Many of us sit in the church sanctuary on Sunday mornings with an eye turned toward the door, hoping that new visitors will enter. This might not happen as frequently as we’d like. The Rev. Michael Beck shares tips for being more welcoming and learning how to create pockets of hospitality to be more inviting.

Read more.

After a summer hiatus, “The Recap” is back with a new episode. Learn how United Methodists from Florida traveled to Angola as Volunteers in Mission, meet a bronze medal winner at the Special Olympics World Games, celebrate with Africa University’s Class of 2023 and visit a United Methodist camp for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

Every few years, an organization’s website needs a refresh. Your Northern Illinois Conference communications staff is working with Big Heart Creative to redesign the NIC website. To make sure that you can easily find on the site the resources and information you want, we need your opinion. Please take this survey to let us know what you need from the conference website. Your feedback will help us create a helpful, easy-to-use website. 

Registration is open for this fall's groups that will be reading and discussing Living Our Beliefs: The United Methodist Way, by retired UMC Bishop Kenneth L. Carder. Starting in September, groups will meet throughout the conference via Zoom, in person, and hybrid for five to six weeks. Learn more, find a listing of group options, and register here.

The Rural America Placemaking Toolkit is a resource guide to showcase a variety of placemaking activities, projects and success stories across rural America. Placemaking is an intentional approach to community development exploring what it means for a community have an identity. Community partners and citizens of various backgrounds can work together towards a shared identity. Explore creative community conversations using watercolors, community and cultural assessments to think about “Where Your Sidewalk Begins,” cross-sector partnerships that promote community health and more. Read more.

Karl Vaters highlights the importance of building a strong, vibrant congregation of seniors with intentionality, training, and a focus on the future. In this article, he emphasizes the potential impact seniors can make in church ministries and the need to be intentional about engaging seniors in the congregation's life and shares 5 tips. Read more.

Facing the Future event for cross-racial/cross-cultural/multicultural ministry settings

Pastors serving in cross-racial/cross-cultural/multi-cultural appointments are prophetic agents, now more than ever, in the task of creating beloved community in the face of deep, sharp cultural division. The ministry of pastors serving in cross-racial and cross-cultural appointments is vital. Themed "Be3: Being, Belonging, Becoming", Facing the Future 2023 will be grounded in biblical and theological frameworks, foster an environment of affirmation, have engaging, dynamic multicultural worship, and feature practical, relevant workshops and tools to further equip attendees in their CRCC ministry journeys. Read more.

Gun reform supporters, including United Methodist clergy and church members, gathered for an early morning prayer vigil at the Tennessee State Capitol on Aug. 21. The gathering came as lawmakers begin a special legislative session focused on public safety and mental health after a mass shooting at the Covenant School here in March. The Rev. Ingrid McIntyre, a United Methodist pastor, helped organize the vigil. Mike DuBose has photos.

Ongoing faith development of midlife and older adults is critical for the transformation of the world. These resources help your church minister to and celebrate the older adults in your congregation.

Find the online catalog here. To contact the center, send a message to umrc@igrc.org. 

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