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.
Read MoreOn 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.
Read MoreAt 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.
Read MoreCollective 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.
Read MoreBishop 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.
Read MoreAt the 2025 Northern Illinois Annual Conference, the NIC Anti-Racism Task Force unveiled the Arts & Culture Quilt—a powerful symbol of unity, justice, and cultural pride. Created from quilt squares submitted by individuals and churches across the conference, the piece honors diverse stories and the shared call to racial equity. The quilt stands as a lasting tribute to the ongoing work of anti-racism and the beauty of our collective witness.
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