A feeling of exuberance and loud “Amens" filled Barrington United Methodist Church's sanctuary on April 24 during a long-awaited, in-person service to ordain and commission the 2020 class. The ordinands and commissioning candidates had patiently waited nearly a year for their time after the COVID-19 pandemic cancelled the service two times in 2020.
Read MoreAs a convert to the UMC before my ordination, I knew little beyond the local church. Participating in a Rainbow Covenant Bus Tour with other candidates for ministry introduced me to the work of missions within the bounds of our annual conference and throughout the world.
Read MoreIn April, Chicago Southern District Superintendent Rev. Jacques A. Conway was presented with the Illinois “Chaplain of the Year” award from the International Conference of Police Chaplains (ICPC). The award was presented at two separate ceremonies, one at the Illinois Fraternal Order of Police’s (FOP) monthly meeting in Springfield, Ill., and one at the Oak Park Police Department – both where Conway began his chaplaincy in 1995.
Read MoreThe scriptures talk about God’s covenant with us from Noah to Jesus. God wants a relationship with us despite our many faults and failures. In the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, we know God’s love is unconditional. God loves us and invites us to respond to that love with an eternal commitment. The church is the guardian of this Good News and the community in which we live out our promise to God.
Read MorePraise be to God! The guilty verdicts in the Derek Chauvin trial are a crucial step towards rebuilding trust in our democratic system of justice that is celebrated around the world. Although justice has been served, my heart goes out to George Floyd’s family, as they will never have him back. We hope the knowledge that his death sparked an anti-racism movement with a demand for police reform may give them some solace.
Read MoreWant to "travel" virtually and volunteer on a meaningful journey toward racial justice with high school students? Apply to be a Justice Camp counselor!
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