MINISTRY NEWS

Lynda Willmann has announced her retirement as pastor at Lanark effective Dec. 31, with possible extension for a month or two if needed. She and her husband plan to relocate to Rockton. We are grateful for Lynda’s service at Lanark and wish her all the best in this next chapter of life. Lanark has begun initial steps to form a search committee.

Jonathan Shively and Tony Asta have been called as an interim pastoral team at York Center beginning Jan. 1. Long-time pastor Christy Waltersdorff is retiring effective Dec. 31. Jonathan (who will be serving at 40 percent time) is a member at Highland Avenue and an accomplished musician who also serves as executive director at Fox Valley Hands of Hope in Geneva. He has previously served as a pastor and in denominational leadership. Tony (serving at 30 percent time) is a member at Chicago First, and former member at York Center, and currently works for the Illinois Tollway. He has past experience as a pastor, including in interim ministry. We welcome them to this new role in the district!

Northwest region pastors planned to gather on Sept. 17 at Freeport, where pastor Christina Singh was hosting them for a home-cooked meal and conversation.

Please note a change in Eder Financial’s insurance policies, effective January 2025: Eder has decided to provide free life insurance only to individuals who have also elected to purchase another ancillary insurance product. If a congregation wants to provide its pastor or other church employees with life insurance, then they need to purchase at least one additional ancillary insurance coverage, such as short- or long-term disability.

The district plans to offer another ethics training through the denomination’s Ministry Office sometime in late summer/early fall 2025 for those who still need it, likely in an online format. 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 through the Church Revitalization and Development Team. 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

Lanark: Lynda Willmann has announced her retirement effective Dec. 31, 2024 (with possible extension for a month or two if needed)

York Center: Christy Waltersdorff has announced her retirement effective Dec. 31, 2024. A search committee has been formed. Jonathan Shively and Tony Asta will provide interim team leadership beginning Jan. 1.

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.