Prayer Requests

Rev. Randy & Lynne’ Johnson (District Office, Ann Arbor), upon the birth of a granddaughter, Ryder Alouise Johnson, on February 20 … Luke and Amanda Esselman (Grace, Coopersville and District Office, Ann Arbor), upon the birth of a grandson, Theodore "Teddy" John Krampitz, on February 18 … The family and friends of Rev. Mark Hill (Prince of Peace, Ortonville), who passed away on February 19 … Rev. Thomas Batsky (Emeritus) and family, upon the death of his wife, Susan, on February 16 … Kassie Tyvela (Immanuel, Bay City), upon the death of her husband, Brent (son of the late Rev. Leslie Tyvela), on February 2 ... Chad and Heidi Woltemath (District Office, Ann Arbor), upon the death of Chad's father, Loren, on February 24 … This week's congregations, schools, and ministries: Immanuel, Saginaw (Frankentrost); St. Paul, Flint; Hope, Linden; Family of Christ, Imlay City; Faith, Port Huron.

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District News

LCMS 2024 CONGREGATION STATISTICS AND LAY LEADER UPDATES DEADLINE THIS WEEK!

All congregations have received information regarding their LCMS 2024 Statistics and Lay Leader Updates. The deadline for submission is this Friday, February 28. The information is submitted through LISN, which can be accessed here: https://lc.lcms.org/. If you need assistance with your congregation’s username or password, follow the on-screen help options on the login page to recover your credentials.

We would like to recognize the following Michigan District congregations for being the first to submit their reports online:

• St. John, Jenison
• St. Matthew, Westland
• Community, Flat Rock
• Trinity, Gaylord
• Faith, Mesick
• Living Word, Lansing
• St. Michael, Portage
• Our Savior, Grand Rapids

If you need a blank form emailed to you, please contact Jennifer Rumberger at jrumberger@lcms.org or 734.665.3791 ext. 262. Thank you for your prompt attention to this important update!

IMPORTANT CHANGES MADE TO ESTA EFFECTIVE FEBRUARY 21 

Several important amendments were made to the Earned Sick Time Act on Feb. 20 before it went into effect. It now allows front loading of the sick time and the substitution of other time off, among many other changes. Small employers (10 employees or less) have until October 1 to comply. While this goes into effect immediately for large employers (11 or more employees), they have until March 23 (30 days after the effective day of the act) to provide written notice to employees on various details. Please visit michigan.gov for updated poster and changes. We also have a summary of changes on our Business Resources page and will continue to update it as we gather more information. The minimum wage law has also been amended; however, the current minimum wage remains at $12.48.

RECOMMENDATIONS FROM DISTRICT STAFF ATTENDING BEST PRACTICES IN MINISTRY

Glocalmission.org - A resource for the church as it looks to make disciples, equip leaders, and multiply disciple makers. 

Sing Move and Memorize - Where families fall in love with God's Word and memorize it for a lifetime.

Watch this E-newsletter for more recommendations over the next couple of weeks!

MARK YOUR CALENDARS: registration is coming soon for Best Practices in Ministry - Heartland, August 10-12, 2025, at St. Lorenz, Frankenmuth!

REGISTER NOW FOR THE ALL NATIONS CELEBRATION

March 15 | Haslett

This event will bring together sojourners and immigrants, congregations, and ministry organizations for worship, learning, and networking. It will take place on Saturday, March 15 at St. Luke, Haslett. For more information and to register, click here.

SOUTH AND EAST PASTORS CONFERENCE

May 13-14 | Frankenmuth

The keynote speaker for the S&E Pastors Conference is Rev. Dr. Reed Lessing, from the Center for Biblical Studies at Concordia St. Paul, Minn. Join us as we discuss "Out of the Wilderness ... Hope." For more information and to register, click here.

DISTRICT EVENTS

Click here for a full calendar of District events.

PROTECTING YOUR CHRISTIAN SCHOOL'S MISSION

February 26 | Live Stream

Join Alliance Defending Freedom's livestream TOMORROW at 12 p.m. ET. Learn how to strengthen your admissions and handbook policies, why faith-based hiring policies matter, how to navigate gender identity issues in athletics, and create athletic policies that align with your biblical values. Register here.

EDUCATOR CALL LIST REQUESTS

The request form is now open for educator call lists for the 2025/26 school year. All requests must be submitted by completing the form on the bottom of this page.

OPEN SCHOOL POSITIONS

For the latest vacancy listing and roster changes, click here.

PARISH NURSE CONFERENCE

May 14-15 | Wisconsin

Consider attending the 33rd annual parish nurse conference at Concordia University Wisconsin, May 14-15. The theme is "In Every Way, God's Path." For more information, click here. To apply for a LPNI scholarship, click here.

LPNI STUDY TOUR DEPOSITS ARE DUE

Deposits are due for the study tour to Seoul, South Korea. One scholarship may be available. For more information, click here. Specific questions about registration or the scholarship? Contact Sue Neff at retparishnurse@gmail.com.

MOST MINISTRIES 2025 MISSION TRIPS

There are currently 23 teams being formed. Check out the list here to see where you could serve this year! If you have any questions, please contact Kaleigh (Team Administrator) by email. 

More information on these and other congregation, school, and organization events can be found here.