News & Updates

June 25, 2026

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Hello Prairie Central!

It was wonderful to see many of you at Annual Conference last week! I was encouraged to see so many youth delegates—wow! I was especially grateful to see Milan C. and Pedro M., our official Prairie Central youth delegates. But I also saw that several churches sent youth/young adult delegates from their churches, and several of them even spoke on the floor of Annual Conference!

In our Prairie Central District, we celebrated the One Matters Award, given to Naperville: Grace UMC, and the John Wesley Award for Highest Per Member Giving to Missions, given to Joliet: Hope UMC. All of these things gave me hope, as I bore witness to such faithfulness!

As we move into the fullness of these summer months, may the hope we share in Christ surround and sustain you and your congregation!

Every Blessing,

DS Rev. Wendy Hardin Hermann

Prairie Central District Superintendent

Annual Conference Wrap-Up

Clergy and lay members of the Northern Illinois Annual Conference, along with guests, met to Practice Hope. Highlights included a youth-led panel during the Laity Session, the Celebration of Ministry service featuring ordination, commissioning, and recognition of ministry anniversaries, inspiring lunch-and-learn opportunities, Bishop’s episcopal address on becoming “refugia” in challenging times, and a public witness demonstrating love of neighbor. Members also passed the 2027 conference budget and other legislation, worshiped together, and explored ways to practice hope in their churches and communities.

One of the most encouraging signs of hope was the leadership of young people. Youth shared their perspectives during the Laity Session panel, offered prayers in worship, spoke thoughtfully at the microphones during plenary discussions, and actively participated in the conference's work. Their voices, faith, and leadership reminded members that the church’s future is not just ahead of us; it is already present among us. Prairie Central was represented by Milan Christian (West Chicago: New Hope), Maddie Connor (Geneva), Pedro Mayer (Schaumburg: Our Redeemer's), Maggie Proulx (Plainfield), Aidan Rodriguez (Plainfield), and Nathan Scates (Plainfield).

Our generosity was on full display. Members donated approximately 7,000 pounds of supplies, enough to fill two trucks, for Midwest Mission through the Mission Challenge, while churches and individuals contributed $30,960.52 so far to the Bishop’s Appeal supporting Education for Central Conferences. If you missed the opportunity to give, donations to both efforts can still be made.

Whether you were unable to attend AC, missed a session, or want to share highlights, recordings of worship services, plenary sessions, and other conference events are available on our Vimeo Showcase. You can also browse photo galleries from all three days of Annual Conference, including a separate gallery of Celebration of Ministry photos. Catch up on all Annual Conference-related news and stories on our website.

To help share key highlights, legislative actions, and conference decisions with your church, download the AC PowerPoint presentation and use it during worship, meetings, or other congregational gatherings.

Visit the Annual Conference Website

Congratulations Grace UMC in Naperville!

The One Matters Discipleship Award highlights churches who have in recent years moved from zero baptisms and zero professions of faith into positive numbers. Grace UMC is the 2026 winner for Prairie Central. Read their story. Learn more about the One Matters Award Winners here.

#BeUMC Award Presented Posthumously to Rev. Char Hoffmann

New for 2026, the #BeUMC Awards recognize individuals and congregations who embody our shared calling to love boldly, serve joyfully, and lead courageously as part of The United Methodist Church's mission. Learn more. At this year’s Annual Conference, the #BeUMC Clergy Award was presented posthumously to Rev. Char Hoffmann in recognition of her extraordinary ministry and lasting impact across the conference. Her family accepted the award on her behalf, honoring her deep commitment to the church and her continued faithful service even in retirement. Read her story.

Congratulations Hope UMC in Joliet!

Hope UMC in Joliet is the recipient of the John Wesley Mission Links Award for the highest giving per member. Mission Links churches have given 100% of their apportionments and supported projects in each of the 7 giving areas. Thank you for living out the Beatitudes and being a blessing for projects around the block and around the world. Learn more.

Almost 200 March for Justice for Immigrants

Members of the NIC AC took part in the public demonstration on Mon., June 15, marching to show support for immigrants, refugees, and all those facing discrimination and unjust treatment. Participants sang, prayed, carried signs, and heard messages from church leaders, including Bishop Schwerin, who reminded marchers that “neighbors are not metaphors” but beloved members of God’s kin-dom. Read more.

Find ways your congregation can continue this work through prayer, advocacy, relationship-building, and support for immigrants in your own neighborhood.

DIY Faithful Action: Loving Our Neighbor Community Engagement Event The DIY (Do-it-yourself) format encourages each congregation to organize an event that works for their church while bearing witness to God’s commandment to "love your neighbor as yourself.” CCORR created a checklist to assist churches with planning an event that acknowledges the humanity and dignity of our immigrant siblings.
Conference-Wide Day of Action – On Sept. 13, churches across the conference are invited to participate in a coordinated day of public witness to demonstrate large-scale support for our immigrant brothers and sisters.

Prairie Central District Zoom Gatherings

Paused for June and July

Our next zoom gathering will be on Sept. 10, and after that we will meet quarterly.

Questions? Message DS Rev. Wendy Hardin Hermann

Becoming the Beloved Community is a workshop that conveys not only facts and essential knowledge about race and racism but also seeks to help us experience some of the harm and hurt racial prejudice has caused. Learn more.

NIC Students Earn UM Higher Education Scholarships

Thirty-four Northern Illinois Conference students received United Methodist scholarships from the General Board of Higher Education and Ministry (GBHEM) in 2025, totaling $82,522 in support for their educational journeys. These scholarships are available to both undergraduate and graduate students, with GBHEM awarding approximately $4 million annually to students across the connection. Learn more.

Congratulations to the following Prairie Central recipients:

Delia Akyea from Aurora: Wesley UMC attending Northwestern University Medical School
Kritika Chitnis from Naperville: Community UMC attending Augustana College for a Bachelor of Arts
Milan Christian from West Chicago: First UMC attending DePaul University for a Bachelor in Business Administration
Erin Lim from Schaumburg: Salem Korean UMC attending Saint Louis University for a Bachelor of Science
Jungmi Kang from Carol Stream: St. Andrew UMC attending Graduate Theological Union for a Doctorate degree
Jungi Kim from Schaumburg: Salem Korean UMC attending Loyola University Chicago for a Bachelor of Business Administration
Joshua Lim from Schaumburg: Salem Korean UMC attending University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign for a Bachelor of Science
Marissa Noll from Carol Stream: St. Andrew UMC attending Illinois State University for an Associate in Arts
Hailey Noll from Carol Stream: St. Andrew UMC attending Aurora University for a Bachelor of Arts
Eui Jin Shin from Woodstock: First UMC attending Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary for a Master of Divinity

HAPPENING AROUND THE CONFERENCE

Revolutionize Your Ministry

with AI and Hybrid Worship

Join church technology leader Jason Moore on July 17-18 at Woori UMC in Naperville for a two-day training designed to help churches embrace innovation with confidence. Learn practical and ethical ways to use AI in ministry, and discover strategies for creating engaging hybrid worship experiences to strengthen your congregation’s outreach and discipleship. Attend one day or both. Learn more.

Join Church Leaders in Columbus for SCD 2026

Leaders will gather August 2–5 in Columbus for SCD 2026: RISE UP. Through inspiring worship, practical workshops, and visionary speakers, you’ll gain fresh tools and a renewed sense of purpose for leading your congregation into the future. Bring your team and be part of a movement of innovation, disciple-making, and courageous leadership shaping the future of the church. Space is limited, so reserve your spot soon. Learn more.

Other Upcoming Events

July 10-12, July 25, Aug. 8: NIC UWFaith Mission u: Teaching events open to all for learning, fellowship, and spiritual growth.
July 19 to 21: Christmas Institute: Retreat open to youth ages 13 to 16 across our conference and beyond.
Aug. 8: Immigration 101: Welcoming the Stranger: A joint program between people of faith and the NIC Advocacy Partners Immigration Committee to clarify the facts surrounding immigration and to get a theological grounding of our call to action.

Save the Date

Sept. 11-13: UM Men Spiritual Congress
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. 25-27: NIC Fall Youth Retreat: For Middle School and High School students (6th to 12th grade) at Camp Timber-lee, East Troy, WI
Sept 26: Safe Sanctuaries Training: Equip volunteers, staff, and leaders in abuse prevention
Sept. 29 to Oct. 1: School for Leadership: Innovating for Our Future Open to all clergy from Northern Illinois and Wisconsin.
Oct. 5-8: NCJ Commission on Archives & History Convocation
Nov. 12-14: Do No Harm 2026 A virtual conference equipping the Church to prevent sexual harm and foster trauma-informed care.

LOCAL CHURCH RESOURCES

Wear Your Faith:

Shop NIC-Branded Apparel and Gifts

Purchase NIC-branded merchandise online. Available are water bottles, windbreakers, hoodies, shirts, backpacks, notepads, and more, all displaying the conference logo. They can be great conversation starters to help you tell others what you appreciate about the UMC. Read more.

What's changing on social media, and what it means for your church

Facebook, Instagram, and other platforms have rolled out some notable updates recently - and a few of them are worth paying attention to if you manage your church's social media. UMComm breaks down what's new and what it means for your congregation. Read more.

Don't forget to share your Mission Trip and VBS Stories with us for an end-of-the-summer recap! Share your photos and stories with us, email Lisa Smith.

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 Central District

Rev. Wendy Hardin-Hermann

Prairie Central District Superintendent

whardinhermann@umcnic.org

872-810-0873

Do you have news to share?

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