One of the annual conference’s strategic goals is “to live out the conviction that racism is incompatible with Christian teaching.” This is a tall order as we come to it with four centuries of baggage. Recently I was asked what it means: “racism is incompatible with Christian teaching.” We all need to wrestle with what it means in our own lives, communities, churches, and certainly our nation.
Read MoreAfter 34 years as ChildServ, the Chicago-based child welfare agency officially announced that it has changed its name and visual identity to Kids Above All. The transition, which took effect on June 15, 2020, marked the fifth time it has rebranded. “Kids Above All is a statement of priority and principle. It’s a defiant and powerful call-to-action, challenging every member of the community to place the safety, well-being, and education of all kids above everything else,” said Kids Above All President and CEO Dan Kotowski.
Read MoreGiven the uncertainty of how long we will need to maintain safe distancing, and how long before gatherings of about 1000+ people will be permissible, the Annual Conference Committee and Bishop have approved to hold a ‘virtual 2020 Annual Conference session’ on Saturday, November 14, 2020.
Read MoreJude was thought to be the brother of Jesus. He wrote to Jewish Christians living in the Gentile world. That means it was unfamiliar, uncharted territory for Jude and for those early Christians. Jude wanted people to stay in close relationship with God and each other in love, sticking to Christian teaching when there was so much fake-religion out there!
Read MoreFrom references of Superman, Xbox and even 80s pop singer Rick Astley, the first-ever Northern Illinois Conference social media meme contest was a hit. Nine youth and young adults submitted their original memes for the “What does Jesus Meme to Me?” contest held this spring.
Read MoreFor three months, church leaders have moved worship and ministries outside the building and into the realm of the virtual world providing hope and reassurance in these difficult days since the COVID-19 pandemic surfaced. While many are anxious to return to the sanctuary for in-person services, Bishop Sally Dyck says congregations must stay the course and follow state guidelines to make sure we “do no harm” and do our part to help stop the spread of the virus.
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