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Wheatland Salem Welcomes Ukrainian/Slavic Immigrants

Wheatland Salem United Methodist Church in Naperville is extending Christ’s welcome to the growing Ukrainian and Slavic community in DuPage and Will counties through multilingual worship and vibrant children’s and youth ministries, supported by a 2025 Bishop’s Appeal for Migrant Needs grant. The congregation now hosts weekly programs serving children and teens, along with worship offered in Ukrainian, Russian, and English. Beyond programs, the church is providing advocacy, prayer, and practical support for families facing immigration uncertainty, embodying compassion and solidarity in a time of deep need.

Northern Illinois Conference seeks to yield to God’s leading: 2024 Conference Summary

Observing a Wesleyan spiritual practice rather rallying around a slogan, members of the 2024 session of the Northern Illinois Conference of met from June 16 to 18 in Schaumburg to yield to God as they recognized ministry milestones, worshiped, and voted on policies and resolutions.

Everyone Is Welcome Katie Moum 7xgtyefmxiq Unsplash

Hager’s story: a refugee finds a new life in Northern Illinois

The ongoing Syrian civil war has driven over 180,000 migrants from Syria to seek refuge in the U. S. since the outbreak of violence in 2011. Hager (a pseudonym) and her family were among these refugees. Hager is one of the first Syrian clients served by Northern Illinois Justice For Our Neighbors, which provides affordable, high-quality legal assistance for immigrants.

Pilgrims to U.S./Mexico Border Observe Danger and Hope

Migrants come to Nogales--a city that spans the U.S./Mexico border--from all over Central and South America, fleeing from dangerous life situations. Seven lay people and three clergy from the Northern Illinois Conference traveled to that city from March 20 to 24 to observe up close the hardship and courage of those who cross or live near the border. The group took a pilgrimage to Nogales from March 20 to 24 to learn about the migrant experience.

2022 Annual Conference Highlights

The 183rd Northern Illinois Annual Conference wrapped up on Friday, June 10 after three days of worship, business, Bible study, ordination, and reconnecting with one another after being apart for three years.

Four congregations come together to pack meals for Ukraine

More than 50 volunteers, ages 6 to 90, from four neighboring UMC churches in Carroll County gather to pack rice meals for Ukraine. Together they assembled 1,800 bags in just a couple of hours and raised more than $1,800 to make this mission event happen.

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