United Voices for Children Seeking Nominations for Annual Conference Awards Each year the United Voice for Children Board of Directors selects individuals and a group or organization to receive the Bishop Jesse R. DeWitt Child Advocacy Award, the Katherine B. Greene Child Worker Award and the Rev. Margaret Ann Williams Service Award. These awards honor extraordinary volunteer service efforts on behalf of children, youth and /or families throughout the Northern Illinois Conference. Nominations will be accepted until May 22. Click here for more information and the forms.
Learning Spanish as Church Hospitality
Check it out! Who Is My Neighbor? Teacher Manual is now available to order through Abingdon Press. The six-session resource was developed out of the NIC's Spanish as a Second Language program. It was written by Joyce Carrasco, Ruth Hoffman and Ngoc-Diep Nguyen. Click here to read the full story.
Cokesbury News Stop by Trinity UMC in Mt. Prospect May 13 from 10:30am-1pm for a Deep Blue showcase to launch their new children's curriculum. If your church is planning a mission trip or is hosting an after school program, contact Stephen Quarles at squarles@cokesbury.com for a free used VBS kit.
Upcoming Missionary Intinteration Schedule
Opportunities exist this spring and summer to visit with missionaries supported by the Northern Illinois Conference. If you would like to have a missionary visit your church please contact the Conference Secretary of Global Ministries Rev. Shirley Pulgar-Hughes shirleymph@outlook.com. Click here to learn more. Schedule:
April 27- May 4, Genilma Bohler
May 11-24, Karen Johnson Ujereh May 26-31, Jeremias Franca July 17-29 Clara Mridula Biswas
eNews April 23, 2015
176th Annual Conference Register Today - Early Bird Rates end May 15
Registration: Remember registration for Annual Conference begins Friday, April 17. You can find the link in the registration tab of the Annual Conference 2015 page: www.umcnic.org/AC2015. Register now at the early bird rate of $75 The price increases to $90 on May 16. Credit cards accepted for online registration are Visa and MasterCard only.
Hotel Rooms: If you are planning to stay at Pheasant Run, NOW is the time to reserve a room. Our reserved block of rooms at the rate of $112 + 11% for Courtyard rooms and $132 + 11% for the Tower, is only available until May 12.
Display Tables: Cost is $25 per table and $45 for a table with electricity. Tables will be on display for one-day only on Monday, June 15. The area for displays has changed from the MegaCenter to the St. Charles Ballroom. Applications and payment are due no later than May 22. To request a display table online click here.
Meals: All reservations for group meals must be ordered by May 29. Buffet meals may still be ordered on the first day of Annual Conference. For more details go to www.umcnic.org/AC2015 and click on the "meals" tab.
Mission Kit Challenge: You've heard about the Ice Bucket Challenge, but we have something better: the Cleaning Bucket Challenge. This year, each church is challenged to assemble at least one Cleaning Bucket and to BRING IT to Annual Conference. Visit www.umcnic.org/AC2015 and click on "Mission" for details.
The Annual Conference Mass Choir Rehearsal scheduled for April 25 has been rescheduled to May 17, 4pm-5:30pm at First UMC in Arlington Heights. A second service wil be held June 14 - 4:30 - 6:00pm at Pheasant Run before performing during the Ordination Service. The choir will be under the direction of Rev. Dr. Cynthia Wilson - cynthia.wilson@garrett.edu.
Bishop's Appeal: This year's special offering will go toward the Northern Illinois Justice for Our Neighbors (NIJFON). Click to learn more.
World Malaria Day on April 25 is an opportunity to engage our communities in support of Imagine No Malaria, an extraordinary effort by the people of The United Methodist Church to end death and suffering from malaria in Africa.
Join a diverse panel of Native Americans for a listening session this Saturday from 10am- 12:30pm at the American Indian Center, (1630 W. Wilson Ave., Chicago). This is a wonderful opportunity for churches to bring a group and learn more about Native American culture and the needs of our communities. We will have a light meal afterwards. We hope that you will join us to learn more about our Native communities as we move forward as a conference toward repentance. Click here to learn more.
Tornado Disaster Response Update
For information on volunteers and donations, please go to the websites for the Fairdale and Rochelle communities to find out what's still needed.
Youth and Youth Leaders in the Northern Illinois Conference are invited to a tour of the Illinois Holocaust Museum on April 25.Click here for more information.
Golden Cross Sunday
Golden Cross Sunday is observed in the month of May in honor of older adults in your congregation. ORDER YOUR SPECIAL GCS OFFERING ENVELOPES NOW! Call or send an email to PONG JAVIER, OAM co-chair 708-268-7003 / abjavierjr@aol.com
Join a diverse panel of Native Americans for a listening session this Saturday from 10am- 12:30pm at the American Indian Center, (1630 W. Wilson Ave., Chicago). This is a wonderful opportunity for churches to bring a group and learn more about Native American culture and the needs of our communities. We will have a light meal afterwards. We hope that you will join us to learn more about our Native communities as we move forward as a conference toward repentance. 
For information on volunteers and donations, please go to the websites for the Fairdale and Rochelle communities to find out what's still needed. 