The April Reporter is now available to read online and will be delivered to mailboxes soon.

In this issue, we focus on highlighting Lent and Holy Week traditions in local churches as well as readers' reflections on the season. In their columns, both Bishop Schwerin and Rev. Arlene Christopherson share thoughts on the mid-term address by Bishop Bickerton. Learn about the historical display that highlighted our conference, the Black Teens Matter event, and the Annual Conference Speakers.

Also, in local church news, read about the Tri-City Methodists reconnecting the connection, Valentine's baskets from Hannover UMC, and a welcoming space at Bolingbrook: Friendship UMC.

Rev. Victoria Rebeck joined the Northern Illinois Conference staff as Director of Communications, effective March 15, 2023. She will oversee the communications strategy and execution for the conference.

Victoria was ordained a deacon in the Northern Illinois Conference in 2001. (She is now a member of the Minnesota Conference.)

“I am very pleased to be back in the Northern Illinois Conference and to be able to put my ministry gifts to work for Northern Illinois,” she said. “I share the conference’s priorities and mission. I am grateful to be part of making those a reality."

You may reach her by email at [email protected] or [email protected].

More updates and details will be posted in the NIC eNews and on the website at umcnic.org/AC2023.

March is Women’s History Month, and the Methodist Church has a rich history of women’s leadership. Many different organizations across the denomination have wonderful resources. UMC.org offers this helpful Timeline of Women in Methodism. The General Commission on Religion and Race celebrates women of color in our Methodist lineage with a great infographic along with a litany of thanks for women of color leaders. They also offer ideas for worship, Sunday school, mission, outreach, and advocacy. Ask the UMC highlighted the stories of groundbreaking Black women in U.S. Methodist history including Ida Bell Wells-Barnett, Mary McLeod Bethune, Rev. Sallie Crenshaw, and Bishop Leontine T.C. Kelly. Find more resources here.

On April 23 we will be celebrating and collecting money for the Native American Ministries Special Sunday. The day serves to remind United Methodists of the gifts and contributions made by Native Americans to our society and in our communities. Donations support vital ministries and churches in the Native American communities and allow The UMC to partner with existing native ministries to develop new programs on behalf of Native Americans. Half of the donations collected remain within the Annual Conference to provide hope to children and youth, hope for a brighter future in impoverished communities, and a voice to those who have felt voiceless for years. Pastor and Leader resources are available here.

Project ARK (Advancing Resilient Khmer) and missionary Patrick Booth provide vocational training, housing, community inclusion, and introductory Bible lessons to individual human trafficking survivors in Camboia. Their ministry has grown from a community outreach program to a reliable and dependable construction company that provides quality service while also providing a service to the community.

Read more about their latest updates here.

Understanding Agriculture is important to our biblical and faith understandings. United Media Resource Center has some resources for more learning.

Resources include:

Find the online catalog here. The UMRC email address is [email protected]. 

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