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Communicator's Corner
Hispanic Heritage Month
Resources to Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month (September 15-October 15) are available on the GBOD website. Click here.
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World Week for Peace in Palestine Israel
International Day of Peace
observed around the world each year on Sept. 21. Following the this day, the World Council of Churches (WCC) asks church organizations, congregations and individuals to observe the World Week for Peace in Palestine Israel
(Sept. 21-27)
Click here for a great article in the New World Outlook Magazine for more information and the Palestine Israel Ecumenical Forum website for resources.
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Sympathy Notices for Current
Lay members to
Annual Conference
Effective immediately, the death of a current Lay Member to Annual Conference will be included in the UMCNIC eNews on Thursdays, if the family of the deceased wishes to have it included.
After the deceased Lay Member's pastor has obtained approval of the family, the pastor may forward the following information to communications@umcnic.org for inclusion in the eNews:
*Name of deceased Lay Member
*The church of the deceased Lay Member
*The office(s) held by the deceased Lay Member
*Funeral and wake information
*Address for condolences
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Global Mission Fellows
Long-term mission
ages 20-30
Applications for the 2015 Global Mission Fellow program are now available online.
Through the Global Mission Fellows program, you can serve internationally (International Track) or in the United States (US-2 Track) for a duration of 2 years.
It's encouraged that the application be completed prior to October 15, so you can interview in November allowing priority placement to begin service in
August of 2015. Click here to get started.
You Shop. We Give 
Great, easy way to receive donations to your church!
Share more about us with your church leaders and friends! Use promotion code SEPTEMBER and for every new member that signs up and makes their first purchase, UMCmarket will donate an extra $5 to your ministry!
Click here.
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Acts of Repentance
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  A thanks to all those who attended the NIC Acts of Repentance event on Sept. 20. "This is just a first step," said Bishop Sally Dyck who spoke about her experiences visiting the site of the Sand Creek Massacre with the Rocky Mountain Conference in June. "It's important we remember, or learn, or become aware of our own history among Native Americans in this area of Illinois. It's a long journey to repentance." |
Health Quotient Deadline Approaching
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Attention all clergy and lay participants in HealthFlex Blue Cross Blue Shield medical insurance coverage:
Participants (and spouses, if covered) must take the Health Quotient online by September 30 in order to avoid paying an increase in deductible for 2015 ($250 for participant, $500 for participant + spouse). If you have a covered spouse, it won't do any good if just one of you takes the HQ; BOTH of you must take it in order to qualify.
What do you need to do? Log onto www.gbophb.org; click on HealthFlex/WebMD to begin. If you need help, call WebMD at 1-866-302-5742.
Many of you have not yet completed the HQ - DO IT NOW!!
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Spanish Classes starting Oct. 2
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 We have had a number of congregations responding to the invitation of the Northern Illinois Conference to host a Spanish as a Second Language class this fall.
If you are interested in finding a class near you, email ssl@umcnic.org. |
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Accessibility Awareness Conference - Nov. 8
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 Barrington UMC, 98 Algonquin Rd., Barrington, IL 8:30am- 3:30pm Let us gather together to learn new ways to provide access to God's house for all regardless of physical and/or mental challenges. Breakout Sessions, Vendor Displays and more. Keynote speaker: Lynn Swedberg, consultant for UM Committee on Disability Ministries. Cost $25 includes box lunch. More information. Click here to register.
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World Communion Sunday - Oct. 5
Our church is at its best when we reach out to sisters and brothers in need. World Communion Sunday (Oct. 5) calls the church to reach out to all people and model diversity among God's children. United Methodists relate to World Communion Sunday by celebrating communion with other Christians around the world on this special Sunday. Churches are also encouraged to receive an offering to support ethnic undergraduate and graduate students, which often enables first-generation students to attend college. Download the World Communion Sunday Pastor's kit. Order offering envelopes and posters at www.umcgiving.org/ss or call 888-346-3862.
Sign up for the next Early Response Team training September 27 from 9am-5pm at the First United Methodist Church of LaGrange. This training will qualify individuals in our area to join together as an Early Response Teams (ERT). ERT's are trained to provide immediate and quick response after disasters, sharing the love of Christ by taking steps to prevent further damage to property and helping survivors begin to heal. This is a great outreach opportunity! You do not need to be UMC to be an ERT! The cost of the training is $40. To register, or for more information, please contact Chris Meier at 708-387-1172 or cameier1@sbcglobal.net.
Crop Walk
Thousands of people will step out against hunger across Northern Illinois this fall as they participate in local CROP Hunger Walks. In addition to showing solidarity with those who must walk daily for food, water, shelter, medicine, etc., CROP Hunger Walks raise funds for local food pantries and regional food banks. Funds also support the work of Church World Service, which responds to disasters and implements self-help development programs around the world. To get info, register, or raise funds for your local CROP Hunger Walk please visit www.crophungerwalk.org or call the Illinois regional office of CWS at (630) 200-4572.
Host a Child Sabbath in October
Every congregation in the Northern Illinois Conference is encouraged to participate in the activities of the 2014 National Observance of Children's Sabbath on October 19 or designate another Sunday in October to recognize this event. The annual Children's Sabbath is sponsored by the Children's Defense Fund and provides local congregations and faith communities with the opportunity and resources to advocate for improving the lives of God's most precious ones, our children. This year's observance, "Precious in God's Sight: Answering the Call to Cherish and Protect Every Child" focuses on the need for greater commitment towards early childhood development programs. Click here to learn more. The NIC Media Resource center has some older edition books on Child Sabbath. Visit www.umcnic.org/MediaCat.
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