Are You Fishing for Jesus?

“While walking by the Sea of Galilee, He (Jesus) saw two brothers, Simon (who is called Peter) and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea, for they were fishermen. And He said to them, ‘Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men.’” Matthew 4:18-19

Have you ever been fishing – for fish? Some say it is a very relaxing activity. I would have to disagree. I would describe it as pretty stressful since you must be very quiet and still. My memory takes me back to 7th grade PE class. Our teacher was an avid fisherman. So in the spring, we were all instructed to have a fishing pole at school for “fishing class.” Out we went to the big field behind school and it is there we learned to cast, maneuver, and reel in the “big one.” Hmmm, the “big one” always seemed to get away.

Those of us (most of the class) less interested in fishing always seemed to have our eyes on the kickball game that was taking place on the parking lot. Oh, to be playing kickball. There was so much more action there. What to our surprise as we watched the kickball game, our lines were getting all tangled up. Oh boy, what to do to solve this problem before the teacher saw the mess we were making. Good thing the teacher counted it as part of the learning process and helped us out.

Just as Jesus called Peter and Andrew to follow Him to become fishers of men, so we, too, are called to fish; not for Salmon, Northern, or a number of other species, but for people. We are so blessed to share the Gospel with people of all ages that we come into contact with on a daily basis. Often, that happens with words, but so, too, with our actions and responses. As we follow God’s call to serve, may He lead us to the people where we are able to plant the seed. The growth will be taken care of by the Holy Spirit. Be dedicated to sharing your faith as a fisher of people. That message is Jesus, His life, suffering, death, and victorious resurrection. There is life in that message. Life is found on the “boat” of the church.

As we place our faith and trust in God, we can all be thankful that God holds us in the palm of His hand and gives us what He knows is best for us. So, when trials come, step back and know God’s plan is perfect. Stay in the Word. Take care of yourself to be Well. Use your words and life as a Witness. 

Serving the Master Teacher,

We Give Thanks for Donors 

A very generous donor gave each NID school the opportunity to order a t-shirt that celebrates the schools in our District. Many schools were kind to share their staff photos. Please enjoy this picture loop. We are so thankful and appreciative of this anonymous donor that loves our NID schools! To God be the glory!  

School Support

It is a blessing to support and work with the schools and other ministries of the NID. God has called us into service together as we share Jesus with others. One way that schools are able to help the extra services continue is to support (through contributions) the School Support Fund of the NID. This fund allows us to do the “extras” that help keep schools strong. Please see the attached request form. We ask that schools prayerfully consider donating $1.00 per student in their schools to assist us in serving. 

Worker Retirement

Although it seems early to think about this, I request that school administrators inform me if there are any staff members indicating that they will be retiring at the close of the 2022-2023 school year. School Administrators, please also let me know if you are retiring at the end of the year. Send me a quick email to [email protected] or call me at the NID office (708-223-3110). Many thanks for thinking ahead.

SHINE! in the NID

Hearts for Jesus

The “Hearts for Jesus” focus this school year will be the Mercy House that has been dedicated in Belize. The children will have a new space for eating their lunch when at school, dental and doctor offices, and more. Please prayerfully consider what your part will be in blessing this work in Belize. Please see many photos of the ministry being done in Belize. 

Photos courtesy of Belize Mission Society and Missionary Johanna Hiedorn .

National Lutheran Schools Week Resources

January 22-28, 2023 will be the week that all Lutheran Schools in the LCMS celebrate National Lutheran Schools Week. Resources for the week may be found here.

Walcamp

Walcamp is hosting its second Navigation Retreat from January 13 to 15, 2023. What an event blessed by God. There will be one more opportunity coming. Those dates are March 17-19, 2023. Visit walcamp.org to register.

Photo courtesy of Walcamp

Save the Date for Back-to-School Worship - August 9, 2023

Plan ahead for the 2023-2024 school year. All administrators are highly encouraged to put this date (August 9, 2023) on their 2023-2024 calendars so members of your faculty and staff have it. What a fantastic way to start the school year (worship, fellowship, and a lot of energy) together with fellow workers in the NID. We are excited to share that the host congregation will be St. Peter, Arlington Heights. Watch for details in the future.

Educator Conference - October 6, 2023

Save the date of Friday, October 6, 2023 for the next NID Educator Conference. We are really looking forward to bringing educators together for a day of worship, learning, and fellowship. It has been a long time since we have gathered in conference. All NID teachers, administrators, and Parish Professionals will receive registration information in the future. We would also love to have pastors join us for the day. We are thankful to St. Peter Lutheran Church and School in Arlington Heights for welcoming the NID onto their campus for the day.

Sunday School Network Zoom

The next Zoom for our Sunday School Network Group will be Thursday, February 2, 2023 at 6:00 p.m. The topic of discussion will be what congregations are doing as Sunday School outreach. Watch for the Zoom link. If you are interested in joining this group, please email me at [email protected] for the link. We would love to have you join us.

Elementary and High School Administrators

Monday, February 27, 2023 will be the next Administrator Conference at CUC. Watch for more details on the presentation on the new book titled “Reclaiming the Joy in Ministry” by Darrell Zimmerman. In the meantime, Elementary and High School Administrators should be gathering in their regions for updates and conversation. It is a blessing to gather for sharing and fellowship.

Early Childhood Events

Our next event will be in person on Saturday, February 25, 2023 from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. This event will be held at St. John Lutheran Church in Wheaton, IL. Please watch your email inbox for details about this event focusing on the Legal Aspects of Early Childhood Programming. This important presentation will be done by a lawyer with expertise in the area. Gateway and CPDU credits will be offered. 

Saturday, March 18, 2023 will be our next Zoom from 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. The theme will be “Getting Students Outdoors.” Our very own Leann DeWitt (Trinity, Burr Ridge) and Cindy Sperry (Trinity, Clinton, Iowa) will partner to share some really great ideas. Plan to join us.

TEC21

The TEC21 Facilitators look forward to welcoming your teachers in September!

Greetings, friends with whom we are united in Christ!

TEC21 joyfully enters the new year serving as a friend in ministry to Lutheran schools! And with four virtual, non-geographic cohorts appearing in the new lineup for the 2023/2024 school term, we are thrilled to announce we can now confidently serve all 35 districts. Our virtual cohorts even include a new music education cohort, and TEC21 Facilitator Caley Gerth is hard at work now on developing the curriculum and resources! To God be the glory!

If you have a New Year’s professional development resolution, check it off now. Enrollment for the TEC21 Workshop Program for the 2023/2024 school term opened November 1, 2022 for early childhood, elementary, middle-level, high school, and higher education educators. If you’re new to TEC21, the 2023/2024 season—Season 15—begins September 2023. There are limited seats in each cohort, so sign up now at tec21connect.com/registration even if it means holding seats with principal rather than teacher names.

In addition to our four virtual cohorts, you can sign up for one of 30 traditional, face-to-face, multiple grade-level cohorts impacting EC-12. Each cohort is undergirded by TEC21 Connections, our new, dedicated, proprietary platform for content delivery and online support that creates an even more robust perpetual learning community for educators. Community: more important than ever before, and an even better resolution for 2023! Join ours!

Principals, if you need help finding funding for Season 15, please reach out to Brent Dieckhoff at [email protected]. We’re committed to leave no school or teacher behind, and it is our privilege to complement and support the mission of our schools!

Link to Workshop Program information for our traditional and virtual cohorts

Link to STEM Workshop Program information

The LCMS School Theme for the 2022-2023 school year is “Making Disciples for Life.” This theme is based on Matthew 28:18-20: “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”