United Methodists have heard the phrase General Conference tossed about frequently these days. A General Conference is a representative gathering of laity and clergy who come together to set church laws, processes, budgets, elect committee members, consider resolutions on social issues, hear reports, and frame the work of the denomination for the coming four years.
Read MoreThe Northern Illinois Conference appreciates the churches that went the second mile as Mission Links churches. To become a Mission Links 100% Supporter, a church needs to pay its conference and general church apportionments in full and donate to at least one Mission Links project in each of the giving areas. In addition to their apportionment giving, Mission Links 100% Supporters gave almost $451,500 in second-mile gifts and over $89,500 in Special Sunday offerings.
Read MoreIt’s official: Wisconsin Conference and Northern Illinois Conference will start sharing a bishop on Sept. 1. The North Central Jurisdiction, meeting online in a special session on Jan. 23, passed two motions: to form a new episcopal area composed of Northern Illinois and Wisconsin Conferences and to form another composed of East Ohio and West Ohio Conferences.
Read MoreYou may have heard over the past few years that the United Methodist General Conference will be voting on regionalization. What does that mean? What’s the United Methodist interest in this?
Read MoreThe North Central Jurisdiction of The United Methodist Church will hold a special, virtual session on Jan. 23 at 7 p.m. Central Time. The sole item for consideration at this session is the recommendation that four episcopal areas (regions overseen by a bishop) be combined into two. Wisconsin and Northern Illinois conferences are among those proposed to share a bishop.
Read MoreChurch leaders are calling for an end to violence in the Middle East that is causing death and injury to Palestinians and Israelis alike. The United Methodist Council of Bishops are “appalled and dismayed,” according to their Oct. 9 statement. The Methodist Liaison Office in Jerusalem states, “The situation is complicated, and we recognize the fear and sense of injustice that are felt, but we call on both sides not to resort to further violence and to engage in negotiation to establish a peaceful solution for all who live in the Holy Land."
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