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 Central/Southern Illinois Synod of the ELCA                                 
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Bishop's Prayer

As we begin to prepare our hearts and minds for the up-coming Synod Assembly…
 
Dear Lord, we are grateful for the Holy Spirit that calls us through the Gospel, enlightens us with his gifts and sanctifies and preserves us in true faith. We are thankful for the Church in which the Holy Spirit keeps the fellowship of believers united with Jesus Christ in true faith. Yet, in the midst of our gratitude, we realize that there are many influences that work on us individually and corporately to compete with the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives.
 
We pray this day that you would bless our efforts to identify those influences and work to keep them from interfering with the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives and in the life of your Church. We ask that you bless our renewal efforts as we make them a priority throughout this coming year. Bless those who will help introduce the idea of renewal at our Synod Assembly in May. We ask for your blessings on Pastor Mary Francis, Pastor Brent Dahlseng, and Pastor Fred Landsberg as they prepare to participate in our assembly and help to introduce the dynamics of renewal. Open our hearts to your love and grace, O Lord, as we seek to be faithful disciples.
 
We pray this in Jesus’ name.  Amen
 
--Bishop Freiheit

 

                                                               

Reflections  from

Bishop Freiheit

 

 

Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ,
 
If you serve a congregation in the Central/Southern Illinois Synod, you more than likely felt the 5.2 earthquake earlier this morning.  Our two closest congregations to the identified epicenter are Trinity, Olney, and Zion, Mt. Carmel.  Both Pastor Karen McNeill-Utecht and Pastor Gary Ryden said that it was a notable experience but neither sustained damage in their homes or in their church structures.  We are grateful for that and that the earthquake was no more severe than it was. 
 
If there are other congregations or rostered leaders who sustained damage, please notify the synod office.
 
May God bless you as you prepare to serve God’s people in worship this weekend.
 
Yours in Christ,
 
Bishop Freiheit
 Good News/ Bad News/ Good News Minimize
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
 
I have Good News, and Bad News, and Good News.  First the good news . . . presently our synod is in the lead among all synods in percentage of rostered leaders and spouses who have taken the risk assessment through the Board of Pensions.  And now the bad news . . . we are still only at 58.3% of the 75% needed to get the 2% discount on health plan contributions for our synod.  And now the final good news . . . you can still take the health assessment by going to the ELCA web page, and clicking Churchwide Units in box on the left.  Scroll way down to Board of Pensions, and once you have clicked it, scroll down to the green box on the lower left side to Health Assessment.  The page gives information on the benefits to the synod and each rostered leader if we complete the 75% challenge.  It will only take 35 more assessments for us to reach the 75% goal.  If you have put it off, you are not too late.  Give it a try and learn about what you can change in life to increase your health concerns.
 
Blessings!
 
Bishop Warren D. Freiheit
Central/Southern Illinois Synod
  
 

524 S. 5TH ST. ♦ SPRINGFIELD, IL 62701 ♦ Phone:(217)753-7915 ♦ Fax:(217)753-7976 ♦

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CSIS Synod of the ELCA