Quick Links
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2013 Charge Conference Forms
Forms needed for your 2013 Church or Charge Conference are now available to download from the conference website. Click here. |
Communicator's Corner
Website Issues?
After providing free web hosting to churches for more than 12 years, the General Board of Global Ministries, ended this service on Sept. 30, 2013.
GBGM said it could no longer support the current website needs of many churches. They've partnered with United Methodist Communications (UMCOM) to offer a new website-management solution.
On July 1, UMCOM officially launched it's web-hosting services which is built on WordPress and include various affordable plans.
Visit www.umcchurches.org to find out more or 888-346-3862.
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Deadlines to apply for a 2014 Ethnic Young Adult (EYA) Summer Internship in social justice placements in the U.S. capital are Jan. 11 for applicants outside the U.S. and Feb. 1 for applicants within the U.S.
The EYA program is for persons, ages 18-22 from United Methodist racial/ethnic minority caucuses and Central Conferences, who have an interest in exploring issues of public policy, social justice advocacy and social change.
Sponsored by the General Board of Church & Society (GBCS) and the denomination's Inter-Ethnic Strategy Development Group, the summer internship is from May 29-Aug. 2. Click here for more info.
+++++++++++++++++ GBCS Grants for racial/ethnic ministries
Applications for grants up to $10,000 to help local United Methodist churches build ministries that strengthen and support racial and ethnic church concerns are due on Jan. 15. Click here for info.Young clergy initiative grants openApplications for Young Clergy Initiative grants to develop innovative projects of all sizes that could attract young people to ordained ministry in The United Methodist Church are now open through Feb. 1, 2014. Click here for info.
Advent Resources
New Resources from the NIC Media Resource Center including Adv  ent Materials. Click here. Click here for Free Advent and Christmas Resources from United Methodist Communications. ++++++++++++++++++++
Reynoldswood Confirmation Retreat Nov. 22-23 Come for our fall Confirmation Retreat. Confirmation participants study and intentionally affirm (confirm), their desire and commitment to "seek ye first the kingdom of God" through the New Testament teachings of Christ's Church. Click here for info.
For more information, please contact Eric Hoffman, Site Director at eric@niccamp.org. Check out our NEW website at www.reynoldswood.org. +++++++++++++++++++++ Job Opening
North Central College is seeking a new Chaplain - application deadline extended. Click here for more info.++++++++++++++++++++++ Interfaith Calendars
2014 Council of Religious Leaders of Metropolitan Chicago (CRLMC)
InterFaith Calendar is available to order. Click here.+++++++++++++++++++++  | Giving Tuesday -
December 3 |
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When you make an online donation on December 3 your gift will multiply!
For one day only, on
Dec. 3, as part of UMC #GivingTuesday, gifts made to support any project or ministry through The Advance will be matched
(up to $500,000).
Consider donating to one of these three programs that provides health care to people around the world.
1) Pan-African Rural Health & Social Services (PRHESS) Advance # 3021290
2) Zimbabwe HIV-AIDS Advance #3021529
3) Imagine No Malaria - Advance Number 3021190
Gifts to the mission work of Deb and Jeff in Bolivia will also be matched:
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Call to Prayer: The Philippines
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Bishop Sally Dyck
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At the Council of Bishops one morning this past week, Bishop Ciriaco Francisco was sitting next to me, the bishop of the Davao Episcopal Area of the Philippines Central Conference. It is his area that was hit on Nov. 8 by the Super Typhoon, Haiyan, a category 5 storm. Reports vary, but the latest information says 2,500 people may have died in the storm and hundreds of others were injured.
The typhoon caused extensive damage, destroying about 41,000 homes, displacing at least 670,000 people, and affecting a total of 11.3 million people.
Six local churches and more than 100 United Methodist members are among those who have experienced damage. There is no power, no water for drinking, the airport is closed, limited fuel is available, and people are still missing. Please keep all the people of the region in your prayers. I am asking that November 17, 2013 be a day of prayer for the people of the Philippines in the Northern Illinois Annual Conference.
We have many Filipino families across our annual conference as laity and clergy. Let's show our concern and love for them through our prayers and by contributing to the International Disaster Response Advance (#982450).
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Bishop Ciriaco Q. Francisco
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Bishop Francisco will be in Chicago this weekend as he makes his way back home. He will be visiting with Conference leaders and Filipino-American United Methodists. He will also deliver the message at Cosmopolitan UMC, 1112 North Ninth Ave., Melrose Park, IL on Sunday, Nov. 17 at 10:30am.  | |
Aquilino (Pong) Javier
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The President of the National Association of Filipino American United Methodist (NAFAUM) Aquilino B. Javier (Pong) issued a prayer after seeing the news: In the face of the devastation, destruction and death resulting from Typhoon Yolanda (Haiyan), we are at a loss for words. Nevertheless, we in America and Canada join with all kababayans in mourning over so much loss, something which seems too much for a people to bear. Read more...
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Urban Strategy Community Safety Summit
 Saturday, Nov. 16
9am- 12:30pm Michelle Clark Academic Preparatory High School
5101 W. Harrison St., Chicago
"...seeking the welfare of the city..."
Organizing, Networking & Mobilizing ALL United Methodists to impact Chicago in the areas of: * Community Safety * Restorative Justice * Education & Literacy * Food Insecurity*
Attendees are invited to bring a blank T-Shirt and participate in a Clothesline Project for Community Safety. Click here to register.Calling all CSD/CNW Youth and Youth Ministry leaders! Bishop Sally Dyck is encouraging our Youth to lead the way at this Chicago Urban Strategy Community Safety Event on Nov. 16. We need Youth to *Usher, *Assist with Clothesline Project Set Up and *Speak Out in the Breakout Session. Come at 7:30am to get organized and help set up. Angel Grant is coordinating the youth support effort. Please contact her at 872-800-4336, or angelgrant7@gmail.com to let her know you & your friends will be there to help!
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Application Opportunities for Hispanic/Latino Conference Academy
Do you know someone who is passionate about ministering in the Hispanic/Latino community?
The Office of Congregational Development and Redevelopment has extended the deadline for applying to the new class of the Conference Academy (Hispanic/Latino) for Faith Community Development! This is your final opportunity to join a select group of pastors and lay persons who will train together for starting new churches and ministries in a Hispanic/Latino setting that are reaching religious "nones."
Visit www.umcnic.org/Academy and apply to the Conference Academy today! For more information about the Conference Academy, contact Judy Siaba at 312-346-9766 ext. 724 or jsiaba@umcnic.org.
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Imagine No Malaria Fundraisers
 Accomplish your Holiday shopping and donate to INM with a Ten Thousand Villages Shopping Day
THIS Friday, November 15, 6:00-8:00pm.
The Ten Thousand villages in Evanston has agreed to host a Imagine No Malaria shopping night. 10%-20% of all goods sold will be donated to Northern Illinois' Imagine No Malaria initiative.
Come and buy wonderful fair trade gifts and help save the lives. Location: 719 Main St Evanston, IL
Promote this event in your church with this downloadable bulletin insert. (one side black and white or two sided in color)
Concert and Book signing
Nov 17, 3-5 pm
Bethany UMC, 400 N. Walnut St., Itasca, IL
A new monograph just released, "Trying To Get a Sense Of Scale" artwork by Tim Lowly of his daughter Temma Lowly. All book purchases and donations to support the "Imagine No Malaria" campaign. Come, have your book signed by the artist and enjoy great music by the band "Baby Mountain".
Final INM Training Event
Join us this Sunday, November 17 from 3:00-4:30 pm at Grace UMC, 1718 Avalon Ave., Joliet, IL for the final conference training. All are welcome to attend.
All are invited to learn facts, fundraising tips, advocacy strategies and how you can help end death and suffering caused by malaria.
Trainings will be engaging for youth and adults.
Registrater online at umcnic.org/imaginenomalaria
All trainings are free and include refreshments. Please share your events by emailing: rbrommelfanger@umcnic.org and follow INM events at www.facebook.com/inmnic
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Reminder: Health Flex Elections
For those persons (actively serving clergy and lay employees) who are covered in the medical insurance offered through the Northern Illinois Conference - the period of Annual Election for the Flexible Spending Medical Reimbursement and Dependent Care Accounts for 2014 runs through TODAY, Thursday, November 14.
Missing this deadline means NO Flex accounts for you in 2014! If you did not receive information on how to make your election, you may log onto the website of the General Board of Pensions: www.gbophb.org - click on "Annual Election", or you may call GBOP at 1-800-851-2201.
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Affordable Health Care
The Campaign for Better Health Care (CBHC) has 5 state-trained ACA Navigators available to visit your congregation or community for educational presentations and one-to-one counseling sessions.
In a 30-60 minute presentation, our Navigators can cover eligibility, benefits, costs, and the process for signing up, with a Question & Answer session. Following that, Navigators can assist attendees in starting the enrollment process with individuals and small business owners (including church administrators) for the rest of the event, or return at a later date for additional assistance.
The health care sign-up period extends from October 1, 2013 to March 31, 2014. Contact Jessica Palys at 312-913-9449 or JPalys@cbhconline.org with questions or to schedule a visit.
The Rockford District is hosting several of these informational meetings regarding the Affordable Care Act, throughout the Rockford area and also in Forreston, Freeport, Durand, Stockton and Mount Carroll. Click here for dates and times.
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Humanitarian Award
Congratulations to Joyce Carrasco who was awarded the Lucy Rider Meyer Humanitarian Award at the ChildServ Founder's Day dinner on Nov. 13.
"My work with children wherever I have lived has meant a great deal to me," said Joyce, a ChildServ Board of Trustees member since 2004.
Joyce has helped the agency expand services to reach more at-risk populations, including early childhood services in the Elgin community. She has served as an adviser to the ChildServ Military Families Initiative and encouraged the agency's participation in Operation Shower, which honored 40 expectant wives of service members.
Outside of her work with ChildServ, Joyce is the founder and former president of Illinois Blue Star Mothers #3, an organization for mothers of children serving or have served in the U.S. military.
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Grant Applications Due Dec. 30
The NIC Board of Church and Society is currently accepting grant applications for 2014 in two different categories: Emerging Ministries and Peace with Justice.
Use the same application, entitled Universal Grant, to apply in either of these two categories. Please specify which category your program falls under. The form can be downloaded by clicking here. All applications are to be submitted to by Dec. 30, 2013: Rev. Wendy A. Witt 1st UMC/Chicago Temple 77 W. Washington St., FL 2 Chicago, IL 60602 Email: wendy@chicagotemple.org
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