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COMMUNICATOR'S
CORNER
Lenten Devotional
United Methodist Committee on Relief, the denomination's humanitarian relief and development agency, offers 40 days of Lenten devotionals that also highlight the March 30 One Great Hour of Sharing offering, which supports UMCOR. Click here to download the eBook pdf.Women's History Month
"Women of Character, Courage and Commitment" is the 2014 theme for the United Methodist Commission on the Status and Role of Women as it celebrates women's history month. The commission is highlighting a different woman each day on its website, offering worship elements and sharing voices of today's United Methodists on the agency blog. Click here for worship resources.
General Board of Higher Education and Ministry's new website
Check out the new look at:
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UM FOUNDATION
Job Opening:President Rev. Harry Nicol announces his retirement.
 For information on the
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Scholarships
2014 Scholarships for undergraduates are available through the Northern Illinois Conference.
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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 either!
Click herefor info and registration.
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Work Teams needed in Washington, IL
Hope Swings is a cooperative ministry of three United Methodist churches and is inviting volunteers for the summer to help rebuild Washington, IL which was ravaged by the Nov. 17 tornado.
The goal is to build a 100 swing sets for children and families.
Hope Swings is a cooperative effort of Peoria First UMC, Washington Crossroads UMC and Washington Evangelical UMC.
Opportunities exist for internships with this emerging ministry as well as persons who have construction experience.
Visit the ministry's websitefor more information.
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Senior Services
The Chicagoland Methodist Senior Services has several upcoming events and seminars in March, April and May. Click here for more information.
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60 Seconds to Save a Life - Lent 2014
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 During Lent, we are called to pray, to sacrifice, and to give. Imagine No Malaria is an incredible opportunity to exercise that call - to put our faith into action and give of ourselves so that others may live, and live more abundantly!
We invite your church, your family, or you to help us focus on Imagine No Malaria this Lent.
Click here to will find a kit of Lent specific resources to use in your church or family. Each week, there is a scripture focus, a short prayer, and a 60 second call to action. Together, we will explore how our sacrifices can offer hope and healing as we joyfully anticipate the Resurrection of Christ.
Giving Calendar
We also have a "Giving From Abundance" calendar. It invites us to think every day about our access to resources and services that support our health such as clean water, electricity, transportation, medicine ... "necessary conditions for life" many of us take for granted. In reflecting upon our abundance, we are called to  help create abundant life for others. Over the course of Lent you can add money in a jar as you go or note the amounts each day and make one big donation at the end of Lent! It is a great practice to take stock of our blessings and sacrifice out of our abundance. (instructions to make a collection jar)
Using lent to center on prayer for Imagine No Malaria may help your church set a challenging goal to help our conference raise $1,000,000 to stop this disease.
Goal Forms
The conference continues to ask each church to set a fundraising pledge - a commitment for an amount of money your church will strive to raise over the next One to three years (by the end of 2016) from the congregation and the community beyond your church by April 25, 2014. Download the goal form here.
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Nine United Methodist Churches are selected as Safe Haven Sites for 2014 Spring Break
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 Chicago Public Schools (CPS) has selected Bethany/El Buen Pastor UMC, Elston Avenue UMC, Englewood/Rust UMC, Faith UMC, G2G UMC, Irving Park UMC, Maple Park UMC, South Shore UMC and St. Matthew UMC as Safe Havens for the 2014 Spring Break.
The selection of these churches follows several months of relational meetings between the Northern Illinois Conference Urban Strategy Planning Team led by Bishop Sally Dyck and CPS leadership.
The Safe Haven Program provides safe places and healthy activities for CPS students during summer/spring break and after school by connecting churches with their neighborhood schools. The program is free to participants and runs the week of April 14 - 18, 2014 from 10 am to 2 pm daily. Free lunch and breakfast is also provided to participants. Click here to read more. |
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SBC21 Training Event - Registration Open
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Youth Mission Bus Tour
Registration now open
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 The Mission Youth Bus Tour gives youth an introduction to mission sites in the Chicago area that are working in the area of restorative justice and food security as well as community safety and education. Experience examples of how a church can be in ministry WITH the community around it. We'll visit congregations on Chicago's north and south side, including Humboldt Park UMC, Grace: Cavalry, Adalberto UMC, and others.
Date: Saturday, April 26
Time: 8:30a.m.-6:30p.m. (light breakfast, lunch, and pizza dinner included)
Registration begins at 10a.m. on Thursday, March 6.
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General & Jurisdictional Lay Delegate Election
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 We will be electing delegates for the 2016 General and Jurisdictional Conferences at the Annual Conference Session in June 2014.
This will be the first time delegates will be elected two years before the conferences, rather than one year before. Lay members interested in being a delegate must be members of a local church for two years, and active for four years to be eligible for election. Those wishing to stand for election must complete a form, click here and mail it to: NIC Program Office Attn: Mr. Arnold Rivera 217 Division St. Elgin, IL 60120 The form is also available to download at www.umcnic.org/AC2014. Click here to read the letter from NIC Lay Leader, Arnold Rivera. Annual Conference News
 For updates and information on the 175th Annual Conference - June 8-10 visit www.umcnic.org/AC2014. The site will continually be updated as information becomes available.
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Report any issues with filling prescriptions
The Conference Board of Pensions has become aware that many clergy who previously secured prescription drugs through Express Scripts have been experiencing problems with the transition to the new vendor: Catamaran. The Board is concerned and wants you to find a resolution to your issues as quickly as possible.
If you are having difficulties getting prescriptions filled, discovering major cost differences or undergoing any other disturbances related to the vendor change, please call Shirley Burkhart at (312) 346-9766 x720 or the Health Team at the General Board of Pensions at (800) 851-2201.
Spanish as a Second Language - Hosts Needed
Would your church be interested in hosting a class after Easter and before Annual Conference? We currently have openings for up to 4 more churches to host classes for those in their congregation and community. Each class should have at least 10 people interested in attending. The SSL Team will work with that congregation train each point person and to supply a trained teacher.
To host a class, please e-mail ssl@umcnic.org and visit www.umcnic.org/ssl for the FAQs and host site checklist.
Deadline: March 14
Interested in teaching or being trained as a point person for your host site's class? E-mail ssl@umcnic.org for the next training date.
Need a Way to Reach Children and Youth This Summer?
 North Central College's New Visions Summer Company has an open week (July 6 to 13) to lead a musical Vacation Bible School in your church. Interested or have questions, contact NCC chaplain Lynn Pries at llpries@noctrl.edu (630-637-5104) or by directly contacting the 2014 student co-directors Colleen Jajewski at ccjajewski@noctrl.edu or Nicole Novy at nknovy@noctrl.edu. Click here for more information.Making a Joyful Noise for Health Care In less than a month, we will see the end of the Open Enrollment period for the new health care law (March 31st, 2014). While the law has been controversial, millions of people now have options for affordable health care for the first time in their lives through the ACA. Unfortunately, polling has revealed that many don't know it, or that a deadline is approaching fast! Can you assist in getting the message out in your community? Download this bulletin insert from the Faith Caucus of the Campaign for Better Health Care, providing some info, important dates, and where to go with questions. Additional resources are available for download (prayer, litany, adult educational curriculum) for "Making a Joyful Noise" about healthcare at www.cbhconline.org/faith.
Please contact Jessica Palys with questions, or if you would like to host enrollment in your area! 312-913-9449 or jpalys@cbhconline.org.
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Moving Beyond the Box: Reaching Out and Raising UP