Walking Together is the weekly e-news of the Northern Illinois Synod. Anyone can subscribe by clicking here) or by sending names and email addresses to karin@nisynod.org. Congregational submissions are encouraged! Send stories, prayer requests, bulletin board items, news, and photos to karin@nisynod.org.
Friends in Christ, Greetings in this Easter season! It is our hope that Alleluias are still resounding and that the peace and joy of the Risen Christ is being shared in your midst. Such sharing happens when the church sings together, singing the texts and tunes that form and express the faith of each worshiping …
Join our free webinar! Engaging with Young Families Tuesday, June 4 @ 11 a.m. CT How can churches partner with Millennial parents to maximize their strengths and interests to support them in raising faithful children? In this 45-minute webinar our Director of Development for Faith Formation, Dr. Dawn Rundman, speaks to questions she is often …
A 60-day journey toward justice in a culture of gun violence Twenty-five years ago, the ELCA adopted the social message “Community Violence,” calling for advocacy and an end to the cycle of violence. This message is still all too relevant, with frequent occurrences of gun violence in this country. This new 60-day resource invites the …
Friend, This month, we had the opportunity to celebrate the amazing mothers in our life – and at LIRS that includes many of the resilient and courageous women that we serve. But today, the plight of mothers who are seeking refuge in America, is often marked by sacrifice and loss – in fact, this week brought the …
SITUATION late on Wednesday, May 22, a tornado ripped through Jefferson City, Missouri causing widespread damage and destruction. This tornado is just one of at least 29 tornadoes to impact the area over a 24-hour period. In Missouri, at least three people have been killed, homes and businesses were destroyed, and rescues are stlll underway. These tornadoes are a port of a …
Shepherd of the Valley, Rockford, invites you to attend its Summer Concerts every other Wednesday night beginning June 5 at 7pm. Doors open at 6:30pm. Free admission (free-will offering). Coffee, cookies, and conversation follows concerts.
The 2019 Northern Illinois Synod Assembly will use a mobile guide through the ELCA Organizations and Events App. The app is available as a free download through the Google Play Store or Apple App Store. Search for “2019 Northern Illinois Synod Assembly” and our guide will appear. No passphrase is needed. Download the guide to …
As a rostered minister in the ELCA, you are invited to join colleagues at the 2020 Rostered Ministers Gathering under the theme “Rekindle the Gift Within You” (2 Timothy 1:6). This an opportunity to gather with colleagues across the church for fellowship, renewal, continuing education, Bible study and refreshment of your spirit. Learn more! Watch …
A Season of Rejoicing At the end of another academic year, we rejoice in our graduating students who have been called and sent by the Holy Spirit to witness to salvation through Jesus Christ and to serve in God’s world. Bridging Life with Vocation and Identity Eventually, everyone has to answer this important question: who am …
ELCA members pray for student pastor, call for immigration reform On May 15, ELCA members and the Racine (Wis.) Interfaith Coalition called for just immigration reform at an evening prayer vigil held outside the Kenosha County Detention Center. ELCA Greater … continue This is my brave “The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom …
The Bulletin of Reports for the 2019 Northern Illinois Synod Assembly is now available for download on the assembly website at http://assembly.nisynod.org/bor. You can download the entire Bulletin of Reports as one large PDF or you can download individual sections. The BOR will also be accessible on the mobile guide which will be available soon. …
Each year every congregation in the Northern Illinois Synod is invited to bring a designated ‘In Kind Offering’ to the Synod Assembly. In the past, it has been very tangible items – like non-perishable groceries for food pantries, or laundry soap, or other items for distribution. This year the In-Kind Offering is an Offering of …
DOMESTIC HUNGER GRANT APPLICATION OPEN! The application window for ELCA World Hunger’s 2020 Domestic Hunger Grants is open through June 17! Domestic Hunger Grants accompany congregations and their partners throughout the United States and Caribbean as they draw on the strengths of communities to address local issues such as food security, clean water, housing, job …
Planning Team Application The Gathering is primarily planned and led by amazing volunteers who serve on 14 different teams. We are now accepting applications from individuals who would like to participate in the planning process. Applications will be accepted through June 21, 2019. During the application process, you will be asked to select up to …
Christ Lutheran Church, Belvidere, invites you to participate in an all-day Centering Prayer Retreat on Saturday June 1, 2019 from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. (Registration at 8:30 a.m.) The event will be led by Beth O’Brien (www.contemplativepresence.org) and will train us in practicing presence. Beth writes “Centering Prayer is a method of receptive, silent …
Organization commits to growth as revenues decline Women of the ELCA’s executive board continues to explore ways to grow the organization, holding up the Caribbean Synod as an example. “I can’t help but smile when I think about what is happening in the Caribbean Synod,” Executive Board President Lisa Plorin said during the board’s biannual …
It’s time to register for summer camp at Lutheran Outdoor Ministries Center in Oregon, IL! Visit lomc.org The 2019 Summer Camp theme will be Salt and Light=Be These! Download the 2019 Summer Camp Brochure Printable version Online registration for summer camp is open. Register Online for Summer Camp!
The application window for 2020 ELCA World Hunger Domestic Hunger Grants will open April 15! Visit ELCA.org/domestichungergrants to learn more about the grants and how to apply. We invite organizations applying for an ELCA grant for the first time to set up an account in ELCA GrantMaker in advance in order to access the application form immediately once the …
World Malaria Day 2019 To most of us in the United States, mosquitoes are nothing more than a pest. But in many places around the world, just one bite from an infected mosquito could transmit malaria. Every two minutes, a child dies from malaria – a preventable and curable disease. In a recent report, the World Health Organization …
ELCA Church Council spring meeting actions Meeting April 4-7 at the Lutheran Center in Chicago, the Church Council of the ELCA voted to recommend to the 2019 Churchwide Assembly the adoption of the social statement “Faith, Sexism, and Justice: A Lutheran Call to Action.” The council declined to consider the document “Trustworthy Servants of the …
Dear friend in Christ, As stewardship leaders in the ELCA, we help people answer the questions “why give” and “why give here.” We are hoping for answers that generate engagement, leadership and financial support. We want the results to spiritually transform the lives of givers while multiplying impactful ministry for the sake of the world. …
Sharing the Goodness of GodThe Lutheran Church in Malaysia (LCM), a companion of the ELCA, works alongside the indigenous Orang Asli people of West Malaysia. In this south-to-south partnership, Christ’s love between the LCM and the Orang Asli is lived out in many ways, including worship life, education, sustainable farming, land-rights awareness and income-generating projects. The ELCA works …
Bishop previews the 2019 Synod Assembly and the new mission statement Walking Together… loving Christ, loving all for the sake of the world. Assembly special guests will be The Rev. Dr. Anna Madsen, Bishop James Dunlop, and Pr. Kevin Strickland. Bishop also shares his Bishop’s Challenge to raise $10,000 for the Campaign for the ELCA …
You are welcome to attend Ascension Day at Augustana College in Ascension Chapel! Thursday, May 30 9:00 a.m. service The preacher and presenter will be Pastor Allison Bengfort. She is Pastor of St. John’s Lutheran Church in Wilmette, IL. Following the service, you are invited to attend a free mid-morning brunch held in the Gerber Center To …
The NIS Rostered Ministers Continuing Education team invites you to Exploring Atonement Theories with the Rev. Dr. David Lose October 24, 2019 Christ, Belvidere (425 Riverside Rd, Belvidere, IL) Join us for a day of diving deep into various Atonement Theories with Dr. Lose! He brings great theological and practical ministry experience to us. Currently, Dr. …
“I am a part of Cycle to Synod because ELCA Word Hunger ministries is important to me. I believe we can work toward ending world hunger. And this is an exciting way to get my whole family involved in raising awareness and funds for ELCA World Hunger.” — Pastor Jamie Gallagher of First Lutheran Church, Monmouth on why …
Oregon, IL, April 11, 2019 – Lutheran Outdoor Ministries Center (LOMC) welcomes new Executive Director Rob Gieraltowski effective Wednesday, May 15, 2019. Rob’s relationship with LOMC extends back to the summer of 1985 when he attended Spelunking Camp and eventually became a summer camp counselor in the early 1990s. He has served on the LOMC …
What: Mediation Skills Training Institute for Church Leaders (MSTI) When: August 5-9, 2019 Where: St. Mark’s Episcopal Church in Glen Ellyn, IL Who: Pastors and all persons in positions of church leadership who are interested in learning skills that will equip them to deal effectively with interpersonal, congregational, and other forms of group conflict NOTE: The deadline …
Elinore Trotter, mother of Deacon Shari Trotter (Peace, New Lenox) has had to go on dialysis. Please keep Elinore, Shari, and their family in your prayers.
The 32nd annual Northern Illinois Synod Assembly will be held at Augustana College, Rock Island on Friday June 14 and Saturday, June 15, 2019. Registration packets have been mailed to congregations and rostered ministers have received their registration packets via email. Visit the assembly website to register and find out more. More information will be …
Watch this recorded video from the live-streamed 2019 ELCA Stewardcast highlighting active and proactive stewardship programs going on in ELCA congregations across the United States. Find out more at ELCA Stewardship.
Dear colleagues in ministry, Please save the date Sunday, Sept. 8, for “God’s work. Our hands.” Sunday. Our dedicated day of service provides us with an opportunity to be “church together” as we serve our communities in ways that share God’s love with all of God’s people. Since 2013 our congregations have put their faith in …
Retirement takes planning. Whether it feels light years away or just around the corner, Portico’s Pre-Retirement Seminar can help plan members prepare. And it’s coming to Holy Cross Lutheran Church in Libertyville, IL on July 25, 2019. In the morning, learn how to invest for your future in the midst of current financial goals. In the afternoon, discover …
This Lent, we invite you to focus your congregation’s Lenten activities by joining us during ELCA World Hunger’s 40 Days of Giving. Together, we’ll experience how the grace of Christ moves us to engage in transformative works of love around the world through ELCA World Hunger as God calls us into the ministry of hope, liberation …
Save the Dates! The next ELCA Rostered Ministers Gathering will be July 20-23, 2020 at the Convention Center in downtown Phoenix, AZ. We have reserved blocks of rooms at three local hotels with a room rate of $139.00 per night. Early Registration will be $245 with a May 20, 2020 deadline. Regular Regular Registration after …
Dear friends in Christ, Preparations are underway for the busy holiday season and many will be looking for a church home to give thanks and prepare for Christ’s birth. This season offers an opportunity to extend an invitation of welcome to friends and neighbors, encouraging them to worship in your congregation. To support your communication …
Dear friends in Christ, As I travel throughout the church, I see the love of Christ being lived out in so many life-giving ways – transforming communities and creating places of hope that embody God’s grace. One of these places is Arusha, a bustling city in northern Tanzania. Here we walk alongside our companions at …
Dear friend in Christ, Have you thought about the difference between a nutritionist, a cook and a restauranteur? All have something to do with food, but the focus of each is distinct. A person educated in nutrition would know the science behind why we can’t live on bread alone, while a cook might be thinking …
And a child shall lead them One of my favorite moments at my parish is the hush right before Christmas Eve services begin. The lights are lowered just a bit as everyone settles in, and eventually the rustling stops and a … continue Waiting at the door this Advent Editor’s note: This is the fourth post …
12/6/2017 10:15:00 AM CHICAGO – The Rev. Elizabeth A. Eaton, presiding bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), has issued the following statement in response to the decision to move the U.S. Embassy in Israel from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem. December 6, 2017 I am deeply disturbed to learn of the Trump administration’s plans …
Living saints Often when I think of All Saints Day, my first thoughts are nostalgic, delightful memories of my grandparents. They were kind and committed, smart and resilient, funny and faithful. A church … continue Talking with your kids about death Many of the best children’s stories start with death. Often it is the death of …
Together with presiding bishops of the ELCA and The Episcopal Church, we PRAY, FAST and ACT in support of comprehensive polices that support people struggling with housing insecurity and homelessness. WE PRAY “O God, you are the tree of life, offering shelter to all the world. Graft us into yourself and nurture our growth, that we may …
“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.” – Psalm 46:1 Update from Lutheran Disaster Response Dear friends, Now that the devastating impact of Hurricane Harvey is coming fully into focus, we see that the need will be great and recovery will take many years. Your gifts to Lutheran Disaster Response designated …
LEAD is has four $1290 scholarships remaining for its “In Search of Paul” study pilgrimage to Turkey and Greece, April 3-19, 2018. ELCA ministers rostered 10 years or fewer may apply. We believe it is important that newly rostered ministers can avail themselves of studying in the geographical and historical context of the Apostle Paul, but …
Jesus said, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore ask the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.”Luke 10:2 “As the Conference of Bishops, we call our worshiping communities to pray for raising up leaders for this church. We ask that the petitions of every worship service include …
11/14/2016 9:30:00 AM CHICAGO – The Rev. Elizabeth A. Eaton, presiding bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), has issued the following statement on Standing Rock. Statement from ELCA Presiding Bishop Eaton on Standing Rock When we come together for worship, we often begin with confession and forgiveness using these words: “We confess …
A message from Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton.
Dear friends, It has always been curious to me how the same situation can be perceived so differently by various people. For those of us living in the north, these cooler autumn days bring either a welcome relief from the summer heat or they signal the coming of a potentially harsh winter. It’s all in …
Portico is taking its next wellness reformation step – introducing Care Coordinators to help ELCA-Primary health plan members navigate the complicated health care landscape and purchase care with an eye to both quality and cost. This innovation is helping Portico keep the 2017 ELCA-Primary baseline health contribution increase the lowest in four years. Watch this …
The Little Red Book Get the 2017 Edition Today! For decades, the annual Appointment Book or “The Little Red Book” has served Lutheran leaders as a practical, handy, pocket-sized date-keeping reference. Included are ELCA and ELCIC directories, lectionary days with readings, festivals and commemorations, and liturgical color. The cost of $9.95 includes shipping and handling. …
