July Issue 2014 - Southern Illinois District

www.sidlcms.org
July 2014
A Message from our President
Lansdowne
Community Initiative – LCI
In September of 2013 a handful of leaders from
Unity Lutheran Church, the community and the Southern
Illinois District met. The discussion centered on what
could be done to improve the community around Unity
Lutheran Christian Elementary School and Unity
Lutheran Church. The church and school do an excellent
job of reaching the hearts, minds and souls of their
constituents.
The surrounding neighborhoods are a mixture of
urban blight and decay. Boarded up and burnt out
buildings present a safety hazard. High unemployment
with few job prospects discourages residents.
Under the leadership of the Rev. Dr. Willie
Stallworth, Unity’s pastor, a committee took shape. The
group chose the title as Lansdowne which is the historic
designation of the particular area of East St. Louis.
Community represents the scope of interest for this
initiative. Safe, affordable housing is important but so are
businesses, services, parks and employment. It is the goal
of the Initiative to address all of these under a
comprehensive development plan.
The purpose of LCI is to renew a spirit of
community that stabilizes and revitalizes the Lansdowne
Neighborhood. The Mission of LCI is “To secure vacant
properties, rehabilitate existing structures and develop
newly constructed affordable housing. We will also
provide financial and housing maintenance education and
support to homeowners and renters in the Lansdowne
Neighborhood.” It is an ambitious undertaking. The city
manager of East St. Louis promises her support as LCI
develops its master plan and secures appropriate
financing.
At a June 30 special meeting, the LCI Board
voted its approval of a development plan prepared by
Harris Stowe State University in St. Louis. Their urban
planning institute will assist LCI in moving this project
forward, surveying the residents of the community and
preparing a master plan to present to the city council of
East St. Louis at the appropriate time. In May of this
year, the Southern Illinois District Board of Directors
approved using $10,000 of restricted funds for this
initiative. This gift enables the Initiative to move
ahead.
In addition to the Rev. Dr. Stallworth, members
of the Board include Attorney Jeanne Aubuchon,
Johnny Anthony, chairman of Unity Lutheran Church
and retired East St. Louis Fire Department Captain,
Gene Evans, a retired East St. Louis Housing Inspector,
Rev. Kenneth Johnson, pastor of St. Mark’s Missionary
Baptist Church which is across the street from Unity,
Fred Kimbrough who works for the LCMS Housing
Initiative out of the International Center, Clifford
Stallworth who has a master’s degree in urban planning
from Harris Stowe, Paula Wills who leads an agency for
health education in East St. Louis, and Rev. Timothy
Scharr, an ex officio member representing the Southern
Illinois District. Dr. Stallworth calls this his “dream
team.” Additional expertise will be sought as the
initiative grows.
The past ten months have moved quickly and
progress has been made. Please keep this initiative in
your prayers and consider how you may contribute your
time, talents and treasures to support this venture.
Similar projects are working in New York City, Fort
Wayne, Indiana and St. Louis. We are excited to see
what the Lord unfolds for us in East St. Louis!
Rev. Timothy J. Scharr, President
Presidential Activities for June 2014
17 Individual Consultations
4 Cong. Meeting
13 District Meetings 3 Preaching/Speaking Engagements
2 Days Colloquy Meeting at the I. C. 1 KFUO speaking engagement
The InSIDe Word
July 2014
Prayers
In your prayers please remember:
Friends and family as they travel on vacation,
teachers and pastors as they consider Calls and safety for
the children out of school for the summer.
Please keep our brothers and sisters serving our
country in the military in your prayers:
Active duty Chaplains from the SID: Lt. Col.
Gregory Jans, Capt. Gregory N. Todd, and Capt.
Jon Smithley.
PC2 Andrew Fowler, grandson of Rev. Elvin Harms
[Emeritus], stationed in Kentucky
A1C Daniel Fowler, grandson of Rev. Elvin Harms
[Emeritus], is stationed in England.
Samuel Harms grandson of Rev. Elvin Harms
[Emeritus], stationed at Shepherd AFB, TX.
Capt. Craig Muehler (brother of Cindy Nebel) US
Navy Chaplain now serving at the Pentagon as Deputy to
the Chief of Chaplains for the U.S. Marine Corps.
Lt. Carl Muehler (brother of Cindy Nebel) US Navy
Chaplain now serving at Norfolk, VA.
LCpl Daniel Otten, son of Pastor David and Danele
Otten, serving in the 2nd Battalion, 9th Marines, at
Camp Lejeune, NC.
Maj. Drew Ponivas (son of Nancy Ponivas, former
teacher at Zion, Bethalto) has been deployed to
Afghanistan.
MM1 John Ponivas (son of Nancy Ponivas, former
teacher at Zion, Bethalto) is now on the USS North
Dakota.
Col. Robin Schultze (daughter-in-law of Shirley
Schwartzkopf) stationed in the state of Washington.
Major Anthony Skeesick (son of Pastor Dale and Kathy
Skeesick, St. Peter, Prairietown) has retired from active
duty and now is serving in the National Guard.
Col. John Pepin and Col. Linda Pepin (daughter and
son-in-law of Pastor [Emeritus] and Lois Eckert) are now
serving at Elmendorf AFB, Alaska.
Lisa Kern, daughter of Rev. David and Karen Kern, St.
Paul, West Frankfort is currently training at the University
of Illinois Champaign for service in the US Navy.
Praise Prayers:
Please call Donna at 618-234-4767 or email to:
[email protected] to add your prayer request, or
update the information above.
Pastor’s Anniversaries Celebrated
The following pastors celebrated anniversaries of their ordination into the Holy Ministry during the month of June and
received certificates. If you or someone you know had an anniversary (20, 25, 30, 35, etc. years) during the month of
June and their name is not on this list, please call Donna at the District Office (618-234-4767)so this can be taken care
of right away. Thank you.
Rev. Willard Meyer
45 Years
June 22
Rev. Edward Purdy
Rev. David Otten
Rev. Mark Wiesner
50 Years
30 Years
30 Years
June 21
June 24
June 21
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The InSIDe Word
July 2014
Calls & Vacancies In
SID
ACTIVELY CALLING:
ZION, BELLEVILLE: Called Rev. Brian Downs (received and Accepted)
ST. JOHN, CHESTER: Received new Call list.
EMMAUS, DORSEY: Beginning the Call process
TRINITY, IUKA: Call process proceeding
ZION, LITCHFIELD: Beginning Call Process
TRINITY, MILLSTADT: Beginning Call Process
TRINITY, NASHVILLE: Beginning Call Process
ZION, STAUNTON: Beginning Call Process
ST. MARK, STEELEVILLE: Called Rev. Kelly Bedard, Candidate Status, to P.T. Associate Pastor. (Received
and Accepted)
HOLY CROSS, WATERLOO: Beginning Call Process
TEMPORARILY NON-CALLING:
ST. JAMES, GLEN CARBON –Bob Weise serving as interim.
ST. LUKE’S, OLMSTED—Served by Rev. Paul Donner, Paducah, KY
PASTORS RECEIVING CALLS:
The Rev. Kelly Bedard, Candidate Status, to P.T. Associate Pastor, St. Mark Steeleville
(Accepted)
The Rev. Jonathan Bontke, Zion, Litchfield to Candidate Status & transferred to Texas District)
The Rev. Joel Fritsche, Pastor, Zion, Staunton to Lutheran Senior Services (Received and
Accepted) & transferred to Missouri District
The Rev. Russel Johnson, Trinity, Nashville to Senior Pastor, St. Luke Lutheran Church,
Clinton Township, MI. (Received and Accepted) & transferred to Michigan District
Please keep these congregations and pastors in your prayers, that God’s Will, will be done!
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The InSIDe Word
July 2014
Your are cordially invited to attend the
Belleville Pro-Life Dinner Event
with
Melissa Ohden
Thursday, July 17, 2014
B ELLECOU RT M ANOR
225 East ''A" Street
Belleville , Illinois
DINNER & PROGRAM:
6:30 PM
Melissa Ohden wasn't supposed to be here ...but she defied incredible odds. Melissa survived a failed saline
infusion abortion in 1977. Despite the initial health concerns regarding M elissa’s future-after all, she just
survived an attempt to end her life and was born alive at approximately six months gestation-not only did
she survive but she was adopted and thrived! With a Master's Degree in Social Work, Melissa has worked in
the fields of substance abuse, mental health, domestic violence/ sexual assault counseling, and child welfare.
After years of searching for her biological family and offering them forgiveness for the decision that was
made to end her life, Melissa’ story, and her life, is so much more than one of survival. M elissa’s story is one
about the beauty of God's grace in our lives, about the power of love, about the hope for joy and healing in
the midst of grief and loss, and about the transformational power of forgiveness and in answering God's call
for your life. Fulfilling the purpose that she believes God set out for her when He saved her from the certain
death of the abortion attempt, Melissa is truly a voice for the voiceless.
Proceeds will help Vitae, a national non-profit organization, make a significant difference in the lives of young women
who are faced with an unplanned pregnancy. Using mass media venues such as Tl!,radio, Internet, and mobile
phones,
Vitae research-based educational messaging directs these women to local resources where they can find the caring and
practical support needed to make life-affirming decisions.
Non-Refundable Registration Fee: $25 per person
Register online at www.vitaefoundation.org
Reservations will be secured when payment is received.
You may pay by credit or debit card by calling 800.393.5791 or by sending your check or money order to
our office.
Vitae Foundation
1731 Southridge Dr., Suite D Jefferson City, MO 65109
There will be an opportunity to financially support the mission
of the Vitae Foundation, a 50l(c){3) nonprofit, through a tax-deductible donation during the event.
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The InSIDe Word
July 2014
SOUTHERN ILLINOIS
DISTRICT
SENIOR BUS TRIP
The weather forecast for Tuesday-June 10 was 80%
chance of rain. But the 25 seniors (age 55+) who
participated in the SID Older Adult Lutheran Seminaries
Day Trip were blessed with beautiful weather.
Group standing in front of Martin Luther Bus pick up points were St. Paul Lutheran church-Hamel
and the Water Tower at St. Clair Square in Fairview
statue at the seminary.
Heights. Before the chartered bus
left, Dan Roth had an opening devotion and asked God to bless our day
and keep the rain away. On our drive to St. Louis, Bob Polansky
challenged the seniors to some Lutheran Higher Education Trivia.
Our first stop was Concordia Seminary-St. Louis, where we started the
tour by attending chapel. After chapel, Dr. Dale Meyer, President of
Concordia Seminary greeted us and accompanied us on our tour until he
needed to leave for a meeting at his office. Our tour guide walked us
around the beautiful campus highlighting various buildings and giving
us historical information about the seminary. We also toured Concordia
Historical Society which is located on the grounds of the seminary. At
noon we had a delicious buffet lunch at the seminary dining hall. After
lunch our bus driver drove around the campus and we saw the housing
facilities for married students, which is home for 200 children.
Nave of Holy Cross
Lutheran Church,
2nd oldest church in
St. Louis
Our next stop was historic Holy Cross Lutheran Church, across from
Concordia Publishing House. St. Paul is the 2nd oldest church in St. Louis
and at one time had 1500 communicant members, with a church nave that
seats 1000+. While at St. Paul, their music director Rev. David Johnson,
lead us in a hymn sing.
The third stop was walking across the street to the old Concordia Seminary.
We learn about its history and also toured the building which houses
resources for Orphan Grain Train, a program of Lutheran Hour Ministries.
Visiting with Dale
Meyer in his office Before heading home, we were treated to a Ted Drewes custard cup and a
at the seminary.
bottle of water.
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The InSIDe Word
July 2014
Ethiopian Pastor Speaks at Harvel Lutheran Church
It’s not every day that a person from a country mentioned in the Bible comes to
our neck of the woods. But that’s what happened on Sunday, June 22nd.
97 people attended the Mission Festival at Trinity Lutheran Church in Harvel.
Trinity, Harvel hosted Pastor Hailu Yohannes. Rev. Yohannes is the President of
the South Central Synod (they use the nomenclature of synod as we use district)
from the Ethiopian Lutheran Church (Mekane Yesus). The Ethiopian Church is
one of the fastest growing in Africa as well as the world with 6.3 members as of
2014. In 2007 their membership was 2.3 million. Their baptized membership has
almost tripled in the past 7 years.
On the left is Rev. Yohannes with
Rev. Scott Busacker of Trinity,
Harvel on the right.
Rev. Yohannes spoke of the strong
faith members have despite living in
poverty. His church seeks to serve
those in need. The Ethiopian
Lutheran Church is also finding a
fruitful harvest by evangelism to
Muslims in Ethiopia. They do this not
by condemning them but by showing
them the love of Jesus. While some
pastors have had arms cut off by
extremists, many Muslims have
converted to Christianity.
For more information about this
mission, please contact Trinity, Harvel at 229-3143 or on the web at tlcharvel.org.
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The InSIDe Word
July 2014
26th Annual
Southern Illinois District
Day of Spiritual Renewal
Tuesday, August 5
Christ Our Savior L.H.S.
Evansville, IL.
Registration begins at 8:30 a.m.
2014
SOUTHERN ILLINOIS DISTRICT
GOLF SCRAMBLE
The annual Southern Illinois District
golf scramble was held at Oakbrook
Golf Club, Edwardsville, on Monday,
June 30. Seventeen golfers attended
this event. The winning team of Dave
Dyson, Caleb Cox, Paul Walther,
Norman Rowold and Dan Roth had a
score of 60 or 11 under par. They
received golf trophies provided by
Winning Edge of Centralia. Closet to
the pin winners were Norman Rowold,
Caleb Cox and Dave Dyson.
Lunch was served by Thrivent
representative Ken Koeber and Wally
Streuter. Thanks to Mr. Dennis
Klussman, Vice President of SID
LCEF for providing a sleeve of balls
for each player.
Hope to you see YOU in 2015!!!!
2015
Southern Illinois District
Convention
Feb. 12, 13 14
The Regency
Conference Center
400 Regency Park
O’Fallon, Il.
Exit 16 off I-64
Has your congregation decided on
your lay and pastoral delegates,
completed the form and returned it to
the district office?
Has your congregation received the
LCMS registration form for your
delegates and must be signed by two
officers of the church? (orange-red in
color)
If you have ANY questions regarding
the 2015 convention please be sure to
call the district office. We are here to
help serve YOU!
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The InSIDe Word
July 2014
Calendar of Events
2014
JULY
4
6
8
10
15
20
24
27
AUGUST
5
6
6
9
11
13
14
Holiday—District office closed
Ordination and Installation of Jared DeBlieck, Trinity, Edwardsville
Scholar ship committee meeting, 9 a.m.
S.A.M.T.F. Meeting, 7 p.m.
Prison Ministry Task Force, Okawville, 6:30 p.m.
Ordination and Installation of Kale Hanson, Zion, Bethalto
Multiplier Committee, 2 p.m.
Installation of Rev. Brian Downs as Senior Pastor, Zion, Belleville, 9:30 a.m.
Day of Spiritual Renewal, COSLHS, Evansville
Office & Personnel Comm., 2 p.m.
Finance Committee, 4:30 p.m.
SID Board of Directors, 9 a.m.
Circuit Visitors Meeting, 9 a.m.
Older Adult Advisory Committee, 6:30 p.m.
S.A.M.T.F. Meeting, 7 p.m.
SEPTEMBER
1
Labor Day—District office closed
11
S.A.M.T.F. Meeting, 7 p.m.
29-30 Synod Wide Dispute Resolution Panel
OCTOBER
6-7
9
16
21
21
25
SID Fall Pastor’s Conference, Rend Lake, IL
S.A.M.T.F. Meeting, 7 p.m.
LWML Board Meeting, 9 a.m.
Office & Personnel Comm., 2 p.m.
Finance Committee, 4:30 p.m.
SID Board of Directors, 9 a.m.
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