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Concern mounts over abduction of Nigerian girls
As the crisis over the abduction of several hundred Nigerian schoolgirls continued, the World Methodist Council expressed concern. "We believe that every human being is born with a God-given dignity, and a fundamental right to an education," it stated. Read the WMC statement.
New Hispanic.UMC.org goes live
The United Methodist Church has a new website highlighting Hispanic ministries and resources. Hispanic.UMC.org went live this week as the portal for Spanish-language resources and content in the church. Designed by United Methodist Communications, it will aggregate resources from around the denomination and also provide original content.
Change the World event
(May 17-18)
reaches five-year milestone
Asian-Pacific-American Heritage Month
Leadership Institute
Registration for the 2014 Leadership Institute at the Church of the Resurrection from Sept. 24-26 is now open. Click here for information.
Covenant Bible Study now available
Covenant is a 24-week, video-based Bible study encouraging dialogue and conversation. It's divided into three, eight-week modules designed to fit around your schedule. Click here for more details.
Golden Cross Sunday
is observed in the month of May in honor of older adults in your congregations. Click here for more information on how to order special offering envelopes. Click here for new resources for Older Adult Recognition Day, from the General Board of Discipleship.
Spark12 Application Deadline Extended
 Spark12 provides funding, coaching, and other support for young adult leaders and those working with young adults who have innovative ideas they believe will change the world. Applications are open through May 16 for grants. Spark12, supported by The United Methodist General Board of Higher Education and Ministry, is accepting applications from teams or individuals who want to bring their ideas to life. Click here to read more.
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Outdoor Retreat Ministries News
Still time to register for Summer Camp
Click herefor info and registration.
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Imagine No Malaria - Progress Report
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 April 25 marked the deadline for Imagine No Malaria fundraising goal forms, and to date over 80 churches made a multi-year fundraising goal/pledge and committed to raise over $600,000 in the next three years.
You can see our updated report click here.
Many other churches have made a one time donation for which the conference is thankful. Those churches that have sent in donation, but not a pledge are not included in the list above. All churches who have donated will be acknowledged at annual conference. F or more information visit www.umcnic.org/imaginenomalaria.
Ride for Change: Imagine No Malaria
 Do you know of any avid cyclists seeking to ride for change this summer? A team of cyclists is riding from Sioux Falls, South Dakota to Port Clinton, Ohio from June 17 - June 28, 2014 throughout the North Central Jurisdiction (including northern Illinois) to raise money and bring awareness of the United Methodist church's work to end death by malaria.
If you or someone you know would be interested in riding in this 12-day bicycle trek or would like more information, please contact Rachel Birkhahn-Rommelfanger rbrommelfanger@umcnic.org.
Ask your church, a family member or a friend to participate in this Ride for Change and go the extra mile to end malaria!
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Pre-Annual Conference Webinar Briefings
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 Annual Conference members are invited to join one of three pre-Conference briefings via Go To Meeting to answer questions and give details about the pilot health insurance proposal, changes to the standing rules and modifications to the apportionment formula.
Dates: Wednesday May 28 - 3 pm Thursday May 29 - 7 pm Saturday May 31- 9 am (Allotted time is 90 min.) Pick a convenient day and time for you. You will be able to join the meeting shortly before the scheduled time by going to: https://global.gotomeeting.com/meeting/join/118763045 It's not necessary to have access to a computer for this meeting. If you would like to phone in you can join the conference call by dialing: (312) 878-3078 Access Code: 118-763-045
For more information and if you would like to post a question or comment to be addressed beforehand, visit the NIC website at www.umcnic.org/webinar. |
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175th Annual Conference Online Registration *Last day to register before cost increases
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- Register online at www.umcnic.org/AC2014
- Cost is $61 through May 8.
- Cost increases to $80 on May 9.
- The mail-in registration form will be available for download from www.umcnic.org/AC2014 or contact your District Administrator to make arrangements to receive it.
- Click here to read Bishop Dyck's invitation.
- Legislative and Historical Documents will be available the first week of May.
Meals & Guests
(sign up through registration)
- UVC Breakfast - Mon. June 9 Speaker: Rev. Robert Biekman - NIC Urban Ministry Coordinator
- Anti-Gambling Lunch - Mon. June 9 Speakers: Sandra Adell and Melynda Litchfield
- MFSA - Mon. June 9 - Dinner Speaker: Rev. Frank Schaefer
- CCUIR Tues. June 10 - Lunch Speaker: Jim Winkler
- Other Important Dates:
- Display Table applications due May 16.
- Laity Candidate meet & greet June 8 - 1pm in the Jade Room.
- Opening Worship June 8 - 3pm.
- Memorial Service - June 9 9:45am
- Retirement Service - June 10- 10:45am
- Ordination June 10 - 7pm.
For other important 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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Urban Summit II - May 17
Register Today
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Bishop Dyck welcomes participants to the first Urban Summit on May 18, 2013.
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Bishop Dyck invites all United Methodists in the City of Chicago and throughout the annual conference to come together for the 2nd Chicago Urban Summit on May 17, 2014, 8:30am - 12:30pm at Whitney M. Young Magnet High School at 211 S. Laflin, Chicago (just down the street from the episcopal residence).
Our 2nd Urban Summit will focus on "Healthy Partnerships." We will explore what makes for any healthy partnership and then in our "Action Labs," we will hear about healthy partnerships with government organizations, police, schools, and other churches (especially Chicagoland and beyond) as well as partnerships with funding sources. Click here for more information and to learn more...
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11th Annual Stewardship Conference Registration Open
Bounty: 10 Ways to Increase Giving in Your Local Church with Kristine Miller and Scott McKenzie at Barrington United Methodist Church, Barrington, IL, Saturday, August 23 9 am - 2:30 pm. Registration and Light Breakfast beginning 8 am.
Calling All Singers for AC Choir
The 2014 Annual Conference Worship Team invites you to participate in an ALL-Conference Mass Choir during this year's Annual Conference Service of Ordination, June 10 at the Pheasant Run Conference Center. The choir will be singing the Spiritual Medley for Pentecost arranged by Rev. Dr. Cynthia Wilson (Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary). It can be found in the worship resource Zion Still Sings (p. 108). Click here for rehearsal times and details.
Annual Conference Kit Challenge
This year's collection will benefit the Midwest Mission Distribution Center in their efforts to assemble "layette" kits which are provided to parents to welcome a new child into this world. This witness testifies to the sacred worth of every child. Click here to see your District's challenge. Young Adult Missionary Visiting NIC Churches Mistead T. Sai is a missionary through the US-2 young adult program of the General Board of Global Ministries of The United Methodist Church. Commissioned in August 2012, he is assigned to Interfaith Worker Justice in Chicago. Mistead will be visiting local churches in the NIC, to engage young adults in ministry, during the weeks of May 4-10, June 8 through July 5. If you would like him to visit your church on a Sunday or attend a program during the week, please contact Rev. Shirley Pulgar-Hughes shirleymph@outlook.com. Click here for Mistead's bio. Ban the BoxNext Movement, which is a social justice ministry at Faith UMC in Dolton, IL is co-sponsoring a project in Illinois called Ban the Box. It is a call for our state elected officials to act on a bill in Springfield to ban the question on job applications "have you ever been convicted of a felony." Click herefor information and to sign the petition.
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