 |
Communicator's
Corner:
2015 Journal
Those who pre-ordered a copy of the 2015 Journal will be receiving their copies by mail soon. The Journal can also now be ordered online through Amazon. There is a difference in the Amazon list price of $15 compared to the pre-order price of $25 to take into account the shipping cost. Click here to order. The NIC is no longer sending each church one free copy. The Journal is available on our website free to download as a pdf. Click here.
Denman Awards Nominations Deadline Mar. 15
The Evangelism committee is currently accepting nominations for the 2016 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.
The deadline for nominations is Mar. 15, 2016. Click here for forms and more information. The awards will be presented at the School of Evangelism on Apr. 2, 2016.
Apportionment Administrator
The NIC is currently seeking an Apportionment Administrator.
--------
Rethink Church Grants Available
The Rethink Church program through United Methodist Communications awards three types of grants each year: Community Event Grants, Digital Advertising Grants, and New Church Start Grants. Many Churches in the NIC have taken part in one of these grant opportunities and there's still time for your church to take advantage of free resources for Lent. Click here for more information.
---------
It's not too early to start thinking about next summer and camps at Wesley Woods or Reynoldswood.
Click here for a listing of the 2016 camps, dates and prices. Also look for and share this special insert found in the March Reporter.
--------
March is Women's History Month 
In the News:
An Open Air Chapel, honoring the first African-American female bishop of The United Methodist Church Leontine T.C. Kelly, was consecrated in Mississippi's historic Gulfside Assembly on Feb. 27. It's the first structure built at Gulfside since Hurricane Katrina washed away the denominational retreat center's buildings in 2005. Click here to read more.
Global UM
Clergywomen Gathering
Click here to learn more how you can attend this summer's Global United Methodist Clergywomen Gathering in Houston, TX, August 29-31, or sponsor a clergywoman who is serving a congregation in Africa, Europe/Eurasia, or the Philippines.
|
|
|
|
|
General Conference 60 Days of Prayer
 The Upper Room is encouraging prayers for General Conference leading up to, during and after the global meeting from May 10-20 in Portlan d, OR.
Beginning March 31, you can use a daily prayer book, 60 Days of Prayer, through May 29, which are the 40 days prior to General Conference, the 11 days in session, and the nine days following the event.
By using the prayer guide, United Methodists will connect through the same scripture, meditation, and prayer for each day. 60 Days of Prayer is available free as a PDF download, a daily email service, or at the web site, 60daysofprayer.org.
It's also available free on the General Conference app. A print copy of the book and e-book formats in English are available at a cost here. Guidelines for using 60 Days of Prayer with your Sunday school class, small group, or family are available here.
| | |
|
Landscape Listening Session Follow up
 If you attended a listening session and would like more information on the Landscape survey results, find the downloadable reports below:
|
Champions for Children Training - April 9
 Register online today! Second NIC training event for Champions for Children! PRESS Forward for Children (Confronting the Physical, Racial, Economic, Spiritual, Social Dynamics of Poverty)
Saturday, April 9, 2016 (9:00am-3:00pm) Location: Our Redeemer's UMC, Schaumburg |
Annual Conference Updates - June 5-7
 "Walk by Faith"
The 177th Annual Conference will be held June 5-7, 2016 at Pheasant Run Resort in St. Charles, Ill. Online registration will be available on April 8.
Volunteers Needed The Annual Conference Worship Team is currently looking for persons throughout the Annual Conference who are willing to serve as greeters, ushers, or general volunteers for worship at Annual Conference this June. For more information, or to sign up, please contact Will Ed Green at
Legislation and Historical Documents due April 1
ALL historical documents and proposed legislation for the conference must be submitted by April 1, 2016 to Rev. Katie Voigt, by emailing ACdocuments@umcnic.org.
Memorial Service We invite all churches to submit the names and photos, if available, of their Lay Members to Annual Conference who have died since June 2015 to Natarsha Gardner at ngardner@umcnic.org.
Display Tables
Display Table Registration is now open. Display tables will be in the St. Charles Ballroom in conjunction with Cokesbury Bookstore. Public display dates will be Monday, June 6, and Tuesday, June 7. Due to limited space, we can only accommodate 40 tables this year. Applications will be considered in the order in which they are received. On-line applications are strongly encouraged. Click here to download the application. Click here to apply online.
Accessibility Coordinator
Again this year, an Accessibility Coordinator will be available to help insure that the needs of those with challenges are accommodated as best as possible. When completing the online AC registration form starting April 8, be certain to indicate any special needs so we may plan accordingly. If you need seating close to the sign-language interpreter please let us know ahead of time. You can contact the committee via email accesstogodshouse@gmail.com or call the chair, Terry McDorman, at 630-390-0414.
|
|
|
UMW hosts delegates, workshops for U.N. meeting
United Methodist Women will bring in 20 delegates from the U.S. and 10 other countries, including Jessie Cunningham from the NIC, to participate in the U.N. Commission on the Status of Women meeting March 14-24. UMW also will host workshops for CSW-60, which has a priority theme of "Women's empowerment and its link to sustainable development." Click here to read more.
UMM Annual Meeting The NIC United Methodist Men will hold an election for a new President, VP, Secretary and Treasurer for the Executive Committee.The election will be March 12, 2016 at Grace UMC, 3555 McFarland Road, Rockford, IL.
The day begins with a breakfast at 8am at a cost of $9. Tickets for the breakfast need to be ordered in advance at the address of the church so preparation for food can be planned. Bishop Dyck will lead the nomination and election process. She will also speak at a service following the business meeting. The nominees are: 1. President...George Groves, 2. VP...Craig McGregor, 3. Secretary...Dave Holland and 4. Treasurer...Neil Schilling.
Bishop's Youth Bus Trip - Registration Open
Come, hop on the bus with Bishop Dyck and other youth from across the Northern Illinois Conference on Saturday, April 16. Each year, this trip is offered as a way for many youth, especially confirmation students, to gather for a cross-cultural and multi-religious experience. Highlights this year include the Illinois Holocaust Museum, hearing from families impacted by migration crises, and a visit to a Native American center. The trip begins and ends at Evanston First UMC and will be from 8:30am-5pm. Cost is $35, includes breakfast, lunch, transportation to site, and all entry fees. Click here to register.
United Voices for Children Seeking Award Nominees
Each year the Board of Directors of United Voices for Children selects individuals or groups 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 or advocacy efforts on behalf of children, youth and/or families throughout the Northern Illinois Conference. Please look around and nominate an individual or a group who deserves this recognition. Click here for the nomination form and details. Nominations will be accepted until April 8, 2016.
Five Day Academy for Spiritual Formation
Registration is open for the 5 Day Academy for Spiritual Formation which will be held August 1-6, 2016 at Bellarmine Jesuit Retreat House in Barrington Hills, IL. The Academy for Spiritual Formation is a program of Upper Room Ministries, providing an opportunity for clergy and laity to deepen their relationship with God through a daily rhythm of prayer, worship, learning and reflection. Click here for details.
|
|
| (click on title for more information)
|
|
|
|
|
