It seemed like nothing was normal these past four years in the Central Illinois District (CID). While the first year of the triennium started out like others, global pandemic disrupted our routine for several years—even adding a “bonus year” to the triennium. The government, state and federal, tried its best to limit possible exposure to the widest population and we ended up with limitations in the public square, at the workplace, and in the markets and businesses that had a direct effect on how we did things. The economy took a hit. The state determined that the church was an un essential activity and curtailed how we could worship and how many could be gathered. The three Illinois district presidents made a joint attempt to school the governor of our state about the church’s essential nature and still it took the opinion of a Supreme Court justice to make him change his mind. Still, churches scrambled to comply as best they could, without deserting the Lord and His people. Congregational leadership, pastoral and lay, sought to provide an online presence to continue to reach out to members who were staying at home but had computer access. This affected how outreach was done in a vast number of congregations. Some pastors had parking lot services where the con greg ants stayed in their cars and listened by an FM radio signal. When we were told that only ten people could be assembled in the church for worship at any single time, some pastors increased the number of services they conducted over the weekend so that they could accommodate the ten-person limit as many as ten times on Saturday and Sunday. Communion was especially hard. The common cup was not used for a period. People were kept apart from one another in the pew and at the rail. Antiseptic practices were put into place, and we cleansed, sanitized, and wiped down more than ever before. Hymnals were replaced by full and disposable bulletins. Offerings were gathered as you entered. Handshaking was not done. Some stopped singing for a while. In 2020, the high festival of Easter was canceled in the vast majority of our churches simply because the illness came, and its restrictions were set upon us at such speed and at an inconvenient time. Our state had large outbreaks in metropolitan areas, but huge swaths of rural territory were far less affected/ infected. Yet the restrictions did not take these matters under consideration. There were tensions that arose in the congregations between pastors and leadership regarding how many, how long, and what form these limitations would take locally. In some places law enforcement questioned the churches about their meetings, while in other locales some refused to enforce the mandates. It was a confusing and very difficult time, but on the basis of God’s promises, when all was said and done, the devil could try his worst, but he could not (and we knew he would not) prevail against the kingdom of God. A number of saints succumbed to the ravages of COVID-19 and were summoned to the Lord’s waiting arms. Even then it was not a loss but their gain as they were removed from this vale of tears to heavenly bliss where there are no tears, no pain, and no darkness but only light, no anguish but only rest as they await the reunion of body and soul, and of all the saints, planned when the Lord returns on the Last Day. Now we have much to do to reclaim the wandering, the fearful, the uncertain, and the stymied. Our doors are open, the Gospel is proclaimed, and the Lord Jesus still reigns. We who still stand and breathe have no one other than our holy, true, and Triune God to thank for that. Since last we met as a Synod in convention, we have seen one congregation, Beautiful Savior, Colona, conduct its last service before commending the saints in her care to neighboring congregations. One congregation, Faith, Flora, was transferred to our neighboring Southern Illinois District so she and her new dual parish partner, Trinity, Iuka, could enjoy membership in the same district. In Christ … Newness of Life marked the theme of our 2022 district convention. Essayist the Rev. Dr. Scott Murray led us in a study of which expounded upon our identity in Christ through Holy Baptism, the sanctified life we now live because of that Baptism, and the resurrection of the body that comes to us as God’s baptized children. Because of changes in convention schedules postponed a year due to COVID-19, ours was not the final district convention of the triennial cycle. The Rev. Mark Miller concluded his third term as district president, announcing his impending retirement well before the “bonus year” was added to the cycle. We are grateful to God for the leadership that President Miller provided during his ten years as district president. The Rev. Michael Mohr, then serving Holy Cross Lutheran Church in Vandalia, was elected on the first ballot as the new district president. This was a convention of transitions. The district concluded its successful “Bring Giving Home” stewardship initiative, reinvigorating the members of her congregations in their vocation as stewards of the resources our Lord brings into their lives. At the same time, a new effort began, “Dollars for Missions,” fulfilling the 2019 Synod convention’s charge that “each district set before the member congregations the defined mission outcomes that all congregations can see and help achieve through their extra designated funds received via the 1.1.1 mission funding model” (2019 Res. 8-02). Our district is also working through the Making Disciples for Life effort of our Synod to implement the “Beyond the Classroom” module, assisting schools in reaching out into their communities to bring the Good News of Christ to those who do not regularly receive the Word. While the convention was one of transitions, we also rejoiced in a bit of stability at the district office. While the district president is new, the other district executives continue their service. The Rev. Dr. Ken Schurb serves in the areas of Missions, Evangelism, Stewardship, and Human Care, while Mr. Lewis “Trip” Rodgers oversees Education, Congregational Life, and Communications. Mr. Hugh Shown provides steady and stalwart support as our bookkeeper, taking on some of the duties of receptionist and business manager as well. Mrs. Christine Anderson continues in her leadership as Executive Director of our independent CID Church Extension Fund, ably aided by longtime assistant Mrs. Susan Short. Gift Planning Counselor the Rev. Chuck Olander continues his faithful duties, looking to expand his work in the coming years. One addition to our staff came this past triennium in Mrs. Amy Holmes, pro-
viding much needed secretarial support. While starting in person at the office, Amy continues to work remotely now after her family relocated to Tennessee during the pandemic. We remain God’s baptized people, rejoicing to see the opportunities He presents as we march into the coming triennium, into the “new normal.”