2019 Synod Assembly Highlights

The 32nd annual Synod Assembly was held June 14 and 15, 2019 at Augustana College under the new mission statement theme “Walking Together. Loving Christ. Loving All. For the Sake of the World.”  Nearly 500 registered assembly voting members and visitors from across the synod worshipped, learned, laughed, celebrated, and deliberated together as the highest legislative body of the Northern Illinois Synod. 
 
During Bishop Clements’ report to the assembly, he shared our new mission statement, vision statement, and core values.  Bishop Clements said, “I remain committed to walking with you on this road we travel, because we will travel so much further if we travel together.”  You can see the video of his report at assembly.nisynod.org. 
 
The assembly passed the 2020 budget, 2020 salary guidelines, and two resolutions: R-1 Celebration of the 50th Anniversary of the Ordination of Women and R-2 Concerning Gender Equality for Rostered Leadership Positions in the Northern Illinois Synod.  You can read the text of the full resolutions at assembly.nisynod.org/resolutions. 
 
Several forums were held on Friday afternoon; and a special event was held on Friday evening with introductions of rostered ministers and seminarians new to the synod; recognition of synod council members, synod staff, anniversaries of rostered ministers and congregations, and rostered ministers who have retired in the last year; and special celebration of 50 years of ordination for two pastors, Rev. Dennis Heaney and Rev. Arlyn Tolzmann. 
 
A festive service of Holy Communion with the Rite of Ordination closed the assembly on Saturday.  Paul Gebo was ordained into the ministry of Word and Sacrament.  He has been called to serve as pastor of Christ Lutheran, Stockton. 
 
We thank our delegates, Steve Florschuetz, Carol Dilbeck, Richard Althaus, and alternate Leslie Althaus for attending and participating in the assembly on our behalf.  You can find results of the general election, photos, videos, and more at assembly.nisynod.org.

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Welcome Our Summer Intern,
Grace Brandner

Grace recently completed the first of two years at IVCC. She plans to transfer to Illinois State University to pursue a Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing.  This is her first summer internship working in the church office where she will be supporting the office staff and Youth Director, filling in for staff vacations, helping with VBS, etc. in order to get a broad view of the ministry at St. John’s.  We are very excited to have her with us!

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An Update from
our Seminarian, Maria Bonine

Maria’s Internship at St. John’s-Evansville comes to an end on August 11th and classes resume at Wartburg Seminary on Tuesday, September 3rd.  Sometime in the fall she will have her Candidacy Approval interview.
 
Maria will be taking classes this fall semester in Lutheran Ethics, Grief & Loss, Leadership in Multi-Point Parishes, Advanced Preaching, Capstone Seminar, Acts of the Apostles, Spiritual Practices, and Contemporary Crisis of Defining & Confessing the Gospel.
 
In late winter, Maria will learn her Regional Assignment, and in early Spring her Synod Assignment.
 
Wartburg Theological Seminary Baccalaureate and Graduation will take place in May of 2020 (probably Sunday, May 17th).  Maria has hopes of receiving a first call and being ordained in 2020 as it is the 50th year anniversary of women being ordained in the ELCA.  (She is the first female seminarian from St. John’s Lutheran Church, Mendota.)
 
**Vicar Maria Bonine will lead worship on Sunday, June 30th and we are very happy that she and her husband, Brent, will be here with us!   Brent & Maria are planning to provide the fellowship refreshments, and they will be available during fellowship time to share more about their seminary journey and answer any questions you may have.  We hope that our continued support of Maria will show with packed pews and great conversation over refreshments.  Please plan to join us!

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Pastoral Care

If you find yourself in need of pastoral care while we are without a full-time pastor, we ask you to confidentially speak with our Youth Director or office staff.  We will connect you with a pastor or appropriate ministry person to assist you.

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Help Yourself...

Our quilting ladies have been working on “Walker Bags” for residents of area nursing homes.  They are also making them available to members of our congregation.  You will find a basket full of these colorful and handy fabric bags in the Narthex.  Please feel free to take one for yourself or someone you know.

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