Leadership Team meets at Chicago First Church

The District of Illinois-Wisconsin Leadership Team met at the historic Chicago First Church of the Brethren. The First Church is located near the site of the original Bethany Seminary and Bethany Hospital in the inner city of Chicago.

Six voting members, Wilber Bowman, Chairman; Bill Poclkington; Bob Champlin; Fletcher Farrar; Anna Lee Hisey-Pierson; and Vernon Dean plus five Ex-officio members Kevin Kessler, Dist. Exec.; Gil Crosby, Moderator; Orlando Redekopp, Mod. Elect; Lynda DeVore, Apostle NCDT; and Evelyn Bowman, Recording Secretary attended the meeting.

Orlando Redekopp serves as the Pastor of Chicago First and lead the group in devotions from Hebrews on "Maturing as Christians". Pastor Redekopp gave an overview of the work being done at Chicago First which includes three worship services, a Community Garden, "Cease Fire" meetings, Work Camps, Bible Study, Brethren Men's Workshop, Tutoring, Faith Issues meeting just to name those he mentioned. The ladies of the church prepared a wonderful luncheon and continental breakfast for those attending. A big thank you to our hosts and hostesses.

Chairman Wilber Bowman called the meeting to order and the team proceeded to work on the business of the Illinois-Wisconsin District.

• A New “Heritage Team" was approved to work on discovering and preserving the history and heritage of the District. The members of the team consist of Martin and Patty Stauffer and Willard Dulabaum. Jim Lehman will be the LT’s liaison with this group.
  
  
• The Peace Team will be given the option of closing. The team has no projects at this time and the Brotherhood Team serves many of the same functions.
  
  
• The new Administrative Assistant for the District is Beth Carpentier.
  
  
• Money donated by the Morris Firebaugh estate will be used for the “Missions & Mortar ministry. The District makes grants and loans from this fund to individual churches in the district.
  
  
• The Treasurers report noted that our expenses exceed our income this month. A positive note came from the investment fund which has risen since the fall of the stock market last year. Church contributions fell behind at the 2/3 point of the year with only 56% meeting their pledges.
  
  
• Lynda DeVore, Apostle of the New Church Development Team reported the progress of
  church plantings in the District. She also thanked the Leadership Team for working with the New Church Development Team and the spirit of cooperation shown by both teams.
  
  
• Reports from the Liaison members, Ministry teams, DE and Moderator were presented.

The meeting closed with prayer by Gil Crosby, Moderator. The next meeting will be held October 31st at the Stanley Wisconsin Church of the Brethren.

This mural is on the building next to the Chicago 1st Church of the Brethren.