2021 Annual Conference Scheduled for July as Virtual Session
Continuing to keep the health and safety of clergy and lay members a top priority, the 2021 Northern Illinois Annual Conference will convene again as an all-virtual…
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The Northern Illinois Conference of The United Methodist Church includes more than 370 churches and new faith communities spanning the upper one-third of the state of Illinois. Our resident episcopal leader is Bishop Sally Dyck.
The mission of The United Methodist Church is to make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world. Congregations provide the most significant arena through which disciple-making occurs. (United Methodist Book of Discipline, para. 120).
Our Mission (Why)
The purpose of the annual conference is to make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world by equipping its local churches for ministry and by providing a connection for ministry beyond the local church; all to the glory of God. (Par. 601)
Our Priorities (What)
1. Equip both Leaders and Churches:
2. Resource struggling churches.
3. Rethink how to be vital churches.
4. Cultivate trust within the conference.
Our Vision (Where)
Making and supporting vital Christians in vital congregations that engage with their communities and the world for peace, justice and mercy.
Our Core Values (How)
In responding together to God’s call for our Annual Conference, we desire a culture that values:
Download our Mission, Values, Vision, and Priorities graphic.
Structure
In 2017, the Northern Illinois Annual Conference approved a restructuring plan which creates a central, diverse Shepherding Team and six District Shepherding teams to focus on four core areas in an effort to streamline the work of the conference. Those four areas are Congregational Life, Clergy Life, Missional Life, and Connectional Resources.
Who to call
Our Conference staff is located at 77 W. Washington St., Suite 1820, Chicago, IL 60602. Have a question and not sure who to contact? Click here for a staff directory.
Annual Conference meeting
Each year in June, the clergy and lay members of the Northern Illinois Conference meet to conduct business, elect leaders, and celebrate our ministries.
What is an Annual Conference?
In The United Methodist Church, the annual conference serves as the “basic unit” of the church. The United States has 63 annual conferences, supervised by 50 bishops. There are 59 annual conferences in Africa, Europe, and the Philippines, which are supervised by 18 bishops. In the U.S., an annual conference may cover an entire state, only part of the state, or even parts of two or more states. Find more about The United Methodist Church at www.umc.org.
History
In 2014, the Northern Illinois Conference celebrated its 175th anniversary and our beginnings to the first conference session held August 26, 1840, in Mt. Morris, Illinois. Click here to read a two-part article on our past.
Cross and Flame Logo
The Cross and Flame is a registered trademark and the use is supervised by the General Council on Finance and Administration of The United Methodist Church.
Permission to use the Cross and Flame must be obtained from the General Council on Finance and Administration of The United Methodist Church: Legal Department GCFA Post Office Box 340029 Nashville, TN 37203-0029 Phone: 615-369-2334 Fax: 866-246-2516
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