ILLINOIS/WISCONSIN TRANSITION TEAM
Greetings from District Transition Team! We continue meeting challenges and understand the new structure in which we are functioning. The following list describes what is happening and falling into place. There are more details to report than are listed below and will be reported at District Conference by the Ministry Teams and the Transition Team.
Peace and blessings,
Kevin Kessler
Transition Team chair and liaison
- Communication continues as a priority. The District website, www.iwdcob.org, contains information about Transition Team meetings, happenings in the district, and links to other sites. A District Newsletter has also been published thanks to the Peoria congregation. Please share what your congregation is doing that would be of interest to the rest of the district. E-mail your information to Leonard Matheny at mathelw@mindspring.com or Gil Crosby at crosbygm@juno.com. You can also mail to First Church of the Brethren, Attn: District Newsletter, 4714 N. Sheridan Rd., Peoria, IL 61614.
- Constitution and Bylaws revision has been completed. Copies have been sent to congregations for distribution to their District Conference delegates. If you have not received the new Constitution, please call or e-mail Kevin Kessler.. Please bring your copy to District Conference. Delegates will vote on the revision.
- Funding urgently needs attention. We are contacting congregations concerning the financial situation of the district. We will be contacting individuals to seek additional funding. A goal of $3,000.00 was set for the District Conference offering. The Program and Arrangements Committee expects to meet conference expenses without using the offering.. The Transition Team is living within their income and has not used reserves for expenses. District Minister Jim Yaussy Albright stated that “the extent of our district ministries will only be limited by the extent of our giving.” That is food for thought and encouragement to think about giving as ministry.
- A District Deacons Team was developed to assist the District Minister with some of the responsibilities including but not limited to pastoral placement issues. Because the District Minister’s position is 1/2 time, the new team will pick up some of the work in order to move forward more quickly. More information will be coming about the team .
- The District Minister position description is in place. Because of the transition and determining what this position should be, creating a description was a challenge. The new description provides a framework that the District Minister, Jim Yaussy Albright, and the Transition Team can work with, and establish priorities. While working on this new position description, we decided that Transition Team liaisons may need to be a first line of communication when there are duty and time constraints on the District Minister. If you do not know who your Liaison is you can find it on the District website or contact Kevin Kessler. Congregations are encouraged to contact liaisons with needs or concerns. Liaisons will forward these needs and concerns as necessary.
- Disaster Response coordinators in our district are Russ McInnis and Marian Patterson. Russ will recruit work teams for disaster sites and Marian will secure persons to help with child care on site. Questions should be directed to Russ, Marian, or Clareen Dunn, a Transition Team member liaison to the Disaster Response team.
- District Conference will be at the Dixon Church of the Brethren, November 5-7. Information packets were mailed in late August for the delegates. Delegates and non-delegates are urged to pre-register.. The conference booklet for the delegates will arrive sometime in October. District Conference Moderator, Ed Garrison, chose the theme “Prepare, God’s People!” based on Ephesians 4:11-13. Brother Garrison has visited 30 congregations this year.
Peace and blessings,
Kevin Kessler
Transition Team chair and liaison
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