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Communicator's Corner
.......................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.
Cokesbury NewsStop 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 meet 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:
May 11-24, Karen Johnson Ujereh
May 26-31, Genilma Bohler
July 21-26 Devorah Umipig-Julian and Ronald Julian
July 17-29 Clara Mridula Biswas
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Responding with prayer and aid after
Nepal Earthquake
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Photo by ACT Alliance, DCA The 7.8 magnitude earthquake that struck Nepal on April 25, the most powerful quake in 81 years to hit the region, caused significant damage in Patan Durbar Square in Kathmandu.
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United Methodists are joining Christians around the world in a prayerful response to the earthquake that has claimed more than 5,000 lives in Nepal and neighboring China and India. Five missionaries working in Nepal for the United Methodist Board of Global Ministries were reported safe.
Click here to read the full story.
Click here to donate to UMCOR's disaster response advance.
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United Methodists Respond to Baltimore with Prayers for Peace & Justice
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Clergy from throughout the Baltimore-Washington Conference gathered in Baltimore Tuesday night, April 28, to offer their prayers and support for the city.
Photo by Christine Kumar.
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Baltimore-Washington Conference Bishop Marcus Mathews responded with a letter to this week's unrest following the funeral of Freddie Gray who died in police custody. "I know in my heart that God watches over the Gray family, Baltimore's leaders and police, and all people trying to make sense of the death of Freddie Gray and the violence perpetrated by people taking selfish and senseless advantage of events that have unfolded in the city." Read his letter.Many clergy joined together in a march for peace while riots grew in the streets in hopes of easing tensions and bringing a sense of calm. They put themselves between bottle-throwing demonstrators and lines of police officers with pepper spray. Read the full story.
The Rev. P. Devon Brown from Chicago's St. Mark UMC and President of Black United Methodist Pastors wrote, " Though violence and destruction of property should not be condoned, remember in many instances they are a response to, rather than the cause of conflict." Read his statement. GCORR General Secretary Erin Hawkins responded, "We must agree that black lives matter. That people living in poverty matter. That equal justice and opportunity for all matters. And then we must commit to creating policies and systems that produce solutions." Read her statement.
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176th Annual Conference Register Today - Early Bird Rates end May 15
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- Registration: 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, MasterCard and Discover 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.
- Volunteers Needed: Additional Ushers are still needed for Annual Conference. If you are interested please contact Rev. Char Hoffmann charh-pastor@att.net (630) 941-0084.
- Blueprint for Wellness Biometric Screening: Blueprint for wellness blood tests will be available again at conference for clergy, staff and their spouses who participate in the NIC Healthflex program.
Screenings will be held on Monday, June 15 and Tuesday, June 16, 7am - 10am in Skybox 2. Pre-registration is strongly encouraged. Visit www.gbophb.org for information and log in to HealthFlex/WebMD
- 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 in 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.
- Youth Session: Youth grade 6 - high school are invited to the youth session at Annual Conference on Sunday, June 14 from 1:30-6:30pm. Visit www.umcnic.org/AC2015 and click on "Youth" for details.
- Annual Conference Mass Choir Rehearsal: May 17, 4pm-5:30pm at First UMC in Arlington Heights. A second rehearsal will 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.
For the latest Annual Conference information visit www.umcnic.org/AC2015.
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GCORR Hosts Twitter Chat on Racism and Mass Incarceration
TONIGHT - Thursday, April 30 at 8pm
Please join us for a very important vital conversation on Twitter ...(tweet questions to @GCORR_UMC and follow the hashtag #GCORR)...
about racism and mass incarceration--and the conditions that contribute to disproportionate numbers of men of color being incarcerated. Through vital conversations and shared understanding, we can forge greater intercultural understanding, promote just relationships, and work together to seek equity in all areas of our lives--both inside and out of the Church.
Celebrate Asian and Pacific Island Heritage Month
The General Board of Global Ministries offers suggestions for incorporating visuals, literature, prayers, missions and music from the Asian and Pacific Island communities in worship in the month of May. Consider your worship themes, your context, and engage several members of your congregation in discerning how you can celebrate with God's people the richness of these cultures. Click here for resources.
Peace with Justice Sunday - May 31
This Special Sunday of The United Methodist Church makes possible our ongoing ministries of peace and reconciliation. We have prepared a special toolkit with all you need to lead your congregation to promote peace and justice. Click here for a pastor's toolkit plus more resources.
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
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(click on title for more information)
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