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Communicator's Corner
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Rev. Margaret Ann Williams
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In this issue, the Rev. Margaret Ann Williams reflects on her childhood in Mississippi why she is grateful for the 50th Anniversary of the Civil Rights Act. Click here to read the article... ___________
The 2014 Ordination Service, Memorial Service, Retirement Service and Diana Butler Bass presentations are now available on DVD in the NIC Media Resource Center.
Contact Susan Gieseler at sgieseler@umcnic.org or 847-931-0710 ext. 17.
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UMC Market Case Settled
United Methodists Can Now Take Full Advantage of Newly Revamped Site
The General Council on Finance and Administration (GCFA) recently settled a disagreement
with one of the founding partners of UMCmarket.org. During the process, UMCmarket.net was developed so that the program did not cease operation. In the settlement, GCFA regains full
rights of UMCmarket.org, the online shopping portal for United Methodists.
At www.UMCmarket.org, United Methodist shoppers can browse through and shop with a vast
array of online vendors and earn money for their church or United Methoidst Group of their choice.
Click here to read more...
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Need information on the
NIC's campaign to raise $1 million dollars for Imagine No Malaria? Click on the image
above.
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Honor Flight Chicago is recruiting WWII Veterans for a day of honor. Join your fellow Chicagoland
WWII veterans for an unforgettable day trip to Washington, D.C. No cost to WWII veterans.
If you're interested or know of a veteran, contact Honor Flight Chicago at 773.227.VETS (8387) or visit
www.honorflightchicago.org
An updated version of the Disability Ministries brochure gives an in-depth look at all the great work performed by this vital group. Examples of this work include grants for churches expanding their ministry with people with disabilities and for congregational accessibility improvements. Use this resource to find the best ways you or your church can support this important ministry.
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 There are many ways to reach out to school children and their families as the new academic year gets underway. Click here to learn more... Trinity UMC in Sterling School Supply Closet is open and in just the first three days served over 750 students with free school supplies! They can always use donations. The project received a 2014 Program Council Creative Ministries grant. Click here for more information. If your church is participating in a back to school event or collection, let us know! Email communications@umcnic.org
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Registration Open - "What We Can Do"
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Bishop Sally Dyck
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Clergy click here to register. Open to the first 200 registrants (priority given to those appointed to a local church). $15 registration includes materials, snacks, and lunch. Bishop Sally Dyck invites all clergy to a conversation on "what we can do," given Illinois' legalization of same-gender marriage. So much of the talk around our denomination is about what we can't do, but there is much we can do and in fact, what we are required to do in relation to LGBTQ persons and families in our churches, families and communities.
The conversation is scheduled for September 9, 2014 from 9:30 am until 3 pm, at First United Methodist Church Arlington Heights located at 1903 E. Euclid Ave., Arlington Heights, IL.
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11th Annual Stewardship Conference - Registration Open
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  Mark your calendar, gather a group and register now for the stewardship conference!
Bounty
10 Ways to Increase Giving in Your Church
Barrington United Methodist Church
98 Algonquin Rd.
Saturday, August 23, 2014
9 am - 2:30 pm
(registration and breakfast begins at 8 am)
Based on their recently published book, Kristine Miller and Scott McKenzie will describe ten immediately doable and transformative steps to lead congregations to grow in generosity.
Their methodology has been field-tested in local churches and is based on sound rationale and biblical principles.
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United Methodists arrested in D.C. protest
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Two Aurora pastors were among the 112 faith leaders and advocates arrested outside the White House on July 31.
The Rev. Deborah Tinsley Taylor and the Rev. Alka Lyall participated in the protest calling on President Obama to stop deportations.
Both were taken away in handcuffs and later released after paying a $50 fine. "The purpose of the meeting was to engage in a public witness, through civil disobedience outside the White House, to bring more clarity to the injustice of our nation's immigration policies," said Rev. Tinsley Taylor.
Read the complete story...
How can we respond to the Immigration crisis?
There are several ways we can respond to the rising number of unaccompanied minors crossing into the U.S. from Central America. United Methodists are helping at the border and leaders encourage prayer and support of UMCOR's emergency assistance. Click here to learn more.
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Be part of 100 Mentors This Fall!
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Children at Faith UMC held anti-violence signs in
front of the church on July 2.
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How can you help serve Chicago Public School Children? Chicago Public Schools (CPS) is launching its Mentoring the Next Generation Initiative. The program provides Kindergarten and 8th grade CPS students with one-on-one support from a trained, caring adult mentor. Next Generation mentors spend one hour per week in schools, building relationships with students and working with classroom teachers to help children develop their skills. Click here for a full description. Bishop Sally Dyck is setting the goal of 100 United Methodist Mentors in Chicago Public School classrooms this fall! Read more how you can sign up...
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High School Youth invited to attend Plumbline
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 October 12-15, 2014 - New York, NY
Plumbline Tour '14 is an invitation to all interested United Methodist High School Youth to learn how to reflect on
social justice issues from a Christian perspective.
We hope you can join us!
If you are interested in registering or know of a youth who would like to attend the trip, please contact Michael Mann at mmann@umcnic.org
or 847- 931- 0710, ext. 20.
Download the brochure.
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Will you host an SSL class?
 Applications are now being accepted for host sites for the fall Spanish as a Second Language six-week sessions. If your church is interested, visit www.umcnic.org/ssl for information. Classes will start Oct. 1. Participant registration and training will start in late August/early September.
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New Deacon Continuing Ed Course at Garrett This Fall
Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary in Evanston, IL is offering a new continuing education course this fall called, "The United Methodist Deacon." The course is offered conveniently as three individual weekend session so students can earn one, two, or three continuing education credits.
It will also be taught by Dr. Margaret Ann Crain, Professor Emeritus of Christian Education at Garrett-Evangelical, one of the most well-known and well-respected scholar practitioners in Christian education and deacon studies. Click here for more information.
Imagine No Malaria Benefit Concert
This Saturday, August 9, at 7 pm in the First UMC Evanston Sanctuary, 515 Church St. Featuring Anne Kristin Bust and Amadeus Boyde. Open to the community. Click here for the flyer.
ChildServ Night at Ravinia with Train
The Board of ChildServ announces to the public its third annual evening at Ravinia, featuring Grammy-Award-winning artists Train, along with the Wallflowers. Proceeds will benefit ChildServ's programs for children and their families. The event, on Friday, August 22, features a 5 pm tented reception, 5:30 dinner and 7 pm lawn tickets for the performance. Tickets are $200 - $250 after August 1. For information contact: Suzan Lea at slea@childserv.org or at (773) 867-7361.
Healthy Families, Healthy Planet (HFHP) project
Peoria First United Methodist Church in the Illinois Great Rivers Conference will host the first regional advocacy training event for the Healthy Families, Healthy Planet project (HFHP), an initiative of the General Board of Church and Society, on Saturday, September 6. The training is designed to bring together faith leaders from across Illinois to strengthen local movements for a healthier world for mothers and their children. *All faith leaders in Illinois are eligible for participation. The deadline to apply is August 15. Those interested can apply online at www.umchealthyfamilies.org. They can also email Katie Kraft at kkraft@umc-gbcs.org.
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(click on title for more information)
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