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Creating safer and more welcoming spaces

One of the goals of the Northern Illinois Conference for 2022 was to ramp up our Safe Sanctuaries training and increase the number of volunteers who have gone through this valuable course. Online training through Safe Gatherings is an ongoing tool for this training. In addition, eight Safe Sanctuaries Trainings were held in 2022 throughout the summer and fall to train over 1,850 lay and staff. This brings our number of people leaders in the past 2 years to over 2,790!

Notes of Rest presented for Martin Luther King, Jr. Day Observance

On Sunday, January 15th, Julian Davis Reid presented one of his spiritual retreats, Notes of Rest, specifically tailored for Martin Luther King, Jr. Day at First United Methodist Church of Oak Park. The event, sponsored by the Northern Illinois Conference and the United Methodist Foundation, focused on the importance of rest in fueling the continued pursuit of justice for all and Dr. King’s dream of the Beloved Community.

Sympathy Notice: Bettye S Mixon

Rev. Bettye S. Mixon, retired member of the Northern Illinois Conference, passed away Friday, January 13, 2023. During her ministry, she served Carbon Cliff; Chicago: Epworth and Rockford: Centennial.

Bishop Announces Two New Conference Leadership Appointments

Bishop Dan Schwerin is pleased to announce two appointments, effective July 1, 2023. Rev. Fabiola Grandon-Mayer to the role of Director of Connectional Ministries (DCM), and Rev. Arlene Christopherson to the role of Assistant to the Bishop.

Sympathy Notice: Kay Dillard

Rev. Kay B Dillard, retired member of the Northern Illinois Conference passed away Thursday, January 5, 2023. During her ministry she served Hebron; Polo: First; Rochelle; Chicago South District (Superintendent) of the Northern Illinois Conference; and Maple Park: Grace.

Sympathy Notice: Elmer Dickson

Rev. Elmer Dickson, retired member of the Northern Illinois Conference, passed away Wednesday, December 28, 2022. During his ministry he served Lemont; Westchester: Hope; Ashton: United; Chicago: St Mark; Elgin: Epworth; Carol Stream: St Andrew; Chicago: East Side and Freeport: Embury. Elmer was a contributor to the Upper Room Devotional and participated in United Methodist Volunteers in Mission global projects. Elmer retired to Florida in 1991 with his wife, Jean.

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