On March 19, Governor Pritzker announced new guidelines and metrics to move the state on a gradual path from Phase 4 to Phase 5 and a full reopening.

The Bridge Plan will lift restrictions and allows for higher capacity limits for gatherings and meetings before public health experts say it's safe to move to a full reopening of the state. As churches, we have focused on the category called “meetings, conferences and conventions." In order to move into the “bridge” phase and 60% capacity, our state will need to vaccinate 70% of residents age 65 and older and enter into a period of 28 days with no increases in hospitalizations and deaths. 

"We have reached this point of gradual reopening, in part, due to your good work, said Rev. Arlene Christopherson, Ass't to the Bishop and Dir. of Connectional Ministries. "As our congregations moved cautiously and consciously in their gatherings, you have helped keep people safe and stopped the spread. Now is a time for reasoned, measured steps toward normalcy."

For more information on vaccinations, click here.

Bishop Hopkins signed on to a statement with Bishops from the Episcopal Diocese of Chicago and the Metropolitan Chicago Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America to condemn the shootings in metropolitan Atlanta on March 16 that left eight people dead and one injured.

"We recognize that these shootings were not a random attack as six of the eight people killed were Asian American women," the statement read. "In the wake of this most recent tragedy, we must learn more about the particular challenges facing our Asian American siblings so that together we can work to combat the forces of evil and hate that provoke unspeakable acts of violence like the one we now mourn."

The Bishops note that the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic has fueled a significant increase in anti-Asian rhetoric, hate crimes and acts of violence against our Asian American siblings. Read statement.

Days before the shootings, the Asian American Bishops of the United Methodist Church, the New Federation of Asian American United Methodists, the Asian American Language Ministry Plan, along with other Asian American leaders and academics of the United Methodist Church, released the following statement raising concerns and fears about the rise in the anti-Asian violence in the U.S. since 2020.

Rev. Martin Lee, NIC Dir. of Congregational Development and Redevelopment, welcomed Rev. Jesse Jackson to First Korean UMC in Wheeling on Sunday, March 21. Lee gave testimony how the anti-Asian racism is impacting him and his family. Read his statement.

NIC Interim Bishop John Hopkins has created a 2:45-minute Easter greeting that may be used in your church's Easter services and announcements. Download here. For a pdf script, click here.

For free music videos of United Methodist Hymns recorded by clergy in the New England Conference, click here.

The NIC Cabinet Eastertide worship service video is available to download for all churches to celebrate the Risen Lord in the 50 days between Easter and the Feast of Pentecost. Find the full service, a stand-alone message from Bishop Hopkins and a bulletin as well as Spanish and Korean translations at umcnic.org/cabinetworship.

The United Methodist Council of Bishops continues its Lenten Devotion Series on Dismantling Racism with weekly videos during Lent and one every day of Holy Week. Find the devotions here.

The theme for the 182nd virtual Northern Illinois Annual Conference is "Jesus Makes a Way." It will be held July 16-17 through a Zoom webinar with production assistance from our ministry partners Good News TV.

More details to come. Stay up to date on news and announcements at umcnic.org/AC2021.

At a March 22 meeting, the Council of Bishops decided it was not in the best interest of The United Methodist Church to hold the one-day special virtual conference at this time. Heather Hahn reports. Read story.

Intentional Discipleship Systems (IDS) are valuable in carrying out our mission as members of The United Methodist Church for making and growing disciples. The NIC Discipleship Task Force has developed trained Resource Teams for each district to support churches that want to develop and maintain an Intentional Discipleship System. They met in early March to share ideas and are standing by ready to help. Read one trainer's testimony here. Find out more about IDS and see a list of trainers by clicking here. Check out the Discipleship Task Force's new webpage for more resources, click here.

Members of the Clergy Peer Reflection and Engagement Series (CPRES) invite all members of the Northern Illinois Conference to join them for daily prayer for justice. Hearing Micah proclaiming that we should “do justice, love mercy, and walk humbly with God,” they have launched the “Micah’s Prayer” initiative. As the trial of Derek Chauvin, charged in George Floyd’s death, has begun with jury selections and will continue for a number of weeks, CPRES is calling on all people to be in prayer at 8 o’clock for the duration of 8 minutes and 46 seconds (the amount of time in which Derek Chauvin’s knee was on George Floyd’s neck). Pray for peace, justice and discernment as we wrestle with our response to any outcome. Learn more.

The National Federation of Asian American United Methodists is now officially the New Federation of Asian American United Methodists. The group, which represents the collective mission and ministry of the 12 Asian American United Methodist caucuses, is being "rebirthed during a most turbulent and challenging time," the release said. Rev. Scort Christy of Evanston: Emmanuel is the new president and Rev. Zaki L. Zaki of Roselle UMC is the Vice President for Advocacy & Program. Read more.

United Voices for Children (UVC) is inviting nominations for its three annual awards that honor extraordinary service or advocacy efforts on behalf of children, youth and/or families throughout the NIC. Award winners receive a grant for their organization or ministry. For details and a nominations form, visit unitedvoicesforchildren.org/programs/awards. The submission deadline is April 15, 2021. Questions? Please contact Diane Strzelecki, UVC Communications Coordinator, at [email protected].

Churches and faith-based nonprofits are a bedrock of many Chicago communities, and through a partnership with Chicago Public Schools (CPS), they’re providing valuable resources for students, even during the pandemic. The CPS Office of Faith-Based Initiatives runs several programs including Safe Haven, which several NIC churches have participated in to provide students a safe learning environment when school's out. Learn more in the latest Different Drummers episode.

In spring 2020, the United Methodist Foundation of the Northern Illinois Conference challenged congregations to raise funds to support the three food banks serving the conference area. The match began as a $50,000 challenge, but because of generous support, it was increased to $75,000. In total, gifts of more than $150,000 were made to support feeding neighbors. One of the recipients, the Northern Illinois Food Bank, is grateful for the donations and said the money made a huge impact in helping feed the hungry in the community. Click here for more and to watch a special "thank you" video.

The Inclusive Collective campus ministry at Northern Illinois University in DeKalb is hiring. The position is for a part-time, three-year campus ministry resident from July 15, 2021 through May 15, 2024. Click here to learn more and apply. For other job openings around the conference, visit umcnic.org/jobs.

Around the Conference  

Click here for event information on the Conference calendar and check back often for updates.

Click here for a list of DVD studies for women ready to borrow.

Go to www.igrc.org/umrc to access the online catalog.

Questions, comments? Contact Jill Stone at [email protected].

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