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Early bird registration CLOSES July 3, 2026. 

The 2026 Lay Leadership Summit will be held on Saturday, August 22, 2026 at Walther Christian Academy, 900 Chicago Ave., Melrose Park, IL 60160.

This summit is designed to bring together lay leaders from all parts of the District to:

• Worship our Lord
• Build one another up in our given talents
• Provide best practices for effective service
• Provide practical application across a number of disciplines

This year’s keynote presenter will be Rev. Dr. Reed Lessing.

Our Lay Leadership Summit workshops will have options ranging from best practices in congregational administration to the latest in healthy small church ministry ideas.

2026 Katie Gathering Registration Is Open!

Registration for the 2026 Katie Gathering (for pastors’ wives and widows) is now open. Please consider joining us at Walcamp on October 2-3, 2026 for fellowship, learning, and fun. Our theme this year will be Prayer.

If you are a pastor’s wife or widow in the LCMS Northern Illinois District and do not receive the Katie emails, please contact sue.green@nidlcms.org to be added to the list!

Shine! 2027 Dates Announced

Mark your calendars! The dates for Shine! 2027 have been set for April 9–18, 2027. We are excited to once again join with the LCMS Missouri District in this shared opportunity to serve our neighbors and communities in Christ's name. Please feel free to share these dates with your congregation, school, ministry, and volunteers as you begin planning for another impactful Shine! event.

Not Ashamed Conference

The fourth annual Not Ashamed Conference, hosted by Immanuel Lutheran Church in Tuscola, IL, will be held Saturday, August 29, 2026, starting at 9:00 a.m. at the Tuscola Community Building, 122 W. North Central Avenue, Tuscola, IL 61953

This year's theme is Not Ashamed of the Cross — Speaking the Truth Clearly in a Confused Age. The speaker is Rev. Bryan Wolfmueller, pastor of St. Paul and Jesus Deaf Lutheran Churches in Austin, TX, and author of Has American Christianity Failed? and Finally Free (CPH, 2025).

Attendance is free. A catered lunch is included. Seating is limited.

The Perfect Summer Tool

Between summer vacations and fall planning, now is the perfect time to pause and check in with yourself. The LCMS Wellness Wheel is a practical tool designed to help you assess six vital dimensions of health. Read our latest article to take the assessment, celebrate your strengths, and proactively set goals for a healthier, more intentional season ahead.

Liturgical Choir Reference Library-A FREE Community Resource

Located at 7400 Augusta Street, River Forest, IL 60305, Concordia University Chicago

Klinck Memorial Library - 2nd floor, The Center for Church Music is a place where you can tap into that great flow of energy (either on site or online) Download flyer

Become an LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Volunteer Puppy Raiser/Apprentice Trainer-Informational sessions will be held at St. Luke's Lutheran Church, 63 Fernwood Road, Montgomery, IL 60538, Monday, July 13, 2026, Session One: 2:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. or Session Two: 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. This informational session is an opportunity to learn about housing, raising, and training an LCC K-9 Comfort Dog puppy. Learn more at k9trainers@lutheranchurchcharities.org. Download flyer

The LCMS Northern Illinois District is congregations, schools, and ministries of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod, spanning the northern 24 counties in Illinois. Filled with living hope in Christ, Confessing, Praising, and Advancing His Kingdom through Word, Wellness, and Witness. Our website can be found at nidlcms.org.

Contact:

Ann Ciaccio

Director of Communications

708-223-3118

ann.ciaccio@nidlcms.org



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