Events and Resources for LCMS Churches and Church Workers in Northern Illinois - December 15, 2015
THANK YOU!
Here's an update from Sanctuary Manhattan, this year's New Starts...New Believers' Giving Tuesday project:
 
"Thank you for your participation in this year's GivingTuesday campaign to help Sanctuary help families in the Laraway School District.  Your effort has helped to raise over $3,000!  The Northern Illinois District is going to continue to collect donations through the month of December, so if you didn't have a chance to participate, please click on the image to the right to join in!  With your help, we will be able to provide uniforms, shoes, jackets, gloves, hats, hygiene products, Christmas Gifts and much more for families who are struggling to make ends meet this year.  Thank you for your generous contributions!" Read Sanctuary's full update on #GivingTuesday.  Make your donation here.
Congregation Elder Workshop
Congregation elders from the Northern Illinois District will have the opportunity to come together for spiritual development and training at Trinity Lutheran Church in Genoa, Illinois, on Saturday, January 16.
This elder training workshop will be led by Circuit Visitor (and pastor at Trinity, Genoa) Rev. Jeremy Heilman together with NID Mission Facilitator Rev. Keith Haney. It gets underway at 9 a.m. (registration begins at 8:30), and the day will wrap up at about 2:30 p.m. The workshop is in response to requests for elder training from area pastors.

The morning discussion will cover spiritual aspects of being an elder, cautions for leading a congregation, and healthy ways to assist the pastor. Bring a copy of your own church's constitution, because following a box lunch the afternoon session will look aspects of your church's constitution and tips on interpreting that for practical application.

The fee to attend is $5 per person or $40 maximum for a group from one congregation. To register contact Trinity Lutheran Church, Genoa, at trinity@tlcgeoa.org or 815-784-2522.
The church is located at 33930 N. State Road, Genoa, IL 60135; www.Tlcgenoa.org.  Print flyer
Please forward to any young adults
Young Adults Needed for 2016 LCMS National Youth Gathering
The Young Adult Volunteers (YAV) Corps is looking for young adults to help serve at the 2016 LCMS National Youth Gathering. YAVs serve as role models for the teen participants while working in specific areas of the  gathering. Eligibility:  Be 19-25 years old at the time of the gathering and at least one year out of high school; have a willingness to serve as well as a commitment to perform specific volunteer tasks. You can find more information about YAVs and apply at www.lcmsgathering.com/yav. Don't delay, registration closes on December 31.
CIT at RF
Concordia University Chicago in River Forest, Illinois, hosts the 65th annual Concordia Invitational Tournament, Friday and Saturday, January 29-30, 2016, with college men's and women's basketball players from Concordia University Wisconsin in Mequon, Concordia University Nebraska in Seward, Concordia University Ann Arbor (Michigan) and Concordia University Chicago players taking to the courts. Go to CU-Chicago website for full information. Special halftime recognition for past players at Friday's games.
Please use in your church bulletin
Artist Series
On Sunday, February 7, the St. John's Artist Series will feature Chicago jazz piano icon Willie Pickens. He mentors in Ravinia's Jazz Scholar program, teaches at Northern Illinois University and performs frequently. The performance is at 3 p.m. with an informal reception following. Admission is free; a free-will offering will be received. St. John's Lutheran Church is located at 215 S. Lincoln, Lombard. For information call the church office at 630-629-2515.
Please use in your church bulletin
Sounds of Summer Residential Music Program
Lutheran Music Program is proud to present the newest program, Sounds of Summer Institute, June 26 through July 10, 2016, for high school students, grades 8-12, on the campus of Luther College, Decorah, Iowa. Applications have started. Please email admissions@lutheransummermusic.org, visit lutheranmusicprogram.org/sounds-of-summer or call 612-879-9555 for more information.
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.
New Year Resolutions
Even congregations can have New Year resolutions. Resolutions for congregations can come in the form of budgeting, communications, staffing, and program development among others.

The first step and perhaps most strategic step in setting resolutions for the new year is to look back and evaluate the past year. It's okay to do something once and find out it doesn't work. But, to continue to do it is a waste of time and precious resources. So, begin your strategic review of the past year now.
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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Parish Resource Connection!
May you be blessed with love, joy, peace and happiness this Christmas season.
From the staff at the LCMS Northern Illinois District:
Dale, Karen, Judy, Reuben, Sue, Keith, Ann, Mike Z., Dan, Carol, Teri, Jackie, Ronda, Mike M., Tom
LCMS Northern Illinois District, 2301 S. Wolf Road, Hillside, IL 60162
Phone 888-708-LCMS          Email
nidnews.org          ni.lcms.org

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