On Friday, May 1, 2020, Governor J.B. Pritzker amended his shelter-in-place order to permit people “to engage in the free exercise of religion." However, any religious gathering must be limited to a maximum of 10 people in compliance with social distancing guidelines put forth by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Read MoreAll of us in the State of Illinois have been under an official stay-at-home order since March 22. Even the weekend before, clergy and laity teams responsible for worship began to figure out how to continue to worship online.
Read MoreAs the first cases of COVID-19 were becoming widespread in Illinois, the need for protective masks became more urgent. With the new order requiring Illinoisans over age two to wear a face mask in public starting May 1, the need is even greater. Volunteers at many NIC churches are busy working to cover the need by firing up their sewing machines and making handmade masks.
Read MoreThe United Methodist Foundation of the Northern Illinois Conference, Inc. will match $-for-$ your donation to three food banks for a total match of $50,000.*
Read MoreThe bars and restaurants have been closed for weeks now. I’ve noticed the last couple of weeks, however, that some of them are doing renovation: pulling out all the glassware, removing the tables and chairs, working on light fixtures, upgrading décor, and often pulling up old flooring in order to put down new flooring. These are things they can’t do easily when they have customers coming and going all day and night long. This renovation also gives me hope that they expect to re-open after people can go back to bars and restaurants!
Read MoreThe United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR) is expanding its efforts in the fight against the novel coronavirus and the disease it causes, COVID-19. UMCOR has launched a giving campaign, “Sheltering in Love,” to assist vulnerable communities in the United States and around the world.
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