MINISTRY NEWS

Dennis Webb has announced his retirement as pastor at Naperville, effective Dec. 31. Dennis has served the church there for well over two decades, and we wish him well as he plans for the next chapter of his life! Conversations have begun with the congregation about next steps. The Naperville congregation has invited the district to a retirement celebration for Pastor Dennis on Sunday, Nov. 23, following their morning worship service (Worship begins at 9:30 a.m.). If you would like to attend, please email napervillecob@gmail.com by Nov. 17 to aid the congregation's planning.

Gay Bouwmeester begins as part-time interim pastor at the York Center congregation in Lombard, beginning Nov. 16. Her first Sunday preaching there will be Nov. 23, when the congregation plans to have a blessing and celebration to mark the start of her ministry. 

Ed Livengood was licensed to the ministry during worship on Nov. 2 at Dutchtown (Milledgeville), with district executive Walt Wiltschek conducting the licensing service. Almost 100 people attended. Ed has been called by the congregation from within to serve as its preacher and provide other pastoral duties. Our congratulations and prayer are with Ed, who is exploring future educational possibilities.

Eric Wetzel began as pastor at Lanark on Nov. 2. He had been serving the Mountain Grove congregation in the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia, where he and his wife Sherry have several adult children. Sherry works in food service for the local schools and will be finishing up her work in Virginia this fall before retiring at the end of the year. Congratulations to the Wetzels and Lanark on this new beginning! 

Several other members of the district are discerning a call to ministry. The district’s Ministry Leadership Development Team has connected them with ordained district mentors, and they will be former discernment cohorts to continue exploring paths to ministry. Please be in prayer for them as they seek God’s direction for their lives and work. 

Any ordained or commissioned ministers who still have not turned in their paperwork for the 2025 ordination renewal cycle should do so as soon as possible. Ordinations and commissionings cannot be renewed for the next five-year period until all the forms have been received.

Congregational vacancies/updates:

Cerro Gordo: Aug. 10. A search committee has been formed, and a congregational profile is now available. Cerro Gordo is currently using pulpit supply. District executive Walt Wiltschek met with the search committee on Oct. 19. 

Highland Avenue (Elgin): Krista Dutt (Chicago First) was recently affirmed for commissioning in the Church of the Brethren and is serving as interim pastor. The congregation has called a search committee and is working on a profile. 

Lanark: Eric Wetzel began serving as pastor on Nov. 2.

Mount Morris: District executive Walt Wiltschek is serving as a partial interim pastor through the fall (two Sundays per month) to assist with the congregation’s transition, as the church also recently sold its building and is now meeting in the Allure of Pinecrest Grove community building. Walt and the congregation have met several times to work on next steps.

Naperville: Dennis Webb announced his retirement effective Dec. 31. Initial conversations with the church board have begun about next steps, and a search committee is being formed.

Woodland: Local pastor Mathew Thiner is serving as an interim preacher and providing some pastoral care. Woodland member Kevin Sager is also helping to provide interim leadership, aided by a congregational team.

York Center (Lombard): Gay Bouwmeester has been called as part-time interim pastor beginning Nov. 16. The congregation is considering next steps, and a congregational profile is available.