2026 Will Be a Year of Hope
Bishop Schwerin looks ahead to 2026 by turning to scripture; specifically, Psalm 130:5: “I wait for the Lord; my soul waits, and in his word, I hope.” He ponders, What kind of spiritual focus is nee…
Thursday, March 31 @ 7:00 pm
Saturday, April 2 @ 9:30 am
Tuesday, April 5 @ 1:00 pm
NIC Committee on Lay Servant Ministries invites you to attend an informational session to learn:
"But you are the ones chosen by God, chosen for the high calling of priestly work, chosen to be a holy people, God’s instruments to do his work and speak out for him, to tell others of the night-and-day difference he made for you—from nothing to something, from rejected to accepted." - 1 Peter 2:9-10 (The Message)
For those members of the laity feeling a call to go deeper into ministry, they will learn the levels of certification of lay servant ministries. They will understand the special call of Certified Lay Ministers, the prerequisite training and the process towards certification. They will also hear from current Certified Lay Ministers about their ministries.
Certified Lay Ministry is NOT for all members of the laity; it is NOT a path to leading a congregation; it is a means of fulfilling our individual call to do ministry.
QUESTIONS? Peggy Hansen - prhisu71@att.net
Book of Discipline description:
¶ 127. The Ministry of the Laity—The ministry of the laity flows from a commitment to Christ’s outreaching love. Lay members of The United Methodist Church are, by history and calling, active advocates of the gospel of Jesus Christ. Every layperson is called to carry out the Great Commission (Matthew 28:18-20); every layperson is called to be missional. The witness of the laity, their Christ-like examples of everyday living as well as the sharing of their own faith experiences of the gospel, is the primary evangelistic ministry through which all people will come to know Christ and The United Methodist Church will fulfill its mission.
Bishop Schwerin looks ahead to 2026 by turning to scripture; specifically, Psalm 130:5: “I wait for the Lord; my soul waits, and in his word, I hope.” He ponders, What kind of spiritual focus is nee…
Rev. Lora Zink, a retired member of the Northern Illinois Conference, passed away on Tuesday, Aug. 12, 2025.
Mrs. Freda Whittle, surviving spouse of Rev. Paul Whittle Jr., a deceased member of the Northern Illinois Conference, passed away on April 16, 2025.
This summer, churches across the conference brought vacation Bible school to life, each one putting its own unique spin on the beloved tradition. From creative scheduling and special…