We’re All in This Together 

“The body is a unit, though it is made up of many parts; and though all its parts are many, they form one body. So it is with Christ. For we were all baptized by one Spirit into one body—Jews or Greeks, slaves or free—and we were all given the one Spirit to drink. Now the body is not made up one part but of many.” 1 Corinthians 12:12-14

Have you ever had a bad toothache, headache, or ??? (the list goes on). It often makes the whole body ache and not seem to function at top performance. Once that ache or pain is gone, the energy and enthusiasm return. Our bodies are a fantastic creation and a blessing from God. Each part of the body has a unique function. Sin causes many aches in body, mind, and soul, doesn’t it? What’s aching for you?

Just as our bodies function better with all of the parts working at their maximum, so it is with the body of Christ. Jesus ached too, in pain and punishment for sin, on order to defeat sin. His work was accepted by the Father, and He rose with the glorified body. No pain, only glory. He had a glorified body in resurrection. One day, we will too, with no more aching. As redeemed children of God, we are given each other to do the work of His kingdom. Each of us has a unique calling and opportunity to serve. As we step out in mission this year, let’s remember to keep Jesus the main thing and share the love of Christ with each other and the children we have the blessing to teach and lead. Jesus leads you, this year and always.

This year, let us again focus on the three pillars of the NID. Be in the WORD each day. Take time to focus on your WELLNESS. Be a WITNESS of Christ’s love.

Serving the Master Teacher,

Lois Stewart

Mission Facilitator for Schools

2024-2025 School Theme

CUC Center for Christian Education



A few more spots are still open for the New Teacher Institute this fall through the Center for Christian Education at Concordia University Chicago. This virtual program will offer additional support for our new teachers in the classroom! 

If you have any questions, please contact Dr. Anne Thies, Director of the Center for Christian Education, at anne.thies@cuchicago.edu. To register, please use the link below. Sign up today!

Professional Development Credits

Concordia University Chicago is happy to provide your faculty and staff with professional development credit again this year as an ISBE Approved Provider. We will be utilizing the new ISBE Professional Development Tool, PD+.

Requests for Professional Development must be submitted at least two weeks prior to the Professional Development Activity. Information on our approval process can be found on our College of Education website:

Professional Development - College of Education - LibGuides at Concordia University Chicago (cuchicago.edu)



National Lutheran Schools Accreditation Banner

The NID is thankful for all of our schools, from small to large, which teach Jesus each day. I continue to lift them all up in prayer, as plans for the coming school year are started, and they focus on Word, Wellness, and Witness.

If you are an accredited school with NLSA, you may order your new banner by visiting https://www.luthed.org/nlsa-accredited-school-banners/

2024 Educators Conference 

The registration link for the October 18, 2024 Educator Conference is open for schools to begin that process. Everyone received an email with the link on August 9, 2024. We look forward to having all schools join us for worship, learning, and fellowship! 

Phil’s Friends

Phil’s Friends is a Recognized Service Organization in the NID. They are interested in getting scheduled to lead chapel or do packing parties of the care boxes that get sent out to cancer patients. For more information, please see the letter attached below.

School Administrators

Watch your email for a reminder to complete the annual Statistical Report for Rosters and Statistics. This is your annual reporting form. The information that you share is very helpful in research for our District and across the LCMS. Last year we had 96% reported. That was great, but I know we can get 100%!!

Early Childhood, Elementary and High School Administrators

The new school year brings so many opportunities to serve, learn, and grow together. We are blessed with conference opportunities where we can come together as fellow brothers and sisters in Christ.

Since many Early Childhood Directors are not able to leave their schools during the day, we have decided that all Early Childhood Directors will be encouraged to register for and attend the conference dates scheduled and attend with the elementary and high school administrators. The topics chosen will benefit early childhood as well. It is important that Directors meet with the principals for networking and fellowship.

The first Early Childhood Educator Zoom took place on Saturday, August 17, 2024, from 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. This Zoom was to bring everyone together for devotion, reintroductions, and an update on the exciting things planned for this school year. See upcoming planned events/dates for the year HERE.

In-Person Opportunities for Learning

The first in-person Early Childhood event will be Saturday, September 21, 2024, starting at 9:00 a.m. We will gather at Concordia University Chicago in the Oak Park-River Forest room. The presentation will be Module 5 of the Spiritual Nurture of the Young Child series which was presented by LEA. If you haven’t yet done so, please visit here to register. These resources are free of charge for educators in the NID.

The first Elementary and High School conference took place on Monday, September 9, 2024, at Concordia University Chicago. The topic focused on motivation and mindset. Rev. Gabe Kasper was our guest presenter. Pastor Kasper serves as the Lead Pastor of University Lutheran Church at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor.

He gave insight and suggestions on the pathway to having necessary conversations with respect about worldviews. How do we balance our LCMS identity, yet have respectful conversation? The title of the presentation was "Living with Soft Edges and a Firm Center."

The online registration link will stay active all school year for the other events. You will find that information here on the NID website. All registration will be done online. If you haven’t registered for the other events yet, or plan bring a guest, please do that on the website. If you plan to use Title finds to cover the cost, please let me know (lois.stewart@nidlcms.org). 

Hearts for Jesus

We are blessed to be a blessing. It is with great joy that I am able to share that your dedication and support of the 2023-2024 "Hearts for Jesus" project blessed the Belize Mission Society with a contribution of over $7,000.00! That generosity will assist in supplying nutritious meals for the children in the village of Georgetown. This is an expansion of the feeding program.

The "Hearts for Jesus" focus this school year will be a starting point as donations are taken to construct a new playground at St. Alphonse School in Seine Bight. See below for photos of the current playground.

The playground is located right next to Christ Lutheran Church where the message of Jesus is proclaimed in Word and deed. We get to be good neighbors and then speak of the Living Hope we have in our Savior. We get to connect the community with the mission. Word, Wellness, and Witness are all part of the daily walk in Seine Bight where Jesus is the center.

Lutheran Education Association

The LEA staff is a tremendous blessing to us as we serve various ministries in the NID. The services and opportunities they provide for teachers is wonderful. Please take a look at the attached flyer about the Lutheran Junior Honor Association. It is a great way for you to connect your students.

LJHA was designed by Lutheran educators for Lutheran schools. Join with schools from New York to California, Texas to Wisconsin and form your school’s chapter today. For more information and to join, go to https://www.lea.org/lutheran-junior-honor-association-ljha/. Questions? Contact Denise Rice, Director of Educational Resources for LEA at denise.rice@lea.org.

Parish Professionals

To God be the glory for the Parish Professionals that serve in the NID (Directors of Christian Education, Deaconesses, Parish Musicians, just to name a few)! I will serve as the coordinator of the group this year as Alex Brice serves with David Meier as National Youth Gathering coordinators for the NID.

Watch for emails each month with event information. The first meeting for the group will be Thursday, September 19, 2024 at Trinity Lutheran Church and School, 405 S. Rush St., Roselle, Illinois 60172. We will gather for an opening devotion at 11:00 a.m. and finish up about 1:30 p.m. If you have any questions, please reach out to me at (lois.stewart@nidlcms.org).

If you haven’t already done so, please secure your copy of The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry by John Mark Comer for our book read.

Parish Nurses

The Parish Nurses serve in a variety of ways in their own congregations and across the NID. If you have a Parish Nurse in your congregation, please encourage them to connect with this group. Have them contact me (lois.stewart@nidlcms.org) for more information.

They will meet next on Tuesday, October 17, 2024, starting at 10:00 a.m. The event will be held at St. John’s Lutheran Church, 4247 183rd St., Country Club Hills, Illinois 60478.