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. Lots of new information is available! Keep reading for more:
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. Cost and menu are still being finalized. 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.
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. More details to come.
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 for non-delegates will open by Sept. 1. 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.
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
