April 18, 2013
Stay safe in today's severe weather and flooding. Prayers for those affected by these record rains.
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Annual Conference Mission and
Ministry Display Tables

Communicator's
Corner
 
Bishop Dyck invites you to participate in the Chicago Urban Strategy Summit

Registration is now online for the Chicago Urban Strategy Summit Saturday, May 18

9 am- 12 noon at  

South Shore International College Preparatory High School, 1955 E. 75th Street, Chicago, IL. There is no fee for the event.

 

Agencies form human rights investment task force:

The United Methodist Board of Pension and Health Benefits and the Board of Global Ministries announced April 16 the formation of a United Methodist Church representative task force to explore human rights and investment ethics policies.

The task force plans to engage international experts on human rights to assist with its work.Click here to read more [..]

Host a movie party to fight malaria

Throw a party to save lives. That's the message The United Methodist Church is sharing in preparation for World Malaria Day, April 25. United Methodist advocates for Imagine No Malaria can raise awareness by hosting screening parties of HBO's new movie, "Mary and Martha," starring Oscar� winner Hilary Swank and Oscar� nominee Brenda Blethyn.

The movie follows the journey of two women who meet in Africa and work to raise awareness of malaria, a preventable and treatable disease that claims a life every 60 seconds. Learn how to participate.


General Board of Church & Society Job Opening:
Organizing Program Coordinator

Click here for details. Application deadline
April 25.

Red Cross Hero

Congratulations to Joyce Carrasco for receiving special honors from the American Red Cross for her tireless work with the Greater Chicago Blue Star Mothers - a support network for local military families.

American Red Cross, Military Award, Joyce Carrasco
American Red Cross, Military Award, Joyce Carrasco

5 Day Academy for Spiritual Formation

Few remaining openings for the 5 day Academy for Spiritual Formation -
July 29-Aug. 3
Join the many who have already registered including several International participants.

Two people from the Bolivian Methodist Church and six from the Methodist Church of Eurasia are signed up. Bishop Eduard Khegay will be attending with his delegation. Don't miss out on this incredible opportunity.  Register Today.
Interfaith Dinner - April 25
How do we fulfill our obligation to our neighbors? 
Working together to end urban violence.

6:30pm - 9:30pm
First UMC Elmhurst
232 S. York Rd., Elmhurst

This event brings together clergy, laity, and Muslims and Christians for dialogue. Sponsored by CCUIC of Northern Illinois Conference United Methodist Church & Council of Islamic Organizations of Greater Chicago 

Speakers:
  • Chris Patterson, Neighborhood Recovery Initiative (NRI) Program manager with one of the lead agencies -Organization of the North East (ONE)
  • Dr. Bambade Shakoor-Abdullah -
    She currently serves as principal of CMECCA School in South Holland and has worked tirelessly on several initiatives on violence intervention, including the "Stop the Violence and Respect the Peace" campaign

Please RSVP by April 22 to: Lena Kasi Touleimat at [email protected] or call 630-975-9459   

 

Epworth Parsonage
Photo Courtesy: John Michael Sansone
Chicago Epworth UMC parsonage destroyed in fire

Around 5:30pm on Saturday, April 13, fire broke out on the second floor of Chicago Epworth UMC's parsonage at 5249 N. Kenmore Ave, Chicago. Rev. Amos Oladipo was in a meeting, but his wife, two children and a grandchild were home. Thankfully, they managed to escape unharmed. The family is displaced and staying in a hotel.

The fire department is still investigating the cause but says it may have started with faulty electrical wiring in the wall.  Read the full story [...]

The Chicago Northwestern District Connectional Table is organizing a special praise and thanksgiving worship service for Rev. Oladipo's family and the church this Saturday, April 20 at 5pm beginning outside the parsonage, 5249 N. Kenmore Ave, Chicago.

"We want to be a witness to the community and gather together to pray and give thanks for God's ongoing mercy and provision," said District Superintendent Rev. Zaki L. Zaki. "We want to extend our love to the church family and find ways to connect and support Rev. Olidapo and his family during this difficult time."

Donations also may be made through two pay pal accounts (click here for info) or by mailing checks to: Chicago Metro Regional Office, 77 W. Washington, Suite 1820, Chicago IL 60602. Write your check Payable to: NIC; designate which fund by writing in the Memo: "Pastor Amos & family" or "Epworth Church family"

Please keep Rev. Oladipo, his family and the Epworth community in your prayers. Read more from Rev. Oladipo who is grateful for the outpouring of support.


Church offers help in wake of tragedy

We can never know why or where tragedy will strike, but The United Methodist Church offers resources to help those seeking consolation following the bombings at the Boston Marathon on Monday.

 

UMC.org has a page devoted to "Responding to Violence" with links to news coverage and resources on coping with grief in the wake of violence and tragedy.

 

Click here for more information. 

 

Apply for a Creative Ministries Grant

The Northern Illinois Conference Program Council is accepting applications for Creative Ministries Grants to help fund new ministry projects in 2013. 

The application forms (pdf and doc) are available on the NIC website, www.umcnic.org under "Resources" and "Grants" or by clicking here.

All applications must be submitted on or before May 1, 2013. For more information contact: Rev. Christopher Pierson at [email protected] or 847-931-0710 ext. 15.

Annual Conference Registration Open

June 5-8, 2013
Pheasant Run Resort,
St. Charles, IL

It is recommended that you read the tips before you register

To register online click here- open through midnight May 17.

Cost: $61 through May 6 which includes a light working dinner during the opening plenary. On May 7 the cost increases to $80. If you need a paper mail-in registration form, contact your district administrator or registrar Kara Berg at [email protected] or leave a message at 847-931-0710 ext. 19.

For Annual Conference information and updates visit www.umcnic.org/AC2013.

Kits Challenge Update

Help us make 1000 health/hygiene kits at Annual Conference!

 

Chicago Southern had the biggest increase this week, with Elgin still holding on to the lead.  Watch out, though, Rockford and Aurora should have some major commitments coming this week!  

Check out the specific items each district is challenged to bring by downloading this flyer.

Email Rev. Michael Mann ([email protected]) what your congregation plans to bring to Annual Conference, so we can update the challenge each week.

 

Green Garden UMC
Rev. Diana Facemyer hugs Jane Bettenhausen whose stepfather left a large gift to Green Garden UMC which will go to Harvest 2020
Green Garden UMC gives generous gift to Harvest 2020

On Sunday, April 14, Green Garden UMC, a small congregation church in Manhattan, IL, presented a check of $7,938 to Aurora Dist. Superintendent Diana Facemyer and Dir. of Congregational Development Martin Lee to go towards Harvest 2020. In addition, the church will give nearly $4,000 a year for the next 8 years to the movement.

The money came from a member's stepfather, Wilfred Belsner, who passed away in 2008. He left his 80 acres of farmland to 7 churches including Green Garden and Peotone UMC. "I was moved to tears," said Rev. Diana Facemyer who was stunned by the generous gift. "This money will go further than we can imagine to reach people who have not yet been churched or have yet to know Jesus Christ."
Bishop's Appeal

Looking for ideas on ways to start fundraising for the Annual Conference Bishop's Appeal Offering?

Click here to learn more how your church can get involved.

This year's collective offering is designated to the Harvest 2020 campaign. Click here for worship resources, bulletin inserts and more.

Blueprint for Wellness screenings at
Annual Conference

Participants and spouses covered by Health Flex active plan through the Northern Illinois Conference are eligible. This is generally Conference Clergy and Staff. We are sorry, but those with Medicare as their primary insurance are NOT eligible.

Pre-Registration is required for screening,
This can be done either by phone 1-866-908-9440
(FYI participants should identify themselves as being with Health Flex or the United Methodist Church)
or online at www.gboph.org; log into the "HealthFlex/ WebMD website and click Quest Diagnostics Blueprint for Wellness" under Get Started (it's in the left column)

A snack will be provided following the test.

If you have any other questions please contact Ria Hatzidakis [email protected] or 312-346-9766 ext. 735 or visit  www.umcnic.org/AC2013.

Please send emails for the eNews or the Reporter to Anne Marie Gerhardt,
Dir. of Communications at [email protected].

All submissions for eNews must be received in writing no later than 4pm on Tuesday each week.

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