Events
Save this date for an opportunity to gather with laity from across the Northern Illinois Conference in a time of worship, learning and fellowship. The conference will focus on Healthy Discipleship as we seek to equip ourselves for the work of making disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world.
Watch for announcements and registration materials as the Laity Board for the new quadrenium forms following annual conference.
Amidst great diversity the opportunities for United Methodist Congregations, urban and metropolitan are tremendous. The 2009 convocation will bring lay and clergy committed to urban ministry together to worship, share and develop our assets for ministry while participating in dynamic worship, workshops and networking with other ministry practitioners. Teams of clergy and laity are strongly encouraged and all are welcome.
Natural Church Development is one of the tools for the Harvest used in the Northern Illinois Conference to assess the strengths of the local church and develop concrete plans for strengthened witness and ministries. For a fuller description of Natural Church Development see a description of this tool on the Healthy Discipleship page.
Workshops will include:
- Basic Introduction to NCD
- NCD from A to Z: a step-by-step journey through the NCD Process
- Coaching 101: Basic NCD Coach Training
This workshop will be repeated on September 20, 2008 at Hilltop Ministries in Machesney Park, IL.
Ecumenical Advocacy Days is the nation’s largest annual gathering of Christian peace and justice advocates. This event equips and empowers grassroots religious advocates to speak out to political leaders on policies that impact their world – domestic and international issues will be address. Worship, plenary sessions, and worships are designed to engage the heart and mind and to equip persons to advocate for social justice. Participants will visit with their legislators and/or staff during the final day of the conference.
Who should attend?
Persons with a passion to engage faith and public policy issues should attend this event. Partial scholarships are available for students and low income individuals through Ecumenical Advocacy Days and through the NIC office of Connectional Ministries. Contact Administrative Assistant: Natarsha Gardner at 847-931-0710 ext. or ngardner@umcnic.org for more information. Register through the Ecumenical Advocacy Days website at: www.advocacydays.org
An annual national event offered by the General Board of Discipleship and the General Board of Global Ministries. It is designed to equip lay and clergy leadership in new faith community development and transform existing congregations. For the first time ever this event will be hosted in the Northern Illinois Conference at First United Methodist Church in Evanston.
Save the Date
The Small Group Institute offers an opportunity for laity and clergy to learn more about the history of small groups, its theology and the important role of a small group leader as groups are formed and developed. This year’s institute will help people interested in working with small groups understand their spiritual gifts, how to be a leader, the dynamics of a small group, the design of a small group, how to choose curriculum, as well as how to go beyond the church walls and reach out to others.
This institute will encourage, engage and empower those attending so they may offer small group ministry in their local churches.
The Small Group Ministry Institute will begin in the fall of 2008 and conclude in the fall of 2009. Those who attend all six training sessions will be certified as Small Group Ministry Leaders.
Cost: $10 per session or $50 if registering for all six sessions. All sessions will be offered twice at two different sites, Sycamore United Methodist Church and Elgin: First United Methodist Church. Sessions will be held from 9 AM – 3 PM.
For questions concerning this Institute contact: Jean Bush at jbush@umcnic.org.
Session #1
The Theology of Class Meetings: Our United Methodist Heritage of Small Groups in the mode of John Wesley
Saturday, September 6 @ Elgin: First UMC
Saturday, September 11 @ Sycamore UMC
Session #2
Building our Spiritual Gifts: Building a Gifts Based Church Through Small Group Ministries
Saturday, November 8 @ Elgin: First UMC
Saturday, December 13 @ Sycamore UMC
Session #3
The Christian as Small Group Leader: Practical help to carry out the ministry of leadership
Saturday, January 17 @ Elgin: First
Saturday, February 7 @ Sycamore UMC
Session #4
Group Dynamics for Small Groups: Ways to Work Together in Small Groups
Saturday, March 7 @ Elgin: First
Saturday, April 18 @ Sycamore UMC
Session # 5
How to Develop and Do Small Group Groups: Nuts and Bolts of Small Group Ministry
Saturday, May 2 @ Elgin: First UMC
Saturday, May 16 @ Sycamore UMC
Session #6
The Spirit of Small Groups – Outreach Ministry: Going Beyond our Small Group to the Community and the World
Saturday, September 12 @ Elgin: First
Saturday, October 10 @ Sycamore UMC
Small Group Institute Celebration and Graduation
Saturday, October 3, 2009 @ Elgin: First UMC.
3:30 PM
