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Communicator's
Corner
9/11 Prayer
In commemorating this tragedy, we give you thanks for your presence
in our time of need
and we seek to worship you in Spirit and in truth,
our guide and our guardian. Amen.
Call to Prayer, Confession, Repentance, and Action
Last Sunday was declared a day dedicated to the "Ending of Racism" following the June murders of 9 people at the Mother Emanuel Church in Charleston, SC. We can continue to pray, confess, repent and act to confront racism in the U.S.
Click here to read more.
Program Office Phones
Please be aware the phone system in Elgin is experiencing technical issues and sporadically disconnects. We are working on a permanent fix...but in the meantime, if you can't get through please contact a staff member by email.
Episcopal Nominee Information
The NIC Jurisdictional Delegation is seeking candidates who wish to be endorsed for episcopal elections in 2016.
An email was sent out to all NIC clergy explaining the process to meet with the delegation at the
September 27 meeting.
If you need more information, please contact Elisa Gatz at jegatz@comcast.net by
Sept. 13. Please keep those contemplating candidacy and the delegation in your prayers as we work through this very important process.
2015 Game Changers Summit, Sept. 17-19
Join United Methodist Communications in harnessing the power of communications technology for global good. At the 2015 Game Changers Summit in Nashville, you will learn from global experts and church leaders who are already finding success in this new landscape. Discover how to integrate simple solutions into your global work, and meet people seeking partners to maximize programming and forge lasting relationships.
Click here for more information and to register today.
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Prayer for Refugee-Migration Crisis
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Please pray for the thousands of people that have journeyed across the waters to find peace, safety and refuge. Photo: Kathleen Barry
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Recent news report that more than 16,000 migrants have streamed into Austria since the weekend and more than 17,500 people were received in Munich, Germany, alone. According to the United Nations Refugee Agency estimates, more than 366,000 refugees and migrants have crossed the Mediterranean Sea to Europe this year and at least 2,800 have died or disappeared during the journey. The United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR) offers a prayer of action and solidarity for those fleeing conflict and migrating to Europe and other parts of the world. Click here to read more.
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Train passengers, including migrants, wait Sept. 2 at train station in Budapest in hopes reaching other countries in western Europe. Photo by Daniel Peters for UMNS
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Bishop Sally Dyck also calls all of us to be praying for the refugees especially the children.
"The picture of the small child, dead on the shore on a Turkey beach, a refugee from Syria, has captured our imaginations in a way that all the numbers of the dead and migrating have not. We become immune to the masses but touched by the single child. Let that child lead us to prayer for them all." Read Bishop Dyck's full prayer.
How you can help
Did you know that because of the apportionments we pay to The United Methodist Church we are able to provide relief to some of these refugees? It is wonderful to know that in the midst of this overwhelming tragedy your church is at work. This work is happening in countries involved through the United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR) and its partner agencies which are at work wherever a humanitarian crisis strikes.To read more on how The United Methodist Church is responding and the many ways you can help or donate click here.
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JFON 4th Annual Dinner - Sept. 20
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Judge Manuel Barbosa, the first Hispanic federal judge to serve on the bench of the Northern District of Illinois
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Justice For Our Neighbors Northern Illinois (NIJFON) will be celebrating another amazing year at its fourth annual dinner celebration on Sunday, September 20 at the Elgin Community College in Elgin, Ill.
Honorable Judge Manuel Barbosa (ret.) will be returning to his boyhood home of Elgin as the main guest. Judge Barbosa will share his story of being brought to this country as an infant from La Huestaca Potosina, Mexico to Texas.
For more information and to purchase tickets click here. | |
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Bishop's Invitation to Clergy
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Dr. Cheryl Anderson, professor at Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary, will teach and lead us in discussion about what biblical authority is. Last year our gathering of clergy focused on our shared ministry in pastoral care, specifically around same-gender marriage, but this day will challenge as well as enlighten us on biblical understanding and interpretation.
Space is limited and in order to register, you will need to agree to the "Rules of Engagement" which you will find on the registration form. You are highly encourage you to read Dr. Anderson's book, Ancient Laws and Contemporary Controversies, before the event (available in kindle edition). Please note: no childcare will be available during the event. Registration: $20 (to cover lunch, event expenses and speaker)
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Landscape Assessment
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If you received an invitation in your email inbox to participate in a Judicatory assessment called Landscape, we encourage you to take a moment to complete it within next few weeks. This tool will help the Northern Illinois Conference in planning for the future. On November 7 at the Northern Illinois Conference Special Session in Rockford at Court Street UMC a report on the initial results of the assessment will be presented. If you have any questions about this process you can direct them to: Rev. Arlene Christopherson at: achristo@umcnic.org.
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United Methodist Foundation Grant Applications
The Foundation is currently accepting applications from local churches and UM church-related agencies for its 2015/6Grants Program. In 2014 the Foundation awarded 18 grants totaling $24,000. Grant awards range is $500 - $3,000. Learn more in our grant guidelines. A copy of the grant application in Microsoft WORD is available via a link on the Foundation's homepage, nicumf.org. The deadline for grant requests is September 15, 2015. Call the Foundation Office with any questions, 312.346.9766, ext. 704. Click here to learn more.
Cross-Racial/Cross-Cultural Workshop - Sept. 19
As new pastoral appointments take place this summer, the NIC Cabinet is pleased to provide a workshop for church leaders of cross-racial/cross-cultural appointments and their pastors. The workshop will be held on Saturday, Saturday, September 19, 9:00 am - 4:00 pm at Barrington UMC, located at 98 Algonquin Rd, Barrington, IL. Bishop Sally Dyck will be with us with her inspiring message. Click here for details.
UMM Spiritual Congress - Sept. 18-20
You're invited to join the Northern Illinois Conference UMM for the Spiritual Congress (annual retreat) to be held September 18-20 in Williams Bay, WI. For those of you who have attended before, you know that it is sure to be a spirit-filled weekend of fellowship and growth. This year's speaker, Rev. Grace Imathiu, is a renowned worship leader and Christian educator. Her message, "David, a Man after God's Own Heart," will bring to life the story of this important biblical man and call us all to greater discipleship. Please prayerfully consider committing to this weekend of spiritual rejuvenation. You don't need to be from Illinois to attend. For more information, please go to www.nicumm.org.Celebrating Hispanic/Latino Heritage Month - Sept. 15-Oct. 15
As we celebrate Hispanic/Latino Heritage month in our congregations, we invite you to a conference-wide celebration, "A Harvest of Hope," on Sunday, Oct. 4 at First United Methodist Church in Elgin. A time for fellowship and food will start at 4pm with a worship service beginning at 5pm. Jorge Lockward, Director of the Global Praise Program of the General Board of Global Ministries, will lead us in song and praise. This event is open to everyone and every church. Join us and register today.
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