We are interrelated as a network that is Beloved Community—and young adults bring commitment and open hearts to their lives of faith, laypeople learned at “Moving Forward with Hope,” the Northern Illinois Conference Laity Convocation held on March 21 at First United Methodist Church in Glen Ellyn.

Even more people were able to participate distantly at satellite United Methodist locations in Freeport (Faith), Orland Park (Faith), and Princeton.

Bishop Dan Schwerin tied together, hope, relationships, and Beloved Community in his presentation.

He noted that the Chinese word for sincerity is acknowledging that we are part of something more than ourselves, for mutual benefit. Our baptisms brought us together, “and we have nothing else to do but build Beloved Community.”

The notion of Beloved Community is a vision of a society based on justice, love, and reconciliation, originally articulated by philosopher Josiah Royce and popularized by Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. It is consistent with the message of Jesus.

Further, Bishop Schwerin called those gathered to “engage in an environment of innovation.” He recommended the work of Kenda Creasy Dean, who writes and speaks on Christian social innovation. 

“God may be using this time to push us outside of our doors,” he said.

Rev. Hope Chernich, pastor of First United Methodist Church in Des Plaines  and a member of NIC’s Rapid Response Team, encouraged the gathering with her explanation of the team’s work to advocate for people detained by Immigrations and Customs Enforcement raids as well as identifying United Methodist assets that make the church “uniquely equipped for what is happening in our world.”

The work with communities targeted by ICE during its Operation Midway Blitz required much courage and compassion to face the violence, disregard for due process, and racial profiling practiced by ICE. She quoted Rev. Lindsey Joyce, organizer of the team, in saying, “When you come for one of us, you come for all of us.”

She offered practices that help people move forward with hope. 

First, listen to God and community. Identify the people who care about peace and build partnerships. “We can explain how God is already at work.”

Second, plant seeds of compassion, for these will grow, even if you do not see them bloom. They will grow in others. 

Third, the harvest is ripe. There is much to inspire our hope.

Four young adults addressed the laity, demonstrating maturity, leadership, and a willingness to speak honestly. 

Vanessa Cisneros of La Gracia de Dios in Alsip told the gathering that “We need a purpose, a goal, to have hope,” and that hers is to serve God.

“Hope is active,” said Arunima Sudhaker of LaSalle United Methodist Church. “Hope is trust, choosing faith over fear. It is something we have in happy and difficult times.”

She expressed what the others also mentioned: that young people are looking for belonging, to be heard and seen.

Daniel Dunlap of Christ United Methodist Church in Rockford noted that he “sees hope in brokenness.”

“Young people are looking for something they do not have,” he said. “Church can be that community. Give young people a place to belong.”

Joshua Hayag, also a member of Christ UMC, found hope in a distressing event at the church: there was a fire in the church sanctuary on Feb. 23. “I see hope in others in the church.

"It’s still a time for hope. It pushing us out of the building.”