Events and Resources for LCMS Churches and Church Workers in Northern Illinois - August 1, 2017
Here's What's Coming Up
From Northern Light Online:

'Chicago Walking Together' Intentional about Strengthening Each Other
Several Chicago congregations are trying an approach that’s new for them to strengthen their motivation and capacity for connecting with and meeting new people in their communities.

2017  South Region Pastors Conference
Dates: Monday-Wednesday, September 25-27, 2017

Presenter: Rev. Dr. Mark A. Seifrid, “Justification and Secular Culture: Reflections on Paul’s Message to the Corinthians” Print information sheet
Location: Starved Rock Lodge & Conference Center, Utica, Illinois

Registration: Print Registration Form Please complete the Registration Form and return it to Rev. James Barbey, SRPC Registrar, with a check payable to South Regional Pastoral Conference by August 31, 2017. Please follow the instructions on the registration form. Any questions should be addressed to the Conference Registrar Rev. James Barbey  or 630-552-3926.

Lodging: Starved Rock Lodge and Conference Center, Utica, llinois, www.starvedrocklodge.com, 800-868-7625. Please make your lodging reservation by Thursday, August 24, 2017. After this date our block of rooms will be released to the general public.

All conference information is available at nidlcms.org/pastor-conferences.
Special Appeal for Help
Pastor Chris Navurskis and members at Immanuel, Hinckley, are reaching out to aid farmers impacted by draught in South Dakota. By late July, 82 percent of the state was at drought stage with the entire state experiencing abnormally dry conditions.
Anyone interested in connecting to financially help with this effort or with ideas to further the relief efforts are invited to contact him at 262-825-7501. The congregation has limited resources to truck the donations west.

The congregation coordinated the delivery of a semi-truckload of donated hay to farmers near Groton, east of Aberdeen, on July 13-14. A second truckload they organized left Wisconsin a few days later and another from the Hinckley area was delivered the following week. Pastor Navurskis' father-in-law is an LCMS pastor in Chamberlain; he also knows other pastors there as he served his vicarage in S.D. They are giving him names of farmers whose livestock are in distress.
Save the Date: Fall Festival
Please use in your church bulletin
Walcamp's Fall Festival will be held Saturday, September 23 at 32653 Five Points Road, Kingston. Watch for more information at walcamp.org.



Do you have a choir (adult or children's), music ensemble, praise band or any other act that would like to be part of the celebration?  If so please ask them to contact Bill Indelli at siteops@walcamp.org or call 815-784-5141. They are also looking for youth groups to help lead some events and tours of Walcamp.
Save the Date: Octoberfest
Please use in your church bulletin
St. Peter Lutheran Church, 111 W. Olive Street, Arlington Heights, invites all to their family friendly Octoberfest, Saturday, October 21, 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. For more information visit their website at oktoberfestspah.weebly.com. Print postcard offer
Christian Women's Conference
Please use in your church bulletin
Christian women are invited to attend Gifted to Influence, put on by the Women’s Leadership Institute, a servant institute of Concordia University Wisconsin, on September 29–October 1 at the Hyatt Regency Hotel, 333 W. Kilbourne Avenue, Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Print flyer
This event is open to women only. For more information or to register, visit wlicuw.org/event/wligifted , or contact Darcy Paape, wli@cuw.edu, 262-243-2300. Attendees are invited to extend their development experience by registering for Pressure Points. The pre-conference is open to both men and women and will address the topic of Christians navigating the secular workplace. Learn more about Pressure Points at wlicuw.org/pressurepoints.
Confirmation Retreat
Christ Academy Confirmation Retreat will be held at Concordia Theological Seminary, Fort Wayne, Indiana, September 29–October 1. The theme is The 10 Commandments: Being Killed and Being Made Alive in Christ. The p resenter is Rev. Matthew Wietfeldt, admission counselor, CTSFW.
Retreat Fee: $110/person, includes on-campus housing and meals.
Register: Email Retreats@ctsfw.edu or phone 260-452-2204. This retreat is open to students who are currently receiving confirmation instruction from their pastor.
Make Mission Quilts
Friends of Lutheran World Relief (FLWR) encourages all congregations in the Chicagoland area to bring the quilts and kits they've made to any of the following sites on Saturday, October 7, 9 a.m. to noon, and Sunday, October 8, 12-3 p.m. Full information is at www.lwr.org/get-involved and lwr.org/friends. Print flyer
Best Practices: Heartland
For the past two years, Best Practices for Ministry: Heartland has been located in Carmel, Indiana. This year, it is in a new location, just a few miles south in Columbus. St. Peter’s Lutheran Church in Columbus, Indiana, will be hosting Best Practices: Heartland on October 11-13.
It is an opportunity to gather with LCMS peers from Midwest states to learn the best of what congregations are doing in ministry and outreach. Everything except your travel and lodging is free. Go to the event website to see speakers and breakout sessions, then register at www.bestpracticesheartland.com.
CTSFW Admissions Event
Please use in your church bulletin
Do you know someone you would like to encourage toward becoming a pastor or deaconess? One way is to tell them about the  Prayerfully Consider Visit taking place October 12-14 at Concordia Theological Seminary, Fort Wayne, Indiana .
During this three-day event they will have the opportunity to experience daily life at the seminary while worshiping with the CTSFW community, attending classes, meeting with faculty, learning about financial aid options and getting to know the Fort Wayne area. There is no charge for this event and all on-campus housing and meals are included. For additional information go to ctsfw.edu/PCV.
59th Convention of the District - Deadlines Approaching
The convention is Friday and Saturday, March 9-10, 2018, at Concordia University Chicago, 7400 Augusta Street, River Forest.

September 30, 2017, is the deadline for all nominations and overtures.
September 30, 2017 is the date requested for all delegate selections to be completed.

All information and forms are available at nidlcms.org/convention.
Help Wanted
Special Education - Part Time
Lutheran Special Education Ministries is seeking a teacher to fill a part-time position at Immanuel Lutheran School, 142 E. Third Street, Elmhurst. Candidates should have Special Education Certification or be actively working toward the certification. Consideration will also be given to candidates who have special education experience and those with Elementary Certification who have a desire to work with students who have learning needs. If you are interested, please call Lutheran Special Education Ministries at 248-419-3390 or Rich Schumacher at 734-748-5253 for more information and to obtain an application.

Director of Development
Lutheran Braille Workers (LBW) is seeking an experienced manager and fundraiser to join the leadership team in this new position at LBW in California. This individual will report to the president and is responsible for leading and managing all aspects of LBW’s comprehensive development/advancement program. Print full position description. Send resume to Lutheran Braille Workers, Inc., PO Box 5000, Yucaipa, California 92399 or email revdennis@LBWinc.org.
Resources
FREE Concordia Publishing House Webinar: Children's Ministry
Raising the smallest members of the Church in the Word of God is a vital part of building up the Body of Christ. But when we talk about children's ministry, what does that mean? Before you can fully commit to building a children’s ministry, you have to know exactly what it is. The webinar defines important children’s ministry terms so we can move forward with a common language to benefit all of God's children. The free webinar is Wednesday, August 2, 2017. Register now
Questions Every Church Website Should Answer
  1. Where is guest parking?
  2. What is the dress code?
  3. What activities are there for my kids?
  4. How do I join the church?
  5. How do I get involved?
  6. Who do I contact?
  7. What denomination is your church affiliated with?
  8. How do I join a group?
  9. What time is the service and when should I arrive? 

Visit concordiatechnology.org/blog/questions-every-church-website-should-answer for more information.
Church Workers:
Update Your Information
All rostered and non-rostered church workers are asked to please update their NID contact information when there is a change of email, address, phone, etc., or if new in the district.

Workers need to do contact updates in two places:
  1. District Office
  2. Rosters and Statistics
Previously Published News and Events
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LCMS Northern Illinois District, 2301 S. Wolf Road, Hillside, IL  60162
Phone 888-708-LCMS     Email