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Illinois Pilgrimage Opens Hearts and Minds
From June 25-28, Rev. Sharon Rice of Community UMC, Naperville, joined members from the Northern Illinois, Illinois Great Rivers, and Wisconsin Conferences on a spiritual pilgrimage organized by the NIC Committee on Religion and Race to see historical places in Illinois and learn about our state's history through the lens of its diverse peoples.
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The group visited locations significant to racial, immigrant, labor, and indigenous people's justice. Among the sites were the Pullman National Historical Park, the Obama Presidential Center, the National Museum of Mexican Art, the Springfield and Central Illinois African American History Museum, the Cahokia Mounds, and more. Read some of the participants' reflections and prayers. Also, learn more about Bishop Kennetha Bingham-Tsai's experience on the pilgrimage. More
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Revolutionize Your Ministry, July 17
Learn how artificial intelligence fits into ministry as well as how to create engaging worship for in-person and online services. On July 17, Jason Moore, a seasoned tech advocate for churches, will describe why AI matters for ministry. On July 18, he'll advise on creative worship design. Participate on either or both days at Woori Naperville Korean UMC, Naperville. More
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Mission u One-Days, July 25 and Aug. 8
One-day Mission u events are still open for registrations! Korean Language Day takes place July 25 at Woori Naperville UMC, Naperville, and an English session takes place Aug. 8 at Euclid Avenue UMC in Oak Park. Participants will explore occasions in the Bible when people experienced Emanuel, or God with us, and how to discern God’s presence in our lives. More
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Immigration 101 Forum, Aug. 8
Immigration 101: Welcoming the Stranger (Aug. 8, 9 a.m. to noon) will present the stories of immigrants, volunteers, and workers in the field to both inform and prompt action. Participants will gain a better understanding of challenges immigrants face through the lens of the theological grounding that informs our work with immigrants. Location: UMC of Libertyville. More
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NIC Youth Retreat, Sept. 25-27
Youth in sixth through twelfth grades are welcome to the conference-wide retreat at Camp Timber-lee in East Troy, Wis. They'll take part in modern worship and teaching sessions, small-group discussions, devotional time, campfires, and a variety of activities. Expect a fun and faith-filled weekend of connection, adventure, and spiritual growth. More
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Prairie Central District Assistant Wanted
The Prairie Central District seeks qualified candidates for a part-time administrative assistant. The assistant provides comprehensive administrative and secretarial support for district and conference initiatives and ensures the effective coordination of projects, communications, meetings, and day-to-day operations. More
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Birthright Citizenship Ruling Cheered
Many UMs expressed gratitude for the June 30 Supreme Court ruling that reaffirmed that being born in the United States is, in general, enough to qualify for U.S. citizenship. At the same time, some lament a series of Supreme Court rulings that largely side with the Trump administration’s moves to strip protections from asylum seekers and immigrants. More
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In Case You Missed It
Complete the Annual Conference Evaluation: For those who attended: we need your evaluation of last month's Annual Conference session! Responses will inform decisions made for next year's conference. Visit this page.
Mission u One-Days, July 25 and Aug. 8: One-day Mission u events are still open for registrations! Korean Language Day takes place July 25 at Woori Naperville UMC, Naperville, and an English session takes place Aug. 8 at Euclid Avenue UMC in Oak Park. More
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Form I-9 Training for Hiring New Staff
For churches with questions about managing I‑9 forms for new hires, the UMC's General Council on Finance and Administration offers a practical training on Aug. 12 at 1 p.m. designed specifically for supervisors, managers, and administrative staff responsible for completing Form I‑9. You'll receive clear guidance and tools you can use immediately to stay accurate and compliant in the Form I-9 process. Register here
Giving USA Report Implications for Churches
The latest Giving USA Report offers a compelling snapshot of generosity in America, and important lessons for church leaders navigating stewardship, fundraising, and financial sustainability. Jonathan Page highlights four key findings from the report and explores what they reveal about the opportunities and challenges facing congregations as they seek to fund mission-driven ministry in an evolving philanthropic landscape. More
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As the Ebola outbreak continues to threaten communities in the Democratic Republic of Congo and the wider region, the UMC is strengthening its commitment to prevent infections, support health facilities, and inform the public, from urban centers to the most remote areas.
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Through seminars, specialized trainings and the strategic use of local radio, UM pastors, doctors, and communicators are multiplying initiatives so that knowledge can become a true barrier against the virus.
Local radio stations are being mobilized by medical staff to reach not only United Methodists but also surrounding communities.
Radio makes it possible to reach people living in hard‑to‑reach areas where health teams’ movements are sometimes limited. Messages in local languages, interactive programs, public service announcements and testimonies are among the tools used to explain how the virus is transmitted, the symptoms to watch for, and the right steps to take when a case is suspected. More
Photo: Dr. Damas Lushima, as health department coordinator for the East Congo Episcopal Area, oversees the UMC’s integrated response
to the 17th Ebola outbreak affecting Ituri Province. Photo courtesy
of the Eastern Congo Health Council.
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Around the Conference
Mission u: July 10-12 at Stronghold Camp, Conference, and Retreat Center in Oregon, Ill. (in English); July 25, Korean Language Day at Woori Naperville Korean UMC; and Aug. 8 at Euclid Avenue UMC, Oak Park. UWFaith offers these events. Registration is closed for the July 10-10-12 gathering but open for the one-day events.
Revolutionize Your Ministry, July 17-18, Woori Naperville Korean UMC, Naperville. Jason Moore will advise on using artificial intelligence in church ministry and strengthening hybrid services for in-person and online worshipers.
Christmas Institute in July for Youth, July 19-21, Camp Sullivan in Oak Forest, for all youth ages 12 through 25; sponsored by the NIC Filipino American UMs and the NIC Council on Young People's Ministries.
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.
UM Men Spiritual Congress, Sept. 12-13, Conference Point Center, Williams Bay, Wis.
Conference-Wide Faithful Action 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
School of Leadership, Sept. 29-Oct. 1, Green Lake, Wis. Learn from Rev. Dr. Kenda Creasy Dean about innovation in ministry. Registration information coming soon.
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.
United Voices for Children Fifth Sunday Appeal, Aug. 30
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Explore UMRC Resources #3
The United Media Resource Center has many kinds of resources for group and individual study. Here are two DVDs and two books of interest:
“Fierce: Women of the Bible Who Changed the World:" six-session DVD study
“Revival: Faith as Wesley Lived It:" six-session DVD study
Bible Black Belts: Scripture with a Kick, by Mark Burrows
Growing Young: Six Essential Strategies to Help Young People Discover and Love Your Church, by Kara Powell, Jake Mulder, and Brad Griffin
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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