In 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 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 MoreIn spring 2020, the United Methodist Foundation of the Northern Illinois Conference challenged congregations to raise funds to support the three Food Banks serving their conference. The match began as a $50,000 challenge, but because of generous support was increased to $75,000. In total gifts of more than $150,000 were made to support feeding neighbors.
Read MoreIntentional Discipleship Systems (IDS) are valuable in carrying out our mission as members of the United Methodist Church. Trainers in each district are standing by, ready to help.
Read MoreThe Rev. Junius B. Dotson, the General Secretary of Discipleship Ministries, died late Feb. 24 surrounded by family, less than a month after announcing his battle with pancreatic cancer. He was 55.
Read MoreMore than 300 people attended the first virtual Laity Convocation, “The Other Side: Making Churches Vital in a Post-Pandemic World,” held as a Zoom webinar on Feb. 13, 2021. The session focused on the NIC’s strategic goals of ending racism, growing and reaching new disciples, and building vital congregations. The three speakers included Rev. Sue Nilson Kibbey on communal prayer, Rev. Adam Hamilton on helping people grow in faith, and Rev. Dr. F. Douglas Powe on reaching out to our neighbors.
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