News & Updates

March 26, 2026

** Note ** You are receiving the district eNews because your name is in our Lay Leadership Database as a leader in your local church. If you are no longer interested in receiving the District eNews, please click the Update Profile link at the bottom of the email. (Clicking UnSubscribe means you will not receive ANY emails from the conference including appointment announcements, sympathy notices and weekly eNews)

Laith Moving Forward with Hope

At Laity Convocation, participants explored hope, relationships, and faithful action. A panel of young adults brought energy and honesty to the conversation, sharing that hope is active and rooted in purpose. Their reflections, in addition to words from Bishop Schwerin and Rev. Hope Chernich, sparked meaningful discussion, highlighting the vital role youth play in shaping a hopeful, connected future for the church. Read more.

Town and Rural Grants Closing Soon

Small-town and rural churches are encouraged to apply now for the PACK (Planned Act of Christian Kindness) Grant and the Keagy Grant, which support community outreach and ministry initiatives. PACK grants range from $100–$500 for acts of kindness in the community, while Keagy Grants provide $500–$5,000 for larger projects that strengthen evangelism, discipleship, justice, and compassion.

Don’t miss this opportunity to support your church’s ministry—applications are due March 31. Learn more.

Note: A corrected copy of The Reporter has been mailed following a printing issue that resulted in missing pages in the original edition. Thank you for your understanding. We hope this replacement ensures you receive the complete publication. View the most recent issue here.

Registration now open!

Join the NIC Council on Young People’s Ministry on Sat., April 18, as youth from across the conference travel together by bus to visit four different houses of worship. This interfaith experience is designed to foster learning, curiosity, and faithful conversation while building community among middle school and high school youth.The trip costs $20 which includes breakfast, lunch and transportation. Space is limited. Learn more.

Your Thoughts Needed About NIC Communications

The conference is undergoing a communications audit in order to provide churches and people with the information they seek, as well as how they want to receive it. Your opinion is valuable! The survey is online, but a paper survey will be mailed to churches for those who are not online. Anyone interested may participate. Learn more.

UVC 5th Sunday Appeal, March 29: New Video Resource Available

To help promote UVC's Fifth Sunday Appeal, a new video from Rev. Abby Holcombe, UVC President, is now available for churches to share with their congregations. Since 1979, Northern Illinois congregations have supported UVC's hrough the Fifth Sunday Appeal to support the affiliated agencies—Kids Above All, MYSI, and Rosecrance. Congregations are invited to receive a special offering on any fifth Sunday, creating a simple yet impactful way for churches of all sizes to support at-risk children, youth, and families. HOW TO GIVE: Write a check to your local church and write, “UVC Fifth Sunday Appeal” in the memo line. Churches can give through the NIC Apportionment process. Learn more.

Spring 2026 Safe Sanctuary Training

Join us for an excellent opportunity to prepare and train volunteers ahead of summer ministries, including Vacation Bible School. We will offer an online Safe Sanctuaries® training on Saturday, April 25, from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. via Zoom. The cost is $20 and includes both instruction and a background check. Reminder: Safe Gatherings is another option for training volunteers online at their own pace. Learn more.

Latest Information

Documents: Legislative proposals and historical documents are due April 1. Use the forms linked here.
Registration: Voting members and guests may begin registering on April 1. Find all the registration information here.
Childcare: This year, children ages 1 through 17 are welcome to childcare at Our Saviour's UMC, Schaumburg (in conjunction with Our Redeemer's UMC). Also new for 2026, children can remain in care over scheduled breaks and meals. Registration opens April 1.
Mass choir: We invite singers from across the Conference to participate in the Sunday Celebration of Ministry service on June 14. Interested in being part of this mass choir? Fill out the form here.
Memorial Service: Rev. Dr. Brian Gilbert will preach at the service in the early afternoon of June 15. Names of those remembered at the Memorial Service are gathered from clergy records; however, we encourage you to submit names to be sure no one is missed.
#BeUMC Nominations Now Due April 10: The #BeUMC Awards, honoring a church, layperson, and clergyperson who embody our shared vision, deadline has been moved up to April 10.

Opportunities to Give and Make an Impact

Bishop’s Appeal: We will support Education for Central Conferences, including the construction of a high school in Tanzania and the Endowment for Theological Education, investing in future leaders and communities. Find more information and resources here.
Mission Challenge: The Conference Board of Global Missions will be accepting the most-needed items for Midwest Mission's home care and personal dignity kits during designated drop-off times. Find a full list of items and resources here.
Volunteers: Help is needed for the check-in table and information desk, ushers, guides, and others to provide hospitality and assist the Annual Conference staff so the event runs smoothly. You may help out for part of a day or longer. Sign up here.

Visit the Annual Conference Website

HAPPENING AROUND THE CONFERENCE

Continue the Conversation with Culture Shift Part 2

Sun., May 3,

2 to 5:30 p.m.

Barrington UMC

Free Event

This follow-up in-person workshop with Jim Ozier, builds on the January 31 Zoom gathering, offering space for reflection, discussion, and shared learning. Participants are encouraged to attend and continue this important work of helping our churches become healthier and more vital together. Learn more.

Other Upcoming Events

March 28 & April 11: Spanish Lay Servant Ministries Classes: Lay Servant Academy Classes for Spanish speakers.
March 30: Addressing Youth Mental Health: Focus on youth mental health advocacy efforts and learn how to talk with children and youth.
April 15: Springfield Advocacy Day 2026: Talk with state legislators about racism and public policy. Deadline for registration March 31.
April 19: Native American Ministries Sunday
April 20, 27, May 4, 11, 2026: UMVIM Team Leader Training: For anyone who would like to lead teams on mission journeys and/or anyone who needs a refresher.
April 23-24: Healing Through Trauma and Attachment: This two-day seminar, offered by a UM-related organization for children and families, will help clergy better recognize and counsel individuals and families experiencing trauma and attachment-related issues.
April 29 - May 2: Shifting the Atmosphere Gathering: This national leadership and worship gathering for pastors, worship leaders, and ministry teams from Black Christian congregations.

Save the Date

May 5-7: Joint Christian Advocacy Summit on Israel/Palestine
May 15-17: UWFaith Assembly 2026: Gathering of United Women in Faith from around the world in Indianapolis, IN
June 26 to 28: NIC CORR Illinois Pilgrimage
Aug. 2-5: SCD 2026 Equips and empowers leaders to build communities where people truly belong and, together, become more like Christ—loving boldly, serving joyfully, and leading courageously for the sake of the world.Hosted in Columbus, OH

LOCAL CHURCH RESOURCES

2025 Journal Published

Download or order a print copy of the 2025 Journal. Find a link to the free PDF document here. You can also order a printed version for $11.50. Order from Amazon here. For the current and previous journals and information on how to obtain them, visit the journal website.

Host UM Missionary Serving Honduras

Meet missionary Daniel Humberto Contreras Varas, program director with the UM Mission in Honduras. He’ll be visiting our conference June 5-10. Churches interested in hosting Daniel for worship, presentations, or fellowship may contact Rev. Shirley Pulgar Hughes, NIC secretary of global ministries by email or phone at (815) 474-5540.

Webinar Recordings Now Available: “Love Boldly, Serve Joyfully, Lead Courageously”

All three webinars in the “Love Boldly, Serve Joyfully, Lead Courageously” series are now available to watch. If you missed a session or would like to revisit the conversations on theology, missiology, and ecclesiology, recordings are now accessible to view and share. Learn more.

Free VBS Curriculum from Midwest Mission

Investigate the Hive. This free, five-session Midwest Mission vacation Bible school curriculum was created in partnership with pastors to equip churches to help kids discover their God-given role in bringing hope and healing to a broken world. Rooted in the belief that God loves and cares for all people, this curriculum empowers children to act on that love through kind words, generous giving, and a heart for service. Learn more.

Vital Conversations on Immigration Study

The NIC Committee on Religion and Race’s Immigration Team recommends this five-week study from the General Commission on Religion and Race to all churches interested in learning more about immigration. The course seeks to cultivate a culture of caring for the well-being of migrants and to promote opposition to policies that encourage hostility to and mistreatment of migrants. It is not formulated for immigration activists; rather, it strives to ground the outlook of the participants on the immigration issue in scriptural teaching and United Methodist principles. 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

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.

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.

Keep Up to Date With All Conference Events and News in the Weekly Email!

If you would like to receive the weekly Conference eNews and other important announcements, including sympathy notices and appointment announcements, please sign up online or click the Update Profile button at the bottom of this email.

NOTE - Clicking UNSUBSCRIBE below means you will be unsubscribing from ALL Constant Contact emails from the NIC (Appointment Announcements, Sympathy Notices, etc). If you want to stop receiving one newsletter, please click "Update Profile" below.