Psalm 119:103, 105

God’s Word is a light to guide our path in a dark world. As we walk the path He has put before us, He promises to walk with us and very often will carry us. When we are weak, then He is strong. All we need to do is place ourselves in His loving arms. We need that light and truth.

We trust in God to guide us as we live our lives according to His plan. When we fall short, He rescues us through the forgiveness of sins won when Jesus defeated the devil. God provides us with the light we need to navigate our way through life. He gives us the direction we need to follow the path He has placed us on. Let the light shine on you!

When we daily feed on God’s Word, we are strengthened to pursue the tasks before us. His Word gives strength and guidance for our lives and enables us to serve others as we share Christ. We receive and then we live. “Let the Word of Christ dwell in you richly” (Colossians 3:16).

To live according to God’s Word, it is not simply reciting what the Bible says but putting it into action. We lead by example, often in a non-verbal way.

This school year, we have that opportunity and blessing each day. Be a reflection of Christ in your interactions with and service to others.

As we place our faith and trust in God, we can all be thankful that God holds us in the palm of His hand and gives us what He knows is best for us. So, when trials come, step back and know God’s plan is perfect. Stay in the Word. Take care of yourself to be Well. Use your words and life as a Witness. ‘In All Things,’ Christ is for you!

Remember each day – Christ loves you and holds you close.

Serving the Master Teacher,

Lois Stewart

Rev. Dr. Allan R. Buss serves as the LCMS Northern Illinois District President. His favorite Bible verses are Hebrews 12:2-3 and Colossians 1:17. “ ... looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured from sinners such hostility against himself, so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted” (Hebrews 12:2-3). “And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together” (Colossians 1:17).

Michelle La Velle serves as the Administrative Assistant to President Buss. Her favorite Bible verse is Philippians 4:12-13. “I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. I can do all things through him who strengthens me.”

We are so very happy that we will be able to be in person at Concordia University Chicago for our Leadership Conferences this year. Our first conference will be Monday, October 4, 2021 starting at 9:00 a.m. with opening devotions.

The Elementary and High School Administrators will be inspired by a presentation from Stacy McGhee (Executive Director of Lutheran Special Education Ministry). She will also present on her experience with a United States Supreme Court case.

The Early Childhood Directors will meet together for a presentation on SCHEMA by Cathy Gruenwald (Director of the Concordia University Chicago Early Childhood Education Center).

The Business Meeting will be filled with several guests who are preparing to share valuable information. Lunch in the newly renovated cafeteria will follow.

Please attend even if you have not registered yet and seek out Sue Domeier for details.

The parking pass for the garage is attached. This MUST be displayed in your windshield.

Many thanks to those who submitted their updated staff list. We desire to get communications out to as many workers as we can.

Here is some necessary information for all early childhood, elementary, and high schools. Watch your email for the information to do your annual statistical update for the LCMS. Last year (even with COVID) we had about 79% return. I know we can do 100% this year.

A sample letter that you will receive is below.

Some items to keep in mind:

Due to two years of granting Pandemic extensions, our District is scheduled to conduct 18 NLSA Validation Team Visits this school year—a large increase compared to prior years. NLSA depends upon volunteers to carry out its mission, and our District will need many to fill our needed Validation Teams.

Please consider serving on one of these teams. Training is provided, and the commitment includes reviewing schools’ self-study documents prior to the visit and serving on a 2 ½ day visit. Mileage expenses, meals, and housing (if necessary) are provided.

If you are interested in serving, please e-mail your contact information to Keith.Wilharm@nidlcms.org.

Belize Mission – Hearts for Jesus

We are very excited to be partnering with the Belize Mission Society for our NID Hearts for Jesus project for the 2021-2022 school year. It is a blessing to be able to support the scholarship program for the children. Cathy Dulgar is a blessing as she directs and leads the Belize Mission Society.

Please prayerfully consider having your school or congregation focus one month’s chapel offerings on this outreach mission. Please visit belizemissionsociety.net.

All contributions may be sent to the Northern Illinois District Office, 2301 S. Wolf Rd., Hillside, IL 60162, attention Lois Stewart.

Bringing It For Belize is a FREE District-wide wellness event taking place the week of October 17-23, 2021. This event focuses on the District’s Wellness pillar - wellness of the members of our District and wellness of the underserved in Belize. All that’s required is tracking the number of minutes you exercise during that week, no matter what kind of exercise you prefer. You can participate in Bringing It For Belize on your own at home as well as in church and school groups if the COVID protocols at that time allow for gatherings. For more information, contact Sue Green at sue.green@nidlcms.org or 708-223-3116 or visit nidlcms.org/bringing-it-for-Belize.

Here is an interesting article you might enjoy:

“The 6 Dimensions of Disruptive Thinkers” by Eric Sheninger (A Principal’s Reflections)

Continue to watch for information from the Lutheran Education Association regarding the 2022 LEA Convocation in Milwaukee. Plan ahead to attend and be enriched and uplifted. Those dates are October 6-8, 2022.

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