MINISTRY NEWS

The search committee at Highland Avenue (Elgin) has recommended Krista Dutt, who has been serving the congregation in a part-time interim capacity since last year, as the candidate to be Highland Avenue’s full-time settled pastor. Question and answer times with Krista have been held in recent weeks, and a meeting and call vote will take place July 12.

York Center (Lombard) will hold an installation service for Gay Bouwmeester, who began as the congregation’s settled pastor in May, during worship on Aug. 16.

Congratulations to Laura Lipscomb (Springfield First), who will be starting in the denominational TRIM (Training In Ministry) program this summer! Laura is among several people in the district exploring a call to ministry.

The Ministers’ Association pre-Annual Conference event this year focuses on “Redeeming AI: Biblical Guidelines,” with Bethany Theological Seminary professor Russell Haitch as keynote speaker. It will take place June 27-28 at the convention center in Fort Wayne, Ind. Sessions will look at the optimism and anxiety surrounding AI, ways to maintain our humanity in a world of technology, a tool kit for ministry, and consideration of how all this affects the church. Learn more at www.brethren.org/ministryoffice.

The denomination’s Part-Time Pastor, Full-Time Church program will be offering two more online listening sessions through the summer to give opportunity for multivocational pastors (MVP’s) to meet with other MVP's and share their thoughts, ideas, and ways that the program can be helpful and supportive of their lives and ministries. One will be Wednesday, July 29, from 6-7:30 p.m. Central (https://forms.gle/LANW8VRXVc938S1FA); and the other will be Tuesday, August 26, from 6-7:30 p.m. Central (https://forms.gle/fuzTdcg5rc9KrpVj8). In addition, there will be an in-person listening session at Annual Conference the morning of Tuesday, June 30 and an equipping session that evening from 8:30-9:30 p.m. entitled “Betwixt and Between: Following Jesus in the midst of liminality.” If you cannot make one of the inperson or online sessions, a survey can also be completed at https://forms.gle/pG1BFAUY9MF22sdi9.

Congregational vacancies/updates:

Cerro Gordo: David Biggs began as part-time interim pastor for a one-year period beginning May 15. The search committee will remain active, and a congregational profile is available.

Highland Avenue (Elgin): Krista Dutt is currently serving as part-time interim pastor and has been named as candidate to become the congregation’s full-time settled pastor. A call vote will take place July 12.

Mount Morris: Lynda Willmann is currently serving as quarter-time interim pastor through at least September. Jonathan Shively is also doing a consultation process with Mount Morris this year as they discern direction. Conversations about next steps for pastoral ministry are ongoing, and the congregation is working on a profile.

Naperville: Tony Asta began as part-time interim pastor beginning June 1. The search committee is continuing its work, and a profile for their full-time pastoral position is now available.

Oakley Brick: Pastor David Roe retired in March. Initial conversations have begun with the congregation about next steps. They are currently using pulpit supply.