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Of the total raised, half has been sent to support the high school at Global Mission Secondary School in Tanzania, a mission site led by NIC clergy member Rev. Young Seon (Christina) Kim. Construction is underway, with roofing completed ahead of anticipated heavy rains. The new school will expand educational opportunities for young people in the community and help build a foundation for their future.
The other half from the Bishop’s Appeal will support the Endowment for Theological Education, helping prepare future leaders for ministry around the world. An additional $20,459.56 raised through Miracle Sunday will also be sent to the fund. These gifts join contributions from United Methodists across the connection, which have provided more than $2.1 million to strengthen theological education and equip future church leaders.
Thank you to everyone who contributed to the Bishop’s Appeal and Miracle Sunday. Your generosity is expanding educational opportunities, preparing future leaders and strengthening the church’s global mission. More.
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UVC Celebrates Advocates
United Voices for Children gathered with church leaders, advocates and community partners for its annual Raising Our Voices event, highlighting youth mental health, bullying prevention and the importance of safe, supportive communities for children. Three were honored for their commitment to children and youth, and congregations are invited to join the ongoing work through prayer, giving and advocacy. More
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Leaders Head to Global Gathering
Four Northern Illinois-Wisconsin leaders will join United Methodists from around the world for the Council of Bishops’ Leadership Gathering Oct. 20–24 in Calgary, Canada. Read how Rev. Fabiola Grandon-Mayer and Rev. Jeremiah Cottrell-Duebner are preparing to help envision a future for The United Methodist Church rooted in hope, inclusion and shared ministry. More
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Exploring History Across Three States
United Methodists from six conferences took a break from the NCJ History and Archives Convocation to traveled through Iowa, Illinois and Wisconsin on Oct. 7 to explore the rich and complex history of Methodism in the region. The tour included visits to historic churches and offered participants an opportunity to connect with the people, places and experiences that have shaped the church’s history. More
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Help Complete the NIC Journal Collection
The NIC has digitized nearly all past conference journals to preserve our history and make these records accessible to everyone. We are still missing journals from 1948, 1950, 1951, 2003, 2007, 2010, 2012 and 2013. Because the scanning process unfortunately destroys the original journals, we are seeking extra copies rather than using the only remaining copy of these editions. If you have a copy of any of these journals that you would be willing to donate for digitization, please contact David W. Quinn.
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How can churches build meaningful connections in today’s digital-first world? In Episode 123 of the MyCom Church Communications and Marketing Podcast, Ryan Dunn explores practical strategies for building online communities and strengthening ministry connections in digital-only, hybrid, and traditional congregations. This episode offers helpful insights for churches looking to expand their digital presence and foster meaningful relationships online. More.
Learn the Core Practices of Community Organizing
Strengthen your skills in community organizing, faith-rooted advocacy and justice at the Midwest Regional Training hosted by the Organizing for Mission Network. This two-day event, co-sponsored by the General Board of Church and Society, offers practical tools, relationship-building, and opportunities to grow your capacity for faithful action. The training takes place Nov. 12–13, at Redeemer Lutheran Church in Milwaukee, with a discounted registration rate of $150 for United Methodists. More
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Prison Ministry Serves, Supports for 25 Years
Since 2001, volunteers from Christ UMC and West End UMC have walked through the doors of Riverbend Maximum Security Institution in Nashville, Tennessee, with a simple message: You have not been forgotten.
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“People simply showed some compassion, simply shared some love, and realized that I had possibilities. And that I was a human and still had purpose and that I wasn’t something to just be thrown away,” says David, a formerly incarcerated ministry participant.
This dedication to loving, serving, and leading has changed lives and shined a light of hope when it was needed the most. More
Photo: Screenshot from video created by United Methodist Communications.
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Around the Conference
Leadership Essentials webinar, Oct. 15, 11:30 a.m., online.
Hispanic/Latinx Celebration, Oct. 17, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., North Northfield UMC, Northbrook. Worship, music and food celebrating Hispanic/Latinx culture.
UWFaith NIC 2026 Annual Celebration, Oct. 24, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., First UMC in Downers Grove.
Preventing the Most Common Liability Insurance Claims Webinar, Oct. 27, 7 to 8 p.m., online.
Capacitación de Líderes/Spanish Leadership Training, Oct. 31, 9 a.m. to noon, First UMC in Franklin Park
Tuesday Teaching, Nov. 3, 11 a.m., online. Matt Miofsky of The Gathering Church in St. Louis will share about creating a culture of generosity in your church.
Town and Rural Festival, Nov. 7. Hear from active town and rural churches.
United Voices for Children 5th Sunday Appeal, Nov. 29. Support UVC’s affiliated agencies wiht a collection
Around the Connection
Hispanic Heritage Month, Sept. 15-Oct. 15
Laity Sunday, Oct. 18
Children's Sabbath, Oct. 18
Native American Heritage Month, November
All Saints' Sunday, Nov. 1
Exploration 2026, Nov. 6-8, Orlando, FL. For young adults to discern God's call into ordained ministry.
Do No Harm, Nov. 12-14, online. Virtual Conference to equip individuals and the Church to prevent sexual harm and foster trauma-informed care.
National Workshop on Christian Unity, Nov. 17-19, ELCA Headquarters, Chicago.
Advent Starts, Nov. 29
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Prepare for the Advent season with adult study resources available to borrow from the United Methodist Resource Center. Choose from DVDs and print-only studies to help individuals and groups reflect on the meaning of Advent and grow in faith as they prepare for Christmas. Suggested titles:
- “All the Good: A Wesleyan Way of Christmas” DVD Study with various presenters
- “Almost Christmas: A Wesleyan Advent Experience” DVD Study with various presenters
- “Angels of Christmas: Hearing God’s Voice in Advent” DVD Study with Susan Robb
- "Heart That Grew Three Sizes: Finding Faith in the Story of the Grinch” DVD Study with Matt Rawle
- “Prepare the Way for the Lord: Advent and the Message of John the Baptist” DVD Study with Adam Hamilton
- “Redemption of Scrooge” DVD Study with Matt Rawle
- “Light of the World: A Beginner's Guide to Advent” DVD Study with Amy-Jill Levine
- "Unlikely Advent: Extraordinary People of the Christmas Story” DVD Study with Rachel Billups
-
Taste & See: Experiencing the Stories of Advent and Christmas a print study by Jan Johnson
List of resources
Online catalog
Contact the center
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