August 2024
Last year, the LCMS Northern Illinois District Circuit 8 (West Region) invited any and all staff from every congregation in their circuit to come together for a day of education and fellowship, including pastors, teachers, DCEs, parish musicians, custodians, administrators, secretaries, and more.
This year, Circuit 8 partnered with workers from Circuit 3 (North Region) to host a 2nd All-Workers Conference. On August 8, 2024, staff from many of the congregations and schools in both circuits met at Walcamp Outdoor Ministries, an RSO of the LCMS located in Kingston, Illinois, for a day filled with worship, learning, and conversation. Several Northern Illinois District staff members were also able to participate for the day.
The morning opened with outdoor worship in amphitheater-style seating. Rev. Steve Maske, Circuit Visitor for Circuit 3 and pastor at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church and School in Elgin, Illinois, led the service and Rev. Dr. Allan R. Buss, President of the LCMS Northern Illinois District, preached a sermon based on Hebrews 12, entitled “We Endure in Community.”
What then followed were keynote sessions with Dr. Beverly Yahnke, Executive Director for Christian Counsel at DOXOLOGY – “Putting the Best Construction on Everything: God’s People Working Together,” “The Cost of Caring. A Quiet Epidemic,” and “Resilience in a Time of Challenge: Nearly Everything We Need to Know.”
Dr. Yahnke’s presentation style is, at times, lighthearted and entertaining, and she able to masterfully share
insight into some heavy topics in a palatable way: interactions with difficult people, workaholism, and burnout/compassion fatigue. She discussed choices in personal response styles, collaboration and compromise, the idea that both work and rest are gifts of God, and common characteristics of resilient people, among many other things. Attendees were able to take away specific strategies to work through difficult interactions, improve work/life balance, and build their own resilience.
Between Dr. Yahnke’s sessions, there were opportunities to interact and engage with others at your table and additionally, a period of time for conversation in groups specific to your role in the congregation. Parish musicians, teachers, secretaries, etc., each met in smaller breakout groups with a list of questions to guide discussion. “It’s nice to spend time in these groups and hear about common stressors and joys unique to this role,” and “It’s really nice to know that I’m not alone,” are just a few of the comments overheard throughout the day.
The day ended with prayer and attendees were sent on their way, hopefully refreshed and encouraged by the fellowship, learning, and conversation they were able to enjoy throughout the day.
We are thankful for the All-Worker Conference and the opportunity for worship, fellowship, and to specifically learn about and reflect on work/life balance. We are grateful for each of our workers in the LCMS Northern Illinois District.
WELLNESS: Promoting and encouraging health and vitality in congregations, schools, ministries, professional workers, and lay-leaders.