168th Annual Conference

168th Annual Conference Celebrations and Awards

There is an African proverb, “It takes a village to raise a child.” When applied to the work of ministry, there could be a corresponding proverb: “It takes lots of volunteers to do the work of the church!” Annual Conference is a time to recognize and celebrate the dedication, passion, service and accomplishments of many people in many different areas of church service. Below are some highlights from those celebrations of ministry:

Methodist Federation on Social Action

Methodist Federation on Social Action (MFSA) has worked for over a hundred years on social justice concerns. MFSA co-chairs Rev. Juancho Campanano and Rev. Lisl Heymans told members of the Annual Conference, “Justice ministry is at the heart of the gospel.” MFSA works on issues involving peace, homosexuality, equal rights, living wage, human rights, slavery, globalization, and climate change. MFSA currently opposes the UM judicial council’s decision upholding a pastor’s right to deny membership to a homosexual member.

Black Methodists for Church Renewal (BMCR)

This active organization has the following goals:

Current ministries that BMCR supports:

BMCR presented awards to two outstanding individuals:

Deborah Dangerfield (2007 BMCR Laity Award)
Tracy Smith Malone (2007 BMCR Clergy Award)

Denman Leadership Awards for Evangelism

This year’s Denman Clergy Award Recipient is Rev. Colleen Norman, pastor of Kelly & Woodlawn UMCs in Chicago. Under her leadership, worship and Sunday school attendance have grown significantly. Sunday school attendance has more than doubled and worship attendance is up 30%, with a significant number of new members joining by Profession of Faith.

The 2007 Denman Laity Leadership Award Recipient is Ruth Kubberness, a member of Grace UMC in LaSalle, IL. Ruth has engaged in evangelism both within and outside the church. Ruth is known to many in the DeKalb District for her work as Christian clown “Patches,” spreading the Good News of Jesus Christ in all kinds of places. She was also instrumental in organizing Grace Church’s Upper Room Prayer Ministry call center. She has offered radical hospitality to visitors and new members of Grace Church.

Volunteers in Mission Committee

NIC Refugee Coordinator Rev. Zaki Zaki told the conference, “Refugees are among the most vulnerable of God’s people.” In Northern Illinois, The United Methodist Committee on Relief’s UMCOR local affiliate has supported the re-settlement of 11 refugees from Liberia in the past year. Rev. Zaki said, “Sponsoring a refugee family is usually a commitment of 3 months to provide food and housing.” It is a wonderful project for a congregation to undertake.

Rainbow Covenant Awards

Annually, Rainbow Covenant Awards for faithful giving are announced at Annual Conference. The Philip Otterbein Award (for highest amount given) went to Community United Methodist Church, Naperville who raised $89,446. The John Wesley Award (for “highest giving per capita”) also went to Community United Methodist Church, Naperville.

United Methodist Men

The NIC Board of United Methodist Men challenged the Conference with a donation of $1,000 to the UM Global AIDS Fund. Steve Nailor, Northern Illinois Conference United Methodist Men President, also outlined plans “to reach out to all of the men in the conference” and “to guide district UMN presidents to help enable the ministry of UM men.” Conference leadership for UM Men will attempt to improve skills in the areas of:

Leadership Training Bears Fruit
in Northern Illinois

Small Group Institute completes training cycle

A small army of small group ministers were introduced at Annual Conference. One hundred seventy-eight leaders have spent many weekends in small group seminars, being inspired and instructed. They are now equipped to re-vitalize small groups within their congregations.

Latino/Hispanic Academy

Thirty-six leaders are currently in training through the Latino/Hispanic academy. Many have given up whole weekends, even while working full time. They are committed to planting new faith communities. Bishop Jung says these leaders are part of “God expanding our vision!”

Institute for Congregational Development and Redevelopment (Code Red)

This is a two-year intensive training process for clergy called to serve new and developing congregations. This year, there are 46 graduates.

One institute graduate reported that this has helped him or her “become intentional about where to put my time and energy.” Another noted, “It has nurtured the seeds of faith planted in each of us by God.”

New participants are being accepted into the Institute for Congregational Development this fall. Do you have any interest in starting a new church in your ministry? Or, would you have any interest in starting a satellite or multi-site congregation? Please contact Rev. Martin Lee, Director of Congregational Development.

The Bishop’s 2007
Ecumenical and Interreligious Award

North Central College, a United Methodist institution of higher learning in Naperville, was recognized this year for promoting understanding of the global Islamic faith by sponsoring a year long series of events called Annual International Focus 2006-07: World of Islam. Programs included the following: