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Communicator's Corner
Dec/Jan Reporter
Please note the deadline for this double issue is
Nov. 14. 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. Order your 2015 InterFaith Calendar Today 
The Council of Religious Leaders of Metropolitan Chicago's full-color, twelve-month, wall calendar is produced with the cooperative effort of 17 Religious Communities.Visit www.crlm.org to order
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Now Available: Rainbow Covenant Advance Applications for 2015
 Applications are now on-line for ALL ministries wishing to be a Rainbow Covenant Advance in 2015. This is for ALL current and new ministries. A new Rainbow Covenant book will be created after this 2015 cycle is complete. Each ministry must fill out this form and return it to the e-mail indicated on the form.
Our United Methodist Church and our Conference has created a way that a nonprofit or a ministry involving several congregations can show its connectionalism by becoming what is called an "Advance." These Advances are numbers assigned to individual ministries that allow them to receive funds from a local congregation or even individual donors. A church or donor writes a check to the Northern Illinois Conference and puts that Advance number in the Memo line. For each gift given to the Advance, 100% goes to the intended ministry.
Each year, our Annual Conference votes to support certain ministries by approving them as Conference-level or District-level Advances. By giving to these Advances and paying apportionments, a congregation can become a Rainbow Covenant Congregation. This special designation is celebrated each year at our Annual Conference, highlighting those congregations that offer excellent education about connectional giving and the Advance. Click here for more information.
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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 ordered. |
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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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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.
Social-justice agency calls for eradicating circumstances that lead to crises such as Ebola
The United Methodist General Board of Church & Society has issued a call to the denomination to respond with faith-filled determination to prevent future recurrences of crises such as that caused by Ebola. The statement emphasizes that the underlying causes that enabled Ebola to move from a regional to a worldwide crisis must be eradicated. These include adequate medical resources, of course, but also improved infrastructure and relief on debt that burdens nations "to the detriment of being able to meet basic needs of their own citizens." Click here to read the full statement.
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.
Part-Time Urban Ministry Specialist named
To strengthen our work in the area of our Urban Strategy, Rev. Diane Bogues has been engaged as a part-time Urban Ministry Specialist to work with Rev. Robert Biekman (Urban Ministry Coordinator) to resource congregations doing the work of community engagement and implementation of the Urban Strategy. The position is funded through a generous grant from the General Board of Church and Society. Click here to read more.
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(click on title for more information)
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