Church Revitalization and Development Team, Sept. 27, 9 a.m.

“Love Has No Borders: Immigration Issues, Deportation Issues, and Today’s Church,” Oct. 4, 10 a.m.

Leadership Team, Oct. 7, 6:30 p.m.

Program and Arrangements Committee, Oct. 9, 7 p.m.

District Campfire, Oct. 18, Camp Emmaus

INTERIM/Transitional Ministry Round Table Zoom Discussion - Oct. 23 7:30 – 8:30 pm EST

Pre-District Conference Educational Event, “Transforming Conflict,” Nov. 7, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.

Illinois/Wisconsin District Conference, Nov. 7-8, Chateau Hotel / Conference Center, Bloomington, IL

Leadership Team re-organization meeting, Nov. 8, Bloomington, Ill., following district conference

[all meetings via Zoom unless otherwise noted]

September Newsletter

The Illinois/Wisconsin District of the Church of the Brethren seeks a conference coordinator. This part-time contract position would primarily work from Aug. 15 to Nov. 15 each year, with a few meetings via Zoom between January and August for planning the event with the district’s Program & Arrangements Committee. The contract can be renewed annually by mutual consent. This position reports to the district executive minister, with employment carried out by the district leadership team.

It is anticipated that the position would involve an average of 10 hours per week, but the actual number might be lower some weeks and higher for others, with more hours in the month immediately before the conference. Attendance and work at the conference, which rotates to locations throughout Illinois and southern Wisconsin each year the first full weekend of November, is also expected. Travel expenses for conference attendance will be reimbursed.
Specific duties would include:

• Work with the district Program & Arrangements Committee and conference officers to plan and carry out details of the conference.
• Work with the district executive minister and conference officers to create the agenda, overall conference schedule, and the slate for open offices.
• Assemble and produce the conference booklet with reports, budgets, and other materials.
• Conduct registration for the conference, both delegate and non-delegate. This will include coordinating with congregations on their allotted delegates and the corresponding assessment.
• Handle meal sign-ups and payments.
• Coordinate with exhibitors and other guests for space reservations, equipment needs, etc.
• Respond to other questions about the conference from district members and others as needed.
• Act as liaison with the host church/site about space and equipment needs and other details.
• Assist the Ministry Leadership Development Team with any needs related to the pre-conference continuing education event.
• Oversee on-site registration, meal ticket distribution, and logistics.
• Create a tool for evaluation and compiling a report of evaluations following the conference and file the official minutes from the conference in coordination with the conference clerk.

Candidates should be familiar with the Church of the Brethren and the Illinois/Wisconsin District (membership in the Church of the Brethren preferred but not required); have good communication, organization, and planning skills; ideally have some experience in conference planning or in planning/organizing other large events for groups; be flexible in their schedule; and be comfortable using various software applications, including Google Suite or other registration tools, Microsoft Office suite, and Zoom. Location is flexible within the district.

To apply, please send resume’, letter of interest, and two professional references to: Church of the Brethren Illinois/Wisconsin District office, 1S071 Luther Ave., Lombard, IL 60148 or iwdde@outlook.com. Applications will be accepted until the position is filled.

 

Camp Emmaus will hold its annual Camp Celebration Day and Lunch (free event) on Saturday, Sept. 13, beginning with the meal at 1 p.m. and a program following. 

The district is also invited to a campfire and fall event on Saturday, Oct. 18, beginning at 12 p.m. 

The camp recently announced that it had exceeded its goals in its fundraising campaign to replace its commercial dishwasher, which has reached the end of its useful life. A new dishwasher will be installed in time for the 2026 summer season. 

The fall leaf-raking day at the camp will be Saturday, Nov. 15, with a youth retreat held Nov. 14-16. 

Camp Emmaus has also announced its 2026 summer camp dates: 

May 22-25: Memorial Day Family Camp
June 12-14: Counselor-in-Training (CIT)
June 13-14: Elementary Camp
June 14-17: Target Sports Camp
July 5-11: Senior High Camp
July 12-18: Survivor Camp
July 19-23: Intermediate Camp
July 24-26: Young Adult/Young at Heart Camp
July 26- Aug. 1: Middle School Camp
August 6-8: Women's Camp
September 4-7: Labor Day Weekend Family Camp

Learn more at www.campemmaus.org. 

Camp Emmanuel will hold a Galilean Service at the camp on Sept. 14, 4 p.m. It has also announced tentative 2026 dates: 

May 29-31: Women's Camp
June 5-7: Creation Camp
June 7-13: Middle School Camp
June 16-20: Junior Camp
June 26-28: Pre-junior Camp
July 9-12: High School Camp
July 13-17: Day Camp
August 7-9: Men's Camp
September 4-7: Family Camp 

Learn more at www.campem.com. 

The 2025 Church of the Brethren Outdoor Ministries Association (OMA) national conference will take place Nov. 16-20 at Inspiration Hills near Burbank, Ohio, with the theme “Campfire Conversations.” The keynote speaker will be Travis Troyer of Off the Wall Discipleship. Workshop options will include a camp tour, group sharing, and more. A field trip will take participants to BibleWalk, featuring more than 325 wax figures of biblical scenes, and games, debriefing, and recreation will also be part of the week. Cost for OMA camp members is $200, non-members $225. Registration and more information can be found at https://omacob.org/camps-2/annual-retreat/. 

The 2026 OMA “InsideOut” camp curriculum will be titled “In the Wilderness.” An introduction to the theme notes: “Wilderness is a time or place where we encounter what is new, strange, scary, lonely, unknown or mysterious. The wilderness is a wild and beautiful time and place where we can discover the sacred within each person and all creation. … The wilderness reveals our strengths, growing edges, and potential as God equips us for the unknown still to come. The wilderness awaits us all, and God meets us there.” The annual InsideOut curriculum is a partnership between the Church of the Brethren and a variety of other denominations for use in outdoor ministry. Learn more at https://insideoutcurriculum.com/.

The fall leaf-raking day at the Camp Emmaus will be Saturday, Nov. 15, with a youth retreat held Nov. 14-16. 

Note that this year’s National Junior High Sunday is Nov. 2 with the theme “Let Your Gentleness Be Known,” from Philippians 4:5. Find resources at https://www.brethren.org/yya/jr-high-resources/.

Brethren Disaster Ministries (BDM) is continuing work this year at a rebuilding site in Letcher County, Ky., with new builds and repairs of homes damaged during the July 2022 flooding event. Illinois/Wisconsin is scheduled to assist with a team in Letcher County Dec. 7-13. A second project site is expected to open later this year. In 2026, our district’s volunteer week will shift to the summer, late August/early September. 

For those interested in volunteering with Children’s Disaster Services, two trainings are available this fall: Sept. 26-27 at Warrensburg (Mo.) First United Methodist Church and Oct. 17-18 at Elizabethtown (Pa.) Church of the Brethren, and two in spring 2026: Feb. 20-21 in Beaufort, S.C., and Feb. 27-28 in Glendale, Ariz. Registration, including all meals, curriculum, and overnight is $55 for early bird, and $65 if sent less than three weeks before the event. Participants in the 25-hour training, which includes a simulated shelter experience, learn to provide comfort and encouragement to children by offering the healing young children need in traumatic situations. Learn more and register at https://www.brethren.org/cds/training/.

The district will host a special workshop on Saturday, Oct. 4: “Love Has No Borders: Immigration Issues, Deportation, and Today's Church.” This online Zoom event will take place from 10-11:30 a.m. and will be led by Phyllis Dodd, a social worker and Church of the Brethren member from Greensboro, Md. 

Phyllis has worked extensively in the fields of immigration and deportation cases for many years and wrote the book "Love Has No Borders: True Stories of Desperation as Seen by a Social Worker." A graduate of Juniata College, she has also served as refugee resettlement coordinator for Mid-Atlantic District and is a talented musician who plays bass with a local band. 

There is no charge for this event, and anyone is welcome to attend. Clergy can receive 0.15 CEU's for participating. To register and receive the Zoom link, please contact the IL/WI District office at iwdde@outlook.com by Oct. 1. 

Deportation Defense Response Team: This denominational effort, organized by several districts with large numbers of undocumented members to provide support, advocacy, and legal assistance as needed—is inviting partnerships. Congregations wishing to aid this need through special offerings or other fundraising can send gifts to Atlantic Southeast District; contact district executive Beth Sollenberger for more information about sending an offering to the Deportation Defense Response Team at atlanticsoutheastcob@gmail.com. In a recent update from the team, it said 37 Church of the Brethren congregations had been impacted by various concerns around immigration in five districts. These are the churches with the most immigrants in their congregations. In those five districts combined, six churches were dealing with 11 deportations, with 10 people detained. Some of the families of the detained or deported people are homeless and in need of legal and financial support. The team will distribute funds received to members of the church facing immigration challenges who are in need of legal support. The group is also seeking Brethren attorneys who might be willing to assist the work. If you can help, please contact Julie Avila, Educator & Organizer on the Deportation Defense Response Team, at migrantjustice@onearthpeace.org.

October 18th

12pm - Bring a Picnic Lunch
1pm - Hay Rack Ride
2pm - Hay Rack Ride
3-4:30pm - Campfire and S'mores

Camp Emmaus
3011 W Camp Rd
Oregon IL 61061

This year's pre-district conference educational workshop will focus on “Transforming Conflict,” with a training in Kingian Nonviolence Conflict Reconciliation principles and tools led by staff of On Earth Peace. We hope it will help you and your congregations live out our call to be practitioners of nonviolence. It will be held at The Chateau Hotel & Conference Center in Bloomington, Ill., from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 7, in the Library Room off the hotel lobby. Cost is $25 including lunch. 

While clergy are especially encouraged to attend (and can receive 0.5 CEU's for participation), all are welcome. To register, please contact the district office at iwdde@outlook.com and send your name and congregation; checks should be made payable to the Illinois/Wisconsin District CoB and mailed to the district office at 1S 071 Luther Ave., Lombard, IL 60148.

The 2025 Illinois/Wisconsin District conference will take place Nov. 7-8 at The Chateau Hotel & Conference Center in Bloomington, Ill. Bill Williams (Yellow Creek) will serve as moderator, with the theme “Are You Being Called?” Jocelyn Watkins (Peoria First) serves as moderator-elect.

Registration: Non-delegate registration is now open at https://ilwidistrictconference25.rsvpify.com/! Please register by Nov. 1. Cost for non-delegates this year is $15 per person, not including meals or lodging. Saturday lunch is available for $20, a plated meal with either Chicken a la Greque or Vegetarian Lasagna. You will receive an email asking for your meal preference (if any) after registering. Please send a check for the total amount made payable to Church of the Brethren IL/WI District to 1S071 Luther Ave., Lombard, IL 60148. Delegate registration is covered by each congregation’s district assessment, up to the allotted number of delegates; this assessment must be paid in order for delegates to be seated. Congregations should send their list of delegates (names and emails) to the district office at iwdde@outlook.com. To date, assessment payments have been received from: Cerro Gordo, Chicago First, Dixon, Freeport, Girard, Highland Avenue, Lanark, and Yellow Creek.

Facility: The district Program & Arrangements Committee decided to use a conference center this year since no other congregations in the South/Central region that hadn’t already held district events recently were readily available to host in their buildings in 2025. Cerro Gordo and perhaps other area congregations will help to “host” the conference in Bloomington, however, and Peoria First members are working on worship center plans. The Chateau is a unique facility, designed like a medieval castle, located at Veterans Parkway and Jumer Drive in Bloomington, right by the Bloomington-Normal line. It has an indoor pool and small fitness center. Numerous restaurants, a supermarket, and other stores are located nearby. It is easily accessed from I-55, I-74, and I-39. There’s also an Amtrak and bus station in downtown Normal with regular public bus service that drops off across the street from the hotel. The Bloomington airport is only about two miles away. The Constitution Trail runs along the river just behind the hotel for walking or cycling. The hotel and meeting spaces are handicapped-accessible, and ample parking is available. In addition to the main hotel lobby entrance, a breezeway entrance and parking are available behind the hotel at the conference center area.

Lodging: A block of rooms has been set aside for our group at The Chateau Hotel. A smaller block is available Thursday night for anyone wishing to come ahead of the pre-conference event on Friday or to enjoy some extra time in the area, with a larger block available for Friday night. The rate is $99/night plus tax for a single king or double queen room, including continental breakfast. Parking is free. To reserve, call the hotel directly at 309-662-2020 and mention that you’re part of the Church of the Brethren event.

Meals: A plated lunch provided by the conference center will be available for order on Saturday at $20 per person. Choices will be Chicken a la Greque or Vegetarian Lasagna. An email about meals will be sent to delegates and non-delegates after they register. A boxed lunch will also be included as part of the Friday pre-conference educational event. Numerous restaurants are available nearby, as well. A list of options will be included as part of the conference materials.

Exhibits: An exhibit area will be available surrounding our dining space in the Bonaparte Room.

Schedule: The main conference will start with a hymn sing at 7:10 p.m. and worship at 7:30 p.m. Friday evening in the Smart Auditorium. An ice cream social with packaged ice cream treats will follow. Saturday, business will begin at 8:45 a.m., and is scheduled to end by 4 p.m. Equipping session options will be available after lunch on Saturday. Exhibits will be open throughout the conference.

Delegates: All congregations are encouraged to send delegates to the conference. An assessment of $30 per delegate and a count of allotted delegates has been sent to each congregation. Per the 2022 constitution revisions, each congregation of 100 or fewer members can send three delegates, with one additional delegate for every 100 members or portion thereof. The pastor (if any) and board/leadership team chair typically serve as delegates, along with at-large members called by the congregation. Assessments must be paid in order to seat delegates; this does not include meal or lodging costs.

Non-delegates: The registration cost for non-delegates this year will be $15 per person, not including meal or lodging costs. Registration information can be found above. Anyone is welcome to attend the conference, but all need to register.

Business: Among the items on the agenda will be the district budget for 2026, the slate of candidates for offices that is being finalized by the Gifts Discernment and Call Committee and the leadership team, a recommendation to officially disorganize the Rockford Community church, agency and committee reports, and equipping session workshops.

Pre-Conference Continuing Education Event: A continuing education event offering training and discussion around the topic of Kingian Non-Violence will be offered by On Earth Peace from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 7, in the hotel’s Library Room off the main lobby. It is open to anyone. Clergy can receive 0.5 CEU’s for participating. See more details above.

Conference Service Project: Champaign Church of the Brethren has an important outreach ministry in their neighborhood, headed up by ministry leader Dawn Blackman. In addition to their community gardens, they have a food pantry and the Dorcas Clothes Closet. The district Program and Arrangements Committee wants to support these ministries, so our service project for district conference invites your congregation to send some of the following items:

• Cake Mix and frosting along with birthday candles
• Cooking oil (like canola)
• Peanut butter
• Jelly
• Cereal
• Fruit cups
• Canned corn
• Canned green beans
• Oatmeal
• Canning jars
• Gardening tools
• Reusable bags
• Reams of printer paper
• Used crockpots
• Lightly used coats
• Lightly used boots
• Socks
• Backpacks

Other: Due to the venue and limited usage in recent years, we do not anticipate having a Zoom option available this year, but we’re looking into recording parts of the events. … There will not be an auction at district conference this year.

We hope that you and other members of your congregation will join us for this important time in the life of our district!

May 22-25 - Memorial Day Weekend June 12-14 - Counselor Training (CIT) June 13-14 - Elementary Camp June 14-17 - Target Sports Camp July 5-11 - Senior High Camp July 12-18 - Survivor Camp July 19-23 - Intermediate Camp July 24-26 - YAAYAH Camp July 26- Aug. 1 - Middle School Camp August 6-8 - Women's Camp September 4-7 - Labor Day Weekend

May 29-31 - Women's Camp  June 5-7 - Creation Camp  June 7-13 - Middle School Camp  June 16-20 - Junior Camp  June 26-28 - Pre-junior Camp  July 9-12 - High School Camp  July 13-17 - Day Camp  August 7-9 - Men's Camp  September 4-7 - Family Camp

The Church of the Brethren National Youth Conference 2026 will take place July 18-23, 2026, at the YMCA of the Rockies in Estes Park, Colorado. The theme for NYC 2026 is “Light Within Us,” based on Matthew 5:14-16. Youth who have finished 9th grade through their first year of college (or age equivalent) are invited to attend with adult advisors. This will be a week full of fellowship, worship, service projects, recreation, and so much more! Registration opens Jan. 5; visit www.brethren.org/nyc for more information. The cost of NYC is $625 for early bird registration, $650 for regular registration, and $675 for late registration. If you have any questions, reach out to Rachel Johnson (rjohnson@brethren.org).

*If your congregation is considering sending youth and adults to NYC next summer, please contact the district office so that we can begin to compile a list for possible transportation options. 

Because it will be a new location for many of the advisors who will bring youth, an NYC 2026 Advisor Preview will take place Oct. 11-13. Attendees will have the opportunity to tour the campus, check out the food and lodging, and see what recreation options are like. 

Additionally, participants will have a learning opportunity with Charles (Chuck) Hunt, who will lead sessions based on the book Faith Beyond Youth Group. The sessions will build on work by the Fuller Youth Institute, where Hunt is senior director of training, all while inspiring participants and providing new tools to help in various ministry contexts. Continuing education credit will be available. 

Registration for the preview event is $375, including two nights’ double-occupancy lodging, four meals, and all sessions. All registrants will be responsible for their transportation to and from the YMCA of the Rockies. (Denver International Airport is the most convenient, and there is shuttle service to the YMCA.) For more information, go to www.brethren.org/yya/advisor-preview-weekend-for-nyc-2026 or contact Becky Ullom Naugle, director of Youth and Young Adult Ministries, at bullomnaugle@brethren.org or 847-429-4385. 

Also, note that this year’s National Junior High Sunday is Nov. 2 with the theme “Let Your Gentleness Be Known,” from Philippians 4:5. Find resources at https://www.brethren.org/yya/jr-high-resources/.

 

• Official IL/WI Channel
• Older Content

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. 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 Peggy Moylan, peg.district@gmail.com, or call 630-644-4259 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.