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Communicators & Admission Directors Gathering

Our next Communications & Admission Directors Network gathering is coming up, and this time we’re diving into a topic that’s moving quickly in all of our worlds: Using AI in our work.

Whether you’re already experimenting with AI for writing, design, data analysis, enrollment communication, or workflow efficiency — or you’re still wondering where to begin — this session is for you.

We’ll spend time:

• Sharing practical use 

• Exploring how AI can support (not replace) our mission

• Discussing guardrails, ethics, and brand integrity

• Swapping prompts and tools that are actually helpful

As communicators and admissions leaders, you carry both creativity and responsibility. AI is a tool — and like any tool, it’s most powerful when used thoughtfully and strategically.

Bring:

• One example of how you’ve used AI (or a question you have)

• A recent communication challenge you’d love help solving

• Your curiosity

Details:

Date: April 28, 2026

Time: 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. (lunch and fellowship follows)

Location: St. John's Lutheran Church, 215 S. Lincoln St., Lombard, IL 60148

Craig Mattes and Ann Ciaccio will host the discussion, bringing their experiences using AI in their work. We’re stronger — and smarter — when we share what’s working.

While this is free, please register so that we may accommodate seating and lunch.

General Pastoral Conference Registration

The 2026 Northern Illinois District General Pastoral Conference will be held May 4-6, 2026, in our very own Dixon, Illinois. The venue in Ronald Reagan's hometown and the petunia capital of Illinois is the fabulous Post House Ballroom. 

Pastors' Choir: This year at the General Pastoral Conference we will be having a pastors' choir at the divine service, as we have done for our teacher's conference in recent years. If you are interested in singing in the choir please contact the conference chair, Phillip Fischaber, at phillip.fischaber@gmail.com, and he will pass the information to our conference musician. Conference registration deadline is April 13, 2026.

Regional Pastoral Conferences

Mark your calendars! Dates have been set for the Regional Pastoral Conferences. Read more at nidlcms.org/church-workers/pastor-conferences.

Shine! 2026

Begin making plans for your service projects for Shine! 2026, scheduled for April 10-19, 2026. We can’t wait to see how God continues to use His people in the LCMS Northern Illinois District to share His love in our communities!

Lay Leadership Summit 2026 - Save the Date

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

Featured Speakers:

LCMS Northern Illinois District President Rev. Dr. Allan R. Buss

Keynote Speaker Rev. Dr. Reed Lessing

Save the date and join us for this enriching and empowering event. Let’s journey together towards a stronger and more encouraged tomorrow!

"My Fair Lady” at CUC

CUC presents its spring production of "My Fair Lady," the beloved classic musical that follows the charming transformation of Eliza Doolittle as she’s swept into Professor Henry Higgins’ high-society experiment, featuring unforgettable songs like “Wouldn’t It Be Loverly?” and “I Could Have Danced All Night.” The production runs for seven performances over two weekends: April 9–11, 2026 and April 15–18, 2026 at 7:30 p.m. in Bergman Theater. Tickets are free but limited.

Concordia University Chicago Emeriti Lunch

CUC Emeriti are invited to attend CUC's Emeriti Lunch, Thursday, April 23, 2026. Chapel at 11:00 a.m. Lunch 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. in Gieschen Recital Hall. Guest Speaker, Dr. Robert Balza, Vice President for Academic Affairs. Please RSVP before Thursday, April 16, 2026 to kate.thoelke@cuchicago.edu or 708-209-3148.

Call Days

Services at Concordia Theological Seminary, Fort Wayne (CTSFW), will be held on April 28 and 29, 2026, when students will find out where they will serve as vicars, deaconess interns, and pastors in the coming year. We invite you to join us in Kramer Chapel or via livestream for these exciting events.

Call Day 2026 for Concordia Seminary St. Louis is set for April 28, 2026, when concluding Concordia Seminary, St. Louis students will receive their first pastoral or diaconal ministry placements, and second-year students will receive their vicarage or internship assignments in the Chapel of St. Timothy and St. Titus.

POSITION AVAILABLE

Executive Director, Lutheran Heritage Foundation - Due to LHF Executive Director Rev. Dr. Matthew Heise’s upcoming retirement, the Lutheran Heritage Foundation has begun the search for a new LHF Executive Director. As an LCMS recognized service organization, qualified candidates must be an ordained LCMS pastor who is passionate about LHF’s work of translating and publishing the good books of our Lutheran faith for churches in nearly 100 countries around the world. To learn more about this position AND to submit your name (or the name of a person you believe would be qualified) for consideration of this Call, please go to LHFmissions.org/lhf-executive-director-search. 

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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