Upcoming Events

BRUCE REYES-CHOW’S IN DEFENSE OF KINDNESS DISCUSSION GROUP

Tuesdays SEP 13 to OCT 11 6:45 PM CST / 7:45 PM EST

Join us for a virtual weekly discussion of Bruce Reyes-Chow ‘ s book In Defense of Kindness led by Pastor Eli Rolón Jeong. Participants of all ages from CCIW and CCMR are welcome to explore the question “What if kindness could change the world?” together as we prepare for our Regional Assembly.

Zoom link and reading schedule will be provided after registration.

Don’t forget to register for Regional Assembly featuring Rev. Dr. Bruce Reyes-Chow.

In Defense of Kindness, is available from Chalice Press(www.chalicepress.com)

In this time of rapid change, it’s hard to imagine what a church will be like even one year in the future. Gone are the days when church planning was a matter of deciding which of the standard areas of church life to emphasize. How can we plan when so much is in flux? One good way to focus planning is by asking questions. Dan will share a four-step process for asking questions to predict the future.

Dan Hotchkiss has consulted with a wide spectrum of churches, synagogues, and other organizations spanning 33 denominational families. Through his coaching, teaching, and writing, Dan has touched the lives of an even wider range of leaders. His focus is to help organizations engage their constituents in discerning what their mission calls for at a given time, and to empower leaders to act boldly and creatively.

Dan coaches leaders and consults selectively with congregations and other mission-driven groups, mostly by phone and videoconference, from his home near Boston. Prior to consulting independently, Dan served as a Unitarian Universalist parish minister, denominational executive, and senior consultant for the Alban Institute.

Dan Hotchkiss will share a four-step process to help you predict the future of your church: How to Case a Church (current facts), How to Predict Our Future (strategic choices for growth), How to Choose Strategies (role clarification), and How to Make Things Happen (creating a different tomorrow).

Dan’s best-selling Alban book Governance and Ministry: Rethinking Board Leadership, now in an expanded and revised second edition, has helped hundreds of churches, synagogues, and non-profit organizations to streamline their structure and become more mission-focused and effective.

Register by Mail:
Click here for the registration flyer and form which can be mailed, along with a check, to:
AIM c/o CCIW, 401 W. Jefferson Street, Bloomington IL 61701

Zoom Link will be sent by email before October 5th.

CONFERENCE REGISTRATIONS ARE DUE SEPTEMBER 23, 2022

BRUCE REYES-CHOW’S IN DEFENSE OF KINDNESS DISCUSSION GROUP

Tuesdays SEP 13 to OCT 11 6:45 PM CST / 7:45 PM EST

Join us for a virtual weekly discussion of Bruce Reyes-Chow ‘ s book In Defense of Kindness led by Pastor Eli Rolón Jeong. Participants of all ages from CCIW and CCMR are welcome to explore the question “What if kindness could change the world?” together as we prepare for our Regional Assembly.

Zoom link and reading schedule will be provided after registration.

Don’t forget to register for Regional Assembly featuring Rev. Dr. Bruce Reyes-Chow.

In Defense of Kindness, is available from Chalice Press(www.chalicepress.com)

We will be joining the Christian Church (DOC) Michigan Region for a joint Regional Assembly 2022 that will take place October 14-15. Friday night’s session will be Live Stream for all registrants. Friday night worship will take place from 6:00 p.m.-7:30 p.m. CST.

A virtual Friday night “After Session” on Homebrewing and Spiritually will be presented by Rev. Eli Rolón and Andrew Guthrie. Rev. Eli Rolón will be sending out separate information and links for this. Watch for his posts.

Saturday you have the option to choose between attending the business meeting and workshops virtually or meeting in person at one of the following Host Churches: Grace Community Christian Church, Aurora.

If you choose the in-person option for Saturday there will be time for fellowship and mission opportunities, childcare will be provided during the business meeting and workshops, and lunch will be available for purchase.

Saturday will begin with the Business Session starting at 10:00 am. Afternoon workshops will take place from 1:00-3:00 pm.

Saturday Workshops (choice of one)

Moving From Financial Stress to Financial Wellness

According to the 2022 PwC Employee Financial Wellness Survey, among a group of employees surveyed
across different industries, those who say that they have financial worries also say it’s had a severe or
major negative impact on their productivity at work. Employees are faced with many financial
challenges like saving for retirement, planning for large purchases, managing debt, and childcare
expenses. Those things don’t stop while you are at work. That’s why employee financial wellness is so
important.

Religion & the Mandalorian

Jay Potter, PhD will lead us in exploring some of the religious and theological elements encountered in
the Mandalorian TV Series (Disney+, 2019-Present). Fans of Star Wars and those interested in the
intersections of theology, science fiction, and culture should find this workshop of interest. All ages
welcome.

Engaged Elders and Digital Deacons

Even before the COVID shutdown of 2020 many lay leaders were uncertain what role Elders and
Deacons played in the life of the congregation. Now that many of our churches are engaging in some
form of phygital ministry, many of us are asking “What role do Elders and Deacons play in the life of a
phygital church?” CCIW Associate Regional Minister will explore the history of the role of lay leadership
in the Christian Church and facilitate a discussion about how best to train and equip lay leaders to carry
out the work of ministry in their churches.

Revitalizing Congregations Through Older Adult Ministries

Attending to the interests and gifts of older adults in your church will revitalize your congregation! Learn
what you can do to make this vitality a reality in your setting, through a step-by-step spiritually-
meaningful process. Join us and invite your friends for a lively discussion and thoughtful dialogue.

Called to Share a Better Gospel

Without claiming that we have some claim upon THE ONE TRUE gospel of Jesus Christ, in the face of the
rise of Christian nationalism, violent extremism, and divisive tactics, might we be bolder in claiming A
Gospel that tells a different story? In our time we explore our hesitancy, talk tactics, and encourage one
another to be Christians known for living lives of compassion, love, and justice in the world.

Great Lakes Green Chalice

With Rev. Hannah Fitch

Registration is required for all who are attending. Deadline for registration is September 15th. Payment may be made online at the time of registration, or a check mailed to the Regional Office. Questions regarding registration contact Peggy O’Neal at [email protected]

Cost

Get the Flyer

In this virtual after session, Andrew and Eli will present a brief account of how the practice of beer brewing has historical – and even modern – ties to religious and spiritual practices as well as foundational elements of innovation, collaboration, community, ecology, and more!

Adults 21 and over are invited to join this fun and educational conversation. Feel free to bring your favorite homebrew or craft beer bottle to “share” with us.

Andrew Guthrie is the pastor of First Christian Church in Lafayette, Indiana. He is a graduate of Vanderbilt Divinity School, where he began brewing beer with his roommates. He is interested in movements for economic and social justice, hipster coffee shops, and craft beer.

Eli serves as Associate Regional Minister for the Christian Church in IL & WI. He is a craft beer enthusiast and began homebrewing while living at the Disciples Divinity House at Vanderbilt Divinity School. He is concerned with theological and practical questions regarding well-being, collects vinyl records, and avoids railroad switches – in practice, not in theory – for ethical reasons (this is an ethics joke).

There is nothing better than sharing with friends over a cup of coffee or glass of tea.  It is great to find out what other women are doing in their congregations and communities.

As the Ministry Leadership Team met and talked about what opportunities we might share this year, the desire to connect and share ideas came up over and over again. So, we decided that our first Coffee Connection of 2022 would be a time to brainstorm and share ideas of ministries and programs in which your congregation’s women participate.

October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month!

Join us as we discuss –

• The extent and nature of the problem of Domestic Violence and Partner Abuse.
•  How to identify the signs of Domestic Violence and Partner Abuse.
• How we can be advocates and provide support for those who are trying to emerge or remain free from situations of Domestic Violence and Partner Abuse.

Our Facilitator

My name is Verneice Prince. I am a single mom to four wonderful children. I grew up in the foster care system and it has been my life plan to earn a professional college degree which I did in December 2020 when I graduated from ISU Social Work Program with my Master’s Degree. I am a volunteer counselor for Integrity Counseling, in Bloomington, IL and the CEO of a homeless outreach program Cruisin Outta Poverty Services (COPS) NFP in Mclean County.

Healthy Boundaries 201
November 12th

First Christian Church – Galesburg

Facilitators:
Rev. Eli Rolon, Reb. Dee Ann Woods, Rev. Rebecca Ingram Kirby.