gThis section is dedicated to the latest information and resources leading up to the General Conference Special Session, Feb. 23-26 in St. Louis.
Bishop Dyck encourages all of us to pray for our six delegates from the Northern Illinois Annual Conference who will be voting at the Special Session along with all the others from around the world. Read her Feb. column. Our clergy delegates are Rev. Alka Lyall, Rev. Gregory Gross, and Rev. Chris Pierson. Our lay delegates are Lonnie Chafin, Irma Clark, and Elisa Gatz (Chair). Reserves include Jack Ryder, Rev. Carol Hill, Rita L. Smith, Rev. Luis Reyes, Nancy Pendergrass, and Rev. David Lagos-Fonseca.
At the Laity Convocation, we shared Bishop Dyck’s video message on unity which she originally taped for the Rockford District Leadership Training event at Rev. Lisa Kruse-Safford’s request. Watch here. Bishop Dyck also encourages us to utilize the many online resources listed below to help keep ourselves and our churches informed and up-to-date on the proceedings.
GC2019 Links
…For resources visit: www.umcnic.org/wayforward
…Special Session Livestream: www.umc.org/live
…For updates and news fro St. Louis visit: www.umnews.org
NIC Delegation visit www.umcnic.org/NICdelegation
…and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/NICdelegation.
We will share important updates and information through the NIC’s social media, website and a special eNews with a message from the Bishop.
After the special session, Bishop Dyck invites you to join one of three Debriefings.
…Sat., March 30 at 9:30am – Location: Orland Park: Faith UMC, 15101 S 80th Ave., Orland Park, IL.
…Sat., March 30 at 2 pm – Location: Barrington UMC, 98 Algonquin Rd., Barrington, IL.
…Sun., March 31 at 3 pm – Location: Oregon UMC, 200 S. 4th St., Oregon, IL.
NIC Delegation FAQ The NIC Delegation has put together an FAQ sheet from the most commonly asked questions during the conversations around the Special Session held across the conference in each District last fall. Click here to read.
Day of Prayer – Feb. 23 The Praying Our Way Forward team of the Council of Bishops has released details of the Day of Prayer, which will take place from 9:00 am to 3:30 pm CST in the St. Louis America’s Center Convention Complex on Saturday, February 23, the first day of the 2019 Special Session of General Conference.The event will be live-streamed. Click here to read more.
The Movement Continues Campaign United Methodist Communications has launched a new advertising campaign that seeks to inspire church members and leaders to feel encouraged, assured and hopeful about the future of the denomination. Click here to learn more about the ads and download resources at UMC.org/movement.
Advance Daily Christian Advocate Bound printed volumes of the the Advance Edition of the Daily Christian Advocate (ADCA), the official journal of the General Conference of The United Methodist Church which includes the agenda and legislation, may be purchased from Cokesbury. A PDF of the 2019 ADCA is accessible online now.