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Today's NIC News                                              November 8, 2012
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.  Deadline for the December Reporter is November 12.
In This Issue
Cokesbury Stores Closing
Help Hurricane Victims
HealthFlex Annual Election Under Way
Tools for Revitalization
Five Day Academy for Spiritual Formation
New Youth Basketball League
Field Guide Network
Harvest 2020 Offering

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***November 10 Safe Sanctuary Training was canceled.  

 

 

Communicator's Corner
New Conference Directory

We are currently working on printing a new directory. If you did not order one through the Annual Conference Registration, you can still purchase one.

Please send a $10 check made to Northern Illinois Conference. Mail to:
Anne Marie Gerhardt
217 Division St.
Elgin, IL 60120 
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Peace with Justice Grants

The deadline to apply for a Peace with Justice grant from the United Methodist General Board of Church & Society (GBCS) is January 10, 2013.

Click here for the application
 
Bolivia Missionaries Available to Speak

Jeff Wasilevich and Deb Rissing, husband and wife team from First UMC Downers Grove, are long-term Individual United Methodist Volunteers in Missioners serving as site hosts and coordinators of the Peru-Bolivia Lake Titicaca Border Mission.

They will be returning home for a month-long visit beginning December 6 and are eager to speak to groups and congregations about their work and experiences as new missionaries.

To arrange a date and time to invite Deb and Jeff, contact them directly by e-mail at [email protected] or contact Emmy Lou John (630-264-2892, [email protected]) or Wally Calaway (630-910-1179, [email protected]).

Cokesbury Retail Stores to Close
Cokesbury logo

The Board of Directors of the United Methodist Publishing House (UMPH) has announced it will close all 38 full-line Cokesbury stores and 19 seminary stores and launch  a transition initiative, CokesburyNext.

CokesburyNext will redirect focus and resources toward expanding and enhancing products and services at Cokesbury.com, the Cokesbury Call Center (1-800-672-1789), and through a team of Cokesbury Sales Representatives.

More information on CokesburyNext is available at www.CokesburyNext.com.

Click here for Frequently Asked Questions about the transition.

 

Read full story>>  

 

Visit the Christmas Open House at the Naperville store Nov. 8-10. Click here for more info.  

 

Hurricane Sandy Relief

On the Jersey Shore, families discard possessions ruined by Hurricane Sandy.
Chris Heckert
More than 16,000 cleaning buckets have so far been distributed to sites in five states, from Maryland to New York, in response to super-storm Sandy.

 

Cleaning bucket inventory is low. Consider packing one today to help replenish supplies. Cleaning buckets can be brought to any of the depots in the UMCOR Relief Supply Network for distribution to those who need them. Learn More

 

Share UMCOR's response to Hurricane Sandy with others using this new church bulletin insert .

 

You can also give online by clicking any of the "DONATE" links or make a $10 donation anytime by texting "UMCOR" to 80888. 

 

HealthFlex Annual Election is Under Way
 
For those participants in the Northern Illinois Conference medical insurance program - you have until 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on Thursday, November 20 to make your 2013 annual elections online for Medical Reimbursement and Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts. (Deadline extended due to Hurricane Sandy.)   
 
Missing this deadline means NO Flexible Spending Account for you in 2013!  Questions? Contact Shirley Burkhart (312/346-9766 x120). Go to www.gbophb.org. Click on "Annual Election." Need help logging in? Call 1-866-302-5742.

 

Tools for Revitalization
Discipleship Systems Workshop

Junius Dotson pastor of St.  Mark UMC in Wichita, KS known for creating teams that  "get  things done" teaches and shares from  his  own  experience  how  to  create effective discipleship  systems.

December 12-13, 2012

Early  Registration before November 20: $60,
regular registration:  $70

Pastors  are  encouraged to come  with church lay  leaders.
The  training event will be held at the Crowne  Plaza, 2875 North  Milwaukee  Avenue, Northbrook , IL  60062. Lunch included. For more information contact Judy Siaba  [email protected] 312-346-9766 ext. 124

Click here for more information and opportunities.

Registration open for Five-Day Academy for Spiritual Formation
Come to the Quiet!

Northern Illinois Five-Day Academy for Spiritual Formation
Dates: July 29 - August 3, 2013

Bellarmine Jesuit Retreat House
420 W. County Line Rd.
Barrington, IL 60010

Faculty:
Sister Kathleen Flood, OP
Mr. Ray Buckley

The registration form is available at 
New Youth Basketball League

The new Chicago Southern District Co-Ed Basketball Ministry is looking for more churches to participate. So far 10 churches are signed up.  The league is expected to begin play in February.  Details as to cost are still being ironed out, but the fee per church is expected to roughly be  $300-$500 dollars.

 

IT IS NOT TO LATE TO JOIN THIS GROUP!  Please contact Debra Rogers at [email protected] by 11/9 to express interest. The league is open to boys AND girls, 7th through 12th grade.  No previous experience is necessary.


New Field Guide Network for Youth and
Young Adult Ministers

 

Young People's Ministries (YPM/GBOD) is initiating the Field Guide Network - an online community (www.fieldguideumc.org) that will allow youth and young adult ministers to connect and mentor each other; supporting each other in wisdom and love.

Field Guides are ministers and leaders for youth and young adults who have:
  • Deep experiential knowledge of particular ministry areas
  • An active ministry setting where that knowledge is being demonstrated
  • A record of quality mentoring/relationship skills with peers and co-workers
Anyone meeting the three above criteria can apply to become a Field Guide at www.fieldguideumc.org.

Harvest 2020 Advent Offering

Take part in a special Sunday conference-wide Harvest 2020 Advent offering. Each church can choose a Sunday that works best for their calendar to dedicate a special offering for Harvest 2020. Harvest 2020 offering envelopes will be provided, as well as bulletin inserts.

Trained speakers are also now available to come and speak to your church, Sunday school classes, mission committees, UMM and UMW meetings, or circles. God's work of planting new faith communities in the NIC continues!

For more information contact, Anne Coon, Harvest 2020 Campaign Coordinator, 312-346-9766 x.107, [email protected].


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