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The Gathering Chicago celebrates their Anniversary with a very special event June 28

The Gathering Chicago will have a very special Leaders #Refresh Event as a part of the Anniversary activities.

Rev. Dr. Frank A. Thomas will be our special guest speaker. He is Professor of Homiletics and Director of the Academy of Preaching and Celebration at Christian Theological Seminary.

We invite all of our sisters, brothers, district church family to join us for this time of refreshment for leaders and Jesus followers for these times.

To register, go to TheGatheringChicago.org. For more information or to join the mailing list, please email connect@thegatheringchicago.org or call us at 773-595-4048.

One of our main prayer points this year is to pray for our Church of the Brethren sister and brothers and churches as we pray for the world and serve, walk with and follow Jesus in these times.

We are thankful for you and continue to hold you in our prayers always.

God bless and thanks,
LaDonna Nkosi
Convening Pastor - TheGatheringChicago.org

 

The Conference takes place July 4-8 in Cincinnati, Ohio. Find out more at www.brethren.org/ac.

May 25-28, 2018	Memorial Day Weekend Family Camp
July 4-8	Annual Conference @ Cincinnati OH
July 8-14	Senior High Camp
July 15-18	Elementary II Camp
July 21-26	National Youth Conference @ Fort Collins, Colorado
July 27-29	Counselor In Training Event
July 28-29	Elementary I Camp
July 29 - August 4	Junior High Camp
August 5-10	Elementary III Camp
August 9-11	Women's Camp
August 31 - September 3	Labor Day Weekend Family Camp

Great visions often have humble beginnings. So was the case for the Brethren Home in Mt. Morris, IL. As early as 1878 a simple thought to provide care for widows and orphans emerged among Church of the Brethren members in the Northern Illinois and Wisconsin District. By 1893 a simple two-story structure featuring 19 rooms had been built on 13 acres of Mt Morris’s south side.

Today, 125 years later, that simple vision has transformed into Pinecrest Community, a dynamic and vigorous residence for 175 seniors. Now situated on 40 acres and featuring independent living, intermediate and skilled nursing care, short-term rehab, a specialized memory care facility, and flexible community center, Pinecrest is a 5-star community recognized for its quality care and vibrant senior living.

Pinecrest's legacy is service, compassion, faith, and caring. The past is rich. The Pinecrest future is even more promising.

Pinecrest is planning a 125th anniversary celebration for Saturday, August 11.

Events will include complimentary lunch under the tent, family oriented activities, music, facility tours, ice cream and more. All are invited to attend. Please plan to attend on August 11. 

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.

The purpose of the Illinois/Wisconsin District is supporting the growth and development of the member churches. One means of support is financial assistance. Congregations in good standing are eligible to apply for assistance through the Mission and Mortar Program. 

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 realizes that this dilemma exists and desires to financially support congregations that are in good standing with the district and have specific needs. Application for assistance may be made for up to a three-year period with reductions in the amount of support for each subsequent year. In the event that multi-year assistance is needed, a graduated agreement for funding will be arranged, but a request for the funds must be made annually.

Read the brochure for more details.

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 2015 Five-year Ordination Review process for ALL ordained ministers will launch in 2014. 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.