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Facing The Future Participants Selfie Cmyk

‘Facing the Future’ Revives Clergy in Cross-Cultural/Cross-Racial Appointments

More than 180 clergy and ministry leaders gathered in Los Angeles on Oct. 7–9 for Facing the Future 2025: Rejoice, Recenter, Revive, a national event hosted by the UMC General Commission on Religion and Race for clergy serving in cross-racial and cross-cultural appointments. Eleven Northern Illinois Conference members attended, with four serving in leadership roles. Through worship, workshops, and testimony, participants found renewal, connection, and encouragement to lead courageously in building a more inclusive and equitable church.

From Bishop Schwerin: Children Under Threat

Beginning Oct. 3, Immigration and Customs Enforcement launched an operation, reportedly named “Freaky Friday,” targeting unaccompanied children aged 14 and older of all nationalities. Bishop Dan Schwerin and the United Methodist Council of Bishops advise on how to help these children and their families.

Being Peacemakers While Calling for Peace and Unity

On August 15, Korean-American United Methodists in Northern Illinois gathered at First Korean UMC in Wheeling to mark Korea’s 1945 liberation from Japanese occupation with both gratitude and sorrow. Rev. Hwa-Young Chong reflected that while Korea is not at war, its division represents an “oppressive peace,” contrasting it with the true peace of Christ, which brings justice and wholeness. She encouraged worshipers to practice daily acts of peacemaking as a faithful response to ongoing division.

Hispanic/Latinx Caucus Strategizes to Strengthen Leaders

At the beginning of August, Hispanic/Latinx United Methodists from across the U.S. and Puerto Rico gathered in Arlington Heights for the Annual MARCHA meeting, hosted this year by the Northern Illinois Conference. Centered on the theme “Now, Yes! With Faith and Courage, We Respond to Our Call to Act,” the event blended worship, learning, advocacy, and community building. Highlights included Bishop Dan Schwerin’s call to live without fear and the presentation of a leadership award to Estefany Sanabria of Humboldt Park UMC, honoring her work in immigration justice and her commitment to the church.

'A Binding Truth' Screenings

Collective Action to Build Community, a partnership of NIC with other organizations, has planned free screenings of the film "A Binding Truth," Sept. 10-16. It follows the intertwined stories of two high-school classmates and the hidden connections that bind them with each other and reflect the nation’s history.

From our Bishop: Love Each Other Like Members of Your Family

Bishop Schwerin calls on United Methodists to reclaim the deep Christian call to love our neighbors—especially those who are suffering. He urges faithful action—through prayer, protest, advocacy, and mercy—as a witness to Christ.

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