It all started a couple of years prior to the COVID-19 pandemic. Credit goes to Jackie Davis for sharing a project she ran across in one of her magazines. She knew that Canton (Ill.) Church of the Brethren was looking for ways to make a positive impact in the Canton community, so she decided to explain about the movement of providing assistance to families in need by installing a Blessing Box.
Illinois and Wisconsin District
First query considered by delegates is referred to the Review and Evaluation Committee
The “Query: Concerns about Current Practices Related to Matters of Sexuality,” after an energetic discussion by the delegate body, was referred to the Review and Evaluation Committee.
‘Ministry in a BANI World’ is topic for clergy gathering in Illinois and Wisconsin District
Stan Dueck, director of organizational leadership for the Church of the Brethren, served as keynote speaker on the topic “Ministry in a BANI* World” (*Brittle, Anxious, Non-linear, and Incomprehensible)
Freeport Church gains media attention for its ongoing witness against gun violence
Freeport (Ill.) Church of the Brethren held a peace gathering in September as part of its ongoing witness against gun violence. Families who have lost loved ones to violence attended the event, which received coverage from the local ABC television news.
‘One Earth, One Chance’ features David Radcliff of the New Community Project
We’re looking forward to our special district creation care event next Saturday, April 27, 10 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. at Highland Avenue Church of the Brethren in Elgin, Ill. We hope you can join us! There is no charge for this event, and all are welcome.
Annual Conference officers return query regarding congregational latitude on matters of human sexuality
As part of their final processing of potential business items for the 2024 Church of the Brethren Annual Conference (www.brethren.org/ac2024), the Annual Conference officers (www.brethren.org/ac2024/leadership) have returned the Illinois/Wisconsin District’s query titled “Regarding Greater Congregational Latitude on Matters of Sexuality” back to the district for further revision and potential resubmission in 2025.
Illinois and Wisconsin District sends query on to Annual Conference
The Church of the Brethren’s Illinois and Wisconsin District met for its district conference Nov. 3-4 at Lanark (Ill.) Church of the Brethren, with about 125 people attending including 57 delegates. Phyllis Batterton of the Woodland congregation (Astoria, Ill.) served as moderator, with the theme “Encouraging One Another.”
New project, fellowship, and congregation
Madtown Church of the Brethren, East Dayton Fellowship, and Gordonsville Chapel were recognized as new projects, fellowships, and congregations respectively, during the July 5 business session at Annual Conference 2023.
Randall Westfall to serve as manager of Camp Emmaus
Randall Westfall has been called as the next camp manager of Camp Emmaus, a camp/outdoor ministry center affiliated with the Church of the Brethren Illinois and Wisconsin District. He will begin in the role in late August.
Mount Morris Church shares a gift of compassion with Pinecrest staff
Following the news of the sale of the Pinecrest Community, a member of Mount Morris (Ill.) Church of the Brethren–which is located just down the street from Pinecrest–decided they wanted to do something to support the retirement community’s staff.