Saturday, November 19, 9:30 am at  First United Methodist Church of Belvidere, 610 Bonus Avenue Belvidere, IL 61008

Sponsored by the collaboration of the NIC Discipleship Task Force and Anti-Racism Task Force, this is our second quarterly gathering for youth leaders across our conference. We last met back in August, with an opportunity to learn more about the wonderful ministerial work of Kids Above All, and had the chance to stuff some backpacks! It was also decided at that meeting to continue quarterly gatherings, in person if possible, for the purpose of supporting other youth leaders, and learning more about the many wonderful ministerial groups and agencies connected to our conference (and hopefully consider getting our youth and churches involved with those groups and agencies!)

Our next in-person gathering for youth leaders will be on Saturday, November 19! We’ll be heading to the Prairie North district and meeting with Rev. Violet Johnicker, one of the co-leaders for Rockford Urban Ministries. We’ll gather at 9:30 am at First UMC of Belvidere (feel free to come earlier if you wish; the United Methodist Men are having a pancake breakfast that morning!) We will then carpool together to Rockford Urban Ministries (RUM) to learn more about the organization, and discover ways in which our churches and youth groups can serve and support the work they do. Our time together will be roughly two to two and half hours together, and we’ll wrap up with lunch together, before heading home.

If you are interested in being part of the day, please email Rev. Sharon Rice at deacon_sharon@hotmail.com no later than Thursday, November 17 (so we know how many people to expect). We hope you will join us! And be on the lookout for a newsletter about youth ministry in the conference coming in the New Year!