Praying Our Way Forward
The Northern Illinois Conference encourages congregations to participate in our week to pray for the Commission On a Way Forward and The United Methodist Church from Dec. 3-9.
Read MoreWhat the world needs now is hope
The chronic disasters such as poverty and racism just get worse. The impact of both the hurricane in Puerto Rico and earthquake in Mexico are felt here in Northern Illinois as hundreds of people come to live with relatives after their lives and livelihoods have been destroyed.
Read MoreBishop Dyck calls for prayer in midst of world disasters
Our world continues to be in a state of suffering. It’s been over a week and the people of Puerto Rico are still without water, electricity, food and the means to connect with others both on the island and in the states. Some of our own clergy and church members still don’t know the whereabouts of family and friends.
Read MoreNCJ College of Bishops issue statement on racism
Events in recent weeks in our country have made evident the deep persistence of racism in our society. As United Methodist leaders, we commit ourselves to continuing our on-going work to identify, resist, and dismantle racism in our churches, communities, and world, building on work which began at the Jurisdictional Conference of 2016.
Read MoreWhat’s your call story?
One year when I was a district superintendent in East Ohio, I asked all of my churches to have a clergyperson and a layperson talk about their call. Many congregations had never heard their pastor’s call story before that church conference. The many ways that God works in and through our lives to call us into full-time Christian service is amazing! That year the church conferences were incredibly inspiring for us all!
Read MoreWhy I am a United Methodist
I wasn’t raised in The United Methodist church. My family is Mennonite. While growing up, the church was the center of our lives. Through the church, I was given many opportunities for leadership (usually breaking the gender bar along the way) and mission. The church shaped me in many ways.
Read More