More than 160 clergy and laity from throughout the Northern Illinois Conference came together on Sept.16 to engage in conversation digging deeper into who we are as the body of Christ and to think about the future of The United Methodist Church.
Read MoreThis Flood Bucket Disaster Relief Project began with a decision by the Congregational Care and Missions Team of Belvidere First United Methodist Church. That prompted an email from the Rev. Danice Loveridge, Deacon, to me, asking if other churches in the NIC were collecting flood buckets for the Texas flood relief effort with UMCOR. Could they join the effort? That request generated emails to the all of the UMC churches in the Rockford District. This project was later noted and publicized by the Northern Illinois Conference. That then caused a lot of emails and phone calls.
Read MoreOur world continues to be in a state of suffering. It’s been over a week and the people of Puerto Rico are still without water, electricity, food and the means to connect with others both on the island and in the states. Some of our own clergy and church members still don’t know the whereabouts of family and friends.
Read MoreAs Hurricane Harvey was taking aim at Texas, Colin Monk from First United Methodist Church in Morris, Ill., (FUMC) was ready to jump into action. Monk helps lead the church’s Early Response Team (ERT) who are trained to respond in times of a disaster.
Read MoreMore than 90 Chicago area youth from the city and suburbs ventured more than a hundred miles from home this past August to experience a three-day overnight camp and many firsts.
Read MoreIn the midst of any community in the United States in 2017, hunger looms as a widespread but very often invisible problem. Data indicates that 1 in 5 children and 1 in 10 families are food insecure – wondering where their next meal might be coming from or having to choose between paying a bill, getting medical help or putting a healthy meal on the table.
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