The high-speed surge of the omicron coronavirus variant over the last few months presented another pandemic challenge to United Methodist churches, prompting some to put the pause on in-person gatherings, with others making more modest changes.
Read MoreFor 14 months, the mantra of the United Methodist Churches in Northern Illinois has been "Do No Harm." As we contemplated every step in our ministries during the COVID-19 pandemic, we have done so with an eye toward keeping each other and our communities safe by stopping the spread of disease.
Read MoreAt this moment, encouraging people to be vaccinated against COVID-19 is one of the most effective things we can do to promote public health. The goal is simple: to have all of our churches encouraging their members, friends, families, and neighbors to get vaccinated or to speak directly with their primary care physician about their vaccine questions.
Read MoreThe Northern Illinois Conference and Illinois Great Rivers Conference are teaming up with the Illinois Department of Health to provide 100 vaccination sites around our state by the end of May. This push toward helping get more people vaccinated is key to fully entering Phase 5 of the Restore Illinois plan. The best thing we can do to return to fully worship is to be vaccinated.
Read MoreThank you to the amazing, talented and versatile laity and clergy who have given leadership to our congregations during this time of the pandemic. We have learned and persevered. Now, a year into our unprecedented experience, we are ready for it to end. We have had enough of the restrictions, limitations and loss. We long for a “normal” life. Some of our churches have returned to worshipping in person with limited attendance and precautions. Others continue to work and worship remotely in anticipation of a time when all can safely gather.
Read MoreFollowing Jesus Christ during the global pandemic led one Northern Illinois Conference pastor serving in the Illinois Great Rivers Conference to active participation in distributing thousands of face masks beyond her community.
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