Eugene Williams, Northern Illinois Conference co-lay leader, says that to practice hope, we must take brave actions. "Giving up power and extending equity is hard to do; especially when are afraid or hesitant to lead courageously," he says. "We've settled at times just to move parts of our overall agenda forward."
Read MoreRev. Christian Coon, the NIC director of congregational development, once thought there might be some yet-to-be-discovered magic program or resource that is going to help the church turn its fortunes around. "I have to be reminded time and again, however, that we already have historical traditions that are sometimes underutilized or forgotten; practices hiding in plain sight," he says. Here are some suggestions.
Read More"Our sacraments are baptism and the Eucharist," Bishop Dan Schwerin says. "They are gifts for pilgrims, a bath and a meal. Surely walking alongside is another ancient embodiment of Jesus." Read about a form of spiritual companionship.
Read MoreSome 657 lay and clergy members of Northern Illinois Conference gathered to practice hope at their annual session, held June 14-16 at the Schaumburg (Ill.) Renaissance Convention Center. “Practicing Hope,” the NIC’s theme of the year, was highlighted in the conference’s presentations and worship.
Read MoreThis October, the United Methodist Council of Bishops will host leaders from the episcopal areas around the world in Calgary, Canada, for "Emboldened by the Spirit: Imagining a Church Yet to Be,” a meeting to envision the denomination’s future. From the Northern Illinois-Wisconsin Area, Rev. Violet Johnicker, Rev. Fabiola Grandon-Mayer, Eugene Williams, and Rev. Jeremiah Cottrell-Duebner will participate.
Read MoreThe 2027 apportioned budget for the Northern Illinois Conference will be $5,647,000, which is an increase of $539,000 over the 2026 approved budget. Apportionment receipts for 2025—the most recent numbers available—reached 80 percent of the amount apportioned, which is the highest percentage since 2016.
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