A Message from Reverend Efrain Avila, Jr., EdD, LCPC
Pastor of Campus Ministries and Director of the NIU Wesley Foundation

February 18, 2008

Friends,

Here is the latest information about NIU Wesley and campus ministers with the Associations of Campus Religious Organizations (ACRO) involvement with the healing process on campus.

All campus ministers are being considered “on call” and we are not staffing any stations at this time. The ACRO leadership is directing any specific religious request to the appropriate designee.

We have received numerous calls with offers for help from folks all over NIC and the greater United Methodist connection. As there are virtually no students around, we want to be able to use them at the appropriate time. We are compiling a list of Methodist clergy who will be “endorsed” by NIU Wesley to assist with the healing process once school begins on 25 February. The NIU Counseling Center as well as ACRO are the ones leading this effort and we will defer to their requests and requirements. We will contact those clergy who the University subsequently invites to be on campus.

NIU Wesley will be holding a Prayer Service on Tuesday, 19 February at 7:00 p.m. in the Sanctuary of First United Methodist Church in DeKalb.  [website, directions]  Students and the community are welcome.

On Thursday, February 21 at 7:00 p.m., a similar service will be held at the Kingston United Methodist Church, 121 West First Street, in Kingston.  [maps and directions]  Students and the community are welcome. Pastor Efrain will be available after each service to answer questions.

NIU has cancelled classes until 24 February. The Spring Semester schedule has been moved back one week, with classes ending on 23 May.

Due to NIU’s changing class schedule for this semester and because students’ class, internship and work summer schedules, the Puerto Rico Mission trip has been indefinitely postponed. We will meet with the student leadership in the near future to go over our options. We are hoping to obtain a full deposit refund from American Airlines given the circumstances.

Pastor Efrain will be available on Wednesday, February 20 from 9:00 a.m. to 12 p.m. at First UMC (website, directions) for individual prayer and laying on of hands/anointing.

Thank you for all your continued prayers and sentiments received via e-mail or phone. They are greatly appreciated.

Caminemos con Jesus,

Pastor Efrain

Worship Opportunities

Traditional Worship Service
Sanctuary
Sundays at 9:00 a.m.

CrossRoads
Education Wing
Sundays at 9:15 and 11:15 a.m.
Sunday School that strengthens our children
in their faith journey with Jesus Christ.

SHINE!
Fellowship Hall
Sundays at 11:00 a.m.
The Contemporary Worship Community
of First United Methodist Church

Boardman Chapel
Holy Communion
Thursdays at 8:45 a.m.

Celebrate!
Sanctuary
Sundays at 6:00 p.m.
The Student Contemporary Worship Service
of the NIU Wesley Foundation

For more information
about Methodist missions,
history or beliefs, visit the
United Methodist Church website.