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…
Bishop Sally Dyck
During the bishops’ meeting at Lake Junaluska Assembly on Nov. 6., Bishop Sally Dyck was elected ecumenical officer on the Council of Bishops (COB). The ecumenical officer is responsible for relationships with other churches and/or ecclesial bodies.
"I’m looking forward to being the Ecumenical Officer for The United Methodist Church. I have been involved in ecumenism and inter-religious relationships throughout my ministry," said Dyck. "The Christian Church is far greater than The United Methodist Church and we have much to learn from each other, supporting and challenging each other around the world. I’m very honored to have been elected to this ministry."
Also elected, President: Bishop Cynthia Fierro Harvey, President-Designate: Bishop Thomas Bickerton, Secretary: Bishop Tracy Malone, and Executive Secretary: Bishop Bruce Ough. Outgoing Secretary Bishop Mande Muyombo was elected chair of the Connectional Table Chair.
The ecumenical officer and the executive secretary both serve four-year terms and take office on September 1, 2020
Bishop Cynthia Fierro Harvey, the area bishop of the Louisiana Conference, was elected president.
Also elected are:
President-Designate: Bishop Thomas Bickerton
Secretary: Bishop Tracy S. Malone
Executive Secretary: Bishop Bruce Ough
Ecumenical Officer: Bishop Sally Dyck
These new officers will take office at the end of the May 2020 General Conference.
The current officer holders are Bishop Carter, president; Bishop Harvey, president-designate; and Bishop Mande Muyombo as secretary. Outgoing Secretary Bishop Mande Muyombo was elected chair of the Connectional Table.
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…