DISTRICT CONFERENCE

Make plans to join this year’s Illinois/Wisconsin District conference, which will be held Nov. 3-4 at Lanark Church of the Brethren. Phyllis Batterton (Woodland) is serving as moderator this year and has chosen the theme “Encourage One Another.” Madalyn Metzger, the 2023-2024 Church of the Brethren moderator—originally from the Springfield congregation but now living in the Elkhart, Ind., area, will be with us and will share the message during the opening worship service.

A pre-conference continuing education session for clergy (and other church leaders interested in attending) will feature Chris Douglas on the theme of spiritual practices. It will take place at Lanark on Friday, Nov. 3, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. with lunch. Clergy participants can receive 0.5 CEU’s. Cost is $15 to cover the lunch.

Two equipping sessions will be offered: Ryan Braught of the denomination’s Part-Time Pastor, Full-Time Church program, will lead a session on “Exegeting Your Neighborhood,” looking at how we understand and meet the needs of our congregational communities; and Cheryl Brumbaugh-Cayford, director of news services for the Church of the Brethren, will lead one on “Celebrating a Century in Nigeria,” looking at the story of Ekklesiyar Yan’uwa a Nigeria (EYN, the Church of the Brethren in Nigeria) from past to present, including this year’s milestone events.

Among business items coming to the conference will be consideration of the 2024 district budget; approval of the slate for the coming year; celebrating the long ministry of the Franklin Grove congregation, which closed its doors earlier this year, and the Pinecrest Retirement Community, which was sold to a for-profit corporation at the end of 2022; and marking the 75th anniversaries of our camps.

Note that delegates will need to attend in person this year; no virtual option will be available. The church is working on being able to stream worship and business during the weekend, and segments will at minimum be recorded for later viewing.

Saturday lunch is available for pre-order by Sept. 18. Registration for the conference and for the meal is available at the following links:

Delegate registration: https://forms.gle/RctPXGRxK8yCFdjD9
Non-delegate registration: https://forms.gle/92s1tb2EoWiju2Kw6

For housing, a block of rooms has been reserved in at the Savanna Inn and Suites in Savanna, about 18 miles from the Lanark church near the Mississippi River (101 Valley View Rd.). To reserve, call 815-273-2288 at least two weeks in advance of your stay. Cost is $98.10 for a king room or $107.10 for two queens. Some other smaller local accommodations may also be available in the area.

The conference booklet will be sent out to congregations and registrants soon. Watch for more details in the weeks ahead!