Honor Faithful Older Adults Next Month

Many older adults in our churches serve faithfully behind the scenes. Their lives remind us that ministry is not only found in the spotlight, but also in steady, everyday acts of love and dedication, Joann Melad says in her article "Honor Older Adults in May and through the Golden Cross Offering."

In May, we honor and celebrate our older adults by designating a Sunday as Older Adults Sunday, a time to recognize their contributions and give thanks for their presence in our faith communities, she notes. Also next month, churches take the Golden Cross Offering. Donations support conference ministries with older adults, help provide scholarships for individuals serving in partner caregiving agencies, and support training and educational opportunities for caregivers and those involved in older adult ministry. Give through your church by marking "Golden Cross Offering" on your check memo or offering envelope. More

Endurance produces character, and character produces hope,

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

This Week's Reminders

• Join the mass choir that will sing during the Celebration of Ministry service on Sunday, June 14. Bring your choir robe from church if you can. Encourage three or four people from your church choir to participate. Sign up to participate here. 

• We need volunteers to make Annual Conference run smoothly. They provide hospitality to our guests, volunteer at the check-in and information table, serve as ushers and guides, and more. To sign up:

• Complete the Volunteer Form by May 22 and
• Register as a guest for Annual Conference

For more information, contact Debbie Rogers by email or call 872-810-0901.

• Register now for Annual Conference. Deadline: May 22.
  
• 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

How Churches Can Grow Young Again

Are you seeing fewer and fewer--sometimes not any--children come forward for children's time during worship? Laura Heikes has developed some practices to make worship more child-friendly. She notes in "When No Children Come Forward: How Churches Can Grow Young Again" in the Lewis Center's Leading. Ideas that worship services are usually not child-friendly. Children's time should be joyful and intentional, children should be greeted, and churches should go where children already are present, she says. More

Helping Those Seeking Financial Assistance

When people come to the church looking for financial help, the church may not have much in the way of resources for them, or not enough to help with the problem. Ask The UMC has gathered some sources that the church can point people to when they come asking for help. Find suggestions here.

What Churches Should Know About Miracle Sunday, May 17

Ensuring that pastors can pay for their education has long been a challenge— especially in Africa, the Philippines, and parts of Europe. While 71 percent of UM clergy in the U.S. have a master’s degree or higher in theology, less than 5 percent of clergy in Africa, Europe, and the Philippines can say the same.

Miracle Sunday, May 17 (see the Annual Conference updates section above), will help these regions have well-educated and prepared clergy. Half of the NIC's Bishop's Appeal will benefit the Endowment for Theological Education in Africa, Europe, and the Philippines.

Hear from the co-chairs who volunteered to lead the initiative: Bishop Eben K. Nhiwatiwa, who retired last year after leading the Zimbabwe Episcopal Area for more than 20 years, and Barbara Boigegrain, who retired in 2021 after 27 years as top executive of Wespath Benefits and Investments. They explain the importance of this endowment. More

Photo: Students attend a class at the Cambine Theological Seminary, part of the United Methodist Cambine Mission near Macarringue, Mozambique. 
UMNS photo by Mike Dubose

Around the Conference

Youth Interfaith Bus Trip, April 18, 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Youth will visit several houses of worship of different faiths.

Safe Sanctuaries Training, April 25, 9 a.m. to noon, online. Learn practices to keep children, youth, and vulnerable adults safe in church activities. The $20 fee includes instruction and a 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.

Transition Workshop, May 2, 9 a,m. to 3:30 p.m., Our Saviour's, Schaumburg. Helps churches and pastors with appointment transitions.

Culture Shift Part 2: Creating Healthy Congregations, May 3, 2 to 5:30 p.m., Barrington UMC. This builds on part 1, a Jan. 31 Zoom gathering.


Tuesday Teaching, May 5, 11 a.m. to noon, online. Rebuilding in-person worship.

#StillinMission with Dr. Belinda Forbes, May 7, 11 a.m. to noon, online. Dr. Forbes, a dentist and missionary supported by the NIC, will talk about her crucial missionary placement with AMOS Health and Hope, which is located next to the city dump in Villa Guadalupe, Nicaragua.

Caring Congregations Workshop, May 8-9, Kingswood UMC, Buffalo Grove. This two-day training teaches healthy caring practices for lay and clergy.

Creative Ministries Grant Applications Due, May 15.

Equitable Compensation Applications Due, May 15.

Miracle Sunday, May 17. This is a good day to collect your church's offering for this year's Bishop's Appeal.

Around the Connection

Kids Above All's Healthy Babies Drive, April 1-May 15. Collecting essential health and safety items, like diapers, wipes, baby gates, protective stove knobs, and baby bottles, for the young children and parents in KAA programs. 

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.

United Methodist Student Day, any Sunday in May

Golden Cross Sunday, May 3

Joint Christian Advocacy Summit on Israel/Palestine, May 5-7, Washington D.C.

Rosecrance Foundation Benefit, May 12, 5 p.m., Hard Rock Live, Rockford. This UM-related organization provides life-saving mental health and substance use treatment. 

UWFaith Assembly 2026, May 15-17, Indianapolis, Ind. Gathering of United Women in Faith from around the world.

Heritage Sunday, May 24. This year's emphasis: women in ministry, past, present, and future.

Peace with Justice Sunday, May 31

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.

Books on Environmental Stewardship and Nature

The United Media Resource Center has books on environmental stewardship and nature to lend. Some examples:

#811053  All Creation Sings: The Voice of God In Nature, by J. Ellsworth Kalas

#819035  God’s Good Earth: Praise and Prayer for Creation, by Anne and Jeffery Rowthorn

#817126  Harvesting Abundance: Local Initiatives of Food and Faith, by Brian Sellers-Peterson

#821005  Stewards of Eden: What Scripture Says about the Environment and Why It Matters, by Sandra Richter

#812072  Worship Feast: Outdoors, by Jenny Youngman

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

Find It Fast

Please note: Unsubscribing from this eNews list will remove you from all notices from the Northern Illinois Conference, including messages from the bishop, appointment announcements, and sympathy notices.