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A Message from the Bishop: Tyre Nichols

These are days for lament, and renewed commitment to justice. I lament the murder of Tyre Nichols at the hands of the officers in Memphis. I lament the stress officers are experiencing. I lament the loss of a son and father. We need to affirm that Black Lives Matter and our systems and relationships must act accordingly. Today at our Leadership Development training in the Prairie North District, we lifted a prayer shared by Rev. Violet Johnicker of Rockford Urban Ministries. Feel free to pray and use this, if possible, in worship tomorrow. May our actions produce equity that makes Christ known. Thank you for your ministry.

Welcoming Bishop Schwerin to the Northern Illinois Conference

Bishop Dan Schwerin’s first day serving as episcopal leader in the Northern Illinois Annual Conference was January 3. Bishop Schwerin grew up just north of us in Wisconsin, where he heard his call at Concord UMC, in the small town of Sullivan, near Waukesha. Prior to his election, he served in the Wisconsin Annual Conference office as Assistant to the Bishop.

Bishop’s Column: Getting to know Bishop Dan Schwerin

Here are 10 things that will help you get to know our new Bishop.

Did you know? Practicing Hospitality

This month’s NIC Reporter is filled with images of welcome. In the conference these days, we are driven by welcome. You only need to look at the conference calendar to see all the ways in which we are engaged in welcoming Bishop Dan Schwerin as our new episcopal leader. From an Installation Service (on Sunday, February 26th) to Days on the District (the first two weeks of February), to a card shower of notes and well wishes, we have extended a welcome to Bishop Schwerin.

Bishop Announces Two New Conference Leadership Appointments

Bishop Dan Schwerin is pleased to announce two appointments, effective July 1, 2023. Rev. Fabiola Grandon-Mayer to the role of Director of Connectional Ministries (DCM), and Rev. Arlene Christopherson to the role of Assistant to the Bishop.

Bishop Schwerin ready to start in the new year

At the consecration service, Bishop Schwerin learned he would be assigned to the Northern Illinois Conference effective Jan. 1, 2023, for which he expressed his gratitude. “I've been your neighbor for many, many years. I am so grateful to be assigned to the Northern Illinois Annual Conference," said Schwerin. "You have a history of justice-seeking ministry that humbles me and makes me grateful to be called to be assigned to you. I look forward to making relationships with you, learning from you, and shepherding with you."

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