General Conference 2020 (2024) Updates
The UMC General Conference (postponed from 2020) came to order on the morning of April 23. Follow daily reports focusing on topics of interest to Northern Illinois Conference readers.
Posted: June 8 2017 at 12:00 AM
The Northern Illinois Conference HIV/AIDS task force thanks the many NIC churches and individuals across the conference for raising more than $71,400 toward the 2017 Bishop’s Appeal special offering. Sales of postcards featuring the Annual Conference artwork by the Rev. Kristine Marshall brought in an additional $300. The money will go toward the UM Global AIDS Fund (UMGAF) and 25% of the monies will stay in the conference for local projects including education and providing other resources.
The Aurora District took home the coveted traveling trophy for raising the most money per capita. Rockford District held the trophy in 2016 and Aurora in 2015.
Superintendent Dick Wisdom accepts the Bishop’s Appeal traveling trophy on behalf of the Aurora District.
Unable to be with us in person, Bishop Julius C. Trimble from the Indiana Conference sent his greetings and support for the Bishop’s Appeal for the UM Global AIDS Fund.
“As Chairperson of UMGAF and a Bishop whose roots are in this conference, I want to commend the Northern Illinois Conference for the outstanding work and focused attention to HIV and AIDS as it impacts our own families and neighbors in Chicago and communities in Northern Illinois. Today we know that your generous support for the Bishops appeal will save the lives of adults and children including the children not yet born to mothers infected with HIV. This work is transforming the world. Thank You.”
Bishop Sally Dyck introduced the Bishop’s Appeal offering in 2013 to raise a significant amount of money for a significant mission or outreach. Tens of thousands of dollars have been raised for Harvest 2020, Imagine No Malaria, Justice for Our Neighbors and Rosecrance. Bishop Dyck is grateful for the outpouring of support for this year’s cause, too.
“The response to the United Methodist Global Aids Fund was phenomenal!” said Bishop Dyck. “Thank you to all of you who helped raise $71,000!! Your support will make a big difference in many peoples’ lives, including people in our own communities since 25% will stay in our annual conference. Thank you!”
Irma Clark, one of the original NIC HIV/AIDS task force members, shared her appreciation and said the donations will go a long way, but there’s still work to do.
“We must work together toward the vision of a world without AIDS by 2020,” she said.