A handful of staff members are voluntarily leaving their roles. While the conference bids them farewell, it seeks applicants for the positions now available. | |
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Two part-time district assistant positions are open: one in Lake South and the other in Prairie Central. The assistants will work from the district’s geographic area and provide direct assistance to the superintendent. Applications are also being accepted for a part-time benefits officer and full-time director of communications. Information about the position of executive assistant to the bishop will be announced in the coming weeks (see next story). More
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Two NIC Staffers to Retire
Two Northern Illinois Conference staff members are preparing to retire: Marva Andrews, executive assistant to the bishop (Oct. 15), and Rev. Victoria Rebeck, director of communication (Sept. 1). Marva has worked for the NIC for over 13 years, always in her current role. Victoria, a deacon, has served as Northern Illinois’s director of communication for over three years. More
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Your Faithful Giving
NIC churches continue to give generously and faithfully to apportionments and other financial obligations. For July 2026, receipts came to:
NIC and General Church apportionments (July statement): 75%
property insurance (YTD): 99%
health and pension (YTD): 99%
clergy responsibility for health benefits (YTD): 96% More
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NCJ Creation Care Groups Meet in NIC
About 50 people gathered July 19-21 from the UM North Central Jurisdiction Creation Justice Movement and NCJ Advocacy group at Euclid Avenue UMC in Oak Park. They learned about the efforts of the movement as a whole and to create a vision for the future of creation justice in the NCJ and individual conferences. Each conference produced a set of goals. More
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Ecumenical Prayer for Peace, Sept. 30
“Blessed Are the Peacemakers,” an ecumenical prayer service, will gather Christians from many traditions on Sept. 30 at 6:30 p.m. at Fourth Presbyterian Church, 126 E. Chestnut St., Chicago, in solidarity with the International Day of Peace. Ecumenism Metro Chicago, of which Northern Illinois Conference is a member, is sponsoring the event. More
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Horizon Texas Sues Its Largest Church
After months of discussion, the Horizon Texas Conference is suing Highland Park UMC, claiming the Dallas megachurch improperly moved to end oversight by the denomination and its own congregants. The conference said it is seeking to ensure that the governing documents are realigned with the Book of Discipline. More
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Following the US Regional Conf Process
Over the next three years, United Methodists in the US will hear three similar names come up repeatedly. They sound alike, but they are three different bodies, each with its own job and its own season. Read a guide that lays them out simply, side by side, so you can see how they fit together on one path toward the church we are becoming. More
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Bishops Speak to Colombia Earthquake
On Aug. 10, a powerful earthquake struck the department of Chocó, in western Colombia --the strongest on record to hit that nation. The Council of Bishops calls UMs to pray and act by giving generously to UM Committee on Relief. "What we give, even now, becomes food on a table, clean water, and shelter for a family that has none," the bishops say. More
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In Case You Missed It
Love Your Neighbor Events, Sept. 13: Churches may plan to participate in the conference-wide Faithful Action: Love Your Neighbor activities. More
NIC Youth Fall Retreat, Sept. 25-27: Youth can look forward to modern worship, teaching sessions, small-group discussions, devotional time, campfires, and recreation at Camp Timber-Lee in East Troy, Wis. More
School of Leadership Subsidy for Clergy: Rev. Dr. Kenda Creasy Dean, co-founder of Ministry Incubators, will lead sessions on innovation in ministry at the School of Leadership, Sept. 29-Oct. 1, at Green Lake Conference Center, Wis. A $100 subsidy toward each NIC clergy member's registration is available. More
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Family Journey through Baptism and Holy Communion
How do we help children discover the life-changing gifts of baptism and Holy Communion? The book We Belong invites children and caregivers to explore God's grace together through conversation, prayer, creative activities, and shared discovery, making big faith concepts accessible and meaningful for every family. Whether you're using it at home or in your congregation, We Belong nurtures faith and helps children discover what it means to belong to God and to one another. More
The Myth of the 'Stable Church'
"When a church has a stable church mindset, there may be signs that their earlier passion for others is diminished," says Lovett Weems in Leading Ideas. "And efforts to engage those not already connected to the church often do not receive the sustained and daily attention necessary to meet the opportunities God is giving us in our communities." As the number of stable congregations diminishes, read his advice for maintaining vitality. More
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Central UMC in General Santos City in the Philippines has been at the forefront of providing relief to families devastated by recent earthquakes and flooding.
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Most recently, on Aug. 5, a powerful 6.3-magnitude earthquake struck. It was classified as a major, shallow aftershock of a 7.8 earthquake that struck Southern Mindanao on June 8. The relief ministry that the church began then has grown into a sustained ministry, bringing relief, pastoral care, and renewed hope to more than 740 families in the city and neighboring communities.
The region has been hit hard by a series of disasters. On June 13, heavy rains triggered post-quake flash floods, further damaging infrastructure. The crisis deepened on July 23 when continuous heavy rains from tropical storm Kiyapo and the southwest monsoon caused severe flooding in low-lying communities, prompting the forced evacuation of hundreds of families.
“We have carried out multiple waves of relief operations, delivering food packs, WASH (water, sanitation and hygiene) supplies, solar energy solutions, and other essential assistance to hundreds of affected families,” said Bishop Israel M. Painit of the Davao Episcopal Area. More
Photo: Marife Cambel (seated at center), a UM Young Adult Fellowship leader, helps distribute relief supplies in the Tango barangay in Glan, Philippines.
Photo courtesy of Marife Cambel.
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Around the Conference
United Voices for Children Fifth Sunday Appeal, Aug. 30
UM Men Spiritual Congress, Sept. 11-13, Conference Point Center, Williams Bay, Wis.
Conference-Wide Faithful Action: Love Your Neighbor Day, Sept. 13. NIC churches will step out of their sanctuaries to march, pray, and sing in a large-scale show of support for our immigrant brothers and sisters.
My Omaha screenings, Sept. 14-20. This documentary traces the search for truth and common ground that has been playing out for decades between Omaha’s African Americans and the larger, dominant white community. Organized by Collective Action to Build Community, of which NIC's Committee on Religion and Race is a member.
Fresh Expressions Greenhouse Day, Sept. 19, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Grace UMC, Rockford. This Prairie North event is available to all NIC lay and clergy. Explore how to cultivate new faith communities alongside existing churches.
Interview with Nick Beaulieu, director of My Omaha film, and Leo Louis II, a community activist, Sept. 20, 3 p.m., online.
NIC Youth Retreat, Sept. 25-27, Camp Timber-lee, East Troy, Wis. For sixth through twelfth graders.
Safe Sanctuaries® Training, Sept. 26, 9 a.m. to noon, online
NIC Disability Education Summit, Sept. 26, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Bethany of Fox Valley UMC, Aurora. Accessible worship, workshops, and panel discussion. Free event with optional $10 lunch. Hosted by the NIC Committee on Accessibility.
School of Leadership, Sept. 29-Oct. 1, Green Lake, Wis. Learn from Rev. Dr. Kenda Creasy Dean about innovation in ministry. NIC clergy are eligible for a $100 registration subsidy.
“Blessed Are the Peacemakers” ecumenical prayer service, Sept. 30, 6:30 to 8 p.m., Fourth Presbyterian Church,126 E. Chestnut St., Chicago. A peace walk will follow.
Around the Connection
United Methodist Volunteers in Mission Sunday: observe in July or August.
Summer Rooftop House Party for MYSI, Aug. 13, 6 to 8 p.m., 3660 N. Lake Shore Dr., 48th floor, Chicago. Learn how MYSI is transforming the lives of youth ages 14-21 through compassionate child welfare services. Contact MYSI for more information.
AI & Church Summit, Aug. 24-27, online. Hosted by Discipleship Ministries and UM Communications, this year's summit is planned by representatives from multiple mainline denominations and will focus on “Human Agency in the Age of AI.” It will examine the preservation of human dignity, moral responsibility, faithful discernment, and meaningful human participation in a world increasingly shaped by automated systems.
Hispanic Heritage Month, Sept. 15-Oct. 15
United Voices for Children's Raising Our Voices Advocacy and Awards event, Sept. 24, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., Grace UMC, Rockford. Focus will be on youth mental health and anti-bullying.
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Explore UMRC Resources #8
The United Media Resource Center has many kinds of resources for group and individual study. Here are two DVDs and two books of interest:
"Jesus Revealed: The I Am Statements in the Gospel of John:" six-session DVD study
"Just Say Yes! Unleashing People for Ministry:" six-session DVD study or other format options
How to Pray After You’ve Kicked the Dog, by Terry Teykl
One Body: Integrating Teenagers into the Life of Your Church, by Sam Halverson
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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