MINISTRY NEWS

Congratulations to Blaine and Nancy Miner (Highland Avenue), who have been called as the new part-time district executive ministers for Western Plains District! More information in below in the personnel section.

Congratulations to Dana McNeil, who will mark 20 years as pastor at Peoria First in July!

And congratulations and best wishes to Anna Lee Hisey Pierson (York Center), who is retiring July 13 from her chaplaincy role at Advocate Good Samaritan Hospital in Downers Grove. She has served there since 2005. A “de-commissioning” celebration of ministry will take place at the Neighborhood church in Montgomery, where Anna Lee earlier served, on July 14.

The Northwest Region pastors/clergy have re-started regular monthly meetings for connection and support. They met recently in Dixon and were scheduled to meet this month on June 11 at Yellow Creek.

Many of our district pastors and ministers were able to attend an ethics training at this spring’s clergy event in Rockford (see more below); we plan to offer another ethics training sometime in late 2024 or early 2025 for others who still need it. The training is required every five years as part of the ordination renewal cycle, which ends in 2025. All ministers should also begin gathering information for their CEU report, which will be due by mid-2025. Copies of the continuing education report form can be found at https://www.brethren.org/ministryoffice/forms/.

The 2025 Denominational Clergywomen’s Retreat, an every-five-years event sponsored by the Church of the Brethren Ministry office, will take place Feb. 10-13 at San Pedro Spiritual Development Center in Winter Park, Fla., near Orlando. The theme, drawn from Ephesians 5:2, is “Love the World Like Jesus: with Courage, Care, and Healing.” The keynote speaker will be Meghan Larissa Good, author and lead pastor of Trinity Mennonite Church in Phoenix. Early bird registration is $325 for double occupancy, $450 for single. The district will be making some scholarships available for Illinois/Wisconsin participants. Cindy Weber (York Center) is among the planning team members. More details and registration information will be available in the coming months.

Congregational vacancies:
Cherry Grove: Using regular pulpit supply
York Center: Christy Waltersdorff has announced her retirement effective Dec. 31, 2024. York Center is currently interviewing interim candidates and putting together a search committee.

Grants available: The denomination’s Office of Ministry has shared that grants are available through the Part-Time Pastor, Full-Time Church program for pastors who would like to do a sabbatical or continuing education experience. For more information or an application, contact district executive minister Walt Wiltschek at IWDDE@outlook.com.