Latvia Visit in September

I have received several phone calls requesting visiting partner churches in Latvia. It was suggested this be done at the end of September. The tentative dates would be September 24-October 2. The estimated costs would be $1450. An additional trip to Wittenberg, Germany and some other sights would add $350 to the cost.

We are also looking into a construction project to be done during that time at one of our churches in Latvia.

Suggested visit time: Sept. 25-29 visit partner church, Sept. 29-Oct. 1 visit Luther sights, Oct. 2 return to US.

Let me know if you are interested. We would need to make reservations by mid July.

Grace Place Retreat for CID

We are limited to 20 couples (Pastor & wife) for the Grace Place Retreat scheduled for August 4-7, 2008 at Lake Williamson of Carlinville.

The goal of Grace Place is to offer preventative wellness skills, attitudes, and resources to professional church workers so they can experience and live the abundant lives to which Jesus called them. Sessions are designed to help you and your spouse enrich your spiritual, physical, emotional, intellectual, and relational health.

We are asking congregations to pay $250 per couple and the couple pay $100 ($50 to be refunded when you arrive at the retreat).

Please sign up as soon as possible to awoehlke@graceplaceretreats.org so that we know who will be attending.

Calls Being Considered

Rev. Richard Salcido of Jacksonville - Ida Grove, Ia (accepted)

Rev. Matthew Marks of Perryville, MO - Peace, Thomasboro (declined)

Rev. Toby Heller of Beulah, ND - Trinity, Springfield (declined)

Rev. Mark Haller of Buckley - St. Peter, East Pointe, MI (accepted)

Rev. Michael Damery of Decatur - Trinity, Freistatt, MO (declined)

Rev. John Laux of Decatur - Trinity, Long Prairie, MN (declined)

Rev. Steve Anderson of Bettendorf, IA - St. John, Geneseo, IL

Together in Prayer for Others

The family of Rev. & Mrs. Jason Wagner of Milford - her mother was killed in an accident recently.

The family of Rev. & Mrs. Doug Meyer of Salem - her mother went to be with the Lord on April 9.

The family of Rev. & Mrs. Wayne Hoffman of Springfield - his mother entered eternal glory on April 20.

Thanksgiving for new grandchild of Rev. & Mrs. Lynn Podoll (being made a child of God through Holy Baptism weekend of May 4).

The family of Rev. & Mrs. Clarence Rogers - his mother entered eternal glory and will be laid to rest on May 6.

If you know of someone to be included in this listing, please let the District President know.

Fall Pastors' Conference

October 20-22, 2008 in Moline, IL

Candidate Call & Vicar Placement Services

Concordia Seminary, St. Louis

April 22 - 3 pm Vicar Placement - 5 to CID
Canton, Grace - Kenneth Serr
Decatur, St. Paul - Timothy Heinecke
East Moline, St. John - Phillip Booe
Quincy, Lutheran of St. John - G. Tim McCall
Salem, Salem - Timothy Koch

April 22 - 7 pm Call Service - 5 to CID

Decatur, St. John - William Gauger
Ordination: Installation:

Mattoon, St. John - Troy Countryman
Ordination/Installation: June 22

Peoria, Christ - Aaron Schellhas
Ordination: June 1; Installation: July 20

Quincy, St. James - Stephen Mueller
Ordination/Installation: August 3

Winchester, Arenzville, Bluffs; Christ, Immanuel, Trinity - Michael Bahr
Ordination/Installation: June 29


Concordia Theological Seminary, Ft. Wayne

April 22 - 7 pm Vicar Placement - 2 to CID
Buffalo, Risen Savior - S. Wade Turner
Moline, Holy Cross - Terry Neustel, II

April 23 - 7 pm Call Service - 3 to CID

Normal, Christ - Randy Blankschaen
Ordination: May 4; Installation: June 22

Rochester, Good Shepherd - Samuel Janssen
Ordination/Installation:

Secor, St. John - Scott Adle
Ordination/Installation: June 29


Candidates from the Central Illinois District:

Kurtis Bueltmann (FTW) - Immanuel, Belevidere, IL (NID)
Ordination: May 18; Installation: July 27
B. J. Fouts (STL) - Trinity, Hebron, NE (NEB)
Samuel Janssen (FTW) - Good Shepherd, Rochester (CID)
Ordination/Installation:
Travis Kleinschmidt (FTW) - St. Jakobi, Shawno, WI (NWI)
David McBurney (STL) - Abiding Savior, St. Louis, MO (MO)
Ordination: August 10
William Orr (FTW) - Hope, Countryside, IL (NID)
Jeffery Patterson (FTW) - Zion, Wilshire, OH (OH)
Joshua Theilen (STL) -Trinity, Hoyleton, IL (SID)

President's Blog coming soon!