Bishop Schwerin's Reflections on General Conference 2024
Bishop Dan Schwerin offers some reflections after listening to how news of The United Methodist General Conference is being received in Northern Illinois.
Posted: February 20 2023 at 09:59 PM
The Northern Illinois Conference and the Conference Global Board of Ministries would like to thank the forty-three churches that went the second mile as 100% Mission Links churches. In addition to the apportionment dollars received for General Church and the Annual Conference, the NIC received over $560,000 in 2nd Mile giving and almost $100,000 in Special Sunday offerings.
To become a Mission Links 100% supporter (formerly Rainbow Covenant giving), apportionments (conference and general church) need to be paid 100%, and at least one project in each of the giving areas needs to be supported. “Mission Links giving is an amazing chance for churches to step up and support the projects that unite the Methodist faith in supporting those who need us,” noted David Quinn, NIC Apportionments Administrator.
The Advance for Christ and His Church (The Advance) is the United Methodist program for designated mission giving through the NIC Mission Links program. As the accountable designated giving program of The United Methodist Church, The Advance serves as the leading conduit that allows churches, individuals, and organizations to support missionaries and projects throughout the world in order to strengthen and sustain one another. Advance funds are specifically designated for particular projects or ministries, allowing the Church to advance the cause of Christ through new church development, disaster relief, missionary support, health services, and many other programs. “Each project in the Mission Links book connects to at least one of the beatitudes – and NIC’s direct call to action in response to Jesus’ words,” recognized Shirley Pulgar-Hughes, Conference Secretary of Global Ministries.
Princeton UMC has been a long-time apportionment and Mission Links giving congregation. Rev. Ryan Sutton shared, “For Princeton First UMC, the understanding is that when you pay your apportionments, you support the greater church and provide for those in need - even those whom you may never meet. To this end, PFUMC has often had special offerings at the end of each year to ensure the apportionments are paid. And the extra mile giving provides the congregation with an extra helping of blessings - knowing they've gone above and beyond to provide what is needed.”
Find a detailed listing of the missionaries supported by our Conference and choose the projects to support in our Mission Links booklet on the Mission Links page.