August 2023
On Wednesday, August 9, 2023, the LCMS Northern Illinois District (NID) brought together educators from around the District for the annual Back to School Worship and keynote.
The keynote speaker for this year’s event was Mychal Thom, Chief Diversity Officer, Concordia University, St. Paul, who’s message was “Joy in working together”. Rev. Dr. Allan R. Buss, President, LCMS Northern Illinois District, delivered a message of being connected and connecting with those outside the schools. The event was hosted by St. Peter Lutheran Church in Arlington Heights, Illinois.
The offering kicked off the Hearts for Jesus program, focusing on the expansion of the feeding program in Belize (the NID’s international mission focus). The expansion will be into a village called Georgetown. We are blessed to be a blessing.
Lois Stewart, Mission Facilitator for Schools, serving Commissioned Workers, was recognized for her forty years of service to Lutheran education with gratitude for her service to Christ, Church, and especially children.
After the Back-to-School Worship Service, new school workers (new to the NID) gathered together for a District orientation. District staff members spoke about the resources and information available to them for support in their work.
The 2023-2024 LCMS school theme is Connected. There was no better way to start the new school year than by being connected in worship and this this marked our 5th annual Back-to-School event.
What a fantastic way to start the school year together with fellow workers in the NID!
The LCMS Northern Illinois District currently has 41 stand-alone early childhood centers, 34 elementary schools (including those with early childhood centers), 2 high schools, and 1 university in its district.
As the District office, we carry out our mission by upholding three pillars. These pillars direct our work together in the vision laid out for us.
WORD: Helping congregations be more centered on a rich life of Word and Sacrament, with congregational support in transitions as well as time of joys and sorrows.
WELLNESS: Promoting and encouraging health and vitality in congregations, schools, ministries, professional workers and lay-leaders.
WITNESS: Encouraging personal witnessing, congregational engagement with their community, support of our NID partnerships and missions and sharing in a world mission field together.
