Governor J.B. Pritzker has announced new Tier 3 mitigation guidelines that are to go into effect on Friday, November 20, 2020. The state of Illinois like most other states is experiencing an alarming spike in COVID-19 cases and in order to prevent further infection and death as well as to avoid overwhelming hospitals, we must all do our part.
Read MoreRev. George E. Ogle, a retired member of the Northern Illinois Conference, passed away on Sunday, November 15, 2020 at the age of 91. During his ministry in the Northern Illinois Conference, he served Missionary Korea, Board of Global Missionary Ministries, Chandler School of Theology, General Board of Church and Society, and Illinois Conference of Churches.
Read MoreOver a year ago, “Y Church” became our theme for AC2020 because we had just come off a particularly difficult special General Conference 2019 where further restrictions were put on the full inclusion of LGBTQ persons. It was a painful time for many clergy and local churches. Y Church—why put up with all this—we were wondering on some days.
Read MoreLast month, the discipleship task force introduced the first pair of videos for a six month series about growing and strengthening discipleship ministries with a particular focus on youth. Our theme for October was “Just Show Up!” as the first step in working, leading, and learning from young people. This month, our theme is “THE CHURCH OF TODAY."
Read MoreAs we gather in this virtual format, it is yet another reminder of how COVID-19 has changed our everyday lives, and while we are inconvenienced, we have learned new ways of doing things, some of which will stick with us post-pandemic. We have also had a chance to assess what things in our busy lives were really important to us and needed to be done, even if in a different way. Our churches are no different. The onset of the shutdown came at a rapid pace for most, without a chance for pre-planning, we had to learn to adapt on the fly.
Read MoreOur virtual annual conference is over and now we begin the work to address the many changes that are before us. One of those changes is the redistricting of the Northern Illinois Annual Conference.
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