News & Updates

Sept. 24, 2026

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Welcome, Elizabeth Williams, to Prairie Central!

The Prairie Central District welcomes Elizabeth Williams as its new district administrative assistant. Beth will work from the district office at Barrington UMC, on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. The district office is now located at Barrington UMC, 98 Algonquin Road in Barrington, providing a new home base for the District Superintendent and district administrative support and connection.

“I am so thankful to welcome Elizabeth Williams as our Prairie Central District Administrator,” said Rev. Wendy Hardin Hermann, District Superintendent of the Prairie Central District. “Beth's lifelong roots in United Methodism and her desire to serve the church will be of great benefit to the laity and clergy of our District. Her many years of professional experience have given her a proven track record in leadership, organizational development, and attention to detail. I believe she is the right person to support our District as we move forward in hope!”

Beth can be reached via email at ewilliams@umcnicn.org.

In addition to Elizabeth Williams, the NIC welcomes new staff members Rev. Deidre Hines and Shelley Harold, serving as district administrative assistants, and Sheryl Hatcher, the new Conference Benefits Officer. Together, these new team members bring additional support and resources to churches, clergy, and leaders across the Conference. Read more.

Churches Across the NIC Turn Faith into Action

On Sun., Sept. 13, more than 18 United Methodist churches and communities turned faith into action through gatherings that expressed support for immigrants and affirmed their dignity, worth, and rights. Churches found many different ways to offer a public witness, from prayer, song, and reflection to marches, vigils, rallies, story walks, and creative installations. Read more.

Grow in Lay Leadership

Lay Servant Ministries offers training and experiences that equip disciples to recognize and respond to their call to ministry. After 10 years of faithful leadership from Peggy Hansen, Kim Emery has begun serving as the new director of the Conference Committee on Lay Servant Ministries. Fall District Lay Academies provide opportunities for laypeople to explore a variety of courses and grow their skills for ministry. You can attend an academy in any district, regardless of where you live or hold church membership. Training is available for Certified Lay Servant, Lay Speaker, and Lay Minister pathways, with a new CLM class planned for spring 2027. Learn more.

Other Lay Academies offered around the conference:

Lake South: Oct. 3 & 10, 9 a.m.–3 p.m., Dolton: Faith UMC, 15015 Grant St.
Prairie South: Oct. 10 & 17, 8:30 a.m.–2:30 p.m., Mt. Morris: Disciples, 102 N. Maple Ave.
Prairie North: Nov. 7, 8 a.m.–5 p.m. and Nov. 8, 1–4:30 p.m., Roscoe UMC, 10816 Main St., Roscoe
Lake North: Nov. 7 & 14, 8:30 a.m.–3:30 p.m., Oak Park: Euclid Avenue UMC, 405 S. Euclid Ave.

Bargains and Community: Two PC Rummage Sales

Crafts, Vendors and Souper Lunch at Cary UMC

Sat., Oct. 17, 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Free admission

Browse handmade crafts, gifts, cards and wood crafts, along with a variety of vendors. A “Souperb” lunch will be served from 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., or while supplies last. Learn more.

92nd Annual Sale at Barringon UMC

Fri., Oct. 2, 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Sat., Oct. 3, 9 a.m. to noon

Featuring clothing, toys, household goods, jewelry, sporting and garden items, tools, antiques and collectibles, including the popular “French Room.” The sale offers half-price shopping Friday at 3 p.m. and a Saturday bag sale, with proceeds supporting United Women in Faith and organizations serving women, children and youth throughout the local and Chicago communities. Learn more.

Mission Links Highlight:

World Communion Sunday, Oct. 4

Celebrating Unity, Supporting Diversity

As we share in the bread and cup, we also share in a mission: supporting diverse leaders through scholarships and training.

Your offering helps fund scholarships for racial-ethnic minority students and international scholars, as well as inclusion training across the church. Learn more.

50% of the offering funds scholarships for undergraduate or graduate students of color pursuing ministry.
35% of the offering supports training grants for worldwide inclusion, diversity, equity, and access.
15% of the offering provides leadership development grants in partner churches.

HOW TO GIVE: Write a check or donate online to your local church and note, “World Communion Sunday”. Churches can give through the regular NIC Apportionment process.

HAPPENING AROUND THE CONFERENCE

Tuesday, October 13

Barrington UMC

You are invited to come together for an evening of fellowship, conversation, and shared hope with our Muslim neighbors. Enjoy a meal, learn from one another’s faith traditions, build new relationships, and discover the values we share. Learn more.

The NIC Finance and Administration Office is continuing to offer free webinars to help pastors, treasurers, finance committees, and other church leaders navigate essential financial, administrative and leadership responsibilities. Webinars are recorded and available for later viewing.

Charge Conference Forms, Sept. 29. 7 p.m.
Cyber Threats, Oct. 6, 7 p.m.
Benefits Conversation, Oct. 13, 7 p.m.
Leadership Essentials, Oct. 15, 11:30 a.m.
Protecting Your Church, Preventing the Most Common Liability Insurance Claims, Oct. 27, 7 p.m.
Statistical Reporting, Dec. 15, 7 p.m.
Statistical Reporting – Questions and Answers, Jan. 12, 7 p.m.

View the full upcoming schedule and browse webinar recordings here.

Other Upcoming Events

Sept. 24: UVC Raising Our Voices. Annual advocacy & awards event for United Voices for Children
Sept. 29-Oct. 1: School for Leadership
Sept. 30: Blessed Are the Peacemakers Prayer Service Prayer, Scripture, music, and reflection
Oct. 4: World Communion Sunday
Oct. 5-8: NCJ Commission on Archives & History Convocation Opportunity for supporting others and sharing ideas and resources.
Oct. 11: ILJNI Fundraising Dinner Net profits raised from the dinner will go directly to support clients with high-quality free immigration legal services and much-needed resources.
Oct. 13: Methodists-Muslim Dinner Gathering, dinner, speakers, and table conversations
Oct. 13: Retired Clergy Association's Fall Program
Oct. 14: KAA Celebration Dinner Showcasing the stories of youth whose lives have been transformed through Kids Above All’s services

Save the Date

Oct. 17: NIC Hispanic/Latinx Celebration
Oct. 24: UW Faith NIC Annual Meeting
Nov. 6-8: Exploration 2026. For young adults to explore God’s call to ordained ministry through worship, fellowship, theological reflection, and practical workshops.
Nov. 12-14: Do No Harm 2026. A virtual conference equipping the Church to prevent sexual harm and foster trauma-informed care.
Nov. 17-19: National Workshop for Christian Unity

LOCAL CHURCH RESOURCES

2026 Preliminary Journal Now Available

The NIC 2026 Preliminary Journal is now available, reflecting changes to the Standing Rules approved at the 2026 Annual Conference. The Preliminary Journal can be downloaded from the NIC website. The final 2026 Journal, including the complete business of the Annual Conference, will be available later this fall in both print and digital formats. Read more.

NCJ Bring Your Own Book Study

Join laity and clergy from across the North Central Jurisdiction for a Bring Your Own Book Study on Tues., Oct. 13, from 6:30 to 8 p.m via Zoom, hosted by the Conference Secretaries of Global Ministries. Choose a book from the suggested list, or bring your own, and come ready to share, listen, and learn. No time to read? You’re welcome to join anyway. Learn more.

Suicide Prevention Awareness Resources

September is Suicide Prevention Awareness Month. Global Ministries offers ready-to-use resources to help churches and faith leaders respond with compassion and hope, including a Suicide Prevention for Faith Leaders and Faith Communities training video, promotional materials, bulletin inserts, social media graphics, flyers, and a quick-reference guide. Churches are encouraged to share these resources or host a training for clergy, lay leaders and others. If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, call or text 988 or visit 988lifeline.org. Read more.

Local Church Non-Traditional Revenue Toolkit

For a church, non-traditional revenue comes from sources other than the offering plate, pledges, capital campaigns, dedicated gifts from church members, and the traditional stewardship season. This resource describes the theological overview of fundraising, the development and cultivation of ministry partnerships, best practices, event ideas, legal considerations, and how to market your event. Read more

Suicide Hotline available

For those contemplating suicide or who just desperately need someone with whom to talk. It is confidential and free. Just call 988. The service has also been expanded for Spanish-speaking persons and deaf or hard-of-hearing persons, including those who use American Sign Language.

Other Resources

ResourceUMC—Your online destination for United Methodist Church leaders. Whether you’re seeking inspiration or practical information, this site is your go-to resource. Check back often for fresh ideas and insights to empower your leadership across our connection.
UMC Giving Resources—Mission Moments, Special Sunday Info, Leader Kits, Pew Cards, and more.
United Media Resource Center—Lending library of Christian materials for local churches, small groups, pastors, children, and individuals.

Like Us on Facebook: Prairie Central District

Rev. Wendy Hardin Hermann

Prairie Central District Superintendent

whardinhermann@umcnic.org

Prairie Central District Office at Barrington UMC

98 Algonquin Road, Barrington, IL 60010

872-810-0873

Do you have news to share?

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