MetroWord. Metropolitan Chicago Synod April Register for ELCA World Hunger s Food for Thought Congregational Activity, April 21

Transcription

1 Metropolitan Chicago Synod April 2018 MetroWord Learn at Professional Leaders Conference, April 18 This year s Professional Leaders Conference for rostered leaders will take place on Wednesday, April 18, 2018, 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at the Lutheran Center, 8765 W. Higgins Rd., Chicago IL Online registration for this free event is available at The cost is $20 if registering after April 12. The plenary speaker will be the Rev. Leila M. Ortiz who is an Assistant to the Bishop of the Metropolitan Washington, D.C. Synod of the ELCA. After worship and lunch, the afternoon sessions will be devoted to workshops exploring topics such as: the ELCA s strategy to Accompanying Migrant Minors with Protection, Advocacy, Representation and Opportunities (AMMPARO), Draft Social Statement on Women and Justice, The Invitational Christian, Portico Resources, Getting Unstuck, Presenter Conversation, the ELCA Credit Union, and more. Participants will select workshops at the event, and list of workshops will be made available prior to April 18. Contact the Rev. Sarah Stumme in the synod office at sstumme@mcselca.org or with any questions. Register for ELCA World Hunger s Food for Thought Congregational Activity, April 21 Congratulations on the successful completion of the Metropolitan Chicago Synod Million Dollar Challenge for ELCA World Hunger. Now that you ve got the basics, come to spice up your next ELCA World Hunger congregational activity. You are invited to join us on Saturday, April 21, 2018, for Food for Thought at the Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago, the Refectory and Sola Café, 1100 E. 55th St., Chicago, IL 60615, from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Online registration for this free event is available at Registration ends on April 12. Food for Thought includes a resource fair, stories you can share with your congregation, and a special cooking-related challenge. Who should come? This gathering is perfect for a small congregational delegation with ideally at least two people per congregation. Within your group, think about including: congregational influencer, hunger ministry servants, and creative cooks. Remember to make it inter-generational youth strongly encouraged to attend as part of your team. Thank you for your interest in ELCA World Hunger s Food for Thought. If you have any questions about this event, please hunger@elca.org or call ext

2 MetroWord April 2018 Page 2 Consider a TSI Grant The Metropolitan Chicago Synod works to energize and renew congregations, supporting their efforts to turnaround and begin to grow and thrive. Our Turnaround Synod Initiative (TSI) is a program that invites congregations to be inspired, challenged, and empowered to increase participation in their congregation and community and become more engaged. TSI Grants are partnership grants for congregations who have identified and are seeking to achieve specific renewal goals or outcomes such as leadership training, strategic mission planning, or evangelism education and implementation. For more information about TSI Grants, please the Rev. Sarah Stumme at sstumme@mcselca.org. If you do not have access to the internet, phone , ext. 13, to leave a message. Attend Understanding and Analyzing Systemic Racism Workshop An Analyzing and Understanding Systemic Racism workshop will take place Thursday- Saturday, April 26-28, 2018, at the Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago, 1100 E. 55th St., Chicago, IL An in-depth look at race and racism in the United States, this workshop is designed to reveal how systemic racism creates barriers to true multicultural diversity and racial justice. The workshop will help participants struggle with the tough questions and begin to equip them with the skills to dismantle racism and transform institutions. ELCA Members use Promo Code: MCSYNOD. Regular Registration is $125, after Tuesday, March 26, 2018, and $95 before March 26. Register at ministry/antiracism. Learn at Coaches Training for Missional Renewal, April Coaches Training for Missional Renewal is a program of equipping, licensing, and support that prepares people to coach with congregations using tried and tested resources and supports for missional renewal. It will take place from Monday to Wednesday, April 23-25, 2018, at Cenacle Retreat and Conference Center, 513 W. Fullerton Pkwy., Chicago, IL The program is for regional church bodies who seek to build capacity for supporting missional renewal, and those interested in training leaders to support congregations in their regional structure. It is also for individual leaders who seek to expand their ministry skills and capacities as a coach supporting missional renewal. At the event participants will receive foundational training for this work, and training to use resources specific to creating readiness for renewal and to building shared commitment to renewal priorities. Participants will also receive an introduction to a set of additional key learning modules for missional renewal. For more information, visit coaches-training or contact the Rev. Dale Ziemer at dale@missionalchurch.org or

3 MetroWord April 2018 Page 3 Early Synod Assembly Registration Available Online Early registration for this year s synod assembly, June 8-9, 2018, at the Tinley Park Convention Center, Convention Center Dr., Tinley Park, IL 60477, is available at assembly. Early registration ends May 8, Hotel reservation assembly rates end on May 19. If you do not have access to the Internet, please call Sandie Schlauch at the synod office at , between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., Tuesday, Wednesday, or Thursday, to register by phone. Cost Voting member: $175 (includes box lunch on Friday) Retired rostered voting member: $125 (includes box lunch on Friday) Visitor: $175 (includes box lunch on Friday) Display host: $175 (includes box lunch on Friday) The above costs are for early registration. Early registration ends on Tuesday, May 8, After May 8, 2018, regular registration begins. Add $25 to the above costs for regular registration. Resolutions and Elections Resolutions are due in the synod office by April 1, Nomination forms for Churchwide Assembly voting members are due by May 1, Individuals nominated must be able to attend the Churchwide Assembly that will take place in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, August 5-10, Forms for both resolutions and nominations are available at (upper righthand side of page). Fund for Mission Applications Due April 1 In 1997, the Metropolitan Chicago Synod created a mission endowment fund to assist congregations to energize and extend the reach of their mission. In November 2017, grants totaling $64,000 were distributed. Grant applications are due in the synod office by April 1, Congregations that have previously received funding may apply for one follow-up grant for the same project. Visit for an application and more information. LSSI Presents Compassion on Tap April 10 Lutheran Social Services of Illinois (LSSI) presents its first Compassion on Tap fundraiser on Tuesday, April 10, 2018, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at Revolution Brewing, 2323 N. Milwaukee, Chicago IL Tickets are $25 for this gathering to connect young people with LSSI while enjoying food and beer from Revolution Brewing. An additional raffle will feature prizes that include Chicago experiences, beer and cigar samplers, and sports tickets. All proceeds benefit camp and summer tuition for children in LSSI s Intact Family Services program. Visit to purchase tickets or for more information contact Tryg.Jensen@LSSI.org or

4 MetroWord April 2018 Page 4 Jonathan Rundman to Be at Our Saviour s, Arlington Heights, April Singer and songwriter Jonathan Rundman will be at Our Saviour s Lutheran Church, 1234 N. Arlington Heights Rd., Arlington Heights, IL 60004, on Saturday and Sunday, April 14 and 15, He will be the guest musician at all its worship services that weekend, and he ll be featured in a concert on Saturday, April 14, 2018, at 7:30 p.m. Rundman has been writing songs and performing across the country since he was 18 years old. He emerged on the national music scene as a Chicagobased touring artist, generating rave reviews in Billboard, The New York Times, Performing Songwriter, Paste, and countless regional publications. Now living in Minneapolis, he continues to tour and record. Jonathan s music has been heard throughout Lutheran Churches in the USA, as well as on radio in North America and Europe. Saturday, April 14 5:00pm Worship 7:30pm Concert (freewill offering) Sunday, April 15 9:00am Worship 10:10 to 10:50am Q & A 11:00am Worship Visit for more information. Complete Your 2018 Portico Live Well Challenge If you have ELCA- Primary health coverage through Portico, this year s Live Well Challenge invites you to a deeper understanding of your own physical and financial health. In 2018, you (and your spouse, if you both have ELCA-Primary health benefits) can gain personalized insights to inspire next steps that are right for you and earn up to $400 wellness dollars as you: Assess your health in a new way through personalized biometric screening Strengthen your financial confidence by conducting an annual review of your retirement plan and building other healthy habits around money Live Well Challenge page Campaign/LiveWell FAQs about biometric screening Campaign/LiveWell/Biometrics Retirement Questions? Portico Can Help Retirement planning can seem daunting without someone to walk you through it. Portico s day-long pre-retirement seminar for plan members age 50+ does just that. The seminar covers many facets of retirement planning in understandable terms from establishing a retirement budget to reviewing health care options. Take advantage of this opportunity by attending the seminar on Monday, May 7, 2018, at the ELCA Lutheran Center, 8765 W. Higgins Rd., Chicago, IL Visit to register. The cost is $35 per person or $70 per couple. Register by April 7.

5 MetroWord April 2018 Page 5 Metropolitan Chicago Synod Directory Changes Name Change Effective Jones, Sandra I. Transferred to Texas-Louisiana Gulf Coast Synod 2/4/2018 Invitation to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Remembrance Service, April 4, 2018 The event, organized by the National Council of Churches in Christ in the USA, will bring together many ELCA members from across the country. The ELCA is a founding member of the council. The rally s call to action emphasizes three key points: awaken to the truth that racism is evil and hurts us all; confront racism through truth-telling and action to right the wrong; and transform the hearts, minds, and behaviors of people and institutions. In commemoration of the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. 50 years ago, area clergy and the Illinois Commission on Diversity and Human Relations are joining together to host a Dr. King Remembrance Service on Wednesday, April 4, 2018, at 7 p.m. at Our Saviour s Lutheran Church, 1234 N. Arlington Heights Rd., Arlington Heights, IL All are invited to attend. There will be music, prayers and messages of peace, justice, and unity. For more information, contact the congregation at ELCA Presiding Bishop to Participate in Rally to End Racism CHICAGO ELCA News service (Feb. 6, 2018) In commemoration of the 50th anniversary of the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr., the Rev. Elizabeth A. Eaton, presiding bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), will join ecumenical and inter-religious partners for Act Now: Unite to End Racism on April 3-5 in Washington, D.C. The focus of the three-day event will be a rally on April 4 on the National Mall. Events begin April 3 with an ecumenical worship service at St. Sophia Greek Orthodox Cathedral and will be capped off by a lobby day on Capitol Hill April 5. All are invited to join Bishop Eaton at the event. Learn more at Bishop Wayne N. Miller will also be attending. God s work. Our hands. Sunday God s work. Our hands. Sunday will be Sunday, September 9, This day is an opportunity to celebrate who we are as the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America one church, freed in Christ to serve and love our neighbor. Service activities offer an opportunity for us to explore one of our most basic convictions as Lutherans: that all of life in Jesus Christ every act of service, in every daily calling, in every corner of life flows freely from a living, daring confidence in God s grace. You work every day to make your community a better place. Let us continue doing this work together in View the video at and access resources at GWOH-Sunday to guide your congregation s planning, promotion and more.

6 MetroWord April 2018 Page 6 Metropolitan Chicago Synod Calendar (For the most up-to-date calendar information, visit April 15 Synod Newsletter Articles Due 18 Professional Leaders Conference, The Lutheran Center, 8765 W. Higgins Rd., Chicago, IL 60631, 9AM 19 Synod Council Executive Committee Meeting Synod Office, 7:30PM 21 ELCA World Hunger Food for Thought at the Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago, the Refectory and Sola Café, 1100 E. 55th St., Chicago, IL 60615, 9:30AM 28 Synod Council Meeting Synod Office, 9AM Rostered Leader Vacancies Congregations Actively Engaged in the Call Process KEY: (A) Self-study (B) Candidate search or interviewing (C) Call Extended (D) Call Accepted (PT) Part-time (*) Associate Position Central St. John, Wilmette B St. James, Chicago on hold Mission of Christ, Chicago on hold St. Paul, Evanston A St. Stephen s, Chicago on hold Norwegian Lutheran Memorial, Chicago on hold Northwest Windsor Park, Chicago on hold St. James, Chicago on hold Grace, Mount Prospect A Southwest St. Timothy (Kildare), Chicago on hold Lutheran Church of the Cross, Arlington Heights A First, Blue Island B Near West Martha and Mary, Mount Prospect on hold First, Harvey on hold Christ, Clarendon Hills (PT) B Trinity, Des Plaines on hold Redeemer, Oak Forest on hold St. Michael s, La Grange Park A Trinity, Rolling Meadows A Redeemer s, South Holland B North South St. Philip, Blue Island B Atonement, Barrington B Ashburn, Chicago B West Christ, Vernon Hills A Bethany, Chicago on hold Bethlehem, St. Charles A St. Paul, Waukegan A Bethel-Imani, Chicago on hold Faith, Glen Ellyn A Northeast Calvary (Kenneth), Chicago on hold Lutheran Church of the Master, Carol Stream B Holy Family, Chicago A Christ the Mediator, Chicago on hold Our Saviour s, Naperville A The Metropolitan Chicago Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America publishes MetroWord monthly. The deadline for submitting information is the 15 th of the current month for the next month s issue. Articles will be edited for space and clarity. Contact the synod office at: 1420 W. Dickens Ave., Chicago, IL Ph: Fax: Webpage: - MetroWord jdrake@mcselca.org. MetroWord is available online as a PDF at

7 Contact Adriana Plocinski Telephone Cell Website FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE March 15, 2018 LOMC SELECTED AS 2018 PEDAL FOR A PURPOSE RECIPIENT News from the Central Southern Illinois Synod Oregon, IL, March 15, 2018 Lutheran Outdoor Ministries Center (LOMC) is honored to be the recipient of the 2018 Pedal for a Purpose fundraiser by the Central Southern Illinois Synod (CSIS)!! Pastor Adam Dichsen at Faith Lutheran Church in Jacksonville, IL, is the organizer of this annual fundraiser. Over the past five years the CSIS has raised over $150,000, most notably an astonishing $60,000+ last year for Lutheran Social Services of Illinois. A major reason we chose to support LOMC is research shows that outdoor camp ministry has a major impact in helping youth discern calls to ministry. The entire church is experiencing a shortage of pastors and by supporting LOMC we hope to help build God's Kingdom by nurturing more future leaders. ~Pastor Adam Dichsen The goal for this 2018 spring fundraiser, effective now and to be completed by the CSIS Assembly first week of June, is to raise $25,000+ for LOMC. Funds will go towards the refurbishment of a bunkhouse in Timbers or Meadows Villages. The appeal of $25,000 will fund the critical need of new siding and bathrooms for one bunkhouse. In total, 6 buildings need to be renovated. ALL ELCA IL synods are invited to support this initiative and hold a fundraiser of any kind to contribute to making all things new (Revelation 21:5) for the facilities at camp. There are many fundraising ideas and ways to help. Please see the documents posted on the LOMC Web site: for a full marketing packet of materials detailing the Pedal for Purpose initiative. In particular, pages 7-8 highlight how congregations and individuals can get involved. Please also follow Pedal for a Purpose Illinois Facebook page to stay updated. We are overwhelmed with gratitude to the CSIS and Pr. Adam Dichsen with the honor of being the recipient of this fundraiser! We are excited at the great potential for which it will serve in updating our facilities so they are up to the standard our guests would expect, allowing us to carry on our outdoor ministry for many years to come! We give great thanks to God for all His provisions! ~Adriana Plocinski, LOMC Development Director The purpose of Lutheran Outdoor Ministries Center is to be the Church in outdoor settings, nurturing Christian faith, and providing experiences connecting the Word of God with the World of God. # # #

8

9 Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Remembrance Service Wednesday, April 4, 2018 at 7:00pm Our Saviour s Lutheran Church 1234 N. Arlington Heights Road Arlington Heights, IL In commemoration of the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. 50 years ago, all are invited to gather as beloved community. We will worship, remember, and commit ourselves to fulfilling God s vision and Dr. King s dream! Sponsored by area churches and the Illinois Commission on Diversity and Human Relations

10 REVISED TOOLKIT TRAINING Hosted by: St. Philip Lutheran Church 1609 Pfingsten Road Glenview, IL Register: RWKS.org/BIC What if extending a specific welcome to LGBTQIA+ people sparked a renewal of your community s faith life? Friday April 6 5:30 p.m. Registration 6:00 9 p.m. Training Saturday April 7 9 a.m. 5 p.m. Training Training by: A Building an Inclusive Church (BIC) training helps you design and implement a journey for your faith community to publicly and intentionally welcome people of all sexual orientations, gender identities, and gender expressions. Building an Inclusive Church equips you with ways to create dialogue, deepening relationships throughout your faith community rather than sparking debate and division. The registration fee of $100 includes training, materials, refreshments, and lunch. Registration, cancellation, and refund deadline is two weeks before the training. Reduced income registrations are available.

11 Friends of Lutheran World Relief announces 41 st Annual Spring Luncheon Friday, April 20, 2018 Avalon Banquets 1905 E. Higgins Rd., Elk Grove Village Handicap accessible with ample parking. Arrive at 11:00 a.m. to view a display of Quilts, Care Kits and also purchase fair trade products. Lunch will be served at 12 noon. Guest Speaker: The Rev. Dr. Stephen Paul Bouman serves as executive director of the ELCA Domestic Mission unit. He served as a parish pastor for over 20 years and as bishop of the ELCA Metro New York Synod for 12 years. He is the founder of the Diakonia lay training program. Pastor Bouman graduated from Concordia Theological Seminary/ Seminex in He received earned doctorates in 1978 and 1980, and honorary doctorates in 2001 and Pastor Bouman is the author of five books, including Grace All Around Us (an account of ministry at the time of 9/11) (2007), They Are Us: Lutherans and Immigration (2009), and Baptized For This Moment: rediscovering grace all around us (2016). We welcome him and look forward to his presentation "Baptized for This Moment: Accompanying God's Grace in the World." Reservations at $25 per person are due no later than April 7 (payable to Friends of Lutheran World Relief) and mailed to Olinda Fink, 215 Marengo Avenue, #2F; Forest Park, IL ( ). Include the name, address and name of church for each person attending. Choice of entrée for each indicate V for vegetarian, C for chicken. Lutheran World Relief is a ministry of U.S. Lutherans that affirms God s love for all people and works to end poverty, injustice and human suffering around the world. For more information about Friends of LWR: or contact Elizabeth Gotsch, president, at

12 IMAGE: Youth Ministry in a Visual Age The Forum brings together rigorous academic training, rich networks of support, and praxis-oriented community building. Youth ministers, Christian educators, pastors, ministry innovators, and emerging scholars gather annually for this 4-day event on the campus of Princeton Theological Seminary. Join us to nurture vocational friendships, stretch your imagination, and give Sabbath to your soul. Matthew Milliner Lecturer Brian Bantum Lecturer Aqueelah Ligonde Preacher Nancy Lammers-Gross Preacher Katie Douglass Theologian-In-Residence For more information visit: IYMforum.com

13 Save the Date: Lutheran Campus Ministry at Northwestern Showcase Dinner, Student Talks, Musical Entertainment S A T U R D A Y M A Y 5, : 0 0 P M - 9 : 3 0 P M L C M N U C E N T E R O R R I N G T O N A V E N U E, E V A N S T O N, I L GENERAL ADMISSION: $35 PRESALE OR $40 AT THE DOOR; STUDENTS (ALL AGES) WITH ID: $15 ALL PROCEEDS TO SUPPORT THE MINISTRY OF LCMNU T o p u r c h a s e t i c k e t s, g o t o b i t. l y / L C M N U o r c o n t a c t t h e L C M N U o f f i c e a t l u t h e r a n c u. n o r t h w e s t e r n. e d u o r

14 Join us for an evening full of food, music and fun! Schedule of Events: 5-5:30pm Gathering* (music and drinks) 5:30-5:45pm Welcome and Intro to the Evening* 6-6:20pm Student Presentations 6:30-6:50pm Student Presentations 7pm-8pm Dinner* 8-9:30pm Musical Entertainment by the students* *Event will be held outside, weather permitting. Free parking available on all streets. LCMNU is located two blocks east and one block south of CTA Purple Line Noyes stop. Please note that LCMNU is not handicapped accessible. Please contact us regarding any accessibilty needs by calling our office ( ) or ing prior to the event. Find out more about LCMNU and our mission by visiting lcmnorthwestern.org or liking us on Facebook at facebook.com/nulutheran.