The Northern Illinois Conference recognized five churches with One Matters Awards. The United Methodist Church’s Discipleship Ministries created this award in 2015 to encourage congregations that in the previous year increased baptisms and professions of faith from zero to at least one. Wanting to recognize more churches, NIC makes four additional awards.
Read MoreThe Northern Illinois Conference’s HEAL Well initiative addresses food insecurity and environmental sustainability by uniting faith communities and local partners in urban gardening and tree planting. With a mission to foster trust and care for God’s creation, HEAL Well engages volunteers, including high school students, to maintain community gardens and expand green spaces in northern Illinois. The initiative collaborates with various organizations to build relationships, educate communities, and create lasting environmental and social impact.
Read MoreRev. Fabiola Grandon-Mayer reflects on the Northern Illinois Conference’s commitment to diversity and unity, emphasizing that differences are gifts that enrich and strengthen the church. In a time of societal division and challenges for immigrant communities, she calls on United Methodists to be peacemakers, bridge-builders, and voices for love and justice. By embracing diversity and striving for unity, the church can create a more inclusive and compassionate community that reflects God’s image.
Read MoreRev. Danita R. Anderson reflects on the theme of grace as a foundational part of United Methodist faith, highlighting personal experiences of God’s love and forgiveness, particularly through hospitality. She emphasizes the importance of The Table as a place where grace is freely offered to all, without judgment or expectation. This year, as we focus on grace’s sufficiency, we invite everyone to embrace and share grace in daily life, including opportunities to engage with conference staff during worship.
Read MoreRev. Christian Coon shares how a challenge to conduct one-on-one meetings transformed his ministry, leading him to deeper community connections and new outreach opportunities. By engaging with local leaders, including a public librarian, he discovered insight that shaped his church’s mission. Now, he encourages others to embrace the power of one-on-one conversations, challenging them to schedule four meetings as a simple yet impactful way to engage their communities.
Read MoreThe Northern Illinois casualty and liability insurance program (NICUM) offers conference churches a stable and economical coverage option. However, NICUM does not cover damages caused by lack of maintenance. This requires churches to proactively address structural issues and ongoing upkeep. To sustain their ministries, churches should plan for future maintenance needs through savings, fundraising, and strategic partnerships while working with their district superintendent when necessary.
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