In the fall of 2011, Chicago was host to a China Bible exhibition titled “Thy Word is Truth”. With ecumenical and community partners, the Northern Illinois Conference played a leading role in hosting the exhibition and a delegation from China. This year the China Christian Council invited Reverend Arlene Christopherson (event coordinator) Reverend Phil Blackwell (host site pastor), Bishop Sally Dyck and their spouses to travel to China.
The Northern Illinois Conference welcomed Bishop Sally Dyck with a jubilant covenant celebration at Grace United Methodist Church in Naperville on Sept. 23, 2012.
On a bright, sunny Sunday morning this past Labor Day weekend, about 60 people gathered along the beachfront at Crystal Lake for worship, reaffirmation of faith and baptism. Twelve people, both young and old, from Nueva Vida UMC in Aurora, were immersed in the slightly cool waters.
More than 250 volunteers came out to give back to the community by participating in Seeds to Succeed service projects across the Northern Illinois Conference. The NIC received a generous impact grant from Rethink Church to assist in advertising, planning and promotional materials for Seeds to Succeed.