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Cross-Pollination: Church and Garden Club Grow Together

Rockton UMC and the Roscoe Gardening Club are growing more than vegetables in the church parking lot. Now in its second year, their partnership transforms unused space into raised garden beds, with the harvest donated to a local food pantry. What began as a simple sharing of space and gardening knowledge has grown into a broader community relationship, including joint events, shared learning and even a new church member who first connected with the congregation through the gardening club.

Fall 2026 Webinars on Church Finance and Administration

Just as last year, the conference finance and administration office is offering a host of webinars to help churches with finance and administration. Topics include 2027 budget information, property insurance and safety, benefits, charge conference forms, statistical reporting, and leadership information.

Rethinking Vacation Bible School: Faith Formation Beyond the Traditional Model

Vacation Bible school has long been a summer tradition in United Methodist churches, bringing children together for Bible stories, music, crafts, games, and fellowship. But this year, several NIC congregations stretched the traditional VBS model, moving beyond a children’s program held at church toward summer faith formation that builds community, empowers young people, serves neighbors, and creates relationships beyond the church walls. They moved into community spaces, invited new partners, engaged multiple generations, and created experiences that connected faith with service and relationships.

Finding Resurrection in Broken Glass

The fire that damaged Christ United Methodist Church in Rockford also shattered a beloved stained-glass window, but its broken pieces have found new life as more than 100 pendants and worry stones. What began as an experiment became a story of resurrection, remembrance and hope, giving members a tangible way to carry the window’s memory and meaning with them. As the congregation returns to its restored campus and prepares to install a new stained-glass window, the fragments remind us that, like Christ’s resurrection, new life and beauty can emerge from what is broken.

Reimagining Church: How Wide is Your Welcome?

Rev. Christian Coon, NIC's director of congregational development, has been attending worship at churches all over our conference for two years. He's found it an eye-opening experience to be a visitor again and offers some observations on how to help newcomers feel welcome.

Camp and Retreat Ministry: What the Annual Conference Approved and What Comes Next

At this year’s Annual Conference (June 14-16), members passed legislation that directed a task force to conduct feasibility studies to evaluate the current outdoor and retreat ministry and explore steps toward strengthening it. Read about next steps.

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