Events and Resources for LCMS Churches and Church Workers in Northern Illinois - January 15, 2016 
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.
Join Concordia University for MLK Day Conference - Monday
Concordia University Chicago's Office of Multicultural Student Engagement invites all to attend its 2016 MLK Day Conference, Dream Vision Action: The Life and Legacy of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Monday, January 18, at 8:45 a.m. This conference will focus on transforming your personal dreams and visions to action, as Dr. King did with his Dream. Register here or via the link printed on the MLK Day Schedule. Also, all pastors are invited to bring vestments (red stoles) and participate in the procession for the worship service. Any questions can be directed to Dcs. Betsy Karkan. The worship service begins at 10 a.m., so they ask that you be there by 9 a.m. Anyone who cannot attend worship in person can watch online at cuchicago/edu/chapel.   Print flyer   Print schedule 
Please use in your church bulletin
Men's Retreat
Fathers Bring Your Sons and Sons Bring Your Fathers. The 5th Annual Lutheran Men's Retreat sponsored by Immanuel Belvidere will be held April 14 - 17 at Camp LuWiSoMo, 5421 Aspen Road, Wild Rose, Wisconsin.  If you have any questions or need more information, email Dylen Larsen, call 815-520-1303, or visit immanuelbelvidere.org. Print flyer
Reconciliation Conference
Ambassadors of Reconciliation announces their second annual reconciliation conference to be held in Charlotte, North Carolina, May 5 - 7. "Go and Be Reconciled ... What Does This Mean?" is the theme for this year's event. Visit hisaor.org/web-content/Conference2016.html to register and learn more.
Bible Study for Women
A 9-week online Bible study for women, particularly ministry wives, is being offered starting January 25. The study consists of blog posts on Monday to Friday that are readable in about 5-10 minutes. Each post offers practical insight with Biblical depth plus encouragement in your daily walk. Sign up by following the I Love My Shepherd blog. If you would like to add community to your time in the Word, ask about accompanying Facebook discussion groups by contacting Deaconess Heidi at Grace Place Wellness Ministries.
Please use in your church bulletin
Lenten Inspiration
The NID LWML will host its 'Lenten Inspiration' on Saturday, March 5, at Trinity Lutheran Church, 6850 W. 159th Street, Tinley Park. The day will begin with registration and morning coffee at 8:30 a.m. The program, starting at 9:30 a.m., will include Bible study, Holy Communion, lunch, and a guest speaker. To register, find the form at www.lwmlnid.org. The $15 cost includes morning coffee and lunch. The registration deadline is February 29.
Save the Date - 2016 Disciple-Making Summit
The Disciple-Making Summit is an experiential conference designed to help you and your leadership team sharpen yourselves as disciple-makers who are carrying out our Lord's Great Commission. It will be held at Trinity Lutheran Church, 405 S. Rush Street, Roselle, June 24 - 25. For more information visit disciplemakingsummit.org.
Welcome Vanda Toner, LCEF VP
Vanda Toner has joined Lutheran Church Extension Fund as the Northern Illinois District Vice President. Vanda comes to LCEF with 16 years of experience in business development. Vanda and her husband Dan live in Aurora, Illinois, with their three children, and they attend Immanuel Lutheran Church and School in Batavia. Please join us in giving her a warm welcome. If you have any questions, you may contact her at 708-223-3117 or by email at Vanda.Toner@lcef.org. 
Congregational Wellness Weekends Offered
What is a Congregational Wellness Weekend? It's a conversation among church leaders asking, "What is a healthy congregation?" It's an opportunity to discover God's plan for the physical wellness of congregations and all who serve in their ministries. It's the beginning of a journey toward creating the healthiest environment for people in ministry to thrive and experience joy in their callings. For more information, visit wellness weekends or call 314-842-3077.
Mobile Pastoral Directory App
There is a mobile directory app available for those Northern Illinois District pastors who are pictured in the 2015 Pastoral Directory. The app includes portrait images to easily identify other pastors with quick-links to phone and email, plus mapping to the address. To obtain your secure one-time use access code, email Ann Ciaccio. Available for AppleŽ and AndroidŽ smartphones and tablets.
Please use in your church bulletin
Position Available: Development Associate
Wheat Ridge Ministries, One Pierce Place, Suite 250E, Itasca, is currently seeking a part-time Development Associate to join the advancement staff. The primary responsibility of this position is providing quality and efficient administrative support to the advancement team and the constituents of Wheat Ridge Ministries. View the complete position description and more information at wheatridge.org        Print flyer 
Apartments Available for Church Worker Retreats
Rev. Gary Uttech has apartments in Tomahawk, Wisconsin (North Central) that are available to church workers at a discounted rate on a year-round basis, usually a week or weekend at a time. For rates and availability, email Rev. Uttech.   View photos
2016 National LCMS Convention Assessment Reminder
Please forward to the person in your congregation responsible for payment
All congregations should have received their Synodical Convention Assessment invoice. We ask that you please remember to remit your assessment to the Northern Illinois District in a timely manner. If you have already done so, thank you. If you have any questions, email Dale Kuhfahl.
Avoid Sending "Junk" Email
Simply put, "junk" email is unsolicited bulk e-mailings. The receiver has not requested it, and the email is not targeted to any specific group. Rather than connect your ministry with the receiver, "junk" mail can alienate you. Here's how your emails can avoid being perceived as "junk":
  1. Make certain the receiver knows about/has accepted an invitation to receive your email.
  2. Know your audience. Only send information that is of relevancy to the reader.
  3. If your information relates only to a specific group (example: music ministry) send it only to that group.
  4. Don't use false or misleading headlines.
  5. Always provide the option to stop receiving your email.

And, keep it short and simple. Put yourself in the recipient's place. What would they be interested in receiving? 
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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