Prairie Association of the Illinois Conference, United Church of Christ

The Delegates and Authorized Ministers of the Prairie Association are called to the 2024 Prairie Association Fall Meeting. The meeting will take place on Saturday, September 28th from 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM at Zion UCC in Peru. The cost is $35 per person and includes a buffet style lunch. More details and registration information can be found via the link below.
https://conta.cc/3T4uJNR

2024 Prairie Association Fall Meeting Saturday, Sept 28 at Zion UCC in Peru Prairie Association Fall Meeting Saturday, September 28, 2024 The Delegates and Authorized Ministers of the Prairie Association are called to the 2024 Prairie Ass

Check out the latest news from the Illinois Conference and beyond! There's a lot in today's newsletter, so make sure you read it all!
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Faithful Fridays, August 23 News from the Illinois Conference and beyond.   August 23, 2024 WEBSITE CALENDAR GIVING   Proposed Constitution and Bylaws The Conference Council is pleased to present to you the final version of the

Check out the latest news from the Illinois Conference and beyond! In case you missed the official notice on August 1st, you can find information on the proposed Constitution and Bylaws that will be voted on at this year's Annual Celebration in today's newsletter.
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Faithful Fridays, August 9 News from the Illinois Conference and beyond.   August 9, 2024 WEBSITE CALENDAR GIVING   Proposed Constitution and Bylaws - Official Notice Dear Members and Churches of the Illinois Conference, The Co

Check out the latest news from the Illinois Conference and beyond!
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Faithful Fridays, July 26 Weekly news you can use.   July 26, 2024 WEBSITE CALENDAR GIVING   Conference Minister Transition Updates In June 2024, our Conference Minister for the past four years, the Rev. Molly Carlson, gave us

In June 2024, our Conference Minister for the past four years, the Rev. Molly Carlson, gave us notice that she had accepted a position as Interim Conference Minister of the South Central Conference (UCC) and that she would begin her duties with the South Central Conference in September. Rev. Carlson's last day in the Illinois Conference office will be July 31st.

There will be a Farewell Celebration and Service of Release on Sunday, September 1st from 4:00-6:00 PM at First Congregational UCC in DeKalb. We hope you can join us as we give thanks to Molly for her ministry with us these past four years and wish her well as she prepares to begin her next season of ministry with the South Central Conference. Please RSVP by August 18th. More information can be found via the link below.
https://conta.cc/3A7jMnO

Conference Minister News & Farewell Celebration Sunday, September 1 at 4 PM in DeKalb   Conference Minister Transition News Dear Members and Friends of the Illinois Conference, In June 2024, our Conference Minister for the past four years, the Rev.

Check out the latest news from the Illinois Conference and beyond!
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Faithful Fridays, July 12 Weekly news you can use.   July 12, 2024 WEBSITE CALENDAR GIVING   Rev. Kathy Lawes is on Sabbatical Consistent with best ministry practices, our MLT staff earn a three-month sabbatical after each fiv

Click on the link below for an important announcement from Illinois Conference Minister, Rev. Molly Carlson.
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Important Announcement   Important Announcement from Rev. Molly Carlson Dear Illinois Conference, It has been my joy and my honor to serve as your Conference Minister for the last four years. You will recall that I moved he

Checkout today's Faithful Fridays for the latest news from the Illinois Conference. Link in bio.

Faithful Fridays, June 14 Weekly news you can use.   June 14, 2024 WEBSITE CALENDAR GIVING   Regional Youth Event Registration is open for the Great Lakes/West Central Regional Youth Event this summer, July 17-20 at Augustana

Check out today's Faithful Fridays for information about upcoming events and news in the Illinois Conference and beyond! https://conta.cc/4c1nPjn

Faithful Fridays, May 31 Weekly news you can use.   May 31, 2024 WEBSITE CALENDAR GIVING   Stewardship Materials Now Available United Church of Christ The new United Church of Christ stewardship materials are now available fr

Checkout today's Faithful Friday's for the latest news and information about upcoming events in the Illinois Conference and beyond. https://conta.cc/3QP4tpI

Faithful Fridays, May 17 Weekly news you can use.   May 17, 2024 WEBSITE CALENDAR GIVING   Strengthen the Church Offering & LEEAP Committee Update The LEEAP (Local, Envisioning Evangelizing and Planting) committee was establi

Check out today's Faithful Fridays for news and events in the Illinois Conference and beyond.
https://conta.cc/3JLQiha

Faithful Fridays, May 3 Weekly news you can use.   May 3, 2024 WEBSITE CALENDAR GIVING   Strengthen the Church Offering & LEEAP Committee Update The LEEAP (Local, Envisioning Evangelizing and Planting) committee was establis

Celebrating together with the Western Association our second Joint Spring Meeting. Thank you, UCC STAR Coalition, for your witness of our small churches, small town congregations, and rural ministry settings!Thank you, Phiwa Langeni, for sharing your innivating, inspiring wisdom with us all!

Check out the latest news from the Illinois Conference.
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Faithful Fridays, April 19 Weekly news you can use.   April 19, 2024 WEBSITE CALENDAR GIVING   Transforming Rights Justice through Faith This summit will take place on Saturday, April 20th from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Did you kn

The Illinois Conference Stewardship Committee invite you to a Conference wide stewardship event on Saturday, June 1st from 9:15 AM - 2:30 PM at Peace Memorial Church. The featured keynote speaker is Rev. Andrew Warner, Generosity Outreach Officer of National Ministries United Church of Christ. Find out more and register via the link below.
https://conta.cc/3U1yAuA

Stewardship Event Saturday, June 1st, 9:15 AM - 2:30 PM   It's Showtime! Stewardship Event A lot happened in the past five years. Churches ministered through many hardships primarily brought on by a pandemic. As a resu

The deadline to register for the Joint Prairie & Western Association (and Eastern) Spring Meeting has been extended to Sunday, April 14th. The event is taking place on Saturday, April 20th at Pilgrim Park Camp from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM. Registration is only $35 per person, children 12 and under are free. Learn more and registration via the link below.
https://conta.cc/49y0Yu0

PA/WA/EA Spring Meeting - Deadline Extended! Register by April 14th!   Prairie/Western/Eastern Spring Meeting Saturday, April 20, 2024 8:30 AM - 3:00 PM Pilgrim Park Camp THE DEADLINE TO REGISTER HAS BEEN EXTENDED! REGISTER ONLINE BY SUNDAY, AP

Today's Faithful Fridays is full of information about upcoming events and more! Check out the latest edition here:
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Faithful Fridays, April 5 Weekly news you can use.   April 5, 2024 WEBSITE CALENDAR GIVING   Re-Imagine My Church - Interest Survey The Illinois Conference is considering a partnership with Convergence (formerly known as Cente

The Members of the Prairie Association and Western Association are called to a Joint 2024 Spring Meeting. Members of the Eastern Association are invited as well! The event will be held on Saturday, April 20th from 9:00-3:00 at Pilgrim Park Camp. The theme for the event is "Stronger Together: Thriving Congregations in Small Towns and Rural Communities." Come join in fellowship and discover how our United Church of Christ congregations thrive and serve in small towns and rural settings across the Prairie and Western Associations.
https://conta.cc/3TOOl9x

Joint PA/WA Spring Meeting Saturday, April 20th at Pilgrim Park Camp   Prairie and Western Association Joint Spring Meeting Saturday, April 20, 2024 8:30 AM - 3:00 PM Pilgrim Park Camp Call to The Joint Association 2024 Spring

Members in Discernment, advisors, pastors, and Committee on Ministry members from all five Associations are invited to attend the Annual MID Gathering at Pilgrim Congregational Church in Oak Park. This hybrid event will give you an opportunity to connect with other MIDs, advisors and COM members as well as hear presentations on best practices from the national setting (MESA), the journey of non-conventional and bi-vocational calls, and post-COVID search and call. There is no fee to attend, but registration is required by March 28th. Details in the link below.
https://conta.cc/3x5Qi8w

Annual MID Gathering - All Associations Saturday, April 6th, 10 AM - 1:30 PM   Annual MID Gathering Invitation Saturday, April 6, 10:00 AM - 1:30 PM Pilgrim Congregational Church, Oak Park Members in Discernment, advisors, pastors, and Comm

Check out the latest newsletter from the Illinois Conference for information about upcoming events, resources, and more.
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Faithful Fridays, March 15 Weekly news you can use.   March 15, 2024 WEBSITE CALENDAR GIVING   Illinois Mandated Reporter Requirements Prepared for the IL Conference by Mark Harris, Attorney Conference members are reminded that

The deadline for churches to submit information for the 2024 UCC Yearbook and Directory is Wednesday, March 6th at 11 PM CST. Your church's 501(c)3 status is dependent on a current and updated listing in the UCC Yearbook. Call the Conference office if you have questions or need assistance. More details can be found via the link below.
https://conta.cc/4a0Wqx9

UCC Yearbook Deadline is Wednesday! Fill out your reports by 11 pm March 6!   UCC Yearbook Deadline is March 6! The deadline to submit information for your church to the UCC Yearbook is quickly approaching and as of today there are stil

Check out today's Faithful Fridays for information on upcoming events, recent news, job postings, and more!
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Faithful Fridays, March 1 Weekly news you can use.   March 1, 2024 WEBSITE CALENDAR GIVING   UCC Yearbook - March 6 Deadline United Church of Christ Data Hub closes to churches at midnight Eastern Time on March 6th. Thank you

Join us for Episode 2 of this 3-part series featuring experiences of rural and small-town churches that are thriving!

This week we will discuss pastoring ecumenically in a rural/small town setting.

Our conversation will feature our special guest, Vicar Lisa Robison, a local pastor from First Congregational Church, UCC! And, of course, our host Rev. Roberto Ochoa, Minister for Faith INFO.

Register to join us live (and receive the recording later), February 29th @ 3:30 PM Eastern: https://ow.ly/ZUOZ50QI54j

OPEN DESCRIPTION: Mountains and trees in the background. Text says: Thriving in Small, Rural Churches, Pastoring Ecumenically in a Rural/Small Town Setting. There are headshots of the two speakers: Vicar Lisa Robison, Local Church Pastor and Rev. Roberto Ochoa, Minister for Faith INFO. Thursday, February 29, 3:30 Eastern.

Check out the latest Faithful Fridays newsletter for information about upcoming events and more! Churches - don't forget to fill out your yearbook data before March 6th!
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Faithful Fridays, February 16 Weekly news you can use.   February 16, 2024 WEBSITE CALENDAR GIVING   UCC Yearbook - March 6 Deadline United Church of Christ Did you know? Your church's 501(c)3 status is dependent on a current upda

Check out the latest edition of Faithful Fridays for news and events in the Illinois Conference and beyond!
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Faithful Fridays, February 2 Weekly news you can use.   February 2, 2024 WEBSITE CALENDAR GIVING   UCC Yearbook - March 6 Deadline United Church of Christ It is time to submit information for your church to the UCC Yearbook. Link

Prairie Association Congregations and Clergy: You are cordially invited to the Service of Installation for the Rev. Dr. John Dorhauer at First Congregational UCC in DeKalb on Sunday, February 4th at 3:00 PM.
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Installation Invitation: Rev. Dr. John Dorhauer Sunday, February 4 at 3:00 PM. INSTALLATION INVITATION Prairie Association Congregations and Clergy: You are cordially invited to the Service of Installation for The Rev. Dr. John Dorhauer as Past

Faithful Fridays has a new look! Check out the latest news from the Illinois Conference in today's edition. Churches - don't forget that it is UCC Yearbook time! The deadline for is March 6th. You can find more information into day's newsletter.
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Faithful Fridays, January 19 Weekly news you can use.   January 19, 2024 WEBSITE CALENDAR GIVING   New Look and Production Schedule! Faithful Fridays has a brand new look! You will still find the same news, events, resources and

In today's Faithful Fridays: Health & Human Service Sunday, church moderator and treasurer cohorts, Primary Season UCC webinar, boundary training offerings, Youth Leadership Symposium, Conference governance listening sessions, and a Spencer LaJoye concert at Tower Hill.
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Faithful Fridays: Health & Human Service Sunday Weekly news you can use.   PLEASE NOTE: if you unsubscribe from this email you will no longer receive any communications from the Illinois Conference - including bereavement messages, event notices, a

Join the Governance Team for one of our upcoming Listening Sessions to make your voice heard. Your input will shape the way decisions are made within the Conference for years to come. Click on the link for more information.

https://conta.cc/48GdCaj

Governance Listening Sessions We want to hear from you!   Governance Listening Sessions The Governance Revisions Team has been hard at work. This fall, presentations were made at each Association Fall Meeting as well as at the Con

Christmas greetings from the Illinois Conference! Wishing you hope, love, joy, and peace on Christmas and always.

Christmas Greetings from the Illinois Conference   Wishing a blessed and peaceful Christmas to all churches, members, and friends of the Illinois Conference! We thank you for your support over the past year and look forward to our continued ministry

In today's Faithful Fridays: new cohort opportunities for church moderators and treasurers, boundary training opportunities, 2024 Damascus Project course offerings, Brown Endowment scholarship opportunity, advent resources, and more!
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Faithful Fridays: Church Leadership Cohorts Weekly news you can use.   PLEASE NOTE: if you unsubscribe from this email you will no longer receive any communications from the Illinois Conference - including bereavement messages, event notices, a