One of the first steps to becoming a License Local Pastor is to attend a United Methodist Licensing School, which requires having a minimum of 80 hours of instruction with students. They receive training and mentorship in areas such as Administration and Leadership, Pastoral Care, and United Methodist Theology.
Read MoreChrist UMC in Deerfield, Ill., was one of several churches and synagogues that opened their doors to the community for prayer vigils and a place to come together as a community after the mass shooting at the 4th of July parade in Highland Park.
Read MoreYesterday, on July 4th, our holiday gatherings were shaken by the sobering news of a mass shooting when a young man opened fire on those attending an Independence Day Parade in Highland Park, Illinois. What should have been a memorable outing for families became a nightmare. I invite you to join me in praying for the six victims, ranging in age from 8 to 85, who died and more than 30 spectators who were wounded and injured in the attack. Let us lift up in prayer the named victims, Nicolas Toledo and Jacki Sundheim, and the four others as we learn their names.
Read MoreWe give thanks to Rev. Myron McCoy for serving more than four years and beyond his term as the first clergy Co-Chair of the Annual Conference Shepherding Team (ACST).
Read MoreThe welcome sign outside East Jordan UMC in Sterling, Ill., is stopping people in their tracks and inviting them to turn into the church’s parking lot. It reads, “Stop! Take a cross home. Christ is Risen.”
Read MoreThe NIC Board of Global Ministries thanks the more than 60 churches who helped fill the truck for the Annual Conference mission challenge.
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