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2024 Arts and Culture Series

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THE NORTHERN ILLINOIS CONFERENCE ANTI-RACISM TASK FORCE IS PLEASED TO PRESENT OUR 2024 ARTS AND CULTURE DISCUSSION SERIES.

Quilts have played a significant role in American history and culture for centuries. Quilts are as unique as the people who create them. Similarly, different ethnicities have unique art forms. Join us as we journey to learn about those art forms and help us create an actual NIC quilt celebrating that diversity.

NIC Arts & Culture Quilt Project

As we journey together this year to embrace the rich diversity of music, art and history, we invite you to  participate in the making of an NIC Arts & Culture Quilt that will be hung in the Northern Illinois Conference Office. 

Participants will be asked to present one square from an NIC individual, church  or organization to represent their culture, community, history, or art. Each square will need to be mailed by November 1, 2024.

Learn more about the Quilt Project


EVENTS

ASIAN ART & CULTURE PRESENTATION
Anderson Japanese Gardens,
Rockford

Saturday, July 27

Details being finalized


HISPANIC/LATINX ART & CULTURE PRESENTATION
in conjunction with the NIC 
Hispanic/Latinx Ministry Celebration

Saturday, October 5

Location and details being finalized


NATIVE AMERICAN ART & CULTURE PRESENTATION
Starved Rock State Park, LaSalle County

October

Date and details being finalized


Past Events

BLACK ART & CULTURE PRESENTATION
Gateways Festival Orchestra
with special guest Take 6, and conductor Anthony Parnther

April 19, 7:30 p.m.
Orchestra Hall, 220 South Michigan Avenue, Chicago

Optional Pre-concert Buffet dinner at Kathryn’s Soul at the French Market 

Read a recap from Dr. Richard Guzman

More information 

Other Series Links

The 2024 Art and Culture Series is a continuation of other ARTF series.
Check out the links below for recordings and information on the past events:
- 2023 Film Series
- 2022 Speaker Series

Learn more about the NIC Anti-Racism Task Force

NIC ANTI-RACISM TASK FORCE SERIES COMMITTEE MEMBERS:

  • Tim Alexander, Chair (Schaumburg: Our Saviors UMC)
  • Jenny Graham (Rockford: Aldersgate UMC)
  • Rev. Toni Lucas (Albany UMC)
  • Dr. Betty Hart, Northern GA Conference
  • Dr. Richard Guzman (Bolingbrook: Friendship UMC)
  • Project Manager: Amania Drane (Bolingbrook: Friendship UMC)

News & Announcements

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Bishop Schwerin's Reflections on General Conference 2024

Bishop Dan Schwerin offers some reflections after listening to how news of The United Methodist General Conference is being received in Northern Illinois.

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Cheryl Weaver Named Chief Benefits Officer for NIC and Wisconsin

Rev. Cheryl Weaver, Wisconsin Conference’s benefits officer, will also serve Northern Illinois Conference in this capacity, beginning June 1.

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General Conference 2020 (2024) Updates

The UMC General Conference (postponed from 2020) came to order on the morning of April 23. Follow daily reports focusing on topics of interest to Northern Illinois Conference readers.

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Northern Illinois United Methodists Working and Helping at General Conference

General Conference takes thousands of people to help the event run smoothly and do its work. United Methodists from across Northern Illinois partici…

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