The 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 MoreTwo weeks of 24/7 prayer, confession, and worship in February went on at Asbury University, a campus of around 1600 students in Wilmore, Kentucky. This Lent, let us in Northern Illinois join with these students in prayer and worship. Let’s pray for an outpouring of the Holy Spirit on our churches in the Northern Illinois Conference.
Read MoreRev. Gary Curl, retired member of the Northern Illinois Conference passed away Wednesday, February 22, 2023. During his ministry he served Chicago: Union Avenue; Chicago: Irving Park; LaSalle: Grace; Orland Park, Antioch, Elgin: Journey of Hope and Morrison.
Read MoreMrs. Bridget Cole-Tabb, spouse of Rev. Marcus Tabb member of the Northern Illinois Conference passed away Thursday, February 16, 2023. During his ministry he served Maywood: Neighborhood, Chicago: Granville Avenue; and he currently serves at Chicago: South Shore.
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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