As I look back to April 2011 and my first day on the job as the new NIC Director of Communications, my first introduction was to the monthly print Reporter and the process of publishing it. I remember looking over former NIC Media Resource Director Susan Gieseler’s shoulder as she made edits to the final proof to be sent off to UMR Communications in Dallas to be printed. This would be my first task and now my last assignment.
Read MoreJean Bush-Norris, Diaconal Minister of the Northern Illinois Conference, passed away on November 23, 2022. Jean served in several ministerial positions both in Minnesota and Illinois. As a Diaconal Minister she was certified in music, an Associate Pastor at Buffalo Grove: Kingswood, and a Church Growth Consultant at Freeport: Trinity as well as a local pastor at Warren.
Read MoreAt the end of October, on our last day in the Northern Illinois Conference offices at the Chicago: Temple, while packing boxes and sorting through years of materials, I found the memories of that space bubbling up and sat down to capture a few of those images. This month’s article is my reflection at that moment of change.
Read MoreThe horrendous mass shooting this past Saturday night at Club Q, an LGBTQ nightclub in Colorado Springs, Colorado, breaks my heart and calls me to cry out, “How long, O Lord?”
Read MoreWhat a joy it is to be in the house of the Lord to hear the Word and sing songs of praise to God. For the second year, the NIC Discipleship Task Force held a Fall conference-wide worship service. This year’s service was held at Journey of Hope UMC in Elgin. The service was also available via livestream. Rev. P. Devon Brown of St. Mark UMC (Chicago) and Rev. Heewon Kim of Evans UMC & Harlem UMCs (Rockford) and New Life UMC (Machesney Park) led the worship service planning. Choirs from Journey of Hope UMC in Elgin, Korean UMC in Flossmoor and St. Mark UMC (St. Mark Gospirational Choir) in Chicago provided moving musical selections.
Read MoreThe word Fresh [Expressions] was borrowed from The Declaration of Assent, which is made by deacons, priests, and bishops of the Church of England. The Church of England and British Methodists started Fresh Expressions to revitalize existing churches and to start new forms of churches.
Read More