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Communicator's Corner
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Funding for Child Care Assistance Programs
The Illinois Action for Children has been advocating and following budget issues for childcare assistance programs, which may include some of our churches' programs. Click here for more information and their response to Gov. Rauner's budget address.
Illinois Action for Children, along with the Ounce of Prevention and Voices for Illinois Children, will be hosting a webinar on Monday, March 2 from 1-2pm
to provide a more in-depth analysis of the state budget as it stands to impact children and families. Additional information will be sent closer to the date, reserve your space now by registering here.
Youth Led Peace
Action Grants
Check out the latest Different Drummers on the NIC Urban Strategy's Youth Peace Summit
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Different Drummers: United Methodist Youth Summit
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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 Showcase
Want to get your hands on those 2015 Vacation Bible School starter kits before you order? Cokesbury has one more scheduled VBS Showcase preview event in the Chicago area. Click here for details.
Join the Conversation
on Immigration
The General Commission on Religion and Race have launched a Vital Conversations Project. This February, GCORR's monthly Vital Conversations Project focuses its attention on how immigration and migration are changing our communities--and the intercultural competencies that are required to successfully navigate these changes. Each day there will be new resources, commentaries and stories. Click here to follow and join the conversation.
United Methodist Women National Seminar 2015 to be held in Chicago
July 29-August 2
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
@ Reynoldswood
March 27-28 or
April 24-25
@ Wesley Woods
March 13-14 OR April 17-18.
Click here to get started.
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| | Click on above image for Imagine No Malaria Lenten Resources and click here for more resources and devotionals.
Read Bishop Dyck's Message for Lent.
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Imagine No Malaria - Pledges grow as we near our goal Thank you to all those who have joined in the fight to eradicate malaria. We are growing close to our $1 million goal. Today we celebrate those congregations that have pledged to this work. Check out the participation of our congregations on this list.If your church wants to join in this work by making a pledge or you made a pledge and your congregation is not on the list we want you to be counted. Contact Rev. Arlene Christopherson at achristo@umcnic.org to add your church to the list of those making a commitment. Thank YOU!
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Laity Convocation Resources
 Who is My Neighbor? - The "Wesley" Way TODAY Can Show You! More than 250 lay and clergy gathered together for the 2015 Laity Convocation at Sycamore UMC last Saturday.  Participants were able to choose two from four workshops led by laity and clergy in partnership. To download the PowerPoints and resources from these workshops as well as the Bishop's keynote slides, visit the Board of Laity webpage at www.umcnic.org/laity.
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Immigration News
Over the past week, the EXPANDED Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program hit a "bump in the road" according to one immigration legal organization, after a federal judge in the Southern District of Texas issued a preliminary injunction which delays implementation. A number of top legal experts have indicated that the program will continue, but that the start date will be delayed. The start of the program is not expected for at least a few weeks, possibly longer. In the meantime, your congregation can help let folks in your community know how to prepare for the new programs. Click here fore more details. For more information contact Rev. Michael Mann at mmann@umcnic.org.
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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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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. Selma Movie Screening On March 12 at 7pm, three days after the 50th anniversary of the historic "Bloody Sunday," in which men and women attempted to march from Selma to Mont-gomery on behalf of Voting Rights, the Council of Religious Leaders of Metropolitan Chicago invites you to view the movie SELMA and get to know some first-hand witnesses of the event. Where? Pickwick Theater, 5 South Prospect Avenue, Park Ridge, IL. Cost? $20.00 includes parking, movie ticket, popcorn and a soft drink. Discounts? Groups of 10 or more people: $15.00/person. Where do I order tickets? Please visit www.crlmc.org or call us at (773) 595-4012. Download the flyer.
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2014 Statistical Reports Due Feb. 28
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.
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.
Denman Award Nominations
The Evangelism committee is currently accepting nominations for the 2015 Harry Denman Evangelism Award for Clergy, Lay, and Youth. The Harry Denman Evangelism Award recognizes a person whose life and ministry exemplifies the teaching of Christ and the Great Commission. Award winners will be announced at the School of Evangelism, April 18, 2015. To learn more about the award, contact Rev. Robert Sathuri at robert@morrisumc.com. Nominations must be received no later than March 20. Click here for the forms.
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(click on title for more information)
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