December 22, 2011 

Please send emails for the e-news or the Reporter to Anne Marie Gerhardt, Dir. of Communications at [email protected]. All submissions for e-news must be received, in writing no later than 4:00 p.m. on Tuesday each week.   

In This Issue
New Directory
Laity Convocation
Garrett Courses
UMW Winter Event
Winter Warming
Season of Giving
Local Church Events

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Upcoming Events
 

Deadlines Approaching for GBCS Grants

Peace with Justice Grants deadline Jan. 6

MLK Day Celebration Jan. 15
at Hartzwell Memorial 4-7pm

Wesley Theological Seminary Spring Admissions Deadlines

Human Relations Day -
Jan. 15

Sunday Suppers - Jan. 15

John Wesley Theological lnstitute -Feb 12-14

UMM Annual Meeting-
Feb 18

Interfaith Bus Tour- March 24


Communicator's Corner

Did you know? The Mental Health Ministries task force with the Northern Illinois Conference has a blog?
You can find it at
mentalhealthinthenic.
blogspot.com

Read the latest post: Loneliness Magnified during the Holidays by
Dr. E. Maurlea Babb,
family therapist and  
member of First United Methodist Church,
Glen Ellyn. Click here.

If you have suggestions or a post, please contact [email protected] 
 
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Sanctuary To Turn a Blind Eye 
Sanctuary To Turn a Blind Eye
Tune in Sunday, December 25 for Part II of the Greater Chicago Broadcast Ministries Sanctuary program, To Turn A Blind Eye, which will air on ABC's Channel 7 from
12:30 - 1:00 pm.

 

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May the light of Christmas bring you Peace, Joy and Happiness!


New Conference Directory
NIC Directory
 
Just in time for Christmas delivery, the new Northern Illinois Conference Directories have been mailed! Each church will receive two directories (unless the Pastor serves at more than one church.)

Additional copies will be available to purchase for $10 at the beginning of the New Year. More information will be available then. If you are interested, please contact Gar Hale at [email protected].
 
Registration Open for NIC
Laity Convocation
Cyberspace & Sacred Space

Saturday, February 4, 2012
Rev. Larry Hollon
Rev. Larry Hollon
8am registration
9am Worship
3pm Sending Forth

Cost:
$15 before Jan. 28.
Then $20 per person
Includes Continental
Breakfast and lunch


Keynote Speaker:
Rev. Larry Hollon, General Secretary United Methodist Communications - Leader & creator of the successful "Rethink Church" campaign.

Childcare available with prior notification.
Clergy CEU's will be available.
 Garrett Courses at NIC Churches
Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary will offer two dynamic courses held in two convenient locations in the Spring of 2012. 

The Oikos of God will be taught at First United Methodist Church in Evanston, Illinois, beginning January 31.  Starting January 30, Dante: The Divine Comedy will be held at the First United Methodist Church at the Chicago Temple in the Chicago Loop. Click here for more details>>

 

UMW Winter Event

Northern Illinois Conference United Methodist Women's School of Christian Mission-Winter Event will be held at Camp Reynoldswood, Dixon, IL January 20-22, 2012.

This is one of the best educational events in the United Methodist Church.  You may choose from one of three 8 hour classes. The Journey: Forgiveness, Restorative Justice, and Reconciliation will be led by Rev. Diana Facemyer, Aurora District Superintendent. Haiti: Challenges and Hope, will be led by Rev. Steve Good, pastor at Sugar Grove UMC, who has been making trips to Haiti since his college days.  Joy to the World: Mission in the Age of Global Christianity will be led by Fernando Siaba, pastor of St. Andrews UMC in Carol Stream.  CEU's are available.

In addition to classes, there will be worship, interest groups, fun and fellowship. There will also be a hands on mission project. If weather permits, cross country skiing is available!  Bring your skis. Women, men, and youth over 14 are welcome. Click here for the registration form

Any questions, contact Mari  Schirmer, 630-355-8532 or [email protected].


Winter Warming

January 14, 2012
1:00 PM - 7:30 PM
Location: Euclid Avenue UMC
405 S. Euclid Ave.
Oak Park

Northern Illinois Conference Reconciling Ministries invites all those committed to a fully inclusive church to its Winter Warming - a Congress of Reconciling United Methodists with special guest singer/songwriter Mark A. Miller.

Registration: 1-1:30pm
Workshop:1:30-3pm
Worship Service: 3-4:15pm
Workshop: 4:30-6pm
Pasta Dinner: 6pm

To register for the event visit winterwarming.com 

Coordinator: Bonnie Beckonchrist
708-848-7360
[email protected]



PRN (Parents Reconciling Network) would like to invite you to warm your soul at this year's "Winter Warming" with a workshop at 1:30pm.  We are a group of parents of gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgendered children who support and advocate for our children within the church and the world. 

We will begin holding meetings on the first
Sunday of each quarter starting in April.  Please tell your friends and familly members about us.  We welcome your story and your voice. If you have any questions please contact Blair Barbour at [email protected].
Season of Giving
 
Sen. Dick Durbin (D)
Illinois Senator Dick Durbin serves up dinner at Humboldt Park Social Services (photo courtesy: Harry Nicol) 
The Humboldt Park Social Services (HPSS) soup kitchen had a surprise visitor on Tuesday, December 20.  Illinois Senator, Dick Durbin arrived about 4:45pm, went immediately to the kitchen and began serving food to the 100 or so guests there for dinner.

"He was struck by the diversity of the crowd-
young, old, much ethnic diversity, mostly men but also several women with their children," said HPSS Board President, Harry Nicol.
 

After serving for 30-40 minutes, the Senator toured the facilities and met with the program's directors and board president.  Durbin was very impressed with the agency staff and with the comprehensive services offered. Following a discussion, Senator Durbin returned to the dining area and spent another 20-30 minutes meeting and speaking with many of the guests.  "The Senator was relaxed and comfortable and appeared to enjoy the visit and take real interest in the program, its challenges and its accomplishments," said Nicol. As he was leaving, Senator Durbin presented a personal check as a donation to HPSS.

  

 
Master's Meal
From left are volunteers Paul Eggert, Aurora; Laurel Gilbert, lay leader at Fourth St. UMC; and Pat Walsh, Wesley UMC. (photo courtesy: Al Benson)

Volunteers dished dressing at the fifth annual free community Master's Meal at Wesley United Methodist Church in Aurora on Dec. 16. 


Co-sponsored by Fourth Street, Wesley and Bethany UMC churc
hes in Aurora for more than 100 guests, the meal included ham, turkey, side dishes and desserts.

Free children's books and winter gear including coats, hats, gloves,
and shoes were also offered to area residents.

 

Local Church Events 

Local church events are posted on the web

   

Read about December Events  

 

Read about January Events  

 

 




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