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Early fall is back-to-school time. Churches are starting up Sunday school, youth groups, weekday programs, and more for children and youth. It's a good time to review what your church is doing to make sure the building and the programs are as safe as possible for those you serve.
"As a church, we are responsible for caring for our little ones," says Rev. Fabiola Grandon-Mayer, NIC's director of connectional ministries. "We are called to take responsibility, set the tone, learn from the painful lessons of the past, and ensure a better experience for future generations."
Safe Sanctuaries trainings and policies help churches ensure that their buildings and programs protect participants, particularly children, from harm.
If some of your church's volunteers have not been trained, you can solve that now. Our Safe Sanctuaries site provides resources and a link to a self-guided Safe Gatherings online course. If you'd like trainers to come to your church, contact Rev. Grandon-Mayer.
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Through connectional giving, we bring Christ's love to the world. Churches also receive expert help for their ministries. We do so much more together than we could individually. Our shared budget for these is approved by voting members of annual conference session. So that you can know our progress together in funding our shared ministries, we'll be posting regularly our total giving and our budgeted amount for receipts. This can help your church plan its apportionment remittances and practice faithful giving.
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Observe Indigenous Peoples' Day
NIC's Anti-Racism Task Force and Committee on Native American Ministries, with the Midwest SOARRING Foundation, is offering an Indigenous Peoples' Day celebration at Starved Rock State Park on Oct. 14. Hear from speakers and, for a small fee, enjoy an indigenous American meal. Pre-event online sessions meet on Sept. 10, 17, 24, and Oct. 1. Register now.
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'Origin' Film Tells 'Caste' Story
Watch the acclaimed film Origin, which tells the story of author Isabel Wilkerson's experience of writing her best-selling book Caste: The Origins of Our Discontent. Between Oct. 2 and 7, it will be screened in locations across Northern Illinois. NIC's Anti-Racism Task Force is a sponsor of the screenings. Register now; attendance is free.
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Nominate a Child Advocate
United Voices for Children’s Child Advocate Awards honor those who have performed extraordinary service or advocacy on behalf of children, youth, and/or families throughout Northern Illinois. Nominate an exemplary candidate by Aug. 30.
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Don't Forget . . .
UMC General Conference Debriefings: The NIC delegation to the UMC General Conference will explain the conference's important decisions and how they will affect the church. Annual conference members will vote on constitutional amendments, so get the background in advance. Attend one of the sessions on Sept. 21, 22, or 23.
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Grants and Scholarships
Scholarship for Women Pursuing Church-Related Vocations
NIC's United Women in Faith offers a scholarship for women pursuing a church-related vocation, whether in ordained or lay ministry. Applicants must be accepted by an accredited graduate school, reside in the Northern Illinois Conference, demonstrate financial need, and supply a copy of their school transcript. Applications are due Sept. 15. Read more.
Midwest Methodist Foundation Offers Creative Ministry Grants
In observance of its 75th anniversary, the Midwest Methodist Foundation will give creative ministry grants of $7,500 each to two churches in each district. Churches developing new creative ministries or expanding existing ones may apply. Churches that will partner with local nonprofits will receive priority consideration. (Agencies and organizations themselves are not eligible to apply.) Applications are due Sept. 30. Read more
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World Methodists Pray for Peace on Korean Peninsula
More than 250 young adults, leaders of world Methodism, and the top executive of the World Council of Churches spoke out against wars and racism as they gathered for Korea Peace Night, Aug. 15, at the World Methodist Conference in Sweden.
Event participants included the Ohio Episcopal Area Bishop Hee-Soo Jung, president of the UM Board of Global Ministries; Roland Fernandes, top executive of the Board of Global Ministries; and others.
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“I am confident that Korea Peace Night will significantly contribute to a deeper understanding of the Methodist vocation as peacemakers,” Fernandes said.
Rev. Jong Chun Park, president of the World Methodist Council, reminded participants that they don’t have to be heroes for peace, but may do small things right now, such as praying for peace and building relationship bridges between North and South Korea.
“The first and foremost step for small peace at this moment on the Korean Peninsula is to stop evil-speaking against the so-called ‘main enemies’ of each other such as ‘Reds (communists)’ and ‘U.S. puppets,’” he said.
Last year, NIC annual conference members participated in a prayer service for peace on the Korean peninsula.
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Photo of Bishop Jung, above, by Rev. Thomas Kim, UM News
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Around the Conference
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Lay Servant Academies
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Academia de Siervos Laicos (Spanish Lay Servant Academy), Oct. 26, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., First UMC, Franklin Park.
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Lake North Lay Academy, Sept. 21 and 28, 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., Trinity UMC, Wilmette.
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Lake South Lay Academy, Oct. 5 and 12, 9 am. to 3 p.m., Faith UMC, Dolton.
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Prairie North Lay Academy, Oct. 12, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Oct. 13, 1 to 4:30 p.m., Grace UMC, Rockford.
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Prairie South Lay Academy, Oct. 12 and 19, 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., Community UMC, LaMoille.
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Prairie Central Lay Academy, Nov. 2 and 9, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., First UMC, Glen Ellyn.
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General Conference Debriefings, Sept. 21, 10 a.m., First UMC, Arlington Heights; Sept. 22, 3 p.m., Christ UMC, Rockford; and Sept 23, 6 p.m., online via Zoom.
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NIC 2024 Youth Retreat, Sept. 27-29, Williams Bay, WI. Open to all middle-school and high-school youth (6th through 12th grades) across the conference.
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'Origin' Movie Screenings, Oct. 2-7, multiple locations across the conference. Based on Isabel Wilkerson's acclaimed book Caste: The Origins of Our Discontents. Includes a conversation with Dr. Suraj Yengde on Oct. 6, 3 p.m.
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Indigenous Peoples' Day Celebration, Oct. 14, Starved Rock State Park Lodge, Oglesby, IL. Follows the Midwest SOARRING Pow Wow the day before. Learn more about indigenous American cultures. Register in advance.
Around the Connection
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