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Overview Social Ministry Committee Grants Creation Care Subcommittee Racial Justice Subcommittee World Hunger Subcommittee

 

Staff Liaison: Pastor Denver Bitner, Assistant to the Bishop for the North and Northwest Conferences

Our Mission/Purpose is

The Social Ministry Committee works to inspire and encourage the people of the congregations and communities of the Northern Illinois Synod to care for those in need, serve our neighbors, seek justice and righteousness for all people.

Our Current Goals are

1. To encourage love of neighbor by awarding grant money to congregations and organizations of the synod that serve their local neighbors in need.

2. To educate and inspire members of the Northern Illinois Synod through workshops and forums presented at the Congregational Resourcing Event and the Synod Assembly.

3. To oversee and support the work of the related subcommittees and task forces.

4. To promote advocacy for the most vulnerable in society at the state and national level. 

5. To review and promote discussion of ELCA social statements and synod resolutions.

Here is a brief summary of the ministry of the subcommittees

1. World Hunger encourages congregations to contribute to the ELCA World Hunger Appeal and educates people about world hunger issues at synod events.

2. The Racial Justice subcommittee raises cultural awareness and provides forums in congregations to encourage healing conversation and to help equip leaders to recognize and eradicate institutional racism. It is currently in the process of offering a new series of Anti-Racism trainings and received approval from the Synod Council for its Vision and Mission statement. (https://8159649934-my.sharepoint.com/:w:/g/personal/cheryl_nisynod_org/EVv9B6rmUOhBn1AAUx8UpyYBozyn6DAMIEq2QlO6Y74X1A?e=WsiMDm)

3. Green Team representatives are available to provide energy audits on your church property to discover money- and energy-saving tips, as well as offer resources for potential grants from outside sources.

4. The Creation Care subcommittee began in 2016 to further study the issue of climate change and to discern the Church’s response. Since its founding, the group has prepared “Seasons of Creation liturgy available free of charge to all congregations and rostered ministers and offered a Zoom book study on the book Rooted and Rising and is planning on offering another Book Study beginning January 2021.

5. Advocacy maintains synod contact with Lutheran Social Services of IL, organizes the annual Lutheran Day in Springfield and encourages support of services for our most vulnerable neighbors.

Members will be expected to

have a servant heart, prayerfully participate in three meetings per year, support or lead events at the Congregational Resourcing Event and Synod Assembly; study meeting materials to discuss social statements and resolutions, discern financial disbursements for grant awards, and support the work of the subcommittees. Currently all meetings are being held via the Zoom platform.

Our commitments to members are: prayer, support and encouragement in their work serving their neighbor, providing connection among those who serve and those in need and offering grants to attend regional and churchwide social ministry events,