Thank you for participating in the 2021 IL Conference Annual Celebration!
The Annual Celebration is now over, but you can see a recap of what happened below and find links to all events that were recorded and are still available for viewing. All events took place via Zoom if live or YouTube if pre-recorded. The book discussions and Sacred Conversations workshop, as well as our Friday fellowship, are the only events that were not recorded to be made available later. You can find the links to the recordings below. They are also all available on our Conference YouTube Channel.
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 16
Conference President David Holston officially opens the 57th Annual Celebration of the Illinois Conference! The Rev. Dr. Marilyn Pagán-Banks, Senior Pastor of San Lucas UCC and Executive Director of a Just Harvest, leads us in our opening devotion.
Click here to view on YouTube.
1:00 PM to 2:30 PM
3:00 PM to 4:30 PM
7:00 PM
Opening Worship
Rev. Molly Carlson, the Illinois Conference Minister preaches at this opening worship service for the 57th Annual Celebration. If you can grab a piece a piece of rope or yarn, it will be held for the closing ritual. Our thanks go to those who participated in its creation: Rev. Charlene Hinckley, Rev. Jon Gilbert Martinez, Rev. Emily Mitchell, Rev. David Bateman, Rev. Santina Poor, Nanette Felix, and Rob Campbell.
Click here to view our Opening Worship.
Click here to view/download the worship bulletin.
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 17
The Rev. Dr. Stephanie Perdew, our Transitional Associate Conference Minister, leads us in contemplative prayer for our Wednesday morning devotion.
Click here to view on YouTube.
10:00 AM to 2:00 PM
Sacred Conversations with Rev. Dr. Velda Love (Part 1)
Join the Rev. Dr. Velda Love, UCC Minister for Racial Justice, for a two-day workshop.
7:00 – 8:00 PM
Conference Minister & Council President Reports
Join us for a live Zoom Webinar. Conference Minister, the Rev. Molly Carlson, and Conference President, David Holston will share their reports with the Conference. There will also be an opportunity for those in attendance to ask questions during a brief Q&A opportunity following the reports.
If you missed the live webinar, you can watch the recording here.
8:00 PM
Necrology Service
Join us for a special worship honoring and remembering those who have died in the last year. Special thanks to Rev. Kathy Lawes and Rev. Tim White for all their work in creating this service of remembrance.
Click here to view the Necrology Service on YouTube.
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 18
The Rev. Melody Seaton, Senior Pastor of Grace United Church of Christ in Sauk Village, leads our Thursday morning devotion on the Prodigal Sons.
Click here to view on YouTube.
10:00 AM to 2:00 PM
Sacred Conversations with Rev. Dr. Velda Love (Part 2)
Join the Rev. Dr. Velda Love, UCC Minister for Racial Justice, for a two-day workshop.
7:00 PM
Financial Panel Q&A
Join our Conference Leadership for a open conversation about Conference finances and our efforts in financial clean-up and transparency. Panelists will include: Rev. Molly Carlson, Conference President; Keith Clark-Hoyos, Financial Transition Manager; Ernie Potter, Conference Treasurer; and David Holston, Conference President. Those in attendance will be invited to ask questions of any and all of our panelists during this Q&A session.
If you missed the live webinar, you can watch the recording here.
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 19
Rev. Dr. Marilyn Pagán-Banks, Senior Pastor of San Lucas UCC in Chicago and Executive Director of a Just Harvest, leads our devotional.
Click here to view on YouTube.
1:00 – 4:00 PM
Business Session I
The first of two sessions for conducting the business of the Conference. During this session we will hear reports from some of our partner agencies, celebrate ordination and church anniversaries, celebrate our 2020 and 2021 Chalice Award Recipients, hear a report from this year’s General Synod, and present the 2022 Budget and Slate of Officers.
You can watch the recording of our first business session here.
4:30 PM
Rev. Dr. John Dorhauer Keynote Address
United Church of Christ President and General Minister, the Rev. Dr. John Dorhauer, delivers a keynote address to the Illinois Conference.
Click here to hear Rev. Dr. Dorhauer’s address on YouTube.
7:00 PM
Fellowship “Front Porch” with David Holston
Just because this year’s Annual Celebration is virtual, doesn’t mean we can’t gather together in fellowship! Grab a snack and drink and join Conference President, David Holston, for a time of fun and fellowship. It’s an opportunity for us to connect with one another and remember that we are STRONGER TOGETHER!
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 20
The Rev. Charlene Hinckley, pastor of St. Paul’s United Church of Christ in Hinckley, leads our Saturday morning devotion.
Click here to view on YouTube.
9:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Business Session II
The second of two sessions for conducting the business of the Conference. During this session we will discuss and vote on the 2022 Budget, the Slate of Officers, and Personnel/Staffing changes. We will also install our new elected Conference Leaders.
Business Sessions are open to Voting Members only (Authorized Ministers and Lay Delegates).
You can watch the recording of the second business here.
12:00 PM
Closing Worship
The Rev. Jesse Knox III, Senior Minister at the Church of the Good Shepherd, preaches for the Closing Worship for the 57th Annual Celebration. Our thanks go to those who participated in its creation: Rev. Charlene Hinckley, David Holston (Illinois Conference President), Rev. Charing Wei-Jen Chen, Rev. Regena Glenn-Caldwell, Rev. Melody Seaton, Rev. Molly Carlson (Conference Minister), Nanette Felix, and Rob Campbell.
Click here to view our Closing Worship.
Click here to view/download the worship bulletin.