Keep Hope Alive
On Feb. 17, we lost a civil rights icon in Rev. Jesse Jackson. He was a pivotal figure in the history of civil rights organizing in Chicago, but also a global ambassador for racial justice within a fabric of ec…
Rev. Thomas J. Potenza, retired member of the Northern Illinois Conference, passed away Thursday, May 25, 2023. During his ministry he served Plainfield: United, Barrington: First, Lisle: Faith, Orland Park, Elgin: Epworth, and Glen Ellyn: First.
Rev. Potenza was 77 years old.
A memorial service will be held at the First United Methodist Church in Downers Grove, 1032 Maple Avenue, Downers Grove, IL , on June 23, 2023, at 11 AM.
Message of condolence can be sent to his family:
Jennifer Wegener
4405 Prospect Ave
Downers Grove, IL 60515
Jenwegenerlcpc@sbcglobal.net
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that donations be made to the United Methodist Volunteers in Mission, Backpack Buddies, Help of Beaufort, or the Beaufort County Animal Shelter.
On Feb. 17, we lost a civil rights icon in Rev. Jesse Jackson. He was a pivotal figure in the history of civil rights organizing in Chicago, but also a global ambassador for racial justice within a fabric of ec…
This year, Northern Illinois United Methodists will be donating to one Bishop’s Appeal for two worthy recipients. The appeal for Education for the Central Conferences wi…
Rev. Donna Atkinson, a retired member of the Northern Illinois Conference, passed away on January 24, 2026.
Thank you for your commitment to sharing your gifts for the good of our United Methodist Church and its ministries. In 2025, you gave $5,056,797—80 percent of our budgeted…