News & Updates

April 24, 2025

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NIC Students Receive UM Scholarships

With your support, the General Board of Higher Education and Ministry (GBHEM) awarded more than $3.7 million in scholarships to 1,895 United Methodist students in 2024. Twenty-three students from our conference received UMC scholarships, over $53,000, for their 2024 studies. These future leaders range from first-year students to doctorate-level students across the denomination.

GBHEM appreciates your participation in supporting United Methodist Student Day, World Communion Sunday and Native American Sunday, which all help fund our scholarships. The remaining funds for these awards come from gifts, annuities and endowments GBHEM has invested and administered for decades. Learn more about GBHEM Scholarships.

Congratulations to the Prairie South Students who received scholarships!

Joshua Brown, from Genoa: Faith UMC, serving Chana UMC and Polo: First UMC, attending Emory University, Candler School Of Theology for a Masters of Divinity
Daniel Doh, from Channahon UMC, attending Boston University for a Bachelor of Science

Read the list of some of the NIC scholarship recipients here.

Hurt Caused by Indian Boarding School

Local United Methodists attended Schingoethe Center Museum at Aurora University on March 13 for a private viewing of the “Away from Home” exhibit. Joseph Standing Bear Schranz shared his own journey and stories of seeing and being subject to grave injustices to Native people. Read more

Mission Link Highlight:

Native American Ministries Sunday recognizes and honors the gifts and contributions made by Native Americans to society and church.

The offering taken on this Special Sunday supports the development and strengthening of Native American ministries in every annual conference (50 percent); the remainder helps fund scholarships for Native Americans pursuing ordained or licensed ministry. If you would like a speaker to come to your church or obtain informational materials, contact Rev. Dr. Michelle Oberwise Lacock, chair of NIC’s Committee on Native American Ministries.

HOW TO GIVE: Write a check to your local church and write, “Native American Ministries Sunday” in the memo line. Churches can give through the NIC Apportionment process.

May/June Reporter Available Online

Catch up on the most recent news and photos from the conference. Read about CCFA's recommendation for a new apportionment formula, and how we share for the good of the whole mission, including a bunch of congregational development resources. In his column, Bishop Schwerin reminds us that life is a bundle of contradictions. Rev. Fabiola Grandon-Mayer reminds us that the table is set for connection at Annual Conference. Rev. Danita R. Anderson would love to visit your church. Rev. Christian Coon introduces the Turtle Awards. Co-Lay Leader Eugene Williams celebrates our connectionalism.

You can check out the issue online and read the news stories here.

Registrations

Clergy, and Lay Members to Annual Conference: The registration cost will go up on May 1 to $170. Learn more.
Guests and Volunteers: Registration is free, with the exception of Tuesday, when registration is $25 to help cover part of the cost of the box lunch. Learn more.
Child Care is open for children of registered Annual Conference members ages 6 months to 12 years old. Learn more.
Mass Choir: The worship team is looking for individuals to sing during the Celebration of Ministry Service on Monday, June 9, at 7 p.m. Learn more.
Note: All registration closes May 23, there is no on-site registration

Other things to note:

Constitutional Amendments: Voting for the Constitutional Amendments will be in the afternoon of Tuesday, June 10. Please plan accordingly. Educational opportunities are available on April 26 (10 a.m.) and 29 (6 p.m.). Learn more.
Mission Challenge: The NIC Board of Global Ministries is collecting items for homecare kits and personal dignity kits for Midwest Mission. Obtain items from their list of most needed items and bring them to the mission truck, which will be parked in the east lot of the convention center on Mon., June 9, and Tues., June 10. Learn more.

Visit the AC2025 Website

Phishing Alert: We’ve been made aware of a phishing email circulating that falsely offers contact details of Annual Conference attendees for sale. Please be assured that the Northern Illinois Conference has not shared this information and remains committed to protecting your privacy.

Implementing creative new ways to reach out to friends and neighbors is crucial. Bishop Schwerin and Rev. Christian Coon recently had a conversation about encouraging innovation and Innovative Outreach was chosen for this year's Bishop’s Appeal. Watch the video here. Invite your church to donate to the Bishop’s Appeal and bring the gifts to be collected on Tues., June 10. Learn more.

HAPPENING AROUND THE CONFERENCE

#PrayerOnThe100th

Join in a 24-hour prayer of unity from 7:00 p.m. on April 30 (100 days since the U.S. presidential inauguration) through 7 p.m. on May 1 (the National Day of Prayer). The ecumenical event, endorsed by the NIC, is designed to unite us around our yearning for healing and a better world. You can participate in the NIC Virtual Prayer Vigil, create your own PrayerOnThe100th event at your church/community, or join in with The United Methodist Church of Libertyville in their activities (including Drive-Through Prayer, Park and Pray, Spaces for Prayer and Listening, and a Front-Porch Prayer Gathering). Learn more.

JOY Camp Registration Open

JOY Camp is a week-long overnight camp open to incoming 5th Grade students through newly graduated high school seniors, hosted at Camp Reynoldswood. The camp runs from June 22nd to June 28th and has a total cost of $610 with discounts available for early registration (prior to June 1st), siblings, and payment in full at registration. Learn more.

Other Upcoming Conference Events:

2 ^nd & 4 ^th Wednesday at noon: Weekly Methodist Liaison Office update and virtual prayer meeting. Participants will hear from a Palestinian speaker and meet in small groups for prayer. Methodists and others from around the world participate. Read more.
April 26 or 29: Constitutional Amendment Education: An important educational opportunity to learn about the upcoming constitutional amendment voting at Annual Conference with members of the delegation and cabinet. Read more.
April 29: Tuesday Teaching. Join Rev. Christian Coon and Rev. Paul Lee at 11 a.m. to learn more about the beauty of Radical Hospitality. Read more.
April 30: Uplifting Young Methodists Scholarships applications due.
April 30: Live from Wespath: A no-cost virtual event exclusively for UMC clergy and lay features information and insights from Wespath about the new Compass clergy retirement plan, investments, benefits and well-being. Read more.
May 3: Transitions Workshop: For pastors and churches that are transitioning to a new appointment. Read more.
May 7: Lobby Day: Join the NIC CCORR Advocacy Partners in meeting with state legislators. Read more.
May 13: Clergy Session
May 13: Deacon Dinner with the Bishop: Deacons are invited to join in fellowship and conversation. Read more.
May 15: Creative Ministries Grant applications due.
May 18: Heritage Sunday
May 30-31: Notes of Rest Retreat: a time of extended reflection on your sabbath practice as a means of spiritual transformation. Deadline to apply is May 1. Read more.

LOCAL CHURCH RESOURCES

Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month

In May, we honor our Asian American and Pacific Islander brothers and sisters. We recognize the contributions they have made in our society. Not only have our Asian American and Pacific Islander brothers and sisters made life better and richer in the United States, but also they have enriched the quality of life in The United Methodist Church, sharing with us their cultural values of strong family relationships and a communal approach to living. Learn ways to celebrate in worship.

When was the last time you updated your church's profile?

One way your local community can find your church is through Find-A-Church. It's up to you to make sure your church's profile is up-to-date each year, or any time a significant change needs noting. United Methodist Communications can walk you through the steps. Learn more.

Creative Ministry Grants Deadline Approaching

In order to help support churches with creative programs in the summer, the Creative Ministry Grants team has moved the deadline from October to May. Coordinated by the program ministry members of the Annual Conference Shepherding Team, this grant aims to encourage creative, collaborative ministry programs throughout the conference. The grants support new, risk-taking initiatives to impact your community, freeing your church to explore new ways for your community to learn and be transformed.

NEW Application deadline: May 15. Learn more.

Is Your Church Due Some Funds?

Your church may have funds that it has not yet claimed. The Illinois Unclaimed Property website has numerous entries related to Methodist churches. Visit the site and see if your church is listed.Search the site.

Midwest Methodist Foundation Offers Generosity Coaching

The Midwest Methodist Foundation and Horizons Stewardship are partnering to provide on-demand generosity coaching to NIC churches at no cost and no obligation to the clergy or the church. Horizons offers a calendar tool for you to make an appointment in the coming weeks. Each session is 50 minutes long. Read more.

Good Futures Accelerator for Effective Building Use

Discover how to use your buildings and property to further your ministry in your neighborhood and to generate new income streams. The Midwest Methodist Foundation makes the Good Futures Accelerator course available to NIC churches at half price. Use the code MMF-50 when registering. Learn more.

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

#BeUMC Resources -Tool Kits, Social Media Kits, Graphics, and more.
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.

Rev. Brian Gilbert

Prairie South District Superintendent

bgilbert@umcnic.org

872-810-0864

Leola Tucker

Administrative Assistant

ltucker@umcnic.org

872-810-0913

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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