168th Annual Conference

New Clergy Leaders Ordained

This year the Northern Illinois Conference ordained twelve Elders and two Deacons. In addition, five people were commissioned toward Elder’s orders (including two Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary students from the Congo), and three people were commissioned toward Deacon’s orders.

The journey toward ordained ministry in the United Methodist Church is one that takes many years of study, examination and commitment. Ordination is not achieved without great discipline and the support of many colleagues, family and friends. It is a joyful occasion when the Bishop calls candidates in front of 1,000 delegates to Annual Conference and examines them on historical questions regarding Wesleyan theology and practice. The ordination service is a sacred moment that takes place amid the happy and joyful faces of the family, friends, mentors, and colleagues who have been part of the journey toward ordained ministry.

24 delegates were elected to General and Jurisdictional Conferences. In other business, the conference passed a budget of 7,563,190. 23 resolutions passed along with 5 petitions which were endorsed for General Conference. Highlights of the resolutions/petitions include:

2007 Northern Illinois Conference Ordination Class

Order of Elders 2007
Cynthia Anderson
James M. Bell
Timothy Biel, Jr.
Jeffry J. Bross
Johnathan Crail
Enrique Gonzalez
Melissa Ann Hood
Felicia Howell LaBoy
Catiana Powell McKay
Neju Ham
Amy Lia Poust
Zaki Labib Zaki

Order of Deacons 2007
Deanna Moore Mede
Virginia Rainey

2007 Northern Illinois Conference Commissioning Class

Toward Elder's Orders
Michael Jones
Cindy Marino
Glena Olumstad
Okitakoyi Lundula (Central Congo Annual Conference)
Emmanuel Naweji (South Katanga Annual Conference)

Towards Deacon's Orders
Katherine Harrington-Taber
Sherry Scates
Cara Newhouse Weiler