Please share this information with others

Communicators and Admission Directors Network Group

All congregational communicators and school administrators are invited to attend our network meeting, Tuesday, November 10, 2026 from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 at Immanuel Lutheran Church, 310 E Main St, East Dundee, IL 60118. The topic will be "Creative ways to promote your church/school within the community." Bring your ideas! RSVP to Ann Ciaccio at ann.ciaccio@nidlcms.org so that lunch accommodations can be made.

Parish Professional Meeting

Our next gathering will be held on Thursday, November 19, 2026. The book read for this year is "Lead From Where You Are" by Joe Sanfelippo. We gather at Immanuel Lutheran Church, 310 E. Main St., East Dundee, IL 60118. Please join us for networking and conversation!

Please RSVP to Alex Brice at Alex.Brice@stmarkslife.org. We hope to see you there!

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.

Is Your Congregation Seeking to Request a Seminary Graduate or Vicar for Spring 2027 Placement? If Yes, READ BELOW:



If your congregation is interested in requesting a Graduate Candidate from either of the Seminaries, or a Vicar, your request will need to be sent to Michelle La Velle, michelle.lavelle@nidlcms.org at the District Office by December 4, 2026. Once your request is received, additional information will be sent to you.  

GroundZero Tour

Partnering with Illinois Right to Life, Zion Lutheran Church-Grant Park welcomes Dr. Steve Jacobs presenting on Illinois' new Physician-Assisted Suicide law which took effect in September of this year. The state-wide GroundZero Tour will make Stop #12 at Zion Lutheran Church, 11456 N 11000E Rd, Grant Park, IL 60940 on Saturday, November 7, 2026 from 9:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. The tour presentation will equip individuals, families, and communities with the truth and resources they need: clear information, compassionate alternatives, and practical support for end-of-life decisions that are life-affirming, without clinging to life in defiance or fear. The same Lord who gives life also takes it away, not by our own timing and hand. Join the faith community in this presentation and discussion. Breakfast treats will be offered upon your arrival at 9:00 a.m.!

Veteran's Sunday Service and Quilts of Valor Ceremony



St. Matthew Lutheran Church proudly invites veterans, military families, and community members to a patriotic Red, White, and Blue American Service. This community-wide celebration will take place Sunday, November 8, 2026, at 9:00 a.m., with special music at 8:45 a.m., at St. Matthew Lutheran Church, 24500 N. Old McHenry Rd., Hawthorn Woods, IL 60047.

LCMS Pastoral Formation Committee Listening Sessions

The Pastoral Formation Committee is excited to be hosting Listening Sessions in The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS) Great Lakes Region on November 14 and 15, 2026. Their hope is to engage in a fruitful discussion about how the LCMS is forming faithful pastors to meet the current and future demands of the holy ministry.

The panel will include the two seminary presidents — the Rev. Dr. Thomas Egger (St. Louis) and the Rev. Dr. Jon Bruss (Fort Wayne) — along with the Rev. Dan Galchutt, LCMS chief mission officer, and the Rev. Dr. James Baneck, executive director of LCMS Pastoral Education.

They are hoping for a healthy conversation as they answer questions and share insights and information. To that end, they are grateful to you for sharing information about the session with your congregation. District staff, pastors, commissioned workers and laity are invited to attend.

A session in our District will take place Saturday, November 14, 2026, 9:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m. at St. Peter Lutheran Church, 111 W Olive St , Arlington Heights, IL 60004

Fall Conference for Laity

Saint John Lutheran Church in Sycamore invites you to its sixth annual Christian Faith & Life Conference on Saturday, November 21, 2026 from 8:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. titled: “Know Your Enemy: The Seven Deadly Sins.” The Church has long used the seven deadly sins to identify the deeper patterns behind countless individual temptations. These sessions will help Christians recognize those patterns in themselves and in the world around them while considering how the Gospel reshapes our loves, desires, and daily lives. This free conference will feature presentations by Pr. Bryan Stecker, Q&A, fellowship, and refreshments. More information, the schedule, and registration are available at christianfaithandlife.com. All are welcome!

Music at St. John

“Music at St. John” continues Sunday, November 22, 2026 at 3:00 p.m. with a hymn festival featuring the combined choirs of Saint John Lutheran Church (Sycamore) and Saint Mark Lutheran Church (Saint Charles), as well as brass, wind instruments, and organ. The focus for this festival is the Psalms.

This hymn festival is free and open to the public. Come and refresh your soul with God’s good gift of Christ-centered music! St. John Lutheran Church is located at 26555 Brickville Rd, Sycamore IL, 60178. 

Belize Mission Trip

Northern Illinois District congregations, schools, RSOs, and other ministry partners are encouraged to share this opportunity for mission work and join us in Advancing His Kingdom for an international focus. Please share this June 2027 opportunity with your community and encourage participation in our mission work in Belize.

Current Mission Trip Details:

Trips dates: June 12-19, 2027 (Participants are asked to commit by December 31, 2026.)

Contact: Ellen and Mark Madsen or call them at 847-977-8219. For additional information on Belize Mission Society visit belizemissionsociety.net.

Save the date! On January 15, 2026, the LCMS Northern Illinois District's Wellness Office is offering a free opportunity to gain skills and tools to help address a challenge that faces 1 in 5 adults each year. This challenge is more common than one may realize...and it touches all people, regardless of their gender, economic status, or geographical location. The challenge I’m describing is a mental health need. Whether big or small, a mental health need requires just as much care as a physical need. But how do we help others who are struggling? In today’s article, learn more about a highly useful training that does just that. 

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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