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Shepherding Teams Learn Basic Intercultural Communication

At their Aug. 16 meeting in Schaumburg, Annual Conference and District Shepherding Team members explored how to build cross-cultural relationships through intentional listening and honest conversation. Led by Julie Boleyn of the Kaleidoscope Institute, the group practiced tools such as RESPECT guidelines, Mutual Invitation, and creating a “Grace Margin” to foster empathy and avoid patronizing approaches in ministry. Participants left with new insights on guiding churches toward healthier, more inclusive relationships across race and culture.

Conference Task Forces Become Permanent Committees

The Northern Illinois Conference is integrating the Discipleship and Anti-Racism Task Forces into the Discipleship Committee and the Commission on Religion and Race, respectively, starting Jan. 1, 2025. This transition ensures the continuation of their goals—growing disciples, addressing racism, and increasing vital congregations—within permanent committees, reflecting the conference’s long-term commitment to these priorities.

Group At Lincoln Statute Getting Ready To March

NIC’s Lobby Day uses lessons of the past to change the present

Early in the morning of 18 April 2024, 22 members of the Northern Illinois Conference Anti-Racism Task Force, many of whom had participated in last year’s Civil Rights Pilgrimage, boarded a bus or piled into cars to descend on Springfield to speak to state legislators about issues of racial injustice that concern us—with a focus on environmental justice, the school to prison pipeline, and immigration.

Series embraces the rich diversity of music, art and history

The art and culture of different ethnicities is the 2024 focus for the NIC Anti-Racism Task Force series. They will piece together a variety of experiences and learning in “The Quilting of America: Celebrating the Diversity of God’s Children.”

Workshop equips youth leaders to teach anti-racism

Chicago and suburban church youth leaders gathered at Wesley United Methodist Church in Aurora on April 13 to explore laying the groundwork for friendships and alliances to fight racism. "Becoming the Beloved Community: Disciplining Anti-Racist Youth," a morning workshop, was presented by the Anti-Racism Task Force of the Northern Illinois Conference. It was developed specifically for leaders of youth based on the Becoming Beloved Community Workshop that is offered to churches.

Annual Conference Shepherding Team Refines Role Statement

The Northern Illinois Annual Conference Shepherding Team has developed a new role statement, clarifying its work in aligning resources with the conference goals and enhancing trust.

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