"When Fear Knocks, the Church Shows Up"

What happens when immigration enforcement reshapes daily life—not in theory, but on the streets, in schools, and inside churches? Videographer Rev. Juan Marcos Garay documents how Chicago UM congregations navigate fear, loss, and uncertainty during the descent of Immigration and Customs Enforcement on the city. While the government organization’s stated purpose was to arrest the “worst of the worst” criminals, the attacks sometimes seemed indiscriminate.  

Through the voices of pastors, lay leaders, and families, the video depicts a church that refuses to disappear when systems fail—but instead adapts, protects, and shows up. Told in both English and Spanish, this story reveals the human cost behind policies. 

It also portrays the quiet courage of communities living under pressure and the faith that moves beyond preaching into presence. Watch the video

Endurance produces character, and character produces hope,

and hope does not put us to shame (Rom. 3:4, 5)

Annual Conference 2026 is only four months away!

Here is what you should plan for now

• Display tables. If you would like to share information about your conference-related ministry, consider reserving a display table. Tables will be in the ballroom foyer and hallway. Spaces are limited so reserve now. Learn more
• Proposed legislation and reports. Those NIC groups and individuals who would like to submit a resolution or policy for conference vote must complete the required form by April 1. If you or your group is required to submit a report ("historical document"), you must complete the required form by April 1. Find forms and instructions
• Presentations. Requests for presentation time will be considered. Video presentations are preferred. Deadline is April 15. Request time
• Announcements and advertisements in the Program Book. Tell conference members about your organization or ministry, congratulate the ordination class or retirees, or other by purchasing space in the Program Book. Read more
• Mass choir. Interested in singing with other conference people in a mass choir during the Celebration of Ministry service (Sunday night, June 14)?Sign up

Keep watching this space for regular updates

Where Can I Find Data About the UMC?

The UMC has many resources for statistical reporting, data collection, and data analysis. With data compiled from the annual conferences, the General Commission on Finance and Administration regularly updates UMData.org and makes it searchable by local church, district, annual conference, and jurisdiction. In addition to displaying the data in list form, the site can generate charts showing changes and trends in those data points over any time period between 1989 and the most recent year collected (2024 at the time of this writing). Read more

Cokesbury's 2026 VBS Curriculum Has Cool Theme

Cokesbury's vacation Bible school curriculum is now available. This year's theme is "Snowball Mountain Challenge: Find Your Strength in God." It's like a winter sports event where children are challengers who gear up for frosty games, snowy surprises, and hands-on lessons about resilience and faith. They will come to realize that with the strength God provides, they can share their gifts, be brave, give their all, pray, and hope. Read more

First UM Elders Ordained in Honduras

The UM Mission in Honduras is experiencing a defining moment in its history with the ordination—for the first time since its founding—of native elders of the country.

Juana Jamileth Moncada Torres, Héctor Mauricio Rodríguez Laínez, and María Magdalena Zelaya Cruz are the first pastors to be ordained as elders in the UM Mission in Honduras and in Latin America more broadly, as this mission is currently the only denominational presence of the UMC in the region.

The UM Board of Global Ministries has sent missionaries and funded the UM Mission in Honduras for more than two decades and continues to do so, working closely with Bishop Ruben Sáenz and local leaders to strengthen the development of the church in Honduras. Read more

Photo: Bishop Juan Miguel Simpson Bennett of the Methodist Church 
of the Americas and the Caribbean places the presbyteral stole, crafted 
by Honduran artisans, onto the Rev. Héctor Mauricio Rodríguez Laínez. 
[UMNS/Gustavo Vásquez]

Around the Conference

Immigration 101: Welcoming the Stranger, Feb. 15, 12:30 to 3 p.m., at Our Saviour's UMC, Schaumburg. The NIC Advocacy Partners' Immigration Committee is hosting this event, which will clarify the facts surrounding immigration and provide a theological grounding of our call to action.

Clergy Days Apart with the Bishop, Feb. 16 (Hinsdale UMC) and 17 (Sycamore UMC), 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Register now for your preferred date.

Tuesday Teaching, March 3, 11 a.m. to noon, online. Discover the possibilities of the cooperative parish model.

Muslim-Methodist Iftar (breaking the Ramadan fast), March 3, 5:30 p.m., Islamic Center of Wheaton. Register now; reservations are filling up quickly.

District Training Events on March 7: Prairie South, Oregon UMC; 
9 a.m. to noon. Prairie North District Training, Christ UMC, Rockford; 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.

NIC UM Men Annual Meeting and Worship, March 7, 8 to 11:30 a.m., First UMC, Crystal Lake.

Order of Elders Gathering, March 17, 9 a.m. to noon, Barrington UMC.

"Moving Forward with Hope" Laity Convocation, March 21, 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., at First UMC of Glen Ellyn and webcast to three satellite sites.

United Voices for Children Fifth Sunday Appeal, March 30

Proposed legislation and reports for Annual Conference due, April 1

Around the Connection

Black History Month, February

Scout Sunday, a Sunday of your church's choice in February or March

Methodist Liaison Office in Jerusalem update and virtual prayer meetings, second and fourth Wednesdays of each month at noon. Next meetings: Feb. 25, March 10, and March 24. Send an email to the MLO office to request log-in information.

Ash Wednesday/First Day of Lent, Feb. 18

Bishops' Vision Statement Seminar, "Wesleyan Mission: Serve Joyfully," Feb. 21, 9 to 10:30 a.m., online

A Public Witness for Immigration Justice, Feb. 25, Washington, D.C. Several UMC agencies are sponsors. Join ecumenical and interfaith leaders and communities for a public witness grounded in worship, moral courage, and solidarity with our neighbors.  

UM Committee on Relief Sunday, March 15

Bishops' Vision Statement Seminar, "Wesleyan Leadership: Lead Courageously," March 21, 9 to 10:30 a.m., online

Palm Sunday, March 29



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.

DVDs on Women's History

“Chisholm '72: Unbought and Unbossed" (adults; 77 min.)

“Hazardous Saints: Christians Risking All, Changing Everything” (adults) Sojourner Truth (14 min.); Dorothy Day (16 min.) 

“Story of Katherine Von Bora, Wife of Martin Luther” (adults; 28 min.) 

“Through the Corridors of Mission: The Story of Mission Through the Centuries” (adults; 13 min.) 

“Women Speak of God” (adults; various 20 min. segments)  

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 (now with shopping-cart feature)

Contact the center

Find It Fast

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