Synod Prayers
Jean Anderson and family at the death of her father Les on 9/6.
Donna Hoekstra, wife of Pastor Hal Hoekstra of Bethany, Crystal Lake, recovering from a fall
Pr. Len Hoffman,
recovering from some cardiac distress while vacationing
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Calendar Highlights
9/17 Mission Gathering at Salem, Sycamore
9/19 Northern Illinois Synod Women of the ELCA Convention - St Paul, Dixon
9/24 Interim Pastors' Meeting
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September Birthdays
5 Rev. Nancy Jaster
5 Rev. Frank Lay
6 Rev. Dennis Heaney
8 Rev. Karl Otto
11 Rev. Gary Heedum
13 Rev. Carole Andres
13 Rev. C. Franklin Samuelson
16 Rev. Timothy Kenyon
17 Rev. Robert Pearson
17 Rev. Gerald Larson
17 Rev. Robert Burton
20 Rev. Hollis Bishop
20 Rev. Mark J. Hagen
22 Rev. Virgil Juliot
22 Ms. Ellen Schroll
22 Rev. Phillip O. Laurin
25 Rev. Lowell Almen
26 Rev. Jane Perkolup
27 Ronald Larson
29 Rev. Christine Stienstra
30 Rev. Jeffrey Schlesinger
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Churchwide News
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 The September/October issue of Making Christ Known is now available online and will arrive in the mail early next week. Feedback on the new look of the newsletter is still welcome. Several people asked about the cost of color printing. The new newsletter actually saves the Synod money because of our printer's new digital press. It is hoped that the newsletter will be given to council members and other congregational leaders. Extras should be placed in the narthex or put into visitor's packets. Its goal, as the title says, is to help Make Christ Known throughout the Synod. Please distribute it widely. If your congregation has an email newsletter or website, please link to Making Christ Known. If your congregation needs more packets of 12, please contact Karin.
As the new activity year begins, please make sure all your congregational leaders receive Walking Together email news. Invite everyone in your congregation with an email address to subscribe. Send email addresses to karin@nisynod.org or invite individuals to subscribe online.
Plan to attend one of this year's NI Synod Misison Gatherings which are being held in each conference. This year's NIS Mission Gatherings focus on The Book of Faith. Christian educators, Sunday School teachers, Council members, and other congregational leaders and members are encouraged to attend these informative presentations. Registration begins at 6:30 pm with program beginning at 7:00 (except for 11/15)
- Thurs., Sept. 17 Salem, Sycamore
- Tues., Sept. 22 First, Moline
- Tues., Oct. 20 St. John's - Mendota
- Thurs., Oct. 22 Immanuel, Dixon
- Tues., Oct. 27 Prince of Peace, Freeport
- Thurs., Nov. 5 Cross of Glory, Homer Glen
- Sun., Nov. 15- 4:00 pm Messiah, Galva
 Check out this good resource for congregations (Sunday Schools, nurseries, preschools, etc.) regarding the H1N1 virus
As the NIS focuses on the greening of congregations, a resolution passed at the 2009 Assembly that that each congregation consider completing an energy audit of all church properties by the end of 2010. Contact George Davis to find out more about conducting an energy audit for your congregation geodavis2@verizon.net
The annual Swedish Högmässa Service at Jenny Lind Chapel in Andover is on Sunday, September 27 at 4 PM. Bertil Sandin, a native of Sweden, is the liturgist using the current Swedish Lutheran Church liturgy. Organist is Dennis Norling. The sermon is in English. The guest pastor is The Rev. Dr. Denver Bitner, President/CEO of Lutheran Social Services in Illinois. Find out more at http://jennylindchapel.org
Be sure to register ASAP for the Professional Leaders Conference at Bishop Lane Retreat Center in Rockford September 28-30. Presenters will be Richard H. Bliese and David Cherwein. Genesis Bookstore will be on site, but will be unable to take credit cards - please bring cash or checks. Limited rooms are still available at Bishop Lane and Lutheran Outdoor Ministries Center for residents. A block of 20 rooms for commuters have been set aside at the Radisson, Rockford, 815-226-2100. PLC participants should call the Radisson before September 14, 2009, and say they are with the Northern Illinois Synod to get the special rate.
The Northern Illinois Synod Women of the ELCA Convention will be held at St Paul, Dixon, Saturday, September 19 (please note corrected date). Register by August 15. For more information, contact Geraldine French at 815-288-3480.
"ASK, THANK, TELL" Stewardship Ministry Workshop. Congregational stewardship leaders are invited to Faith, Rochelle on Thurs., Oct. 29 for an exciting resource opportunity for stewardship ministry in the congregation. Pastor Charles Lane, Director of the ELCA Stewardship Key Leader Program will conduct a workshop on basic principles of congregational stewardship from 10 am-2 pm. Registration begins at 9:30 am Cost is $12 for lunch. RSVP to Nancy Corey by Friday, October 23 at 309-794-4004 or ncorey@nisynod.org
Several of the voting members to the ELCA Churchwide Assembly have offered to speak with groups of people about the assembly. Contact Julie Lewis in the Synod Office to arrange a visit. 8150964-9934 or jlewis@nisynod.org
The Northern Illinois Synod Candidacy committee is offering a retreat to aid in discerning a call to rostered ministry in the ELCA from 10-2pm on Saturday October 24 at Faith, Rochelle. Registration deadline is Friday October 2. Contact Judi Fields at the Synod Office, 815-964-9934, or jfields@nisynod.org as soon as possible.
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Fast Facts: As our nation debates health care, consider the following: The connection between hunger and health is not a straight line, but a circle. Hunger means that there is inadequate food, meaning inadequate nutrition, making someone sick or highly susceptible to a variety of diseases. Illness increases the need for nutritious foods that cannot be accessed because illness also decreases productivity, which leads to hunger. Do something about it! Visit http://bit.ly/elcahealth to learn more about the issue and how your church is responding to it.
Many thanks to the readers who pointed out that the links to The Lutheran articles last week did not work. So they are repeated this week - with working links! These are great articles - didn't want you to miss them... therefore:
Last Week at The Lutheran Magazine:
 Assembly takes dramatic step In addition to sexuality statement, assembly approves full communion with Methodists and initiatives on HIV/AIDS and malaria.
This week at The Lutheran
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