| November 3, 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. Reporter articles due November 14. |
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Advocate for Hunger
| Bread for the World is asking clergy to sign-on to a letter to our Senators regarding hunger.
This letter urges Congress not to cut funding to aid programs that help alleviate hunger in the world.
To endorse, e-mail Matt Gross at mgross@bread.org
Read letter >>
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Communicator's Corner
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Thanks to Paul Koegan of BackOffice Thinking for a great web ministry workshop at Kingswood UMC Wednesday evening. Thanks to everyone who participated. I'm anxious to see your new and improved websites!
An App for That
You can now get UMC information on the go!
Developed by United Methodist Communications and Music City Networks, an app is now available for free download for iPad and iPhone. Download App
It should be available for Android smartphone users soon.
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Different Drummers: Christians in China
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Check out the new video taped with Bishop Hee-Soo Jung and the President of the China Christian Council.
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Different Drummers: Christians in China
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Urban Dolorosa Memorial Event
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Pour out your heart like waterFor the lives of your children---Let justice roll down like watersRighteousness like an everflowing stream.A voice is heard lamenting, weeping:Bitter, angry, unrelenting.Rachel--- yet a thousand Rachels--Weeping for their children,Refusing to be comforted, because they are no more.The words of this chorus became a powerful common anthem for those assembled at First United Methodist Church at the Chicago Temple on Wednesday evening to mark the Urban Dolorosa or The Sorrowing City. The Urban Dolorosa is a powerful, artistic and dramatic memorial to the many school aged Children in Chicago whose lives have been taken by senseless acts of violence. Through spoken word, music, art and youth performances an honorable tribute offered in memory of the slain, in support of those who continue to suffer, and those who mourn their loss. 17 children have died already in the new school year and more than 300 under the age 19 in the last three school years. In many ways the event is designed to be a call for Chicagoans to make a bold stand for peace. The Urban Dolorosa is a moving memorial being hosted by five historic Chicago area churches. Rev. Phil Blackwell, Senior Pastor of First UMC noted the image carved into the altar that portrays Christ weeping over the city because they do not know the things that make for peace. read the full story>>
Clergy Statement
All clergy and religious leaders in Chicago are invited to join this movement to heal youth violence by signing a statement and pledge.
Bishop Hee-Soo Jung and Director of Connectional Ministries, Rev. Chris Pierson and have already signed their names.
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Help Keep Funding to Treat Malaria
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 Congress is considering legislation over the next few days that may reduce the funding for preventing global diseases like malaria. Due to the efforts of campaigns like Imagine No Malaria, deaths from malaria have gone from one every thirty seconds to one every forty-five seconds.
However, continuing the funding for these efforts is vital. A 9% decrease, as recommended by the House, would mean that 3.8 million people would not receive treatment for malaria. Given that the vast majority of malaria cases are children under the age of five, this would directly impact the world's poorest children. Let your voice be heard! Click this link to sign the petition to tell congress not to cut our government's support for vital global health funding. Or click here for umpower.org. Click here to read the letter to send to your congressman. |
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VIM Team Leader Training
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The Northern Illinois Conference is sponsoring a training event for Volunteers in Mission Team Leaders. Date/Time: Saturday, November 5 from 8 a.m. to 12 Noon Place: First United Methodist Church, 424 Forest Avenue, Glen Ellyn Costs: $22 for Leader Manual; $13 for background check (Northern IL Conference attendees only) Registration and background check forms (required in Northern Illinois Conference) can be obtained by e-mailing Rev. Michael Mann at mmann@umcnic.org at the Conference Program Office or downloading them below.
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Christian Perspective on Immigration
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"I WAS A STRANGER AND YOU WELCOMED ME!"
Saturday, November 5 9:00am - 12:00 pm
St. Andrew United Methodist Church invites you to participate in a "Christian Perspective on Immigration". This community educational event, the first in a series of three, will examine current legislation and attitudes of our governing bodies as they/we try to work within our country's broken immigration laws.
Find out what the United Methodist Church of the northern Illinois area and St. Andrew of Carol Stream have been doing to help promote justice and fairness in the treatment of our neighbors.
Our guest speakers will be Stephen Smith from ICIRR (Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights), Rev. Michael Mann from JFON and St. Andrew Pastor, Fernando Siaba. Visit www.standrewcarolstream.com to register.
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Welcome the Immigrant
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Thursday, November 17 Hosted at Christ United Methodist Church 4509 Highcrest Rd., Rockford - Free and open to the public. 6pm starts with a simple, free-will offering supper (RSVP for supper: 815-964-7111). 7pm program - Josh Hoyt, director of the Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights. The Coalition works vigorously for citizenship for the undocumented, to protect civil liberties and a full integration of immigrants into the American Dream. The Coalition has helped to make Illinois one of the most immigrant friendly states in the U.S., and is considered one of the most effective immigrant organizations in the U.S.. Donations accepted to cover the cost of the meal and program.
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40 Days of Prayer for HIV&AIDS
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 A free, downloadable resource from the General Board of Church & Society is available that offers 40 daily devotions leading up to World AIDS Day, typically Dec. 1.
Approximately 33 million people in the world are infected with HIV, and 2.2 million new infections are reported annually.
"40 Days of Prayer" offers a compilation of prayers, reflections and stories by members of the UM Global AIDS Fund Committee, the GBCS Board of Directors and persons living with or ministering to those with HIV & AIDS.
Click here for more info>>
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ChildServ Annivesary Dinner
|  ChildServ 117th Anniversary Dinner, Including Inaugural Presentations of the Lucy Rider Meyer Humanitarian Award Award Honorees: The Reverend Philip Blackwell, Senior Pastor, First United Methodist Church at The Chicago Temple and Chairman of the Board, Protestants for the Common Good, BlueCross BlueShield of Illinois President, Karen M. Atwood
When: November 9, 2011 @ 6pm
Preston Bradley Hall, Chicago Cultural Center
78 E. Washington Street, Chicago, IL Admission: $100 per person, reservation required For Reservations: Contact Suzan Lea at slea@childserv.org or via (773) 867-7361
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Local Church Events
| Local church events are posted on the web.
Read about November Events |
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