| August 25, 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 p.m. on Tuesday each week. |
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Thank you from the Bishop
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Thank you to all those in the Northern Illinois Conference and beyond who remembered me with their prayers, cards, flowers and gifts following my surgery on August 10th.
I am feeling much better and have returned to a normal schedule. I am deeply touched by the care and concern that has been expressed and greatly appreciate the support and encouragement I have experienced.
~Bishop Hee-Soo Jung
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Now Available: Annual Conference 2011 DVDs
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Annual Conference
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Several DVDs are now available from Annual Conference sessions including the Ray Buckley Bible Study. Some are available to view on-line or download, others may be borrowed or purchased from the NIC Media Resource Center. More to come soon...To view the videos online click here... |
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Civil rights Pioneer W. Astor Kirk Dies
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W. Astor Kirk
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W. Astor "Bill" Kirk, who spent many years fighting official and unofficial segregation in The United Methodist Church, died Aug. 12, surrounded by his family at Washington Hospital Center. He was 89.
read the full story>>
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Support DREAM Sabbath
|  The United Methodist Council of Bishops Committee on Immigration, the United Methodist Interagency Immigration Task Force and the General Board of Church & Society encourage congregations to observe a DREAM Sabbath. Interfaith communities across the country are asked to choose a Sunday between September 16 and October 9 to conduct a conversation about the DREAM Act. The bill, "Development, Relief & Education for Alien Minors (DREAM)," gives undocumented students a chance to earn legal status if they came here as children, are long-term U.S. residents, have good moral character, and complete two years of college or military service in good standing.
The Dream Sabbath can be devoting an entire worship service to immigration issues, doing an adult Bible Study on immigration, or having a youth group discussion.
A free downloadable toolkit is available to help congregations participate in the DREAM Sabbath on a Sunday between Sept. 16-Oct. 9. The packet includes planning resources, sacred readings, reflections, links to videos and sample bulletin inserts. Click here to download.
Congregations are urged to Sign up for a Sunday online to ensure the sponsors and others in their area are aware of the congregation's participation. For more info click here. Immigrant advocates ask to 'Drop the I-Word' read more>> |
2011 Stewardship Conference-
Register Today
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Registration is still open for the 2011 UM Foundation's Stewardship conference, Funding your Church's Vision, this Saturday, August 27 from 9am-3pm. 
Keynote Speaker is Dr. Lovett H. Weems, Jr., Director of the Lewis Center for Church Leadership. Location: Wheatland Salem UMC 1852 95th St., Naperville Various satellite locations: St. Mark UMC, 8441 S. St. Lawrence, Chicago Faith UMC, 1440 S Walnut, Freeport Rochelle UMC, 709 Fourth Avenue, Rochelle Roscoe UMC, Hilltop Ministries Ctr, 8301 Mitchell Rd, Machesney Park Park Ridge First UMC, 418 Touhy Ave, Park Ridge Memorial UMC, 2935 Sheridan Road, Zion La Moille: Community UMC **new site added** Click here for registration information |
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Safe Sanctuary Training -September 17
|  Participants will be trained in safe and appropriate procedures for keeping children, youth and vulnerable adults safe in all church environments. Saturday, September 17 9am-3pm
Location: First UMC Elgin 216 E. Highland, Elgin A $20 registration fee will cover the training, a box lunch, your $5 background check and training materials.
Individuals or church groups are encouraged to register by calling the Outdoor and Retreat Ministries office at 800-642-2267 or email Connie Colon at orm@niccamp.org. or download the form to mail in. |
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Call the Governor to Veto
Senate Bill 744
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 Last week, Rev. Arlene Christopherson represented Bishop Hee-Soo Jung in a meeting with Gov. Pat Quinn concerning Senate Bill 744, the massive gambling expansion bill. The meeting included Anita Bedell, Executive Director of ILCAAAP (Illinois Church Action on Alcohol and Addiction Problems), Rev. Paul Rutgers, Executive Director of Council of Religious Leaders of Metropolitan Chicago, and Beth Paschall, member of NIC Anti Gambling Task Force.
Gov. Quinn spent over an hour and a half with the group, listening carefully and asking many questions. Proponents of the bill have also met with the Governor and are aggressively lobbying for him to sign the bill. Chicago's Mayor Rahm Emmanuel is pushing very hard for a mega casino for Chicago. A recent report on calls and e-mails to the Governor's office indicated 11,064 people expressed support for SB 744 while 2,961 were opposed. It's critical we generate many more phone calls and e-mails to Gov. Quinn. He could make his decision in the next few weeks to veto or sign SB 744. New voices are needed as well as repeats from those who have previously called and written. Please urge your congregation to contact Gov. Quinn by phone and e-mail. Also, please pray for the Governor as he ponders his decision. We can make a difference. Phone: 312-814-2121 or 217-782-6830 or 800-642-3112 or visit www.illinois.gov/gov and click on "contact us" to email the Governor. |
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UM Missionaries Visit the NIC
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The Rev. Nkemba and Mbwizu Ndjungu, UM missionaries to Cameroon, with their children.
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Long-time UM missionaries, Nkemba and Mbwizu Ndjungu, will be itinerating within the Northern Illinois Conference from September 21 through October 14, 2011. While in Illinois, Nkemba and Mbwizu are available for visiting churches and discribing their work in Cameroon. The NIC Board of Global Ministies is accepting invitations for the Ndjungus. If your church or small group would like to meet with Nkemba and Mbwizu during their itineration, please contact Wally Calaway at 630-910-1179; wcalaway@sbcglobal.net to make arrangments.
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China Bible Ministry Exhibition
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While making fall plans for your church youth and adult groups, consider a trip to Chicago to explore the history of the Bible in China. The Bible Ministry Exhibition of the Protestant Church in China, entitled "Thy Word is Truth", will be on display at the First United Methodist Church at the Chicago Temple from October 12-16, 2011.
For more information contact: Rev. Michael Mann at 847.931.0710 ext. 20 or email mmann@umcnic.org.
To learn more about the China Bible Exhibition Tour visit www.umcnic.org/chinabible or www.bibleinchina.org.
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Summer Mission Trip Highlights
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Ude Immega
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Nine members of the First UMC Crystal Lake United Methodist Men's group recently shared their experiences from several mission trips to the Mississippi Gulf coast area.
The men, Bob Riepl, Jim Nelson, Tom Moon, Dave Scott, Ude Immega, Carl Moon, Hank Whitley Brian Miller and Mike Friske reflected on what has been accomplished so far. Since their first trip in October 2007, they've rehabbed damaged homes, raised money to build two new homes for families whose homes were too badly damaged to repair and in the process many lives have been changed.
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Local Church Events
| Local church events are posted on the web.
Read about August Events Read about September Events |
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