DYK: Jesus Makes a Way in 2021

The first session of our 2021 Annual Conference is now behind us as we live into the theme "Jesus Makes a Way." We will meet again on October 1 and 2 for ordination and additional business. Evaluations are still coming in, but again we adapted to our circumstances, making the best of our pandemic limitations. From virtual worship services and Bible Study to electronic voting, the annual conference committee and staff found ways to help us connect, converse and move forward.

DYK - Do Good

For 14 months, the mantra of the United Methodist Churches in Northern Illinois has been "Do No Harm." As we contemplated every step in our ministries during the COVID-19 pandemic, we have done so with an eye toward keeping each other and our communities safe by stopping the spread of disease.

DYK: Missions – Our Heart and Heritage

As a convert to the UMC before my ordination, I knew little beyond the local church. Participating in a Rainbow Covenant Bus Tour with other candidates for ministry introduced me to the work of missions within the bounds of our annual conference and throughout the world.

DYK - Road to Reopening

Thank you to the amazing, talented and versatile laity and clergy who have given leadership to our congregations during this time of the pandemic. We have learned and persevered. Now, a year into our unprecedented experience, we are ready for it to end. We have had enough of the restrictions, limitations and loss. We long for a “normal” life. Some of our churches have returned to worshipping in person with limited attendance and precautions. Others continue to work and worship remotely in anticipation of a time when all can safely gather.

DYK - Safe Sanctuaries

During the first quarter of 2021, the Northern Illinois Conference Insurance Board, under the leadership of our Director of Risk Management and Ministry Protection Dwayne Jackson has undertaken the mission of ensuring that every church in the Northern Illinois Conference has a process of screening and training for church volunteers who work with children, youth, and vulnerable adults. Thank you to all those churches who have filled out the survey and take this responsibility seriously.

DYK? You Need a Plan

Few of us really understood in March 2020 what it meant to live through a pandemic. Now we are entering our second year, still struggling with a steep learning curve. We have a better sense of the strength and spread of COVID-19 than we had 12 months ago. The medical community has more tools to combat the disease. We have hope as vaccines are rolling out. Yet the need to stay vigilant and patient is as important now as it was last spring. Many of us long for life to return to normal.

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