The Reflector - October 2026
Thursday, October 01, 2026
The Village ILWIDIot
Walt Wiltschek
“Boaz went to the town gate and took a seat there. Just then the family redeemer he had mentioned came by, so Boaz called out to him, ‘Come over here and sit down, friend. I want to talk to you.’ So they sat down together.” —Ruth 4:1, NLT
When I’m not doing my half-time district duties, I work at a high school that has a large Latino population. This past month was Hispanic Heritage Month, and a staff member from Puerto Rico shared some thoughts about the theme art created for this year’s observance.
Among the symbols in the design was a group of plastic chairs, the cheap kind you might stack up and then put around your patio when needed. They seem rather unremarkable, and perhaps an odd thing to feature in artwork. She explained, though, that in Puerto Rico and elsewhere they are an important symbol of community.
When people come to visit, you pull out the chairs. When you sit around chatting with others on your street, you sit on those chairs. “They are the chairs we see at family gatherings, birthdays, BBQs, parties, holidays, and gatherings in our neighborhoods,” she wrote. “They may be inexpensive and ordinary, but they represent family, community, connection, and togetherness.” Beyond that, she said, the empty chairs also represent family members and friends who are no longer here, but whose places among us are remembered.
It struck me how the pews and other seats in the places where we hold district conference occupy a similar role for us. They are our places of community and connection, the launching pads for conversation and meals shared around the table, and the reminders of those who are not with us but still carried in our hearts. These seats might hold our bottoms, but they also hold our memories and our reminders of what it means to be church, together.
We hope to see many of you at Polo Nov. 6-7. It’s not too late to register—good seats are still available.
DISTRICT EXECUTIVE SCHEDULE
In addition to regular meetings, Walt will worshiping and attending anniversary events at York Center on Oct. 18, worshiping and visiting with Hurricane Creek on Oct. 25, attending district conference at Polo (and the pre-conference workshop) Nov. 6-7, worshiping at Dutchtown in Milledgeville on Nov. 8, preaching at Springfield First Nov. 15, and worshiping at and meeting with Naperville Nov. 22.
Walt is available to visit your church, do pulpit supply, lead sessions, have conversation times, or otherwise connect with your congregation. Please contact IWDDE@outlook.com to schedule a time. He is half-time and is usually on district duty late afternoons/evenings on weekdays plus weekends.
NEW PHONE NUMBER: Due to issues with our previous phone provider, the district has switched to a new plan with a new phone number. The NEW district office phone number is 630-576-0276, ext. 800. Also, please remember to use the correct district office address for all mail correspondence: Church of the Brethren IL/WI District, 1S071 Luther Ave., Lombard, IL 60148. As noted previously, please do not send district mail to Canton. Thank you!
A WIDER LIGHT
by Jocelyn Watkins, 2026 Illinois/Wisconsin District moderator
“I remind you to rekindle the gift of God that is within you” (2 Timothy 1:6)
Beloved in Christ,
Driving across Illinois or Wisconsin after dark, especially beyond the brighter lights of the cities, there are stretches when only the road immediately ahead is visible. Then the land opens, or the road rises slightly, and lights begin appearing across the distance: a farmhouse window, a porch light near the edge of a field, the glow of a small town farther ahead. From close by, each seems to stand on its own; from higher ground, the scattered points begin to reveal the shape of a larger landscape. Each light keeps its own place, yet together they make more of the horizon visible.
Nearly a year ago, when I introduced “Kindled Anew,” I invited each congregation and each believer to tend one small flame. At district conference, I asked us to imagine what it might look like a year later if every church in the district had kindled or rekindled even one: a hundred small lights burning together, brighter than any single blaze.
Across the district, people have stepped into new responsibilities, congregations have adapted ministries to changing circumstances, young people have returned from gatherings carrying stories and questions, and shared ministries have continued creating places for connection and service. Much of this happens beyond the sight of any one congregation. In November, some of those separate stories will come into the same room, where reports and business will sit alongside conversations over meals, voices raised in worship, young people reflecting on National Youth Conference, and gifts gathered for the Lifeline Food Pantry. Much of what has been kindled this year will arrive carried in people rather than printed on paper.
For a day, miles that usually separate our congregations will shrink to the distance between chairs, tables, and conversations. The churches represented in that room will not all look alike, face the same circumstances, understand every question in the same way, or imagine the future along identical lines. Yet each belongs to this shared life, bringing gifts and experiences that become easier to recognize when we gather near enough to hear one another.
Paul’s words to Timothy have accompanied us through the year: “I remind you to rekindle the gift of God that is within you.” The longer I have contemplated that verse, the more its confidence has steadied me. Paul directs Timothy toward the gift already there, and that assurance now sits beside the real questions our congregations carry about leadership, participation, resources, buildings, and the future. Through all of it, people continue to pray, teach, sing, serve, discern, experiment, and offer what they have. The Spirit has never depended upon every congregation being in the same place or every person arriving at the same conclusions before gifts can be shared.
Serving as moderator has allowed me to see more of this shared life than I could ever have seen from within my own congregation alone, and I am deeply grateful for the privilege. I have seen the quiet labor behind gatherings and ministries, the willingness to step forward when a role needs filling, and the care people carry for congregations beyond their own. I have also seen people remain in conversation when agreement was incomplete and continue working together across differences that could easily have created distance. Those glimpses have left me even more hopeful about our district than I was when this year began.
This is my final newsletter reflection as moderator, although one important gathering still remains. When we meet in Polo, the room itself will tell part of the story: congregations separated by miles sitting near one another, experiences formed in different places entering the same conversation, and gifts tended quietly through the year becoming easier to recognize. The work that follows will take new forms, new hands, and new imagination, while drawing from the same Spirit that has carried us this far.
A year ago, “a hundred small lights” named what we hoped might be possible. Some are easier to see now, while others are still taking shape beyond our own line of sight. They do not need to become one indistinguishable flame. Together, they reveal a wider light and a district whose life is still unfolding.
May we come to Polo grateful for what has been kindled among us, willing to draw near across the distances that remain, and hopeful about the light we will carry forward together.
UPCOMING MEETINGS & EVENTS
Church Revitalization and Development Team, Oct. 17, 9 a.m.
Hearing on proposed congregational withdrawal policy, Oct. 17, 10:30 a.m.
2026 Illinois/Wisconsin District conference, Nov. 6-7, Polo (Ill.) Church of the Brethren
Leadership Team reorganizational meeting, Polo, following district conference
Ministry Leadership Development Team, Dec. 2, 6:30 p.m.
Potluck Experience Planning Team, Dec. 3, 7:15 p.m.
2027 District Potluck event, April 17, 2027, Cerro Gordo (Ill.) Church of the Brethren
[all meetings via Zoom unless otherwise noted]
IN OUR PRAYERS
A district prayer calendar has been created for your use in praying for our district and related programs through the year. We invite you to include the following in your prayers in coming weeks:
Week of Oct. 11: Pray for the Church of the Brethren Mission & Ministry Board as it meets this week, for general secretary David Steele, and for all the members of our district who work in denominational staff positions.
Week of Oct. 18: Pray for the Walnut Grove congregation, and for the financial stewardship and investment work of Eder Financial and Eder president Nevin Dulabaum (Highland Avenue).
Week of Oct. 25: Pray for the Cherry Grove congregation near Lanark, and for the work of the Brethren Historical Library and Archives in Elgin.
Week of Nov. 1: Pray for the Illinois/Wisconsin District conference that will be occurring thisc oming weekend in Polo, as delegates gather to do the business of the church and others join them for worship, fellowship, and service. Especially remember in prayer moderator Jocelyn Watkins (Peoria First), moderator-elect Sharon Rice (York Center), and conference coordinator Debbie Noffsinger as they carry leadership responsibilities.5
Week of Nov. 8: Pray for the Neighborhood (Boulder Hill) congregation in Montgomery, and for the communications ministry of the denomination’s “Messenger” magazine.
Week of Nov. 15: Pray for the Naperville congregation, and for the Church of the Brethren congregations and members in India.
MINISTRY NEWS
October is Clergy Appreciation Month (or Pastor Appreciation Month). The denomination's Pastoral Compensation and Benefits Advisory Committee has prepared some thoughts on the occasion and ideas for expressing your gratitude in the weeks ahead. Be sure to take time to say thank you to your pastor and other clergy in your midst!
The 2027 district clergy gathering and retreat will be held April 26-27 at the Bishop Lane Retreat Center near Rockford. Russell Haitch, professor at Bethany Theological Seminary, will be the keynote leader around the theme of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and its implications for ministry. Watch for more details in the coming months.
Christy Waltersdorff, former pastor at York Center, recently moved (along with her husband, Marty) back to her home area in Pennsylvania. We will miss her here, but we wish her all the best in this new chapter!
The pastoral compensation materials for 2027 are available from the denominational Ministry Office. An email went out last month, and you can find the materials online at Pastoral Compensation Tools – Ministry Office. An updated compensation calculator is also available there for those who might find it helpful. The recommended salary table for pastors, based on the denominational scale, includes a 4.2 percent increase over 2026 based on the national costof-living adjustment. Also remember to do any paperwork needed to shift your accounts from Eder to Everence this fall. Reminders have been sent to all congregations that have accounts.
Pastors and staff members of Brethren congregations, districts, and camps still will be able to purchase short- and long-term disability, life, vision, dental, critical illness, and accident ancillary insurance products from Eder Financial for 2027 through a group plan. Benefits of the group plan include one open enrollment period, ability to obtain insurance without medical screening or knowledge of pre-existing conditions, and a uniform rate. Rates are not available yet, but enrollment information will be sent to the church, district, and camp administrators in October with open enrollment running from Nov. 9-20. For questions, please email insurance@eder.org.
Congregational vacancies/updates:
Cerro Gordo: David Biggs began as part-time interim pastor for a one-year period in May. The search committee remains active, and a congregational profile for a part-time position is available.
Mount Morris: Lynda Willmann recently concluded an interim pastorate with the congregation. Randall Westfall and others are assisting with pulpit supply. Jonathan Shively has also been doing a consultation process with Mount Morris this year as they discern direction. The congregation recently posted their profile for a half-time position.
Naperville: Tony Asta began as part-time interim pastor June 1 through at least the end of 2026. 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. Conversations have begun with the congregation about next steps. They are currently using pulpit supply.
CONGREGATIONAL/LOCAL NEWS
Canton held its annual wiener roast Oct. 11 at the Bob Champlin Farm.
Chicago First celebrated World Communion Sunday on Oct. 4 via a joint worship service with the other organizations and congregations that use its building, followed by a potluck meal.
Our prayers are with the Neighborhood congregation (Montgomery), which has been discerning the possibility of hosting a local community services facility that provides food pantry and warming shelter assistance, among other services. The plan has met significant community opposition, as the church is next to an elementary school. The congregation continues to discern next steps.
Peoria First will do its fall Mountain Mission trip to the Henderson Settlement in Kentucky Nov. 12-15. The congregation is also holding a trivia and fellowship night Oct. 17.
Our prayers are with the Yellow Creek congregation (Pearl City), whose main furnace went out earlier this month and required replacement.
The York Center congregation (Lombard) will celebrate its 75th anniversary this coming Sunday, Oct. 18 (Note there is no morning service at the church that day). An invitation and RSVP link can be found at https://www.punchbowl.com/parties/yccob75. A worship service will take place at 2 p.m., followed by a reception program at 3:15 and then a catered dinner. Pictures and mementos from past years have been collected, and the congregation has been sharing photos and memories from past directories as far back as 1970 in anticipation of the event.
Ecumenism Metro Chicago held a “Blessed Are the Peacemakers” ecumenical prayer service on Wednesday, Sept. 30, at Fourth Presbyterian Church’s Buchanan Chapel in Chicago to mark the International Day of Prayer for Peace. The event concluded with a peace walk on Michigan Avenue, with closing prayer in the church courtyard. Highland Avenue pastor Krista Dutt represented the district, one of 14 participating faith communions. Ecumenism Metro Chicago’s next planned event is an observance for the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity Jan. 23.
Do you have congregational news: celebrations, milestones, “Jesus in the Neighborhood” stories or other things to share with our district family? Please send them to iwdde@outlook.com.
DISTRICT HYMN SING & ICE CREAM SOCIAL
A great district ice cream social and hymn sing took place at the old Emmert Cemetery and Meetinghouse near Franklin Grove on Sept. 27, with more than 40 people from at least six congregations and some community members attending. It was a wonderful, sunny afternoon of food, fellowship, and music. The walls of the little chapel on the property rang with the sounds of hymns, and homemade ice cream and cake were enjoyed by all. Special thanks to the Dixon congregation and former Franklin Grove members for all their work in helping the event come together.
DISTRICT CONFERENCE 2026
Online registration remains open with links for delegates (DELEGATE District Conference Registration) and non-delegates (NON-DELEGATE District Conference Registration). Delegate registration fees are covered through the congregational assessments, which must be paid before delegates can be registered. Information on delegate allotments and fees were sent to all congregations in August, with a follow-up mailing in September. Non-delegate fee is $15 per person. A Saturday lunch is available for $20 per person, with Tuscan chicken and vegetarian options. Credit card payment is available, or mail a check to the district office. Please register by Oct. 31. Meals will not be available after that date.
The conference will begin with a hymn sing and worship starting at 7 p.m. Friday evening, followed by an ice cream social. (Registration will be available beginning at 5:30 p.m., and exhibits open at 6 p.m.) It continues with business, an equipping session, and lunch on Saturday. Jocelyn Watkins (Peoria First) will serve as moderator and Sharon Rice (York Center) as moderator-elect. They will also serve as the speaker and worship leader, respectively, for Friday evening’s worship.
Annual Conference moderator Dennis Beckner (whose wife, Beth, is originally from the Franklin Grove area and grew up attending Camp Emmaus!) will be joining us for the event and leading an equipping session focusing on congregational renewal as well as a worship time on Saturday.
Business this year will include the 2027 district budget, the slate of those nominated to district positions, disorganization of Oak Grove as a congregation of the Church of the Brethren, and polity related to congregations that decide they no longer wish to be part of the Church of the Brethren, as well as reports from various agencies, organizations, and district teams.
A HEARING on the proposed congregational withdrawal and reconciliation policy will be offered on Saturday, Oct. 17, at 10:30 a.m. via Zoom. You can join the call at https://zoom.us/j/97831369335?pwd=x0wCBukpWpUbDmmbb7StKwnG7R3pBw.1. This will be an opportunity to hear from the team that developed the policy, learn background information, and to ask questions or share any concerns in advance of district conference. This is a type of policy many other districts have but one that had never formally been developed here. While we hope to use it infrequently, it felt important to have a process on paper. The hearing is open to both delegates and non-delegates and is expected to last up to an hour.
An exhibit area featuring various denominational and district organizations will be available. Based on the feedback received, activities for children and youth will not be offered this year at the conference, although National Youth Conference will be highlighted during the sharing time.
A service project will assist the local Lifeline Food Pantry, which has been an important outreach ministry for Polo Church of the Brethren. Started in the early 1970’s out of a resident’s garage, it has grown over the years to continue to support the growing population of food insecure families and individuals. Currently the pantry serves about 100 to 115 families a month feeding around 400 individuals. Changes in SNAP benefits and the increase in inflation continue to add new people to its client list. Most clients are employed unless retired or disabled; the majority are seniors or families with children. The food banks which were previously relied upon as the main source of supplies have less and less food to offer, forcing the pantry to buy a lot of its food. This year it added five raised garden beds along with beds at the Polo church to grow as much produce as possible.
The following items are needed: Toilet paper; any canned meat; juice; shampoo; body wash; deodorant; laundry soap; canned fruit; sugar; canned soups; spaghetti sauce; canned vegetables; ketchup; mayonnaise; cheese of any kind. Those attending conference are encouraged to bring some of these items to be collected as donations to the pantry.
There is no official conference hotel this year. Instead, those attending who need lodging are encouraged to make direct reservations with one of the area hotels; the nearest are in Dixon, Rock Falls, or Oregon, along with some possible options near White Pines State Park. A list of area options can be found on the district conference web page. The Polo church is at 401 S. Congress Ave. in Polo.
PRE-CONFERENCE CONTINUING EDUCATION WORKSHOP
Before district conference officially begins on Friday, Nov. 6, the district Ministerial Leadership Development Team will offer a workshop led by Josh Brockway, a member at the Highland Avenue congregation and director of Discipleship and Identity for the Church of the Brethren.
Josh’s title is "School for the Lord’s Service: Ministry in a PostInstitutional World." Here is his description of the ground he plans to cover:
For over two decades the Church in the United States has undergone dramatic changes. As we look at our buildings and organizational structures, we wonder what it means to be faithful disciples today. This session will start with a descriptive overview of the state of the Church in the United States. From there we will explore how the Church has reinvented itself at key moments in history, especially in the movements that birthed the Brethren tradition. The final section will start with practices as the framework for discipleship formation through the Rule of Saint Benedict and the traditional ordinances of the Brethren.
The event will begin at 10 a.m. and end by 4 p.m., with a lunch break. While clergy are especially encouraged to attend, anyone is welcome. Cost is $20, including lunch. To register, contact the district office or email iwdde@outlook.com.
DISTRICT POTLUCK EXPERIENCE 2027
The Illinois/Wisconsin District Potluck Experience, a sort of district conference without business, is held in the district every other year. The day features worship, educational opportunities, and a delicious potluck meal. Cerro Gordo has agreed to host the 2027 event on Saturday, April 17. It will run from approximately 10 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Nate Polzin of the denomination’s Discipleship and Leadership Formation office will be the keynote speaker and will also lead a workshop. Further planning is under way. Mark your calendars, and plan for a day of worship, workshops, and good food and fellowship! Watch for more details in the coming months
CAMP NEWS
Camp Emmaus had to move its Camp Celebration Day and Lunch to Saturday, Oct. 3, due to inclement weather. In addition to lunch at the pavilion, the day include an auction, a look back at summer highlights, and opportunities to enjoy the camp.
Look for information on future events at www.campemmaus.org.
Note that Camp Emmaus no longer has a PO box. All mail should be sent to the camp at 3011 W. Camp Rd., Oregon, IL 61061.
Camp Emmanuel is now closed for the season. Find more at www.campem.com.
The 2026 Church of the Brethren Outdoor Ministries Association retreat will take place Nov. 15-19 at Camp Harmony near Hooversville, Pa. The retreat brings together Brethren camping leaders of all levels to gather for professional growth, faith formation, and outdoor ministry community development. The theme this year is “Torchbearers” (Matt. 5:14-16). Keynote speaker will be Jolene Regetta, a licensed professional counselor, former public school teacher, and life-long camp servant. The retreat will also include workshops, Bible study, meditations, games, meals, and more. Cost is $215 for OMA camp members, $240 for non-members. Learn more and register at Annual Retreat – Outdoor Ministries Association.
YOUTH AND YOUNG ADULTS
The 2027 Powerhouse Midwest regional youth conference will take place Feb. 19-21 at Columbia City (Ind.) Church of the Brethren. The keynote speaker will be Beth Jarrett on the theme “Everyday Hallelujah.” More details will be available in the months ahead.
National Youth Conference (NYC) 2026 worship resources are available online, free to download. The worship resources include most if not all of those used during the twice-daily worship services during the 2026 NYC, such as prayers, calls to worship, scripture readings, reflections, and more. Also available is an NYC playlist of the songs from NYC 2026, posted by Messenger magazine. Links take visitors to the playlist on either YouTube or Spotify.
“Let the Children Come to Me: Protecting Children from Militarized Violence” (Mark 9:36-37) is the theme for the next youth Christian Citizenship Seminar (CCS) sponsored by the Church of the Brethren’s Youth and Young Adult Ministry office. The 2027 CCS is planned for April 17-21 in Washington, D.C. The $525 registration fee includes all event programing, lodging for five nights, and two dinner meals. Each participant is to bring additional money for most meals, sightseeing, personal expenses, and public transportation fares. Participants will be staying at the Steinbrook Center. Online registration opens Dec. 1, at 12 p.m. Register and pay in full by Jan. 31 to receive a free t-shirt. A non-refundable deposit of $325 is due within two weeks of registration. Intercultural scholarships are available. For questions contact Becky Ullom Naugle in the Youth and Young Adult Ministry Office at bullomnaugle@brethren.org or 847-429-4385.
ANNUAL CONFERENCE 2027
Registration opens March 10. Costs are $350 for delegates and $175 for adult non-delegates in advance and $425 and $120, respectively, on-site. The conference hotel will be $190/night with tax, not including parking. Individual virtual registration will tentatively be $220 for the full conference. Find more information at www.brethren.org/ac.
The Church of the Brethren Mission and Ministry Board appointed a committee to consider recommendations related to the future of Annual Conference. The task emerged from the “Breaking Down Barriers—Increasing Access to Denominational Events” study completed in 2025. Committee members are Torin Eikler, Cindy Laprade Lattimer, Rosanna Eller McFadden, and Rhonda Pittman Gingrich. The committee is exploring the format for future Annual Conferences and would like to hear what would help you participate in the future, especially if you have not participated in-person in the recent past. Two virtual listening sessions have already been held, but another will take place Nov. 3 at 1 p.m. Central. Each session lasts one hour. Registration is required here.
DISASTER RESPONSE
Brethren Disaster Ministries opened a new rebuilding site Aug. 30 in Buncombe County, N.C., expected to remain in operation through May 15, 2027. Working in partnership with Fuller Center Disaster ReBuilders, Brethren Disaster Ministries will serve qualified families identified through the organization by making home repairs and constructing new homes in the ROOTS Community Land Trust, a 50-home affordable housing initiative in Black Mountain, N.C., for families displaced by Hurricane Helene. Many lost not only their homes but also the land beneath them or rental housing they can no longer return to. Learn more about volunteering at www.brethren.org/bdm/rebuild/volunteer.
Brethren Disaster Ministries regularly updates information for rebuilding volunteers here. BDM has been notified of a cancellation for the week of Dec. 6-12. Any interested persons wishing to sign up for that week can contact Kim Gingerich (kgingerich@brethren.org) at the BDM office or Lynn Evans at the Buncombe County project (bdmhelenerecovery@gmail.com).
Rick Koch, our district disaster coordinator, has said he plans to step down from that role at the end of this year. If you would have interest in serving, or know someone who might, please contact the district office.
DEPORTATION DEFENSE RESPONSE
A Deportation Defense Response (DDR) webpage is now online at www.onearthpeace.org/deportation_defense_response_team. This denominational effort has been organized by five districts with large numbers of undocumented members in partnership with On Earth Peace and Intercultural Ministries to provide support, advocacy, and legal assistance as needed. A toolkit of resources is at https://drive.google.com/drive/u/0/folders/168SYb-D3cMBO8ORb4sDXMqMbA2yvSGCN. To be added to the DDR newsletter list, to share other helpful resources for the toolkit, to share how a resource from the toolkit benefited your congregation or community, to find out how to get involved with the work, or for other questions, email migrantjustice@onearthpeace.org. In addition, a page on the denominational website shares information on the "Walking Together" resolution recently affirmed by Annual Conference, with resources, Bible studies, and other tools
The group is inviting local partnerships and offering a process for online donations for the Legal and Mutual Aid Fund at www.onearthpeace.org/legal_mutual_aid_fund_donations. Congregations needing financial help to aid their immigrant church members may apply for grants from the Legal and Mutual Aid Fund by contacting ddrcobcoordinator@gmail.com or 561-647-8981 to receive the application form. The team will distribute funds received to members of the church facing immigration challenges who need legal support. More than $327,000 has been raised to date.
Biweekly Prayer Gatherings for Immigrant Justice are now held every other Thursday from 11 a.m.-12 p.m. Central over Zoom. The next is Oct. 29. Find more information and RSVP at On Earth Peace.
EDUCATION OPPORTUNITIES
• Upcoming courses from the Brethren Academy for Ministerial Leadership include a Travel Course to Miami, led by Josh Brockway and Dan Poole, Jan. 4-15 (registration deadline TBD); “Biblical Deep Dive: Psalms,” led by Steve Schweitzer, Jan. 20-March 16, online (registration deadline TBD); “Church History 2,” led by Josh Brockway, spring 2027, online (registration deadline TBD); “Pastoral Care,” led by Debbie Eisenbise, May 18-21, onsite hybrid at Bethany Theological Seminary in Richmond, Ind. (registration deadline TBD); and “CoB Polity,” led by Torin Eikler, May 26-July 20, online (registration deadline TBD). Register and pay online at Brethren Academy Course Registration/Biannual TRIM Payment | Bethany Theological Seminary (bethanyseminary.edu).
• Tim Grove, retired social services worker and national expert in Trauma-Informed Care, will join the Ventures in Christian Discipleship program at McPherson (Kan.) College to present a special 2026-2027 season-opening online series titled “Creating a Better World: A deep dive into stress, trauma and resilience as a pathway to healthier people, families and communities.” This series is open to everyone. Unlike Ventures’ typical standalone courses, each of these six sessions builds sequentially on the last, so registering for the full series is highly recommended. If you miss a live session, course recordings will be provided so you can catch up in chronological order before the next class. We will explore five key concepts related to stress, trauma and resilience in the first five sessions and then spend a sixth “bonus” session talking about how these concepts influence the navigation of a complex, media dominant and politically charged world. Each virtual session will be two hours long, and recordings will be available after each session ends. Two sessions have already occurred; others will follow Oct. 20, Oct. 27, Nov. 10, and Nov. 17. Find full series and session details at the Ventures website: http://www.mcpherson.edu/ventures. Ventures sessions in 2027 will include “Speed Dating the Bible,” led by Debbie Eisenbise, Jan. 19 and 26; “Leading through the Storm: Leadership Wisdom for a World That Got Different,” led by Stan Dueck, Feb. 23 and March 2; and “Holy Play: Entering Divine Conversation with Nature and Expressive Arts,” led by Shana Leck, Apr. 10.
• Lombard Mennonite Peace Center offers a variety of training sessions. Upcoming options include “Restorative Conversations,” Jan. 19, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. via Zoom; a “Friendly Style Profile facilitator training,” Oct. 20, 1-4 p.m. via Zoom, “Behavioral Covenants” Nov. 13, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. in Schaumburg, Ill.; “Peaceful, Productive Pastor-Parish Partnerships,” Dec. 1, 9 a.m.-12 p.m. via Zoom; “Conflict Transformation Skills,” Dec. 7 and Feb. 23, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. via Zoom; and “Strengthening the Body of Christ,” Jan. 21 via Zoom. For details and registration information, go to https://www.lmpeacecenter.org/trainings. LMPC has also begun offering free clergy roundtable events. The next one will be Oct. 21, 10 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. Watch their website for details on future roundtable opportunities.
• Anabaptist Disabilities Network will offer a free webinar: “Thy Tender Care: What Caregiving and Disability Can Teach Us About the Kingdom of God,” led by John Van Sloten, Oct. 28, 10 a.m. Central, via Zoom. Learn more and register at Meeting Registration - Zoom and Meeting Registration - Zoom, respectively.
• New Community Project continues to offer learning tours to “Go. Meet. Learn. Grow. Change– yourself and your world.” Upcoming trips include: Nepal, January 12-27, 2027; South Sudan/Rwanda, May 11-21, 2027; Ecuadorian Amazon, May 28-June 3; Borneo June 9-17; Lybrook, N.M., July 8-14; Denali/Kenai Fjords, July 26-Aug. 3; and Arctic Village, Alaska, Aug. 3-10. NCP also offers guest speakers, worship resources, Vacation Bible School materials, climate change materials, and more. Find more information at www.newcommunityproject.info or contact dradcliffncp@yahoo.com.
• Designed particularly for ministers new to the Church of the Brethren denomination, Bethany Theological Seminary’s new certificate of achievement in ministry studies (CAMS) includes six courses that focus on Brethren history and theology, practical experience with the ordinances and preaching of the church, biblical interpretation, and peace studies. The certificate can be completed in two years or even one year, depending on course offerings. Five of the six courses can be completed at a distance. For more information go to https://bethanyseminary.edu.
PERSONNEL NOTES
David A. Steele has announced that he will conclude his service as general secretary of the Church of the Brethren on Aug. 31, 2028, at the end of his current term.St eele began serving as general secretary in 2016. In October 2025, the denomination’s Mission and Ministry Board extended his term through August 2028. He has since decided that this will be his final term, concluding 12 years of service in the role. The Mission and Ministry Board will lead the search and discernment process for the next general secretary. The board will begin considering next steps at its Oct. 15-18 meeting, including a visioning conversation to inform the path forward, the position description, and potential search committee structure and candidates.
The Middle Pennsylvania District Board of the Church of the Brethren has called Jonathan Whitsel to serve as district executive minister, beginning Jan. 1. Jonathan attended the ACTS Program for pastoral education from 2010 to 2014. Jonathan has served as pastor of Sugar Run Church of the Brethren in Shirleysburg, Pa., since April 2024. He brings a strong background in business operations and logistics, with 31 years of experience as a self-employed logger. In addition to his professional experience, Jonathan has served as a board member and deacon at Beech Run Church of the Brethren. He also served as a board member of Camp Blue Diamond for seven years.
Dan Radcliff (Highland Avenue) and Ann Vang have resigned their positions with Eder Financial. Both have accepted positions with Everence. Dan Radcliff has resigned as program director for Organizational Investing, Deferred Gifts, Client Services at Eder as of Oct. 30. He began employment with Eder on Oct. 26, 2020. Ann Vang resigned as operations coordinator, product and services, at Eder as of Sept. 11. She began employment with Eder on Dec. 2, 2024. Eder is in the process of transitioning its employee retirement and organizational investing services to Everence, an organization with connections to the Mennonite tradition and previously named Mennonite Mutual Aid.
JOB OPENINGS
The Church of the Brethren is seeking an individual to fill a full-time salaried position of Mission Advancement Advocate. The major responsibility is to strengthen individual and congregational relationships and increase financial support for the ministries of the Church of the Brethren through cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship. At least three years of experience in fundraising, development, donor relations, constituent engagement, nonprofit advancement, or comparable relationship/management work is desired, and a bachelor’s degree or equivalent work experience is required. The position can be located at the offices in Elgin, Ill., or be remote. Applications will be received beginning immediately and will be reviewed on an ongoing basis until the position is filled. Qualified candidates may send a cover letter and resume’ to COBApply@brethren.org.
Bethany Theological Seminary is seeking a new Chief Financial and Operations Officer. The CFOO serves as a hands-on, strategic, and trusted member of the president’s Leadership Team and treasurer to the Board of Trustees. This senior executive role oversees all financial strategy, investment stewardship, risk management, and administrative operations for the seminary, with a seat at the table on institutional strategy and long-term sustainability. The CFOO partners directly with the president and board to guide the seminary through the financial realities facing theological education today, while overseeing a team responsible for accounting, payroll, human resources, facilities, and student financial services. Read the full position description here.
The Church of the Brethren’s Northern Plains District seeks a half-time district executive to nurture the spiritual and numerical growth of the district. The district executive is directly accountable and reportable to the executive committee of the district board. The district executive is expected to grow spiritually and professionally, participating in events such as the Council of District Executives professional growth events, ecumenical educational events, personal prayer and scripture study, spiritual retreat time, and educational opportunities relating to district work. Areas of responsibility include pastoral placement, pastoral and congregational support, building relationships within the district and between the district and the denomination, relating to the district board and committees, administration and supervision of district operations and district staff and volunteers, leadership development both ministerial and lay, denominational involvement, and ecumenical relations. Desired attributes and skills include, among others, a deep commitment to God and the Church of the Brethren, completion of an approved course of theological education and/or ministerial training, ministerial credentials, and pastoral experience. To express interest in the position, contact Nate Polzin, executive director of the Church of the Brethren Discipleship and Leadership Formation, at npolzin@brethren.org.
Camp Alexander Mack seeks an accomplished relational leader, grounded in Christian faith to serve as their next executive director. This is a full-time, year-round position. This leader will serve as the chief executive of Camp Mack, providing vision, direction, and stewardship for all aspects of the organization. They will be equally comfortable engaging with campers and congregations, collaborating with board members, developing staff, managing budgets, overseeing facilities, and representing the ministry at large. For more information or to apply check out Camp Mack's website: https://campmack.org/serve/employment/.
Camp Swatara invites applications for its next executive director. The camp is located near Bethel, Pa. The camp is prayerfully searching for the next executive director—a mission-driven leader called to the intersection of ministry, community, and outdoor camp life on 700-plus acres at the foot of Blue Mountain. Learn more, share input, and apply at www.campswatara.org/leadcamp.
Camp Harmony is seeking candidates for its next executive director. The Church of the Brethren-related camp and outdoor ministry center is located near Hooversville, Pa. Austin Masser, the present executive director, is leaving the position in July. Find out more about the camp at www.campharmony.org. Contact phil@campharmony.org for more information about the open position.
DENOMINATIONAL NEWS/NEWSLINE
The Church of the Brethren has received reports of a fraudulent email sent to churches and pastors using the denomination’s name and contact information. The known version uses the subject “Urgent: Brethren Update”; says the sender is the “Church of the Brethren,” using admin@docupdatedd.org as its email address; and includes a link labeled “BRETHREN – UPDATE.” The message is not from the Church of the Brethren. Its link may download software that could allow someone else to access the recipient’s computer remotely. If you receive this message, do not reply, click the link, or download or install the file. Mark or report the message as phishing to your email provider and delete it. If you downloaded the file but did not open it, delete it and run a security scan on your computer. If you opened or installed the file, disconnect the computer from Wi-Fi and any wired network. Contact a trusted technology professional before using the device again for email, financial transactions, or other sensitive activity. Always be cautious of emails that seem suspicious and verify the sender’s address.
Save the date! The dates for the 2027 National Older Adult Conference (NOAC) have been announced. The next NOAC will take place Sept. 6-10, 2027.
Mid-Atlantic District is sharing a recording of the recent Dunker Church Service at the historic Antietam Civil War Battlefield in Maryland. View the recording here. “Even if you couldn’t attend the service,” said the announcement, “you can experience this year’s moving music, scripture, lament and message.”
On Earth Peace is beginning a monthly online chapel service titled “The Signs of the Times Faith Formation Series.” The virtual event “is a monthly gathering hosted by On Earth Peace for followers of Jesus seeking spiritual grounding, wisdom, and courage in a time marked by authoritarianism, violence, polarization, and social upheaval,” said an announcement. This month’s theme is “Following Jesus in a Time of Authoritarian Threat and Violence.” This inaugural chapel time is planned for Oct. 19 at 2 p.m. (Eastern time) with Matt Guynn, On Earth Peace co-director and director of organizing, sharing the message. RSVP here.
For 30 years, faith communities across the country, including many in the Church of the Brethren fold, have used Equal Exchange fair trade products to support their fellowship hour, table sales, holiday bazaars, and more. In previous years, the former Brethren Witness/Washington Office was a denominational partner with Equal Exchange in an Interfaith Program that sponsored a fair trade Brethren Coffee Project. Equal Exchange this year is celebrating its 40th anniversary as an organization and also the 30th anniversary of its Interfaith Program. Equal Exchange is a leader in the fair-trade movement and a worker-owned cooperative since 1986.
The National Council of Churches of Christ in the USA (NCC) is holding its annual Christian Unity Gathering Oct. 12-16 in Philadelphia. This year’s gathering focused “on Religious Freedom, providing an opportunity for church leaders, ecumenical partners, scholars, and emerging theologians to explore the vital role of religious liberty in advancing justice and peace.” Find out more.
Registration for summer 2027 FaithX opens on Jan. 6 at 6 p.m. Registration is open now for the next Older Adult FaithX experience. Adults ages 50-plus are invited to join FaithX at Camp Ithiel in Florida Feb. 21-26 for a week of volunteering, relaxing in the southern sunshine, and growing in faith together. There will be options that are suitable for all abilities. Registration will close on Feb. 1. Click here to sign up.
The Church of the Brethren’s webpage on conscientious objection to war is at www.brethren.org/peacebuilding/co. Links on this page direct young people who want to learn more about what conscientious objection means and its biblical and Brethren roots to a free downloadable curriculum titled “Call of Conscience.” The direct link to the curriculum is www.brethren.org/peacebuilding/co/introduction.
Intercultural Ministries Café: Faith & Culture Conversations—rooted in relationship, discipleship, and practical intercultural engagement—will be held once a month through Oct. 20. The registration link is available at www.brethren.org/intercultural/#cafe.
GRANTS AND GIVING:
Grants available through the district include the following:
1. Mission and Mortar: Sustaining and developing ministry (mission) within congregations, as well as maintaining property (mortar), is sometimes hindered because of inadequate financial resources. The Illinois/Wisconsin District, whose mission is to support the growth and development of member congregations, desires to financially support congregations that are in good standing with the district and have specific needs. More information can be found here.
2. Being Jesus in the Neighborhood: Congregations can apply for $100 in seed money to start a new outreach project or initiative in their local communities, or to expand an existing one. These should be projects that intentionally engage with the neighborhood immediately around the congregation or, for those in rural locations, with the town or area around the church. Each congregation receiving a grant will be asked to share a little about their project at district conference. More information can be found here.
3. Emerging Missions Fund: To facilitate the growth and establishment of new faith communities, this grant is available for church and ministry planting initiatives. New church and ministry plants are encouraged to apply by contacting the district office and/or the CRDT.
4. Supporting Your District
The Illinois/Wisconsin District is active in a variety of ministry and mission efforts, both directly and indirectly. Continuing these efforts requires resources in the form of time, tools, knowledge, and especially finances. Consider making a contribution to the district’s general fund or one of its special funds (disaster relief, youth, emerging ministries, etc.). Look for the donate button at iwdcob.org, or send your checks to the district office: 1S071 Luther Ave., Lombard, IL 60148.
4. Supporting Your District
The Illinois/Wisconsin District is active in a variety of ministry and mission efforts, both directly and indirectly. Continuing these efforts requires resources in the form of time, tools, knowledge, and especially finances. Consider making a contribution to the district’s general fund or one of its special funds (disaster relief, youth, emerging ministries, etc.). Look for the donate button at iwdcob.org, or send your checks to the district office: 1S071 Luther Ave., Lombard, IL 60148.
Tuesday, September 01, 2026
The Village ILWIDIot
Walt Wiltschek
“You may be sure that wherever the good news is told all over the world, people will remember what she has done. And they will tell others.” —Mark 14:9, CEV
An article in Peoria First’s recent newsletter shared about a local elementary school class that created a “Gratitude Tree.” The students developed it with their families, working on it at home and bringing the fruits of those efforts to class.
The teachers then took the various pieces and assembled them into a colorful tree, providing a vivid display of all the things for which their students were thankful.
The school, Hines Primary School, is one with which Peoria First connects regularly—particularly through its “Snack Pack Ministry” that delivers packages of snacks for each student once a month. And one of the items that a student created for the Gratitude Tree was the Snack Pack.
“It may seem that (your ministry) goes unnoticed,” Hines principal Julie Hancock wrote, “but it is definitely appreciated.” The donations, she said, are “like gold.”
I wonder how many of the ministries of our congregations or individuals, large or small, end up on someone’s Gratitude Tree. Whether it’s rebuilding a house or donating food, visiting a homebound person or volunteering to do some clean-up, teaching a child or doing some random act of kindness, our actions matter. We might feel that our work goes unnoticed when it’s actually planting seeds of gratitude in our wake.
Peoria First shared that its ministry is “intended to help provide nutritious food to children who may not have access to adequate food when they are not and school AND to let the children know that we care of them, and more importantly, so does God.” Where God is made real, gratitude naturally follows.
Happy planting!
DISTRICT EXECUTIVE SCHEDULE
In addition to regular meetings, Walt will be worshiping at Yellow Creek (Pearl City) Sept. 20, officiating a wedding in Peoria Sept. 26, attending the district Hymn Sing & Ice Cream Social in Franklin Grove Sept. 27, worshiping at La Place and meeting with Cerro Gordo on Oct. 4, attending a Council of District Executives executive committee meeting in Lombard Oct. 5, worshiping and attending anniversary events at York Center on Oct. 18, and worshiping at Hurricane Creek on Oct. 25.
Walt is available to visit your church, do pulpit supply, lead sessions, have conversation times, or otherwise connect with your congregation. Please contact IWDDE@outlook.com to schedule a time. He is half-time and is usually on district duty late afternoons/evenings on weekdays plus weekends.
NEW PHONE NUMBER: Due to issues with our previous phone provider, the district has switched to a new plan with a new phone number. The NEW district office phone number is 630-576-0276, ext. 800. Also, please remember to use the correct district office address for all mail correspondence: Church of the Brethren IL/WI District, 1S071 Luther Ave., Lombard, IL 60148. As noted previously, please do not send district mail to Canton. Thank you!q
AT THE GROWING EDGE
by Jocelyn Watkins, 2026 Illinois/Wisconsin District moderator
“I remind you to rekindle the gift of God that is within you” (2 Timothy 1:6)
“Your faith is growing abundantly, and the love of every one of you for one another is increasing” (2 Thessalonians 1:3).
Beloved in Christ,
If you look closely at a tree near the end of summer, the newest growth is usually visible at the outermost edges. The younger leaves may be a slightly different shade. A branch extends a few inches beyond the older wood. Beneath the bark, another layer has joined all the rings that came before it. Years of wind, drought, rain, injury, and abundance remain within the trunk, while life continues to press outward into space the tree has never occupied before.
As our year of “Kindled Anew” moves toward its closing months, I return to what first drew me to Paul’s words in 2 Timothy: the gift of God was already within Timothy. Paul calls him to rekindle what has been placed there: to stir it, tend it, give it air, and allow it to burn with renewed strength. For much of this year, we have looked toward those embers and asked what might still be alive within our congregations, our district, and ourselves. Now another question comes into view. Once the warmth returns, where does that renewed life begin to reach?
A tree can only grow from the life already moving through it. Water rises through roots anchored in old soil. Nutrients travel through wood formed in earlier seasons. The newest leaf at the end of a branch depends upon a whole history it cannot see. The church carries a history in much the same way: Scripture, memory, worship, relationships, convictions, and practices shaped long before any of us arrived. What has formed us continues to feed what is forming now.
Eventually, growth reaches an edge. The branch arrives where there is no older wood ahead of it. A root presses into soil it has never entered. Congregations know these edges. A neighborhood changes around a church whose doors have opened onto the same street for generations. Familiar ways of carrying ministry become harder to sustain. New questions enter old rooms. Gifts emerge for which no committee or program was designed. The rooted life of the congregation meets circumstances it has never encountered before.
The newest growth has no thick bark around it yet. It is tender and exposed, and reaching farther changes the shape of the branch. This is the growing edge: the place where deeply rooted life encounters open space.
Paul sees a similar movement when he writes to the Thessalonians: “Your faith is growing abundantly, and the love of every one of you for one another is increasing.” Whatever God is doing within this community is becoming visible in the distance their love can travel. Increasing love changes the boundaries of concern. People who once seemed distant become part of the circle. Another congregation’s joys and struggles become more than information in a newsletter. Questions about what we need begin to share space with questions about what we can offer, receive, share, and learn.
Our life together as a district gives those growing edges places to meet. We enter rooms with people whose congregations have taken different paths, whose circumstances may reveal possibilities we cannot see from within our own walls. A conversation over lunch, shared worship, or a visit to another church can alter the field of vision. A branch extending into unfamiliar space begins to discover how much life surrounds it.
Dennis Beckner’s 2027 Annual Conference theme, “Growing Faith,” arrives at an especially fitting point in this journey. Drawing from Paul’s words to the Thessalonians, Dennis invites the wider church to consider faith that grows abundantly alongside love that increases. When he joins us at district conference in November and leads our equipping session, we will have an opportunity to hear more about that invitation. His theme also follows naturally from the work we have been doing under “Kindled Anew.” Rekindling has drawn our attention to the gift God has already placed within us; growing faith turns our eyes toward where that renewed life may now be reaching.
By November, I hope we will bring more than reports and business to Polo. I hope we will bring evidence that our edges have moved: relationships strengthened, gifts newly recognized, boundaries crossed, help offered and received, and connections that did not exist a year ago.
A tree’s newest growth may be only a few inches of tender wood beside a trunk shaped across decades. Yet that small extension bears witness to life still moving through the whole tree. The rings within the trunk hold the story of where it has been, while the growing edge reveals where that life is reaching now.
As “Kindled Anew” moves into its final months, may we honor what has carried us this far while keeping our eyes on the places where renewed life is pressing outward. The Spirit who rekindles the gift within us is still at work wherever faith reaches farther and love makes more room.
Look toward the growing edge. It may already be showing us what comes next.
ADDENDUM: NOTES FOR THE WEEKS AHEAD
--October is Clergy Appreciation Month (or Pastor Appreciation Month). The denomination's Pastoral Compensation and Benefits Advisory Committee has prepared some thoughts on the occasion and ideas for expressing your gratitude in the weeks ahead. You can find those below. Be sure to take time to say thank you to your pastor and other clergy in your midst!
Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ,
Since the early 1990s, October has been recognized globally as Pastor Appreciation Month, with the second Sunday set aside as Pastor Appreciation Day.
Our pastors care for us through life’s most significant moments. Their work goes far beyond Sunday sermons — involving hospital visits, counseling, administrative leadership, and late-night emergency calls. Because much of this labor happens behind the scenes and requires strict confidentiality, ministry can often be isolating, impacting both pastors and their families.
Honor and rest are directly tied to long-term sustainability. Scripture calls us to actively value those who shepherd us:
"The elders who direct the affairs of the church well are worthy of double honor, especially those whose work is preaching and teaching." — 1 Timothy 5:17
"We ask you, brothers and sisters, to acknowledge those who work hard among you... Hold them in the highest regard in love because of their work." — 1 Thessalonians 5:12–13
October gives us a dedicated opportunity to pour back into those who pour into us. Here are a few practical ways you and your family can show gratitude:
• Personal Notes: Write a heartfelt card or letter sharing how their ministry has impacted your life.
• Tangible Blessings: Offer gift cards, a financial love offering, or dinner for their family.
• Acts of Service & Rest: Help lift operational burdens or encourage them to take dedicated rest and sabbath time.
How will you and your family celebrate our pastors this month? Let’s make this a joyful, church-wide expression of love.
Peacefully, simply, and together,
Harry Biddle, Chair
PCBAC
--The district office in Lombard has a new phone number! Going forward, please use 630-576-0276, ext. 800, to reach the district office directly. You can still email or contact Walt on his cell phone as before.
--Community Peacemaker Teams--which has a Chicago office--is marking its 40th anniversary! To celebrate this milestone, CPT is hosting a special online gathering on Saturday, Sept. 26 at 11 a.m. Central that brings together stories spanning four decades of peacemaking, solidarity, and transforming violence and oppression. Sign up at cpt.org/forty.
--And note that we will hold a hearing on the proposed congregational withdrawal policy coming to district conference, sharing information from the team that drafted the policy and providing time to answer any questions. Contact the District Office for Zoom details for that opportunity on Oct. 17 (at 10:30 a.m. via Zoom)
UPCOMING MEETINGS & EVENTS
Potluck Experience planning team, Sept. 16, 7 p.m.
Ministry Leadership Development Team, Sept. 23, 6:30 p.m.
District Hymn Sing & Ice Cream Social, Emmert Meeting House, Franklin Grove, Ill., Sept. 27, 2:30 p.m.
Program & Arrangements Committee, Sept. 30, 6:30 p.m.
Leadership Team, Oct. 6, 6:30 p.m.
Church Revitalization and Development Team, Oct. 17, 9 a.m.
Hearing on proposed congregational withdrawal policy, Oct. 17, 10:30 a.m.
2026 Illinois/Wisconsin District conference, Nov. 6-7, Polo (Ill.) Church of the Brethren
2027 District Potluck event, April 17, 2027, Cerro Gordo (Ill.) Church of the Brethren
[all meetings via Zoom unless otherwise noted]
IN OUR PRAYERS
A district prayer calendar has been created for your use in praying for our district and related programs through the year. We invite you to include the following in your prayers in coming weeks:
Week of Sept. 13: Pray this week for current and former members of our district now living in other places, and for the Church of the Brethren in Haiti (Eglise des Freres) as it carries on despite the violence and unrest in that nation and immigration concerns at home.
Week of Sept. 20: Pray for the Mount Morris congregation this week, for those who work at the Brethren Service Center in New Windsor, Md., and for the ministry of Church World Service.
Week of Sept. 27: Pray for the Canton congregation, and for the work and ministry of Brethren Press and all those who write curriculum, books, and other materials. Pray for Brethren Press staff members Wendy McFadden, Cheryl Brumbaugh-Cayford, Sarah Radcliff (all Highland Avenue) and Heidi Gross (Chicago First).
Week of Oct. 4: Pray for the Allison Prairie congregation near Lawrenceville, and for all the assistance being provided through the Church of the Brethren Global Food Initiative.
Week of Oct. 11: Pray for the Church of the Brethren Mission & Ministry Board as it meets this week, for general secretary David Steele, and for all the members of our district who work in denominational staff positions.
MINISTRY NEWS
The district celebrated TWO installation services in August! Gay Bouwmeester was officially installed as part-time settled pastor at York Center on Aug. 16, and Krista Dutt was installed as full-time settled pastor for Highland Avenue the following Sunday, Aug. 23. Each had previously been serving as interim pastor for their congregation. The installations were followed with receptions filled with food and (in the case of Highland Avenue) board games. We rejoice with them and the congregations in this new chapter of ministry.
Lynda Willmann extended her part-time interim ministry with Mount Morris through Oct. 4.
The pastoral compensation materials for 2027 are available from the denominational Ministry Office. An email went out last month, and you can find the materials online at Pastoral Compensation Tools – Ministry Office. A compensation calculator is also available there for those who might find it helpful. The recommended salary table for pastors, based on the denominational scale, includes a 4.2 percent increase over 2026 based on the national cost-ofliving adjustment.
Pastors and staff members of Brethren congregations, districts, and camps still will be able to purchase short- and long-term disability, life, vision, dental, critical illness, and accident ancillary insurance products from Eder Financial for 2027 through a group plan. Benefits of the group plan include one open enrollment period, ability to obtain insurance without medical screening or knowledge of pre-existing conditions, and a uniform rate. Rates are not available yet, but enrollment information will be sent to the church, district, and camp administrators in October with open enrollment running from Nov. 9-20. For questions, please email insurance@eder.org.
Congregational vacancies/updates:
Cerro Gordo: David Biggs began as part-time interim pastor for a one-year period in May. The search committee remains active, and a congregational profile is available.
Highland Avenue (Elgin): Krista Dutt was installed as the full-time settled pastor on Aug. 23.
Mount Morris: Lynda Willmann is currently serving as quarter-time interim pastor through early October. 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 recently posted their profile for a half-time position.
Naperville: Tony Asta began as part-time interim pastor 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.
York Center (Lombard): Gay Bouwmeester was installed as the part-time settled pastor on Aug. 16.
CONGREGATIONAL/LOCAL NEWS
Freeport will hold its annual pork chop drive-through meal on Sunday, Sept. 27, 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Just enter and exit the church driveway at 777 W. Pleasant St. (corner of S. West Avenue). Get a boneless grilled pork chop, cheesy hashbrowns, green beans, roll, choice of apple pie bar or pumpkin bar with cream cheese icing, and plastic cutlery for $10. Then you can take your meals home or to the local park. It's a home-cooked meal at fast food speed!
Freeport was also among congregations to receive funds from the latest Brethren Faith in Action Fund distributions. A total of $2,416.67 will support creation of a permanent memorial honoring victims of all forms of violence. On the International Day of Peace in 2024 and 2025, the church planted peace doves on its lawn with pictures and names of victims of gun violence in the community since 2015. The permanent memorial for victims of violence will include a wall with aluminum plates printed with the names, pictures, and dates for each victim, protected with plexiglass, along with a bench, landscaping, and brochure boxes to hold materials giving information about assistance for domestic abuse victims and other resources to avoid further violence.
Canton member and professional storm chaser Colin Davis will present “Storm Chasing: Or Why I Am the Way I Am” Sept. 22 at 6 p.m. at the Farmington Area Public Library. He will look at the history of storm chasing, what it’s actually like to spend days on the road following storms, and share about some of the best (and craziest) storms he’s had the chance to witness and document over the years, “from Tornado Alley to right here at home.”
Highland Avenue (Elgin) held an all-church picnic at a local park on Sept. 13 and will have a joint outdoor worship service with First Presbyterian Church on Sept. 27. A congregational campfire is also scheduled for Sept. 18. Some members took part in a Rally Against Global Poverty in Elgin Aug. 30, with speakers from Church World Service and local organizations.
The Madtown Brethren group (Madison, Wis.) gathered for worship/fellowship and a planning time on Sunday, Aug. 30, at the Goodman Community Center in Madison. About 20 people attended. The house church group, which meets periodically, will next meet Sept. 27 at 10 a.m. at the Goodman Community Center with Alton Hipps leading the sharing time.
Peoria First will do its fall Mountain Mission trip to the Henderson Settlement in Kentucky Nov. 12-15. A fundraiser for the effort will take place Sept. 27. … The congregation also recently marked more than a decade of its Snack Pack Ministry for the local Hines Primary School. The next group of donations will be assembled Sept. 28.
York Center (Lombard) will hold a 75th anniversary celebration on Oct. 18 during and after worship. Pictures and mementos from past years are being collected, and the congregation has been sharing photos and memories from past directories as far back as 1970 in anticipation of the event.
Ecumenism Metro Chicago will hold a “Blessed Are the Peacemakers” ecumenical prayer service on Wednesday, Sept. 30, at 6:30 p.m. at Fourth Presbyterian Church’s Buchanan Chapel in Chicago (115 E. Delaware Place). The event will mark the International Day of Prayer for Peace. The event will conclude with a peace walk on Michigan Avenue, with closing prayer in the church courtyard. Cheryl Brumbaugh-Cayford (Highland Avenue) will represent the district, one of 14 participating faith communions. All are welcome.
Do you have congregational news: celebrations, milestones, “Jesus in the Neighborhood” stories or other things to share with our district family? Please send them to iwdde@outlook.com.
