News & Updates

Oct. 8, 2026

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Dear Friends,

Greetings of Peace to you all!

October is Pastor Appreciation Month. Much of a pastor’s work happens behind the scenes. Most of us “see” our pastors on Sunday mornings, but their ministry extends far beyond Sunday worship. Pastoral ministry is often a 24/7 calling, filled with countless hours of prayer, preparation, pastoral care, leadership, and service. Much of this goes unseen.

During Pastor Appreciation Month, I encourage all laity to take a moment to express gratitude to your pastors for their faithful ministry. Find meaningful ideas for thanking and supporting your pastor this month and year-round here.

Let your actions say, “Thank you for leading us. We want to serve alongside you!” Thanks be to God for all our faithful and hardworking pastors! May we surround them with gratitude, encouragement, prayer, and love—not only in October, but throughout the year.

Blessings,

DS Hwa-Young

Prairie North District Superintendent

Monthly Clergy Zoom Gathering

Wed., Oct. 14, 10:30 to 11:30 a.m.

Highlights from Fresh Expressions and the School of Leadership

We will hear from several participants:

What have we learned?
What questions do we still have?
Where do we go from here?

Please join us!

Zoom Link (Use the same link each time)

Meeting ID: 859 7408 5298, Passcode: Clergy

This is our opportunity to check in with each other and hear about any upcoming events. Each month, we will have a focus topic. The upcoming meeting dates (all at 10:30 a.m.): Thurs., Nov. 17 and Wed., Jan. 13 (No meeting in December) Hope you can join us!

Clergy Explore Innovative Leadership

More than 250 clergy from the Wisconsin and Northern Illinois Conferences gathered for the 2026 School of Leadership at Green Lake Conference Center, exploring leadership, connection and innovation in a changing church. Led by Rev. Dr. Kenda Creasy Dean and Scott Pontier, the three-day gathering encouraged clergy to lean on one another and imagine new ways of leading the church into the future. Read more

Prairie North Potato Drop

Oct. 10, 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Grace UMC
3555 McFarland Rd., Rockford The Prairie North District United Methodist Men and Grace United Methodist Men are partnering with the Society of St. Andrew to provide approximately 40,000 pounds of potatoes at no cost. Potatoes can be picked up by driving through the church parking lot, and the community is encouraged to share this opportunity with anyone who could benefit from nourishing food. Learn more.

Celebrate Hispanic/Latinx Ministry with a morning of worship, music and food on Saturday, Oct. 17, from 10 a.m.–1 p.m. at North Northfield UMC in Northbrook. This free event welcomes all to celebrate the gifts, faith and ministries of Hispanic/Latinx communities across the Northern Illinois Conference. Learn more.

Other Lay Academies offered around the conference:

Prairie Central: Nov. 7 & 14, 8:30 a.m.–4 p.m., Lombard: First UMC, 155 S. Main St.
Lake North: Nov. 7 & 14, 8:30 a.m.–3:30 p.m., Oak Park: Euclid Avenue UMC, 405 S. Euclid Ave.

Apportionment Highlight

World Service Fund:

Ministry We Do Together

The World Service Fund is one of the seven apportionment funds that support ministries and causes important to The United Methodist Church as a whole.

This fund enables us to work together in mission, leadership development, discipleship, evangelism, justice, and global outreach, extending the church’s ministry far beyond any one congregation. Through shared giving, churches help support ministries that train pastors, send missionaries, respond to disasters, create resources for faith formation, and work for peace and justice. Giving to the World Service Fund is one way we live out our connectional identity, combining our gifts to strengthen the church’s witness and bring Christ’s love to communities around the world.

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

Connectional Giving Update

Churches across the Conference continue to faithfully support Connectional Giving as we move through 2026. These shared gifts help make ministry and mission possible throughout the Northern Illinois Conference and beyond. If you are unsure of your church’s current giving status, please connect with your pastor or church treasurer for an update. Read more.

HAPPENING AROUND THE CONFERENCE

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.

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

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
Oct. 18: Laity Sunday
Oct. 24: UW Faith NIC Annual Meeting

Save the Date

Nov. 1: All Saints' Sunday
Nov. 3: Tuesday Teaching. Matt Miofsky of The Gathering Church in St. Louis will share about creating a culture of generosity in your church.
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. 7: Town and Rural Festival. Hear from active town and rural churches.
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

Prepare for Laity Sunday

Celebrate Laity Sunday on Oct. 18, “Together by Grace: Be Grounded in Love,” based on Ephesians 3:17. This year’s observance celebrates all God’s people as they grow in grace, are grounded in God’s love, and share that love through lives of blessing, service and witness. Find graphics and worship resources created by Discipleship Ministries. Learn more.

Sacred Voting:

2026 Midterm Election Resources

The General Board of Church and Society offers resources to help United Methodists participate faithfully in the 2026 U.S. midterm elections, with resources focused on voter education, engagement, and protection. Explore the collection to learn more about voting and ways to participate in civic life. Learn more.

Social Justice Grants Now Open

The NIC Board on Church and Society’s Social Reform Grant provides $500–$1,000 to churches proposing projects that address the root causes of social justice concerns while extending God’s grace and mercy. Priority is given to projects that build partnerships among different ministries and may support both domestic and international work. Applications are due Oct. 30. Learn more.

Domestic Violence Awareness:

The Church Has a Role

October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month, an opportunity for churches to recognize the reality of domestic violence and consider how we can help create communities of safety, dignity and healing. Talking openly about domestic violence in our churches is an important place to start. 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 North District

Rev. Hwa-Young Chong

Prairie North District Superintendent

hychong@umcnic.org

Prairie North District Office at Rockford: Christ UMC

4509 Highcrest Road, Trinity Building, Rockford, IL 61107

872-810-0857

Debra Rogers

Administrative Assistant
Working from the Chicago Office
303 E. Wacker Dr., Suite 2020, Chicago, IL 60601

drogers@umcnic.org

872-810-0901

Do you have news to share?

We are always looking for stories of what is happening in your church. We welcome articles from churches highlighting ministries, outreach, and missions that tell the story of being vital Christians. Events considered should be of conference-wide appeal and United Methodist-related.

District eNews are sent out the 2nd and 4th Thursdays of the month. Please submit stories and events by end of business on the 2nd and 4th Mondays. Space is limited. Stories of fewer than 250 words are preferred. Submissions will be edited at the discretion of Communications staff. Information can be emailed to communications@umcnic.org.

Check out our Submit News page for more details.

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