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Bishop Schwerin Sees Signs of Hope This Eastertide
"Mutual benefit is breaking out and ubuntu steps are among us each day," says Bishop Dan Schwerin in an Eastertide reflection. He includes some tanka, a form of poetry that comes from Japan, in order to keep an eye on the small as signs of hope.
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Life-enhancing ministry is happening across Northern Illinois and Wisconsin. Apportionment giving is remitted at a higher rate now than it was at the same point last year in Northern Illinois. In Wisconsin, Rev. Carlos Sandoval and his modest-sized congregation in Johnson Creek have been praying with area farmers who have lost workers due to the immigration crackdowns and with the farm workers and their families about how God is guiding their steps in this moment of hardship. These are just two of the signs of hope and outward-looking ministry that Bishop Schwerin is observing. More
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CORRECTION: Annual Exempt Property Affidavit NOT Needed
Contrary to information we shared last week, religious institutions with exempt property are NOT required to file an annual affidavit with the Cook County Assessor's Office. An erroneous post on the assessor's website stated that the annual affidavit requirement applies to all owners of exempt property. The assessor's office has now corrected its website. Again, religious institutions are NOT required to file an annual affidavit. We sincerely apologize for any confusion or concern this may have caused. More
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Native American Ministries Day, April 19
Native American Ministries Sunday invites UMs to deepen our understanding of Native American life and culture while honoring the sacredness of Indigenous peoples—their languages, identities, and contributions to the church and world. Gifts to this special offering support Native ministries, new programs, and seminary scholarships, with half remaining in the local conference to strengthen community-based ministries. More
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Apply for Interfaith/Interreligious Grant
Thinking about establishing relationships with neighboring faith communities (Christian or other)? Apply for an Interfaith and Interreligious Engagement Seed Grant. Funds may be used for a variety of introductory efforts. Fully developed plans aren't required; only a willingness to build relationships across faith traditions. Visit this page and scroll down.
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Attend Creation Care Summit, May 2
If you're interested in environmental justice, you'll learn valuable (and money-saving) practices at NIC's Creation Care Summit on May 2, 9 a.m. to noon, at First UMC in Arlington Heights. Rev. Harriette Cross, chair of NIC's Creation Care Committee, explains the highlights. Choose among four workshops: engaging your community, building green teams, reducing energy bills, and planting native plants. More
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Caring Congregations Workshop, May 8-9
This two-day training at Kingswood UMC on May 8, 1 to 7 p.m., and May 9, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., will teach theological grounding, healthy boundaries, confidentiality, congregational care teams, partnerships with clergy, home visits, death and dying, hospice, hospital visits, and overall pastoral issues to help churches care for members and others in the most helpful and safest ways. Register now. More
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Black Caucus Addresses Immigration
Nearly 300 laity and clergy attended the Black Methodists for Church Renewal general meeting on March 18-20 in Charlotte, N.C. Chairperson Deborah Bass charged the caucus to respond purposefully to current challenges in the church and society with “faith, compassion, justice, and prophetic courage.” One challenge that provoked the meeting’s most intense discussion was immigration justice. More
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Endurance produces character, and character produces hope,
and hope does not put us to shame (Rom. 3:4, 5)
What to Know This Week
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Special Anniversaries: This is a year of significant anniversaries for several UMC-related groups and decisions, which we will recognize at Annual Conference:
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Blueprint for Wellness screening: Have a simple blood draw taken for screening for health issues. If you are enrolled in Healthflex, you can make an appointment for Tuesday, June 16. Please sign up ASAP on your Personify app or call the Conference Benefits Office at 608-478-4609 for help in making an appointment. We need at least 30 participants to offer this helpful service onsite.
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Register now for Annual Conference. Fee is $160 until April 30 and rises to $175 after May 1. Register now and save money. Deadline: May 22.
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Hotel reservations are available for a discounted price at the Schaumburg Renaissance Convention Center Hotel. Rooms may be reserved from Saturday, June 13, through Monday, June 15, evenings. Register online or by telephone: 866-204-0549 (ask for the Northern Illinois Conference special group rate). Deadline: May 25, 5 p.m.
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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.
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Safe Sanctuaries® Training takes place online on April 25, 9 a.m. to noon. As vacation Bible school season approaches, churches will want to require VBS volunteers to take the training.
Register for JOY Camp, June 21-27. Faith-based camp for children in fifth grade through high-school seniors; at Camp Reynoldswood in Dixon.
Equitable Compensation applications are due May 15. For churches or charges with a full-time pastor who is experiencing financial hardship and to ensure all clergy are paid equitably.
The NIC 2025 Journal is available as a free download and can be ordered as a print copy for $11.50.
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Creating Endowments for Long-Term Ministry
Achieving Dreams Beyond the Budget: A Guide for Local Church Endowment helps churches that have an endowment team in place and those who'd like to start one. This update of a classic resource from Discipleship Ministries reveals the possibilities of ministries that might be blessed and lives that might be changed by the vision of members interested in investing in the mission of your church beyond the boundaries of their earthly lives. Available in both digital and print, this inexpensive guide ($3.99) might yield significant generosity in the future. More
You Are Here: Study for White Christians on Race & Racism
The UM General Commission on Religion and Race offers this four-session curriculum as a first step for white Christians, in particular, who are unsure about what racism is and unclear about its relevance to individuals, the church, and society as a whole. This resource is designed for individuals who are ready to learn about how racism operates, how it affects Christian communities, and how people of faith can recognize and resist racism. More
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Solar Ovens Are Simple Tools for Safe Food Preparation
Over the past 25 years, UM Solar Oven Partners has offered a simple device to improve nutrition, promote better health, and prevent deforestation in vulnerable communities in Haiti, the Dominican Republic, Sierra Leone and the Navajo Nation. The ministry provides opportunities for volunteers to put faith into action.
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In areas such as Haiti, women travel long distances to obtain wood for cooking fires. Purchases of cooking fuel reduces money available for food. When people cook over charcoal fires, they breathe in toxic smoke.
Solar ovens use reflective metal that relies only on the sun for heat. They create no smoke and burn no limited resources. Users have successfully cooked many kinds of of meals and saved some desperately needed household funds. More
Photo from Solar Oven Partners
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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.
Springfield Advocacy Day, April 15, all day. Participants will talk with their legislators about policy concerns related to the UMC Social Principles.
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.
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.
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
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.
Heritage Sunday, May 24
Peace with Justice Sunday, May 31
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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.
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DVDs on Environmental Stewardship
The United Media Resource Center has DVDs on environmental stewardship and nature to lend. Some examples:
#101101 "Atomic Homefront" (96 minutes)
#101088 "Awakening Grace: Spiritual Practices to Transform Your Soul" (includes 6-minute segment on creation care) segment
#106091 "Footprint: Population, Consumption, and Sustainability" (82 minutes)
#112120 "Living Our Principles: United Methodist Social Principles" (includes 43 min. segment on "The Natural World”)
#115027 "Organic Wesley: A Christian Perspective on Food, Farming, and Faith" (10 sessions)
#120060 "Troubled Waters: A Mississippi River Story" (57 minutes)
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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