2021 VIRTUAL ANNUAL CONFERENCE
Continuing to keep the health and safety of clergy and lay members a top priority, the 2021 Northern Illinois Annual Conference will convene again as an all-virtual session from July 16-17, 2021 with new Interim Bishop John L. Hopkins presiding. The Annual Conference Committee, led by its new Chair Deborah Dangerfield, met February 22 to begin its work, including developing a theme and schedule of events. Learn more here
Stay up to date on news and announcements at umcnic.org/AC2021.
Road to GC2020
General Conference originally scheduled May 5-15, 2020 in Minneapolis, MN has been postponed again until 2022. In response to the further postponement of the 2020 General Conference, the Council of Bishops (COB) is calling a Special Session of the General Conference of The United Methodist Church (UMC) to be convened online on May 8, 2021.
According to the call letter signed by COB President Bishop Cynthia Fierro Harvey, the Special Session will be held in accordance with Division Two - Section II - Article II of The Constitution of The United Methodist Church as recorded in Paragraph ¶14 of The Book of Discipline (2016).
The purpose of the 2021 Special Session of the General Conference will be limited to gaining a quorum in order to suspend the rules for the sole purpose of allowing the use of paper ballots to act upon 12 pieces of legislation that would enable the church to effectively continue its work until the postponed 2020 General Conference is held in 2022. While other potential amendments were considered, it was agreed that these 12 pieces of legislation would enable the church to continue its administrative functions appropriately. Click here to read the 12 pieces of legislation. Learn more here
Find out more and keep up to date on information by visiting GC2020's home page at gc2020welcome.org.
Below are resources to keep you informed as the GC2020 approaches:
The Biblical Controversy Over Homosexuality
Prompted by the United Methodist controversy over gay marriage and gay clergy, Lowell Beck has prepared a paper on the Bible and Homosexuality. Citing biblical scholars and theologians, the paper presents interpretations of the pertinent biblical verses and provides information on the changing societal attitudes toward the LGBTQ community. It concludes with his view in favor of changing the current Methodist position.
The paper is available to everyone who is interested by clicking here, or by picking up a printed copy of the paper in the church office. If you have any questions or comments, please contact Lowell via email or 630-325-4974.
