Six Northern Illinois United Methodists received awards for their outstanding ministry with children and youth. Their recognition was celebrated at United Voices for Children at their 2025 Focus: Youth Mental Health, on Sept. 18.
Read MoreThis 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 projects to new formats and fresh themes, these diverse programs showed how innovation and faith can come together to engage kids and families in meaningful, fun ways.
Read MoreThe Girl Scouts of the U.S.A.'s Faith-Based Initiative develops partnerships between local GSUSA councils and congregations. It helps churches reach out to their neighbors and connects Girl Scouting with faith communities, promoting spiritual growth and intergenerational ministry.
Read MoreYoung people starting fifth grade through newly graduated high-school students can participate in JOY Camp, June 23-29, a popular camp annually at Camp Reynoldswood, Dixon, IL. All are welcome, regardless of where they are in their journey of faith.
Read MoreChicago and suburban church youth leaders gathered at Wesley United Methodist Church in Aurora on April 13 to explore laying the groundwork for friendships and alliances to fight racism. "Becoming the Beloved Community: Disciplining Anti-Racist Youth," a morning workshop, was presented by the Anti-Racism Task Force of the Northern Illinois Conference. It was developed specifically for leaders of youth based on the Becoming Beloved Community Workshop that is offered to churches.
Read MoreWhen I was 22 years old, I was elected to be the President of the Youth and Young Adult Federation of the Methodist Church (for people 18 to 30 years old) in Chile. The Bible verse I used in most of my reports was 1 Timothy 4:12, “Let no one despise your youth, but set the believers an example in speech and conduct, in love, in faith, in purity” (NRSVUE). The phrase that I also shared was “young people are the ‘today’ of the church.”
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