Reflecting news and views

The Reflector
a publication of the
Illinois/Wisconsin District of the Church of the Brethren
District Executive: Kevin Kessler
February 2009 / Volume 06 / Issue 02

DE PONDERINGS By Kevin Kessler, District Executive

(Read I Corinthians 12)
We are familiar enough with I Corinthians 12 to understand the metaphor it provides for the church. But do we
take this metaphor seriously?

Do we understand that as a congregation of the Church of the Brethren that our activity and influence, or lack
thereof, affects the entire district, the entire denomination, and the entire church?

Do we understand that our activity and influence, or lack thereof, as a committee or team within a congregation
or within the district has impact upon the whole? Or have we become ingrained with the assumption that who
we are and what we do has impact only on the immediate context in which we function and move and
participate?

I’m confident wisdom is on our side when responding to these questions. We are well aware that our activity or
inactivity has consequences that reach beyond our own little slice of the world when we maintain connection
with the metaphor of I Corinthians 12.

However, a gentle reminder occasionally helps us to stay focused on the bigger picture. For instance, the work
of the District Leadership Team impacts every district team, every district congregation, and can even have
influence upon the work and ministry of other districts. Every ministry and ad-hoc team in the district makes a
difference in the work of the Leadership Team and the work of every other team. Every congregation in this
district has the power to bring about change in congregations in other districts. And so on and so on.

I’ve shared nothing new so far. I hope, though, that we’re reminded and inspired to take more seriously the
need for and the benefits of collaboration. Understanding our individual roles as making a collective difference
hopefully entices us to be engaged and involved. The body functioning is the body alive. The body functioning
is the body that is toned and fit and strong, ready to meet the demands placed upon it as well as to ward off the
dis-ease that threatens it.

Together, not separately, we make a difference. Therefore, I hope we keep in mind that whatever we do affects
the whole body. And a body, healthy and functioning well as a whole, will ultimately have a positive impact on
the world in which it exists. Seems to me this is the plan God has for the body called the church, and
specifically the part of the body called the Church of the Brethren.

YOUNG ADULT CONFERENCE

May 23-25, 2009 (Memorial Day weekend) at Camp Swatara (north of Harrisburg, PA)
Featuring: Greg Laszakovits, Dana Cassell, and Katie O’Donnell Cost: $90 prior to April 15
Theme: “The Journey of Discipleship” For registration information contact: Youth & Young Adult
Ministry office at 800-323-8039, x 297, or cdouglas_gb@brethren.org

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We are one in the Spirit
By Gil Crosby, Moderator – Illinois-Wisconsin District

“Satan uses our words to divide us..”

Right after Christmas I held my three week old Grandson in my arms

for the first time. What a moment of awe and joy. Someone famous
once said , “There is nothing so satisfying as holding a sleeping baby
in your arms.” He arrived early just a little over five pounds in weight
but his little human features were perfect miniatures of God’s image.
I can honestly say his little body didn’t touch the crib as long as a
Grandma or Grandpa was in the house..

A lady in our Church once asked why God sent Jesus to us as a baby and not some other age. That got me to
thinking about all kinds of possibilities. If He had arrived as a teenager, obviously knowing everything, He
could have ended up challenging everybody and arguing about how to live his life People would have
dismissed him as a poor, misguided youth trying to find himself.

Suppose Jesus would have been put on earth as a full grown man, full of wisdom and knowledge. He could
have gone immediately to the temple and debated with the scholars of the day refuting all their traditions and
rules. They would bounce out the front door as a know-9t-all nut case or thrown him in the pokey until he saw
things their way..

But every body loves a baby.. We stare at them in amazement and wonder and make funny noises and faces.
They are so helpless and depend on us for their every need.. Babies instinctively trust whoever holds them and
know that they will be fed and cared for. Jesus said we must be born again and come to the Father as children..

I don’t think when Jesus said we should become as children that he meant that we should have temper tantrums
when we don’t get our own way, or sit and pout when someone disagrees with us. Then there is the child who
gets mad because you won’t play by his rules and takes his stuff and goes home.

As God’s children we should be little sponges soaking up His knowledge and love. Then we should return that
love to those around us, showing others how Brethren Christians display their love for Jesus. Sometimes we as
children of God forget what Jesus said in Luke 6:31 “Do unto others as we would have them do to us.” We
have to learn to play well with others..

Gil 0209

A SUGGESTED CHANGE IN WORSHIP LANGUAGE

As you know, language is important and many people are sensitive to the subtle messages sent, often
unintended.
The Denominational Disabilities Ministry Group asks that the growing concern of the use of the words "Stand if
you are able" in our worship services be reconsidered. We all know that this language was adopted to recognize
that some elderly and disabled are not able to stand, and our former pattern was to just ask people to "stand."
In consultation with other denominations, the new recommended language is "Rise in body and in spirit" or a
version like that. This language focuses on the lifting up of our spirits as the primary task, and our ability to
stand as secondary.

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MATTHEW 18 TRAINING FOR TRAINERS WORKSHOP
The Northern Plains and Illinois/Wisconsin Districts have combined efforts to provide a Matthew 18 Training
for Trainers Workshop to be be held at the First Church of the Brethren, Peoria, IL, on March 20-21, 2009. Rick
Polhamus of the Ministry of Reconciliation (MoR) arm of On Earth Peace (OEP) will lead the training which
begins on Friday evening and continue through Saturday afternoon. MoR provides this training without charge.
Meals are provided and details for lodging are still being worked on. Please contact Kevin Kessler, District
Executive at 309-649-6008 or by email (kevink.iwdcob@sbcglobal.net) for additional information.

DISTRICT JR. HIGH NEWS

Plans are in progress for a Jr. High Spring Retreat to be held at Camp Emmaus, April 24-25, 2009. More
information will be coming as plans materialize.

Lisa Fike, District Jr. High Advisor, announces that only one (1) inquiry has been made concerning a district bus
to go to the National Jr. High Conference, June 19-21, 2009, at Harrisonburg, VA. Please contact Lisa
immediately if Jr. High youth and advisors from your congregation are interested in bus transportation to the
conference. Arrangements for a bus need to be made before February 28.
You may contact Lisa at ((815) 232-1938 (Freeport COB) or by email at pastorlfike@gmail.com.

DISASTER RESPONSE NEWS

Johnson County, Indiana Flood Recovery
The project house now has bunk beds - no more cots - thanks to both Franklin College and Camp Alexander
Mack. The downstairs bedroom is set up for women and has four bunks. Upstairs, the two bedrooms each have
three bunks, and the upstairs "landing" area has a bunk and three single beds. In addition, two rooms with
double beds have been set up for project leadership.
Project Director Steve Keim says, "Things are surprisingly roomy for so many beds, and there is closet space as
well as room for luggage. Our bottleneck will be in the bathrooms, but if everyone cooperates I think we can
make it." It's necessary to be frugal with water to avoid overloading the septic system.
As far as jobs, there is enough work to keep people busy. Currently, this is mostly inside.

Chalmette, Louisiana Katrina Recovery

We're still chipping away at the devastation caused by this mega-disaster 3 1/2 years ago. Our BVS'er, Don
Knieriem has been assigned to this project as an assistant to the project leaders.

Rushford, Minnesota
The final house is almost complete! A group of brave souls from Mid-Atlantic District has just returned from a
week of volunteering there. They report that there is about a week's worth of work for a skilled crew of 4 or 5
persons. Housing is in Winona, and volunteers need to take their own tools.

ANNIVERSARY SIGNATURE QUILT

Those who attended District Conference at Peoria in November were invited to sign the District Anniversary
Signature Quilt. This quilt travels around the district so that everyone can have an opportunity to sign it. It is
not a big quilt so we ask that you sign only once. If you signed it at District Conference please do not sign
again.

The quilt now resides in the northwestern region and will be going to the southern area next. When the quilt
arrives at your church it is imperative that you keep it for one Sunday only so it can get to all churches before
next year's District Conference. If members of your church are absent on your Sunday feel free to sign for them.

Lisa Fike made the quilt for the district 300th anniversary committee. Our hope is the quilt will be auctioned at
District Conference 2009 with the proceeds going to the District.

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 2008 MINISTER’S TAX GUIDE
The District Office has four (4) copies of a
Minister’s Guide for 2008 Income Tax. This
is a helpful tool for ministers who have
questions or concerns about preparation of
income tax forms. Please contact the District
Office to borrow a copy of the guide, or ask
district staff to research the guide for
responses to your inquiries.
National Jr. High Conference
“Transformed: Inside Out”
June 19-21, 2009
at James Madison University
Harrisonburg, VA
Featuring Ted Swartz and Ken Medema
For registration information contact:
Rebekah Houff at 800-323-8039
Ext. 281
FIVE YEAR ORDINATION REVIEW
Please remember that 2010 is the year for the
every Five-year Ordination Review for the
entire Church of the Brethren. All ordained
persons should be tracking their Continuing
Education Credits (CEUs) to ensure that
Church of the Brethren Guidelines for
continuing education are being met. It is the
responsibility of active, ordained persons to
secure, verify, and document CEU
certificates. Copies of certificates and any
related documentation should be sent to the
district office for inclusion in personal files.
If you need a refresher on the Annual
Conference Continuing Education
Guidelines, a copy can be viewed or
downloaded at:
http://www.brethren.org/site/DocServer/14C
ontinuingEducation.pdf?docID=174.

NATIONAL JR. HIGH CONFERENCE

National Jr. High conference is being planned for June 19 - 21 in Harrisonburg, VA.
We invite Jr. High age students, those that have completed 6, 7, or 8 grade, to participate in this action packed
weekend. Check with your youth advisor or pastor for more information. You can register on line at
www.brethren.org. The cost for the conference is $125.00 per participant. Our district Jr. High advisors, Brian
Archerand and Lisa Fike, are working to provide a district bus for the trip.

Please contact Lisa or Brian if you have youth that would like to ride the bus. We'd love to fill a bus from our
district. The conference two years ago was fantastic. Brian's Email address baacoffee@yahoo.com and Lisa's
pastorLfike@gmail.com

CABINET ANNOUNCES THEME FOR 2010 NYC

National Youth Conference’s (NYC) 2010 theme: “More Than Meets the Eye,” was drawn from 2 Cor. 4:6-10
and 16-18 (The Message). The National Youth Cabinet created the theme and some other aspects of the
conference when they met Jan. 2-5 in Elgin, Ill. In a statement on the theme, NYC co-coordinators Audrey
Hollenberg, Emily LaPrade, and Matt Witkovsky said the scripture passage “reminds us that God does great
things through each person. . . . Even though we may seem like simple jars of clay, with God’s light we are
more than meets the eye.”
The cabinet discussed worship speakers and music leaders, who will be finalized in the coming months, along
with broader goals, the schedule, and promotion ideas. Details will be posted as they become available at the
new NYC website: www.2010nyc.org. NYC 2010, for senior high youth and advisors, will take place July
17-22, 2010, at Colorado State University in Fort Collins, Colo.
Members of the cabinet meeting in mid-August in Colorado, are Sam Cupp, Jamie Frye, Tyler Goss, Kay Guyer,
Kelsey Murray, and Ryan Roebuck, along with adult advisors Christy Waltersdorff and Walt Wiltschek, Church
of the Brethren Youth/Young Adult Ministry director Chris Douglas, and the NYC co-coordinators

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Page 5 of 7
 Ministry Teams 2009
STANDING TEAMS
(Appointed by LT )

Ethics Team (Liaison 2009 Gil Crosby) Ethics Team - 3-year term, 2 term tenure
Ellis Boughton ellis.boughton@live.com Yellow Creek
Bob Weller krweller@frontiernet.net Virden
Christy Waltersdorff cwaltersdorff@juno.com York Center
Chr. Joel Kline jdkline783@ameritech.net Elgin
Jo Ann Kreider kreider47@yahoo.com Peoria

Ministerial Leadership Development Team (Liaison 2009 Fletcher Farrar) MLDT - 5-year term, 1 term
tenure
Chr. Kathleen Brinkmeier kwideawake@hotmail.com Rockford
Neil Brinkmeier neilbrink@msn.com Franklin Grove
Vicki Matheny mathelw@gmail.com Peoria
John Sgro pastorjohnsgro@gmail.com Lanark
Phyllis Batterton pbatterton@sid5.com Woodland

MINISTRY TEAMS
(Appointed by LT) No term limit, no tenure or as organized.
The Youth Cabinet has their own By-Laws

Disaster Response Team (Liaison 2009 Jim Lehman)

Chr. Carolyn Sweeney csweeney@grics.com Dixon
Marian Patterson mpatterson@essex1.com Milledgeville
Paul & Kathy Skoog pskoog@mchsi.com Milledgeville
Don Hart dlauto39@Hotmail.com Cherry Grove
Mike Siburt r.siburt@comcast.net Decatur
Sam Brandenburg samrosie@ctiwireless.com Milmine

District Deacons (Liaison 2009Anna Lee Hisey-Pierson) (3 year term-2 term tenure)
Kathy Gingrich Tendrkath@sbcglobal.net Naperville
Chr. Allegra Hess ahess10645@sbcglobal.net York Center
Dennis Webb djkrwebb@hotmail.com Naperville
Anna Lee Hisey-Pierson alwthp@sbcglobal.net Neighborhood
Jim Dunn cjkiln@frontiernet.net Hurricane Creek
Clareen Dunn cjkiln@frontiernet.net Hurricane Creek
Leon J. Swigart 527 N. 2nd Street, Girard, Il 62640-1219 Virden

Peace Team (Liaison 2009 Bob Champlin) (3 year term - 2 term tenure)
Becca Lipscomb juju8188@hotmail.com Springfield
Martha Harr mharr@cantonusd.org Canton
Carol Novak csknnovak@yahoo.com Franklin Grove
Daniel Radcliff raddancliff@yahoo.com New Beginnings
Duane Ediger duane.ediger@prodigy.net Chicago First
Kari Lego Kari_louise_17@yahoo.com Lanark

Youth Cabinet (Liaison 2009 Vernon Dean)

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DISTRICT CALENDAR:

Feb. 20-Mar 5 Emily Cleer on vacation

Feb. 14 Valentine’s Day
Feb. 21 New Church Development Team meeting, Champaign
Feb. 22 District Deacons meeting, Peoria, 3:30pm
Feb. 25 Ash Wednesday

Mar. 7 Leadership Team meeting, Dixon COB

Mar. 8 Daylight Saving Time Begins / One Great Hour of Sharing Offering emphasis
Mar. 13-16 Church of the Brethren, Inc. meetings, Elgin
Mar. 17 St. Patrick’s Day
Mar. 20-21 Matthew 18 Training for Trainers workshop
Mar. 28 New Church Development Team meeting, Elgin
Mar. 29-Apr. 1 Midwest DE’s gathering, Camp Mack, Milford, IN

Apr. 4 Program and Arrangements Committee meeting, Naperville, 10am

Apr. 4 Gifts Discernment and Call Committee meeting, Naperville, 1pm
Apr. 5 Palm Sunday
Apr. 10 Good Friday
Apr. 12 Easter
Apr. 18 Leadership Team meeting, Woodland COB
Apr. 25 New Church Development Team meeting
Apr. 26-29 Council of District Executives Professional Growth Event, Kansas City, KS

May 3 District Deacons meeting, Peoria, 3:30pm

May 10 Mother’s Day
May 21 Ascension Day
May 25 Memorial Day
May 30 Leadership Team meeting, Naperville COB
May 30 New Church Development Team, Naperville COB
May 31 Pentecost

Jun. 19-21 National Jr. High Conference, Harrisonburg, VA

Jun. 21 Father’s Day
Jun. 24-26 Council of District Executives Summer meeting, San Diego, CA
Jun. 26-30 Annual Conference, San Diego, CA

Jul. 4 Independence Day

Jul. 11 Leadership Team meeting, Polo COB

Aug. 8 Program and Arrangements Committee meeting, Naperville, 10am

Aug. 8 Gifts Discernment and Call Committee meeting, Naperville, 1pm
Aug. 15 Leadership Team meeting, Cerro Gordo COB

Sep. 7 Labor Day

Sep. 7-11 National Older Adult Conference
Sep. 13 Bethany Sunday
Sep. 26 Leadership Team meeting, Douglas Park COB

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