From the Bishop: Keep Practicing Hope
"I believe hope is a practice of God’s creative freedom at play in human creativity and freedom," says Bishop Dan Schwerin. "God’s word is always breaking in for good. We as the church ma…
The Dicipleship Task Force NIC Book Club is pleased to announce a presentation and Q&A with Wesleyan Scholar, Rev. Dr. Paul Chilcote, on “Multiplying Love” which comes from his recently released book, Multiplying Love: A Vision of United Methodist Life Together.
The NIC Book Club study on Living Our Beliefs, the United Methodist Way by retired Bishop Kenneth Carder and the renewed interest of living out our faith as followers of Jesus Christ and as United Methodists has led us the Discipleship Task Force to offer more opportunities for learning.
Rev. Dr. Paul Chilcote
Rev. Dr. Paul Chilcote, now in retirement, served most recently as Director of the Centre for Global Wesleyan Theology at Wesley House, Cambridge where he remains a Fellow. A Methodist historian and theologian, he was involved in theological education on three Continents, having taught at Wesley College Bristol & Wesley House Cambridge (England), St. Paul’s United Theological College (Kenya), the Methodist Theological School (Ohio), Duke Divinity School (North Carolina), Ashland Theological Seminary (Ohio), and having helped launch two new institutions – Africa University (Zimbabwe) and Asbury Theological Seminary (Florida).
He is an award-winning author and editor of more than thirty books, including Praying in the Wesleyan Spirit, Recapturing the Wesleys’ Vision, A Faith That Sings, The Methodist Defense of Women in Ministry, Making Disciples in a World Parish, Early Methodist Spirituality, Active Faith, Living Hope, Singing the Faith, and Multiplying Love. He is a frequent speaker and workshop leader in applied Wesleyan studies, particularly in the areas of theology, spirituality, and Christian discipleship. He has been a Benedictine oblate of Mt. Angel Abbey for over twenty-five years.
Paul grew up in the Chicagoland area. He attended Thornridge HS in Dolton and was confirmed and later married at Harvey First (now Transformation Community UMC). His Father, Virgil Chilcote planted, St. Andrew UMC in Homewood. He also preached at St. Andrew's 50th anniversary service.
He and his wife, Janet, a retired United Methodist pastor, have five daughters, Sandy, Rebekah, Anna, Mary, and Ruth, and seven grandchildren, Alyssa, Levi, and Theo Brooks, Collin, Oliver, and Elsie Glass, and Isabella Gitonga.
"I believe hope is a practice of God’s creative freedom at play in human creativity and freedom," says Bishop Dan Schwerin. "God’s word is always breaking in for good. We as the church ma…
Erie UMC volunteers recently sewed 165 cheerful pillowcases for children in foster care, partnering with Raising Hope and My GEAR Outreach. The effort blended creativity, compassion, a…
Mr. Vi Tran, spouse of Rev. Brian Gilbert of the Northern Illinois Conference, passed away on Tuesday, November 11, 2025, at the age of 37.
The NIC delegates to the 2020/2024 General Conference celebrate the ratification of the four constitutional amendments that affirm the UMC as a fully inclusive church.