Presence and Encouragement

 ^“And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.” Hebrews 10:24-25

God created us to be in community. We are a family, as brothers and sisters in Christ to be about the work God has gifted us to do. No matter what stage of life, location of residence, or where we are in our daily walk, we are blessed to be in God’s family and encourage one another. This verse reminds us of the holy habit of Public Worship. It’s a gift for you and for others.

We have the gift of our congregation, school, friends, etc… (the list could go on). As children of God, let us walk together, meet together, worship together, and be in fellowship with one another. This strengthens all of us and binds us together in faith. There is no replacement for public worship.

BE PRESENT with and for one another: not simply listening to the sharing, but hearing the words, cares, and concerns. Pray for one another. Spending time in God’s Word together is the greatest gift you can give. Your presence with a friend or co-worker could be just the thing they need on a given day. Care and concern for them come from your love for God. Lift one another up and offer that extra time.

I give thanks daily for the time my brothers and sisters in Christ give me when I need a shoulder and ear of care. God blesses me through them. I pray I am the same for others. Let’s continue to support and be present for God’s gift of friends. One tiny word might be all it takes to change the direction of someone’s day! Ask God to make you that word of change.

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 trust that God’s plan is perfect. Stay in the Word. Take care of yourself to be Well. Use your words and life as a Witness. God is faithful. Jesus is praying for you as your Great High Priest.

Surround yourself with people who listen, pray for you, and speak the best words!

Remember each day – Christ loves you and holds you close.

Serving the Master Teacher,

Lois Stewart

Mission Facilitator for Schools

Retirements

As the school year continues, please be mindful that if you are retiring at the end of the school year, you will need to reach out to me (lois.stewart@nidlcms.org). Please remember that the Education Office processes the paperwork for roster changes. You will need to contact Concordia Plans in St. Louis regarding your financial items (pension, etc.).

School Support Fund

It is a blessing to offer many "extras" to our schools. Please see the attached School Support Fund request. Your school's contribution to this fund assists in covering many of the things that the Education budget does not cover. Please prayerfully consider having your school make their annual contribution.

LCMS Office of International Mission

On a recent Zoom call, there was a presentation by Stephenie Hovland who serves with the Office of International Mission. She made a wonderful presentation on foreign missions and resources you can use in your classrooms. Those resources may be found at international.lcms.org. Stephanie would also be happy to talk with you about details. Feel free to reach out to her at stephenie.hovland@lcms.org.

Blessed to be a Blessing

On the same Zoom as above, there was information shared about the ongoing support for victims of the fires in California (the Pacific Southwest District of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod). The lives of those victims are being touched daily with financial support and gift cards to assist in their time of need. If you or your ministry would like to be involved, please visit psd-lcms.org for more information. 

Save the Date

Wednesday, August 6, 2025 is the date set for the fall Back-to-School Worship service and keynote. Mark your calendars now so you will be with us when we gather at St. Andrews in Park Ridge. Watch for information and details in the future.

Save the Date

School Administrators, this is for you!! 😊 Mark your calendars for the third annual Illinois Lutheran School Administrator Conference (ILSAC). Our host this year will be the Southern Illinois District. The dates for the conference are Monday, June 9, 2025 - Wednesday, June 11, 2025. Watch for details in the near future. Here is our group from last summer. We learned a lot and had great worship and fellowship! 

2025 LEA Distinguished Lutheran Elementary Teacher Award

We celebrate with Mary Wert, a fourth grade teacher at Immanuel Lutheran School in Batavia, who was recently selected to receive the 2025 Lutheran Education Association's Distinguished Lutheran Elementary Teacher Award. A copy of the full press release is included below. Congratulations, Mary! Thank you for your many years of service to students and families in our Lutheran schools!

2025 LEA Outstanding New Lutheran Early Childhood Teacher Award

We also celebrate with Amanda Wilson, who teaches first, second, and third grade at Zion Lutheran School in Bensenville. She was recently selected to receive the 2025 Lutheran Education Association's Outstanding New Lutheran Early Childhood Teacher Award. A copy of the full press release announcing the award is included below. Congratulations, Amanda! Thank you for sharing the joy of Christ with these young children in your care.

SHINE! 2025

We are getting ready to celebrate our outreach to the community with SHINE! 2025. It is a joy and blessing that, as fellow believers, we have the opportunity to step out in service to our communities. What will your school, or classrooms, or groups, or families do this year to serve? There are so many ways to be the hands and feet of Jesus. The dates for SHINE! this spring will be April 4, 2025 - April 13, 2025. Please find details and registration information HERE.

Parish Professionals

The next Parish Professionals gathering will be held on Thursday, March 20, 2025 at Concordia University Chicago. Please meet in the Rugland Room of the Koehneke Community Center at 11:00 a.m. for pizza and conversation. The DCE students from CUC will join us to learn more about you and the roles you serve. RSVP to me (lois.stewart@nidlcms.org) by March 17, 2025.

Redeeming Life Outreach Ministries

The maternity home ministry of Redeeming Life Outreach Ministries in East Dundee, IL (rlom.org) wants to connect with Lutheran schools and congregations. They offer chapel and classroom presentations for all ages with a life-affirming Gospel message!

This new NID ministry offers a home, help, and hope to women in crisis pregnancies to support them as they carry their precious babies to term and afterwards. Mission projects such as diaper drives or clothing collections are welcome ways to get your students involved in supporting God’s gift of life. For more information or to schedule a chapel, contact Julia Heinz, Director of Mission Advancement, at julia@rlom.org. 

Please Update



It is time for all LCMS Rostered Commissioned Ministers to update their Commissioned Ministered Information Form (CMIF). Please access the form at http://cwu.lcms.org and use your password. The Education Office does not have your password, so if you do not have it, you will need to reset it. If you cannot remember your Worker Identification Number, please contact the Education Office (708-223-3110).

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)

Concordia Center for Christian Education

The Center for Christian Education at Concordia University Chicago is excited to offer schools a FREE Professional Development Series during the Spring of 2025. Sign up today using this link:  CUC Professional Development Series

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 come together as fellow brothers and sisters in Christ.

There are exciting things planned for our next Early Childhood gathering. Watch for more details and registration for the upcoming April 5, 2025 mini-conference. There are a few additional details on the flyer below.

The final Leadership conference for this school year will be held at Concordia Chicago on Monday, April 28, 2025. The theme will be focusing on generosity (time, talents, treasures, and gifts of service). This will be led by members of the Dynamis Ministry team. Plan to learn how to encourage staff and families to be more generous and use the gifts God has blessed them with. 

Hearts for Jesus

What a blessing to support a ministry with our Hearts for Jesus donations. Is this your February chapel offering focus as we support the building of the new playground in Belize?

You may send checks to the District office:

LCMS Northern Illinois District, Attn: Lois Stewart, 1107 Monroe Ave., River Forest, IL 60305-1427

TEC21

Please see information below about registration for Season 17 of TEC21.

Lutheran Education Association

The Lutheran Education Association continues to be a great partner in ministry. Watch for more details on upcoming events.

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