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2015 Annual Conference
    May Reporter *new*

Communicator's Corner
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Watch this video to learn more about a Methodist mother and daughter team who campaigned to have Mother's Day recognized as a national observance.

Get Resources for Aldersgate Day - May 24
United Methodist Discipleship Ministries has worship materials and articles reflecting on John Wesley's conversion moment for churches to use in observing Aldersgate Day on May 24.  

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 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 [email protected] 
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  [email protected]. 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

eNews                                                                                                 May 7, 2015                                                            
National Day of Prayer
   
Today, marks four weeks since  an EF-4 tornado touched down in the communities around Rochelle, Ashton, Fairdale and Kirkland causing extensive damage. Our thoughts are also with those affected by yesterday's tornado outbreak across the Plains.

On this National Day of Prayer, we remember all those who've suffered devastating losses from tornadoes and other natural disasters around the world such as the earthquake in Nepal and volcano activity in Chile.

The Theme for the 2015 National Day of Prayer is "Lord, Hear Our Cry" using the scripture I Kings 8:28 "Hear the cry and the prayer that your servant is praying in your presence this day.

A community prayer service is being held outside Rochelle's City Hall, 420 North 6th St., from 12-1pm today. For information on Long term recovery efforts visit the NIC Disaster Response Facebook page.

Let's continue to pray for healing, comfort and hope for all those in need of prayers on this day.


UMCOR Grant for Baltimore Fosters Dialogue, Peace, Healing

Children gather for lunch at Metropolitan United Methodist Church in Baltimore as part of the church's outreach ministry on Tuesday, April 28. Baltimore area churches were asked to open their doors to provide food, toiletries and prayer in the wake of the unrest in the city.  
Photo by Melissa Lauber.
Following days of civil unrest in Baltimore, United Methodist churches there are seeking to be present to still-unfolding needs in the communities. An emergency grant from the United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR) will help them be a resource for dialogue, peace, and healing. Click here to read the full story.

The Council of Bishops issued a pastoral letter on racism at the close of their week-long meeting in Berlin to United Methodists around the world affirming the sacredness of all lives and renewing their commitment to work for an anti-racist, pro-humanity church. Click here to read the statement. 
176th Annual Conference Register Today - Early Bird Rates end May 15 - Legislative Documents Online

As we get closer to June and prepare for the 176th session of the Northern Illinois Annual Conference, the AC committee wanted to share with you some important updates, dates, deadlines and explanations.

  • Based on the revised Standing Rules that we adopted at the 2014 Annual Conference, the newly established Consent Calendar Committee has been looking at the legislative documents (which are now available online) and preparing this year's consent calendar. The preliminary consent calendar will be made available online to members of the Annual Conference soon.
  • If a person/group desires to lift any item from the consent calendar, they need to fill out a petition, get 25 signatures of support from members of the Annual Conference and turn the petition in to Daniel Diss, Chair of Daily Proceedings, by 2pm, Sunday, June 14 in the Mega Center (the petition form will be available on our Annual Conference website soon).
  • In order to make these changes clearer and to answer any of your questions, we have planned a Webinar on Monday, June 1, 2015 at noon and 7pm. Please be sure to join us for one of the two sessions which should last no more than an hour. Details on how to join the call will be made available closer to the date.

 For the latest Annual Conference information visit  www.umcnic.org/AC2015.  

News & Events
 
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. 

Day of Friendship Spanish Camp  - May 30 
Dia De Amistad  for All Ages $8 per person/$20 family max. This 1-day intergenerational experience for Spanish speakers and newcomers alike introduces Spanish words, celebrates traditions and engages in multi-lingual prayer. Click here for more information and to register.  

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.

Mark Your Calendar
(click on title for more information)