The people of Ashton United Methodist Church really stepped up. For quite a while, many of them have been supporting the high school students by attending many of their events. At one of the basketball games, Pastor Jan said to the coach, Mike Messer, “We need to find a way to honor these kids; maybe a breakfast or a pizza night.” Coach Messer replied that they would be having a Saturday game in a couple of weeks, so breakfast would be nice before the game.
Read MoreFor United Methodists in Northern Illinois, home is often those places where we gather to reconnect, reenergize and remember that we are in this together. As we turned the calendar to 2023, the Northern Illinois Conference welcomed our new bishop and launched more in-person gatherings than we have held for the last three years.
Read MoreLaity Convocation 2023 was an opportunity to try something new. After two years of virtual gatherings, Co-Lay Leaders Mark Manzi, Eugene Williams, and Connie Augsburger decided that they wanted in-person participation at three locations. Being in three churches (Disciples UMC in Mt. Morris, Barrington UMC, and Faith UMC in Orland Park) provided the opportunity for fellowship and reduced the distance for participants to travel.
Read MoreThe Northern Illinois Conference has the vision to do no harm to our planet by reducing the emissions of our church properties as close as we can to zero. To work on this goal, we are proud to announce the formation of the Net Zero Team, co-chaired by Richard Alton and Rev. Nancy Blade. On January 20th, leaders from all five districts gathered in Glenview to pray and plan together.
Read MoreThe Discipleship Task Force invites you to pray and fast with them on Ash Wednesday, February 22, 2023, and Good Friday, April 7, 2023. Lent is a wonderful time to practice this means of grace. It is a way of humbling ourselves before God. Fasting helps us hunger for God.
Read MoreRev. William R Shealy Jr, retired clergy member of the Northern Illinois Conference, passed away Sunday, January 1, 2023. During his ministry, he served Chicago: South Deering and Chicago: W Pullman. He was also a professor at Tufts University and Virginia Wesleyan University.
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