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Mission Facilitator Mike Zimmer, LCMS Northern Illinois District, 2301 S. Wolf Road, Hillside, IL 60162
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Events and Resources for Schools and Educators in Northern Illinois
April 20, 2017
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"My Parents Won't Let Me Get Baptized"
"Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world?" 1 Cor 1:20b ESV
I recently participated in an interactive center event in a third grade classroom on the Sacrament of Baptism. Both pastors and the principal participated in leading stations as well. It was awesome. Afterwards, the teacher told me that one of her previous non-member students once said her parents would not let her get baptized yet because she "was not old enough to decide for herself."
An emerging opportunity for 21st Century Lutheran schools today is unchurched Christians who know very little about Baptism. But another opportunity comes from students who attend churches with teachings on Baptism that differ from ours. We can shame them and tell them they are wrong. We can ignore the conversation and quietly cash their tuition checks without making a stink about "minor differences." But neither would be faithful to what the Bible says about faith planted in baptism.
Faith comes when the water and the power of the Word come together. The power is in God's Word and not "by my own strength and reasoning." No doubt, Infant Baptism certainly challenges the reasoning of this world. That's because God's grace is not something for us to comprehend. Who gives their perfect Son to die for a bunch of sinners? How much understanding does it take to understand that sacrifice? His Grace comes to us who are unworthy to understand. Even babies. That's GRACE. It comes freely from God.
So with GRACE, continue to share the love of God flowing freely from the Cross and through the Holy waters of Baptism. Continue to love your children (and their parents) with God's truth. Share that truth with God's gentle Grace not with law. Then watch His Spirit do His work.
God's peace,
Mike Zimmer, Mission Facilitator for Schools
Discussion Questions:
- How is God's unconditional love present in infant baptism?
- How can we teach infant baptism without apologizing for it or downplaying it to those who believe otherwise?
- How might your school better reach school families who know very little about baptism?
For use in staff meetings,
print devotion and discussion questions.
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CONFERENCES, MEETINGS AND EVENTS
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No Such Thing as Free Money?
Discover potential additional resources for your congregation or school ministry. Plan to attend "An Introduction to the Basics of Grant Writing" on Saturday, June 3 from 9a.m. to noon at the Northern Illinois District office, 2301 S Wolf Road, Hillside. Experienced grant writers Cathie Geske and Marie Payes will communicate why your church or school should pursue grants, where to look for grants, how to write grant applications and what other opportunities exist to help your church or school. A $10 registration fee includes lunch, and can be paid at the door or mailed to the Northern Illinois District office. Please make checks payable to the Northern Illinois District and mark it Grant Writing. To register or to ask questions, contact Sue Green at 708-548-1207 or at
sue.green@nidlcms.org.
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Save the Date - Wellness Retreat for Church Workers
All commissioned, ordained and ministry office workers plus highly engaged volunteers are invited to attend a Grace Place Wellness Event, Thursday, September 21, 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., at Trinity Lutheran Church, 11500 German Church Road, Burr Ridge. Cost is $20 for first registration, $15 for each additional worker from the same location. Save the date. This program is being provided by NID's Parish Professionals group.
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Early Childhood Network Meeting: Building Bridges with the Church
The remaining West Region April date focuses on how to make better connections with preschool parents and the church:
- Thursday, April 27 Immanuel Lutheran School, 1964 W Pearl City Rd, Freeport.
For more information about these or other NID Early Childhood opportunities contact
Julie Klopke, or
Melissa Smith or
Aimee Walsh.
Print brochure for further details about times and who to contact to reserve your space for a light supper. Check out more resources at the NID Early Childhood network blog,
www.preschooldirectors.blogspot.com.
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Prayer and Your Community - National Day of Prayer
Thursday, May 4, is the National Day of Prayer. Why not pray IN and FOR your community? Plan ahead using ideas from:
www.nationaldayofprayer.net or
print this list of other ideas used by Lutheran schools in the NID last year.
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Teacher Appreciation Week May 8-12
Check out
pta.org/thankateacher for ideas on how to show appreciation for the service of your schools teachers.
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Save the Date - NID Summer Workshop 2017
All NID administrators and teachers are invited to attend the NID Summer Conference Series, Wednesday and Thursday, June 14 to 15, 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., at St. John's Lutheran School, 220 S. Lincoln, Lombard. Topics will include social studies curriculum and instruction, mission-minded schools, and MAP testing. Workshop fee is $100/person for the first 2 people from a school; $50/person for each additional attendee from the same school. That includes both days of workshops and lunch, Questions? Contact
Tricia Walton
Print flyer
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Save The Date 2017 Teachers Conference
The District Teachers Conference for 2017-18 will be held at NIU De Kalb on Friday, October 6, 2017 from 8:30-4:00 p.m. Details on registration to follow in early 2017.
Do You Have an Outstanding Teacher?
To recommend a planning committee member or to affirm one of your superstar teachers, complete the
Google form.
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NID School Leadership Meeting Parking Pass
To obtain the parking pass for the School leadership meeting (Principals and Admissions Counselors) at Concordia Chicago next Monday, April 24
click here.
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NLSA Deadlines Fast Approaching
The deadline for submitting your Cumulative Annual Report AND your annual NID accreditation fee is May 15, 2017. Make checks for $100 payable to Northern Illinois District and mail to Judy Wolf at the NID office, 2301 S. Wolf Road, Hillside, Illinois 60162-2298.
E-mail your Cumulative Annual Report to Keith Wilharm at
KeithWilharm@Yahoo.com. Note that NLSA policy states that schools submitting reports and fees past deadlines jeopardize their accreditation. Direct your questions to
Keith Wilharm.
Print invoice
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ICNS Members Get Discount on Lead Tests
The Illinois Coalition for Nonpublic Schools (ICNS) has negotiated with water testing companies for a group discount. If you are not yet a member of ICNS, visit their
website and join and begin taking advantage of this discount.
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School Support Fund Due by June 1
This fund helps offset the increasing costs of services provided by the District especially in the areas of accreditation and curriculum. Any fees collected in these areas helps to supplement a small portion of those services. Please consider supporting the Office of School Ministry of the NID. For more information,
print form.
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Any Staff Retiring?
Email us to report any staff retirements occurring at the end of the 2016-17 school year. Please let us know if you would prefer we not publish any names.
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Going to Need a New Teacher?
Populate the CMIF System
Whether you are looking to hire staff for next year OR looking for a Call yourself, the new Commissioned Minister Information Form (CMIF) system needs updated forms.
Any Rostered ministers can complete their CMIF for by contacting Rosters and Statistics at 888-843-5267 or email
rosters.stats@lcms.org
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LCEF District E-Newsletter
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Church Workers:
Update Your Contact 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.
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