 Please watch a pastoral message from Bishop Jeffrey Clements. Share with your congregation and on social media. Share the video in your congregation and on social media. For information on how to keep yourself and others healthy, visit the CDC website. read more.
 The best way to get around the Congregational Resourcing Event (CRE) on Saturday, March 14, is with the mobile guide – and it is now ready. If you already have the ELCA Guide app (titled “ELCA Organizations & Events” in your favorite app store) on your mobile device, just click the “Explore” button at the ... read more.
 Read and share this edition of Making Christ Known. Congregations are encouraged to use articles in their own publications and share via email and social media. Print the highlights pdf for your narthex or to send to visitors and shut-ins. read more.
 Mark your calendars now and plan to spark a fire in the hearts of your High School youth with Ignite – June 12-14 at LOMC! The NIS Light high school youth leadership team is excited to invite your high school youth groups to its first Ignite Synod Youth Retreat, June 12-14, 2020, at Lutheran Outdoor ... read more.
 Bishop Clements explains why Lent is his favorite time of year in this video message. Please share it widely in your congregations, through email, and on social media. read more.
 “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything that I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” Part of our commission from Jesus ... read more.
 Bishop Clements and the 50th Anniversary of the Ordination of Women Task Force invite all who self-identify as female and who are rostered ministers of word and sacrament in the Northern Illinois Synod to be part of an historic group photo to be taken following lunch and the conversation with Bishop Clements and before the service ... read more.
 The 2020 CRE will be Saturday, March 14 at Kishwaukee Community College in Malta. Keynote speaker: ELCA Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton In addition to workshops from the keynote speaker and NIS Bishop Jeffrey Clements, other workshops feature topics including: Congregational Leadership, Evangelism/Outreach/Hospitality, Faith Formation & Growth, Social Justice, Spirituality/Wellness, Stewardship, Worship, and Youth/Family/Children. Bring everyone from your congregation ... read more.
 Everyone from the synod is invited to come to a special synod-wide ordination service on Saturday, March 28 at 2:00 pm at Shepherd of the Hill, 925 E. 9th Street, Lockport. Tom Redig will be ordained to the ministry of word and sacrament. He has been called to serve at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Peru. Please ... read more.
 Faith Along the Winding Road “There will be trouble in this life. But take heart: I have overcome the world” –John 16:33 LOMC, 1834 S. IL Rt. 2, Oregon, IL 61061Saturday, April 18, 2020 • 9:00 am – 2:00 pmRegistration and coffee: 8:30-9:00 am Registration is $30. Use the registration form linked below. Scholarships are ... read more.
“Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything that I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” Part of our commission from Jesus ... read more.
 Followed by a conversation with Bishop Clements and Affirmation of Vocation Worship for Rostered Ministers Tuesday, March 31, 2020 9 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. Faith, Rochelle (14206 E Flagg Rd., Rochelle) Tending to Our Own Grief: Stewarding Our Sorrows faithfully amid Trying Times Weariness in professional faith leaders can arise from a variety of factors, ... read more.
 Register today for one of two Boundaries Workshops being held in Huntley and Geneseo in April. Thursday, April 23, 2020Shepherd of the Prairie, Huntley9 a.m. – 3 p.mCost $50 (includes lunch and a participant workbook) Tuesday, April 28, 2020First, Geneseo9 a.m. – 3 p.mCost $50 (includes lunch and a participant workbook) Assistant to the Bishop, ... read more.
 The theme of the 2021 ELCA Youth Gathering in Minneapolis will be boundless: God beyond measure. Who in your congregation should receive communications about preparations for the gathering? Please fill out the form below or ask them to fill out the form as soon as possible so we can start getting them the information they ... read more.
|
|
 Friends of Lutheran World Relief announces the 43rd Annual Spring Luncheon Friday, April 24, 2020 Avalon Banquets1905 E. Higgins Rd., Elk Grove Village847.439.5740Handicap accessible/ample parking Arrive at 11:00 a.m. to view a display of Quilts, Care Kits and purchase fair trade products. The event begins promptly at 11:45. Guest Speaker: David Fuerst, Associate Vice President ... ...read more...
 Migration, Mission and Spirituality Keynote Address – Is the Christian God a Migrant? Thursday, March 12, 6:30-9 p.m. Light dinner served at 5:15 p.m. Free and open to the public Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago 1100 East 55th Street, Chicago Keynote speaker – Peter C. Phan – The Ignacio Ellacuria, S.J., Chair of Catholic Social Thought at Georgetown University Peter C. Phan ... ...read more...
 Summer is coming. Really. Summer at camp means being apart from the ordinary world to grow and experience creation in the light of Christ. We invite you to consider a summer camp experience whether for a child, your family, or bring a group of 3-5th or junior highers from your church (Team Camp!). NEW Thrive! Worship CampNEW Explore Creation CampDay Camp Each ... ...read more...
 UNITE Service Camp, for 7th-12th graders, June 23-26 in Sterling, IL. Throughout this three-day service camp, youth will paint homes for people in need! UNITE 2020 is for current 7th-12th grade youth. Cost: $50 per youth, $25 per adult. Allison Eide (www.allisoneide.com) will be speaking and leading music throughout the week! For full info and ... ...read more...
 Augustana College welcomes applications and nominations for the position of Campus Chaplain and Director of Spiritual Life. For full consideration for this position, materials should be received by March 6, 2020. Augustana’s next Campus Chaplain will be called to lead the campus community in creative and faithful worship of God; to strategically promote spiritual health, ... ...read more...
 Lutheran Outdoor Ministries (LOM) produces the curriculum each year that is used in camp and retreat settings and for Vacation Bible Schools and day camps. LOM has released its 2020 curriculum entitled From Generation to Generation. More Information ...read more...
 Wartburg Theological SeminaryMarch 1-3, 2020Best Western Plus Hotel & Conference Center3100 Dodge Street, Dubuque, IA Keynote speaker The Rev. Dr. Leah D. Schade, Assistant Professor of Preaching and Worship at Lexington Theological Seminary and author of Preaching in the Purple Zone: Ministry in the Red-Blue Divide Breakout Sessions Planning and Implementing the Sermon-Dialogue-Sermon Method in ... ...read more...
 “Do you want to be made well?” Jesus asks in John 5:6. Of course, the lame man whom Jesus encountered at Bethesda wanted to be made well; otherwise, he would have not been at the pool. What stopped him from being well before meeting Jesus? What stops us from being well? World Day of Prayer 2020 ... ...read more...
 Retirement takes planning. Whether it feels light years away or just around the corner, Portico’s Plan for Retirement Seminar can help you prepare. And it’s coming to St. Paul Lutheran Church in Davenport, Iowa on Tuesday, July 28, 2020. Or you can choose to attend at the ELCA Lutheran Center in Chicago on Thursday, May 7. In the morning, learn how ... ...read more...
 The 200th anniversary of Jenny Lind will be celebrated at the annual Founders Day Service on Sunday, April 26, 4 pm, at the Jenny Lind Chapel in Andover. The Chapel, constructed in the early 1850’s, is named for this celebrated Swedish singer, who gave a generous donation to Pastor Lars Paul Esbjörn, leader of the ... ...read more...
 FREE to Individual, church, or organization: Lowrey GX225 organ in Freeport 2 full keyboards and full pedalboard. Instruction books and bench included. Just bring a truck and four men to transfer. Contact Richard Brinkmeier for more information at 815-599-9005 ...read more...
 St. Barnabas Lutheran Church, Cary and Bethany Lutheran Church, Crystal Lake, in partnership with Advocate Health Care and Aurora Health Care Congregational Outreach invite you to a free four-part series on grief. There is no cost to those who attend. Each workshop will cover all kinds of grief: death of a loved one, becoming an empty nester, ... ...read more...
|
|
 Central Conference Meeting Wednesday, March 11, 2020 - 9:00 am- Northwest Conference Meeting Wednesday, March 11, 2020 - 9:30 am
- All Staff Meeting Thursday, March 12, 2020 - 10:00 am
- Congregational Resourcing Event Saturday, March 14, 2020
- Northeast Conference Meeting Tuesday, March 17, 2020 - 9:30 am
- First Call Theological Education Tuesday, March 17, 2020 - 10:00 am
- West Conference meeting Thursday, March 19, 2020 - 9:30 am
- Conference of Deans meeting Thursday, March 19, 2020 - 10:00 am
- East Conference Meeting Thursday, March 26, 2020 - 9:00 am
Synod Calendar
Upcoming Events
|
|
 Presidents ask, ‘What’s God calling you to do?’ A recent immersion trip to the southern border of the United States was a “life-changing experience,” Women of the ELCA’s executive board president Lisa Plorin told women at the Conference of Presidents’ meeting in Chicago, Feb. 21-23. When asked by presidents what God is calling her to ... ...read more...
The great and holy leveling field “There but for the grace of God go I.” I’ve heard this uttered and may have even said it myself a time or two. It’s usually said in response to seeing some unfortunate soul pass by with … continue Lent: Reflect, repent and connect Lent is a time of introspection, ... ...read more...
 Please save the date Sept. 13 for “God’s work. Our hands.” Sunday, the ELCA’s dedicated day of service. Since 2013, “God’s work. Our hands.” Sunday has inspired people of all ages to put their faith in action through service projects that share God’s love with all of God’s people. As we gather together in service to our neighbors, we are ... ...read more...
 Rostered Ministers Gathering Early registration is now open for the second Rostered Ministers Gathering, taking place July 20-23 in Phoenix, Ariz., under the theme “Rekindle the Gift Within You” (2 Timothy 1:6). The ELCA invites pastors and deacons to participate in this opportunity to remember, reclaim, rekindle and revive themselves alongside colleagues and friends across ... ...read more...
 Greetings in these last days in the Time after Epiphany. We are excited to announce the forthcoming release of All Creation Sings, a supplement to Evangelical Lutheran Worship, in fall 2020. This new resource follows more than two years of consideration, preparation and collaboration with Augsburg Fortress and the Worship team in the Office of the Presiding ... ...read more...
 “All of these issues are impacted by RACE — so being white and serving in Africa, a distinctly non-white space, puts us in positions that are clearly privileged and often painful.” —Cynthia Holder Rich and Mark Rich In a recent blog post, ELCA missionaries Cynthia Holder Rich and Mark Rich reflect on confronting white privilege ... ...read more...
 I’m a Lutheran: David Thoele Resurrection Lutheran Church, Chicago Pediatric cardiologist, co-director of Narrative Medicine Group at Advocate Children’s Hospital/Advocate Lutheran General Hospital I pray for strength and … continue Black Elk and the “cosmic Christ spirit” Editor’s note: The following address was given by John Thomsen on Oct. 5, 2019, in Blair, Neb., at a ... ...read more...
 Our communities are significantly shaped by census data, and Census 2020 will update these numbers for the first time in 10 years. The ELCA is an official partner of the 2020 Census to encourage the most accurate count possible. “Funding for over 100 federal programs, many of which combat poverty and hunger and support people ... ...read more...
How do we ‘just love’ our neighbor? Does love mean valentines and chocolates and red roses? Or does love mean sacrifice? Maybe love means delighting in someone’s company, or maybe it means untiring service, as a middle-aged daughter might give to her aging mother. Or maybe love means all these things–and more. Read our monthly devotion.What ... ...read more...
POLICY ALERTS RESOURCES DATES FEBRUARY 2020 View in browser Travel ban extended On Jan. 31, 2020, the Trump administration announced an expansion of the January 2017 travel ban to include more countries in Africa and Asia. Under the new policy, citizens from Nigeria, Eritrea, Myanmar and Kyrgyzstan will be barred from applying for visas to ... ...read more...
 The Official Youth “Gathering Handbook: Tips & Tricks for Adult Leaders” is now adapted to the 2021 Gathering in Minneapolis. If this is your first time leading a group or your sixth, you’ll want to check out this resource filled with tips and tricks (including sample budgets and covenants) sure to make your experience is ... ...read more...
Here’s what your money could earn:Here’s what your money could do: When you invest with the Mission Investment Fund, you’re investing with a financial ministry of the ELCA. So, apart from building your savings, you’re funding loans to ELCA congregations and ministries, loans that transform church facilities and breathe new life into entire communities.EXPLORE INVESTMENTS* APY = Annual ... ...read more...
 February 5, 2020 “When an alien resides with you in your land, you shall not oppress the alien. The alien who resides with you shall be to you as the citizen among you; you shall love the alien as yourself, for you were aliens in the land of Egypt: I am the LORD your God.” ... ...read more...
 The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) has announced a new initiative entitled Total Inclusion!: Widening the Welcome at ELCA Outdoor Ministries. The new program is designed to equip and empower outdoor ministry organizations as they move toward more intentional welcome of people who historically have been marginalized in the church — especially people of color, ... ...read more...
 1/28/2020 2:30:00 PM “Pray for the peace of Jerusalem” (Psalm 122:6) I am very dismayed and disturbed by President Trump’s announcement of a “peace plan” that, I fear, will bring greater insecurity for Israelis and Palestinians instead of peace. Our church has long held that any successful settlement of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict must be based on ... ...read more...
|
|
NIS candidates for rostered ministry
Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton, NIS Bishop Jeffrey Clements, and their staffs and families.
Congregations going through vacancies and rostered leaders in transition.
ELCA Prayer Ventures
 ELCA missionaries and Young Adults in Global Mission (read this month's ELCA Global Links newsletter).
Those not named here who are hospitalized or otherwise need our prayers.
Send prayer requests to karin@nisynod.org.
|
|
The purpose of this e-newsletter is to convey information from synod staff, churchwide, committees, auxiliaries, and congregations. We reserve the right to edit all submissions.
Send submissions to Deacon Karin Graddy, Assistant to the Bishop for Communication karin@nisynod.org
|
|
|
|
|
|
If you already have the ELCA Guide app (titled “ELCA Organizations & Events” in your favorite app store) on your mobile device, just click the “Explore” button at the bottom of the home page and you should see the 2020 NIS CRE (Northern Illinois Synod Congregational Resourcing Event) first under Upcoming events.
