Where Are Your Signs
of Welcome?

In the keynote address at United Voices for Children's annual breakfast, the Rev. Margaret Ann Williams, Associate Executive Director/Church Relations at Marcy-Newberry Association, Chicago, said: "We can’t just complain about what happened this year in Chicago’s Englewood Community where we have four United Methodist churches. We’ve got to roll up our sleeves and work together. We have to be more concerned, start thinking and believing that all children everywhere must be safe, must live and make their ways in society." (Full text of speech)

2006 Honor Roll of Churches

One hundred twelve congregations, drawn from all six districts in the Northern Illinois Conference, made United Voices for Children's "2006 Honor Roll of Churches."

2006 Child Advocacy Awards

Bishop Jesse R. DeWitt Award

Dana Thomas

Dana Thomas, Child Advocate at Maple Park UMC in Chicago, has been an outspoken advocate for children for many years. She is also the coordinator of the Dance Ministry at Maple Park. In teaching children liturgical dance, Dana "reminds them that they are dancing and giving praise to God."

William and Debbie Miller

As longtime youth volunteers at Lanark UMC, William and Debbie Miller have ministered to youth through mission trips: teaching them what it means to be in servant ministry. They have built porches on trailers in Kentucky, completed projects in South Dakota and traveled to Milwaukee for a week to work in soup pantries and homeless shelters. The Milers have helped youth "learn what it takes to walk with the poor as well as bring help to the poor."

Katherine B. Greene Award

Sandra Sagehorn

For the past eight years, the Rev. Sandra Sagehorn has served as Permanent Deacon at Gary Memorial UMC in Wheaton. She has been an inspiration to church members by putting her faith into action with inspiring and unique children's sermons and by challenging children at Gary Memorial to help children globally.

News Affecting Children
& Families

2005 Honor Roll
of Churches

2004 Honor Roll
of Churches

2003 Honor Roll
of Churches

2005 Child
Advocacy Awards

2004 Child
Advocacy Awards

2003 Child
Advocacy Awards

2002 Child
Advocacy Awards

2001 Child
Advocacy Awards  

Northern Illinois Conference
of the
United Methodist Church