Easter people, greetings on behalf of the laity of the Northern Illinois Conference. We will continue to celebrate Christ’s victory (and ours), not just during Eastertide, but always and forever. So let us pause to consider how blessed we are and what our task is: to keep hope alive!

As a reminder, the mighty works of Christ that shape us as Easter people are really not fully consummated until the book of Revelation. There, on the Isle of Patmos, what John now realized (and we Easter people must also realize) is that the one who rode into Jerusalem on a donkey was not simply the king of Israel or the king of the world. No, he was and is the lord of the universe, the one with whom history begins and ends; the Alpha and the Omega; the Almighty.  Yes, we can move forward with hope, and we can practice a year of hope because Jesus is the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. Seated there on the throne is the one who is, always was, and who is still to come.  He is the Almighty One!   

A portion of Laity Convocation is set aside for breakout groups with discussion questions to help the laity fellowship and share ideas. Photo by Aquilino “Pong” Javier, Jr.

We have focused on “Practicing a Year of Hope” for 2026.The Laity Convocation took place on March 21 and was a huge success. Laity Convocation was an in-person event, along with three satellite listening locations.  

We were blessed by the generosity of our in-person hosts, Rev. David Price, and the Glen Ellyn community of faith.  We also extend thanks to Pastors Joel McClellan at Freeport, Michael Hickok at Princeton, and Jenny Weber of Orland Park.  Our theme was “Moving Forward With Hope.” Attendees included Bishop Dan Schwerin, along with laity, clergy, district superintendents, and annual conference staff.

Bishop Schwerin provided reflections on “Practicing Hope” and showed a video about this year’s Bishop’s Appeal for Central Conference Theological Educatioin.  Rev. Hope Chernich reflected on her work with the NIC Rapid Response Team. We then enjoyed a special presentation by four amazing young adults about where they see hope in their lives, the world, and their ministry settings. A very special thank you to Vanessa Cisneros, Arunima Sudhakar, Daniel Dunlap, and Joshua Hayag.   

A huge thanks to all who assisted, participated, attended and otherwise supported the Laity Convocation.  An extra special posthumous thank you to our beloved sister, Rev. Char Hoffmann, who, we grieve to say, has died since the convocation. She always kept hope alive and was the very heart and soul of our Board of Laity. Please continue to keep Rev. Char’s family in prayer. 

The Board of Laity will continue to build on “Moving Forward With Hope” at the laity session of Annual Conference at 1:30 p.m. on June 14.  All are welcome.  Go with God and be well.