Advent is a protest statement to our lagging faith with its themes of hope, peace, joy, and love. Hope isn’t optimism that everything will work out all right. At least I hope not! Because things don’t always work out all right. Hope is more like resilience; the ability to face harsh realities with determination and grace.
Read MoreJuly 2020, your delegation of the Northern Illinois Conference will attend the North Central Jurisdictional Conference in Ft. Wayne, Indiana, July 15-18, where among many other actions, we will elect new Bishops for our Jurisdiction. While the times are uncertain as is the number of Bishops to be elected, we prepare in anticipation.
Read MoreApproximately 550 clergy and lay members gathered Nov. 16 in the gymnasium at Kishwaukee College for the Annual Conference Special Session to vote on a budget, apportionment formula changes, and to hear from the Exploration Team. After a presentation from the Conference Council on Finance and Administration (CCFA), the Annual Conference passed a $4,574,255 budget for 2020, down 5% from 2019.
Read MoreAs we gather for this special annual conference session, I want to take the opportunity to express a few thoughts about where we are as the UMC in light of the Traditional Plan which is to go into effect January 1, 2020. To say that many clergy—LBGTQ and straight as well as concerned and allied laity—are very anxious is to understate the situation.
Read MoreAfter a revote, United Methodists around the globe have amended the denomination’s constitution to proclaim “men and women are of equal value in the eyes of God.”
Read MoreBishop Sally Dyck was elected the Ecumenical Officer of the Council of Bishops during the bishops’ meeting at Lake Junaluska Assembly.
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