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Communicator's
Corner:
United Methodists in Brussels safe after attacks
Two United Methodist leaders and a mission team from the United Methodist East Ohio Conference are safe after traveling through the Brussels International Airport during the attacks, which have left more than 30 people dead and dozens injured.
"I am thankful to God for the safety of our team," said Bishop John Hopkins, East Ohio Conference. "I am praying for the people of Brussels as they recover from this terrible terrorist act." Read more.
In the News:
Campus Ministry at Northwestern University responds to vandalism
On March 11, the Northwestern University Chaplain discovered hateful graffiti spray painted in the Alice Millar Chapel sanctuary, which is across the street from University Christian Ministry. Campus minister Julie Windsor Mitchell issued a statement saying the reprehensible act reinforced their commitment to being a campus that is inclusive of all people and all faith backgrounds. Read more.
Churches in Western Springs join together to bless the palm branches
First United Methodist Church's Rev. Christina Vosteen joined others for an ec umenical Palm Sunday gathering in the Tower Green in Western Springs. Read more.
Sympathies
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| | Bishop Rojas speaking at the Northern Illinois Annual Conference in 2011. |
On Saturday, March 12 Bishop Emeritus Javier Rojas Terán, Bishop of the Evangelical Methodist Church in Bolivia (IEMB) from 2009-2014 lost his life in a tragic automobile accident.
We ask for your prayers for his wife and family. Read more.
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.
Free Insurance eBook
United Methodist Insurance (UMI), the insurance company for the denomination's local churches, has created an easy to use, free resource for local churches that provides a quick glance at insurance concepts to be considered when reviewing insurance policies. To receive the free eBook, click here.
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.
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March is Women's History Month 
Click here to find stories about notable women who have played a significant role in the history of the Methodist church.
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eNews Maundy Thursday March 24, 2016
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NIC School of Evangelism - April 2
Register today!
Radical Hospitality: Reaching, Welcoming, and Discipling All
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| | Debi Nixon |
Keynote Speaker: Debi Nixon of the Church of the Resurrection in Leawood, Kansas
Location: Epworth UMC, 37W040 Highland Ave. Elgin, IL
Time: 8:00am - 3:00pm
Fees: $15 person through March 29, 2016. $20 for walk-ins
Workshops:
* Building a Missional Church (Rev. Brittany Isaac)
* How NOT to Offend Friends and Irritate People: The Ethics of Good Evangelism (Mark Teasdale)
* How to Get Your Congregation Excited About Doing Evangelism (Rev. Jay Carr)
* Simple Ideas for Marketing and Outreach Evangelism (Rev. Debi Nix
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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, 1600 W. Schaumburg Rd., Schaumburg, IL
This training will specifically address three areas where children and families living in poverty are volatile and live with potential risks in: Health and Nutrition, Violence and Public Education.
Keynote speakers for this event include Bishop Sally Dyck, Errol Alden MD, FAAP, Retired CEO of the American Academy of Pediatrics, Dr. Nancy C. Grim Hunter, Distinguished Educator: Chicago State University, and other leaders in the areas of health and well-being of children living in poverty. |
Annual Conference - Walk by Faith
Important Dates
The 177th Annual Conference will be held June 5-7, 2016 at Pheasant Run Resort in St. Charles, Ill.
Online registration will be available
April 8.
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.
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. The deadline is May 20 unless all spots fill sooner. Click here to download the application. Click here to apply online.
Mission Challenge - Start collecting
This year's Mission Challenge will be for the Midwest Mission Distribution Center which is our United Methodist disaster relief supply center just south of Springfield, IL. This year we are collecting School Kit items and each district will be notified of what its contribution will be. An award for the Mission Challenge will be awarded to the District providing the most school kits.
All districts are challenged to bring the following items AND an additional 2,500 pencil sharpeners (about 50 per church). Pencil Sharpeners can be bought in bags online at a much cheaper rate than individually in stores.
- Aurora - 1,250 Rulers
- Chicago NW - 400 Scissors
- Chicago SO - 1,500 Erasers
- DeKalb - 7,500 Bic-style Pens
- Elgin - 1,500 boxes of Crayons (only boxes of 24)
- Rockford - 1,500 Notebooks
A truck will be available for the drop-off of kit items in front of the MegaCenter on Sunday afternoon and Monday morning. Let's bring out items to Annual Conference to help make ALL schools a place to learn and thrive.
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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.
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Calling all leaders - One day Seminar
All laity, pastors, church staff, and Conference staff are invited to attend a very special ICD (Institute for Congregational Development) 2.0 event on Saturday, April 16. Pastor Junius B. Dotson, Lead Pastor of Saint Mark United Methodist Church in Wichita, KS, will lead us in a journey on how to create effective discipleship systems that work. This one-day seminar on discipleship will take place at the Crowne Plaza Hotel, 2875 N. Milwaukee Ave., in Northbrook. Registration begins at 8:30am, and the seminar will last from 9am - 5pm. Lunch will be provided. You do not need to be an ICD participant to attend. This is a unique opportunity to learn from one of the best practitioners of making disciples for Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world in our denomination. Early Registration (before March 23): $20. Regular Registration: $30. Deadline to register: April 8, 2016. Click here to register for or email Judith Siaba, jsiaba@umcnic.org.
Golden Cross Sunday
The Golden Cross Sunday offering goes to a scholarship fund for workers in NIC-related care giving institutions who have demonstrated in the workplace a loving care for older adults and who plan to pursue a broader or higher education or career in that field. To order your offering envelopes call or email Pong Javier, OAM co-chair 708-268-7003 / abjavierjr@gmail.com. Click here for more info.
Connectional Giving Course: Missional Story Telling
This online Connectional Giving course provides church leaders a holistic and biblical view of generosity. The course empowers participants to become missional storytellers who can inspire others to give generously by sharing inspiring, compelling stories. Cost is Free. Upon successful completion, learners are awarded .5 ALLLM CEU. Registration for this course is now open and is ongoing. Visit: www.umcom.org/learn/connectional-giving for more information and 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.
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