Oswego Methodist church wins mission giving award
Oswego's Church of the Good Shepherd United Methodist won the 2024 John Wesley Mission Links award for per-member giving. The award was presented at the UMC Northern Illinois Conference annual conference June 9-11 at Renaissance Schaumburg Convention Center.
The Rev. Shirley Pulgar Huges, secretary, NIC Global Ministries, presented the award to Good Shepherd missions committee members. They included the Rev. Steve Good, pastor, Good Shepherd; and Janet McCarty, Melody Watson (committee chair) and Craig McGregor.
The annual award recognizes the church with the highest mission link giving to missions per member. Good Shepherd donated 70% per member.
Pastor Good said, “This recognition celebrates the faithful and tireless commitment and generosity of our congregation in serving a world in need. This award honors and recognizes the generosity and compassion of the Good Shepherd members.”
The NIC and conference Global Board of Ministries thanked Good Shepherd UMC for going the second mile as a 100% Mission Links church.
During the 186th annual conference, about 800 clergy and lay members of the NIC and guests explored the theme “Grace is Sufficient.” Bishop Dan Schwerin, UMC Northern Illinois-Wisconsin Episcopal Area, led the event.
The conference featured powerful preaching from Bishop Schwerin and Bishop Karen Oliveto, inspiring bible study with Rev. Dr. Reginald Blount, a laity address from Eugene Williams, vibrant music and joyful moments of connection. Attendees also heard presentations, voted on ratifying constitutional amendments, explored Lunch-and-Learn presentations and passed legislation to further the conference mission and ministry.
Highlighting the conference were plenary sessions that were opened in prayer by young delegates. Milan Christian, a member of New Hope United Methodist Church in West Chicago, provided the prayer for Plenary 4.
Conference members passed a balanced 2026 operations budget of $5,108,000, supported by anticipated apportionment, dividend, and interest receipts of the same amount. Further, they approved a new three-tiered simplified and equitable apportionment plan, based on church income levels.