News & Updates

Aug. 27, 2026

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Rethinking Vacation Bible School: Faith Formation Beyond the Traditional Model

Vacation Bible School is evolving across Northern Illinois, as churches rethink summer faith formation through community partnerships, multigenerational experiences, youth leadership, creative programs and service. From original curricula and bilingual programs to camps held outside church walls, NIC congregations are finding new ways to help children, families and neighbors encounter God and build relationships. Read how churches are stretching the traditional VBS model to create meaningful summer faith experiences.

Read the shared Prairie North VBS stories:

Apple River UMC created its own VBS curriculum around the theme, “How Does Jesus Love Us?” Each day focused on kindness, mercy, forgiveness or sacrifice, combining Bible stories, children’s literature and in-depth art projects.

Using Illustrated Ministry’s “Compassion Camp,” the children of Faith UMC in Freeport met each Wednesday afternoon in July rather than every day for a week. Using Psalm 104, children explored the needs of all living things and considered how they can care for people, plants, and animals in their local Freeport ecosystem.

German Valley UMC co-hosted a community VBS with Grace Valley Christian Reformed Church and Silver Creek Reformed Church. Children participated in a four-day "Rainforest Falls" (Group Publishing) adventure, exploring the message that God is forever and celebrating the theme “WOW, GOD!”

At Christ UMC in Rockford, children participated in “Kingdom Quest” VBS from Orange, exploring God’s kingdom through Bible stories, worship, music, games, crafts, and hands-on activities. The week included a foam party and concluded with family worship and a community celebration involving children, families, youth helpers, and adult volunteers.

“Galaxy” VBS created by Group Publishing, invited children of Bethel UMC in Shannon to discover God’s Word through daily Bible truths, games, energetic music, and meaningful projects. Children created their own solar systems, built friendships and learned about God’s love, with the church especially celebrating the opportunity to welcome children who had never attended church before.

Using Cokesbury’s “Snowball Mountain Challenge” curriculum, Scales Mound UMC welcomed children and volunteers. In addition to the regular VBS activities, they also collected food for the Apple River Food Pantry and raised approximately $1,000 for local charities and future VBS expenses.

Wesley UMC in Stockton created a custom VBS experience, “Jesus is the Ticket,” as a Fresh Expressions-inspired community outreach event that welcomed about 150 people. Through carnival games such as fishing, basketball, cake walks and target games, participants connected faith lessons with fun activities, while families also enjoyed free hot dogs, bingo and more than $600 worth of school supplies.

If your church is missing, please share your story and photos with Lisa Smith (LSmith@UMCNIC.org), and we will continue updating the story as more information is received.

Finding Resurrection in Broken Glass

The fire that damaged Christ United Methodist Church in Rockford also shattered a beloved stained-glass window, but its broken pieces have found new life as more than 100 pendants and worry stones. What began as an experiment became a story of resurrection, remembrance and hope, giving members a tangible way to carry the window’s memory and meaning with them. As the congregation prepares to install a new stained-glass window, the fragments remind us that, like Christ’s resurrection, new life and beauty can emerge from what is broken. Read More.

What could God do through your church if you tried something new?

Sat., Sept. 19, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Rockford: Grace

Join Rev. Dr. Michael Beck, director of Fresh Expressions for The United Methodist Church, for an engaging day of creative learning, hands-on activities, and practical tools to help your church connect with new people in new ways.

Prairie North is hosting this special opportunity, and we want you there! Gather with clergy and laity from across the Conference to explore fresh ways to build relationships, engage your community, and cultivate new expressions of church.

$10 per person or $25 per church, including lunch.

Come ready to imagine what’s possible—and leave with ideas you can put into practice. Learn more.

Conference-Wide Faithful Action Day: Sept. 13

There’s still time to join a Faithful Action Day event on Sunday, Sept. 13. Check the list of churches and communities already planning actions to find an event near you—or, if your church hasn’t made plans yet, there’s still time to organize your own. Find an event or learn how to plan an action.

The NIC Finance and Administration Office is continuing to offer free webinars to help pastors, treasurers, finance committees, and other church leaders navigate essential financial, administrative and leadership responsibilities. Webinars are recorded and available for later viewing.

2027 Budget Information, Sept. 15, 7 p.m.
Prepare your church’s 2027 budget with an overview of apportionments, clergy pension and health care changes, clergy flat rate and property insurance, with SPRC and Finance Committee members especially encouraged to attend.
Protecting Your Church: Preventing the Most Common Property Insurance Claims, Sept. 22, 6:30 p.m.
Learn from real-world restoration examples about common property losses and practical steps your church can take to prevent and reduce damage.
Benefits Enrollment, Sept. 23, 11:30 a.m.
Get an overview of 2027 benefits plan changes before Open Enrollment begins in late October.
Charge Conference Forms, Sept. 29. 7 p.m.
Get everything you need to prepare for this year’s Charge Conference, including an overview of required forms, reporting in BrickRiver and best practices for completing the process.

View the full upcoming schedule and browse previous webinar recordings.

View and discuss My Omaha

This September, NIC and Collective Action to Build Community (CA2BC) are hosting multiple free screenings of My Omaha from Sept. 14–20. My Omaha explores a son’s search for truth and common ground with his father while examining racial divisions between Omaha’s Black and white communities. There is also an at-home individual streaming option available during this time period, with a private viewing link emailed to participants. Learn more.

Plus, don’t miss a special live Zoom conversation with film director, Nick Beaulieu, and community activist, Leo Louis II. on Sun., Sept. 20, at 3 p.m.

Click here to learn more and register.

Executive Assistant Position Open

The NIC is seeking an executive administrative assistant. The person in this role will provide comprehensive administrative and executive support to the bishop and assistant to the bishop, including managing complex scheduling, communications, travel, events, financial processes, and special projects. Application deadline is Sept. 21. Learn More.

Other Lay Academies offered around the conference:

Lake South: Oct. 3 & 10, 9 a.m.–3 p.m., Location: TBD
Prairie South: Oct. 10 & 17, 8:30 a.m.–2:30 p.m., Mt. Morris: Disciples, 102 N. Maple Ave.
Prairie Central: Nov. 7 & 14, 8:30 a.m.–4 p.m., Lombard: First UMC, 155 S. Main St.
Lake North: Nov. 7 & 14, 8:30 a.m.–3:30 p.m., Oak Park: Euclid Avenue UMC, 405 S. Euclid Ave.

HAPPENING AROUND THE CONFERENCE

UMM Walk Each Day with Hope

Join Northern Illinois Conference United Methodist Men for the Annual Spiritual Congress, Sept. 11–13, at Conference Point Center in Williams Bay, Wis. This annual retreat offers men a weekend of renewal through worship, learning, fellowship, prayer, service, and relaxation. Enjoy inspiring speakers, music, a service project, UMM awards, a Christian movie, and time together along the shores of Lake Geneva. Come for one, two, or all three days, with overnight accommodations available. All men are welcome! Learn more.

Join Youth from Across Northern Illinois This Fall

Experience a weekend of faith, friendship, and adventure at the Northern Illinois Conference Youth Fall Retreat, Sept. 25–27, at Camp Timber-lee in East Troy, Wis. Connect with youth (grades 6-12) from across the conference through inspiring worship, small groups, campfires, and exciting outdoor activities, including zip-lining, fishing, axe throwing, and more. Registration is now open—don’t miss this opportunity to grow in faith, make new friends, and create lasting memories. Learn more and register today. Learn more.

Safe Sanctuaries Fall Online Training

Help create safe, trusting spaces where children, youth, elders, and all people can experience God’s love and fellowship. Join the Training on Sat., Sept. 26, from 9 a.m.–12 p.m. via Zoom. The $20 registration fee includes class instruction and a background check. Learn more.

Saturday, Sept. 26, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Bethany of Fox Valley UMC in Aurora

This free event features accessible worship, four workshop sessions, lunch with a panel discussion (optional $10 lunch fee), and practical tools to help churches become more welcoming and accessible to people of all abilities. Workshop topics include disability awareness, accessible worship, neurodiversity, advocacy, technology, and creating inclusive ministries on any budget. Learn more.

Clergy: Innovate for Our Future

Clergy are invited to the School of Leadership, Sept. 29–Oct. 1 at Green Lake Conference Center in Wis. Featuring Rev. Dr. Kenda Creasy Dean, the gathering offers renewal, learning, and conversation on innovative ministry leadership. Registration is $100 (after subsidy), including meals; lodging is separate. Use code NIC for the reduced rate. Learn more.

Other Upcoming Events

Sept. 3, 10, 17 and 24: Online VIM Team Leader Training. For mission leaders, whether you’re leading for the first time, have led teams in the past, or have completed the training previously and are looking for updated information.
Sept. 13: Conference-Wide Faithful Action Day. A day for NIC churches to step out of their sanctuaries to march, pray, and sing in a large-scale show of support for our immigrant brothers and sisters.
Sept. 24: UVC Raising Our Voices. Annual advocacy & awards event for United Voices for Children

Save the Date

Oct. 5-8: NCJ Commission on Archives & History Convocation. Opportunity for supporting others and sharing ideas and resources.
Oct. 24: UW Faith NIC Annual Meeting
Nov. 6-8: Exploration 2026. For young adults to explore God’s call to ordained ministry through worship, fellowship, theological reflection, and practical workshops.
Nov. 12-14: Do No Harm 2026. A virtual conference equipping the Church to prevent sexual harm and foster trauma-informed care.
Nov. 17-19: National Workshop for Christian Unity

LOCAL CHURCH RESOURCES

Ministry with the Aging and Caregivers

The US is growing older at an unprecedented rate. Millions of older adults want to remain in their homes, connected to their churches, families, and communities. Yet many require assistance with transportation, meals, medications, bathing, or simply companionship. Both aging people and their caregivers can use support and care, a retired UM pastor says. Read More.

Help Shape How We Tell Our Story

United Methodist Communications is gathering input from leaders, clergy, and members across the connection to help shape messaging for The United Methodist Church’s next season of renewal. Share your perspectives on faith, community and what makes The UMC unique through this anonymous 15-minute survey, open through Sept. 4. Take the Survey.

Children can also participate through the “What I Love About Church” activity sheet, sharing what their church means to them.

Is Your Church Still Using Microsoft Publisher?

If your church uses Microsoft Publisher for bulletins or weekly newsletters, now is the time to start planning for a replacement. Publisher is scheduled to retire in October 2026, and several alternatives are available at free, low-cost and paid levels. UMComm offers advice and tools for practical Publisher alternatives, along with Canva training to help churches and ministries create common communications materials—from setting up an account to designing content you use every day. Read More.

Grants & Scholarships:

Fall Opportunities

Several grants and scholarships are available this fall to support local churches and leaders.

GBCS Grants: The General Board of Church and Society (GBCS) awards grants to United Methodist congregations and groups related to The United Methodist Church in three categories: Peace with Justice, Ethnic Local Church and Human Relations Day. Deadline: Aug. 31 at 5 p.m. EDT
Midwest Methodist Foundation: Up to $5,000 will be awarded to two churches in each NIC district for new or expanded programs, with priority given to community outreach and service. Deadline: Sept. 30.
NIC UWFaith Scholarship: The NIC Chapter of United Women in Faith offers a scholarship for women pursuing ordained or lay church vocations. The guidelines can be found here. Deadline: Sept. 15

Suicide Hotline available

For those contemplating suicide or who just desperately need someone with whom to talk. It is confidential and free. Just call 988. The service has also been expanded for Spanish-speaking persons and deaf or hard-of-hearing persons, including those who use American Sign Language.

Other Resources

ResourceUMC—your online destination for United Methodist Church leaders. Whether you’re seeking inspiration or practical information, this site is your go-to resource. Check back often for fresh ideas and insights to empower your leadership across our connection.
UMC Giving Resources—Mission Moments, Special Sunday Info, Leader Kits, Pew Cards, and more.
United Media Resource Center—Lending library of Christian materials for local churches, small groups, pastors, children, and individuals.

Like Us on Facebook: Prairie North District

Rev. Hwa-Young Chong

Prairie North District Superintendent

hychong@umcnic.org

Prairie North District Office at Rockford: Christ UMC

4509 Highcrest Road, Trinity Building, Rockford, IL 61107

872-810-0857

Debra Rogers

Administrative Assistant
Working from the Chicago Office
303 E. Wacker Dr., Suite 2020, Chicago, IL 60601

drogers@umcnic.org

872-810-0901

Do you have news to share?

We are always looking for stories of what is happening in your church. We welcome articles from churches highlighting ministries, outreach, and missions that tell the story of being vital Christians. Events considered should be of conference-wide appeal and United Methodist-related.

District eNews are sent out the 2nd and 4th Thursdays of the month. Please submit stories and events by end of business on the 2nd and 4th Mondays. Space is limited. Stories of fewer than 250 words are preferred. Submissions will be edited at the discretion of Communications staff. Information can be emailed to communications@umcnic.org.

Check out our Submit News page for more details.

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