May Day, May 1, is internationally recognized as a day to lift up voices in the struggle for labor rights. Born with John Wesley’s care for coal miners and oppressed workers, United Methodists fought against child labor in the early 1900s and for fair wages in the civil rights movement in the 1950s.
Read MoreThe Northern Illinois Conference has decided to discontinue The NIC Reporter. Survey feedback, declining readership, and budget constraints made it necessary to shift resources toward more widely used communication platforms. Readers are encouraged to stay connected through weekly and district eNews, social media, and a new, more user-friendly website launching soon.
Read MoreAbout 40 youth and adults from across Northern Illinois took part in the “Who Is My Neighbor?” interfaith bus tour on April 18, visiting several places of worship in the western suburbs of Chicago. Throughout the day, participants engaged in meaningful learning experiences and conversations that broadened their perspectives. Many youth shared that the experience was eye-opening and ultimately strengthened their own faith.
Read MoreAbout 40 United Methodists from across Illinois gathered at the state Capitol on April 15 for an advocacy day organized by the Northern Illinois Conference Commission on Religion and Race. Participants met with legislators to discuss issues such as food and environmental justice, immigration, and youth empowerment, grounding their efforts in the United Methodist Social Principles. The day concluded with prayer, song, and a vigil at the Lincoln statue, calling participants to continue the work of justice.
Read MoreThe Northern Illinois Annual Conference will consider legislation to continue the work of the Camp and Retreat Ministry Task Force and guide discernment, feasibility, and transition planning for 2026–2027. The proposal affirms Outdoor and Retreat Ministry as vital to the conference’s mission and supports further study toward a sustainable, mission-aligned future, including exploration of a single-site model. It also authorizes continued planning and next steps while remaining accountable to the conference.
Read MoreRev. Fabiola Grandon-Mayer highlights holy conferencing as a means of grace, rooted in John Wesley’s teaching, calling us to speak truth in love, listen deeply, and honor one another’s dignity. As the Annual Conference approaches, she emphasizes how this practice shapes faithful conversation, decision-making, and community. Embracing holy conferencing as a practice of hope helps build deeper connection and unity across differences.
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