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Communicator's Corner____________ Children & Intergenerational Ministries
Webinar Series
Creating and Nurturing an
Intergenerational Ministry
Tues., February 17, 2015
10:00am - 11:00am CDT
What is Intergenerational Ministry? What does it look like in your context? How do you create and/or nurture a faithful ministry that includes all people of all ages? Join Barbara Bruce, a well-known Christian Educator and author of several books including: Teaching Children Bible Basics, 7 Ways of Teaching the Bible to Children, and Our Spiritual Brain as we navigate the nuts and bolts of this essential and biblical ministry. Click here to register.
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!
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
on human race relations
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.
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 Open 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
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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Books closed on 2014 Apportionment giving
By: Merrie Bunt
As we close the books on 2014, we give thanks for and celebrate with the 351 churches and 3 new faith communities that have faithfully contributed a total of $5,917,262 in Apportionment giving. While 2014 began with frigid temperatures, straining the resources of many churches, apportionment giving rebounded only slightly throughout the year. As giving patterns continued to trend near or below levels of the Great Recession of 2009, the Conference Council on Finance and Administration (CCFA) took action in August, trimming the annual spending plan by $300,000, almost 7%. However, with Apportionment receipts almost $900,000 below budget, CCFA determined we could not meet the goal of 100% General Church Apportionments we set for ourselves. With the inclusion of around $64,000 from investment gains, we were able to increase our General Church giving slightly over 2013 for a total of $1,442,195 (or 76%): As we look forward to 2015, CCFA remains committed to identifying ways to support and strengthen the financial health of local churches, beginning with the review of Apportionment Appeals in February ( Read more about the appeals process here.) Later in March, the committee plans to convene in-depth focus groups with local church leaders, as well as analyzing Local Church Statistical Report data ( Stats are due February 28th!), and finally, the preparation of the 2016 budget to be presented at Annual Conference in June. We celebrate with the 174 churches who contributed 100% of their Apportionments. Click here for the list.
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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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Save the Date - March 21 - Don't miss the bus!
 The 2015 Annual Bishop's Youth Missions Bus Tour is scheduled for Saturday, March 21 from 8am to 5pm. Youth will learn how different organizations, such as the Night Ministry and the Center for Changing Lives are responding to helping young people across Chicago. Some of the issues we will hear about include homelessness, food security, and church and community partnerships (especially with local schools). Cost: $20 per participant Lunch included Click here for details and to reserve your seat on the bus contact Rev. Michael Mann at mmann@umcnic.org.
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| | Click on above image for Imagine No Malaria Lenten Resources and click here for more resources and devotionals.
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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.
Healthy Church Initiative - Mar. 4-5The Office of Congregational Development and Redevelopment invites you to "Healthy Church Initiative!" This is for all pastors and laypersons interested in bringing greater vitality and health to their congregations. This is an Institute of Congregational Development (ICD) event that is open to everyone. The speaker is Rev. Bob Farr, the Director of the Center for Congregational Excellence at the Missouri Annual Conference. Early Bird pricing ends Feb. 15. Click here for details.UMM's Annual Meeting will be held at Crystal Lake UMC. Gathering begins at 8:00am followed by breakfast, the business Meeting, and then a communion service. 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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