Bishop's Monday Message: From I to We

Have become more I than We? Have we become more individualistic and less community-minded? We see this in the church and have for years as we talked about how people were more spiritual than religious. Being spiritual without being religious came to mean that people claimed to be able to connect with God through nature, an inspiring book or some music, and prayer (often an impassioned “help” in times of trouble), but didn’t feel that they needed all that other stuff—you know, stuff like the organized church! More I and less We.

Planting justice and harvesting hope for NIJFON

Northern Illinois Justice for Our Neighbors (NIJFON) has been blessed with a $25,000 gift from Berry Memorial UMC in Chicago through the sale of the church’s historic building. As Berry UMC seeks to plant the seeds of a new church home in Chicago, they also chose to plant seeds for justice through supporting the mission and vision of NIJFON.

UMM Spiritual Congress: Finding Solutions to the Challenges of Our Time

The United Methodist Men’s online Spiritual Congress 2020 brought clergy and laity together to hear top leaders discuss ways to mitigate and eventually eliminate racism. Some speakers were general in their presentations, but others gave concrete ways to improve understanding, build trust, and break down barriers.

Sympathy Notice: Patricia A. Cantwell

Mrs. Patricia A. Cantwell, a spouse of retired clergy Rev. John R. Cantwell of the Northern Illinois Conference, passed away on Thursday, August 20, 2020, at the age of 83.

Bishop Message: The Beauty and Efficacy of Diversity

Along with many others (not just women, but many women), the death of Ruth Bader Ginsburg and all the articles and memorials to her life and contributions to our country have been inspiring to me. It’s been a glimmer of beauty in the midst of what have been some troubling times.

Bishop's Monday Message: Between a rock and a hard place

Have you ever felt caught between a rock and a hard place? The Israelites were definitely caught between a rock and a hard place as they are attempting to escape the oppression of slavery and Pharaoh. I would encourage you to read the story in Exodus 14. But you may know it.

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