2025 NIC Conference Wrap-Up
About 700 clergy and lay members of the Northern Illinois Annual Conference met in session from June 9 to 11, 2025, in Schaumburg, Ill., to explore the theme “Grace is Sufficient” as they worshiped,…
Posted: November 2 2020 at 12:00 AM
Woody Bedell February 12, 1950 - November 1, 2020
NIC Director of Benefits and Human Resources Woody Bedell passed away Nov. 1, 2020, at age 70 after a courageous eight-and-a-half-year battle with cancer. Woody joined the NIC staff in March 2015 bringing extensive experience in wellness and benefits services.
Previously, Woody had been the Pensions and Benefits Officer for the Virginia Conference, Chief Strategic Relations Officer at Wespath and Director of Benefits for the Reformed Church in America. NIC Director of Administrative Services Lonnie Chafin said Woody helped clergy and staff navigate health and pension benefits with personal care.
"Woody truly loved his work with the Conference," said Chafin. "It was his generosity of spirit that was truly a gift to all of us."
Woody, along with his wife Joyce, was a member at the United Methodist Church of Libertyville, where he taught adult classes and played the drums in the contemporary band for more than 20 years. He was an Ironman competitor and avid swimmer. For the last 20 years, he enjoyed exploring and living a program called HeartMath, an approach to life that enabled him to indulge a passion for helping others, especially in dealing with stress and anxiety. Woody enjoyed spending time with his family, including his three sons and two grandchildren.
A recording of the virtual memorial service may be seen on the UMC Libertyville YouTube channel.