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NIC Annual Conference June 14-16, 2026

Rita Bartak, Jim Simmons, Sarah Kubicki–Lay Delegates
Dale Carver–Lake South District Lay Leader

Over 600 clergy and laity focused on “Practicing Hope” at the 187th NIC Annual Conference in Schaumburg on June  14-16. Through worship, presentations, Bible studies, and lunch-and-learn sessions, we explored ways of expressing hope. Romans 5:3-5 served as the foundation for this conference: ". . . we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us."

Bishop Dan Schwerin referred to Debra Rienstra’s book, Refugia Faith, as he shared his vision for the future of our  conference.  In his opening message, he stated that hope is a refuge or a refugia, a “pocket of safety that allows species or populations to survive hostile conditions on their way to their next phase.” In this hope we advocate for the marginalized and expect a future. NIC’s co-lay leader, Eugene Williams, reminded us to “respond when all the liberties and progress that we have made is being dialed back. We must practice hope, even if it means we sometimes find ourselves fighting the same battles again and again just to overcome and reclaim ground that we had already won.”

The Conference celebrated a number of accomplishments:

Ministry: ordained an elder, commissioned two for deacon’s ministry, six elders for ministry, and four new local pastors;

Retirement: 17 pastors who had over 450 years of collective service;

Anniversaries:  70th Anniversary of Women’s Ordination; 50th Anniversary of United Methodist Volunteers in Mission; 40th Anniversary of NIC becoming a Reconciling Ministries Network Conference; and 30th  Anniversary of Order of Deacons.

Delegates reviewed and passed a variety of legislation. We had a lengthy conversation around legislation  regarding the NIC camps.  We voted to continue the Camp and Retreat Ministry Task Force’s review to  discern and recommend “. . .a sustainable, mission-aligned future for the outdoor and retreat ministry . . .  focusing on disciple-making.”  This review will be completed in 2027.    

In other conference business, apportionment receipts for 2025 reached 80% of apportioned amount, the highest since 2016; however, numbers are down in membership, worship and Sunday School attendance, adults and young adults in small groups, and worshippers engaged in mission.

International mission work involved some funding for a school in Tanzania, as well as theological and  ministerial education.  Additionally, our church was one of 53 donating 7,000 pounds of items for missions.

At the end of Monday’s session, over 150 participated in a walk to support fair and compassionate treatment of all immigrants.

Content is from “187th Northern Illinois Annual Conference Summary Report, June 14-16, 2026” by Victoria Rebeck.  Recorded livestreams, legislation summary, photos, slides, and other details of the NIC Annual Conference can be found on their website at  https://www.umcnic.org/ac2026