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One Great Hour - March 30
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:
UM FOUNDATION
Job Opening:

President Rev. Harry Nicol announces his retirement

For information on the
job opening click here...
Scholarships

2014 Scholarships for undergraduates are available through the Northern Illinois Conference.

Interested students can download the application
 by clicking here.

April 1, 2014
By Midnight

Please contact
[email protected]
with submissions or any questions.

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 here
for info and registration.

Senior Services

The Chicagoland Methodist Senior Services has several upcoming events and seminars in March, April and May. Click here for more information.
March 20, 2014
eNEWS
Bishop Dyck - A Call to End Deportations 
Bishop Sally Dyck On March 21, 2014 at 10 am, Bishop Dyck is 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. Read more from UMNS.

If you will be attending the informational meeting on the 21st, please email the Bishop's administrative assistant, Marva Andrews, at [email protected].

Strengthening The Black Church for the 21st Century (SBC21) Training  Event
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
Online registration is closed but walk-ins will be accommodated.
Download the Flyer
175th Annual Conference News & Updates  
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 .
  • Registration opens 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.
Youth Mission Bus Tour
Register today - only 10 slots open 
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.

 

Contact Michael Mann at [email protected] with questions. 

Benefit for Imagine No Malaria
Music to fight Malaria- World Malaria Day Concert

On World Malaria day, April 25, is the day to turn in pledges. Our goal is to reach $1 million dollars. As a celebration please join us for concert on April 27 from 3-4:30 pm at Barrington UMC to sing, dance and listen to music to mark our success and praise God for working through us. A variety of musical styles will be present to help us rejoice the amazing fundraising efforts around the conference.

Tickets to the show are $10 (in advance or at the door) and we will announce the total money raised by the conference to date at the event.  

Find more information at www.umcnic.org/imaginenomalaria as the date approaches.
 
News & Events

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. 

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.

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 [email protected] 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 [email protected] for the next training date.

  

Youth Lenten Retreat and Planning Session

Saturday, April  5  from 10am - 1pm. at the Northern Illinois Program Office  217 Division St., Elgin

Join us as we work on the Youth Session for Annual Conference (Sunday, June 8) and experience Lenten Worship together.  We are very fortunate to have a Q-YES workshop as a part of this time together.  It is a very special presentation that will help us to be more understanding and accepting as all are invited to our Lord's Table. Click here for more info. Please respond by April 1 to Rev. Dr. Barbara Javore, Conference Youth Coordinator  at [email protected] or 847.835.1227 church office.
  

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 [email protected].  
Mark Your Calendar