2018 BUDGETNORTHERN ILLINOIS ANNUAL CONFERENCE

Recommended Budget Total: $6,648,410

This Narrative Budget has been prepared as a tool for laity and clergy to help share the story of how our apportionment dollars turn into connectional ministry.

This document is a witness to the claim that we are stronger together; that our witness is bigger together.

Together God can accomplish more through us than any one of us. So please share these stories with your congregation. Use them as a moment for missions, as sermon illustrations, in your publications. Tell the story of how your ‘portion meant for others’ is making and supporting vital Christians in vital congregations that engage with their communities and the world for peace, justice and mercy in our Annual Conference.

You can also find stories of how our apportionment dollars work beyond our Annual Conference to share with your congregation at: www.umcgiving.org/apportionments.

Most of all thank you for your faithful support of our connectional ministry! So read more in the following pages to find out how your apportionment dollars are being put to work!

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INSIDE:

Cabinet Ministries…..pg. 3

Congregational Development &Redevelopment……..pg. 4

Program Ministries…pg. 4,5,6

General Church……..pg. 7

A word from the Conference Council on Finance and Administration

2018 NIC Budget

19%

22%

12% 18%

29% General Church ApportionmentsProgram BudgetSupport of Local ChurchesCabinetConference Administration

*Ministry totals on the following pages don’t reflect conference staff salaries and benefits. Refer to the line item budget Doc. 600

Cabinet Ministries: $788,500

Serena-Sheridan-Harding-Norway-Wedron – They are five UM churches in four small villages in La Salle County, just a few miles apart from each other. Until a year ago, they were five independent churches, each with their own worship (all on Sunday morning), events, and functions.

Yet, a few years ago, they started to see a new vision. They realized how they shared the same mission field and how they could lead more effective and fruitful ministries by joining their efforts together.

After much conversation and prayers, Wedron UMC merged with Serena UMC, and the other three churches decided to begin cooperative ministries. An appointment was made with strategic vision in mind, and mission fund support was provided from the Cabinet budget. Now, Norway UMC worships on Saturday evening and Harding UMC on Wednesday evening, while the other two churches hold their worship on Sunday mornings. All four churches work together to offer a thriving weekday children's program named JAM (Jesus and Me). No individual church could have done this alone. They also have a four church joint choir, offering special music programs on different occasions.

This would not have been possible if these churches stayed independent. They now have a vibrant and growing boy scout ministry with more than 20 scouts, when, a year ago, there were only a couple. All four churches have observed much growth both spiritually and numerically. There is definitely renewed energy and vitality at all four churches!

Includes: Equipping Local Churches, New Faith Communities, Support to Local Churches, Intervention, Clergy Relocation, Meetings, District Events, and Ministries.

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DeKalb Churches work co-operatively on mission

Hilltop sold to Easterseals

The Hilltop Ministry Center in Machesney Park which was built on land gifted by farmers Bill and Joyce Russ, long-time faithful members of Centennial UMC in Rockford, Ill., was sold to Easterseals Academy in March 2017, which will relieve the mortgage obligation to the NIC.

“Our students will continue to benefit from Easterseals Academy’s individualized curriculum and activities,” said Principal Jacque Ruch. “We are delighted with the additional opportunities available to our students with the purchase of our very own campus with plenty of places for them to live, learn, work and play.” *Read the full article in the June Reporter.

Includes (partial listing): Accessibility Ministry, Campus Ministries, Childserv, Disaster Response, Ecumenical & Interreligious Dialogue, Media Resources, Justice for Our Neighbors, Committee on Native American Ministry, Older Adult Ministries, Outdoor and Retreat Ministries, Reconciling Ministries, Rosecrance, Safe Sanctuaries, United Voices for Children, Urban Ministries, and VIM. (for complete listing see explanatory

materials on Doc. 600.)

Congregational Development and Redevelopment: $68,000 Includes: Institute for Congregational Development, Hispanic Academy, Training, Leadership Development, Local Church Resourcing, and Architectural Consultations.

The mission of the Office of Congregational Development and Redevelopment is to make disciples for Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world. We seek to do that by equipping leaders, both laity and clergy, to fulfill the mission of Jesus Christ.

The primary vehicles we use for equipping leaders are The Institute for Congregational Development and the Conference Academy for Faith Community Development (Hispanic Academy).

Pastor Michael Jones of Bethel UMC in Shannon says, “The Institute for Congregational Development has been the most significant training that I have received anywhere and has transformed how I do ministry.”

Along with helping start New Faith Communities, the Office of Congregational Development and Redevelopment serves as the research and development arm of the Conference using the demographic tool MissionInsite to help better understand complex mission challenges in our communities. We also offer architectural consultation and building appraisal services to churches to help in their strategic planning.

By investing in the Office of Congregational Development & Redevelopment the Conference is investing in the future of the church by equipping leaders to make disciples for Jesus Christ.

NIC Hispanic/Latinx Ministry Team

Seventeen-year-old Rosalinda, a member of El Mesias UMC in Elgin, came to the U.S. from Guatemala at the age of four and never thought being an immigrant was a “big deal.” It wasn’t until recently she discovered the impact it would have on her life. “My sophomore year (in high school) I wanted to drive, but I couldn’t get a permit because I wasn’t a resident or citizen,” said Rosalinda. “I wanted to get a job, but I couldn’t. I can’t even apply for scholarships, even if I have the grades.”

Rosalinda gave her testimony at a recent immigration event sponsored by the Northern Illinois Conference (NIC) Hispanic/Latinx Ministry Team and the National Hispanic/Latino Plan for churches to come together, hear from each other, make connections and think about what it is we as United Methodists are called upon to do along with our immigrant neighbors.

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Program Ministries: $673,000

Campus Ministry revives as a welcoming place to all

Do you remember Agape House at the University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC)? Ever wonder what happened to it? Agape House is now the Inclusive Collective (IC), a vibrant, growing, and diverse campus ministry in Chicagoland in its fourth semester! Our hub is at UIC, but we have students involved from several colleges in the city. Agape House started in 1965, but after several years of transition and decline, the ministry almost closed in spring 2015. Instead, believing that God is still up to something amongst university students in Chicago, we decided to intentionally relaunch in August 2015 with the support of the Northern Illinois Conference and many area churches.

In under two years, the ministry has grown from zero to over forty students, many of whom haven’t been a part of a faith community in many years or ever; launched four Community Groups focused on spiritual formation and discipleship; started South Loop Community Table, a Sunday evening meal for students and people experiencing homelessness; and began a partnership with a student organizing group to pursue systemic justice. We are excited about all of this, but we are most excited about what God is doing in the lives of our students.

First year UIC student Ari Guerra shares how he has experienced inclusion and hospitality within our faith community: “When I first joined the Inclusive Collective (IC) earlier this semester, I was very nervous and a bit apprehensive because it had been sometime since religion had a place in my life. I came to UIC and met with pastor Rich Havard, and he was super friendly and supportive. We spoke more, and as I learned that queer folks could exist in this space that people don’t normally think to be queer-friendly, I felt very comfortable coming into this community. I’ve thrown myself into the IC as much as I could, and I have gained a family from it. Now, I have some amazing people to talk to, and I have a community that is helping me re-enter the spiritual aspect of my life again. I am by no means fully committed to Christianity at this point, but I am working to explore where I can go and how I can grow in both religion and myself.”

We look forward to the future, believing that God wants to continue using our ministry to help people experience grace and become more committed followers of Jesus. If you’re interested in more information about us, check us out at LetsGetInclusiveUIC.org.

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University Christian Ministry at Northwestern traveled to Lake Geneva, Wisconsin for a beautiful, spring weekend retreat. The theme of "Calling and Commitment" invited participants to reflect on their commitment to discipleship in the Christian life.

“We enjoyed UCM olympics, cooking our own meals, softball, and some people even jumped in the lake!” says Campus Minister Julie Windsor Mitchell. “In an emotional service, we reaffirmed our baptisms at the campfire on Saturday night.”

UCM at Northwestern heads north

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Intergenerational Ministry invests in children and their families

The Program Council awarded 15 ministries and programs a total of $19,000 in creative ministries grants so far in 2017. Some of the grants included a peace camp, community suppers, Hispanic Vacation Bible School, and young men’s mentoring.

Creative Ministries Grants

A recipient of a $3,000 creative ministry grant in 2016, St. John’s UMC of Oak Park, Ill., is developing and implementing an intergenerational children and family ministry to support a growing number of young families in the church.

The Children and Family Ministry Center focuses on “Embracing, Engaging, Educating, and Empowering” children and families to participate in ministries through the congregation and community.

This ministry serves homeless, low-income, as well as the Filipino-American first and second-generation immigrant families in their community.

“We believe we will continue to grow a church where the gifts of the Filipino community, such as hospitality, generosity, fellowship, food, music and celebration will not isolate us, but encourage us to share Christ’s love and witness to the larger Oak Park area,” says Rev. Dr. Nancy Grim Hunter, project leader.

The center offers worship opportunities, music programs, tutoring support, compassion and justice-based ministries, and discipleship programs.

"This intergenerational ministry invites children to become a living witness to Christ’s love in the world, while also developing future leaders of the church!” says Grim Hunter.

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Thank YOU for your contributions

In 2016 contributions from the Northern Illinois Conference churches and individuals to the General Board of Global Ministries totaled $612,781.72 towards missions! $55,056.97 went toward mission support, $84,613.26 went toward UMCOR emergencies, and $359,939.69 toward the broad ministry. For a complete list visit: www.umcnic.org/globalmissions.

General Church Funds - $1,949,473

Includes: World Service Fund, Episcopal Fund, Ministerial Education Fund (General & Conference), Black College Fund, General Church Administration, Africa University, Interdenominational Cooperation Fund and Jurisdictional Apportionments.

Africa University Celebrates 25th Anniversary

Hundreds gathered at United Methodist Africa University on March 25, 2017 to celebrate its 25th anniversary many bringing gifts and sharing memories.

In 1984, two African United Methodist bishops, challenged their colleagues at the United Methodist Board of Higher Education and Ministry to support the establishment of a university in Africa. The board presented a plan for the pan-African university to the 1988 General Conference, the denomination’s top lawmaking body, which voted to establish the university. The university received its charter from the Zimbabwean government and classes began in 1992 with 14 students.

Today the university boasts more than 7,000 graduates from 32 African countries and is ranked second among Zimbabwean colleges. The desire of the university’s founders was to nurture an institution that would be deeply rooted in Africa—drawing its agenda and priorities from the challenges of African communities and combining the social wisdom and indigenous know-how of African people with new knowledge to aid development and improve quality of life on the continent. When we give to the Africa University Fund, we equip indigenous solution-finders who are tackling some of their continent’s most pressing challenges with wisdom, innovation and spiritual maturity. Because of your generosity, The United Methodist Church is making a difference in Africa.

MEF supports Seminary Students

Since 1968 the Ministerial Education Fund (MEF) has helped thousands of men and women become pastoral leaders in The United Methodist Church. At Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary, the MEF funding goes into their general scholarship fund which supports their United Methodist students (over 60% of student body is UM).

Ashish Singh worked for ten years at the Walgreen’s corporate office and felt a calling. He left his job and is

a current Master of Divinity student at Garrett. He’s currently in the candidacy process in the Northern Illinois Conference working towards ordination as an elder.

“I grew up hearing stories about my grandparents who had converted to Christianity in India, even though they knew it would lead to persecution. My father also told me about his journey to become a pastor. Through these stories, as well as my own experiences, I realized the transformative power of the Gospel,” says Singh. “I felt God calling me to spend my life sharing the message of transformation and liberation that is made known in and through Christ.”

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CCFA Committee Members:

Rob Hamilton - President - ccfa@umcnic.org Stephanie Uhl - Vice President

Luis F. Reyes - Secretary Abbey Ogunbola

Amos Oladipo Andrea Davidson

Cynthia Zolk Ed Page

John Meyers Joyce Frankfother

Kelli Beard Rudy Smith

Scort Christy Tammy Scott Teri Lafferty

Ex-officio Members

Arlene Christopherson - Asst. to the Bishop/Dir. of Connectional Ministries Chris Winkler - Program Council Chair

Jacques Conway - Cabinet Representative Lonnie Chafin - Conference Treasurer

Sally Dyck - Bishop

Contact Us: NORTHERN ILLINOIS CONFERENCE 77 W. WASHINGTON ST., Suite 1820 CHICAGO, IL 60602 312.346.9766 www.umcnic.org