Diakonia

Purpose and Description of Diakonia

Diakonia is a two year process of spiritual formation and theological education for baptized members of the Lutheran church.  This process occurs in three basic ways:

·         by thorough grounding in the classic seminary disciplines of practical, systematic, historical, and Biblical theology;

·         by identifying particular skills and aptitudes in ministry, and encouraging their use in the local parish;

·         by providing spiritual growth through worship, retreats, and a supportive community of fellow students, mentors, and instructors.

Highlights of 2005

Diakonia began its 3rd year of classes in the Northern Illinois Synod in September of 2005.  To better serve the eastern portions of the synod, a new site was added at St. Barnabas in Cary.  Classes are now offered in Cary on Saturday mornings, in Moline on Tuesday evenings, and in Rockford on Thursday evenings.

We were honored by the presence of Presiding Bishop Mark Hanson at our diakonia graduation.  Bishop Hanson preached at our joint graduation service with the Metropolitan Chicago Synod.  Metropolitan Chicago Synod Bishop Paul R. Landahl and Northern Illinois Synod Bishop Gary M. Wollersheim were also both present.  The service was held at Prince of Peace Lutheran Church in Schaumburg, Illinois.  Rev. Dr. Don Myrom presided at the liturgy.  Several members of the Diakonia national board were present and the graduating class received written greetings from Bishop Steven Paul Bouman, Metropolitan New York Synod and founder of diakonia, Bishop Roy Riley, New Jersey Synod and Bishop Roy Almquist, SEPA Synod.

The graduates of the first graduating class of the Northern Illinois Synod (2005) were:

·         Helen Barrett

·         Michael Bryant

·         Judith Cook

·         Shirley Finger

·         Jill Flickinger

·         Vicki Gehrke

·         Jeff Johnson

·         Douglas Liston

·         Helen Meier

·         Sandra McGaughy

·         Christin Moreland

·         Diane Nelson

·         Jim Rylander

·         Lisa Short

·         Thomas Strain

·         Craig Watters

Additionally, five graduates of the Metro Chicago sites belong to Northern Illinois churches:

·         Ron Brower

·         Charles Conklin

·         Deborah Martin

·         Rachel McKesson

·         Nancy Oefelein

Our steering committee consists of the following members:

·         Rebecca Dahlstrom

·         Pastor Mark Hagen

·         Pastor Gary Heedum, Executive Director

·         Pastor Keith Killinger

·         Doug Liston, Chair

·         Diane Ludwigsen Nelson

·         Sandra J. Musch

Goals for the Future

In September 2006, we will begin our 4th year of classes.   We again plan to have classes in the three locations: Cary, Moline, and Rockford.  We may also begin a fourth site in the synod in the southern portion of the synod.

Contact Information

Douglas Liston

5008 Hickory Lane

McHenry, IL 60050

H 815-331-3000

Respectfully Submitted and with Thanks to God,

Douglas Liston

Northern Illinois Diakonia Chairperson