superintendents
For a complete list of job openings visit our website
www.umcnic.org/Jobs
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Green Grants Contest
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We need your votes!
Euclid Avenue United Methodist Church in Oak Park is one of 10 organizations nominated for a grant for going Geothermal.
The top four will be given grant funds to help with their projects.
The link to the site is below. Voting ends June 30.
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Pension Board Sets July 15
Public Forum
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The United Methodist Board of Pension and Health Benefits will hold a public forum at 11:45 a.m. Friday, July 15 at the agency headquarters,1901 Chestnut Ave. in Glenview, Ill. Anyone who wishes to address the board may do so. To register, contact Colette Nies by July 1 by calling (800) 269-2244, extension 4296, or sending an e-mail to nies@gbophb.org.
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2011 Stewardship Conference
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Registration is open for the 2011 Stewardship conference on August 27, 2011. Funding your Church's Vision is the theme of this year's conference sponsored by the UM Foundation.
Keynote Speaker is Dr. Lovett H. Weems, Jr., Director of the Lewis Center for Church Leadership.
It will be held at Wheatland Salem UMC 1852 95th St., Naperville, IL. It will also be available via live-streaming at various satellite locations: Rochelle UMC, Roscoe UMC, Hilltop Ministries Center Machesney Park, St. Mark UMC, Chicago, First UMC, Park Ridge and Zion: Memorial UMC.
Click here for registration information.
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Celebrations for Departing
District Superintendents
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Addison Shields Celebration of Ministry
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Regional Administrative Assistant Connie Williams and Rev. Addison Shields share smiles at a reception to celebrate his ministry.
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Friends and colleagues came from the four corners of the conference to celebrate the ministry of Chicago Southern District Superintendent Addison Shields on Saturday, June 25.
"I feel blessed by the gathering which took place and by all the well-wishes for my new appointment. It's wonderful knowing that going to the new appointment, I'm not going alone...It has the Bishop's anointing as well as the backing and support from family and friends."
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Addison Shields shares a moment with Rockford Dist. Supt.
Ouk-Yean Kim Jueng.
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Rev. Shields was also touched by the outpouring of support from both of the Rockford and Southern districts which he served a combined seven years as superintendent. Rev. Shields has been appointed to Senior Pastor at LaGrange: First UMC. We thank Rev. Sheilds for his continued ministry.
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Larry Hilkemann Retirement Celebration
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Larry and wife Bonnie were honored at a special retirement service at Rochelle UMC.
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Well-wishers from the various churches Rev. Larry Hilkemann served during his more than four decades of ministry in the Northern Illinois Conference came out for a special retirement celebration service on Sunday, June 26 at Rochelle UMC.
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Rev. Hilkemann greets friends at a reception following his retirement service.
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Rev. Hilkemann has no plans of slowing down in retirement. "I don't golf or fish," Larry says. So, what will he do after 46 years in ministry, six years as DeKalb District Superintendent? "I'm waiting to see what's coming next," he says.
Rev. Hilkemann will be returning to Nebraska, where he was raised, to attend his first high school reunion in 51 years. He also plans on teaching at the Academy for Spiritual Formation. read the full story>>
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Record Setting Floods in Upper Midwest
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Floodwaters in North and South Dakota reached unprecedented levels and will take weeks to recede. Pictured here, Minot, North Dakota.
Courtesy ND Dept Emergency Management
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Bulging rivers in North and South Dakota crested last weekend at unprecedented levels, but with that climactic event, the challenges to the surrounding communities are far from over. Read more here. The United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR) is in communication with disaster response personnel of the Dakotas Annual Conference and is preparing for a response that may take as long as two years to complete. Minot, North Dakota, evacuated 11,000 families, and Pierre, the capital of South Dakota evacuated 1,300. "Unfortunately, we continue to experience tremendous rainfalls, creating more and more difficulty," said the Rev. Kathy Chesney, conference disaster response coordinator for South Dakota. Your help is urgently needed. Your gift to US Disaster Response, UMCOR Advance #901670, supports UMCOR's efforts before, during, and after an emergency caused by flooding, hurricanes, tornadoes, or other catastrophic events in the United States.  RELIEF SUPPLIES: KITS MEET URGENT NEEDS  In just two months, centers in UMCOR's Relief Supply Network shipped out 169,512 kits. Many of them were sent in response to the severe floods and tornadoes that have lumbered through the United States since spring.
As the network of seven relief-supply centers continues to respond to both US and international requests for kits, they must replenish their supplies to prepare for this summer's Atlantic hurricane season, which began June 1, and to meet other needs, especially for school kits. Consider how your church group, family, or congregation can provide support to this United Methodist lifeline of supplies in times of crisis and need. There are many ways to be a part of the relief-supply ministry: collect and assemble kits, volunteer, or give towards the purchase of materials with your gift to Material Resource Ministry, UMCOR Advance #901440. |
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Worship in Times of Tragedy & Trouble
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 Resources and aids for planning congregational worship on the 10th anniversary of 9/11 or at times of disaster and loss. Led by the NIC Worship Work Area.
Saturday, July 1610 am to 12 noonGathering and Registration at 9:30amKingswood UMC 401 W. Dundee Rd. Buffalo Grove Confirm your participation at: 847-398-0770 or office@kingswoodumc.com $10 donation requested to cover cost of resources download flyer |
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School of Christian Mission
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United Methodist Women will be able to award CEU credit to clergy who attend School of Christian Mission which will be held July 21-24, 2011 at Judson University, Elgin.
download the Flyer for more information
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Hyatt Boycott Monitoring
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As a part of the recent national Interfaith Worker Justice conference, over 70 United Methodists prayed and marched with Hyatt workers who were holding a 24-hour strike at the Hyatt Regency Chicago. Pictured are all former US-2 or Mission Interns along with Rev. Michael Mann.
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A NIC Hyatt Boycott Monitoring & Organizing Committee, led by Rev. Teran Loeppke, has been established to provide support to our Annual Conference resolution to join the worker-led boycotts of certain Hyatt hotels until the workers have resolved their labor disputes. Those hotels include the Hyatt Regency Chicago, the Hyatt Regency O'Hare, The Park Hyatt Chicago, and the Hyatt Regency Indianapolis. The full list can be found at http://www.hotelworkersrising.org/hyatt/ --and NIC news coverage can be seen at www.umcnic.org
Mark your calendars. July 21 will be a global day of action for Justice at Hyatt, with actions being held in cities across the United States and the world, including Chicago, Paris, and London. More details to follow. Contact Rev. Teran Loeppke at teran1e@gmail.com for more information.
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Plumbline - PEACE Gen 2011
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Registration Now Open!
October 9-12, 2011 New York City Plumbline Tour '11 is an invitation to all interested United Methodist High School Youth to learn how to reflect on social justice issues from a Christian perspective. The seminar will be held at the Church Center at the United Nations in New York City. We will: ˇattend workshops ˇ worship together ˇ reflect on what we've learned ˇ tour the UN ˇ explore New York City ˇ have fun ˇ eat amazing food! We hope you can join us! Cost: The seminar fee of $650, includes: Roundtrip airfare to NYC (and in-city travel) Hotel accommodations All meals (restaurant meals included) All other program costs (UN, tours, seminar). A refundable $50 fee is due with the Registration Form. Partial Scholarships are available (please indicate need when you send in application materials). Preference will be given to applications received by August 20, 2011. Sponsored by:
The Office of Connectional Ministries Northern Illinois Conference Click here for the brochure and registration form: |
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