Rostered Ministers and Synod Authorized Ministers throughout the Northern Illinois Synod are invited to join Rev. Dr. Jia Starr Brown for the 2025 Professional Leader's Conference on September 15-17 held at Lutherdale in Elkhorn, Wisconsin. Rev. Dr. Jia Starr Brown will be presenting, "Roots of Racism and Seeds of Justice." Dr. Brown is an African American pastor, educator, author, and activist with more than three decades of experience advocating for underrepresented communities. Registration costs $125.
Presentation Overview
Despite ongoing anti-racism efforts in our nation, racism continues to flourish. If most Americans align with a faith or tradition that upholds values of justice and equity, why are we still here in this static space?
Join me as we gather to answer this question by journeying back to our roots: digging up the racism that is embedded in our anti-racism frameworks that are largely in use today in our congregations. Together, we will inventory the historical seeds that continue to sprout as intended: stunting our growth.
From that heart space, we will explore resources, frameworks, and practices to combat racism in our faith spaces on the path toward “strategic authentic diversity”.
Registration Cost
Registration is $125, and it includes lunch on Monday and Tuesday. Your registration fee also covers the guest speaker, site costs, and other things we need to have an enriching event.
Registration cut-off is September 1, 2025.
If you cannot pay via credit card, please call the synod office, 309-794-4004, to discuss your options.
Scroll down for more information on this year's schedule, speaker and housing information.
2025 PLC Schedule
Monday, September 15
- 9:30 a.m. Check-in at Hope Center
- 10:30 a.m. Worship in the Chapel
- 11:15 a.m. Introductions and Announcements in the Chapel
- 12:00 p.m. Noon Meal in the Dining Hall (Bishop dines with those New to Synod)
- 1:00 p.m. Presentation I with Rev. Dr. Jia Starr Brown in the Hope Center
- 2:45 p.m. Guided Ministry Anti-Racism Conversations in the Dining Hall
- 3:30 p.m. Guided Ministry Conversations in the Dinning Hall
- 5:00 p.m. Dinner together at local restaurants
- 8:30 p.m. Night Prayer at the Firepit by Hope Center
Tuesday, September 16
- 8:10 a.m. Breakfast in the Dining Hall (For those staying overnight at camp)
- 9 a.m. Worship in the Chapel
- 10:15 a.m. Presentation II with Rev. Dr. Jia Starr Brown in the Hope Center
- 12:00 p.m. Noon Meal in Dining Hall (Bishop dines with those retired)
- 1:00 p.m. Bishop’s Time in the Chapel
- 2:30 p.m. Free Time Group activities available
- 5:30 p.m. Dinner together at local restaurants
- 8:30 p.m. Night Prayer at the Firepit by Hope Center
Wednesday, September 17
- 8:10 a.m. Breakfast Dining Hall (For those staying overnight at camp)
- 9:00 a.m. Presentation III with Rev. Dr. Jia Starr Brown in the Hope Center
- 10:45 a.m. Worship in the Chapel
- 12:15 p.m. End of Event
Other Planned Aspects of PLC
The Professional Leaders Conference Planning Subcommittee has been working behind the scenes to plan an excellent time of learning, fellowship, and renewal. In addition to Dr. Brown's presentations, there are other important aspects of our time together:
- Bishop's Time. Bishop Fidlar will have some time on Tuesday to update us about synod ministries and listen to your questions.
- Worship. Each day, we will worship in the Lutherdale Chapel. Dr. Brown and Bishop Fidlar will each preach during one of our worship services.
- Guided Ministry Conversations. Like last year, we will take one of our afternoons to network and share resources with each other. One of the sessions will be round table discussions about anti-racism work, and the other session will be about other general ministry topics. We will discuss the challenges of ministry and share ideas of how we can innovate.
- Sabbath Time. We also will have one afternoon of sabbath time for reconnecting with God, colleagues, and with yourself. Options for afternoon activities will be available on-site.
- Dinners. We will gather at local restaurants for dinners on Monday and Tuesday. This will be another time to meet rostered ministers and church leaders from across the synod.
Your input is important! As part of the registration form, you will have space to request ministry conversation topics, sabbath activities, and dinner options.
Free Time
During our free time on Tuesday, we will have some organized, hosted options:
- Golf at Evergreen Golf Course
- Pontoon Boat Ride in East Troy
- Hiking on White River Trail
We also will have some spaces around camp reserved for specific activities:
- Board games in the Hope Center Lobby (some games provided by PLC Planning Subcommittee)
- Reading in Watson Center first floor fellowship area (for those who enjoy body doubling)
- Crafting and quiet conversation in Watson Center second floor fellowship area
- Prayer and private reflection in the chapel
Sign-ups for Sabbath Time activities will be available onsite. Of course, participants are also welcome to organize other activities or spend time on their own.
Dinner Groups
On Monday and Tuesday, participants will go out to local restaurants for dinner. There will be a different selection of restaurants each night.
Monday Night
- Lake House Breakfast, Bar, and Grill – Elkhorn
- Bernie's Pub – Elkhorn
- Popeyes on Lake Geneva
- Someplace Else – Elkhorn
- Lauderdale Landing - Elkhorn
Tuesday Night
- Lake House Breakfast, Bar, and Grill – Elkhorn
- Los Tres Hermanos – Elkhorn
- East Troy House
- Mama T's Italian – Elkhorn
- Moy's Restaurant - Elkhorn
Most restaurants have their menus available online. There will be paper sign-ups for dinners onsite.
Rev. Dr. Jia Starr Brown
Rev. Dr. Jia Starr Brown is an African American pastor, educator, author, and activist with more than three decades of experience advocating for underrepresented communities.
Her life philosophy being “I give what I need”, Dr. Brown’s work is fueled by her lived experience - and lack - at the intersection of three marginalized populations. With a heart for community and access for all, she stands - and activates - as a truth-teller at the intersection of faith, education, and justice.
Her passion to increase accessibility of affordable academic and enrichment opportunities for youth and families led her to create REACH Education Solutions, a community education business network operating in 8 school districts. Through REACH, she designed and facilitated more than 160 programs for youth and parent education in the Twin Cities and surrounding areas, receiving the Dakota County United Educators Apple Appreciation Award.
In 2012, she co-founded Reaching Up Ministries, a 501(c)3 non-profit with a mission to “create hope, help, and opportunities by bringing community members together to respond to the local needs of youth and families.” In 2015, Dr. Jia received a United States Congressional Award for service in the community after serving more than 500 youth and families.
After receiving the Call to ordained ministry, Dr. Brown received her Master of Divinity from Luther Seminary in 2019. She completed her Doctorate of Ministry in "Social Transformation" from United Theological Seminary of the Twin Cities and became a certified interfaith spiritual director in Spring of 2023. Rev. Dr. Starr Brown is ordained in The Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), and is the Founding Pastor of “The Stable” - an online anti-racism study church.
A Qualified Administrator of the Intercultural Development Inventory (IDI), Dr. Brown is the designer of the ACTION Project - a three-year anti-racism program that was selected to be a part of Minnesota Council of Churches’ Truth and Reparations initiative in 2023, which has now expanded to operate on its own nationwide.
She has authored two social justice curriculum books for youth and adult leaders in ministry, and writes monthly DEI-related blogs for multiple organizations. Dr. Jia serves on several committees and advisory councils, working toward equity and justice in Minnesota and around the country.
She is the mother of five inspiring children, all now young adults…and is “GoGo” (Grandmother) to her two grandchildren!
Housing Information
You have four options for overnight accommodations - two on campus and two at nearby hotels. At Lutherdale:
- The Hope Center has hotel-like accommodations with private baths. $218 for two nights plus breakfast Tuesday and Wednesday morning
- The Watson Center has camp-like accommodations with shared bathrooms. $105 for two nights, linens and breakfast Tuesday and Wednesday morning.
- If you would like to share a room in Hope, please contact Pastor Julie Monnard at jmonnard@nisynod.org for the coupon code before registering. Both roommates will need to use the coupon code at registration to receive the discount.
- To stay at Lutherdale in the Hope Center or Watson Center on Sunday night, you must already be registered to stay in a room during the event. Please note that Hope Center housing for Sunday night will be limited.
To register to stay onsite at Lutherdale, please click here.
We also have two hotel blocks:
- Holiday Inn Express & Suites, 200 W. O'Connor Drive Elkhorn, WI 53121. Holiday Inn Website
- Use code Northern Illinois Synod for the group rate of $99/night plus taxes and fees.
- Hotel Block cutoff date: August 29th
- Hampton Inn, 40 W Hidden Trail, Elkhorn, WI 53121, Hampton Inn Website
- Information about the block is coming.
