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Opportunities:
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Public rally at Annual Conference: Takes place on Monday, June 15, 5:30 to 6:15 p.m. You don't have to attend Annual Conference to join this walk from the Schaumburg Renaissance Convention Center to Meacham Road.
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Loving Our Neighbor DIY community engagement event: Choose your own activity, such as a rally, an educational gathering, a service opportunity, or other. The NIC Commission on Religion and Race CCORR created a checklist to help churches plan.
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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.
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Conference-wide day of action, Sept. 13: Participate in a coordinated day of public witness to demonstrate large-scale support for our immigrant brothers and sisters.
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Conference Events to Attend or View
Next week is Annual Conference, June 14-16, at the Schaumburg Renaissance Convention Center (see below for more details). Special events to attend or watch on livestream: Celebration of Ministry (includes ordination), June 14, 7 p.m.; Memorial Service, June 15, 1:45 p.m.; and the Retirement Celebration, June 16, 11 a.m. More
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Laypeople Reclaim Caring Ministries
Laypeople are recovering their ministry of caring for those facing health and wellness challenges, thanks to The Caring Congregation training held at Kingswood United Methodist Church in Buffalo Grove, May 8-9. “People have discerned their call to this ministry,” says Rev. James Preston, lead pastor of Kingswood and Buffalo Grove campus pastor. “Lay people are gifted for this.” More
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Generous Giving as of May 31
NIC United Methodists continue to be faithful to their commitments and generous givers. As of May 31, churches have submitted 75 percent of apportionments, 99 percent of property insurance premiums, and 96 percent of clergy health and pension benefit amounts due by that date. Clergy have paid 94 percent of their health insurance responsibility. Well done! More
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3 Admin Assistant Positions to Open
NIC is preparing to hire administrative assistants for the Lake South, Prairie Central, and Prairie South districts. These are part-time positions with local offices to be determined. Duties are administrative and require organizational skills, attention to detail, and a passion for supporting meaningful ministry. Applications will be accepted June 12-23. More
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Order Your NIC Merchandise
Purchase NIC-branded merchandise online. Available are water bottles, windbreakers, hoodies, shirts, backpacks, notepads, and more, all displaying the conference logo. They can be great conversation starters to help you tell others what you appreciate about the UMC. More
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United Church of Canada & UMC Ties
Two denominations with historic ties to John Wesley are strengthening their relationship. The UM Council of Bishops and leaders of The United Church of Canada each approved an interim covenant that mutually affirms both denominations’ clergy and opens the door to greater cooperation across national borders. More
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Special eNews Issues Next Week
NIC Annual Conference takes place next week, Sept. 14-16. On Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday, we will publish special issues that cover the conference. Watch for the usual eNews to resume on June 24. More
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People and Churches
Thirty-four students from Northern Illinois received UM Board of Higher Education and Ministry scholarships totaling $82,522 in 2025. Undergraduate and graduate students qualify for GBHEM scholarships. Every year, the agency awards $4 million. Make sure that high school youth and college students know about these. More
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Endurance produces character, and character produces hope,
and hope does not put us to shame (Rom. 3:4, 5)
Only 4 days until Annual Conference!
Prepare now:
Remember to bring:
- Your church's Bishop's Appeal offering and Midwest Mission donations
- Comfortable shoes for walking through the large convention center
- Clothing layers (the ballroom can be cold and we are unable to adjust the temperature)
- Clothing appropriate for ordination, retirement, and memorial services
- Chargers for electronic devices (there are no charging stations in the convention center)
- Snacks
- Umbrella
Follow us:
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Healthy and Helpful Leadership Accountability
Healthy church leadership depends on accountability, but not the kind rooted in guilt, control, or micromanagement. Jonathan Page outlines three principles for creating a culture of accountability that is restorative, chosen, and mutual—helping churches stay focused on their mission even during the slower rhythms of summer. More
Checklist for Church Financial Sustainability
Strong financial stewardship starts long before a crisis. Review this practical checklist from the UM Council on Finance and Administration. It helps churches think proactively about reserves, sustainability, and planning for the future. More
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Evangelism Sparks Church Growth in Kenya
When Nairobi District Superintendent Antony Maiga started his role two years ago, he had no churches or members.
Now, there are nine churches in four circuits, and membership has grown to more than 1,400.
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Maiga was assigned to lead a district where all the congregations had left The United Methodist Church to join the Global Methodist Church.
Evangelism has been key to growth. Pastors are employing varying strategies, including person‑to‑person, house‑to‑house visits and open‑air preaching and outreach that demonstrates God’s love in action.
Bishop Daniel Wandabula said Nairobi serves as a mission laboratory, noting that “evangelism and community engagement are inseparable expressions of the Gospel.”
“My plans are to strengthen evangelism and discipleship, buy land for church development, invest in healthcare and education, and expand pastor training," Maiga said. More
Photo: Faith Mueke, head of The United Methodist Church’s Mumo Educational Center, talks about the vision of the center to visitors from two United Methodist boards. Photo by Kudzai Chingwe, UM News.
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Around the Conference
Northern Illinois Annual Conference, June 14-16, Schaumburg Renaissance Conference Center.
JOY Camp, June 21-27, Camp Reynoldswood, Dixon.
Northern Illinois/Illinois Great Rivers Conferences Illinois Pilgrimage, June 25-28. Participants will explore sites related to significant racial-justice events.
Mission u: July 10-12 in English at Stronghold Camp, Conference, and Retreat Center in Oregon, Ill.; 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 now open.
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.
NIC offices are closed June 17, 18, and 19.
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.
Around the Connection
Kids Above All Comedy Night Fundraiser, June 11, 7 to 9:30 p.m., at The Den Theatre, 1331 N. Milwaukee, Chicago.
Juneteenth, June 19
North Central Jurisdiction Youth Mission Trip to Motown Mission in Detroit, June 21-27
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.
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Books on Intergenerational Ministry
The United Media Resource Center has books on intergenerational ministry to lend. Among them:
#819091 Faithful Celebrations: Making Time with Family and Friends, by Sharon Ely Pearson
#816003 Generations Together: Caring, Praying, Learning, Celebrating, and Serving Faithfully, by Kathie Amidei, Jim Merhaut, and John Roberto
#816014 Intergenerational Christian Formation: Bringing the Whole Church Together in Ministry, Community and Worship, by Holly Catterton Allen and Christine Lawton Ross
#819069 Inter-Generational Youth Ministry, by Mel Walker
#817205 Messy Church: Fresh Ideas for Building a Christ-Centered Community, by Lucy Moore
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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