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Communicator's Corner
Dec/Jan Reporter
Please note the deadline for this double issue is
Nov. 12. Send articles for December and January news to
Anne Marie Gerhardt
Job Opening
NIC Database Coordinator
This role will interact collaboratively with all Conference departments and the Conference Secretary to effectively conduct Conference operations, oversee important multi-user database and produce annual journal. Job responsibilities also include receptionist duties at the Chicago Conference office.
Click here to learn more.
Sympathy Notices
For death notifications of current lay members to annual conference, please click here for the policy from the Board of Laity.
The General Council on Finance and Administration (GCFA), working in partnership with Vanco Services, LLC, has developed a convenient mobile-device app that will allow members and visitors to make donations to the church while they are in service or if they are away.
The app, called "Easy2Give", is now available as a free download for Android™ devices. An AppleŽ iOS version will be available by the end of the year.
Click here to learn more.
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Wanna Borrow our Boots?
 If you've ever fantasized about doing a little international mission work, and/or running a bakery/pizzeria in Bolivia, we've got a great opportunity for two people to step into our shoes for five weeks in December/January when we fly home to Illinois. We'd spend a week or ten days with you, introducing you to our friends and neighbors as well as local vendors, walking you through routines such as how to catch precious water in the morning, how to bash open the front door, when and where to buy produce, and how transportation systems work. If this fascinating, gratifying, benefit-rich, salary-free opportunity to help us, the restaurant, and the mission appeals to you, please email us right away at jeffandeb@gmail.com. Thank you! Jeff & Deb - Mision Fronteras |
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Register Today for the
Youth Summit in the City - Nov. 14
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 Youth from United Methodist Churches in Chicago and Chicagoland are gathering Friday, November 14 for a "Youth Summit in the City" at St. Mark UMC, 8441 S St Lawrence Ave, Chicago.
This Urban Strategy event will feature a performance by the F.C.B.C Youth Drama Company. Activities planned will be designed to reflect the summit's theme of promoting peace and will include youth earning a "peace passport."
General Board of Church and Society Secretary Susan Henry Crowe will be the special guest and will share some words with the group.
The evening kicks off at 5:30pm. Click here for details.
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Accessibility Awareness Conference
This Saturday - Nov. 8
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 Barrington UMC, 98 Algonquin Rd., Barrington 8:30am- 3:30pm - Walk ins welcomeA must for every church! 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. Please share this information with the laity in your church especially your Lay Leader and Trustees chairperson. Keynote speaker: Lynn Swedberg, consultant for UM Committee on Disability Ministries. Cost $25 includes box lunch. More information. Click here to learn more about two grants recently awarded to NIC churches for projects to make their buildings more accessible.
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NIC Directory Online Orders
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 We are in the process of finalizing the NIC Directory of Churches/Clergy/Laity. If you placed your order during Annual Conference Registration, expect your directory in the mail in the coming months. If you would still like to place an order, you can now pay by credit card online or send $10 (checks payable to Northern Illinois Conference) to Susan Gieseler, Media Resources Director, 217 Division St., Elgin, IL 60120.
Please note we are not providing free copies to churches or pastors this year, but the directory will be available to download as a pdf for free at www.umcnic.org/directory.
Questions email Susan at sgieseler@umcnic.org or call 847-931-0710 ext. 17.
Place an order here. |
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NIC General & Jurisdictional Delegation Meeting - Nov. 15
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All are welcome! Join the 2016 delegation from 11am-2pm at Gary UMC,
224 Main St., Wheaton. Special Guest will be General Secretary for the General Board of Church & Society Susan Henry Crowe. Please contact Rev. Chris Pierson at cpierson@umcnic.org if you plan on attending so enough food is provided. |
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Acts of Repentance - Next Listening Session
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 Garrett Evangelical Theological Seminary
2121 Sheridan Rd.
Evanston, IL
Wednesday, November 19, 7pm in Room 205
Thursday, November 20, 11:15am - Worship in the Chapel of the Unnamed Faithful
Visit www.umcnic.org/nativeamerianministries for information and future dates as well as many resources for worship, prayer and study. |
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Latina/Latino Ministry Grants
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This grant opportunity is for Latina/Latino ministries in congregations in the Northern Illinois Conference (NIC). It is a one-time grant for 2014 ONLY. Awards will be made in December of 2014.
All applications must be received by 5 pm on November 15 at mmann@umcnic.org or (by mail) 217 Division Street, Elgin, IL 60120.
These grants are intended to support congregations engaging in ministries with Latinas and Latinos.
Awards will be based on those who demonstrate effective use of resources. Details regarding any proposed spending is of paramount importance. Results, collaboration, and opportunity for on-going ministry will also be key factors in this determination. Click here to download a pdf application or visit www.umcnic.org/grants for a .doc file.
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Annual Election Period for Benefits The Annual Election Period for benefits is upon us. If you are active clergy or lay staff who participates in the Blue Cross coverage via HealthFlex, you have from November 5, 2014 - November 20, 2014 to make annual elections for 2015. Please note - you do not have to re-enroll for Blue Cross medical benefits. If you are presently a participant, your insurance will continue as the new 2015 plan year starts. If you want to participate in the Medical or Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA) in 2015, you will have to determine your FSA elections during this Annual Election period. FSA elections do not carry over from one year to the next, so they must be made each year. Click here for more information or visit www.gboph.org.
National Hispanic Plan for the NIC
Recently at a NIC National Hispanic Plan meeting, it was announced that we are going into a time of reconstruction of our Hispanic Plan. We have many programs and ways in which we are engaged in outreach but they need to be aligned in order to be more effective. If you have ideas, thoughts, concerns, or a desire to contribute, please let Rev. Chris Pierson know so that he can be sure to connect you with those who will be holding the conversations. Contact him at cpierson@umcnic.org or 847-931-0710 ext. 15. Click here to read more.
Institute for Congregational Development Special Guest
November 14-15, 2014
The Office of Congregational Development and Redevelopment of the Northern Illinois Conference invites you to our "VITALITY For The 21st Century Church" workshop! This is for all pastors and laypersons interested in strengthening their congregations and reaching out to new people! Rev. Olu Brown of Impact Church in Atlanta, Georgia, is joining us! Two-days of teaching, training, and collaborating of the best practices for revitalizing and turning toward mission. Click here to register.
United Methodist Student Day calls the church to support students as they prepare for life in uniting faith with knowledge. The offering provides scholarships for qualified United Methodist students. November 30 is set as this year's United Methodist Student Day, but your congregation may choose to celebrate on any Sunday during the year.To help promote this Special Giving Sunday, a collection of resources are available to download and use in your own church communications.
News from Reynoldswood - New Bottle Cap Collection
Sponsored by Grace United Methodist Church (Dixon), and supported by other local churches, Reynoldswood is collecting clean bottle caps, to be recycled to make 6' benches. Benches will be used throughout the camp. We have collected 100 lbs, and need at least 400 lbs per bench. A list of can be found on our website at www.reynoldswood.org. Please consider collecting these caps or making a cash donation to help us "be green" at Reynoldswood Christian Camp. For questions, or more information, please contact Eric Hoffman, Reynoldswood Site Director, at 815.284.6979 or director@reynoldswood.org.
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(click on title for more information)
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