In Sympathy: Donna Atkinson
Rev. Donna Atkinson, a retired member of the Northern Illinois Conference, passed away on January 24, 2026.
Read MoreAnnouncing 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.
Read MoreThis Year's Theme Devotional, Practicing Hope, is Available Now
"A Year of Practicing Hope" is a new devotional created for 2026 in the Northern Illinois–Wisconsin Area. Featuring Scripture, reflections, and prayer, the booklet invites individuals and communities to live hope as an active, daily practice of grace. Copies will be shared at conference and district gatherings, with additional options available for downloading or ordering.
Read MoreSigns of Unity: Shared Prayer and Shared Care for the Earth
Leaders of fourteen church bodies in the Chicago area who came together on Jan. 24 for the World Day of Prayer put faith into practice by urging the federal government to stay in the Paris Agreement on climate change and pressing Illinois legislators to order the removal of lead drinking water pipes from the state.
Read MoreMLK Celebration: Dangerous Times Call for Dangerous Religion
Over 300 people gathered at Trinity United Methodist Church in Mount Prospect on Jan. 18 for the conference's annual Martin Luther King Jr. celebration, where they affirmed that King’s words and life are still relevant to our Christian witness today.
Read MoreDr. King Wanted to Build a Better World, Not a Monument
In his reflection, Rev. Dr. Charles A. Woolery Sr., challenges readers to move beyond a comfortable, sanitized remembrance of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. to engage his full prophetic witness. He lifts up King’s critique of racism, poverty, and militarism, warning that honoring monuments and sound bites is easier than living out the costly work of justice.
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