M  E  M  O  R  A  N  D  U  M

DATE:         August 28, 2007

TO:            Pastors

                       Diaconal Ministers

                       Associates in Ministry

                       Congregational:

                              Councils

                              Mutual Ministry/Staff Support Committees

                              Other Interested Leaders

FROM:         Bishop Gary M. Wollersheim

SUBJECT:     2007 Mission Gatherings

Grace and peace.  Every fall we hold our annual Mission Gatherings in eight different locations throughout the Synod in order to share and explore resources available to rostered and lay leaders in our congregations.  These Mission Gatherings are an excellent opportunity to come together and talk about important issues which impact the church.   

The dates and locations for this year’s Mission Gatherings are noted below.  You are invited to attend your own conference’s Mission Gathering or one in another conference.

SEPTEMBER:

11 - Tuesday:    CENTRAL CONFERENCE – St. Paul, Sterling

13 - Thursday:  NORTHWEST CONFERENCE – Prince of Peace, Freeport

20 - Thursday:  EAST CONFERENCE – Shepherd of the Hill, Lockport

OCTOBER:

11 - Thursday:  NORTHEAST CONFERENCE – Bethlehem, DeKalb

16 - Tuesday:    SOUTH CONFERENCE – Trinity, Ottawa

18 - Thursday:  NORTH CONFERENCE – St. Mark, Rockford

NOVEMBER:  

 1 - Thursday:   SOUTHWEST CONFERENCE – Immanuel, Altona

 6 - Tuesday:     WEST CONFERENCE – Calvary, Moline

This year’s Mission Gatherings “Care and Support for Rostered Leaders” will focus on healthy ways to provide these essential elements in the congregational setting.  The support of rostered leaders is a missional ministry issue for congregations.  Leadership in the church today is much more complex and difficult than it has ever been in the past.  Therefore, leaders who live a balanced life and care for their health and wellness are best able to pass on their faith and model healthy behaviors for others.  

Registration will begin at 6:30 p.m. (Please note that registration begins at 6:30 p.m. – not the program itself).  The program will begin at 7:00 p.m. and end at 9:00 p.m.

We look forward to being with all of you at the various conference locations throughout the Synod between September 11 and November 6 and sharing this valuable information.  Please invite any interested leaders in your congregations, all are welcome!  Together let us continue to Make Christ Known by being “caring and supportive” of one another.   

As always, thank you for your partnership in the Gospel.

mission gatherings/2007/invitation to MG