Today's NIC News August 9, 2012
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Please send emails for the 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. Articles for the September Reporter are due August 15.
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Funding to East Africa Annual Conference Suspended
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The General Board of Global Ministries' independent audit committee recommended at its annual meeting that the agency suspend funding to the United Methodist East Africa Annual Conference (EAAC).
The report stated in its recommendation "that all funds for the conference be suspended indefinitely, until such time as the EAAC is prepared to accept responsibility to be accountable and all internal controls have been put in place." Read the press release>>
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UMCOR Responds to Flood Victims in the Philippines
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The Philippines office of the United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR) is responding to the needs of survivors of heavy flooding in and around the Filipino capital, Manila, brought on by a confluence of storms and a week of rain.
Click here for more information>>
Your gift to Philippines Emergency, UMCOR Advance #240235, supports relief efforts in Filipino communities impacted by disasters such as this one.
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Communicator's Corner
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Order AC DVDs
If you wish to purchase a DVD copy of Annual Conference Worship services and events, please e-mail your selections to
Include your name, address, and phone number. Cost of DVDs is usually $5 per DVD, with a $5 shipping charge ($5 for up to 10 DVDs to one address, and $10 for more that 10).
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Upcoming Visits by Missionaries
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The Northern Illinois Conference will welcome two missionaries in September and October.
Larry Kies is currently serving as a farm manager for Africa University in Mutare, Zimbabwe.
Helen Roberts-Evans is a missionary of the General Board of Global Ministries of The United Methodist Church, serving as Director of the Department of General Education and Ministry of the United Methodist Church in Liberia.
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Outdoor and Retreat Ministries
Reorganization Plans
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As the summer camp season draws to a close, the Northern Illinois Conference is announcing plans to reorganize and look for ways to grow the ministries offered by the Outdoor and Retreat camps and programs.
Offering Christian discipleship opportunities to those who participate in retreats or summer camp programs are critical to the transformation of the world and the development of the future leadership of the NIC.
Last spring, the NIC secured Kaleidoscope Inc. to conduct a professional assessment of ORM. Their July report reflects many recommendations that will help this ministry grow and be positioned for success for many generations to come.
"Times have changed the dynamics of Outdoor and Retreat Ministries. We are are now at a crossroads," said Rev. Chris Pierson, Dir. of Connectional Ministries. "We are in the process of forming a task force which will continue strategic planning and visioning for the future of ORM."
Celebrating ORM Executive Director's 30+ Years of Service  | |
Bruce Nelson, ORM Executive Director
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With the reorganization, ORM Executive Director, Bruce Nelson has announced his plans to take early retirement effective September 8, 2012.
"I wish to thank you for the many blessings you have bestowed upon me in the 34 years we have walked hand and worked side by side together. Our shared ministry has enabled me to live out my calling and vocation while growing spiritually and professionally," Bruce said in a statement.
"We wish Bruce and his family the very best in his retirement and thank him for his faithful years of service to the Northern Illinois Conference and Outdoor and Retreat Ministries," said Jim Miller, ORM Board Chair.
All ORM ministries will continue during this interim period.
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Seeds to Succeed - This Saturday!
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Thank you to everyone who has helped organize, donated supplies and registered to volunteer for this Saturday's Seeds to Succeed back-to-school community event! We are thankful for all those donations which came in this week including dozens of backpacks and numerous supplies from First UMC Elgin, Epworth UMC, Cornerstone UMC, First Dundee UMC, Ottawa Evangelical UMC, Urban Village Church and other individuals. We received more than $300 from Hemenway UMC in Evanston and they received a $100 gift card to Staples which they will use to buy more supplies. We are overwhelmed by the generosity and support of this event which will help make a difference in the lives of many children as they get ready to start a new school year! There's still time to volunteer! Visit www.seedstosucceed.org and we hope to see you on Saturday! Celebrations & Activities
Bishop Hee-Soo Jung will help kick off the day with prayer and a special blessing for the volunteers and school children at at 9am.
A celebration is planned at Marcy-Newberry at 1073 West Maxwell St., Chicago from 2-4pm with special presentations by the St. Mark Martial Arts Team and the Marcy-Newberry Tumbling and Step Dancing Groups. From 3-4pm, parents and children are invited to attend an anti-bullying workshop and the day's events will close with a blessing of the backpacks. Festivities are planned throughout the afternoon from 12-3p at the Hilltop Ministry Center, 8301 Mitchell Rd., Machesney Park with several youth-based organizations offering resources and information. An anti-bullying workshop will be held at 2:30pm. A closing service with special guests will start at 4pm.
For more information, contact Anne Marie Gerhardt at 847-931-0710 ext. 14 or communications@umcnic.org.
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Safe Sanctuary Training - Aug. 18
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 The Northern Illinois Conference Safe Sanctuary Committee is offering a Conference-wide training for local church volunteers, staff and leaders on Saturday, August 18.
The training day will begin at 8:00 am with registration
at Our Saviour's United Methodist Church,
701 E Schaumburg Rd., Schaumburg, IL
Information and registration information are available on the Northern Illinois Conference website www.umcnic.org -click here or call Natarsha Gardner at the Program office in Elgin 847-931-0710 x16.
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Bishop Jung Farewell
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Bishop Hee-Soo Jung
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All are encouraged to attend a Service of Farewell for
Bishop Hee-Soo Jung who has been reassigned to the Wisconsin Annual Conference.
Sunday, Aug. 26, 2012
4 pm
Grace UMC
300 East Gartner Road
Naperville, IL
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Welcome Bishop Sally Dyck
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Bishop Sally Dyck
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The Northern Illinois Conference welcomes our new Bishop Sally Dyck effective Sept.1, 2012.
Join us for a welcome celebration
Sunday, Sept. 23, 2012
5pm
Grace UMC
300 E Gartner Rd., Naperville, IL
Read more >>
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UM Foundation Stewardship Conference
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Great Expectations
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Clayton Sm
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NIC Annual Stewardship Event
Saturday, August 25, 2012
9am - 3pm
Barrington UMC
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JFON Fundraiser Dinner -
Come and See God in the Face of Others
|  On Sunday, September 16, our immigration legal clinic, JFON, will host a fundraising dinner featuring Bill Mefford of the General Board of Church and Society. But the keynote will be the stories of the transformational work with immigrants and their families. Location: European Chalet 5445 S. Harlem Ave, Chicago, IL Come to the Celebration! Tickets are $50 and a free will offering will also be taken. Click here for more info. |
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2012 Pembroke Institute
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 This week marks 25 youth from across the Conference are participating in the Pembroke Institute at Garrett Evangelical Theological Seminary in Evanston, IL.
Rev. Michele Watkins Branch, chairperson of the event says, "the purpose of Pembroke Institute is to recruit, train, and nurture African American clergy and laity for the future." Read more>> |
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34 Young Adults Commissioned as Missionaries
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Seven members of the Northern Illinois Conference celebrated the reunion of the Young Adult Missionary program. The US-2 program marked 61 years and the Mission Intern program marked 35 years.
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Last week, the Church added 34 new missionaries. Not just any missionaries, either. But they were Young Adult Missionaries (YAMs) who commit to serve either two years in the US-2 Program or three years in the Mission Intern program.
More than 200 people gathered at the commissioning service held Aug. 3 at Aldersgate United Methodist Church in Alexandria, VA. Among those commissioned was Beth McRill from Roselle UMC.
Beth will be placed for a year and a half at the Mission for Migrant Workers in Hong Kong. |
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