Under the theme “Grace is Sufficient,” clergy and elected lay members will gather for Northern Illinois Conference’s 186th session, June 9-11, at the Renaissance Schaumburg Convention Center, 1551 N. Thoreau Dr., Schaumburg, IL.  

Bishop Dan Schwerin chose the very Wesleyan theme.

“I prayed about it, wondering what has the capacity to change us?” Bishop Schwerin explained. “Those who lead in the church know that what you pay attention to grows, whether that is carpet print battles or mission projects. I believe that if we understood grace, lived grace, sang about grace, and taught grace, that if we used graces stories in our life together, it would be a better focus than on bricks and budgets.”

He recommends Eph. 2:8 and 2 Cor. 12:9 as scripture passages that illuminate grace.       

Services will express cultural diversity, according to Pastor Jacob Tipantasig-Wolverton, who is overseeing worship planning. The ordination service will include a liturgical dance group.

There will be three worship services:  
•    Celebration of Ministry: June 9, evening  
•    Memorial service: June 10, late afternoon
•    Retirement celebration: June 11, mid morning

A mass choir, which many enjoyed last year, will be organized again.

The conference committee will again make scooters available for those with mobility limitations. These must be reserved in advance. No extras will be available on site. If you or someone you know might benefit from a scooter, please make sure they reserve one when registering for annual conference.

If your conference-related organization or group is planning a meal during the conference, please consider holding your meal at the hotel. Plated meals, buffet, and reception style food station options areavailable. For more information, please contact Ariel Alonso, conference events planner.

Find out more about Annual Conference on the AC25 Webpage.

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Preparing for "Grace Is Sufficient"

Bishop Dan Schwerin selected the theme to encourage conference members to focus on something that nurtures our spirits before turning to business matters. In fact, it complements his theme for all of 2025: “A Year of Grace.” (See his column.)

“The number-one thing I hear when I talk about grace is, ‘What is grace?’ That tells us we have teaching to do,” the
bishop observes.  

One need not use a theological exposition to explain the concept.

“How can we teach this? By telling a story about how grace impacted you,” he says. “How many of us would be changed if we told our grace stories?”  

Both Northern Illinois and Wisconsin conferences will delve into this theme, and he looks forward to what those explorations will inspire. 

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Meet the conference speakers

Rev. Dr. Reginald Blount, Bible study leader
Dr. Blount is Murray H. Leiffer Associate Professor of Formation, Leadership, and Culture and director of the Center for the Church and the Black Experience, both at Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary. He earned a bachelor’s degree from  Tuskegee University, a master of divinity degree from Candler School of Theology, and a doctor of philosophy degree from Northwestern University in cooperation with Garrett-Evangelical.

Bishop Karen Oliveto, ordination preacher
Bishop Oliveto was consecrated as a United Methodist bishop in 2016. She retired in 2024. Her educational background includes a bachelor’s degree from Drew University, a master of divinity degree from Pacific School of Religion, and a master of philosophy and doctor of philosophy in the sociology of religion, both from Drew.