Bishops Offer 8-Week Video Study, 'Pentecost People'

This study is designed for use in the weeks following Pentecost (June 8). 

Bishop Dan Schwerin presents the first study. He urges Christians to move away from "a dominance mindset" to one more in line with the concept of "ubuntu," a Zulu word referring to mutuality.

“I believe the church in the U.S. is in a culture suffering from an age-old battle between dominance and non-dominance,” he said. “And it is more like cruciform love to take steps of self-giving and generosity. People seem only to know how to move out of dominion impulses, but our body can give something to the world by modeling ubuntu steps.” 

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Alternative Disaffiliation Paths Nixed

Church closures cannot be used as a back door for church exits now that the UMC’s temporary disaffiliation policy no longer exists, the UMC Judicial Council has ruled. The council was specifically examining Mississippi Conference’s use of Discipline para. 2549, a church-closure provision for congregations that are no longer sustainable, as a way for churches to disaffiliate.



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Annual Conference Updates

5 Days Until Conference!

Find Your Legislative Section

Legislative sections will meet on Monday afternoon. In sections, members review their assigned legislation and decide whether to recommend any for the consent calendar. The consent calendar is a grouping of legislation that is expected to pass easily and will be voted on as a group.

View each section's leaders and assigned legislation

Find your section assignment

Need to Replace a Lay Member with an Alternate?

Only registered members with voting credentials will be seated on the floor of Annual Conference. If your church has a lay member who cannot attend, a registered alternate may take their place. If the alternate hasn't registered, they MUST contact Rev. Ryan Sutton (815-499-6314), chair of the Credentials Committee, no later than June 8. Approval of alternates who would vote in the place of the lay member but have not registered will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

Remember to Bring:

• Your church's giving to the Bishop's Appeal. (Donations will be accepted throughout the year.)
• Your church's in-kind donations for Midwest Mission.

Downloadable Documents

• Program Book (agenda, orders of worship, and more)
• Annual Conference documents (legislation, historical reports, etc.)

More information on Annual Conference, June 9-11, Renaissance Schaumburg Convention Center

NIC People in the News 

Rita L. Smith, a member of Resurrection UMC, Chicago, has been recognized as Church Women United’s Human Rights Honoree for her long list of leadership in ministries of advocacy and service. 

Do Apportionments Make Any Difference?

To help you understand where your church's apportionment giving goes, UM Communications has created downloadable and video resources. You can also use these to show your church members how Apportioned Funds bring life and hope for the world. The resources include stories from around the world about how these funds are helping those experiencing hunger, marginalization, disaster, or other types of need. They also invite people to share inspiring stories of sacrificial giving—whether it’s a congregation rallying together for a special cause or an individual making a meaningful personal sacrifice.



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Serve as a Mission Volunteer

Mission volunteers are individuals or couples (ages 18 and up) who seek long-term partnerships with communities around the world and fund themselves. Opportunities include working with children and youth, serving as a teacher or health-care professional, and more. The length of service ranges from two months to more than two years.

Apply now and plan to attend one of the trainings on Aug. 4-7 or Nov. 10-13.

Learn more 

Around the Conference

Methodist Liaison Office in Jerusalem update and virtual prayer meetings, second and fourth Wednesdays monthly at noon. Next meetings: June 11 and 25. Send an email message to the liaison office for instructions on how to join the online meeting.

Pre-Conference Briefings, June 4 (7 p.m.) and 5 (10 a.m.), online. Learn about the legislation, recommended budget, and more about the Annual Conference.

Stand Up For Kids Comedy Night, June 5, 7 p.m. Fundraiser for Kids Above All at the Den Theatre, 1331 N. Milwaukee Ave., Chicago.

Northern Illinois Annual Conference session, June 9-11, Renaissance Schaumburg Convention Center.

JOY Camp, June 22-28, Camp Reynoldswood, Dixon. For children in fifth grade through high school.

Tuesday Teaching, June 24, 6:30 p.m. ("Twighlight Teaching"). Topic: Fresh Expressions Ministries.

Welcoming the Stranger: Immigration Information Panel, June 29, 12:15 to 2:15 p.m., Kingswood UMC, Buffalo Grove (and online). NIC Advocacy Partners Immigration Committee and Kingswood organized a panel of speakers to address Scripture, immigration facts vs. misconceptions, and more.

Mission u, July 18-20, Carmelite Spiritual Center in Darien; July 19, Korean One-Day at Carmelite Spiritual Center; and Aug. 2, Spanish/Children/English 1-Day at Morgan Park UMC, Chicago. Organized by United Women in Faith and intended not only for women.

United Voices for Children Fifth Sunday Appeal, June 29.

Around the Connection

Pentecost, June 8

Peace with Justice Sunday, June 15

Juneteenth, June 19. Observes the anniversary of the date when African Americans in Texas learned that slavery had been abolished.

United Methodist Men National Gathering, July 31 to Aug. 3

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.

More DVD Studies for Adults

Here are more DVD studies for adults that you can borrow from the United Media Resource Center. 

#112138  "Luke: Jesus and the Outsiders, Outcasts, and Outlaws," 6 sessions with Adam Hamilton

#113083  "Make a Difference: Following Your Passion and Finding Your Place to Serve," 6 sessions with James Harnish

#119163  "Short Stories By Jesus: The Enigmatic Parables of a Controversial Rabbi," 6 sessions with Amy-Jill Levine

#123100  "Wesley Challenge: 21 Days to a More Authentic Faith," 3 sessions with Chris Folmsbee

The United Media Resource Center has books, DVDs, and more to lend to your church's Christian education, faith formation, and book-club ministries. Check their online catalog.

List of resources

Online catalog

Contact the center

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