The first question may be “What is a disciple?” The Rev. Junius Dotson, General Secretary of Discipleship Ministries for The United Methodist Church, says that a disciple is a person who Knows Christ, Grows in Christ, Serves Christ, and Shares Christ! Dotson says that we must be disciples to make disciples. Making disciples is the WHY of The United Methodist Church. He says we must move away from “fixing” churches toward making and growing disciples.
Read MoreMen of the Northern Illinois Conference, you're invited to join the Northern Illinois Conference UMM for the Spiritual Congress (annual men’s spiritual retreat) to be held September 13-15 in Williams Bay, WI on scenic Lake Geneva.
Read MoreI am writing to announce that there will be a special session of the Northern Illinois Annual Conference on Saturday, November 16, 2019, at Kishwaukee College (21193 Malta Road, Malta, IL 60150) beginning promptly at 9 a.m. and continuing until 1 p.m.
Read MoreIn June the Northern Illinois Annual Conference authorized Bishop Sally Dyck to form a task force to explore our future as an Annual Conference in light of the passing of the Traditional Plan in February at the General Conference Special Session in St. Louis. The Task Force, labeled the “Exploration Team,” met in late June and early August, both meetings were held at Barrington UMC.
Read MoreIn August, the Cabinet and I went on a farm tour to experience and hear from some farmers in northern Illinois who have been affected by recent adverse weather conditions. We visited several different kinds of farms, including a family farm, a practicing organic farm, and an agritourism farm.
Read MoreFarmers in northern Illinois say it's been a stressful season after a cold, rainy spring and a dry July took a toll on crops. Many are uncertain what the harvest will yield.
Read More