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.
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 2017 NIS Professional Leaders Conference brochure is ready for download. Online registration will begin July 1. Find out more about PLC.
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.
Prayers of healing requested for Pr. Sharon Rogers, Light of Christ, Algonquin, and her husband, Al.
Last month, the presiding bishops of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America and the Episcopal Church issued a call to Pray, Fast, and Act in support of federal programs that are vital to hungry people struggling with poverty. #PrayFastAct This June we answer their call by urging action to protect vital nutritional assistance, housing, and …
Volunteer Volunteer applications are open! Love the Gathering but aren’t in 8th-12th grade or a group’s adult leader? Join us at the Gathering as one of our many volunteers. Be a part of the faith formation and transformation of lives for thousands of our young people. Learn more about our four volunteer opportunities and submit …
Glenn Sauter, husband of retired pastor Vicki Sauter died unexpectedly on Monday, June 12.
A ministry of hope and healing in Puerto Rico On any given weekday you can visit Bethel Lutheran Church in Dorado, Puerto Rico, and find its gates open. Venture into its backyard and you’ll notice a series of classrooms, once used only for … continue I’m a Lutheran: Miriam Ruth Hernandez “I’m a Lutheran” is …
Save the date for the upcoming Reformation anniversary commemoration event in Washington, D.C., on Tuesday, Oct. 31. You are invited to share this information on your synod and congregational websites and in newsletters and bulletins so that all may schedule and plan to participate in this event. Also, feel free to link to or provide …
June 6, 2017 Pentecost providence Sometimes I meet Christians who make me nervous with their absolute certainty that God is directing every single moment of their lives—both the profound and the mundane. Not only does God lead … continue Reformation 500: 50 things you may not know about Luther As we commemorate the 500th anniversary …
Congratulations to Amy Devitt, a member of St. John’s, Mendota who has been selected for a summer internship at the ELCA churchwide office in Chicago. She will be a Strategic Communications Intern and will be doing PR for Global Projects and Campaigns.
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.” …
Synod bookkeeper June Cain’s cousin, Kathryn J. Poppen, 86, and her husband, Roland Poppen, 85, both of Pecatonica, were involved in a two-vehicle crash on U.S. 20 near Conger Road on Tuesday, May 30. Mrs. Poppen died at the scene while her husband died five days later of his injuries. June’s uncle Willious C. Hopkins, also passed …
Retired Pr. David Ufkes’ wife, Linda, was hospitalized with an infection while in Arizona. Please keep them both in your prayers for healing and safe travel home.
Tom Holm passed away Wednesday, May 31 in Duluth. Tom and his spouse, Karen, are parents of Pr. Eric Lemonholm, Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd, Rockford. Please keep Pastor Eric and family in your prayers. Dr. Thomas Ward Holm, 74, of Duluth, passed away Wednesday, May 31, 2017 from cancer at St. Luke’s Hospital. …
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
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 …
வணக்கம்! (vaṇakkam! – “Hello” in Tamil) The Northern Illinois Synod is planning a trip to India and our companion synod, the Arcot Lutheran Church, for February 5-16, 2018 (with an optional 2-day add-on). Spaces are filling up. If you might be interested in participating in this trip, please complete the simple survey below today. Download …
Pr. Luanne Bettisch, Peace, Morris will marry Jim Cantrell at 1pm on Sunday, July 23. Bishop Jeffrey Clements will officiate.
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. The ecumenical commemoration of the 500 years …
“A Guide for Talking Together about Shared Ministry with Same-Sex Couples and Their Families” and its leader’s guide are now publicly available on the Churchwide website under the ‘Talking Together’ tab on the Ministry Practices resource page or you may click here.
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 …
Dear friend in Christ, How is it that systems thrive? One explanation might identify an abundance of resources and assets, positive momentum, or being in the right place at the right time. Other insights might reflect on the importance of adaptation, collaboration, grit, resilience, creativity and innovation. Either way, when we are talking about human …
The Sacraments This fourth issue in the series on Martin Luther’s Small Catechism focuses on the Sacrament of Holy Baptism and The Sacrament of the Altar.
I wonder … By Elizabeth A. Eaton Recently, I heard the Bach cantata O heilges Geist und Wasserbad. The cantata’s text is based on John 3:1-15, which was the Gospel lesson at the service where the cantata was first performed. The image that stuck with me and about which I have been doing a lot …
Houston, We Have a Gathering and We Have Some Important Dates GATHERING: 6-27-18 through 7-1-18 June 2017 training at Synod Assembly 6-17-17 August 2017 pre-registration information will be on-line September 15, 2017 early bird registration opens cost $ 350 early bird cost $ 150 non-refundable deposit November 16, 2017 regular registration $ 390 (still $150 …
Dear Friends in Christ, Martin Luther triggered a seismic upheaval that shaped the course of Western Christianity for almost 500 years. Now, in a new movie created for the 500th anniversary of the Reformation, your congregation can further explore Luther and the impact of his teachings. “Martin Luther: The Idea that Changed the World” is …
What? A practical afternoon workshop inspired by Luther’s witness designed to help participants… Embrace the importance of aligning their congregation’s song with their mission field Experience a variety of heritage songs and new songs that build musical bridges between generations Learn practical skills as musicians to create a bridge-building music ministry and as leaders to obtain …
The Metropolitan Chicago Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church, and CSIP invite rostered leaders, business managers, and facilities managers to join representatives from US EPA, US Green Building Council, local utility companies and others at a half-day event where they can participate in no-cost efficiency programs. For many, they …
(Metro-Chicago / Northern Illinois / Central-Southern Illinois Synods) Where: Lutheran Outdoor Ministries Center – Freedom Tree Village 1834 Illinois Route 2 / Oregon, Illinois / (815) 732-2220 Begins: Monday, May 22 at 1:00 PM Ends: Tuesday, May 23 at 1:00 PM Cost: $35 per person (Includes 3 meals & overnight lodging) To register please contact …
Epiphany Evangelical Lutheran Church, Elmhurst, is seeking a Youth Director who gives primary vision and leadership to our high school aged youth as we help them grow more fully into Disciples of Christ. The Youth Director must have a visible passion for connecting with middle school and high school aged youth with the ability to creatively …
The Leadership Initiative encourages all of us to seek out and inspire gifted people in our congregations and communities to consider a call to the ministry of the gospel. If you know someone who shows a gift for ministry, help mentor and foster them. Together — pastors, deacons, lay people – we can bring the …
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 …
Linda Holmer, wife of Pr. Peter Holmer, St. John’s, Joliet, is undergoing treatment for metastatic cancer.
Please save the date Sunday, Sept. 10, when congregations of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America will again have the opportunity to gather together for “God’s work. Our hands.” Sunday. 2017 marks the 500th anniversary of the Lutheran Reformation. The ELCA’s anniversary theme, “Freed and Renewed in Christ,” reminds us of the gospel’s promise that we are …
A new Northwestern University Massive Open Online Course (MOOC) is now available for free on the internet. The course is called “Luther and the West” and offers an educational resource for this year’s celebration of the 500th anniversary of the Protestant Reformation. The course is taught by Christine Helmer, who is an internationally known Luther …
July 21-23 in Minneapolis This is a weekend for men to come together to learn, to worship, to network, and be equipped to BOLDY live out their faith! Invitation Video Register Here Speakers will include: Rev. Robert Jackson – from Thibodaux, Louisiana works through I.M.P.A.C.T. Ministry, “where we take the church to them”. …
Pastor Hagen’s mother, Sylvia, passed away Saturday, January 28 in Albert Lea, Mn. Pastor Mark said that his mother had a stroke about week before and was in a coma. Funeral services will be held in Keister, where Mark grew up, on Tuesday. His father is well under the circumstances.
Caring for Your Whole Self Thousands of leaders across this church have made it an annual habit to take stock of their well-being, work to strengthen it, and earn wellness dollars. In 2017, Portico invites you to participate in our Live Well Challenge. This year, we encourage you take an even more holistic view. Consider …
June 27 – July I, 2018, we will be gathering in Houston for the ELCA Youth Gathering. Every three years, 30,000 high school youth and their adult leaders gather for a week of faith formation known as the ELCA Youth Gathering. Through days spent in interactive learning, worship, Bible study, service and fellowship, young people grow in faith …
Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton encouraged everyone to take a fresh look at Luther’s Small Catechism during this year of celebration of the 500th anniversary of the Reformation. “We have a common language with which to talk about faith, engage Scripture and make sense of our world. Catechism is not just for the young. This is most …
Memorizing the Catechism NIS Bishop Jeffrey Clements Friends in Christ, One of the requirements of my Lutheran Confessions class in seminary was to memorize Luther’s Small Catechism. I am not particularly good at memorization. It takes a lot of repetition and practice on my part. As a seventh-grade confirmation student, I learned the catechism in …
Carol has successfully returned to the US and is hospitalized in Milwaukee, WI. She was hospitalized in Pretoria, South Africa, and has been diagnosed with Plasma Cell Leukemia with many complications. For more information, please see the updates on the Caring Bridge site (Please note, donations on the CaringBridge page do NOT go to the Stubbs family. …
The Rockford Revitalizing Faith Initiative and LOMC invite you to a weekend to strengthen your youth ministry February 10-12. Peer Ministry is People Ministry Students equipped with Skills for caring, welcoming and affirming Lived every day, everywhere in every relationship Loving, because Christ first loved us. Relational leadership for our congregation and community. Know how to help …
When you give in honor of a friend or loved one, it’s easy to let them know. For a limited time, we’ll send you free cards to help announce each of your gifts. Give by midnight tonight, Dec. 14, to guarantee cards to arrive at your home in time for Christmas. Or download and print cards anytime. …
The Nursing Project – Tanzania supports the Arusha Lutheran Medical Centre Nursing School in Arusha Tanzania. The school opened in 2014 and in September of 2016 graduated its first classes providing much needed nurses to the area. The school is in danger of being closed unless a permanent location is built. The task force is …
