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NIC Women Who Made History
"Along my journey, there has been the influence of women who refused to be silenced and refused to give up," says Rev. Danita Anderson, assistant to Bishop Dan Schwerin. In her latest column, which refers to Women's History Month (March), she recalls meeting Barbara McEwing, the first Black woman ordained elder in the NIC.
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She also looks back at the many encounters, conversations, and visits with Tallulah Fisher Williams, the first Black woman to serve as a district superintendent in the NIC. Both now rest in paradise, but without either, Danita says, she would not be serving today. More
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Ignite Introduces People to Ministry
About 80 people from across the North Central Jurisdiction, including 14 from NIC, attended Ignite, March 13-14 in Glenview, to learn about lay and clergy opportunities for ministry and to discern if they are being called by God. Hear from two NIC young people, Kalyn Merritt and Miriam Safford, about their experience at the spirit-filled event. More
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Communications Survey Wants You
You may have received a communications survey request in your email box. The conference is undergoing a communications audit in order to provide churches and people the information they seek as well as how they want to receive it. Your opinion is valuable! This survey is online, but a paper survey will follow for people who are not online. More
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Apply by March 31 for Town, Rural Grants
Application deadline is March 31 for the PACK (Planned Act of Christian Kindness) Grant and the Keagy Grant. These empower small-town and rural churches, outside of metropolitan and suburban areas, in their community outreach. The Keagy Grant is for larger ministry projects that benefit the community. More
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Caring for Families Enduring Trauma
Chaddock, a UM child-serving ministry located in Quincy, IL, invites clergy to a two-day conference for pastors and clergy to equip them to recognize better and support individuals and families suffering from trauma and attachment-related issues. This event, April 23-24, takes place at Chaddock and is based on their Developmental Trauma and Attachment Program. More
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Attend Laity Convocation This Saturday
You can attend Laity Convocation on March 21 even if you did not register. Walk in to the main location, First UMC, Glen Ellyn, or a satellite location: First UMC, Princeton; Faith UMC, Freeport; or Faith UMC, Orland Park. Speaking will be Bishop Dan Schwerin, Rev. Hope Chernich, and several young people. More
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The 2025 Journal is Published
Download or order a print copy of the 2025 Journal. Find a link to the free PDF document here. You can also order a printed version for $11.50. Order from Amazon here. For the current and previous journals and information on how to obtain them, visit the journal website.
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UVC Fifth Sunday Appeal, March 29
The next Fifth Sunday Appeal for United Voices for Children takes place March 29. UVC is a coalition of congregations, agencies, groups, and individuals that speaks and acts on behalf of children, youth, and families in need. Affiliated organizations are Kids Above All, MYSI, and Rosecrance. Watch their new video and use it to interpret the appeal. More
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US Regional Conference Organizers
Planning is officially underway for the U.S. Regional Conference — a new decision-making body in the UMC. The Council of Bishops on March 13 announced the 25 people who now have the task of organizing the regional conference’s first meeting. The creation of the new conference gives US United Methodists a place to address US concerns only. More
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Endurance produces character, and character produces hope,
and hope does not put us to shame (Rom. 3:4, 5)
Reminders
Volunteers: We'll need check-in table and information desk help, ushers, guides, and others to provide hospitality and assist the Annual Conference staff so the event runs smoothly. You may help out for part of a day or longer. More
Bishop's Appeal: This year's appeal is for theological education in Africa, Europe, and the Philippines. Donations will be divided between the Endowment for Theological Education in the Central Conferences (Africa, Europe, and the Philippines) and the construction of a high school in Tanzania, led by missionary and NIC member Rev. Young Seon (Christina) Kim. Consider taking your offering for the Bishop's Appeal on Miracle Sunday, May 17. (Designate a different day if May 17 is not practical.) Find bulletin inserts, a flyer, and videos in English and with Spanish subtitles here.
Clergy Session: This takes place on Sunday, June 14, from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. at the Renaissance Convention Center. Remember, clergy are required by Discipline to be present. You must write to the bishop if you cannot attend. Laity Session takes place simultaneously.
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Sunday, June 14
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Lay Session and Clergy Session take place simultaneously, 1:30 to 3:30 p.m., at the Renaissance Convention Center.
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Celebration of Ministry (ordination, commissioning, recognition of local pastors, consecration of deaconesses and home missioners), evening
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Monday, June 15
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Bible Study, morning
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Lunch and Learn sessions, noon to 1:30 p.m.
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Memorial Service, early afternoon.
Tuesday, June 16
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Bible Study, morning
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Retirement Service, midmorning
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Keep watching this space for updates
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Vital Conversations on Immigration Group Study
The NIC Committee on Religion and Race’s Immigration Team recommends this five-week study from the General Commission on Religion and Race to all churches interested in learning more about immigration. The course seeks to cultivate a culture of caring for the well-being of migrants, and to promote opposition to policies that encourage hostility to and mistreatment of migrants. It is not formulated for immigration activists; rather, it strives to ground the outlook of the participants on the immigration issue in scriptural teaching and United Methodist principles. More
Free VBS Curriculum from Midwest Mission
Investigate the Hive. This free, five-session Midwest Mission vacation Bible school curriculum was created in partnership with pastors Angela Cunigan, Heather Dorr, and Kasey Vogel to equip churches to help kids discover their God-given role in bringing hope and healing to a broken world. Rooted in the belief that God loves and cares for all people, this curriculum empowers children to act on that love through kind words, generous giving, and a heart for service. More
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Prenatal Care Turns Grief Into Joy for Congolese Mothers
For five long years for Marie Otshumba and seven for Aimérance Yema, the dream of motherhood turned into a repeated cycle of grief and despair.
Like many women in the Democratic Republic of Congo, they went through the devastating ordeal of infertility and repeated miscarriages, accompanied by shaken faith and social status.
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Today, thanks to rigorous monitoring at the Lokole UM Health Center as part of the UMC's Maternal, Newborn, and Child Health program, their tears have turned to joy
The program, supported by the UM Board of Global Ministries, combines clinical care, health education, and family support to ensure a continuum of care from pregnancy through the early years of a child’s life. The program demonstrates the church’s commitment to combining the proclamation of the Gospel with care for the dignity and health of every mother and child. More
Photo (by Chadrack Tambwe Londe, UM News): Marie Otshumba, one of the beneficiaries of the UMC’s Maternal, Newborn and Child Health program, holds son Amisi alongside nurses at Lokole UM Hospital Center in Kindu, Congo.
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Around the Conference
Laity Convocation: "Moving Forward with Hope," March 21, 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., at First UMC of Glen Ellyn and webcast to three satellite sites. Make new friends, meet up with existing ones, and hear inspiring speakers. Walk-ins are welcome.
Academia de Siervos Laicos/Lay Servant Academy in Spanish, March 28 and April 11, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., First UMC, Franklin Park. Registration is now open.
United Voices for Children Fifth Sunday Appeal, March 29
Proposed legislation and reports for Annual Conference due April 1
Fresh Expressions Monthly Gathering, April 9, 7:30 p.m., online. Michael Beck (the UMC's director of Fresh Expressions) leads the discussion.
Springfield Advocacy Day, April 15. Travel with UMs to meet with state legislators about issues related to racial justice.
Nominate individuals and churches for the #BeUMC awards by April 15. You may nominate your own church!
Interfaith Bus Trip for Youth, April 18. Youth will visit houses of worship of other faiths. Online registration coming soon.
Safe Sanctuaries Training, April 25, 9 a.m. to noon, online. Learn practices to keep children, youth, and vulnerable adults safe in church activities. You'll want your vacation Bible school leaders to take this training if they have not already. The $20 fee includes instruction and background check.
Around the Connection
Women's History Month, March
Scout Sunday, a Sunday of your church's choice this month
UM Committee on Relief Sunday, March 15
Bishops' Vision Statement Seminar, "Wesleyan Leadership: Lead Courageously," March 21, 9 to 10:30 a.m., online
Methodist Liaison Office in Jerusalem update and virtual prayer meetings, second and fourth Wednesdays of each month at noon. Next meeting: March 25. Send an email to the MLO office to request log-in information.
Palm Sunday, March 29
Addressing Youth Mental Health, a UVC virtual gathering, March 30, 6:30 to 7:45 p.m.
Easter, April 5
Native American Ministries Sunday, April 19
Healing Through Trauma and Attachment: A Pastor's Tool Kit, April 23-24, Chaddock, Quincy, Ill. This two-day seminar offered by a UM-related organization for children and families will assist clergy to better recognize and counsel individuals and families suffering from trauma and attachment-related issues.
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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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Speed Sketch DVDs to Borrow
The United Media Resource Center has Speed Sketch DVDs. Here are a few:
“Story Begins:" contains six Bible stories
“Stories of the Patriarchs:" contains seven Bible stories
“Parables of Jesus:” contains six Bible stories
“Stories of Jesus in Luke:” contains six Bible stories
“Story of Lent:" contains six Bible stories
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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