A Scripture and a Prayer for the Church After a Shooting Death
Bishop Dan Schwerin offers a prayer and meditation on scripture following the news that an Immigration and Customs Enforcement agent fatally shot a man leaving the…
"Empty Easter"
This Easter may feel empty for many of us as we all are impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Our churches are empty. No lilies nor hyacinths wafting their strong sweet smell. No pews filled with people dressed in their best clothes. No choirs singing the alleluias or trumpets sending chills down our legs just hearing the introduction to “Christ the Lord Is Risen Today.” Our tables are emptier than we would like; we have empty chairs that friends and family would otherwise be filling.
But all these things are external to the true meaning of Easter. They’re important but they’re not really what Easter is. Each of these things serves to tee up, if you will, our senses, emotions, and hearts to receive the good news that Christ is risen, He’s risen indeed!
The tomb is empty so that our hearts and lives may be full to overflowing with God’s grace and love. Wherever there is emptiness this Easter Sunday, look and see where God is speaking and working in and around us everywhere.
Please watch my Easter video message below...and may you have a blessed Easter!
Bishop Dan Schwerin offers a prayer and meditation on scripture following the news that an Immigration and Customs Enforcement agent fatally shot a man leaving the…
In an effort to be more transparent, the Finance and Administration office is going to be consistently sharing where we are as a conference are in regards to the giving versus what is needed fo…
As the nation's president talks about sending the National Guard and Immigration and Customs Enforcement troops to Chicago, Bishop Dan Schwerin urges United Methodists to return oft…
This summer, churches across Northern Illinois embraced Bishop Schwerin’s call to experiment with new ways of being the church—reshaping Vacation Bible Schools, hosting local…