Methodism and May Day: Intertwined in History
May Day, May 1, is internationally recognized as a day to lift up voices in the struggle for labor rights. Born with John Wesley’s care for coal miners and oppressed workers, Unite…
At our recent virtual annual conference session on November 14, 2020, the Northern Illinois Annual Conference voted to reduce the number of districts (and district superintendents) from six to five, effective July 1, 2021. You can find the letter sent out on November 18, 2020, explaining the history and process of this action here.
Let me remind you that the Book of Discipline states that the annual conference decides the number of districts and the bishop, in consultation with the Cabinet, draws the lines for the districts (par. 415.4).
On December 17, 2020, the Cabinet and I approved the redistricting plan. Click here to see the full redistricting plan and interactive map and click here to see lists of churches in each district. As you can see, the names of the districts are Lake North, Lake South, Prairie Central, Prairie North, and Prairie South. I am setting the boundaries of these districts as of December 31, 2020. Any additional reconsiderations may be submitted with a rationale to your current district superintendent by January 15, 2021. The interim bishop and Cabinet will make a final determination by January 31.
In addition to setting the boundaries, I am also announcing the following appointments to these new districts, effective July 1, 2021:
Prairie South – Rev. Brian Gilbert
Prairie North – Rev. Fabiola Grandon-Mayer
Prairie Central – Rev. Jeffry Bross
Lake South – Rev. Jacques Conway
Lake North – Rev. Brittany Isaac
I thank you for your spirit of cooperation in making this change. Again, I encourage you that you not let redistricting be a distraction as much as an opportunity to align anew so as to fulfill our mission to make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world.
Sincerely,
Bishop Sally Dyck
May Day, May 1, is internationally recognized as a day to lift up voices in the struggle for labor rights. Born with John Wesley’s care for coal miners and oppressed workers, Unite…
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