Our theme for February, “Know Your Story/Own Your Story”, continues that encouragement for youth workers. It may sound cliché, but it is true: be yourself—know who you are and how you got here, and be open and willing to share that.
Read MoreUnited Methodists in Northern Illinois have been living under the Wesleyan banner of “Do No Harm” for almost a year now with the pandemic. Suspending in-person events including worship, programming and so many other community activities we hold dear. We are not out from under the threat of the virus even as our state does better in managing the spread. But with the rollout of a vaccine over the past month, we can now become proactive in combating the spread.
Read MoreAs the Apostle Paul greeted the Ephesians, I greet new Christian friends in Northern Illinois. Of course, Paul was in prison when he wrote this letter and I am merely in COVID-19 confinement in Indianapolis. His letter may have been written by someone else and carried for weeks to reach the church in Ephesus, while I can instantaneously connect via Zoom by clicking a link.
Read MoreAs we reach a sobering milestone of 400,000 lives lost in the U.S. as a direct result of the COVID-19 pandemic, the State of Illinois moves forward in steps toward restoration from the devastation of this infection with the hope that vaccinations will move us further along throughout 2021.
Read MoreAt our recent virtual annual conference session on November 14, 2020, the Northern Illinois Annual Conference voted to reduce the number of districts (and district superintendents) from six to five, effective July 1, 2021
Read MoreSearching for some information on our conference website recently, I was struck by how many times the word “different” popped up on the screen. It made me laugh out loud. We are in a season defined by the “different”.
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