http://www.umcnic.org http://www.umcnic.org/k_newsdetail.php?id%3d1408 Love and Respect Marriage Conference February 03, 2012 - February 04, 2012 07:00 PM - 09:30 PM Register today for the "Love and Respect" marriage video conference being offered at First United Methodist Church February 3-4, 2012, a unique biblically-based experience that can change lives, restore troubled marriages and make good ones better. The event is open to the community, but First Church members receive a discount, so register early: $15/person before January 23 and $20/person after January 23. Register online at http://loveandrespect.com/events/details/932. Location: First UMC Elmhurst 232 S York Elmhurst, IL 60126Kingswood UMC Challenges Bullying In the months of January and February Kingswood is taking on the important issue of bullying among children and youth. Below are opportunities to engage in Kingswood%26#8217;s efforts. This will be a long-term focus but here are some upcoming events! Sermon Series on the Church%26#8217;s Response to Bullying %26#8211; January 22, 29, %26 February 5th Workshop on Bullying When: Thursday, February 9 @ 7pm What: Workshop for parents and adults who work with children %26 youth. Workshop will be led by Jean Bush, former Director of Leadership Development for the Northern Illinois Conference, and Luke Pepper. Contact Luke Pepper at lpepper@kingswoodumc.com for more information. A sign up to attend the workshop will be available starting Sunday January 15th. This event is open to members of the community.Friendship UMC in Bolingbrook will be presenting a concert series on the 3rd Sundays of February, March, April, and May. Concerts will be at 3:00 p.m. and feature performances by current members, former members, and guest artists. There will be a time of fellowship following each concert so attendees can meet the performers and Friendship members. Donation baskets will be available, with proceeds begin split between the performers and Friendship. We are hopeful that members of our church and members of the community will attend these exciting and diverse concerts. For more information: 630-972-1011download the flyerAt the February concert, much-loved performers Martin Suarez, Friendship's former Contemporary Music Director, and Belford Hernandez will be returning for a piano concert. They will be joined by Victor Moreno and Ricardo Pedroza for an evening of amazing classical, sacred, and secular piano music. The March concert will feature Native American flutes and the instrumentalists will be joined by Barbara Hodgson, who is the former Chancel Choir Director at Friendship. The flute ensemble is Healing Winds and is made up of cancer survivors and those who have cared for a cancer patient. The April concert will be coordinated by two members of Friendship's Praise Band. Pam Stephan, Praise Band director and keyboardist, will be playing in a French horn ensemble and Melissa Schoonover, Praise Band vocalist, will be playing cello and coordinating string performances. In May, Friendship church member Michelle Braxton will be pianist for a concert of Music Through the Decades. She will be accompanying soprano Mary Elliott and baritone Scott Loughrige as they present an encore performance of their show which they performed to rave reviews for Christ UMC in Lockport's Mother-Daughter Banquet last spring. The show features serious and not-so-serious music from the 1800's through the 2000's and includes trivia questions and audience sing-alongs. Sugar Grove United Methodist Church Promotes "Tooth Fairy Mission" During the month of February, the Sugar Grove United Methodist Church's Mission of the Month is the annual "Tooth Fairy Mission" in which monetary donations, toothbrushes, and toothpaste are collected for the Between Friends Food Pantry in Sugar Grove and the guests at Hesed House, a local homeless shelter in Aurora. Dr. Donald Fee, who has been practicing dentistry at Family Dental Care in Sugar Grove since 1993 is once again matching monetary contributions up to $500.00. Dr. Fee will use this monetary donations to purchase toothbrushes and travel size toothpastes at cost, greatly extending the value of our contributions. If anyone would like to support the "Tooth Fairy Mission", checks payable to "SGUMC" with "Tooth Fairy" in the memo can be mailed or dropped off to the Sugar Grove United Methodist Church at 176 Main Street, P.O. Box 226, Sugar Grove, IL 60554. There is also a Tooth Fairy bucket in the church fellowship room for dental care items. Please call the church office at 630-466-4501 if you have any questions. Sugar Grove United Methodist Church Hosts a Benefit Spaghetti Supper Everyone is invited to attend a benefit spaghetti supper on Saturday, February 11th, from 4:30 to 7:00 p.m. at the Sugar Grove Community House at 141 Main Street in Sugar Grove. Home cooked spaghetti, garlic bread, salad, desserts, and beverages will spotlight the Valentine-themed dinner. Free will donations will be used to support the Sugar Grove United Methodist Missions Team on their trip to Haiti this summer. Please call 630-466-4501 with any questions. "YOU ARE NOW WATCHING THE THRONE"--%26gt;COME OUT AND JOIN US ON FEBRUARY 11TH 2012 at 6:30p.m. IN OUR FIRST CONTEMPORARY SERVICE OF THE YEAR.! THE THEME IS *WATCH THE THRONE* (BASED OFF 1 PETER 5:8). THIS IS NOT YOUR REGULAR "PARENTS CHURCH" SERVICES.! -%26gt;NO%26lt;- MORE "TAKE OFF YOUR HAT" OR ..."PULL UP YOUR PANTS", COME AS -%26gt;YOU%26lt;- ARE.! NO ONE CARES.! BE COMFORTABLE AND EXPERIENCE PRAISE DANCING, MIMING, POETRY, *FREE* FOOD, AND THE WORD.! YOU DONT WANNA MISS OUT ON THIS EVENT.! BRING EVERYBODY THAT YOU KNOW. THIS SERVICE IS FOR *EVERYBODY*.! SO COME OUT, come out, COME OUT.! YOU DONT WANNA MISS THIS.! CHECK OUT THE ATTACHED FLYER FOR MORE INFO!Grace United Methodist Church in Rockford welcomes Tom Zuba, Monday, Feb. 13 at 1 p.m. and 7 p.m. (same program, two different times). Tom will share personal stories about healing, God, joy and his amazing 20+year journey of death and resurrection with the death of an infant daughter, wife and young son. Zuba is an internationally known grief guide, author and inspirational speaker. He co-hosts two monthly radio shows on grief, healing and personal joy. Tom has appeared on The Oprah Winfrey Show with best-selling author Gary Zukav. Free admission. Attendees are invited to make a contribution to support the 900 homeless students in Rockford Public Schools in memory of Rory Brennan Zuba. The event is free and open to the public. Grace UMC is located at 3555 McFarland Road, northeast Rockford, near Woodman%26#8217;s. Call 815.637.4561 for more information. Southlawn United Methodist Church, 8605 S. Cregier Avenue, Chicago, IL presents "Empowerment Through Prayer" Prayer Breakfast on Saturday, February 18, 2012, 9am until 10:30am. Our Guest speaker for the prayer breakfast will be Marcella Jones, Radio Personality for Inspiration 1390 AM and Asst. Program/Music Director for WKKC 89.3FM. Her work at WKKC and Inspiration 1390 empowers many people with light and love every day. It is the Good News delivered in such a non traditional way. Also featured will be the Jackson Boulevard Christian Community Choir and the Southlawn Praise Force. We invite all to join us and come prepared to be blessed. Tickets are $10.00 and can be purchased from the church business office by calling 773.734.7708. For more information you can call the church office or go to our websiste: www.sumcchicago.org or find us on Facebook: Southlawn United Methodist Church. Download the flyerLEAH zAHN %26 JULIA SCHADEat Court Street United Methodist ChurchLeah Zahn and Julia Schade will perform in the sanctuary of Court Street United Methodist Church on Sunday, February 19, 2012, at 2:00 pm. Leah Zahn is a lifetime Rockford resident who has been playing and teaching violin for fifteen years. She maintains a private violin studio and consistently performs freelance solo and chamber music in the northern Illinois area.Julia Schade was born and raised in Rockford and has been very active in the community as an accompanist for the Rockford Public Schools, Rockford College, Rock Valley College, NAT, and Y-Knot Productions. She is a member of the Rockford Chapter AGO, Choristers Guild, and NACM.Performance will include: Norman Lloyd%26#8217;s Three Pieces for Violin %26 Piano, movie themes by John Williams, and Sonatina, Opus 100, by DvorakPart of Court Street%26#8217;s Worship through Arts 2011-12 Concert Series, a freewill donation will be accepted at the concert to benefit renovation of the sanctuary organ. Call or visit the church office for more information.Burning Bush Gallery to feature%26#8220;Ashes and Altars: Ceremonial Art by David Orth%26#8221;The Burning Bush Art Gallery, a ministry of Gary United Methodist Church in Wheaton, Illinois, invites the community to be challenged and inspired through the works in its upcoming show "Ashes and Altars: Ceremonial Art by David Orth." The show will open at 5:30 p.m. on Ash Wednesday, February 22, at the Burning Bush Gallery, 216 N. Main Street in Wheaton. The public is invited to an artist's reception at the gallery from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m. on Saturday, March 10. The show will feature altars, cremation urns and illustrations from Orth%26#8217;s work. He designs and crafts furniture %26 sculpture in his rural woodworking and metalworking studio in northwest Chicago. Orth creates ceremonial objects and furnishings for churches, synagogues, retreat centers, hospitals, interfaith chapels and homes. The show will feature aspects of his 30-year career. %26#8220;We are excited to host David%26#8217;s work%26#8221;, said Tony Asta, co-director of the gallery. %26#8220;Remaining true to ancient principles and practices of iconography and sacred space, the outcome is nonetheless fresh %26 multicultural,%26#8221; Asta said. %26#8220;This show will invite the viewers to think about key moments in their lives, especially during the Lenten season.%26#8221; As a young artist, Orth said he was surprised by how often people and institutions would come to his studio asking for a cremation urn, an altar or other ceremonial object. %26#8220;When individuals or groups need a ritual object, they are cultivating personal, thoughtful, careful qualities, qualities that resonate with my approach beginning with a human need, a set of given materials, and continuing on to completion,%26#8221; Orth said, adding that he regards these requests as the most challenging and vital kind of work an artist may be asked to do.Orth has taught sculpture and design at The School of the Art Institute of Chicago and has published several essays on the philosophy and psychology of design. In the spring of 2011 the artist won a national competition to design and build a sculpture for St. Paul's Episcopal Church in Louisville, KY. In August 2011 he installed the 21-foot, indoor sculpture of bronze, wood, and digital graphics on the three-story wall behind the altar.Author James A. Mangum describes Orth%26#8217;s work as %26#8220;primal, ethereal, lyrical %26#8230; rock and roll, the blues, arias.%26#8221;The show will be on exhibit at the gallery through Sunday, March 18. Regular viewing hours are from 10:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on Sundays and from 5:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday evenings. The Burning Bush Gallery is a ministry of the Gary United Methodist Church, offering art exhibits, music and other creative forms of spiritual expression. The mission of the Burning Bush Ministries is to offer programs that engage all people in the creative endeavor, cultivate the spiritual life, encourage sacred conversations, promote growth in people%26#8217;s faith journey and nurture those engaged in personal transformation. For more information or to schedule a private tour, contact Tony Asta at 708-705-8669 or visit the church website at www.garychurch.org. African American History Month CelebrationThe Big Sister in the Neighborhood Mentoring Program kickoff event will be celebrating Black History Month on Sat, Feb 25 from 2p-4p at the church. Young ladies ages 8-18 are invited to join. The event is free to all participants. Come out and enjoy food, fun, games and music. Contact Dena Beaty and Sheila Gordon Co Directors at the church office 708 681-5887 for further information and registration details.Big Sister in the Neighborhood Mentoring Program Neighborhood United Methodist Church1817 Washington Blvd Maywood, Il 60153 Rev. Jacques Conway-PastorSPAGHETTI SUPPER AND BAZAR FEBRUARY 25th. 5:00-6:30 PM NEW MILFORD UMC7102 CINDY DR. ROCKFORD, IL Join First United Methodist Church on a bus trip to the House of Blues Chicago World Famous Gospel Brunch on Sunday, February 26! It features a HUGE, all-you-can-eat buffet, including eggs, waffles, omelets, pastries, fried chicken, jambalaya, shrimp, carving stations, desserts and MORE! After brunch, enjoy the concert performed by a professional gospel choir. The bus will leave from First United Methodist about 11:00 a.m. Brunch starts at 12:30 and we should return about 3:00 p.m. Cost is $50 for adults and $30 for students; children under 6 are FREE. Price includes bus transportation to avoid the hassle and cost of parking. All are welcome to join this special winter outing! Sign up with the church office at 630-834-2440 or contact Ed Miner at edminer1@att.net. The church is located at 232 S. York Road in Elmhurst. FREED UP FINANCIAL LIVING January 21, Feb. 11, 25, 9am-12pm Child care available upon request Led by Jennifer Jordan Freed Up Financial Living is designed to help individuals at every stage of their lives effectively deal with day-to-day issues related to finances. It%26#8217;s about finding the peace, joy, and freedom that come through following biblical financial principles. Presented in an encouraging, grace-filled manner, Freed Up%26#8217;s goal is heart change and a more God-centered perspective on your resources, not just a change in financial behavior. In the Freed Up course, you%26#8217;ll discover effective tools and develop skills that will help you control your finances, so your finances don%26#8217;t wind up controlling you. The community is welcome to attend this informative three-day series. For more information contact Jan Martin at First United Methodist Church at jan.martin@umcelmhurst.org or 630-834-2440. %26#8220;B-flat pancakes%26#8221; support church music program Have some %26#8220;B-flat pancakes%26#8221; and help benefit the music program at River Forest United Methodist Church during our B-flat Breakfast, Saturday, Feb. 11, 7:30 to 11:30 am. Come enjoy pancakes, sausage, juice, coffee, tea, milk; we will also have a cookie sale. Adults $6 Kids (5-12) $3 under 5 free We%26#8217;re located at: 7970 W. Lake St (corner of Lake and Thatcher). Call 708-771-3668 or e-mail rfumchurch@sbcglobal.net now; Reservations appreciated but not required.Small Group Study Groups Now Forming for LentHave you ever asked "Why do bad things happen to innocent people?" or perhaps "Why do my prayers go unanswered?" Join Epworth UMC this Lenten season, as we ask the hardest question of all-"Why?". Small groups are now forming to tackle these questions and more with an 8 week life study %26 sermon presentation of Why? Making Sense of God's Will, by acclaimed and controversial author and pastor Adam Hamilton. Small groups and the collaborative sermon series will begin Sunday, Feb. 26th. Both the 8:30am Traditional Worship and 11:00 Praise Worship will feature a dynamic presentation of what these questions bring to light in our day to day world and relationships. Small groups will be available Sunday mornings at 9:45am throughout the church facility. Additional small groups will meet during assorted weekday times and participants are asked to register by calling Epworth UMC at 847-931-5400 or email office@epworthumcelgin.org. Church groups and book clubs are invited to participate, for these questions are universal and the hope promoted through understanding is beneficial for our entire community.More information is available at www.eumcelgin.org. Copies of Why? Making Sense of God's Will are available at Amazon.com for Kindle and Barnes %26 Noble for Nook, and paperback copies are available at Epworth UMC. Epworth UMC is located on the northwest corner of Highland Ave and Randall Rd. in Elgin IL. Wed, 01 Feb 2012 12:02:00 CST http://www.umcnic.org/k_newsdetail.php?id%3d1432 The Northern Illinois Conference United Methodist Women held a silent vigil to support those imprisoned by human trafficking on Monday, January 30, 2012 at the Daley Center Plaza in Chicago. Human trafficking is a form of modern-day slavery and is the second largest criminal industry in the world after drug trade. The Stop Human Trafficking Vigil was attended by approximately 30 people from across the conference. The attendees held signs and passed out literature from Noon until 1:00 PM at the busy plaza. The Methodist Federation for Social Action joined the UMW for the Vigil, supplying a colorful yellow banner which was on display throughout the vigil. Orlando Moller, Chairperson for MFSA, Rev Ramon Nieves, Rev Fernando Siaba, Pastor Cecilia Obret were the clergy present. After the vigil, they went to the First United Methodist Church (Chicago Temple) for a closing service. The closing service included a skit showing how young girls are lured into sexual trafficking, the services that are available to help them escape trafficking and how we can assist those entrapped in modern day slavery. More information on Human Trafficking is available from www.unitedmethodistwomen.org/act. Tue, 31 Jan 2012 12:01:00 CST http://www.umcnic.org/k_newsdetail.php?id%3d1442 Pauline Jensen, surviving spouse of deceased clergy member of the Northern Illinois Conference, Albert Wesley Jensen, died on Tuesday, January 31, 2012. She was 91 years old. Private services will be held later in the spring. Messages of condolence may be sent to her children in care of one of her sons: Mr. Richard Jensen 296 Yorkfield Avenue Elmhurst, IL 60126 Memorials in Mrs. Jensen's name may be sent to: Good Samaritan Fund Wesley Willows 4141 N. Rockton Rockford, IL 61103 Tue, 31 Jan 2012 12:01:00 CST http://www.umcnic.org/k_newsdetail.php?id%3d1412 The Northern Illinois Conference Council on Finance and Administration (CCFA) will be paying 100% of the general church apportionments, some $2,068,878. At the beginning of the year the CCFA adopted a spending plan that was $600,000 below the budget approved by the June 2010 annual conference. The decision on a reduced spending plan came in the wake of the conclusion of 2010, when apportionment receipts were closer to 2009's result of $6 million than it was from the conference's long term average of receipts of $7 million. According to NIC treasurer, Lonnie Chafin, CCFA felt that a course of action where the spending on conference ministries continued at 100% and the entire brunt of the loss in receipts be borne by the general church would be inconsistent with our connectional church. General church apportionments make extraordinary witness to the faith of United Methodists throughout the world: from the community surviving on the garbage heaps in the Philippines, to the effort to eliminate malaria in Africa, to the services of Humboldt Park homeless ministries in Chicago, to the many ministries featured at www.umcgiving.com. The ability to pay the general church apportionment in full is made possible by the faithful participation of the local churches of the Northern Illinois Conference - many of whom have made apportionment offerings of great sacrifice and after considerable effort. 15 additional churches were able to pay 100% of their local church apportionment in 2011 from 2010. For the list of churches click here. The decision to pay in full was unanimous among the committee members, even though the final apportionment receipts are unknown (the final checks have yet to be received). It may be necessary to use up to $131,000 in reserve funds in order to make the full payment. But CCFA wants to be faithful to the connection in its responsibilities and wants to act by the same standards applied to local churches in the conference. The conference paid 100% of general church apportionments last year, and eight times since 2000. Tue, 17 Jan 2012 12:01:00 CST http://www.umcnic.org/k_newsdetail.php?id%3d1415 Annual Conference is a time to come together and celebrate our accomplishments and share our dreams for the future. Presentations at conference should reflect our excitement and enthusiasm for the work we are engaged in for the Lord. Presentations can be deadly boring and put everyone to sleep (or make them wish they were asleep). Or, a presentation can provide information that generates excitement and makes people want to take it back to their churches. NIC Communications and Media Resources would like to help presenters at annual conference in 2012 offer presentations that POP! Every presentation can be something that wakes people up and impels them to take note. On Saturday, March 17, Anne Marie Gerhardt, Director of Communications, Judy Pohlman, Communications Commission Chairperson, and Susan Gieseler, Director of Media Resources will offer a seminar from 1:00 PM to 2:30 PM at the Elgin Program office at 217 Division St., Elgin, to provide ideas to help make your presentation special and noteworthy. You will be provided with a flash drive to take home with you, that will hold Conference graphics, Power Point templates, fonts, and notes from the seminar presentations. You may then use this flash drive to deliver your presentation materials to the Media Resource Center in preparation for Annual Conference.It is highly recommended that at least one person from each presenting group send a representative to this seminar. Please notify Susan who will be attending on or before March 9, to allow time to load the flash drives. You may send an e-mail (sgieseler@umcnic.org) or use the registration button on the event notice on the web calendar click here, or phone (847-931-0710 Ext. 17).All presentation materials: Power Points, Pictures, DVDs, music CD%26#8217;s must be turned it to Susan no later than May 22, to allow adequate time to load everything to the computers that will be used at annual Conference and to test them for compatibility. Power Point presentations must include a script (either as a separate word document or embedded in the power point notes) that indicates all points of transition, and cues to begin DVDs. It is recommended that any complex presentations be rehearsed with Susan. You may also provide your own computer operator if desired. Thu, 26 Jan 2012 12:01:00 CST http://www.umcnic.org/k_newsdetail.php?id%3d1414 
Batavia United Methodist Church is seeking a full-time Director of Youth Ministries to lead our dynamic youth program. Responsibilities include developing and coordinating a comprehensive ministry for the high school and middle school youth of the church; planning and leading youth meetings; planning and attending missions and retreats; overseeing the Confirmation Program; and working closely with the youth leadership team and church pastors. The successful candidate for this position will have seminary training and/or a college degree in Biblical/theological disciplines; substantial youth counseling skills and experience; strong interpersonal and leadership skills; a vibrant personality; and a commitment to work closely as part of a team ministry with church pastors, lay leaders and lay volunteers. Musical ability and proficiency in modern forms of media and technology are desired plusses. This full-time position offers salary and benefits commensurate with your experience and qualifications. Please submit your resume, cover letter and references in confidence to the Batavia United Methodist Church office, 8 North Batavia Avenue, Batavia, IL 60510. Phone: (630) 879-7060, Fax: (630) 879-1635, e-mail: info@bataviaumc.com. Wed, 25 Jan 2012 12:01:00 CST http://www.umcnic.org/k_newsdetail.php?id%3d1413 Click here to read Rev. Myron McCoy's message delivered at the conference wide celebration of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. at Harzell Memorial UMC on January 15, 2012 Wed, 18 Jan 2012 12:01:00 CST http://www.umcnic.org/k_newsdetail.php?id%3d1380 Puppet MinistryOn January 8, the Puppet Troupe will present %26#8220;The Wise Men Cometh%26#8221; at the 9:30 a.m. worship service of Olympia Fields United Methodist Church, 20301 Western Avenue, Olympia Fields. At 11:00 a.m. adults are invited to participate in a Puppet Ministry Workshop. For more information call, 708-481-5928. ON WINGS OF SONG a Unique collaboration between Koto, Shamisen and cello by Yoko Reikano Kimura, virtuoso koto and shamisen player from Tokyo Hikaru Tamaki, principal cellist of the Fort Wayne, Indiana, Philharmonic featuring compositions by Vaughn Williams, Kodaly, Marty Regan, Kin'ichi Nakanoshima and other reknown Japanese composers SUNDAY, JANUARY 8, 2012 2:00PM Ravenswood Fellowship United Methodist Church 4511 N. Hermitage, Chicago, IL 60640 (773)561-2610 Email: ravfelumc@yahoo.com Financial Peace University, a personal money-management course, will be hosted by Fourth Street United Methodist Church, 551 S. Fourth St. in Aurora. The Biblically-based class will meet from 7 to 9 p.m. from Jan. 9 to April 2. The public is invited. Course topics include investing, saving, credit, giving, retirement planning, cash-flow management and other subjects. Students will meet weekly to view a video lesson and participate in discussion and accountability groups. Students will learn a step-by-step process for getting out of debt and staying out of debt, crafting a monthly spending plan, and setting financial goals and communicating about money to others. Dave Ramsey, personal financial expert, author of %26#8220;Financial Peace%26#8221; and a radio host, leads the videos. Ramsey, a real estate multi-millionaire at the age of 26, lost everything in four years. Using biblical principles of money management, he worked his way out of debt to financial stability and wrote his first book. Ramsey now devotes himself fulltime to helping people understand their financial matters and how to set and keep things right. The class membership kit includes the FPU workbook, audio CD library, Ramsey%26#8217;s book, budgeting forms, a cash-management envelope system, debit card holders, tip cards and more. Laurel Gilbert of Aurora, church lay leader and an FPU graduate with her husband, will moderate the series. She said, %26#8220;More than one million families have attended FPU with amazing results. On average, they paid off $5,300 in debt and saved $2,700 in the first 90 days of the course.%26#8221; The fee is $99 for instruction and materials. To register or for more information, call (630) 897-5257 or visit daveramsey.com/fpu.Join In the Fun This coming Saturday it's Family Game Night at Faith United Methodist Church of Lisle All ages All kinds of games! Bring a snack and jump in the game! Drop In anytime between 5:30 and 9 pm January 14th Located at 5395 Westview Lane just west of 355 and 1/2 block North of Maple in Lisle . If you're nearby and need a ride, let us know! Details, Call Lori 630-969-6404 or email faith.lisle@yahoo.com or go to www.faithchurchlisle.org HISTORICAL ORGAN CONCERT Greenstone United Methodist Church at 11211 S. St. Lawrence, Chicago, will host a concert on Sunday, January 22, 2012 at 3:00 PM featuring Mr. Charles Kendrick of St. Mark UMC. Mr. Kendrick gave a concert on this historic organ back in the '80's after the organ underwent extensive renovation. The organ dates back to 1882. A "free will" offering will be taken during the concert. January 14- 6:30pm 5717 W. 63rd PlaceBRING IN 2012 THE RIGHT WAY.........AT SNL @ THE REZ- THE GOOD LIFE: A MOMENT FOR LIFE ALL WHITE PARTY!!!!!!!! ALL AGES WELCOME! $3 DOLLARS AT THA DOOR! FREE FOOD AND MUSIC BY DJ BIG TWON! OPEN MIC SO HIT ME UP IF YOU WANT TO GRACE THE STAGE AND SHOW YOUR GOD-GIVEN TALENT! PLUS MUCH MORE!!!!!!!!! A 15th annual pancake breakfast to benefit Fox Valley Habitat for Humanity of Aurora will be held from 8 to 11 a.m. on Saturday, Jan. 14, at the Aurora Advent Christian Church, 905 N. Edgelawn Drive. The public is invited. Tickets are $7 each. Children under age 10 are free. The menu includes all-you-can-eat pancakes, scrambled eggs, sausage, coffee, milk, and orange juice. The annual Habitat fundraiser is sponsored by the church%26#8217;s Ministry Committee. A dozen volunteers will prepare and serve the breakfast. Beth Conover, breakfast coordinator said, %26#8220;Our church annually hopes to contribute $1,000 to support the housing ministry of Fox Valley Habitat for Humanity. %26#8220;This breakfast helps raise the money to do that.%26#8221; Fox Valley Habitat is a local affiliate of Habitat for Humanity International, Inc., a nonprofit housing ministry that partners with low-income families needing basic shelter. After a hiatus due to a downturn in donations, Fox Valley Habitat volunteers are planning to resume construction in Aurora or Montgomery in partnership with deserving families during 2012. Founded in 1989, FV Habitat has dedicated 44 homes in the Aurora area. The Aurora Habitat affiliate has attracted 1,000 volunteers and has built affordable shelter for more than 200 persons in Aurora and Montgomery. Habitat sells houses to qualified families at no profit. Partnering families contribute up to 500 hours of sweat equity and repay a zero-interest mortgage. Loan payments are used to build more houses. Donations of materials, land, funds, and volunteer services are needed to continue the Aurora ministry. For more information, call (630) 859-3333 or visit www.foxvalleyhabitat.org. FREED UP FINANCIAL LIVING January 21, Feb. 11, 25, 9am-12pm Child care available upon request Led by Jennifer Jordan Freed Up Financial Living is designed to help individuals at every stage of their lives effectively deal with day-to-day issues related to finances. It%26#8217;s about finding the peace, joy, and freedom that come through following biblical financial principles. Presented in an encouraging, grace-filled manner, Freed Up%26#8217;s goal is heart change and a more God-centered perspective on your resources, not just a change in financial behavior. In the Freed Up course, you%26#8217;ll discover effective tools and develop skills that will help you control your finances, so your finances don%26#8217;t wind up controlling you. The community is welcome to attend this informative three-day series. For more information contact Jan Martin at First United Methodist Church at jan.martin@umcelmhurst.org or 630-834-2440. Tue, 17 Jan 2012 12:01:00 CST http://www.umcnic.org/k_newsdetail.php?id%3d1410 Berry UMC in Lincoln Square is looking for a part-time nursery worker. 4-6 hours per week, mainly on Sundays $10/hr We're looking for someone who is kind, passionate about working with Infants to 4 year olds, has experience working with children, and whom would be committed to the mission of and vision of Berry Church. Background check required. Please contact: Alex Menocal, Staff Parish Chair: puresmoothprecision@gmail.com Tue, 17 Jan 2012 12:01:00 CST http://www.umcnic.org/k_newsdetail.php?id%3d1406 The New Year is upon us. Have you wanted to expand your church%26#8217;s program? Did you know that there are qualified, committed folks offering to invest in your ministry? The Northern Illinois Conference%26#8217;s %26#8220;Sage Corps%26#8221; is comprised of retired clergy eager to serve.Earlier this year Carol Cory helped Friendship UMC in Bolingbrook take a new look at what they were doing and why, then led them in developing a revised plan. Emery Percell trained willing visitors for hospital calling. Duane Mevis and David Kaller have led Mission Trips for other churches. JoAnne Chase develops drama groups. Leo Constantino, Man Singh Das, and John Rathod are available for mission interpretation. Donna Atkinson, Erika Hundrieser and Ray Rhoads are interested in mentoring clergy and laity. Jay Walkington would help with goal setting and Jeffrey Baer with grief support groups.Or perhaps what you need is leadership development? Or your stewardship committee needs a coach, or the communications or worship teams need some fresh eyes?Sage Corps resourcing is free. The group developed in response to an idea described and named by Pastor Bonnie Beckonchrist, and the commitment among retired conference clergy to offer years of experience as well as current interest to pastors, local churches and conference agencies.Ray Rhoads invites you to contact him about Sage Corps at ray@rhoads.us. Or phone 815-885-3738. Wed, 11 Jan 2012 12:01:00 CST