Building Faith and Friendships at JOY Camp
JOY Camp 2026 brought together 61 campers and 27 volunteer counselors for a week of faith, friendship, and outdoor fun at Camp Reynoldswood in Dixon, Ill., June 21-27. Centered on the…
Hear from numerous churches who were awarded PACK (Planned Act of Christian Kindness) and Keagy grants for their creative ministries. Join participants for lunch afterwards.
The NIC awarded over $46,000 in combined PACK and Keagy grants in 2025.
PACK grants range from $100 - $500 and are meant to be a blessing to neighbors in the community outside of the church to show them the love of Jesus Christ. Keagy Grants range from $500 - $5000, and are for larger ministry projects that benefit the community and strengthen the church through evangelism, discipleship, justice and compassion. These grants have been awarded by the NIC for decades and are funded by a generous bequest from Martin Keagy who had a big heart for small town and rural churches, meaning those churches located outside of metropolitan and suburban areas.
Grant applications for 2026 will open on January 2 and can be found online. If you have any questions about the Town & Rural Festival, the grants or the grant process, please contact Rev. Libby Rutherford.
JOY Camp 2026 brought together 61 campers and 27 volunteer counselors for a week of faith, friendship, and outdoor fun at Camp Reynoldswood in Dixon, Ill., June 21-27. Centered on the…
Rev. Nya Kwiawon Tarylor Sr., a retired member of the Northern Illinois Conference, passed away on Tuesday, June 30, 2026.
Lula B. Sherman United Methodist Church in Evanston entered into a new community partnership on July 14 when it cut the ribbon on new office space in the church for the Consula…
From June 25 to 28, members from the Northern Illinois, Illinois Great Rivers, and Wisconsin Conferences embarked on a spiritual pilgrimage organized by the NIC Committee on Religion…