Bishop's Easter Greeting: 'Jesus Keeps Showing Up'

"We are a hopeful people because Jesus keeps showing up with love and newness of life," says Bishop Dan Schwerin in his Easter greeting. He points out how the many ways in which Christians "show up" for their neighbors reveal Jesus's presence, such as when they offer hospitality to new neighbors and work for peace. "Your practice of hope in your community is a gift of love and newness of life," he says.

There are also Easter greetings in the showcase for Hispanic, Korean, and Filipino congregations. Watch Bishop Schwerin's video below.

Endurance produces character, and character produces hope,

and hope does not put us to shame (Rom. 3:4, 5)

Registration Is Open Now!

• Registration for Annual Conference is now open! Fee is $160 until April 30; it rises to $175 from May 1 to 22. Register now and save money.
  
• As you register, please don't enter information in all capital letters. It requires staff to reformat the text. Thank you for your cooperation!

• If you'll need care for children and youth ages 1 through 17, make those reservations soon because space is limited. Our Saviour's UMC in conjunction with Schaumburg: Our Redeemer's UMC. New this year: hours are extended over conference breaks, basic meals are provided, and the age range includes children and youth ages 1 to 17. Fee: $20 per child per day; maximum cost for family (3+ children) is $60 per day. No prorated fees are available for partial-day usage. Please note that a permission and medical authorization form is required.

• Lunch-and-Learn (Monday, June 15) choices must be made while you register for the conference. We must plan for room size in advance. Options: Practicing Hope, Living Mission; Practicing Hope as an Anti-Racist Christian; Practicing Hope with Discipleship; Roots, Resilience, and the Road Ahead; Fresh Expressions: Sharing the Gift of Community in a Lonely World; and a subject to be led by Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary. 
  
• If you are a member of conference session, check your in-box for an email message with additional important information.

• Bishop's Appeal: Miracle Sunday is May 17. This year's Bishop's Appeal is for theological education in the Central Conferences (now among the regional conferences): Africa, Europe, and the Philippines. It will benefit the Endowment for Theological Education in the Central Conferences and the construction of a high school in Tanzania, under the leadership of missionary Rev. Young Seon Kim (known as Christina), an NIC clergy member. Bishop Schwerin urges churches to take the offering on May 17. Find more information here.

Keep checking this space for updates

Social Media Graphics for Holy Week

United Methodist News Service has prepared social media graphics for Holy Week. They can be used by any UM congregation. Apportionment sharing makes these available to you. Find them here.

Queer Theology Course for Laypeople

This six-session online course, meeting Mondays and Wednesdays, May 2-21, at 6 p.m. introduces participants to key concepts and methods in queer theology. Together, participants will explore how queer theological frameworks deepen engagement with scripture, tradition, and lived experience — cultivating more inclusive, justice-minded faith practices. Dr. Luther Young, the class teacher, brings great depth and warmth to this work. Fee for this Reconciling Ministries Network class: $200. More

New UMC Building in Senegal Opens Ministry Opportunities

After 18 years of worshipping in rented spaces, often in precarious conditions, the UM community in Diamniadio, Senegal, is grateful to be in a new sanctuary, Temple Beth Shalom United Methodist Church.

The new modern building can accommodate up to 200 people. It's much more than a brick structure; it represents the anchoring of the UMC in a religious landscape where Christians are a minority.

Members of the church designed and built the church— from the architecture to the finishing touches. Funding was made possible by the solidarity of the Senegal District circuits and the support of partners from now-closed Memorial United Methodist Church in Selma, Alabama, and Dakar Academy, a Christ-centered school in Senegal.

The building is not only a place of worship, but also a tool for spiritual formation and a driver of sustainable development for the local church. More

Pictured (from left): Naoutane Ndecky, Senegal District women’s president; Abraham Basse, district lay president; and Eric Ané raise their hands in prayer during the dedication service at Temple Beth Shalom UMC in Diamniadio, Senegal. Photo courtesy of the Senegal District.

Around the Conference

Fresh Expressions Monthly Gathering, April 9, 7:30 p.m., online. Michael Beck (the UMC's director of Fresh Expressions) leads the discussion.

Nominate individuals and churches for the #BeUMC awards by April 10. Nominate a church, a layperson, and/or a clergyperson.

Safe Sanctuaries Training, April 25, 9 a.m. to noon, online. Learn practices to keep children, youth, and vulnerable adults safe in church activities. You'll want your vacation Bible school leaders to take this training if they have not already. The $20 fee includes instruction and background check.

Creation Care Summit, May 2, 9 a.m. to noon, First UMC, Arlington Heights. Hear from Grace Hubbard, climate care coordinator of the New England Conference; learn practical ways churches can become more eco-friendly; and more.

Around the Connection

Easter, April 5

Native American Ministries Sunday, April 19

UMVIM Leader Training, April 20 and 27 and May 4 and 11, 6 to 8 p.m., via Zoom. Learn from the five jurisdiction coordinators and others through discussions, resources, connecting, and networking. Register here.

Healing Through Trauma and Attachment: A Pastor's Tool Kit, April 23-24, Chaddock, Quincy, Ill. This two-day seminar offered by a UM-related organization for children and families will assist clergy to better recognize and counsel individuals and families suffering from trauma and attachment-related issues.



Reminder: The NIC cabinet and bishop observe a weekly sabbath from Thursday evening to Friday noon. During that time, they will refrain from using electronic devices. Barring an emergency, they will not respond to phone calls, emails, or texts.

Resources on Sabbath

The United Media Resource Center has resources on sabbath to lend. Some examples:

“Creating Sabbath Space in Our Lives,” a DVD with Ron Rolheiser

Sabbath's Sake: Embracing Your Need for Rest, Worship, and Community, by J. Dana Trent

Invitation to Retreat: The Gift and Necessity of Time Away with God, by Ruth Haley Barton

Sabbath as Resistance: Saying No to the Culture of Now, by Walter Brueggemann

Sabbath Keeping: Finding Freedom In the Rhythms of Rest, by Lynne Baab

The United Media Resource Center has books, DVDs, and more to lend to your church's Christian education, faith formation, and book club ministries for children, youth, and adults. Borrow a resource of your own interest as well. Check their online catalog.

List of resources

Online catalog

Contact the center

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