Events and Resources for LCMS Churches and Church Workers in Northern Illinois - February 1, 2016 
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LCC Monthly Gatherings of Military Members and Families
Lutheran Church Charities Kare-9 Military Ministry invites veterans and active duty members of the military to "22." This monthly gathering of military members and their family members meets at 6 p.m. the 22nd day of each month at Lutheran Church Charities' Hur Hall, 2010 Milwaukee Avenue, Northbrook. The gathering of "22" is a time for support, fellowship, and food for the men and women of the armed forces and their families. There is NO CHARGE for military members or their families. For each gathering, email to confirm attendance with the number of people attending to 22@Kare9.org or call 866-455-6466. The next gathering is 6 p.m., Monday, February 22. 
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Seminar On Suicide
The Northern Illinois District Life Team will present a Seminar on Suicide for anyone who might be responsible for the care of someone with suicidal ideation or attempts, but especially pastors, first responders, parish nurses, junior and senior high teachers, military Comfort Dog handlers, youth and anyone dealing with youth. Presenters are retired Military Chaplain Rev. Bob Geaschel and Fire Protection District Chaplain Rev. Gerald Schalk. Both are experienced in dealing with and teaching on the subject of a Lutheran approach to suicide ministry. The seminar will be offered twice:
  • Saturday, April 16, 9 a.m. to noon at St. Paul Lutheran Church, 100 South School Street, Mount Prospect, Illinois, 847-255-0332. Contact Stephen Minister Carol Chin to register or with questions (cbchin309@gmail.com or 224-383-4295).
  • Saturday, April 23, 9 a.m. to noon at Immanuel Lutheran Church, 1225 East Second Street, Belvidere, Illinois, 815-544-8058. Contact Parish Nurse Lani Walter to register or with questions (margieskidz@aol.com or 815-558-2953).
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Prayer Breakfast
St. John Lutheran Church, 7214 South Cass Avenue, Darien, will host their Annual Prayer Breakfast on Saturday, March 19, at 8:30 a.m. Sharon Thomas from LCMS Mercy Medical Teams, in a talk titled "Nursing by the Seat of My Scrubs," will take attendees on a journey to Third World health care as she experienced it. Reserve your spot for this inspiring program by contacting the church at 630-969-7987 or email info@sjlcdarien.org on or before March 14. Print flyer
2016 NID Parish Nurse Education Schedule
The NID Parish Nurse Network provides opportunities to promote, support, and encourage each other through prayers, friendship and sharing information. Print 2016 Education Schedule
Walcamp
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Walcamp's 2016 Calendar of Events
Wondering what's going on in 2016 at Walcamp? Here's the full calendar of currently scheduled events! Take a look at all of the 2016 offerings. For more information visit walcamp.org.
VisionPath
A ministry cannot operate without a clear idea of God's direction. Many members within the organization have ideas to move ahead for the future. There are also community needs to consider. Everything looks fragmented -- a piece here, a piece there, colliding, coming together and then quickly fading. How can your ministry turn this kaleidoscope into a clear picture, reflective of His purpose? Experience VisionPath. If you have any questions, you may contact Vanda Toner at 708-223-3117 or Vanda.Toner@lcef.org.  Print flyer  February 2016 Rates 
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Position Available: Communications Coordinator
Our Savior Lutheran Church, 1244 W. Army Trail Road, Carol Stream, is looking for a Communications Coordinator to serve as the gatekeeper and point person for communications, marketing, and advertising efforts. Promote church activities, events, and programs within the congregation and within the surrounding community through the use of various media. If interested email Jeff Zoellick or call 630-483-3143 x224. Print full position description 
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.
Ministry To Wives
My "Not A Pastor's Wife" Pair of Shoes
Deaconess Sarah writes: I have this pair of shoes. I love them. I was forced to buy them in one of the best bridesmaid purchases of all time. The are hot pink leather and wonderful.  The heel is a good three inches. They are freakishly comfortable for their height, and they are completely impractical. They make me feel like a princess and a rock star all at the same time. Every time I wear these shoes I get compliments without fail. They are a seriously great pair of shoes.  Read more

Stats You Should Know About for 2016
Whether considering your website, social media, written communication or bulletins, here are some stats you should definitely know as you plan your content:
  1. Colored visuals increase people's willingness to read a piece of content by 80%.
  2. Content with relevant images get 94% more views than content without relevant images.
  3. 51.9% of marketing professionals worldwide name video as the type of content with the best ROI (return on investment).
  4. Eye-tracking studies show Internet readers pay close attention to information carrying images. In fact, when the images are relevant, readers spend more time looking at the images than they do reading text on the page.
  5. Visual content is more than 40 times more likely to get shared on social media than other types of content.
Source: blog.hubspot.com
Join The New Starts...New Believers LinkedIn Group
New Starts...New Believers Group on LinkedIn is an opportunity for those who are members of the Northern Illinois District of The Lutheran Church--Missouri Synod to:
  • Network with each other
  • Pass along employment opportunities
  • Share information about member congregations
  • Share helpful information on issues that affect congregations

Send your request to join the group now or visit Linkedin.com > top search bar / "Groups" "New Starts...New Believers."  
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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