Search is Open for ACM for Pastoral Transitions

A search team made up of Bob Tallitsch (chair), Juanita Bradley, Marilyn Pagán-Banks, Bev Obert, Catherine Erwin and Molly Carlson has been meeting to find our next Associate Conference Minister for Pastoral Transitions. This will be a full- time, settled, and called position. The position is already posted and we have received several profiles. We hope to have a final candidate ready for Council to vote on at their scheduled March 25th meeting.  

We are following the Conference Bylaws Article VI, Section 1, paragraph e3 which states: “In the case of a recommendation for employment of Conference Executive staff assigned to the whole Conference, a sub-committee of the Personnel Committee shall be formed of five (5) members of the Committee, which shall, together with the Conference Minister, develop the recommendation to the Personnel Committee to call. The candidate will be introduced at a meeting open to the entire Conference, prior to presentation to the Conference Council for adoption. The Chairperson of this sub-committee will be designated by the Chairperson of the Personnel Committee. A called Associate Conference Minister must be approved by at least a 2/3 vote of those present at the Conference Council meeting.”

Rev. Dr. Stephanie Perdew has been serving as an intentional interim in this role for the last year. She has recently announced that she has accepted the position as Director of the Damascus Project with the MN and WI Conferences. Stephanie will continue with us full-time through March and then transition to part-time as a bridge pastor until our new ACM can start. We are working toward a seamless transition as we continue to support the several congregations navigating a pastoral transition.

Faith Formation Mini Retreat

February 24-25, 2023

In this 24 hour retreat you will form deeper relationships, share best practices, gain new ideas for your vital ministry, and step out of the ordinary and into the sacred. $100 includes lodging and meals. Contact Tower Hill by phone (269-426-3881) or email. This is the first of several "Stronger Together Mini Retreats" happening at Tower Hill in 2023.

Futures Lab

Convergence

Join us for a Futures Literacy Laboratory: the learning space where we explore multiple futures and play with the capability of Futures Literacy. Over the course of three hours, you will experience all three phases of a Futures Literacy Lab. Together we will explore:

• How will our spiritual practices shape us and our identity in the future? 
• What will this mean for the future of denominations?
• How can regions, conferences and districts play a role in shaping a desirable future?
• And what does this tell us about how we lead in the present?

Click here to learn more and register.

CHHSM 85th Annual Gathering

The Council for Health and Human Service Ministries' 85th Annual Gathering will take place March 7-9, 2023 at the Hilton City Center in Denver, Colorado. Together through Mountains and Valleys is the theme of the 85th Gathering. Attendees and presenters will reflect on the mountains and valleys that God has seen us through over the past several years and the ways that God calls us to prepare the path for others.

Some highlights of the event:

• Opening worship with a sermon by the Rev. Traci Blackmon.
• Opening keynote by the Rev. Dr. Ben Sanders III.
• Closing keynote by the Rev. Tracy Howe.

Click here to learn more and register.

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FAITHFUL FRIDAYS is published by the Illinois Conference of the United Church of Christ, 1840 Westchester Blvd, Suite 200, Westchester, IL 60154. The Rev. Molly Carlson, Conference Minister; Sarah Lohrbach, Editor. Copy may be sent to: SarahLohrbach@ilucc.org.