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COMMUNICATOR'S
CORNER
In the News
Faith leaders held a press conference last week at Broadway UMC to highlight needs of LGBT asylum seekers in Chicago. Click here to watch the CBS2 report.
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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Bishop Dyck - A Call to End Deportations
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 On March 21, 2014 at 10 am, I am hosting a meeting at the Temple (First UMC) in the James Parlor to learn more about the present deportation of 1,100 parents everyday. These are parents of children who were born in the U.S. or are under the DREAM act. This gathering on the 21st is in anticipation of a large rally in Chicago on March 27 starting at 2 pm at the Federal Plaza to protest the deportations and to call upon President Obama to issue an executive order to stop them. The United Methodist General Board of Church and Society is encouraging all annual conferences to participate in making our voices heard in Washington D.C. that the President of the United States can stop these deportations. The informational gathering on the 21st is so that we will be better informed about the deportations and our witness. Pastor Walter Coleman, one of the organizers, will be available to answer questions and explain options for protest on the 27th.
This is an opportunity for all of us to demonstrate our support for immigrant families who are being torn apart (often for years) by these deportations. Let's demonstrate our support through this national effort to keep our neighbors' families together!
Please attend both the meeting on the 21st and the rally on the 27th in support of our immigrant neighbors.
I would appreciate knowing if you will be attending the informational meeting on the 21st so I can provide hospitality. Please email my administrative assistant, Marva Andrews, at mandrews@umcnic.org.
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SBC21 Training Event - Register Today
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Moving Beyond the Box: Reaching Out and Raising UP
Saturday, March 22- 8am registration, 9am worship Come learn about: - Leadership Development
- Community Engagement &
 Outreach - Building Relationship and Community Organizing
- Stewardship and Finance
- Leveraging our Assets
Location: Maple Park UMC 1225 West 117th St., Chicago Click here to RegisterDownload the Flyer
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175th Annual Conference News & Updates
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 Lay Delegate Elections 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 the form, click here and mail it to: NIC Program Office Attn: Mr. Arnold Rivera 217 Division St. Elgin, IL 60120 Click here to read the informational letter from NIC Lay Leader, Arnold Rivera.
Important Dates:
- Legislative & Historical Reports due April 1 to Rev. Daniel Diss by email at danielosl@hotmail.com.
- Registration open April 14.
- Hotel Reservations at Pheasant Run can be made through May 7.
- Display Table applications due May 16.
- Opening Worship June 8 - 3pm.
- Ordination June 10 - 7pm.
For other 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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Youth Mission Bus Tour
Register today - only 10 slots 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 areas of: restorative justice, food security, 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: Calvary, Adalberto UMC, and others.
Date: Saturday, April 26
Time: 8:30 am -6:30 pm (light breakfast, lunch, and pizza dinner included)
Registration begins at 10a.m. on Thursday, March 6.
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Fundraising outside your church
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Churches around the conference are working to set goals and raise funds from people outside our church doors; raising more money for mission, and witnessing to our communities about what God is doing our world.
 The UMW group at Epworth UMC in Ottawa has had a Taters & Greens lunch around St. Patrick's Day for the past 3 years. This year all money raised will go to Imagine No Malaria. Epworth invited the other Ottawa Methodist churches to attend the lunch as well as the community.
Milledgeville UMC is planning to have a booth or table at the Carroll County Fair this summer to educate and fundraise for Imagine No Malaria. Christ UMC in Deerfield last summer handed out free hotdogs and water at the Fourth of July parade and requested Imagine No Malaria donations. Through this effort they raised $300 and were a visible presence of hospitality.
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photo by Al Benson
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Fourth street Aurora worked to get images of their Imagine No Malaria worship service in the Aurora newspaper.
As you work to set your fundraising and pledge goal dream about who you might want to reach. You can see more suggestions at www.umcnic.org/imaginenomalaria.
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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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Fasting for Immigration Reform
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Wednesday, March 19 a cross-country bus tour of those fasting to keep families together and praying for immigration reform will arrive in Chicago at First UMC Chicago (the Temple) for a rally at 3 pm. On Thursday the 20th, the group will be meeting with representatives in Springfield, IL.
Last fall, many in our area fasted for immigration reform to happen. During this Lenten season, some have re-entered the fast and are meeting with Congressional Leaders to share their stories. For more information visit: fast4families.org.
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Creative Ministries Grant Applications
The NIC Program Council is now accepting applications for the 2014 Creative Ministries Grants. They are due May 1. Click here for the applications forms.
Time Running Out for Turnaround Church Bootcamp Registration
The Church Planters Bootcamp with Jim Griffith will be held April 2-4, 2014. You must register by March 14 at 11:59pm to be able to attend visit www.umcnic.org/plant.
Registration Now Open for Turnaround Church Bootcamp!
The Turnaround Church Bootcamp with Jim Griffith will be held April 5-6, 2014, and registration is now open visit www.umcnic.org/turnaround.
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.
Chicago Area Clergy Call on Sen. Kirk to help unemployedMore than 50 religious leaders from the North Shore and elsewhere in the Chicago area have sent a letter to Sen. Mark Kirk (R-Ill.), calling on him to help families struggling with unemployment and to support the extension of emergency unemployment compensation (EUC). Consider adding your signature. 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). Can we assist you 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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