The Same

“Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.” Hebrews 13:8

We serve a great God! In the midst of the fluidity in our world, I focus on the knowledge and reassurance that God holds us all in the palm of His hand. He is our Protector, so let us place all hope and trust in Him each and every day. Jesus stands strong!

As we worship in our congregations and learn in our schools, we remain faithful and hold fast in sharing the love of Jesus to all around us and indeed, also holding fast to our doctrinal beliefs found in Scripture. May we all continue to grow as witnesses to our faith.

We are stronger together. Jesus is the same and will not change, even in uncertain times. He is our strength, encouragement, and peace. We rest in Him. I give thanks to pastors, principals, teachers, and staffs for staying focused on the main things in their ministries. I give thanks for volunteers and lay leaders who continue to offer their help as they are able. I give thanks for the many people throughout the NID and other areas who continue to be prayer warriors. To God be the glory as we stay in all things together. The faithful will be blessed.

As we place our faith and trust in God, we can all be thankful that He 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 that God’s plan is perfect. Stay in the WORD. Take care of yourself to be WELL. Use your words and life as a WITNESS.

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

Serving the Master Teacher,

Lois Stewart

Mission Facilitator for Schools

SHINE! 2024

What a great event again this year around the NID! There were all ages involved and so much joy for Jesus shared across the District! Well done.



Caesura

The next edition of Caesura will be generated in the near future. Please see the attached information from Professor Andy Pederson from Concordia University Chicago.

Curriculum Mapping

If your school has not gone through the curriculum mapping training that is offered by Concordia University Chicago Education Professors, you have another opportunity on Thursday, June 6, 2024. Please email Lois at lois.stewart@nidlcms.org, if you would like to have your teaching staff or representatives attend.

Retirements

Administrators: If you have a Rostered Worker planning to retire at the end of the current school year, please inform me (lois.stewart@nidlcms.org), so that we may process roster status change paperwork. Please make sure to let your workers know they must also contact the Education Office. Informing Concordia Plans does not take care of roster paperwork. We would also like to know if contracted teachers are retiring.

Time to Update

It is that time of year! If you are a Rostered Worker in the NID, please access your Commissioned Minister Information Form (CMIF) and review it for updates. You may access the form at https://cwu.lcms.org. If you need your Worker ID#, please reach out to lois.stewart@nidlcms.org or sue.green@nidlcms.org. Thank you in advance for helping us with this important duty!

Save the Date - Parish Professionals

All Parish Professionals are encouraged to put September 26-28, 2024 on their calendars for the Illinois Parish Professional Retreat at Camp CILCA in the Central Illinois District.

The retreat will be led by David Reuter, and focus will be on the topic "Growing Young." He will be discussing the six core commitments that research through the Fuller Youth Institute has found in common across congregations who are demographically growing younger. The overarching goal for our time together is to begin the development of a plan to aid the LCMS congregations in the Illinois districts to grow young together through the leadership of, and assistance to, the districts' DCEs.

This retreat would be great for pastors, DCEs, deaconesses, lay youth leaders, or anyone serving their congregation in the area of youth ministry. Look for the "save-the-date" email that came out a couple of weeks ago!

Save the Date - Back-to-School Worship



It might be early, but planning begins. Save the date for the August Back-to-School Worship and Keynote. On Wednesday, August 7, 2024, we will meet at St. Peter in Schaumburg for our gathering. This is a great opportunity to worship, reconnect, and be inspired as the new school year begins. Our speaker will be Dr. Bernard Bull. He serves as the president of Concordia University Nebraska and will energize us with his keynote titled, “Hustle with Heart."

Save the Date - 2024 NID Educators' Conference

The 2024 NID Educators’ Conference will be held at Concordia University Chicago on Friday, October 18, 2024. Watch for details in the future.

2024-2025 LCMS Theme

The dates for next year's National Lutheran Schools Week are January 26 - February 1, 2025, and the theme is "Endure" (Hebrews 12:1-3).

Here are a few thoughts from Dr. Alan Freeman, Director of LCMS School Ministry:

"While this may seem like an interesting theme of, enduring the school year, enduring the ...It is a theme of recognizing what Christ endured for us on the Cross. It is a theme of recognizing the Great Cloud of Witnesses. It is a theme of ridding ourselves of the sin which entangles us so that we can run with endurance the race that is set before us. 

We look forward to seeing how Lutheran school educators will develop the theme to use in their classrooms, the bulletin boards that will be displayed, and the discussions on identifying the faith witnesses that have been put in our lives."

CPDUs

Concordia University Chicago has developed a new process for receiving continuing education credits if your school does staff development/professional development. Please access Professional Development - College of Education: Office of Field Experience - LibGuides at Concordia University Chicago (cuchicago.edu) to request forms. You may also email Katie Pece at katie.pece@cuchicago.edu.

Early Childhood, Elementary and High School Administrators

The Early Childhood Educators gathered on Saturday, April 13, 2024. This event was in person, and the joy was wonderful. Our presenter was Bev Gruenwald from St. Louis. She is one of two authors who created the 4th module of the Spiritual Nurture resources. What a wonderful morning!

On Tuesday, May 7, 2024, our Elementary and High School Administrators will meet at Concordia University Chicago at 9:00 a.m. Our presenters will be Dr. Alan Freeman (LCMS Director of School Ministry) and Will Vann (LCMS Manager of On-Line Support and Services, School Ministry). Topics will include the state of LCMS schools across the Synod and all things social media, artificial intelligence, and more.

Alliance Defending Freedom Livestream Event

Educating the next generation with a Christian worldview is one of the many responsibilities you carry as a Christian school leader. With a shifting culture turning away from Christ, it brings up legal challenges and new policies which can distract you from your mission.

Having access to legal guidance and resources can help you effectively address these challenges. The Alliance Defending Freedom will host a livestream at 3:00 p.m. on May 7, 2024, entitled "Protecting Your Christian School in a Culture that Rejects Truth." This livestream with detail the legal challenges Christian schools are facing and share practical steps to bolster your school’s religious freedom protections. 

Please register below. If you register, but are unable to attend live, a recording will be available for 48 hours after the event.

Deaconess Luncheon

On Saturday, April 13, 2024, several members of the Concordia Deaconess Conference met at Concordia University Chicago for devotion, lunch, and a time of sharing. What a joy to hear how they are serving God!

Save the Date! Lay Leadership Summit

We are stronger together when we are working together.

From rural to urban ministries, small to large congregations, and whether you are new to church leadership or a seasoned veteran, we are grateful for each of our lay leaders.

We know you need support and encouragement as you serve where the Lord has placed you. This is why the LCMS Northern Illinois District is hosting an inaugural Lay Leadership Summit on August 24, 2024, from 8:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at Walther Christian Academy, 900 Chicago Ave., Melrose Park, IL 60160. Watch our webpage at nidlcms.org/lay-leadership-summit for updates.