Plans are coming together for the 182nd Northern Illinois Annual Conference which will be held virtually July 16-17 through a Zoom webinar. The theme is "Jesus Makes a Way." The scripture focus is Matthew 14:13-21 and the feeding of the five thousand. We are reminded through this miracle that no matter how big the obstacle or challenge we face, Jesus will provide and make a way. Jesus told the Disciples of the crowd gathered, “They need not go away” and in the end “all ate and were filled.” 

Important Dates:

• Legislation and historical documents are due May 3 (no exceptions) to Rev. Katie Voigt, Chair of Daily Proceedings, at ACdocuments@umcnic.org. All legislative documents must be in the Action/Rationale format with a maximum of 500 words for the rationale and must be submitted as a Microsoft Word document. The legislation and documents will be posted on the NIC website by June 16 (30 days prior to the conference).
• Online registration opens June 1 and closes June 30. Cost: $30 (covers video production, voting technology, worship planning and other administrative expenses.)
• The Clergy Session will be held June 28 via a Zoom meeting.
• An Ordination and Commissioning service for the 2020 class will be held April 24 at 3 pm at Barrington United Methodist Church with limited attendance (invite only) following all COVID-19 safety guidelines. It will be livestreamed on the NIC’s YouTube channel and Facebook page. Bishop Sally Dyck will return to co-officiate with Bishop Hopkins.
• The Bible study leader will be Bishop Julius C. Trimble from the Indiana Conference. The session times are still being determined. The Memorial Service preacher will be Bishop Hee-Soo Jung of the Wisconsin Conference. The days and times of the Memorial and Retirement services are still under consideration.
• An Ordination and Commissioning Service for the 2021 class is scheduled for Oct. 1, likely with limited in-person participation and will be livestreamed. Bishop Tracy S. Malone from the East Ohio Conference will be the preacher.
• A fall session to consider the budget and other agenda items will be held Oct. 2 and will be held virtually as well.

More details to come. Stay up to date on news and announcements at umcnic.org/AC2021.