You may have learned that earlier today, March 27, an armed attacker killed three children and three adults at Covenant School in Nashville, Tenn. Bishop Bill McAlilly of the Tennessee-Western Kentucky Annual Conference has asked United Methodists to be in prayer for our neighbors, especially the many children, parents, and teachers affected by this violence. I invite you to join me in this prayer.
Read MoreGrace and peace to you in the name of Christ. I write today related to the composition of our delegation in light of a new ruling released by the United Methodist Judicial Council.
Read MoreSure, we are living in post-Christendom, days that the culture is not filling our churches with citizens who wish to make a missional contribution, but rather days our culture seethes with white Christian nationalism. We are facing powerful monied interests that seek to divide us for political gain, both in the culture and the mainline churches. We are living in a Holy Saturday period. We are people who know grief at the foot of the cross but also that resurrection hope is found on the road to Emmaus. I am praying that the One who can bring us hope will stay at the table with us because the night is near.
Read MoreThe sunlight shone through the elegant stained-glass windows at First UMC in Elgin, Ill., on Sunday, February 26, 2023, for the Installation Service of Bishop Dan Schwerin. The installation service was a celebration of the diversity of the conference and included performances by multiple choirs and readings in different languages.
Read MoreBishop Dan Schwerin, newly assigned episcopal leader for the Northern Illinois Conference, spent his first month focused on meeting key leaders within the conference and the denomination. A cabinet retreat and bishop training, locally and across the country, filled his calendar. Late January and February were set aside to work on forming relationships across our conference.
Read MoreWe discussed some of the challenges of forming faith communities these days. Online worship portals have been a gift—but then how do we introduce growth in faith and the development of deeper commitment to a faith community? Many of those who attended in-person worship four times a month a short time ago, may attend once a month now. How might we deepen community with these shifts in participation? Imagine someone attending worship online for perhaps six months and summoning the courage for in-person worship—how do we welcome, affirm, and give stewardship to their growth in faith?
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