eNews · July 22, 2026

Lula B. Sherman UMC Welcomes Costa Rican Consulate

Lula B. Sherman UMC in Evanston entered into a new community partnership on July 14 when it cut the ribbon on new office space in the church for the Consulate of Costa Rica.

This is more than a tenant-landlord relationship, Rev. Aaron McLeod, Sherman’s pastor, said. It’s a partnership that provides the church a way to engage with their neighbors. One of the collaborative ministries between the consulate and the church comes through Samaritans for the Common Good, an advocacy group that provides legal clinic services to consulates. Rev. McLeod, who is also an attorney, founded the organization after the most recent national election. More

Faith and Friendship at JOY Camp

JOY Camp, June 21-27, featured fun, fellowship, and praise for 61 campers and 27 volunteer counselors at Camp Reynoldswood in Dixon, Ill. JOY stands for Jesus, Others, and Yourself, with this year’s programming placing a special emphasis on Jesus. Campers explored the life of Christ through daily Bible lessons, following his life through the Gospels. More

NIC Youth Fall Retreat, Sept. 25-27

Youth can look forward to modern worship and teaching sessions, small-group discussions, devotional time, campfires, and activities like fishing, zip-lining, axe throwing, and access to the science center. It will be a fun and faith-filled weekend at Camp Timber-Lee in East Troy, Wis. Registration is now open. More

Equitable Comp Deadline Extended

The Equitable Compensation Committee is extending the deadline to Aug. 14 for its second payout of 2026 funds. Grants provide support to churches/charges with a full-time pastor experiencing hardship, to ensure equitable payment for clergy across the conference. A church may normally receive equitable compensation support for no more than three consecutive years. More

Rev. Alka Lyall on MFSA Participation

"As an immigrant female clergy, I have always felt drawn to spaces that advocate for people from the margins and causes of justice," says Rev. Alka Lyall of her involvement with Methodist Federation for Social Action. "As the Northern Illinois MFSA chapter, we strive to turn our faith into direct action." More

US Regional Conference to Meet in 2029

The UMC’s first-ever US Regional Conference is set to take place in spring 2029. Selecting that time frame was among the first decisions made by the Interim Committee on Organization for the US Regional Conference. The 25-member committee determines the dates, location, and other details for the first session of the US Regional Conference. More

In Case You Missed It

Prairie Central District part-time assistant wanted: Provides comprehensive administrative and secretarial support. More

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. More

Love Your Neighbor Events, Sept. 13: Churches may plan to participate in the conference-wide Faithful Action: Love Your Neighbor activities. Attend an information session on July 27 at 10 a.m. online. 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

Resources

Keep Your Find-a-Church Profile Fresh

The Rev. Taylor Burton Edwards suggests how often your church should update its Find-a-Church profile on the denomination's online directory of over 1,000 churches. Aim to keep the information as fresh as possible, he said, noting that the profile is likely the first impression your church is making on potential visitors. More

Obtain Management Skills for Ministry

The Academy of Ministry Management—formerly the Academy of Church Business Administration—equips today’s pastors and church leaders with the practical tools needed to lead thriving ministries. It brings together experienced leaders from across the denomination to offer real-world training in essential operational areas that sustain and strengthen ministry. Participants will gain practical, immediately applicable skills in financial management and stewardship; human resources and staff leadership; insurance and risk management; facility management, technology and data systems; and communications and website best practices. Week one meets Aug. 24-28 and week two meets Aug. 31–Sept. 4. More

United Methodists Around the World

Communicators in Africa Serve on Front Lines

For a growing number of graduates of the new strategic communications program offered by UM Communications and Africa University, communication has become a matter of institutional—and sometimes human—survival: How do you inform a population caught between two front lines? How do you prevent a rumor from sparking a riot? How do you maintain trust when an epidemic is decimating a community?

For the Rev. Filibus Bakari Auta, senior director of communications for the Nigeria Episcopal Area, which includes Cameroon and Senegal, the threat comes not from weapons but from screens.

“A major challenge for communicators in The United Methodist Church in Nigeria is the rapid spread of viral fake news and fabricated rumors,” he said, related to tensions and land disputes with the breakaway Global Methodist Church, which was launched by former United Methodists in 2022.

He said he will use what he learned during training to counter misinformation. More

Photo: Students display their certificates following strategic communications training at Africa University in Mutare, Zimbabwe. Photo from Africa University.

Mark your calendar

Around the Conference

Mission u One-Days, July 25 and Aug. 8: Korean Language Day takes place July 25 at Woori Naperville UMC, Naperville. The session on Aug. 8 at Euclid Avenue UMC in Oak Park offers content in Spanish and English, and for youth and children.

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.

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.

SCD 2026, "Rise Up: Love, Serve, and Lead," Aug. 2-5, Columbus, Ohio. Gain practical tools, processes, and frameworks for discipleship formation; hear hands-on insights from episcopal leaders, ministry cultivators, and practitioners across the worldwide UM connection; and get to know ministry leaders, share experiences, and build lasting relationships.

AI & Church Summit, August 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.

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.

Explore UMRC Resources #5

The United Media Resource Center has many kinds of resources for group and individual study. Here are two DVDs and two books of interest:

“On Purpose: Finding God’s Voice in Your Passion:” four-session DVD study

“Reckless Love: Jesus’ Call to Love Our Neighbor:” six-session DVD study

Coffee With Jesus, by David Wilkie

For the Common Good: Discovering and Using Your Spiritual Gifts, by Christine Harman

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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