Events and Resources for LCMS Churches and Church Workers in Northern Illinois - June 15, 2016  
 

 
Please use in your church bulletin
June Andrews Lecture and Book Signing
Professor Andrews, RMN, RGN, FRCN, will discuss worldwide best care practices for individuals with dementia and Alzheimer's disease, Tuesday, June 28, 2 p.m. at Concordia University Chicago's Center for Gerontology, Christopher Center, Room 200, 7400 August Street, River Forest. The event is presented in cooperation with the Illinois Saint Andrew Society/CHICAGO SCOTS and the Alzheimer's Association - Greater Illinois Chapter. She will also discuss and sign her book. Event seating is limited and an RSVP is required by visiting CUChicago.edu/juneandrews. Individuals unable to attend the event in person can watch a live stream of the event at CUChicago.edu/live.gradschool.
Fort Wayne Seminary Continuing Education Course at Calvary Elgin
Dr. Roland F. Ziegler: Contemporary Issues in Prolegomena (1.5 CEU) course to be held August 1 to 3 - available for clergy and laity.

In this class the challenges and opportunities of teaching the faith with integrity in our present setting is examined. What is a Christian view of the present situation? What is a faithful articulation of our understanding of theology? Which cultural shifts are important for the theological task. Minimum registration is required to guarantee class will be held. Please register now. Contact Kara Mertz at 260-452-2103 or CE@ctsfw.edu with your questions.  Print registration form/flyer
Please use in your church bulletin
Tee Off for Student Scholarships
You are invited to the Walther Christian Academy annual golf outing on Monday, September 26, at the Royal Fox Country Club in St. Charles.  All proceeds go towards financial aid making it possible for students to receive a high quality college-prep education in the Lutheran tradition.  Sponsorship opportunities are available and both foursomes and individual golfers are welcome. For more information, visit Walther.com/golf.
Please use in your church bulletin
Position Available: Preschool Director/Teacher
St. John's Lutheran Church, 401 St John's Road, Woodstock, is currently seeking a qualified individual to fill the part-time position of Preschool Director/Teacher for our morning classes Monday-Friday.  Person must meet DCFS requirements and have their teaching certificate. Interested, please contact Shelia Beu at 815-338-5159 or send your resume to the above address.

Parish Nurse Needed to Assist at Walcamp - Immediate 1-Week Program
Walcamp is still in need of a nurse to be Nurse of the Week for June 19 to 24. The nurse's responsibilities are outlined in the attached document, and all of their children (or grandchildren) can join in camp activities for no cost (up to $430). For additional information, email Louis Blocker, Walcamp Program Director.
Find the Loan Your Ministry Needs
Lutheran Church Extension Fund has been a source of funding for Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod organizations worldwide, offering ministries a place to borrow money at interest rates they can afford. LCEF's expert staff knows how ministries operate and the unique challenges they face.

For information on LCEF, contact Vanda Toner at 708-223-3117 or Vanda.Toner@lcef.org.  Print flyer   June 2016 Rates   facebook.com/lcef.nid 
Important Notice on Church Worker Update Site
The Church Worker Update (CWU) site, which was introduced in 2015 to all rostered church workers, has been enhanced this year for commissioned ministers. The improved version includes significant changes and is to be used by all commissioned workers, not just teachers.
 
All commissioned ministers are asked to review their entire record by June 30 at cwu.lcms.org. This new site replaces the Lutheran School Portal Lutheran Educator Information Form (LEIF), which was previously used to update the Lutheran Annual, provide information for the Synod's online Church Worker Locator, and provide information forms for the calling process.

Commissioned workers should have previously received login information for updating the Church Worker Update site by email or mail. Any church worker who may have lost or forgotten his or her login information can follow the online helps at cwu.lcms.org. They also may contact the LCMS Rosters and Statistics office at 888-843-5267 or rosters.stats@lcms.org.
Petition Against SB 1564
An amended SB 1564 bill has been passed in both the Illinois House and Senate, and is on its way to Governor Rauner to be signed into law. This bill requires individuals and organizations to refer abortion-seeking clients to abortion facilities, challenging rights of conscience which have protected individuals and organizations previously. It affects every pregnancy resource center, even those that exist to offer women alternatives to abortion. Christians wishing to make their voice heard on this issue are encouraged to read the information provided by Illinois Right to Life (there is a petition that can be signed), or compose an email to Governor Rauner at the Illinois Family Institute website. You also may call the Governor's office today at 217-782-0244 in Springfield or 312-814-2121 in Chicago. Let his office know that you oppose this legislation and request that he VETO SB 1564.

President Gilbert is encouraging all to take a serious look at this and respond to the Governor.
New Lutheran Hour Chapel Project
Principals: Lutheran Hour Ministries has a new chapel project related to their international mission centers. Donations of chapel offerings will be matched to support international ministry centers. Check it out.
Please use in your church bulletin
Do You Like to Hand-make Greeting Cards?
Immanuel Lutheran Church in Freeport together with Lutheran Church Charities is collecting handmade cards to send with Chaplain Richard Schultz (their pastor until he went on active duty) when he is deployed to the Middle East in August. He will have cards at the chapel that service people can use to send special occasion greetings home. If you would like to donate handmade cards, please email Joyce at dale_sasse@comcast.net or call 815-266-9871 for more details.
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.
How To Use Hashtags Effectively Without Being Annoying
Most everyone knows what hashtags are in 2016. However, not everyone knows how to use hashtags well. When used properly, hashtags (# signs that help categorize social media content) make it easier for users to find related content. They can help increase the visibility of your messages and boost your social shares. When used inappropriately, however, they can negatively impact your credibility on social media. This can have the inverse effect of decreasing your social activity. Read more from coschedule.com/blog/how-to-use-hashtags.
Just Show Up
"I have rarely felt so encouraged as when I left those book groups. It's that satisfying sense of knowing that someone else thought something mattered as much as you did. Someone valued time with you, with the community that gathered, and the thoughts that were shared. Time has value and when we give it to people, we say, You matter. You are valued." Read more from Deaconess Heidi Goehmann's blog at ilovemyshepherd.com.
PREVIOUSLY PUBLISHED EVENTS AND NEWS
"22" Monthly Meeting for Veterans and Active Duty Personnel (monthly on the 22nd)

NID VBS Events (various dates and locations)

National LCMS Youth Gathering July 16-20, 2016

For all of the latest news and events in the LCMS Northern Illinois District visit nidnews.org
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: See important notice above.
LCMS Northern Illinois District, 2301 S. Wolf Road, Hillside, IL 60162
Phone 888-708-LCMS          Email
nidnews.org          ni.lcms.org

Read past issues of the Parish Resource Connection:
 May 15, 2016    -    June 1, 2016 

Wish to stop receiving your district Parish Resource Connection? WAIT! Don't unsubscribe below!  Unsubscribe here to tell us to remove "Parish Resource Connection" from your preferences but still remain on other NID lists.