Category: News – Expired

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Reformation Anniversary Events

Visit the NIS website to find out about Reformation 500th Anniversary events around the synod. http://nisynod.org/category/reformation500/

Do you have education debt? The Northern Illinois Synod Gary Wollersheim Rostered Ministers Educational Debt Reduction Fund is available. Any NIS rostered minister with a responsible payment history may apply. Find out more… Gary Wollersheim Rostered Minister Educational Debt Retirement Fund Application

Myself as My Neighbor: self-care through boundaries. This year’s Boundary Workshop will be held Thursday, November 16, 2017, from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. at Lutheran Outdoor Ministries Center, 1834 S. Illinois 2, Oregon, lomc.org. Read More

LSSI will be celebrating their 150th Anniversary on October 31. In honor of this, they are having a special worship service on October 15 at Augustana Lutheran Church in Andover, IL (where LSSI began nearly 150 years ago!). Sunday, October 15 Worship at 10:30 a.m. with a luncheon and fellowship to follow. Augustana Lutheran Church 628 6th Street …

All are invited to attend a worship service celebrating the shared ministries of Calvary and St. James Lutheran Churches. The service will be held on Sunday, November 19 at 2:00 pm at St. James (3145 31st Ave., Rock Island). Bishop Jeff Clements of the Northern Illinois Synod will preach and the service will include the …

Dear Friends in Christ, Grace and peace to you from God our Father and our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. It is with sadness that I report to you the death of Ms. Diane Knutson, wife of Rev. Norwood Knutson, who passed away Tuesday, September 12, 2017 in Rockford, Illinois. Visitation will be held on …

2017 PLC will be September 18-20 Presenters: Karoline M. Lewis and Jonathan Rundman The NIS Professional Leaders Conference is the key yearly opportunity for leaders to experience collegiality and connect with what is going on in our Synod. All NIS professional leaders (rostered ministers, seminary students, and paid professional congregational leaders) and their spouses are encouraged to come …

Find out all about the 2017 PLC at nisynod.org/plc Last Minute Reminders for PLC Bring an instrument to participate in worship on Tuesday Bring an ELW for all worship services Sign up to participate in the Reformation Follies (talent show) laugh together. Review the schedule, housing information, free-time activities, and bread options on the PLC page. …

Monday, January 29, noon - Tuesday, January 30, noon Lutheran Outdoor Ministries Center 1834 IL Rt. 2 • Oregon, IL • 815-732-2220 • lomc.org “But ask the animals, and they will teach you….The birds of the air and they will tell youAsk the plants of the earth, and they will teach you;And the fish of the …

Global Mission Committee 2018 TRIP TO INDIA SCHOLARSHIP REQUEST FORM Requirements: Recipient must Be registered for the 2018 India Trip or provide proof that s/he is able to go on the trip Be a member of a Northern Illinois Synod, ELCA, congregation Agree to share his/her experiences with his/her congregation, other congregations in the Synod …

The Small Catechism – Confession and Blessings In celebration of the 500th anniversary of the Reformation, Making Christ Known has featured a series focusing on Luther’s Small Catechism. We conclude this year-long series with Confession and Blessings. A Kinder and Gentler Confession NIS Bishop Jeffrey Clements I am sometimes amused by what has stuck with …

Saturday, October 7, 2017 9:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. Trinity Lutheran Church 200 North 1st Street, Rockford, IL (Anderson Hall on West Side of Church) Featured Speaker: Kimberly Ackmann, Deputy Court Administrator for the 17th Judicial Circuit Court of Illinois Jimmie Getter, Sam Thomas, RSAC, and Brittney Fry, RAASE, will be responders in the Q & A Co-Sponsored …

The growing congregations in Zambia need new buildings Due to rapid growth of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Zambia, congregations find themselves in need of sturdy, weatherproof buildings to house their worship. Learn about the initiative to fund 15 church buildings, starting with a leadership training center. ‘Transformation in Mexico’ During his Young Adults in Global …

"I am asking this synod to confront anew the sins of racism, anti-Semitism, and white supremacy."

Northern Illinois Synod Women of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America 29th Annual Convention Saturday, September 16, 2017 Theme: “Lifting the Least” Morning Message: Bishop Jeffery Clements

In support of those who will join an act of public witness against racial injustice Aug. 12 in Charlottesville, Va., the Rev. William O. Gafkjen, bishop of the Indiana-Kentucky Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) and chair of the ELCA Conference of Bishops, has issued the following prayer on behalf of the …

Saturday, September 23, 2017, 9am-3pm at Faith Lutheran Church, Rochelle The Northern Illinois Synod Stewardship Ministry Team is offering a stewardship resourcing event for congregations entitled “Embracing Stewardship.” Pastor Charles Lane and Ms. Grace Duddy Pomroy, authors of the book “Embracing Stewardship,” will be our resource leaders for the day. Read More

Rockford area Lutheran Churches (ELCA) and Katie’s Cup invite you to: HERE WE STAND: DIALOGUES OF FAITH AND THE REFORMATION Tuesdays September 12 October 3 November 7 6:30pm at Katie’s Cup

Living Lutheran: ‘After the media leaves, Lutherans stay’ Last year Lutheran Disaster Response (LDR) worked on 47 relief and recovery projects in 29 countries and distributed nearly $6.6 million. The ministry has a reputation for staying in and serving communities long after other agencies and media have left. “Because Lutherans are at work in …

Dear friend in Christ, At the end of last year, I was attending my congregation’s council meeting at which the proposed 2017 budget was presented for the first time. As we were going through the various line items, first on the income side and then later expenses, we came to the line for Mission Support. …

On Sunday, September 24, 4 pm, an ecumenical service will be held at Augustana Lutheran Church in Andover to celebrate the 500th anniversary of the Reformation. It will include portions of the Common Prayer Service compiled by the Liturgical Task Force of the Lutheran-Roman Catholic Commission on Unity.

An opportunity to commemorate together the 500th Anniversary of the Reformation Sunday, October 15, 2017 St. Paul Lutheran Church 1701 16th Ave Sterling, IL 61081 2:30 Presentation by Prof Wanda Deifelt: “The Legacy of the Lutheran Reformation and its Influence in Shaping Current Ecumenical Dialog and Partnerships” 4:00 Worship with Bishop Jeffrey Clements featuring a hymn-sing: …

Join us On the Way… Lutherans and Catholics in Dialogue Lutherans & Catholics … Together in Christ An historic event marking the 500th anniversary of the Protestant Reformation sponsored by the ELCA and Roman Catholic parishes of Moline, IL. Sunday, Oct. 15, 2017 Hosted by: First Lutheran Church, Moline & St. Mary’s Catholic Church Moline

Are you looking for a deeper faith life? Want to be better equipped for Christian Service? Curious about what God has planned for you? …then diakonia™ may be just what you’re looking for! These informational fairs will provide an in-depth overview of the Northern Illinois Synod diakonia Program–a two-year commitment to learning about your faith, …

Seeds Monthly – June 2017

Living Lutheran: A look at the ELCA’s interreligious relations Since its inception, the ELCA has been committed to fostering interreligious relationships. Most of the church’s engagement has been in Lutheran-Jewish and Lutheran-Muslim relations, with consultative panels for each that help in guiding the dialogue and partnerships. The ELCA recognizes these non-Christians as neighbors and sees …

Anniversary planning and promotional tools are available on ELCA500.org. These include: Anniversary logo for use in official congregation and synod Reformation anniversary activities Anniversary ideas for developing activities Ideas for promotion, including samples from congregations Promotional PDF posters to fill in and communicate activities Promotional postcard for communicating the website and social media Connect with ELCA 500 Facebook and Twitter. Here all can …

Reformation 500: 50 things you may not know about the Reformation As we commemorate the 500th anniversary of the Reformation, Living Lutheran is exploring 500 of its unique aspects, continuing the series this month with 50 Reformation things you may not know about … continue Luther and ministry “in crisis” Our church has a current and …

Special Synod Assembly Highlights Issue This issue is jam-packed with photos from the 2017 Synod Assembly. Visit nisynod.org/assembly/highlights for more photos, videos, and more!  Click here to download the issue. (The series on Martin Luther’s Small Catechism will continue next issue.)  Click here to download the issue.

ELCA Advocacy, Washington D.C. FOR SUCH A TIME AS THIS: PRAYER, FASTING AND ACTION (#PrayFastAct):The next “For Such a Time” day of prayer, fasting and action with the Episcopal Church is Friday, July 21. This month, the presiding bishops of both churches urge action to protect funding for the U.S. International Affairs budget. Our country …

This year’s diakonia graduation will take place at New Life Lutheran Church, Bolingbrook on Sunday, July 9, 2017 at 3 pm followed by a cake/coffee/punch reception. Bishop Jeffrey Clements will preach for the service. diakonia graduates, the graduates’ pastors, and teaching pastors are welcome to robe and process that day (the color for the day will …

What the Reformation taught me about being a dad A year ago, the following sentiment is not one I would’ve predicted I’d be expressing this Father’s Day: Martin Luther and the birth and infancy of my second child will always be inextricably … continue Perspective: Confronting my biases Editor’s note: We’re sharing a reflection by Diane Hochhalter about …

The Nursing Project – Tanzania is hosting a dinner with Dr Mark Jacobson, director of the Arusha Lutheran Medical Center Nursing School on Thursday July 20, 6pm – 8pm at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Dixon. The event is open to anyone interested in hearing about the current nursing school program and supporting The Nursing …

A reproducible bulletin insert is now available to share with congregations. The text of the insert is available at nisynod.org/assembly/highlights-bulletin-insert. Find more news, photos, videos, and more at nisynod.org/assembly.

Are you ready for the Synod Assembly next Friday and Saturday, June 16-17? Assembly Preparedness Checklist: Pray for the assembly Register for the assembly Download the bulletin of reports or the Guidebook app and read the reports Review the resolutions Review the nominees for the general ballot Make your preliminary election choices on the ballot worksheet Read …

New this year is a handy ballot worksheet to make it easier for you to fill out your scantron ballot form at Assembly. The worksheet lists all the election choices and the nominee bios. After reviewing the nominees, make your preliminary choices for the 2017 Synod Assembly general elections. Upon submitting the form, you will …

Charged times. In her June column for Living Lutheran, Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton reflects on serving the neighbor in politically charged times. She reminds us that “active participation in public life and the duty of government to care for its people, especially the most vulnerable, have been part of the Lutheran movement since its beginning.” …

OK, you don’t have to actually be a genius, but if you are fairly comfortable navigating the Assembly Guidebook, and you’re willing to help others during the assembly, please fill out the quick form below, and you’ll get your very own “Guidebook Genius” pin to wear at assembly. Your willingness to help others navigate the app will …

The Association of Lutheran Church Musicians nurtures and equips musicians to serve and lead the church’s song. This summer from July 10-13, Lutheran church musicians and pastors from around the United States and Canada (and a few from Europe and New Zealand) will meet in Minneapolis to examine and re-imagine the role of the cantor, …

July 24 – 29, 2017 Leadership Lab is a weeklong youth leadership training camp sponsored by the three Illinois synods of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA). Participants range in age from those just having completed the eighth grade to adults. Leadership Lab began in 1962 is held on the campus of Augustana College …

May 18, the presiding bishops of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America and the Episcopal Church issued a joint invitation to a season of prayer, fasting and advocacy. The Rev. Elizabeth Eaton, presiding bishop of the ELCA and The Most Reverend Michael Curry, presiding bishop of the Episcopal Church, extended this call out of concern …

There is something very new, yet very old stirring in the church. Maybe this year the next new thing – and the next Reformation – will start with you intentionally combining the wisdom of the elder and the wonder of the child in the same sacred space every week, and in each other’s prayers every …

The Bulletin of Reports for the thirtieth Northern Illinois Synod Assembly is now available for download at http://nisynod.org/assembly/bulletin-of-reports. You can download the entire Bulletin of Reports as one large pdf or only the portions that you need. Voting members who did not pay to receive a printed copy are responsible to download and bring the bulletin of …

Want to get your hands on an early release of the first NIS Assembly Guidebook app?! Be a beta-tester! Requirements: be a voting member or visitor to the 2017 assembly be willing to try out the app be willing to give constructive feedback be patient and kind as it is a new, huge project, still under …

Idea submission Do you know a great band, an inspiring speaker, fun games, service learning experiences, or just have some great ideas that you think that Gathering should consider? Well, we want to hear from you! Let us know your thoughts by submitting your idea through our website. These ideas will be sent off to …

Financial assistance is available for the 2018 Gathering. Please read the following carefully to become familiar with the process. The application for financial assistance opens July 15, 2017, and closes when all funds have been disbursed. Assistance is given based on the financial need of an individual and their family. Adult leaders should apply on …

The 30th Annual Northern Illinois Synod Assembly will be held at Augustana College, Centennial Hall, 3703 Seventh Avenue, Rock Island on Friday, June 16 and Saturday, June 17, 2017. Northern Illinois Synod Assembly registration materials and related assembly information has been mailed to congregations and rostered ministers. All materials are also available on the Synod …

Nancy Corey’s brother-in-law, David W. Miller, 69, of East Moline, passed away May 12, 2017, at University of Iowa Hospitals, Iowa City. Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Wednesday at First Congregational Church, Moline. Visitation will be 4 to 7 p.m. Tuesday at Schroder Mortuary, Silvis. Burial will be at Greenview Memorial Gardens, East …

Download a flyer Northern Illinois Synod Assembly 2017 IN-KIND OFFERING For 150 years, Lutheran Social Services of Illinois (LSSI) has been a leader in child welfare services, and is one of the largest providers of foster care services in Illinois. LSSI serves approximately 2,500 children each year; currently 558 of them in the Northern Illinois …

The Northern Illinois Synod Council has approved the following Sundays as “Nursing Project – Tanzania” Sundays: May 21 June 19 July 16 August 20 September 17 October 22 Congregations are asked to use one or more of the Sundays for prayer for the project and for our partners in Tanzania, and to ask for a …