Schedule

Ministry Fair Particpants

Ministries of Northern Illinois Synod or the ELCA 

Becoming Church
New mission start congregation in Oswego, IL. Our mission is to be a bridge builder amongst faith communities, non-profits, and other agencies to engage, serve, and reach the unheard in our communities. 

 Candidacy Committee   
Candidacy is the process of discernment and preparation leading individuals to approval for public ministries of the ELCA and participation as leaders in the church. There are a variety of vocational choices in the ELCA. We have pastors, but we also have accountants, chaplains, youth workers, musicians, evangelists, nurses, office managers, counselors, and caregivers. We are a church that believes God is calling us into the world — together. The ELCA has many needs to fill as we carry out our mission to share God’s boundless love with the world. 

Congregational Life Committee
Come and learn about Congregational Grants - how to apply and examples of previous grants given to congregations.  Save the date for the Congregational Resourcing Event (CRE) in 2025.  Find resources to create a Safe Church policy or find training opportunities for rostered leaders and staff. 

Creation Care Subcommittee 
The Creation Care Subcommittee seeks to create awareness of our beautiful earth. We sponsor book studies, Earth church services, and other educational events.  

Diakonia 
Diakonia is a ministry in the ELCA committed to followers of Jesus to grow in their faith. The diakonia program has been re-imagined into Growing in Faith: The diakonia Program.  After over 40 years of success in providing quality lay education in 11 synods across the ELCA, the national board has re-designed the 2-year program to meet the needs of our 21st century churches and students.   

ELCA Federal Credit Union
ELCA FCU delivers online banking products & services to rostered ministers, church members, synods, congregations and other ELCA related ministries including the employees & volunteers of these organizations. 

ELCA Foundation
The ELCA Foundation's ministry is to help congregations and individuals make an impact on the world. 

Global Refuge
Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service is now Global Refuge, a faith-based nonprofit serving newcomers seeking safety. For 85 years, we have welcomed more than 750,000 immigrants and refugees from around the globe, upholding a legacy of compassion and grace for people in crisis. At Global Refuge, welcoming newcomers isn't just our duty- it's an inherent part of our identity, rooted in our Lutheran heritage and serving as a testament to our unwavering commitment to those in search of refuge. 

Global Mission Committee
The Global Mission Committee is committed to increase the number of NIS congregations with companion parish relationship in our Companion Synods/Dioceses, the North Central Diocese of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Tanzania and the Arcot Lutheran Church of Tamil Nadu and Pondicherry, India. We seek to re-energize current companion relationships as well as create new relationships with companion parishes. 

Iglesia San Jose Obrero
Iglesia San Jose Obrero is a Spanish-language mission congregation (SAWC) of the Northern Illinois Synod housed at Trinity Lutheran Church, Moline, IL. 

 Jenny Lind Chapel 
The Jenny Lind Chapel is a memorial to Swedish settlers who came to America in 1849 to found a branch of the Swedish Lutheran Church under the leadership of Pastor Lars Paul Esbjörn. The Chapel is on the National Register of Historic Places. It houses a museum that offers exhibits of the early immigrant experience as well as audio and video presentations. 

Lutheran Outdoor Ministries Center (LOMC)
The purpose of Lutheran Outdoor Ministries Center (LOMC) is to be the Church in outdoor settings, nurturing Christian faith and providing experiences connecting the Word of God with the World of God. 

Lutheran Social Services of Illinois
Lutheran Social Services of Ilinois (LSSI) is one of the largest statewide social service providers, and is a nonprofit social service organization of the three Illinois synods of the ELCA. Responding to the Gospel, LSSI brings healing, justice, and wholeness to people and communities. 

Lutherdale
Lutherdale is an outdoor ministry organization providing life changing experiences for people of all ages and stages of life. Formed 80 years ago on the shores of Green Lake, Lutherdale offers year-round camp, retreat and conference programs and facilities. 

Military Chaplaincy 
ELCA Federal Chaplains are Ministers of Word and Sacrament who counsel and advise service members, veterans, and incarcerated individuals in the Department of Defense, VA Hospitals, and Federal prisons. 

Ministry Support Committee
Enabling Christians of the Northern Illinois Synod to realize their call to ministry as both lay and professional workers. To accomplish the mission, we provide resources, support, and continuing education within our synod, in cooperation with other synods, agencies, and institutions within the ELCA and the Church. In particular, this display will have Coaching & Spiritual Direction reference material. 

Mosaic
Mosaic serves nearly 4,500 people in more than 700 communities. Services are tailored to meet individual needs and goals, allowing people to be as independent as possible. Services are designed for people with disabilities, mental and behavioral health needs and autism, as well as aging adults. 

NIS Women’s Organization (WELCA)
As a community of women created in the image of God, called to discipleship in Jesus Christ, and empowered by the Holy Spirit, we commit ourselves to grow in faith, affirm our gifts, support one another in our callings, engage in ministry and action, and promote healing and wholeness in the church, the society, and the world.  

 Outreach Committee
Our Mission/Purpose is to: Assist congregations of the Synod to learn, think and live Jesus’ life, death and resurrection to build faithful and vital Christian communities. 

PATHWAYS
PATHWAYS is a ministry of Christ Lutheran in Belvidere.  We support pilgrims navigating their journey. We offer a daily on-line devotional, WAYPOSTS, which offers markers, guides, and other signposts for the spiritual journey.  Our retreats and seminars open doors to any who wish to enhance their lives through the pursuit of wisdom, wholeness, and beauty. 

Portico Benefit Services
Portico is responsible for providing cost-effective benefits, resources, and inspiration to help leaders strengthen their financial, emotional, and physical well-being. 

Social Ministry Committee
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. 

St. Andrew's Lutheran Campus Center
St. Andrew's is a place of grace and welcome for students at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. A home away from home where students can be fed, find belonging, and deepen their faith. We welcome students questions, their doubts, and invite them to bring their whole selves to church! 

Wartburg Theological Seminary
Wartburg Theological Seminary serves Christ’s church through the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America by being a worship-centered community of critical theological reflection where learning leads to mission and mission informs learning. The community embodies God’s mission by stewarding resources for engaging, equipping, and sending collaborative leaders who interpret, proclaim and live the gospel of Jesus Christ for a world created for communion with God and in need of personal and social healing. 

World Hunger Subcommittee
The World Hunger Subcommittee promotes resources for congregations to raise funds to support the ELCA World Hunger Campaign as well as lifting up hunger ministries within the synod. 

Youth Subcommittee 
The purpose of the Youth Ministry Subcommittee is to facilitate faith-formation of young people through: the building up of relationships, resourcing of leaders, and organization of youth ministry events that congregations can’t do on their own. 

Ministries not from the ELCA 

NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness) Northern Illinois
NAMI Northern Illinois is grass roots organization which offers support, education, and advocacy to those who have a mental illness and their families who try to help and support them.  FaithNet is an outreach of NAMI that works with the faith communities to reduce the stigma associated with mental illness.  A major goal of FaithNet besides educating the faith communities about mental illness is to help establish mental health ministries in each location so they can help their own congregations address their needs.