On behalf of the Laity of the Northern Illinois Conference, I greet you in the name of our Risen Lord and Savior, Jesus the Christ! The season of grace that we are experiencing is indeed humbling.  

We are truly grateful and extend a big thank you to the more than 400 people who attended Laity Session during Annual Conference. Our conference theme was “Grace is Sufficient.” And our quadrennial Laity Sunday theme is “Together By Grace,” which is based on Ephesians 3:14-21.

Here are each year’s specific emphases: 

• Oct. 19, 2025: TOGETHER BY GRACE! Be Strong in the Spirit (Eph. 3:16)  

• Oct. 18, 2026: TOGETHER BY GRACE! Be Grounded in Love (Eph. 3:17) 

• Oct. 17, 2027: TOGETHER BY GRACE! Behold the Breadth and Depth of Love (Eph. 3:18) 

• Oct. 15, 2028: TOGETHER BY GRACE! Be Filled With the Fullness of God (Eph. 3:19)  

Siblings, we are proving each day and at each Annual Conference that we are indeed children of God, working in the corporate community, that beloved community of Christ to love and value our neighbors as ourselves. John Wesley might say that all of us are called to be exhorters. Like Wesley, an exhorter is someone, especially laity (given that all clergy were once laity), who strongly encourages or urges others to take a specific action, often with a focus on moral or spiritual improvement, especially in a religious context.  

We have made some tremendous strides but more are needed. It seems that this world has never been more divided, as we continue to witness the intentional inflicting of unjustified harm, senseless violence, political assassinations, wars and rumors of wars. Through our connectionalism, let us lean into grace with all of our hearts, souls, and minds.  

Although divisiveness is not going away any time soon; neither is grace. Grace is neither accidental or coincidental; rather, it is prevenient, justifying, and sanctifying. So let us as exhorters be the very tie that binds us all in Christian love. We are stronger as a result of the sum of our parts.  

At Annual Conference, I witnessed firsthand the grace and love of Christ as we endeavored to push on from our current reality to one of equality, equity, and, ultimately, liberation. Thank you, exhorters of the Northern Illinois Conference, for reinforcing what we already knew: GRACE IS SUFFICIENT!  

Because of the connection we share, I would rather be United Methodist than anything else. So, exhorters, let us exhort and encourage while receiving and extending grace as we journey through this season of experimentation.   

This year, let’s focus on “Together by Grace: Be Strong in the Spirit!” Go with Christ as we celebrate our connectionism and be well.  Amen!