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

You show me the path of life. In your presence there is fullness of joy. –Psalm 16:11
(NRSV)

Beverly Kinego writing in the Upper Room Daily Devotional Guide compares Lent
to driving. She asks if you’ve ever been driving down the road and suddenly you remember
that you’re headed in a direction you had not intended to go. For instance, you had intended
to go to the grocery store but find yourself driving to your place of employment, which is in
the opposite direction. Kinego concludes that habit has taken over; we’re doing something automatically.
Kinego contends that we frequently do things automatically in other areas of life. We are busy, life is
buzzing, and we function almost on auto pilot, not thinking about what we are doing or what we are saying or how
we are acting. Lent is that time when we realize that we may be headed in the wrong direction with our automatic
ways or responses. Lent is the time to stop, to check in, to take stock of our lives and ask if the direction we’re
headed is really where we want to be going.
Another way to think about the question could be, is this the way God wants me to go? Am I treating others
as God would want me to treat them? Am I caring for creation as God would want it to be cared for? Am I caring
for my relationship with God in ways that strengthen it?
In addition to taking stock of our individual selves, Lent may be a good time to reflect on how we are doing
corporately. How well are we living in community with each other? How well are we as the church reaching out
to the world to make it a better place to live? How well are we building up the body of Christ through encouraging
each other, praying for one another, and helping others when needs arise? How are we as congregations working
together to advance the kingdom of God on earth as it is in heaven? How are we as the District of Illinois and
Wisconsin supporting our sister congregations and the denomination as a whole? How are we as the Church of the
Brethren denomination influencing the world with our values of simplicity, service, peace, and community?
These and other questions can help us make a course correction. Course corrections mean extra time. Course
corrections mean going out of our way. Course corrections mean dealing with frustration. Course corrections mean
more attentiveness. Course corrections, though, take us to where we really intend to go. Course corrections help us
to reach the destination that God intends for us, which means that down the road we’ll realize vistas of Easter
resurrection.
I wonder: In what direction are we automatically headed, individually and corporately? Is it the direction we
really want to go? Lent is a good time to think about these questions.

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

“When people love each other, an important kind of giving is giving in.. (Leo Buscaglia)

I attended a retreat this past week end where our speaker brought to life the history of the Hebrew people and
how Christianity emerged from that rich culture. Dr. Jason Zaborowski from Bradley University has the ability
to bring people of the Middle East from stereotypes into everyday people who are trying to live their lives as
they have been taught and their history dictates. When someone or something steps in the way that disrupts
their way of living or doing things they react.

Church people react as well to things that impinge on the way they think things ought to be.. Some once said
“If you want to see how forgiving a Church member is, try sitting in their pew.” Things that disrupt our
routines are not looked upon kindly.. even little things like where we normally sit in Church. Churches have
split over such questions as to whether we should pay the Pastor, or if the Pastor should be educated or not.
After the split we find out later that maybe it is OK to pay an educated Pastor but by them we have dug in our
heels and refuse to talk to the other group.

Congregations today continue to argue amongst themselves and within themselves over a lot of issues in which
we all have pretty strong opinions. One saying that has characterized the Brethren and often quoted by my wife,
“We agree to disagree.” We have a history of bringing concerns to District Conferences and Annual
Conference and trusting in the Holy Spirit to guide us in one direction or the other. Sometimes the Spirit gives
it back to us and tells us to think about it some more.

The Church of the Brethren grew out of a rural setting of self sufficient people who took care of themselves and
their own. When the Church started to form in the towns and cities the rural Brethren were suspicious of those
“worldly” people who worked in factories and shops and didn’t produce what they used. As the city churches
grew in size and influence they began to look on the rural Brethren as backward and set in old fashioned ways.
One thought the other was straying from the simple life and the other believed the first has forgotten Alexander
Mack’s words of “New light may spring from the Word at any time.”.

Over time and Christian love the two groups still do not 100% agree on the directions the Church may take BUT
believe that our great heritage of using scripture, prayer and coming together to ask the Spirit to work among us
overtakes a desire to take our marbles and go home. We can agree to disagree and still love our brothers and
sisters and function as Christ’s Church of the Brethren.

We ARE one in the Spirit.. “Teach me to do your will, for you are my God; may your good Spirit lead me on
level ground.” Psalm 143:10

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BUS TRANSPORTATION TO NATIONAL OLDER ADULT CONFERENCE-'09
Bus transportation from the IL/WI District is being provided to National Older
Adult Conference at Lake Junaluska, NC September 7-11, 2009. The bus will
depart from Mt. Morris Church of the Brethren at 7:00 a.m. on Sunday,
September 6. Additional stops to be announced. A deposit of $125 is required
by July 1 with a total cost of $260 per
person for double motel occupancy ord $340.00 per person for single motel
occupancy. Balance is due Aug. 15. Please make reservations with Marvin
Thill. Make checks payable to NOAC '09 Bus Trip.

Marvin Thill Bus. P.S. Persons in the southern part of the district may
8040 US 20 E elect to ride on the Plains NOAC Bus.
Stockton IL 61085 The price will be a bit less than the IL/WI bus and
Ph. 815-947-3197 may be boarded in the St. Louis area. Call David
e-mail bettyandmarvin@g.mail.com Fruth. 620-245-0674

CORRECTION
Christy Waltersdorff’s correct e-mail is christywaltersdorff@comcast.net.

REPORT FROM THE NW REGION MEETING.

The Northwest Region of the District of Illinois and Wisconsin held their quarterly “Eatin
Meetin” Tuesday, February 3, at the home of Wilbur and Evelyn Bowman. Following a planned
potluck meal, everyone gathered to hear Ellis Boughton, Pastor of Yellow Creek COB and Kyle
Brinkmeier, a member of Yellow Creek COB, tell about their recent Mission Trips to Honduras.
Bill Hare of the Polo COB leads this Mission Project during the month of January. There are two
groups scheduled each time. Ellis was in the first group and Kyle the second group.

Several churches announced events of interest. The Rockford congregation welcomed the Sarpiya family from
Hawaii. They come as “church planters” in Rockford. The Youth Spring Retreat, will be held April 17-19 at
the Dixon COB. Lisa Fike, Pastor of the Freeport COB and Brian Archer, Pastor of the Cherry Grove COB are
planning Junior High activities. Wilbur Bowman, Chair of the Leadership Team, began the study of church
polity on the issue of deeds, by-laws, constitutions, and incorporation of congregations. Papers were handed out
for those attending to research their own policies and come back to the next meeting with their findings. The
next meeting is May 5, at the Bowman’s. Wilbur and Vernon Dean are the Liaisons to this NW Region of 12
churches. 30 people representing 8 churches attended the “Eatin Meetin”.. We have an advance notice of the
program for the next meeting. Kevin Kessler, District Executive will be the guest presenter on the subject of
church polity and the local churches. Every church should be represented as this subject is crucial in the life of
the District.

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Page 4 of 9
NANCY KNEPPER ENDS TERM AS DISTRICT MINISTRY COORDINATOR
Nancy F. Knepper, coordinator of District Ministry for the Church of the Brethren’s Ministry Office, has
completed her term of service with the denomination. The position of coordinator of District Ministry was
eliminated as part of a re-evaluation of the needs of the Ministry Office.

She served as coordinator of District Ministry since Oct. 1997. Nancy started working for the Church of the
Brethren General Board in Feb. 1989 as director of Outdoor Ministries in a half-time position through 1997. She
served briefly as interim coordinator of the General Board’s ministry team. Before coming to Elgin she was
administrator and manager of Camp Ithiel in Gotha, Fla., and administered Atlantic Southeast District’s outdoor
ministries program. She graduated from Juniata College in Huntingdon, Pa., and holds a master’s degree from
Shippensburg (Pa.) State College. Nancy Knepper is an ordained minister in the Church of the Brethren.

Any services or functions previously handled by Ms. Knepper should be channeled through Mary Jo Flory-
Steury, executive director of the Ministry Office.
--from COB Newsline

YOUTH PEACE TRAVEL TEAM

-- The 2009 Youth Peace Travel Team has been announced: Chelsea Goss of Mechanicsville, Va.; Jessica Flory-
Steury of Kettering, Ohio; Marianne Houff of Bethel, Pa.; and Bethany Funkhouser of Strasburg, Va. The team
represents the Church of the Brethren as they travel to camps across the denomination
throughout the summer. The Church of the Brethren’s Outdoor Ministries, Youth and
Young Adult Ministry, Brethren Volunteer Service, On Earth Peace, and Brethren
Witness/Washington Office sponsor the Youth Peace Travel Team. The program is
designed to share with Brethren youth the message of peace and justice that has been a
core faith tradition of the church throughout its 300-year history. The team will attend
and lead sessions at the National Junior High Conference, Annual Conference, and a
workcamp at the Brethren Service Center in New Windsor, Md.
--from COB Newsline

2009 MINISTRY ETHICS TRAINING

Ethics training is required every five years for ministry leadership. Two district training events are scheduled for
March 19 (Dixon) and March 21 (Decatur) in 2009 to meet this requirement. Registration information was sent
to all licensed and ordained persons, and other leaders in the district. If you have not received information about
these events and wish to attend, please contact the district office at 309-649-6008.

Other dates for training will be announced for the fall of the year. Advance notice will be given for these events
in order that schedules can be accommodated for persons to attend. If you are unable to attend in March, watch
for information that will be disseminated by email, postal mail, and subsequent district newsletter announcing
dates, times, and places for future ethics training events.

IN REMBRANCE
Rev. Gordon Austen, age 66, of Cerro Gordo, died Wednesday, December 3, 2008.
Funeral services were Saturday, December 3, 2008, at the First Christian Church,
Decatur, IL. Gordon was born July 11, 1942, in St. Catherine's, Ontario, Canada. He
married Sharon Gail McKenna on April 28, 1968, and she survives. Also surviving are 2
daughters, Heather and Deborah, and 9 special grandchildren. Gordon served as pastor at
Mandon Lake Community Church in Union Lake, MI; Kasbeer Community Church,
Kasbeer, IL; LaPlace Church of the Brethren, LaPlace, IL; and as assistant pastor at the
Oakley Brick Church. Gordon will be remembered during the Brethren Benefit Trust
Memorial Tribute at Annual Conference this summer.

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NATIONAL JR. HIGH CONFERENCE: NOTICE
Brothers and Sisters in the Illinois and Wisconsin District.

Brian and I have decided that we will not be taking a district bus to National Jr. High
Conference this summer in Harrisonburg VA.
We hope that youth from across our district will venture to this conference. Two years ago
this was a fantastic event and I trust that this years conference will be as wonderful.
We regret this decision, but it is one that had to be made because we have had about 15 youth and adults that
were wanting to travel by bus together. This comes no where close to the 45 persons to fill a bus.

If you have questions or comments feel free to contact either of us.

Blessings to all,
Lisa Fike and Brian Archer

A TRIP OF FULFILLMENT
After reading the little snippets in last month’s newsletter, I felt God’s yearning, no more of a slap up side the
head to tell you all a story. So here goes.

About 4½ years ago I stood in the pulpit and proclaimed on a Sunday morning that in my past I had done a little
bit of Disaster Relief work and that I felt God calling me back to it. I laid out my plan before the congregation.
There was a Church of the Brethren job site set up in the tiny town of Lucedale, Mississippi that had been hit
hard from tornados spun off of Hurricane Katrina. I told them that I planned to go and I would like three or four
other’s to go with me. Now it had been over 20 years since anyone from this Church had gone out on a Project.
We do have some Child Care workers who are active in Disaster Relief work, but no re-building teams. Well to
make a long story short, that winter seven guys loaded up in a van and headed off to Lucedale.

It’s now four years later and we have made a trip somewhere every winter. The team has changed each year but
we now have a base of ten Guys in our Church who have been on a Relief trip. Just a few weeks ago six of us
made the short trip to Greenwood, Indiana to work for a week. There we did plumbing and electrical work, we
painted and got paint on us. We laid floors and put up kitchen cabinets. We hung doors and we hung out with
one another and those from around the country. Please forgive me for a moment, for this next part may seem
sexist to some of you. Guys, I know that a lot of you out there sometimes find it hard to find your place in the
Church. You are “Doer’s”; you need to work with your hands! Well here Gentlemen is the calling for you!
Now yes, women are needed on these projects as well, but guys, this is what you are waiting for! If you are
interested; the guys in my Church would more than glad to tell you of their escapades around the country
serving Christ with their hammers and saws. Give us a call at 815 225-7812 or e-mail us at
ricbeckoch@mchsi.com. There is a project waiting for you!! Answer God’s call!
Pastor Rick Koch @ Dutchtown Church of the Brethren

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 ILLINOIS/WISCONSIN
SPRING DISTRICT YOUTH RETREAT
April 17-19, 2009  Dixon Church of the Brethren

Where: Dixon Church of the Brethren is at 215 N. Court St., Dixon, Ill.

Who: All youth currently in 9th-12th grades, and advisors

Theme: "Mission Near and Far"

Leadership: Beth Gunzel, a member of York Center Church of the Brethren,

recently returned from doing economic development work for the Church of
the Brethren in the Dominican Republic; now she’s working with the “Growing
Home” project in Chicago. Beth will talk about her work and how we can
connect with our neighbors in need, whether they’re in another country or just
a few miles down the road.

Schedule: Register between 7-8 p.m. Friday evening; we'll finish after
worship on Sunday morning. In addition to our sessions with Beth, the weekend will include times of
worship, good food, recreation and games, a service project, and more.

How much?: $30 for youth; advisors accompanying youth attend at no charge.

Please register by April 10. Note: If fewer than a dozen registrations have been received by April
10th, then the retreat will have to be canceled. Please watch this site for any updates. Additional
forms are available at www.cobyouth.org .

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The Hurricane Creek Church of the Brethren recently finished a remodeling project. They have been working
on remodeling the basement/fellowship hall. The project included a dropped ceiling, new light fixture, and an
updated kitchen. They finished in time for two members, Bill and Alice Schultz, to hold their 50th anniversary
celebration Sunday, Feb. 8. The celebration began with a brief ceremony renewing their vows following the
regular worship service. They provided a delicious dinner for everyone following the ceremony. Friends and
family traveled from various locations in IL and MO to help Bill and Alice celebrate.

SPRING DISTRICT YOUTH RETREAT

When: April 17-19
Where: Dixon Church of the Brethren, Dixon, Ill.
Who: All youth currently in 9th-12th grades, and advisors
Theme: "Mission Near and Far"
Beth Gunzel, a member of York Center Church of the Brethren has recently returned from doing economic
development work in the Dominican Republic. She now works with the "Growing Home" project in Chicago.
Beth will tell us about her work and how we can connect with our neighbors in need, whether they're in another
country or just a few miles down the road.
Schedule: Register between 7-8 p.m. Friday evening; we'll finish after worship on Sunday morning. In addition
to our sessions with Beth, the weekend will include times of worship, good food, recreation and games, a
service project, and more.
How much?: $30 for youth; advisors accompanying youth attend at no charge.
For more information: Visit www.cobyouth.org for registration forms and more details.
Please register by April 10.
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 District calendar
2009
Mar. 8 Daylight Saving Time Begins
Mar. 13-16 Church of the Brethren, Inc. meetings, Elgin
Mar. 17 St. Patrick's Day
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. 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 31 Pentecost

Jun. 21 Father's Day

Jun. 24 Council of District Executives Summer meeting, San Diego, CA
Jun. 26-30 Annual Conference, San Diego, CA

Jul. 4 Independence Day

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

Aug. 8 Gifts Discernment and Call Committee meeting, Naperville, 1pm

Sep. 7 Labor Day

Oct. 3 District Deacons meeting, Peoria, 10am

Oct. 10 Program and Arrangements Committee meeting, Naperville, 10am
Oct. 10 Gifts Discernment and Call Committee meeting, Naperville, 1 pm
Oct. 12 Columbus Day
Oct. 25-27 Midwest DE's gathering, Camp Mack, Milford, IN

Nov. 1 Daylight Saving Time Ends

Nov. 6-9 District Conference, Naperville
Nov. 11 Veteran's Day

Dec. 24 Christmas Eve

Dec. 25 Christmas Day
Dec. 31 New Year's Eve

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