As Christians we know that we are supposed to love one another. It's often easy to do in our own congregation. Sometimes we can even see how we can help in our synod (like Pedal for a Purpose).  But how do we show love for the people around the world who we probably will never see?

Sometimes a story is too remarkable not to share. Such, I believe, is the case with the following story involving the congregation of Salem Lutheran Church at Mendon, IL. I was privileged to witness God’s hand at work in a very active way.

On December 16th, the East Central conference hosted their 4th Hops and Hymns event of the year at Riggs Beer Company in Urbana. It was a night full of holiday hymns and was standing room only for most of the night.

The annual Lutheran World Relief In-Gathering on October 27 at St. John’s in Bloomington was a huge success.

The Northern Conference Youth Board hosted a Be Like Jesus junior servant day for 1st through 3rd graders at Salem Lutheran in Peoria on Saturday, November 3.  

The Chaplaincy Department of Taylorville Correctional Center [TCC] is seeking volunteers to lead worship services, Bible studies, and/or music ministry.

Brothers and Sisters in Christ, I am writing you with a heart full of gratitude for your synod and Pr. Adam's initiative to support Lutheran Outdoor Ministries Center through Pedal for a Purpose this year.

Nine pastors and lay people from Central/Southern Illinois Synod congregations attended the Stewardship Kaleidoscope conference in St. Louis September 24-26, supported by scholarship money from the ELCA.

About 75 participants from congregations in the Central/Southern Illinois Synod and the Northern Illinois Synod gathered on October 6 for a Discovering Hope workshop focusing on key ministry themes for small membership congregations such as worship, evangelism, prayer and caring ministries and the power of the Holy Spirit.

St. John’s Lutheran Church of Sibley participated with two Action teams from Thrivent Financial during August and September. We were blessed to receive $250 for each project. One was for paint and supplies and one for groceries.

The Apostle Paul has been subject to revisionism and criticism from the minute he began to embark on the mission to which he was called. But he was a man of place and time, and in order to understand Paul we must begin with some understanding of who he was in relation to his culture and environment. 

The congregation of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Forrest, celebrated the retirement of Pastor Corinne H. Blissard on July 29, 2018, with a Farewell Worship Service, card shower and brunch.

Rev. Dr. S. John Roth, Bishop of the C/SIS, is to be on sabbatical from October 7th, 2018 to January 6th, 2019.  He will be exploring the way ELCA synods and bishops gauge and respond to challenges the church faces--whether with technical or adaptive "fixes," and which are appropriate for various circumstances. 

As partners in ministry, the ELCA invites you to make a Statement of Intent to synod and churchwide ministries for 2019. Through the spiritual practices of invitation, reflection and response, we faithfully consider how to share God’s abundant grace.

Dr. Mark Ruff, Professor of History at St. Louis University, will teach the course, THE COLD WAR AND A DIVIDED CHURCH: The Church’s Conflict Between Communist East and Capitalist West. 

The Herman Trede and Esther Trede Memorial Scholarship for the school year 2018-2019 is available this year to any student that is a member of a congregation in the Central/Southern Illinois Synod who is attending a Lutheran College, University, or Theological Seminary.

First off, thank you all for your generous support to our Pedal for a Purpose efforts over the last five years. Together, we have biked thousands of miles, brought congregations together, strengthened community, celebrated our shared ministry, and raised over $150,000 for Lutheran Social Services of Illinois, Illinois campus ministries, our companion synods in Madagascar, and assisting pastors new to our synod with their seminary debt. Thank you5 thanks be to God5 and let’s great ready for another year!

At Grace and Peace Lutheran Church in Peoria, it is “never too early” for ministry skill development.

The “Draft of the Social Statement on Women and Justice” is now available in print or on the ELCA web for discussion and response. All responses will be received by the ELCA Task Force on Women and Justice: One in Christ will inform its work to prepare the proposed social statement that will be considered by the 2019 ELCA Churchwide Assembly.