‘Broken but Changed Hearts’: NIC Pilgrims Trace the Civil Rights Journey
In late April 2023, a racially diverse group of 37 Northern Illinois clergy and lay people took a Civil Rights Pilgrimage to key historic sites where…
Goal: To Live Out the Conviction that Racism is Incompatible with Christian Teaching
Racism is a sin, and The United Methodist Church is committed to challenging the unjust power structures that support it and working for equality in all areas of life.
Anti-Racism Task Force Vision for 2020
NIC Cabinet statement call to resist racism
Upper Room Devotion: The Upper Room is committed to a ministry that is increasingly global, antiracist, and ecumenical. These days we are called to give special and focused attention to be antiracist. This is the work of discipleship and spiritual formation. Read more about The Upper Room's perspective on the sin of racism here. For resources for the spiritual work of overcoming racism, click here.
The Ephesus Project: A Church/Pulpit Exchange is not new to many churches. However, the Anti-racism Task Force has gone a step further. Ephesians 2:14-15 speaks about divided groups coming together as one new humanity as our peace. The Ephesus Project has been through some changes since it's initial start. It is now a “do-it-yourself” guide with a template of things that can be done in phases. We know that different churches are looking for different things in a church/pulpit exchange. We believe that being intentional in learning about racism or racial equity is an important component. Click here for the guide.
Stop Asian Hate: According to a recent report, Asian Americans have experienced a 150% increase in hate crimes in major cities over the last year, and “Asian American women reported harassment incidents 2.3 times more often than their male counterparts.” Read statement from Bishop Hopkins. Read statement from the New Federation of Asian American United Methodists. The Rev. Martin Lee, NIC Dir. of Congregational Development and Redevelopment, welcomed Rev. Jesse Jackson to First Korean UMC in Wheeling for worship on Sunday, March 21. Lee gave testimony how the anti-Asian racism is impacting him and his family. Read statement.
NIC Bible Study with Rev. Junius Dotson: Rev. Junius Dotson, General Secretary for Discipleship Ministries, leads the second session of the pre-annual conference online Bible study looking at the Conference's three strategic goals. In this session, Rev. Dotson and Rev. Ron Bell help us go deeper in our goal to live out the conviction that racism is incompatible with Christian teaching. ►Watch video. ►Click here for the PowerPoint slides.
Anti-Racism Task Force Legislation: Learn more about the Anti-Racism Legislation to require anti-racism training for all active clergy once every four years that was passed at the Northern Illinois Annual Conference on Nov. 14, 2020. ►Watch video
Anti-Racism 101 training course: GCORR is offering a new online training course, Anti-Racism 101: Required Skills for White People Who Want to be Allies. Students will learn to identify racism and then interrupt it with the help of real-world skills, strengthened resolve and foundational knowledge. Enroll Today.
In late April 2023, a racially diverse group of 37 Northern Illinois clergy and lay people took a Civil Rights Pilgrimage to key historic sites where…
Many churches would love to have more money available to serve their communities with Christ’s love—and to become more environmentally r…
These days are full of broken connections: hate crimes, mass shootings, people undermining their ministry with misinformation, and more. These can remind us of the impor…
Rev. Dr. Audrea Nanabray will serve as Lake South District Superintendent effective July 1, 2023.