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What's the back story behind some of the major decisions facing this spring's UMC General Conference, April 23-May 3 in Charlotte, N.C.? Read about the proposals that may be the most consequential for the church.
Three of these legislative aims are what many delegates have taken to calling “the three Rs”— regionalization, the Revised Social Principles and the removal of exclusionary language against LGBTQ people. An ad hoc group of more than 270 U.S. delegates has named these as their top priorities. Read why.
General Conference will be livestreamed. Follow along with inspiring worship and observe discussions. It will be linked from this page.
Download the NIC Prayer Calendar for General Conference.
General Conference Info Site
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You may have heard of “church” taking place in some unusual places and situations, such as dinner church and pub hymn-sings. These Fresh Expressions gatherings are creative movements to bring the gospel to those who would probably never visit a traditional church setting.
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“My source of hope for the church today is in the laypeople of our conference,” says Rev. Fabiola Grandon-Mayer, NIC's director of connectional ministries. “They keep serving and going above and beyond to do God’s mission here on earth, no matter what."
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With the creation of the Northern Illinois–Wisconsin Episcopal Area, the two separate conferences will share a bishop (not merge) beginning in September. Rev. Arlene Christopherson, assistant to the bishop, finds a lot in our history that can inform the future.
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NIC is hosting the UMC School of Congregational Development, Aug. 4-7, in Schaumburg. It will focus on three principles: SEE/CREATE/DISCIPLE. Register to attend or see the event up close by volunteering to help!
Volunteer
Register to attend
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Tax Exemption Certificates Coming Soon
The Illinois Sales Tax Exemption Certificate will expire on May 1. The NIC has filed a renewal application, and we expect to receive the new certificate well before that date. Watch future eNews issues for updates.
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The church usually attends to the practices of Lent, but rarely mentions the joyful 50 days of the Easter season. "Let us not forget that this is a season to work for a new kind of church and a new commitment to life in Jesus Christ, our resurrected Lord," says Bishop Thomas Bickerton, president of the Council of Bishops. "That deserves a breaking out of joy and a shout of alleluia."
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In Case You Missed It . . . | |
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Registration Opens TODAY, April 3
Lay and clergy voting members: The online form allows you to register for annual conference session, clergy session, laity session, pre-conference briefings, the Global Ministries Lunch (June 16), and the Multi-Cultural/Cross-Cultural/Cross-Racial Breakfast (June 17). Fee for voting members is $115. After April 29, it rises to $130.
Guests: Use the same online form and choose the guest option (no fee). The form allows you also to register for the Global Ministries Lunch on June 16 and the Multi-Cultural/Cross-Cultural/Cross-Racial Breakfast on June 17.
Registration closes on May 29. There will be no on-site registration. Register here.
Sign Up for Blueprint for Wellness Health Screenings
Those who are on the conference health-insurance plan may participate on June 17 or 18, 7 to 10 a.m., in the First Aid room near Adventure Hall. Testing involves one blood draw and a few measurements. You'll receive a detailed health inventory in return. Register through your Wespath/Benefits Access account (and choose "Biometric Screening").
Reserve Your Hotel Room Soon
The Renaissance Schaumburg Convention Center Hotel is holding a block of rooms at a special rate. The reservation deadline is May 25. The hotel offers reservations for up to three nights, June 15, 16, and 17. Cost is $185 plus 11% tax per night. Call (888) 236-2427 (mention Northern Illinois Conference UMC) or reserve online.
(Note: The dates listed on the hotel's reservation page are those reserved for our block. You may choose to make overnight reservations for any of these nights: June 15, 16, and/or 17. Check-out deadline is 11 a.m. on June 18.)
Meet the Speakers
Bishop Sally Dyck, who formerly served the Northern Illinois Conference, will preach at the ordination service on June 16.
Rev. Dr. AHyun Lee, assistant professor of pastoral theology, care, and psychotherapy at Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary, will lead the Bible studies.
Read the speakers' and leaders' biographical information.
Volunteers Needed
Serve as an usher, plenary page, legislative section leader, greeter, secretarial pool member, or other to help annual conference session run smoothly. Volunteer for the entire conference, one day, or even part of a day. No previous experience necessary. Contact Bri Wadlington, Events Administrator, if you have questions. Interested? Complete this volunteer form.
Other action items:
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How to Use Artificial Intelligence in Your Ministry
Artificial Intelligence technology may seem mysterious and problematic. But it can be very useful in helping you prepare newsletter copy and announcements and help you phrase your sermon content in an engaging way. UM Communications MyCom contributor and author Jeremy Steele presents a free screencast that introduces viewers to AI and suggests ways you might use it for your church's ministry. Watch the screencast.
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For Rev. Becky Shirley, the sound of her dementia-suffering mother’s voice singing “The Old Rugged Cross” was a miracle.
“My mother is 93 years old,” said Shirley, senior pastor at Washington Street UMC in Columbia, S.C. “She’s been living with me for maybe six years, and she has not been to worship service in the last three years, and she used to be a director of Christian education.”
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Ann Joyner, Shirley’s mom, attended Washington Street’s first service designed for people with dementia, The WELL (for Worship, Encouragement, Laughter and Love) on Jan. 18. During the service, Joyner heard the pianist playing the hymn and unexpectedly started singing along. She has lost much of her memory, but not that.
The WELL service is held on the third Thursday of each month. It’s open to all, and in addition to dementia patients, it has drawn some folks with autism and other conditions. Lasting 30 minutes to accommodate short attention spans, the service includes a story about Jesus and Holy Communion.
Retired Bishop Kenneth L. Carder attended the first service and was impressed. He has written a study series and book about ministry to people with dementia after caring for his late wife, Linda, who was stricken with it.
"Members of the congregation graciously welcomed persons living with dementia, acknowledging them as persons with inherent worth and dignity with continuing spiritual needs and gifts,” he said. “The service appropriately and sensitively aimed at our hearts more than brains."
Photo: Rev. Becky Shirley leads worship at the WELL.
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Environmental Stewardship Studies
The natural world is God's good gift to us. How can we be faithful stewards of it? Here are some resources for study and conversation.
A few of the Resource Center's many options for small groups:
“Arise,” a 78-minute DVD documentary
“Atomic Homefront,” a 96-minute DVD documentary
All Creation Sings: The Voice of God in Nature, by J. Ellsworth Kalas
Harvesting Abundance: Local Initiatives of Food and Faith, by Brian Sellers-Peterson
Stewards of Eden: What Scripture Says about the Environment and Why It Matters, by Sandra Richter
List of selected resources
Find the online catalog here.
To contact the center, send them an email message.
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