Upcoming Events
(We are experiencing technical difficulties with the Calendar feature on the umcnic.org website. All events are not showing up in the calendar view. Until this is fixed...please click here for upcoming events.)
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40th Anniversary of the John Wesley Institute Feb 9-11
"Perfection in Dialogue: Wesley, Aquinas and the Future of Ecumenism" Presenter: Dr. Edgardo Colon-Emeric Assistant Professor of Christian Theology Duke Divinity School Respondent: Dr. Stephen Long Professor of Systematic Theology
Marquette University
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UMM Annual Meeting- Feb. 15
The Annual Meeting of the Conference United Methodist Men will be February 15.
The Keynote speaker will be the Reverend Jennifer Wilson. Her focus will be on Strengthening Men in our local Churches.
The host District is DeKalb and the Host Church is Sycamore United Methodist Church. Men will begin gathering at 8:00 a.m, Breakfast will be served at 8:30 a.m., Announcements at 9:00 a.m. and Worship and Communion will begin at 9:30 a.m.
Please join the Men for the Annual Meeting. Contact Lowell Akers to RSVP 1lakers@comcast.net or 815-761-6886
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Registration Now Open for Turnaround Church Bootcamp!
The Turnaround Church Bootcamp with Jim Griffith will be held April 5-6, 2014. Register a team of four for less than $50 a person: www.umcnic.org/turnaroundThis is for all pastors and laypersons interested in strengthening their congregations and reaching out to new people! Learn how to discern your vision, build teams, understand your community, and reach out on mission. This is event led by Jim Griffith, a nationally known author and church-planting consultant.
For more information, contact Judy Siaba at 312-346-9766 ext. 724 or jsiaba@umcnic.org.
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Outdoor Retreat Ministries News
Register for Spring Confirmation Retreats at Reynoldswood and Wesley Woods this April!
Not too early to start thinking of Summer Camp! Click here for information on both confirmation retreats and summer camp.
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Communicator's Corner
Aurora District Announcement
**The Aurora District Leadership Training schedule for Feb. 1 has been postponed until March 1 at Wheatland Salem UMC in Naperville.**
Prime Timers
The General Board of Global Ministries is pleased to offer six opportunities for older adult participation in educational and mission service events in 2014. Click here for info.
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2014 Laity Convocation - Feb. 8
Registration open
"Who is my neighbor? Who can't I see?" These are the questions that will be addressed at the 2014 Laity Convocation on Feb. 8.
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Elaine A. Heath
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Location: Barrington UMC 8:00 a.m. (registration) Start at 9:00 a.m. Finish at 3:00 p.m.
Continental breakfast and lunch included in price of $15.00 (early bird) or $20.00 (late registration). Keynote address: Rev. Dr. Elaine A. Heath, the McCreless Professor of Evangelism at Perkins School of Theology, Southern Methodist University. 4 Workshops - Choose 2
- Stop The Violence - Addressing Domestic Violence
- No Room at the Inn - Addressing Homelessness
- Strategies to support immigrants
- Urban Strategy initiatives
Click here to register. Download brochure and registration.
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Order of Elders Annual Gathering
 Tuesday, Feb. 4 9am - 1pm
Co-Chairs:
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Apportionment Giving Update
By Merrie Bunt I am happy to report that a total of 195 churches have contributed 100% apportionments (compared to 222 in 2012), and another 45 churches increased their overall percentage paid.
Year-to-date Apportionment giving has surpassed $6.3 Million. Click here to see the complete list of churches. Questions? Contact: Merrie Bunt mbunt@umcnic.org.
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 Participate to Advocate
"When we came to the training session, we had every intention of participating, but now we are advocates," said Don and Kathy Pierson members at Grace UMC in Lake Bluff. "Like Rotary's campaign to eradicate polio, this is doable, and once people understand that, it is exciting. The role of the UMC with its Africa connection adds another inspiring dimension."
All over the conference people are catching the Imagine No Malaria bug, and becoming advocates to help eradicate death by this killer. Become an advocate by attending a training this spring online or at district leadership event.
You can be trained at Elgin or Rockford District lead events this Saturday, January 25.
OR
Join us for a webinar training on Monday, Feb 10 at 7 pm or Thursday, Feb 13 at 7 pm at a computer near you.
Please RSVP to rbrommelfanger@umcnic.org to receive login information and help joining the webinar. |
Human Trafficking Vigil
The Northern Illinois Conference United Methodist Women will again congregate in Daley Plaza on Friday, January 31 at noon to educate others about the close connection between sporting events and human trafficking.
United Methodists for Social Action will gather with us. Others who can, please join us as well at the Daley Center, 50 W Washington Street in Chicago to help us raise awareness.
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 Spanish as a Second Language Spring Courses
Another round of classes in 23 congregations will be offered from Feb. 2-Apr. 11. They will include the introductory class and, for those who went through that first round, a second round of Spanish classes. On-line registration will soon be available, visit www.umcnic.org/ssl for the latest information. For questions, e-mail ssl@umcnic.org. |
 NIC Pictorial Directory Coming Soon!
The NIC directories with photos taken at Annual Conference 2013 along with address information for all churches, clergy, lay members, lay leaders and lay servants, and much more, are printed and will be mailed out very soon.
The program office is in the process of preparing them for distribution.
Each church and each active clergy along with those who had their photo taken will receive a copy. Those who
ordered additional copies through the AC registration process, will also be receiving them soon.
Questions contact Susan Gieseler at sgieseler@umcnic.org. |
 Register Today and Save $100 on the Church Planters Bootcamp!
The Church Planters Bootcamp with Jim Griffith will be held April 2-4, 2014. Register before
February 7 and save $100.
New faith communities strengthen existing churches, expand the work of the gospel, and bring new life to new communities. If you support, lead, or are thinking of launching a new church or ministry, this bootcamp will teach you what you need to survive and succeed in the first year of planting.
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 United Voices for Children seeks nominees for annual awards
Each year the Board of Directors of United Voices for Children selects individuals and a group or organization to receive the Bishop Jesse R. DeWitt Child Advocacy Award and the Katherine B. Greene Child Worker Award.
These awards honor extraordinary volunteer service or advocacy efforts on behalf of children, youth and/or families throughout the Northern Illinois Conference.
Nomination forms for each award can be found here and will be accepted now and continue through March 15, 2014. |
33rd Annual Rural Ministry Conference
March 2-4
Wartburg Seminary's Rural Ministry Conference in Dubuque, IA is where leaders in rural communities and congregations gather to gain insight and inspiration, to network and neighbor that their ministries might be empowered.
This ecumenical conference includes worship, speakers, workshops, and Bible study, and offers participants a unique opportunity to network with others who are active in and concerned about rural ministry. Click here to learn more and for registration.
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 Application Opportunities for New Conference Academy (Hispanic/Latino)
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!
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