Events and Resources for LCMS Churches and Church Workers in Northern Illinois - October 1, 2015
District Position Available
 Sue Green, the district's Vice President for Lutheran Church Extension Fund, is stepping into the position of NID Mission Advocate, effective October 1, replacing Teri Rice who is relocating to Nashville. The NID and LCEF together are seeking applicants for the full-time position of District Vice President for Lutheran Church Extension Fund. The position is based at the district office in Hillside, Illinois, with home office accommodation and frequent travel around the district and to national LCEF events. Please share this job description with any qualified members in your congregation who may be interested. 
 
Submit resumes to the President's Office, 2301 S. Wolf Road, Hillside, IL 60162 or email to Ronda.Wilmot@ni.lcms.org.
Memorial Service for Pregnancy/Infant Loss
On Sunday, October 4, a memorial service for babies who have gone too soon will be held in the Prayer Chapel at Cross Lutheran Church, 8535 State Route 47, Yorkville. Anyone (parents, grandparents, extended family) who has experienced the loss of a baby due to miscarriage, stillbirth, infant death, or abortion is welcomed to attend, no matter if that loss was recent or many years ago. For more information visit nidnews.org/notice/around-district/memorial-garden-little-ones
Concordia University Chicago Lectures in Church Music 
The Lectures in Church Music conference begins the first in a three-year emphasis on the contributions of the Reformation, October 18 - 20. The keynote address is "Luther on the Theology and Beauty of Music" on Monday, October 19; presenters include Mark Mattes, Stephen Starke and Kevin Hildebrand. Registration for selected sessions is $20. For more information and locations, please call 209-3060 or visit cuchicago.edu/lectures.
Please use in your church bulletin
Luther North All Alumni Reunion
A 1940-2012 All Alumni Reunion is planned for Saturday, November 14, 6-11 p.m. in the Luther North Gym, 5700 W. Berteau in Chicago. The ticket cost ($40 per person) provides you with pizza, salad, music and dancing (cash beverages). Get tickets online at luthernorthcollegeprep.org/events or mail check to Luther North College Prep, 5700 W. Berteau, Chicago, IL 60634; Attn. Linda Lunt. RSVP by October 30. Tickets will not be sold at the door. For information email llunt@luthernorth.org.
Pastoral Conference
  • East Region Pastoral Conference - The 2015 East Region Conference is scheduled for Tuesday and Wednesday, October 6-7, at the DeKoven Conference Center, Racine, Wisconsin. Print registration materials
  • North and West Region Pastoral Conference - The 2015 North and West Region Conference is scheduled for Tuesday through Wednesday (morning), October 13-14, at Lake Lawn Resort, 2400 E. Geneva Street, Delavan, Wisconsin. Print registration materials
  • General Pastoral Conference - The 2016 General Conference is scheduled for Tuesday and Wednesday, May 3-4, 2016, at the Holiday Inn & William Tell Chicago SW, 6201 Joliet Road, Countryside. Information will be forthcoming.
Both the East and the North and West Regions will be discussing
Koinonia Paper - With Regard to Admittance to the Lord's Table.  Continue to watch our website ni.lcms.org/notice/fall-pastoral-conferences for updated registration information and materials. Contact your region's registrar for additional information. 
Please use in your church bulletin
Christian Faith & Life Conference
Divine Shepherd Lutheran Church, 985 Lily Cache Lane, Bolingbrook, is hosting its third annual Christian Faith & Life Conference for laity on Saturday, November 14, from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Rev. Hans Fiene, pastor of River of Life Lutheran Church in Channahon and senior contributor to The Federalist, is presenting on the theme: "Recovering a Christian Worldview of Marriage and Family." All are welcome. Please pre-register to help with planning at office@ds-lcms.org or 630-759-5300. Snacks and drinks will be provided. A free-will donation will be collected. Print flyer
Please use in your church bulletin
New Starts...New Believers Benefit Dinner
"In His season . . . seizing any opportunity to bless" Galatians 6:9-10. The annual New Starts...New Believers Benefit Dinner for our work together in local missions through the LCMS Northern Illinois District will be held Sunday, November 15, at the Marriott Hotel, Burr Ridge, 5:00 p.m. cash bar, 5:30 p.m. dinner. All interested mission supporters are invited; adults only, please. Respond by November 9 to the NID president's office, ronda.wilmot@ni.lcms.org.
2016 LCMS National Youth Gathering
The National Youth Gathering will take place July 16 - 20, 2016, with the theme, "In Christ Alone." The gathering place will be the Mercedes-Benz Superdome in New Orleans, Louisiana. For Northern Illinois District information and questions, email district coordinators Steven Whitney and Josh Wold at nidnyg16@gmail.com. Join Facebook leader group "Northern Illinois NYG 2016 Leaders" to learn about district activities during the gathering. Youth leaders should register for the gathering directly at lcmsgathering.com. Complete district information is available at ni.lcms.org/notice/2016-lcms-youth-gathering.  Churches are responsible for their own transportation; a list of companies is provided to assist you.
LCEF's Mission
The mission of Lutheran Church Extension Fund is to support the Church in fulfilling its mission of sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ by being a Christ-centered servant partner of The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod (LCMS), ensuring that funds and services are available now and in the future.

There are many ways to become a part of the LCEF ministry, collectively doing the work God has planned for us. Join us in:
  •     prayerful support
  •     investment support
  •     volunteer support
  •     gift support
Find out how you can help reach more people with the message of Christ's salvation through LCEF by calling 800-843-5233.

If you have questions about the Lutheran Church Extension Fund, please visit
lcef.org . For loans and investments, check LCEF's October 2015 rates.  
Concordia University, Irvine, California
Consider Adding a DCE Intern to Your Staff
Is your congregation considering adding staffing in the area of children's, youth, or family ministry? Check out information on applying for an intern at cui.edu/dceinternship.

Distance Certification for DCE Ministry
If you or a member of your staff is serving in a DCE related ministry area, you are invited to check out certification through distance learning at Concordia, Irvine. Visit cui.edu/dcecertification for more information.
Print flyer for information on both programs.
Substitute Organist Available
Rev. Jerry Menk is available to serve as a substitute organist for Lake, McHenry, and northern Cook Counties. Email Rev. Menk or call 847-234-8906 (home); 847-682-2997 (mobile). You may also find this information on our website at ni.lcms.org/supply-pastors. If you would like to serve as a substitute organist, please email the district office at office@ni.lcms.org and we will post your information on with our supply pastors' list.
Please use in your church bulletin:
Wheat Ridge Ministries, Itasca
Advancement Constituent Associate
Wheat Ridge Ministries, One Pierce Place, Suite 250E, Itasca, is seeking an Advancement Constituent Associate, a part-time position that provides quality and efficient administrative support to the development team and the constituents of Wheat Ridge Ministries. Interested individuals should submit a letter of interest and resume by email to Ann Brandt, Director of Annual Funds and Advancement Services, at ann@wheatridge.org  by Friday, October 25.  Print position description.  For more information visit wheatridge.org/employment.

Immanuel Lutheran Church, Downers Grove
Immanuel Lutheran Church, 5211 Carpenter St., Downers Grove, is seeking two positions:
Pianist/Organist
A part-time (35-40 Saturdays/year) pianist or organist is needed for Saturday night, traditional worship service. Print position description.

Coordinator of Sanctuary 1010 Music and Sound
Sanctuary 1010, a second-site worship community of Immanuel Lutheran Church in Downers Grove, is seeking a part-time coordinator of music and sound. Responsibilities include (among others):
  • Choosing music
  • Coordinating Musicians and Sound -Setup crews
  • Arrange, Practice and Plan Music for Rehearsal/Sunday Morning
  • Weekly band rehearsal
  • Update planning center with song choices, lyrics and lyric order
  • Invite, train, support and equip music and sound volunteers

Print position description

 

For either position, send letter of interest/resume to the attention of Ellen Prohl, Director of Parish Music, or email eprohl@ilcdg.org. 
RESOURCES* - In Touch with a Changing World
*The following resources are for information and not intended to endorse any idea or practice. Hopefully they will help us understand more of what is going on around us. NID Rostered Church Workers are invited to submit articles or resources for consideration.
For Pastor's Wives
'Loving Our PKs...'
Perhaps one of the more frequent comments I hear from ministry wives is the concern for the impact of ministry life on their children. Here are some thoughts on PKs, or MKs, or DCEKs or any Ks. . . Print flyer
Is Your Congregation Over-programming?
We are eager to give birth to new ministries, but are lousy at letting old ones die...a question church leaders can use each year to help ensure they are not over programming: "What ministry program have we ended this year?"
(from Leading Ideas)
Reflections on Wellness after Three Years
Read about the five words that speak about church worker wellness. Read more from Grace Place Lutheran Wellness Ministries.
FROM THE DISTRICT OFFICE
Church Workers:
All rostered and non-rostered church workers are asked to please update their NID contact information when there is a change of email, address, phone, etc., or if new in the district. 

Rostered workers need to do contact updates in three places:
1. District Office
2. Online on your SET or LEIF profile
3. Online on your LCMS Rosters and Statistics profile

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