About 180 people from around the world gathered in San Salvador, El Salvador, Aug. 13-17, for the World Methodist Council conference. Three from NIC attended: Rev. Megan Tobola, a member of the WMC nomination committee; Rev. Fabiola Grandon- Mayer, NIC's director of connectional ministries and a former WMC officer; and Rev. Dr. Tercio B. Junker, who served as the meeting's worship director. | |
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Participants gathered to share information about their member churches and celebrate the theme "The Kingdom of God is Justice and Joy."
“It's inspiring to gather with so many Methodists from around the world whose passion and commitment for justice, peace, and joy is evident,” said Rev. Grandon-Mayer. More
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Finding Resurrection in Broken Glass
When Christ UMC in Rockford suffered a fire in the sanctuary last February, firefighters had to break through a stained-glass window to vent smoke. Trustee Chair Mark West gave pieces to Starved Rock Hot Glass in Ottawa, Ill., which gave them new life by turning them into pendants and worry stones. West finds it moving to see members wearing the pieces at church. More
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UM Church and Society Grants
The UM General Board of Church and Society awards grants to UM churches and groups in three categories: peace with justice, ethnic local churches, and Human Relations Day. Awards range from $2,000 to $5,000. Gather a project summary, a description of the project's alignment with the Social Principles, a budget, and a letter from the bishop and apply by Aug. 31. More
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Two Georgia UM Conferences Merge
North Georgia and South Georgia Conferences have officially merged to form the new Georgia Annual Conference. On Aug. 11, Southeastern Jurisdictional Conference delegates unanimously supported a plan to unify the North Georgia and South Georgia annual conferences into one. This was the last step needed to make the merger official. More
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Ministry with the Aging and Caregivers
The US is growing older at an unprecedented rate. Millions of older adults want to remain in their homes, connected to their churches, families, and communities. Yet many require assistance with transportation, meals, medications, bathing, or simply companionship. Both aging people and their caregivers can use support and care, a retired UM pastor says. More
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In Case You Missed It
UM Men Spiritual Congress takes place Sept. 11-13 at Conference Point Center, Williams Bay, Wis.
Love Your Neighbor Events, Sept. 13: Churches may plan to participate in the conference-wide Faithful Action: Love Your Neighbor activities. Plan your own or attend one already scheduled. 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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Bulletin and Newsletter Tools for Every Budget
If you produce your church bulletin or weekly newsletter in Microsoft Publisher, you may know that you need an alternative. Publisher is scheduled to retire in October 2026. There are several other approaches available, and some of them may already be sitting in tools you use every day. This article walks through practical options at three budget levels: free, low-cost, and full-featured paid solutions. More
Local Church Non-Traditional Revenue Toolkit
For a church, non-traditional revenue comes from sources other than the offering plate, pledges, capital campaigns, dedicated gifts from church members, and the traditional stewardship season. This resource describes the theological overview of fundraising, the development and cultivation of ministry partnerships, best practices, event ideas, legal considerations, and how to market your event. More
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Members of a marginalized community in Kenya are experiencing renewed hope and better health thanks to the efforts of United Methodists in the Kenya-Ethiopia Conference.
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The Inspired Word Mission Center, an official UMC ministry, set up a temporary health clinic for the over 600 people who live near the Mwakirunge Dumpsite in Kilifi District. The clinic offered free medical care during a camp held July 24-26.
“Seeing elderly people, children, and entire families leave with renewed hope reminds us that ministry is demonstrated through acts of love and service,” said the Rev. Laura Wanza Nyamai, the center’s director.
The center operates a school with 40 children ages 2 to 6 years enrolled, providing students with breakfast and lunch five days a week. It also offers a weekly feeding program on Sundays.
Volunteer medical teams offered consultations, treatment, laboratory services, mental health assessments, and medication free of charge. More than 630 patients received on-site care and referrals for specialized treatment. More
Photo: A patient receives eye medication during a free health clinic.
Photo by Selina Mutua, UM News.
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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 (see above), and Leo Louis II, a community activist, Sept. 20, 3 p.m., online.
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.
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.
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
World Communion Sunday, Oct. 4
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Explore UMRC Resources #9
The United Media Resource Center has many kinds of resources for group and individual study. Here are two DVDs and two books of interest:
“Courage: Jesus and the Call to Brave Faith,” six-session DVD study
“Disciple’s Path: A Guide for United Methodists," six-session DVD study
Jesus and the Disinherited, by Howard Thurman
Pilgrimage into the Last Third of Life: Seven Gateways to Spiritual Growth, by Jane Marie Thibault and Richard Morgan
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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