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Communicator's Corner____________
Young Adult Mission Opportunities Available NowAre you a young adult or do you know a young adult who is ready to share God's love and commit to a two-year life-changing mission opportunity? The Generation Transformation Global Mission Fellows priority application deadline is January 31. Click here for details.
Y15<<Go On
Youth 2015, the national gathering for United Methodist Youth and Youth Leaders, is planned for June 24-28 in Orlando, FL
for ages 12-18. It only happens once every 4 years!
Early Bird Rate ends Jan. 31. Click here fore more information.
VBS Showcases
Want to get your hands on those 2015 Vacation Bible School starter kits before you order? Cokesbury has scheduled six VBS Showcase preview events in the Chicago / Naperville area. Each will give you the opportunity to examine over a dozen VBS Starter kits from your favorite publishers. Come watch the videos, listen to the music and ask questions about what Cokesbury is offering for the 2015 VBS season. Click here to find a location near you.
Join the Conversation
The General Commission on Religion and Race have launched a Vital Conversations Project. This month they're examining human (race) relations and how our Church can be instrumental in helping us tackle difficult conversations and move forward together. Each day there will be new resources, commentaries and stories. Click here to follow and join the conversation.NPR Correspondent Cheryl Corley to speak at Chicago Temple's Feb. 1 Racism Discussion
Cheryl Corley, an award-winning journalist and NPR correspondent who works for the National Desk, will kick-off the discussion by giving some background about what has happened in Ferguson, MO and New York City following the killings of unarmed black men by the police; subsequent protests that have erupted nationwide; and her reflections on what it all might say about racism and race relations in America. All are welcome in Dixon Chapel/James Parlor (located on the second floor) at 12:15-1:30 p.m. Click here for more info.
Free Webinar Series
The Committee on Accessibility Ministries is pleased to provide this information on an upcoming webinar conference series for 2015. This is an opportunity for you to participate and discover strategies for improving how we address the spiritual needs of those with physical and mental challenges. It's free but registration is required. Click here for more information.
Camp News
Registration Opened Dec. 8 for Summer Camp 2015!
Check out the Dec/Jan Reporter pages 5-8 for a special Camps insert with all the listings for Reynoldswood and Wesley Woods.
Or click here to check it out online.
Spring Confirmation Retreat Dates - Mark your calendars!
@ Reynoldswood
March 27-28 or
April 24-25
@ Wesley Woods
March 13-14 OR April 17-18
Sympathy Notices
For death notifications of current lay members to annual conference, please click here for the policy from the Board of Laity.
Latest news from Bolivia
Click here to read missionaries Jeff and Deb's year end report.
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Laity Convocation - Feb. 14 - Register Today!
Who is My Neighbor? - The "Wesley" Way TODAY Can Show You! Registration is open for the 2015 Laity Convocation at Sycamore UMC, 160 Johnson Ave., Sycamore, IL. Bishop Sally Dyck will be the speaker. Cost $15 per person. After Feb. 7 $20 per person. Click here for more information and to register.
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Black History Month
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February is Black History Month, a time when we take time to reflect on race and religion and celebrate the important roles African Americans have played in the development of the United States. Recognition of those roles from a historical perspective is an important step in celebrating the contributions of individuals and the collective changes the African American community has brought about. United Methodist Church agencies offer a variety of resources to help us remember and celebrate Black History Month.
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Elgin Dist Superintendent Oscar Carrasco announces retirement
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Rev. Oscar Carrasco and wife Joyce
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After more than 50 years of ministry, Elgin District Superintendent Rev. Oscar Carrasco has announced his retirement beginning July 1, 2015.
He says he will miss most the extraordinary people of the Elgin District but he says he will continue to be in prayer for everyone. "Wherever I am, whoever comes to my mind from the times of my life, I will strive to be in prayer for that person," he said.
A retirement celebration for Rev. Carrasco will take place June 7 at 3pm at First UMC in Crystal Lake. Read more on his retirement.
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Bishop Dyck announces new Elgin DS
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Rev. Darneather Murph-Heath
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Bishop Sally Dyck is pleased to announce the appointment of the new Elgin District Superintendent the Rev. Darneather Murph-Heath, effective July 1, 2015. Rev. Murph-Heath will follow Rev. Oscar Carrasco as he retires this summer. Rev. Murph-Heath currently serves as pastor at Schaumburg: Our Saviour's. Bishop Dyck celebrates Reverend Murph-Heath's diverse background in churches small and large, her positive cross-racial/ethnic experiences in leadership and her ability to be direct yet loving. "I look forward to her work on the Elgin District and throughout the conference as she brings strong leadership skills and a sense of humor to her work," said Bishop Dyck. Read more.
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2014 Apportionment giving
By: Merrie Bunt
We give thanks for the 351 churches and 3 new faith communities that have faithfully contributed a total of $5,873,236 in apportionment giving, while down about $450,000 or 7% compared to 2013. Second-mile, designated giving has totaled almost $822,666, compared to $850,000 in 2013. We are so grateful for every congregation's faithful generosity. Apportionment giving TRULY helps sustain the transformational ministries of the NIC and the general church and is a blessing to each and every community impacted by our work. We celebrate with the 172 churches who have already contributed 100% of their Apportionments. Click here for the list.
Click here for information on the 2015 Apportionment Appeals Process from CCFA.
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Save the Date - March 21 - Don't miss the bus!
 The 2015 Annual Bishop's Youth Bus Tour is scheduled for Saturday, March 21 from 8am to 5pm. Registration and details will be announced soon. For more information contact Rev. Michael Mann at mmann@umcnic.org.
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Let the 2014 Statistical Reporting Season Commence!
Username = GCFA # (6 digits)
Password = Conference ID # (5 digits)
Reports are due by 11:59pm on February 28, 2015!
While most of the questions within the statistical tables have remained the same, pastors and local church leaders will find a refreshing new look to the Statistical Data entry site this year. New this year is an addendum featuring six questions from the Conference Council on Finance and Administration (CCFA) seeking local church input about electronic giving. For further instructions and resources, please click here.
Volunteers needed for meal-packing - Feb. 15-16
Community volunteers are needed to help feed starving children by packing meals in two-hour shifts Feb. 15-16 at North Central College's Residence Hall/Recreation Center, 440 S. Brainard St., Naperville. An estimated 4,000 volunteers will pack up to 800,000 meals in less than 42 hours to help starving children in more than 70 countries. More than 300,000 of the meals will be directly delivered to countries impacted by the Ebola outbreak. Click here for details.
Creative Ministries Grant Application - Due Mar. 2
The NIC Program Council is currently accepting applications for creative ministries.The maximum amount available for a grant award is $3,000. Applications will be accepted until noon on Mar. 2. Click here to download the form. Read more about last year's grant recipients. Click here.
Acts of Repentance Next Listening Session - Mar. 28 10am
LaSalle Room of Starved Rock Lodge in Utica, IL. For more information contact Rev. Michael Mann at mmann@umcnic.org.
Clergy Tax Seminar - Jan. 29
9:30am at Barrington UMC. Clergy need to understand the special tax issues that apply to them in order to structure compensation packages appropriately and pay the correct amount of taxes. Our presenter is Ellen Feliciano, a Tax Advisor with H&R Block with a particular interest in clergy taxes, investment income, healthcare expenses and retirement income. Ellen is a member of Urban Village Church and serves as Director of the Chicago Northwestern District Lay Academy.Click here for details.
One Great Hour of Sharing - Sunday, Mar. 15
One Great Hour of Sharing is what allows UMCOR to act as the arms and legs of Christ's church, moving toward the most vulnerable in their darkest days. Convinced that all people have God-given worth and dignity-without
regard to race, religion or gender-together we are assisting those impacted by crisis or chronic need such as victims of tornadoes, tsunamis and disease. Click here for resources.
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(click on title for more information)
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