The LCMS Early Childhood Consultants Conference, sponsored by the LCMS School Ministry department, has been hosted for the past 25+ years at various locations around the country. This year’s 2019 LCMS Early Childhood Consultants Conference was hosted for the first time in the LCMS Northern Illinois District. Hosts of the conference were the Northern Illinois District-LCMS, St. Peter Lutheran Church & School, Arlington Heights, and Concordia University, Chicago, Its theme was “Loved by the Father- Planted in Jesus- Growing in the Spirit.”
Approximately 45 leaders in early childhood administration and teaching ministries from around the country gathered April 10-12, 2019. These yearly conferences often tag with related educational conferences sponsored by the Lutheran Education Association (LEA) and the Best Practices Conference to offer the consultants an even fuller basis of topics, field experiences, and speakers.
The conference featured devotional opportunities:
‘Loved by the Father.’ Pastor Micah Greiner (St. Peter, Arlington Heights)
‘Planted in Jesus.’ NID President Allan R. Buss
‘Growing in the Spirit.’ Pastor Bill Yonker (Immanuel, East Dundee)
These are the themes that each pastor shared a devotion centered on each of the days the LCMS Early Childhood Consultants met in the NID.
It also featured comprehensive training and certification in the new early childhood National Lutheran School Accreditation (NLSA) process, a study on “Investigative Learning” by author Dr. Judy Harris Helm, a session with clinical psychologist, Adam Russo, and a panel discussion with a variety of Concordia University professors including Dr. Shirley Morgenthaler, Dr. Lauren Wellen, Dr. Annette Van Aken, Prof Jared Stiek, Prof Michele Gnan and a variety of undergraduate and graduate early childhood students. Several of these sessions on the second day of the conference were also opened up to teachers and administrators within the NID, as well.
Co-sponsors for events were Concordia University, Chicago, and Lutheran Church Extension Fund. As a way to enjoy the conference and its Chicago atmosphere, the early childhood consultants were also treated to mini field trip experiences involving the Lutheran Church Charities Comfort Dogs, St. Peter Lutheran School, Concordia University’s Early Childhood center, an architectural tour of the Frank Lloyd Wright Homes in Oak Park, and evenings with wine and cheese tasting, as well as dinner at an area Giordano’s restaurant for Chicago-style deep dish pizza.
In the Northern Illinois District, Aimee Dierks and Melissa Smith from Concordia University and Julie Klopke from St. Peter, Arlington Heights, work closely with Lois Stewart, from the District office, in their roles as the district’s early childhood consultants. They work together on an ongoing basis to help develop, improve, expand, and trouble shoot with congregations through various issues related to early childhood ministries. They also help with leading district workshops, conferences, and network meetings. As needed, they also help with phone consultations and make school visits to meet with congregational leaders concerning their early childhood programs.
We give thanks for the faithful church workers and shepherds who serve our schools in the LCMS and who keep the main thing the main thing.
This is Our Northern Illinois District! #OurNID
*Editorial edited from content provided by Julie Klopke, St. Peter, Arlington Heights, IL