Laity Convo Offers Reasons for Hope

We are all interrelated as a network that is Beloved Community—and young adults bring commitment and open hearts to their lives of faith, laypeople learned at “Moving Forward with Hope,” the NIC Laity Convocation held on March 21 at First UMC in Glen Ellyn.

Rev. Hope Chernich, a member of NIC's Rapid Response Team, which helped those targeted during ICE's Operation Midway Blitz, asserted that the UMC is "uniquely equipped for what is happening in our world."

Our baptisms brought us together, Bishop Schwerin told the gathering, "and we have nothing else to do but build Beloved Community.” Further, he called NIC people to “engage in an environment of innovation.” He recommended the work of Kenda Creasy Dean, who writes and speaks on Christian social innovation. 

“God may be using this time to push us outside of our doors,” he said. More

Endurance produces character, and character produces hope,

and hope does not put us to shame (Rom. 3:4, 5)

Registration Opens Next Week

• Registration opens on April 1 for Annual Conference. Fee is $160 until April 30; it rises to $175 from May 1 to 22. Childcare reservations also opens on April 1. It will be hosted by Our Saviour's and Our Redeemer's UMCs in Schaumburg. Advance registration is required and space is limited. Read about hours, fees, and more.

• Legislation is due April 1. 

• Mass Choir: Take part in this choir, made up of people from across the conference. The choir will sing at the memorial service on June 14 at 7 p.m. 

• Bishop's Appeal: This year's appeal is for theological education in the Central Conferences (now regional conferences): Africa, Europe, and the Philippines. It will benefit the Endowment for Theological Education in the Central Conferences and the construction of a high school in Tanzania, under the leadership of missionary Rev. Young Seon Kim (known as Christina), an NIC clergy member. Bishop Schwerin urges churches to take the offering on Miracle Sunday, May 17. Find more information here.

Keep checking this space for updates

'People & Pronouns: Language That Sees Us' Study Guide

This is a practical, theologically grounded guide from Reconciling Ministries, designed to help churches embody welcome through faithful, inclusive language. Rooted in Scripture and the Wesleyan tradition, it moves beyond debate and into discipleship—equipping church leaders, worship planners, and ministry teams with real tools for creating communities where people are truly seen and named with dignity. It's good for individuals and groups. More

An Inclusive Church Is a Growing Church

Churches are fruitful when they understand who the people are around them and develop ministries to reach them, especially those in their communities but not in their churches. However, from the 1970s onward, the misalignment of denominational efforts with new demographic realities led to immediate and continuing decline. This new era, increasingly characterized by racial and ethnic diversity, found the church needing to reach people unlike themselves. When the people God had given us began to change, our ways of working did not. And so today, the United Methodist Church is called to ask anew, “Who is missing?” More

UMC Brings Aid and Hope to Flooded Tanganyika

Ilunga Madeleine’s gaze tells a story of loss, but also of survival.

Like hundreds of other families in the Nyunzu territory, she saw raging floodwaters wash away her possessions and her hopes. Yet in December, within the walls of Nazareth Parish in Tanganyika, a feeling of deep gratitude took over as she clasped her hands around an UMCOR relief kit.

The UMC provided humanitarian aid to flood victims and displaced people living in the Tanganyika region of the Democratic Republic of Congo.

The emergency humanitarian response comes amid a “double crisis” affecting the Tanganyika region: Devastating floods in Nyunzu reduced homes and agricultural livelihoods to rubble, and the area has seen a massive influx of internally displaced persons who have fled armed violence in the provinces of North and South Kivu. 

To help, give to UM Committee on Relief’s International Disaster Response Advance #982450. More

Photo: Richard Mushitu, the Tanganyika Episcopal Area’s Disaster Management coordinator, helps distribute bags of flour during an emergency humanitarian aid distribution. Photo courtesy of the Disaster Management Office of the Tanganyika Episcopal Region.

Around the Conference

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 are 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.

Nominate individuals and churches for the #BeUMC awards by April 10. You may nominate your own church!

Springfield Advocacy Day, April 15. Travel with UMs to meet with state legislators about issues related to racial justice. Register by March 31.

Interfaith Bus Trip for Youth, April 18. Youth will visit houses of worship of other faiths. Register online now.

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.

Creation Care Summit, May 2, 9 a.m. to noon, First UMC, Arlington Heights. Hear from Grace Hubbard, climate care coordinator of the New England Conference; learn practical ways churches can become more eco-friendly; and more.

Around the Connection

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.



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.

Books on Social Ministry

The United Media Resource Center has books on social action to lend. A few examples:

#811088  Beyond the Yellow Ribbon: Ministering to Returning Combat Veterans, by David Thompson and Darlene Wetterstrom

#820031  Fear Not: Living Grace and Truth In a Frightened World, by Eric Law

#816230  Hope for the Future: Answering God’s Call to Justice for Our Children, by Shannon Daley-Harris

#820093  Rally: Communal Prayers for Lovers of Jesus and Justice, by Britney Winn Lee

#817075  Recovering From Un-Natural Disasters, by Laurie Kraus, David Holyan, and Bruce Wismer

#819033  You Welcomed Me: Loving Refugees and Immigrants Because God First Loved Us, by Kent Annan

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

Find It Fast

Please note: Unsubscribing from this eNews list will remove you from all notices from the Northern Illinois Conference, including messages from the bishop, appointment announcements, and sympathy notices.