Council of District Executives fall meeting, Oct. 23, 12 p.m.

  District Conference, at York Center Church of the Brethren, Lombard, Nov. 1-2

 [all meetings via Zoom unless otherwise noted]

 

September Newsletter

The 2024 edition of our Illinois/Wisconsin District conference takes place Nov. 1-2 this year, hosted by the York Center congregation in Lombard, Ill. (1S071 Luther Ave.). Pastor Christy Waltersdorff serves as moderator for this conference, assisted by moderator-elect Bill Williams and clerk Judy Brinkmeier.

Noted musician and storyteller Ken Medema will be our featured guest this year, providing leadership for Friday’s continuing education event (see more below), as well as for opening worship Friday evening and a special workshop on Saturday. He will also be sharing during York Center’s worship service on Sunday morning, for which anyone is welcome to stay.

Many of the usual features of conference will be back this year, including the Friday ice cream social, a delicious lunch on Saturday, a buzzing exhibit area, the annual auction, and, of course, the usual schedule of business during the day on Saturday as we hear reports, approve a budget and a slate of volunteers for various offices, and care for other business of the church.

PRE-CONFERENCE CONTINUING EDUCATION EVENT: Masterful musician Ken Medema will be the keynote leader for this year's pre-district conference continuing education workshop, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 1, at the York Center church. His theme will be “Re-Imagining: Your Work, Your Play, Your Life,” thinking about the ways we reconceptualize our church ministry and other aspects of life in these rapidly changing times. Participants will receive 0.5 CEU’s. Clergy are especially encouraged to attend, but all are welcome.

Originally from Grand Rapids, Mich., Ken now lives in the San Francisco Bay area of California. Blind from birth, he is a singer, songwriter, and pianist whose music, storytelling, and improvisational skills have wowed audiences across the country and beyond. He has shared at numerous Church of the Brethren events over the years, including Annual Conference, National Older Adult Conference, and National Youth Conference. Cost is $20, which includes lunch. Please register by Oct. 20 at https://forms.gle/Rm6NsQn3cfPya7HA8.

CONFERENCE REGISTRATION: Congregations need to pay a district assessment in order to be able to send delegates to the conference; that information was sent to each congregation. Delegates should register at https://forms.gle/qrYc1MjHoxcEwkhj8; Non- delegates register at https://forms.gle/2w2HAACKsNoo7VJR7 (non-delegate fee $10). Each attendee needs to register for insurance purposes. Meals can also be ordered through these links (see more below). Online registration will be closed 72 hours prior to the conference, but delegates and non-delegates can still register on-site on the day of the event. Please contact the district office with any questions.

MEALS: On Saturday, a continental breakfast will be provided at the church, and a lunch will be available on Saturday (Nov. 2) in the church fellowship hall for $13 per person. It will include a deli sandwich, chips, salad, dessert, and beverage. Note: Meals CANNOT BE RESERVED AFTER OCT. 18. A lunch option will also be available for those attending the continuing education event on Friday, Nov. 1. Check the District Conference page for more dining options.

HOUSING: A block of hotel rooms has been set aside at the SureStay Plus Lombard by Best Western, 222 E. 22nd St. It is located two miles from the York Center church, and many restaurants and entertainment options are nearby. A limited number of rooms are available Thursday night, Oct. 31, and a larger block is available for Friday and/or Saturday nights. Cost is $89 for a room with one king bed, and $99 for a room with two doubles. All rates include a complimentary hot breakfast, parking, and wifi. To reserve, please call the hotel directly at 630-916-9000 and request the Church of the Brethren Illinois/Wisconsin District block for those dates. The room block will be held through Oct. 1; rooms might still be available after that date but are not guaranteed.

Visit the district conference tab at the district website, iwdcob.org, for more information. Please be in prayer for this important time of being the district together.

 

Musician and sage Ken Medema will be the keynote leader for this year's pre-district conference continuing education workshop, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 1, at York Center Church of the Brethren in Lombard, Ill. His theme will be "Re-Imagining: Your Work, Your Play, Your Life," thinking about the ways we reconceptualize our church ministry and other aspects of life in these rapidly changing times. Participants will receive 0.5 CEU's. Clergy are especially encouraged to attend, but all are welcome. A flyer is attached. 

Originally from Grand Rapids, Mich., Ken now lives in the San Francisco Bay area of California. Blind from birth, he is a singer, songwriter, and pianist whose music, storytelling, and improvisational skills have wowed audiences across the country and beyond. He has shared at numerous Church of the Brethren events over the years, including Annual Conference, National Older Adult Conference, and National Youth Conference. Read more about Ken at www.kenmedema.com. 

Cost is $20, which includes lunch. Some rooms are available Thursday night for those coming a distance who would like to stay over; see information in the most recent district newsletter. Please register by Oct. 20 at https://forms.gle/Rm6NsQn3cfPya7HA8.

Our camps enjoyed a full summer of camps for children and youth, and we are grateful for all the lives that were touched by spending that time with God, creation, and good community in these beautiful spaces at Camp Emmanuel and Camp Emmaus. Following are some additional events coming up at the camps:

Join us at Camp Emmaus (Mount Morris, Ill.) on Saturday, Oct. 12, for our third annual DISTRICT CAMPFIRE! Songs and s'mores around the basketball court fire circle will begin about 6 p.m. Come early to take a fall hike, enjoy a light meal, decorate pumpkins, and visit with others from around the district. There is no cost, and all are welcome!

Camp Emmanuel (Astoria, Ill.) will hold fall work days Oct. 18-19. The camp closes to the public for the winter season after Oct. 19.

Stay up to date on what’s happening at our district camps! Visit www.campem.com for Camp Emmanuel news and www.campemmaus.org for Camp Emmaus news.

Recovery continues in the hard-hit southeastern US in the wake of Hurricane Helene. Today, we received this update from Andy Hamilton, who is district executive of the Church of the Brethren's Southeastern District and lives near Asheville, N.C.:

 

"The Southeastern District CoB has set up a special account for donations. Monetary donations can be sent to: Southeastern District Church of the Brethren, P.O. Box 1241, Travelers Rest, SC 29690, Att: Disaster Response.

 

"As far as material donations, we are currently working to set up Camp Carmel as a staging area where we can receive items for distribution. Because of over 400 road closures in the area, there is limited access. As of now, the food and water shortage has been met and the supply chain distribution centers are getting back up. Grocery stores are being restocked in many areas. There are still areas that are isolated, but disaster workers have been able to provide needed supplies. I think that at this point hygiene and cleanup are the immediate needs, but I plan to speak with community and church leaders today so as to get a better sense of what the specific needs are and how our resources can be most effective. We are working closely with Brethren Disaster Ministries (BDM)."

 

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BDM has already made two grants to assist in the response, and Children's Disaster Services has deployed volunteers to the area. For those looking to help, cash donations to the district (as noted above) or to BDM (https://www.brethren.org/bdm/) are among the best ways, along with creating hygiene and clean-up kits through Church World Service, which has used up much of their supply in this response. You can find information on the kits at https://www.brethren.org/bdm/kits/ or https://cwskits.org/.

Please continue to be in prayer for all those affected by this difficult situation.

Brethren Disaster Ministries has updated its website with information for its second project response, which will mark a return to projects in Dawson Springs, Kentucky. The area was struck by a strong tornado in 2021. It joins another BDM rebuilding site in Letcher County, Ky. Information is at: https://www.brethren.org/bdm/rebuild/schedules/.

Our district’s assigned week this year is Dec. 1-7, when we are responsible for supplying seven volunteers to work in conjunction with a group from South/Central Indiana at the Dawson Springs site. If you have interest in participating, contact district disaster coordinator Rick Koch at revrick4433@gmail.com.

Children’s Disaster Services (CDS) will hold three new volunteer training events this fall. Upcoming events are:

Sept. 27-28 at Frederick (Md.) Church of the Brethren, starting at 4:30 p.m. Friday and ending at 5:30 p.m. Saturday; Sept. 28-29 at Modesto (Calif.) Church of the Brethren, starting at 8:30 a.m. Saturday and ending at 9:30 a.m. Sunday; Oct. 18-19 at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Victor, N.Y., starting at 4:30 p.m. Friday and ending at 5:30 p.m. Saturday.

For currently certified CDS volunteers, if it has been more than five years since you have been out on a disaster response or taken a workshop, it is suggested you attend a volunteer training as a refresher to review policies, procedures, and updates regarding disaster responses. Learn more at www.brethren.org/cds.

National Youth Cabinet nominations are due Sept. 30. Senior high youth serve on the cabinet. Adults also are welcome to nominate outstanding youth to serve on this advisory body that will provide significant leadership for the next National Youth Conference, to occur in summer 2026. The nomination form is at https://forms.gle/tNSosJ7NmBEjBX6R7.

National Junior High Sunday is planned for Nov. 3. Congregations are invited to encourage their junior high youth to take the lead in worship on this day. Resources including worship resources will be made available at www.brethren.org/yya/jr-high-resources.

Christian Citizenship Seminar is planned for April 5-9, 2025, giving high school students a chance to explore the relationship between their faith and a particular social justice issue, culminating in legislative visits on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C. Find out more at www.brethren.org/yya/ccs.

National Youth Sunday on May 4, 2025, will be an opportunity for congregations to empower senior high youth to plan and lead worship. Resources will be posted in 2025 at www.brethren.org/yya/national-youth-sunday.

Young Adult Conference is planned for May 23-25, 2025, at Brethren Woods near Keezletown, Va. The annual event offers people ages 18-35 a chance to enjoy fellowship, worship, recreation, Bible study, service projects, and more. See www.brethren.org/yya/yac.

National Junior High Conference takes place June 20-22, 2025, at Juniata College in Huntingdon, Pa. Come join other junior high youth and adult advisors for a weekend packed with powerful worship, fun workshops, music, recreation, and more. Details are at www.brethren.org/yya/njhc.

We're excited to announce a special online workshop that will take place Saturday, Feb. 22, 9-11 a.m. Central, looking at "Changing Mindsets for Ministry." Our keynote leader will be Jeff MacDonald, a pastor and journalist from Massachusetts and author of Part-Time Is Plenty. The workshop will look at changing models of congregational leadership, including shared ministry teams, greater involvement of lay leaders in the church's ministry, and helping church members re-conceptualize how they envision ministry and what constitutes a "successful" or vital church, among other topics. This free workshop is open to all and will take place on Zoom; the link will be sent out by late January. Our district is offering this partnership with many of the surrounding Midwest/Plains districts, and with support from the denomination's Ministry Office. Please spread the word and mark this date on your calendars to help us consider how we move forward in ministry together.

Join keynote leader G. Jeffrey MacDonald to explore how our congregations can re-think models of ministry: including shared ministry teams, greater involvement of lay leadership in ministry, and looking creatively at what constitutes a “successful” ministry.

MODE: Online workshop via Zoom. Link will be sent to all sponsoring districts by late January. The workshop will not be recorded.

COST: Free.

WHO: All are welcome, clergy and lay members

Sponsored by the districts of the Midwest region of the Church of the Brethren

The 2025 Church of the Brethren Annual Conference will take place Wednesday, July 2, to Sunday, July 6, at the Koury Convention Center in Greensboro, North Carolina. Registration and hotel reservations will open to the public on March 5. The Annual Conference office has announced the following registration fee schedule:

For advance registration (March 5-June 10): Delegates $350; Non-delegate adult, full conference, $175; Non-delegate adult, daily rate, $60; Post-high school to age 21, full conference, $50; Post-high school to age 21, daily rate, $20; Current high school student or younger, free; Active BVSer, free.For on-site registration (opens July 1): Delegates $425; Non-delegate adult, full conference, $210; Non-delegate adult, daily rate, $75; Post-high school to age 21, full conference, $50; Post-high school to age 21, daily rate, $20; Current high school student or younger, free; Active BVSer, free. Note there is an additional fee for age-group activities.

Registration for virtual participation (non-delegate only): Adult (until June 10), full conference, $195 or daily rate, $75. Group/institutional registration, $500; Post-high school to age 21, full conference, $75.

For lodging, the Sheraton Greensboro at Four Seasons is connected to the Koury Convention Center, making it extremely convenient for guests. The Annual Conference room rate is $120 plus tax (12.75%) totaling $135.30 per night. Parking is complimentary. The Sheraton Hotel provides complimentary shuttle transportation to and from Piedmont Triad International Airport from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. In room Wi-Fi is complimentary for all hotel guests.

The planning team for the next National Older Adult Conference (NOAC), to be held Sept. 1-5, 2025, at Lake Junaluska, N.C., has announced the theme for the event: “Alive in the Spirit!”

The theme scripture is Romans 15:13: “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit” (NRSVue).

The planning team includes Heidi Berkenbosch, Deanna Brown, Bonnie Kline Smeltzer, Leonard Matheny, Don Mitchell, Karlene Tyler, and coordinator Christy Waltersdorff.

The NOAC 2025 theme statement:

“As the Apostle Paul came to the end of his letter to the Christians living in Rome, he shared his hopes for them. He knew they were strong, if imperfect, followers of Jesus Christ. He knew the church communities had their ups and downs. He knew life was hard for Christians. He also knew that they didn’t have to handle life alone. His hope for them was in the power of God, which would bring joy and peace. The fuel of their faith was the life-giving power of the Holy Spirit.

“We too are called to be ‘Alive in the Spirit!’ We too are called to claim the life-giving power of the Holy Spirit, which empowers everything we do. When we are alive in the Spirit we live with hope, with gratitude, with power, and with joy. Our world needs to experience the transforming love of God. Let’s welcome the wind and the fire of the Holy Spirit into our lives and into our Church so that we may truly be alive in the Spirit.”

 

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There is a Speakers List for the Illinois/Wisconsin District. Persons included in this document have accepted the invitation to be available to preach during worship services or for other special events as indicated. Hopefully you will find this tool useful and valuable when the need arises for inviting a guest speaker.

The speakers on this list are all credentialed ministers, either licensed or ordained. We would like to expand the list to include more credentialed ministers as well as interested laity. If your name is absent from the list and you have interest in serving as a guest speaker, please inform the district office. We would also welcome the names of persons you might suggest for inclusion on the list.

Since this is a new venture, it is likely we may need to provide more information than is included. Your input as to how the list can be improved would be welcomed.

Please share with the District Office any questions, comments, or concerns you may have.

Grants available through the district include the following:

1. Mission and Mortar: Sustaining and developing ministry (mission) within congregations, as well as maintaining property (mortar), is sometimes hindered because of inadequate financial resources. The Illinois/Wisconsin District, whose mission is to support the growth and development of member congregations, realizes that this dilemma exists and desires to financially support congregations that are in good standing with the district and have specific needs. More information can be found here.

2. Being Jesus in the Neighborhood: Congregations can apply for $100 in seed money to start a new outreach project or initiative in their local communities, or to expand an existing one. These should be projects that intentionally engage with the neighborhood immediately around the congregation, or for those in rural locations, with the town or area around the church. Each congregation receiving a grant will be asked to share a little about their project at district conference. More information can be found here.

3. Give Your Pastor a Break: Congregations can apply for up to $100 for a grant to cover or help cover a guest speaker for an extra Sunday to give your pastor a day off—or at least a day off from having to prepare and preach a sermon. We hope this might be part of the ways you care for your pastor. More information can be found here.

4. Emerging Missions Fund: To facilitate the growth and establishment of new faith communities, this grant is available for church and ministry planting initiatives. New church and ministry plants are encouraged to apply by contacting the district office and/or the CRDT.

All ordained ministers, licensed ministers, and congregations need to keep the District Office informed of changes in contact information. Changes include: phone number, cell phone number, email address, mailing address, and congregational email or website. Please email Andrea Garnett, andreag.iwdcob@gmail.com, or call (309)649-6008 with your updates. Your effort will save valuable staff time trying to track down these changes. Other information to share: changes in key leadership positions at the church or the death or serious illnesses of minister, retired ministers, or spouses. Help us serve better!

Do not wait to begin to log your Continuing Education Units. The 2025 Five-year Ordination Review process for ALL ordained ministers will launch in 2024. Ordained ministers are required to produce verification of 5 CEU credits for this five-year period. It is your responsibility to secure certificates, letters or verifying documentation regarding CEU credit. Retired clergy are exempt from this requirement with the exception of those retired clergy actively involved in Interim Ministry.

CEU Notation: The district does not grant CEU credit for personal study and/or self-designed experiences you have had and/or books you have read. It is the minister's responsibility to secure a CEU certificate, Letter of Verification, and/or authentication document for completed training, seminars or workshops, or learning experiences offered by the presenting organization. This verification should always state the number of hours of the training - 10 hours of training equals 1.0 CEU credits. Please take personal initiative to become a life-long learner and increasingly effective minister of the Gospel.

The Gifts Discernment and Call Committee seeks your help. We are commissioned to call active, informed, and committed members of congregations or fellowships from within our District to positions of service. These persons, both pastors and lay members, are to be called from all parts of the District and to represent the diversity among us. Our committee's knowledge of members eligible and capable to serve is limited. Therefore, we make this appeal for assistance.