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CCFA Chairperson Celebrates Conference’s Strengths

Kim Emery, CCFA Chairperson, reflects with gratitude on her time in leadership, describing it as a meaningful learning experience shaped by collaboration, change, and faithful service. She encourages laity to step into leadership roles, emphasizing that both lay and clergy are essential to the church’s vitality and growth. Emery also thanks churches for their continued support through apportionments, highlighting their importance in strengthening connectional ministry across the conference.

Laity Convocation Offers Many Reasons to Hope

"Moving Forward with Hope," this year's Laity Convocation held on March 21, featured a presentation on taking risks to help immigrant neighbors, Bishop Schwerin's exhortations on hope, and inspiring testimonies from young adults.

Teens through Adults Ignited for Ministry

About 80 people attended Ignite, North Central Jurisdiction's March 13-15 event to help those hearing a call to ministry discover opportunities and consider where God is leading them.

Leading the Laity: Let Us Hope Fully

In his column, Eugene Williams greets the laity of the Northern Illinois Conference with a call to make 2026 a “year of hope,” urging United Methodists to live not just hopefully, but hope-fully—full-time and grounded in Christ’s promises. Rooted in Lent and the assurance of Hebrews 13:5, he encourages faithful resilience amid hardship. Williams invites laity to gather for the upcoming Laity Convocation for a morning of learning, connection, and encouragement.

Uncover Our History Through Illinois Pilgrimage in June

The Commissions on Religion and Race of the Northern Illinois and Illinois Great Rivers Conferences are partnering to host a Pilgrimage Journey Through the Heart of Illinois, June 25–28, exploring sites that reveal the state’s complex history of racism and resilience. Beginning with an optional Chicago tour, the pilgrimage will visit key locations including a Lincoln-Douglas debate site, the El Paso Voting Rights Museum, Springfield, East St. Louis, and Cahokia Mounds. Designed as both an educational and spiritual experience, the journey invites participants to reflect honestly on the past in order to shape a more just future together.

Announcing the #BeUMC Awards

The Northern Illinois Annual Conference, with United Methodist Communications, is excited to launch the #BeUMC Awards! Celebrate laypeople, clergy, and congregations who love boldly, serve joyfully, and lead courageously. Nominations are open for individuals and congregations who inspire through faithfulness, leadership, and service.

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