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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.) * Marriage Encounter for Clergy and Spouses Jan. 30-Feb. 1* Girl Rising Film Screening - Jan. 31* Order of Elders Gathering- Feb. 4* Free Movie Screenings in Chicago area for pastors, pastoral staff, and church leaders of "Heaven Is For Real", the movie based on the bestselling book that tells one family's story about Heaven and the impact it has on their community - and the world. Feb. 4, Feb. 16 and Mar. 6. Click here for more information and to RSVP.* Sing a Just World Retreat- Feb. 7-8* Save the Date: Clergy Tax Seminar Tuesday, Feb. 18, 2014, 10am - Noon, Sycamore UMC (sponsored by UM Foundation)* Grace UMC in Naperville is hosting a VIM trip to Kenya this summer. If interested - a meeting is scheduled Feb. 15. Click for info.* VIM training at Glenview UMC - Feb. 15* Inauguration of Dr. Lallene J. Rector as President of Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary - Feb. 28 and Mar. 1* Rural Ministry Conference - Mar. 2-4* Aurora District Lay Academy- beginning Mar. 9* CUMC Naperville VIM trip to Danli, Honduras - Mar. 22-30, 2014* SBC21 training event - at Maple Park UMC -Save the Date- Mar. 22* Creative Worship Seminar at First UMC Arlington Heights - Mar. 29
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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.
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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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Webinar on living with Bipolar
Join Rev. Cheryl Magrini, chair of the Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance, for a live webinar on Feb. 5, 11am CST, in conjunction with the International Bipolar Foundation.
She will present her final research on "Spirituality and a Wellness-based Lifestyle for Those Who Live With Bipolar Disorder."
Click here for more information and to register.
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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 As we close the books on 2013, we give thanks for the 351 churches and 2 new faith communities that have faithfully contributed a total of $6,321,494 in apportionment giving. Overall apportionment contributions decreased by $240,000 (or 4%) from 2012 and about $400,000 (or 6%) below budget. As a result, the NIC Committee on Finance and Administration voted unanimously, albeit regretfully, to pay 95% of the World Service Fund and 55% of the 6 remaining General Church apportioned funds for a total 2013 contribution of $1,430,200. The NIC had paid 100% of General Church Apportionments the previous four years. NIC Treasurer Lonnie Chafin acknowledged that inclement weather in late December and early January likely strained many local churches' resources. Chafin said also of the situation, "the Committee on Finance and Administration, as well as the Cabinet, will respond with listening sessions with churches around the NIC to further understand their financial struggles and barriers to full apportionment participation." CCFA is committed to 100% payment of General Church Apportionments next year and will likely revise the 2014 spending plan to reflect giving expectations based on this year's experience said Chafin. Read the full story... Questions? Contact: Merrie Bunt mbunt@umcnic.org.
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Cover the World with Love
Valentine's day is a time to share love and caring to those we near and far. A time to cover the world with love.
Today a 3-year-old in sub-Saharan Africa is going to be bitten by a mosquito, and in 48 hours, she is going to die. The disease that will kill her is malaria; a preventable, treatable and beatable disease. She only needs access to prevention, treatment, education and communication to survive. You can help her survive.
For the past seven years First UMC Arlington Heights has tried to cover the world with love and bed nets;by selling $10 valentine day cards. It has resulted in 2,800 valentines carrying love to friends and families AND 2,800 nets offering African families a chance at a better life.
These simple handmade Valentine cards are spreading love and changing the world. If you are near FUMCAH you can buy a card on Sundays, January 26, February 2, and February 9.
Or there is still time for YOUR CHURCH to offer an Imagine No Malaria Valentine Day Fundraiser.
Consider selling: valentines, baked goods, jewelry, a net corsage or taking a donation of love.
You can use our alternative gift fair resource to make cards.
Questions contact Rachel Birkhahn-Rommelfanger rbrommelfanger@umcnic.org. |
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
Registration will open for the Spring session of Spanish as a Second Language today!
Scheduled in 21 sites and every district, this program introduces participants to 100 words of introductory Spanish common to a worship setting.
Together, let's answer Quíen es mi vecino? (Who is my neighbor?)
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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 Rainbow Covenant Application Deadline
For ministries wishing to be added to the list of Rainbow Covenant Advances, please use this application. The deadline is tomorrow - Jan. 31, 2014! For those already in the Rainbow Covenant, you do not need to re-apply. Questions? Contact Rev. Shirley Pulgar Hughes, the Conference Mission Secretary at shirleymph@outlook.com or Rev. Michael Mann, Conference staff, at mmann@umcnic.org. |
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