News & Updates

August 8, 2024

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Hello Prairie Central Clergy and Laity!

Wow! The Holy Spirit has been moving powerfully in the Prairie Central District this summer! What a joy to see the pictures and read about all of your efforts to share Christ with your communities this summer. Thank you for your energy and faith!

As we move toward the fall season, I hope you’ll join me in praying for all of our children, youth, and college students, along with teachers, professors, and school staff. And yes, don’t forget those bus drivers! I am also praying for each of you, as you lead your faith communities into a season of “back to church” and backpack blessings and fall fests. In the United Methodist world that you and I live in, fall is also the season for Charge/Church Conferences! As I get to know each of you and your churches, I can’t wait to visit with you in person. I plan to be present for each charge conference so that I can listen, with the ears of my heart, for what God is doing among you and the wider communities you serve.

As you plan your fall calendar, Bishop Schwerin and I invite you to join us for my official “installation” as District Superintendent, to be held on Sat., Sept. 14 at 3 p.m., at the Barrington United Methodist Church. I’d love for you to send a few representatives from your church, so that I may have a chance to greet you. Your presence and participation matter, not just to me, but to this part of the body of Christ, called the Prairie Central District!

In Christ,

Rev. Wendy Hardin Hermann

Superintendent, Prairie Central District

Vacation Bible Schools continue to be a vibrant and enriching experience, bringing together the community for memorable activities, spiritual growth, and community building.

Barrington UMC celebrated an exciting week of Vacation Bible School with the “Stellar” VBS program. With 100 excited children and 45 amazing volunteers, they had an “out-of-this-world” faith-filled week of fun and new friendships. The VBS program took kids on a cosmic journey through space, where they discovered the power of God’s light and love.

Cary UMC presented “SCUBA” VBS in June. They picked Court Appointed Special Advocate as their fundraising mission. CASA is a volunteer organization who advocates for the best interests of children who have come to the attention of the dependency court system due to abuse, neglect, or abandonment. A great benefit of VBS mission fundraising is that it helps everyone look outside of ourselves and remember others.

Gary UMC in Wheaton hosted “SCUBA” VBS for young children and a BLAST Camp for Middle schoolers. The VBS raised more than $850 to provide about 170 children with clean water for a year in Honduras. For exceeding the goal, volunteers Carter Gaul and Christy Grace got a pie to the face. At the BLAST Camp, middle-schoolers got to know each other and collected new toys for Christmas Sharing of Wheaton Warrenville.

Grace UMC in Naperville hosted “Camp Firelight” with close to 100 in July. The whole church was transposed to the camping theme with different rooms representing National Parks. The theme and decor was extended into worship with a sermon series called Campfire Stories over 5 weeks. They helped under-resourced families by collecting school supplies for RAO 25, a nonprofit organization in Chicago, and collected gift cards for District 204 Families Helping Families.

Plainfield UMC hosted their VBS in July and had a great “Camp Firelight” adventure. Preschoolers through incoming 8th graders participated, with over 60% of the participants coming from the wider community. They had over 70 volunteers, 1/3 of them youth. The annual “heavy offering” contest, where kids bring in change, raised $616.11 for Midwest Mission.

Wesley UMC in Aurora continued to host their “Art and Soul” VBS camp in the evenings. This year, the camp helped open the campers' eyes to people in their community who need food. In addition to traditional VBS activities, on the first night, they packed over 100 sandwiches for the community fridge outside Fresh Start City Church. Dinner was also served each night to the campers and volunteers providing connection.

We would love to hear your stories and see your photos.

Share with us by sending information and photos to LSmith@UMCNIC.org.

Creating Space for Respectful Listening

On Thursday, August 1st, the Advocacy Partners, partnered with Braver Angels of Illinois to host a gathering at Friendly's in Berwyn. They created a bipartisan space for one night, listening to each other respectfully and expressing themselves without trying to convert others to any viewpoint. They left knowing new neighbors and having actionable ideas for changing toxic politics – as well as hope for our community and nation. The next gathering is in Rockford on Aug. 29. Read more.

Work Needed to Fulfill Our Commitment

To fulfill our commitment to the survivors through the “Repair the Harm to Children” campaign, over $440,000 is still needed to meet the Northern Illinois Conference’s share. This initiative is not just a financial commitment but a moral obligation to support healing and prevent future harm. Help us bring healing and hope to survivors who experienced abuse during an experience with a Boy Scouts' program. If you haven’t pledged or given, now’s the time. Read more.

NIC Program Ministry Grants Open

Looking to make a difference in your community? The Northern Illinois Conference offers a variety of grants to support your ministry’s outreach and service projects. Whether you’re focusing on social justice, community engagement, or church revitalization, there’s a grant opportunity for you. Don’t miss out on the chance to receive financial support and amplify your impact. Some of the deadlines are approaching, so visit the grants web page now in order to plan ahead.

Learn more.

Sunday, Sept. 8, 4:00 p.m.

Downers Grove: First UMC

Refreshments and fellowship afterwards.

Learn more.

For those who are not able to make it to the celebration, we encourage you to share your words of appreciation for Rev. Arlene Christopherson and her ministry here.

Saturday, Sept. 14, 3:00 p.m.

Barrington UMC, 98 Algonquin Rd., Barrington

Annual Corn Fest and Craft Fair at Addison: Good Samaritan UMC

Linda Wise from Good Samaritan UMCin Addison was featured on the news talking about their upcoming event.

Corn Fest and Craft Fair

August 17, 11 a.m. - 5 p.m.

960 W. Army Trail Blvd., Addison

Free Event with food and activities

Learn more.

Watch the video.

Meeting At the Well: Sanctifying Grace & Anti-Racist Discipleship

(John 4:1-42)

Sun., 9/8 6 p.m. - Tues., 9/10 1 p.m.

Loyola University Retreat & Ecology Campus Learn more.

Call for Child Advocate Award Nominations

During the Annual Conference, UVC presented Bishop Dan Schwerin with an honorary Bishop Jesse R. DeWitt Child Advocate Award. Nominations are now open for the 2024 Child Advocate Awards. These awards honor extraordinary service or advocacy efforts on behalf of children, youth, and/or families throughout the NIC. Nominations due Aug. 30.

Learn more.

Apportionment Highlight - General Board of Higher Education and Ministry

The United Methodist General Board of Higher Education and Ministry is dedicated to nurturing and developing leaders for the church and the world. Through educational programs, scholarships, and leadership training, we empower individuals to answer their callings and make a meaningful impact in their communities and beyond.

Connexion: Celebrating United Methodist-related educational institutions

Higher Education and Ministry is excited to announce the launch of “Connexion,” a new initiative that highlights the impact and stories of United Methodist-related institutions across the United States, fostering a deeper sense of community, support, and transformation across the denomination.

Learn more.

HAPPENING AROUND THE CONFERENCE

Kids Above All is Grateful for the Back to School Support

Thank you, mission partners, for stepping up to support 1500 of our kids with new backpacks and school supplies. Your continued kindness and generosity makes a significant difference in the lives of our kids and helps them reach their potential.

The drive continues through Aug. 23.

Learn more.

Saturday, September 7

9 a.m. to Noon

United Methodist Church of Geneva, 211 Hamilton St, Geneva

Free event hosted by NIC Net-Nero Taskforce

Join us for an inspiring event focused on the journey towards Net Zero emissions in our churches! Learn more.

Other Upcoming Conference Events:

2 ^nd & 4 ^th Wednesday at noon: Weekly Methodist Liaison Office update and virtual prayer meeting. Participants will hear from a Palestinian speaker and meet in small groups for prayer. Methodists and others from around the world participate. Read more.
Aug. 29: Braver Angels Discussion: Building Community & Talking Across Divides: Neighbors exploring ways to depolarize communities and the nation. This event is co-sponsored by the NIC Advocacy Partners (Part of the ARTF) and Braver Angels of Illinois. Read more.
Aug. 31 & Oct. 26: Academia de Siervos Laicos (Spanish Lay Servant Academy): Version of Lay Servant Academy for Spanish Speakers. Read more.
Sept. 15: Installation of DS Victor Melad Jr.
Sept. 21, 22, or 23: General Conference Debriefings: A time of debriefing, conversation, and Q&A about the recent General Conference with the delegates and NIC Cabinet. Read more.
Sept 27 - 29: NIC Fall 2024 Youth Retreat: For all 6th-12th grade youth and chaperones. It was created to inspire and challenge youth to live more intentionally in their deepest identity and purpose. Read more.
Sept. 29: Chicago Temple 100th Anniversary Commemorative Worship and Centennial Concert: Help Chicago Temple (First UMC) celebrate the important milestone of their building.
Oct. 24: 35th Anniversary Center for Changing Lives Gala "A Night of Legacy & Transformation," Enjoy a night of inspiring stories, elegant dining, and live entertainment, all while making a difference in the lives of those served by CCL.
Oct. 26: NIC UWFaith Annual Celebration: The annual event of the conference UWFaith includes a worship, business meeting, lunch, and leadership training. Read more.

LOCAL CHURCH RESOURCES

New Office Phone Numbers

The NIC office has a new phone system. The main phone number is staying the same: (312) 346-9766. As we no longer have extensions, each person has a unique number. You can dial the number directly or call the main number and enter the person's last name. View the directory here.

Find back-to-school resources

Summer will be over soon, which means children will be headed back to school. Help prepare students in your church/community for another school year with prayers, encouragement and celebrations. Find the right resources and plan your back-to-school outreach now. Learn more.

HealthFlex Participants, Don't Leave Money on the Table!

You can avoid a higher 2025 HealthFlex deductible and earn $100 of Pulse Cash by completing the Health Check questionnaire and the Blueprint for Wellness® screening by August 31. Schedule the Blueprint for Wellness by logging in to your Virgin Pulse account at virginpulse.com/login or via the app. Select the “Benefits” tab and then search for Quest Blueprint for Wellness Screening. You can also call 1-855-623-9355 to register. The deadline is August 31, so don’t wait!

In order to receive incentives for completing the Blueprint for Wellness, you must register with Virgin Pulse. Not registered for Virgin Pulse? Click here to sign up. Use Wespath as your organization. Read more.

Suicide Hotline available

For those contemplating suicide or who just desperately need someone with whom to talk. It is confidential and free. Just call 988. The service has also been expanded for Spanish-speaking persons and deaf or hard-of-hearing persons, including those who use American Sign Language.

Other Resources

#BeUMC Resources -Tool Kits, Social Media Kits, Graphics, and more.
Social Media Shareables - Free graphics for social media for different events, months, and ministries. (Through Outreach, log-in is needed, but resources are free)
UMC Giving Resources - Mission Moments, Special Sunday Info, Leader Kits, Pew Cards, and more.
United Media Resource Center - Lending library of Christian materials for local churches, small groups, pastors, children, and individuals.

Like Us on Facebook: Prairie Central District

Rev. Wendy Hardin-Hermann

Prairie Central District Superintendent

whardinhermann@umcnic.org

872-810-0873

Leola Tucker

Administrative Assistant

ltucker@umcnic.org

872-810-0913

Do you have news to share?

We are always looking for stories of what is happening in your church. We welcome articles from churches highlighting ministries, outreach, and missions that tell the story of being vital Christians. Events considered should be of conference-wide appeal and United Methodist-related.

District eNews are sent out the 2nd and 4th Thursdays of the month. Please submit stories and events by end of business on the 2nd and 4th Mondays. Space is limited. Stories of fewer than 250 words are preferred. Submissions will be edited at the discretion of Communications staff. Information can be emailed to communications@umcnic.org.

Check out our Submit News page for more details.

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