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Bishop's Appeal Will Benefit Education Around the World
This year, the Bishop's Appeal will benefit two recipients: the construction of a high school in Tanzania, at a mission site led by NIC clergy member Rev. Young Seon (Christina) Kim; and The Endowment Fund for Theological Education in the Central Conferences (which comprise Africa, Europe, and the Philippines). Gifts will be distributed equally to these projects.
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The high school will help young people continue their education and pursue a future they may never have thought possible. Your gifts will help empower these young adults to achieve the education and callings they discern.
Through donations to The Endowment Fund for Theological Education in the Central Conferences, the Council of Bishop plan to fund 500 scholarships in perpetuity for emerging clergy leaders in these areas. Today, fewer than 5 percent of pastors outside the US hold a master’s degree in theology, compared to more than 71 percent within the US.
Churches will bring their donations to Annual Conference this spring. Individuals may give online. Consider taking your offering on Miracle Sunday, May 17, when many in the denomination will be doing so. More
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Midwest Mission Continues Strong
UM Committee on Relief announced it will end operations at its Sager Brown Depot as it plans to modernize the way it manages materials and reduces costs. Please note that Midwest Mission is alive, active, and growing. It is not operated by UMCOR, but is an affiliate warehouse. (Plan to donate through the Mission Challenge at Annual Conference this spring.) More
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Start Lent Photo-A-Day Challenge
Join other UMs in posting a photo on social media every day this Lent season. UM Communications has a scripture-inspired prompt each day. Look for an image that illustrates the idea for you and post it on your social media account with the tag #LentPhotoADay. No explanation needed; the picture will speak for itself. More
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Suit About ICE in Churches Progresses
The D.C. Court of Appeals heard oral arguments Feb. 5 for a lawsuit filed by religious groups, claiming that a 2025 policy change that rescinds a long-time policy to avoid disrupting churches and schools is unconstitutional. ICE agents have pulled people out of worship services. Two dozen religious organizations, including four UM bodies, are parties to the suit. More
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Worship During Black History Month
For those who are not Black, consider attending a church, Bible study, or worship at a historically Black church and experience the gospel from another vantage point. Sing hymns or songs during worship at your church by a composer from the African diaspora. Relate the history of the song or hymn in the church bulletin or on your website. More
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The Value of Levity in Church
Faith leaders do serious work. They may hesitate to appear to take things too lightly. However, humor and play are not optional but essential aspects of ministry, indispensable to the well-being of clergy and laypeople. The church can be a space for learning the holiness of humor and exploring the connections between playing and praying. More
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Lent is a Time of Returning
"As we journey toward Holy Week, we are invited to walk more closely with Jesus . . . to follow him even when the road leads toward sacrifice," says Bishop Tracy Smith Malone, president of the UM Council of Bishops. "Lent prepares us to stand at the foot of the cross with humility and awe. It prepares us to recognize the depth of God’s love revealed in Christ’s self‑giving. It prepares us to receive the joy of resurrection." More
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Endurance produces character, and character produces hope,
and hope does not put us to shame (Rom. 3:4, 5)
Annual Conference Speakers Are Booked
Celebration of Ministry/Ordination
Bishop Dan Schwerin will preach at the Celebration of Ministry service on the evening of June 14. During this service, deacons and elders are ordained and commissioned, local pastors are recognized, and missionaries, deaconesses, and lay missioners are consecrated.
Memorial Service
Rev. Dr. Brian Gilbert, superintendent of the Prairie South District, will preach at this service, scheduled for the afternoon of June 15. Those who will be remembered in the service are clergy (active or retired), clergy spouses (including surviving spouses), clergy children under the age of 18, lay voting members of Annual Conference (active or former), laity of note, and conference staff (current or former). Please submit by May 14 the name(s) of those you believe should be recognized. Those remembered will have passed away between May 8, 2025, and May 9, 2026.
Bible Study
Sally Vonner, general secretary/CEO of United Women in Faith, will conduct the Bible studies, which will take place on the mornings of June 15 and 16. Ms. Vonner has served in many areas of the UMC, including as a leader of women’s retreats, a jurisdictional conference delegate or alternate for three quadrennia, and in immigration assistance and reform, community development, and dismantling-racism initiatives at jurisdiction and conference levels.
Read more about special observances at Annual Conference.
Keep watching this space for regular updates
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Podcast: Breaking the Evangelism Stereotype
Is sharing your faith intimidating? Does the word “evangelism” bring up more anxiety than hope? Rev. Dr. Stephanie Moore Hand, conference evangelist for the Western North Carolina Conference, will challenge and expand our ideas of what it means to share faith. Rather than pushing formulas, pressure, or awkward encounters, Rev. Moore Hand paints a picture of evangelism as rooted in authentic relationships, everyday interactions, and showing up with love and presence—whether that’s in a grocery aisle, a park, or even online. More
Gammon Gatherings Offer Wisdom & Space to Think
Gammon Seminary is offering monthly “virtual space” for clergy and ministry leaders who need more than inspiration. These gatherings will supply sustainable wisdom and space to think clearly again. They will take place at 6 p.m. Central Time on Feb. 19, March 19, April 16, May 21, and June 18. Seats are limited for the live session; reserve your space now. More
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UMs in Nigeria Celebrate Growth, Unity
The UMC in Nigeria made great strides in 2025 as it sought to fulfill the mandate of the Great Commission, recording membership growth and establishing agriculture ventures.
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Under the leadership of Bishop Ande I. Emmanuel, the church in Nigeria is focusing on evangelism, growth, and income-generating projects for financial independence and self-sustainability.
“This initiative is both a mission strategy and an economic revolution within our connection,” Emmanuel said. “The vision for agricultural programs for the Nigeria Episcopal Area is to make the church self-sustaining and to combine evangelism with empowerment.” More
Photo: Members from the Panya Community in the Karim Lamido Local Government Area in northern Taraba State, Nigeria, have joined forces with the UMC in Nigeria to supply bricks to build a health clinic. Photo courtesy of UMCN Communications.
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Around the Conference
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.
Bishops' Vision Statement Seminar, "Wesleyan Mission: Serve Joyfully," Feb. 21, 9 to 10:30 a.m., online
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
Easter, April 5
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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.
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Books on Women's History
Early Methodist Spirituality: Selected Women’s Writings, by Paul Wesley Chilcote
Fellowship of Love by Alice Knotts: Methodist Women Changing American Racial Attitudes, 1920-1968
In Her Words: Women’s Writings in the History of Christian Thought, edited by Amy Oden
Pioneer Black Clergywomen: Stories of Black Clergywomen of the United Methodist Church 1974–2016, by Josephine Whitely-Fields
Spirituality and Social Responsibility, edited by edited by Rosemary Skinner Keller
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
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