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News & Updates

June 13, 2024

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ANNUAL CONFERENCE STARTS SUNDAY!


Special Observances and Sessions:

  • Laity session: Sunday afternoon, June 16 at 2:30 p.m. In-person only
  • Celebration of Ministry (Ordination and Commissioning): Sunday evening, June 16 at 7 p.m.
  • Robing for clergy will occur at 6:30 p.m. in the Euphoria room of the Conference Center. Clergy are encouraged to bring their robes and red stoles.
  • Retirement Recognition Service: Monday morning, June 17 at 10 a.m.
  • Memorial Service: Tuesday morning, June 18 at 10:45 a.m.


Watch the Conference Online:

Services and plenaries will be live-streamed on the NIC YouTube Channel.


Prepare yourself for Conference:

Don't forget your collection for the Mission Challenge for Midwest Mission

The NIC Board of Global Ministries is collecting items for homecare kits and personal dignity kits for Midwest Mission. Obtain items from their list of most needed items and bring them to the mission truck, which will be parked in the east lot of the convention center on Sunday, June 16, and Monday, June 17. Learn more. 

Bring your check for the Bishop's Appeal for United Voices for Children

This year, UVC is the recipient of the Bishop’s Appeal. For 45 years, United Voices for Children (UVC), an organization related to the Northern Illinois Conference, has been advocating for children, youth, and families on behalf of its three affiliated agencies: Rosecrance, Kids Above All (formerly ChildServ), and MYSI (formerly Methodist Youth Services Inc.). Bring a check for your church’s donation to Annual Conference to be collected on the afternoon of Monday, June 17. Learn More.

Upcoming Events.png

Click on the event title below to find out more information

LGBTQ Pride Month

June (month)


Father's Day

June 16


2024 Annual Conference

June 16 - 18


Juneteenth

June 19



J.O.Y. Camp

June 23 - 29


Pastor & Youth Leader Morning at JOY Camp 

June 25


John Wesley's Birthday

June 28


United Voices for Children 5th Sunday

June 30


Volunteers in Mission Sunday

Any Sunday in July or August


Independence Day 

July 4


North Central Jurisdiction Conference

July 10-13


UWFaith Summer Mission u July 12 - 14 or July 19-21


2024 Arts and Culture Series: Anderson Japanese Gardens

July 27

DS Jeffry Bross shares some words of thanks and appreciation.


Thank you, sorry, wow, hallelujah, help, please, welcome, lay leaders rock, sad and yet excited, and prayers: These are the words that Jeffry offers. Read his whole message.


Thank you to all who attended Jeffry's celebration on Sunday, June 9.

Clergy Spouse Small Group

There will be another Clergy Spouse small group meeing on July 11th at 5:30 p.m. If you or your spouse has an interest in participating in the group, please have them email Heather to receive meeting details and the zoom meeting link.

Movie filmed in area churches is making it to the big screen!

Filmed at First UMC Elgin, Our Savior's United Methodist Church in Schaumburg, and around the Fox Valley during 2019, For Prophet will be released in theatres on June 21. Read more in this article from 2021. Learn more about the movie.

Emhurst: First UMC hosting 4th annual Juneteenth Commemoration

The Elmhurst First UMC's Anti-Racism Awareness and Learning Path Team will hosting our 4th annual Juneteenth Commemoration on Sunday, June 23, 10:30-12:30. The goal is to celebrate black business owners and artists from our community and to bring together area organizations that are working on anti-racism. The event will be at 232 S York St, Elmhurst, 60126. There will bemusic, food, art, a guest speaker, education and activity tables, many organizations exhibiting, and will end with a rally against racism on the corner of York Road.  Learn more.

Join the ARTF at the Japanese Summer Festival at Anderson Japanese Gardens

Saturday, July 27

10 a.m. - 6 p.m.

Anderson Japanese Gardens, 318 Spring Creek Rd, Rockford


The Arts and Culture Series for the Anti-Racism Task Force is celebrating Asian art and culture at the Japanese Summer Festival. This festival features exhibits, demonstrations and unique performances that appeal to all age groups and foster a better understanding of the Japanese culture.

Cost

  • $10 admission
  • $25 admission and Asian meal


The NIC Anti-Racism Team will be meeting anyone interested in a catered Asian meal and discussion in the overflow parking area of the College of Medicine at noon.(Complimentary Shuttle Service Offered to & from Visitor Center) Learn more.

Apportionment Highlight - Interdenominational Cooperation Fund

The World Council of Churches is an ecumenical partner supported by the Interdenominational Cooperation Fund apportionment.

We join our voices with Christians from different churches to advocate for peace and justice in our world. We believe that when we work together, we can make a bigger difference and bring about positive change. No matter what church someone goes to, we’re all part of God’s big family, and together, we can do amazing things to make the world a better place. This Fund enables United Methodists to share a presence and a voice in the activities of several national and worldwide ecumenical organizations. HOW TO GIVE: Write a check to your local church and write, “Interdenominational Cooperation Fund” in the memo line. Churches can give through the NIC Apportionment process. Learn more.

 HAPPENING AROUND THE CONFERENCE

Pastor & Youth Leader Morning at JOY Camp

Learn more about the wonders JOY camp has to offer by attending a morning of camp to experience the fun and ask any questions.

Tuesday, June 25th - 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. 

Camp Reynoldswood, 621 Reynoldswood Rd. Dixon

Learn more.

Join UW Faith this July for Summer Mission u


Two weekend offerings:

July 12 - 14 at Stronghold Camp and Retreat Center, Oregon, IL

and

July 19 - 21 at Wesley Woods Retreat Center, Williams Bay, WI


The theme is The Kin-dom Is Among You: Drawing Closer to God and One Another. The sessions will include Scripture explorations, discussions, and activities to apply what is being learned. Learn more.

Other Upcoming Conference Events:

LOCAL CHURCH RESOURCES

The UMC's Annual Report 

The work of The United Methodist Church covers the breadth of the world. In the 2023 State of the Church Report, discover how the denomination spread God’s love through disciple-making, justice, mission, connection and more. Learn more.

Updated Tax Exempt Certificates

Your church office has the updated Illinois Sales Tax Exempt Certificate. Use it to make purchases for your church ministry without having to pay tax.

50 Ways to Welcome a New Pastor

It is the time of the year when many churches will be welcoming a new pastor. Congregations can help a new pastor get off to a strong start with these 50 Ways to acclimate a new pastor and make that new pastor feel truly welcome. Read more.

Honor Juneteenth This Year

Juneteenth (June 19) marks the day in 1865 when U.S. federal troops arrived in Galveston, Texas, to take control of the state and ensure all African Americans were freed. The troops’ arrival came a full two and a half years after the Emancipation Proclamation had been signed.


Let Juneteenth be a time when people of Christian faith—especially white Christians—recommit to, evoke, stand on, and live out the promises of God to deliver all people everywhere from bondage and oppression. Read more.


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. Jeffry Bross

Prairie Central District Superintendent

jbross@umcnic.org

312-346-9766 ext. 783


Leola Tucker

Administrative Assistant

ltucker@umcnic.org

312-346-9766 ext. 733

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