When newcomers visit your church, might they find the outside door locked, with no indication of where to enter? Will anyone greet them when they find their way in? If they read the bulletin, will the vocabulary and shorthand mystify them? | |
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Rev. Christian Coon, NIC's director of congregational development, has been attending worship at churches across our conference for two years. He's found it an eye-opening experience to be a visitor again and offers some observations on how to help newcomers feel welcome. More
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Advocating Together Is a Sign of Hope
A demonstration calling for justice for immigrants took place on June 15 after Annual Conference adjourned for the day. What made the demonstration especially meaningful, says Rev. Fabiola Grandon-Mayer, NIC director of connectional ministries, was the participation of young people. Youth and young adults lent their voices to this public expression of faith. More
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Christmas Institute Nurtures Youth
The 2026 Christmas Institute in July, a beloved Filipino-American UM tradition, gathered 55 people from the NIC and Illinois Great Rivers Conference July 19-21 for a transformational experience of worship, fellowship, learning, and leadership development at Camp Sullivan in Oak Forest, Illinois. Youth encountered Christ in caring Christian community. More
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Fresh Expressions Training, Sept. 19
Fresh Expressions Greenhouse Day, on Sept. 19, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Grace UMC in Rockford, will train lay and clergy on creative ways to extend church into community. It will be led by Rev. Dr. Michael Beck, Fresh Expressions director for the UMC. Participants will explore how to cultivate new faith communities alongside existing churches. More
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Rev. Kimberly Davis, Police Chaplain
After her ordination as an NIC deacon, Rev. Kimberly Davis became a chaplain with the Chicago police department: an opportunity to unite her professional experience with a growing call to ministry. “I can serve those I work with in the way that I would serve a parish,” she said. She offers pastoral care, conducts a fellowship worship service, among other ministries. More
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'Why I Remain United Methodist'
Retired NIC elder Rev. Eun Chul Cho reflects on why he has remained a United Methodist. "Because my relationship with God was formed in this way through the Methodist Church, I could never leave it. Nor could I imagine separating myself from what is now The United Methodist Church." He describes the surprises, joys, and challenges he and his family have faced. More
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New Status, Gender, & Race Dashboard
The UM Commission on the Status and Role of Women and UM Council on Finance and Administration have launched a new monitoring dashboard to track and report data on clergy status, gender, and race across the US connection. It provides clergy, conference leaders, and church members with data to support equity and inclusion efforts. More
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In Case You Missed It
NIC positions available: Part-time administrative assistants for the Prairie Central District and the Lake South District; conference benefits officer; conference director of communications.
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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How to Make Church Communications Clearer
Pastors spend their days preparing sermons, visiting parishioners, leading meetings, and responding to needs that were not on the calendar that morning. By the time the day settles down, communication often gets whatever time is left. But communication is not separate from ministry. It is part of the work itself, because every announcement, email, phone call, and bulletin notice helps shape how people experience your church. And when communication is clear, it can reduce confusion, lower anxiety, and help people feel remembered. Here are some tips. More
Small Group App for Disciple and Henri Nouwen Studies
The BeADisciple Study App provides the small-group infrastructure to help your church host its own small groups in a new and more flexible way, giving groups everything they need in an app-based format. Available are Disciple Fast Track I (a 24-week Bible study from Genesis to Revelation, easily facilitated by lay people) and Henri Nouwen’s Following Jesus: Finding Home in an Age of Anxiety (a six-week study of the book with daily prayer practices and video clips of Nouwen from the Henri Nouwen Society). More
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The Methodist Church in Puerto Rico is experiencing growth, despite economic and other challenges on the island.
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At the denomination's 11th connectional conference June 25-28, organizers found that attendance exceeded their expectations. They credit strong congregational engagement and confidence in the denomination’s mission for this enthusiasm.
Bishop Lizzette Gabriel Montalvo said the denomination continues to experience growth in church membership.
The conference met against the backdrop of significant social challenges affecting Puerto Rico, including population loss through migration, lingering effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, economic pressures, and growing concerns among immigrant communities. More
Photo: Church leaders gather in prayer during the recent connectional conference. Photo by Rev. Gustavo Vásquez, UM News.
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Around the Conference
Mission u One-Day, Aug. 8, at Euclid Avenue UMC in Oak Park. Content will be offered in Spanish and English, and for youth and children. (Registration is closed.)
Immigration 101 training: Aug. 8, 9 a.m. to noon, UMC of Libertyville. Gain a deeper understanding of immigration issues and practical ways to support immigrant communities.
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.
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 Drive, 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 preserving human dignity, moral responsibility, faithful discernment, and meaningful human participation in a world increasingly shaped by automated systems.
Hispanic School of Ministry, Sept. 11-13, Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary
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 #7
The United Media Resource Center has many kinds of resources for group and individual study. Here are two DVDs and two books of interest:
“Christian History Made Easy," 12-session DVD study
“Romans: In the Grip of Grace," 6-session DVD study
101 Ways to Reach Your Community, by Steve Sjogren
What Does Revelation Reveal? Unlocking the Mystery, by Warren Carter
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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