2026 Will Be a Year of Hope
Bishop Schwerin looks ahead to 2026 by turning to scripture; specifically, Psalm 130:5: “I wait for the Lord; my soul waits, and in his word, I hope.” He ponders, What kind of spiritual focus is nee…
Vida Joann (Jody) Furnish, spouse of the Rev. Dr. Victor Furnish, died on December 9, 2018, after a long illness. Rev. Dr. Furnish, a full member of the Northern Illinois Conference since 1955, served in the Rockford District before he began his appointment to Extension Ministry with Perkins School of Theology at Southern Methodist University in Dallas, TX. A memorial service was held for Mrs. Furnish December 14, 2018.
Condolences may be sent to the Rev. Dr. Furnish to:
6335 W. Northwest Highway, #2014,
Dallas, TX 75225
or vfurnish@mail.smu.edu.
Memorial contributions in memory of Mrs. Furnish may be made to the charity of one's choice.
Father, we ask You to send Your peace to Rev. Dr. Furnish and his family who are mourning the loss of Jody. Continue to surround them with family, friends and loved ones who will offer words of comfort. Help them to put their trust in You as they find your strength and meaning even in the midst of sorrow.
Bishop Schwerin looks ahead to 2026 by turning to scripture; specifically, Psalm 130:5: “I wait for the Lord; my soul waits, and in his word, I hope.” He ponders, What kind of spiritual focus is nee…
Rev. Lora Zink, a retired member of the Northern Illinois Conference, passed away on Tuesday, Aug. 12, 2025.
Mrs. Freda Whittle, surviving spouse of Rev. Paul Whittle Jr., a deceased member of the Northern Illinois Conference, passed away on April 16, 2025.
This summer, churches across the conference brought vacation Bible school to life, each one putting its own unique spin on the beloved tradition. From creative scheduling and special…