Church of the Brethren - Illinois & Wisconsin District

09/13/2026

🙏Week of Sept. 13:
Pray this week for current and former members of our district now living in other places, and for the Church of the Brethren in Haiti (Eglise des Freres) as it carries on despite the violence and unrest in that nation.

09/06/2026

🙏Week of Sept. 6:
Pray this week for the Girard congregation, and for the vital low-income housing ministry of Girard Area Homes.

09/01/2026

The 2026 Illinois/Wisconsin District Conference will take place Nov. 6-7 at Polo (Ill.) Church of the Brethren (401 S. Congress Ave., Polo, IL) with the theme “Kindled Anew.” The conference will begin with worship and an ice cream social Friday evening, continuing with business, an equipping session, and lunch on Saturday (optional). Jocelyn Watkins (Peoria First) will serve as moderator and Sharon Rice (York Center) as moderator-elect. They will also serve as the speaker and worship leader, respectively, for Friday evening’s worship. Conference will conclude late Saturday afternoon.

A NEW online Registration is now open for DELEGATES and NON-DELEGATES by clicking one of the links found on www.iwdcob.org

Please note:
* You may pay by credit card through PayPal or by indicating you will send in a check. Follow the instructions on the form to mail the check.
* Cost for Non-delegates is $15 per person, not including meals or lodging.
* Cost for Delegates is free after assessment is paid. See more information below.
* An optional catered Saturday lunch is available for $20 for all attendees.
* Please register by Oct 31.

Delegate registration is covered by each congregation’s district assessment, up to the allotted number of delegates; this assessment must be paid in order for delegates to be seated. For any questions about delegate registration or assessments, please contact the district office.

09/01/2026

2026 District Conference: Lodging Recommendations

South of Polo Church of the Brethren (401 S. Congress Ave., Polo, IL)
Dixon (20-25 min) All are clustered at Interstate 88 / Illinois Route 26
Super 8 - WyndhamTru - HiltonFairfield - Marriott
Holiday Inn/Candlewood Suites - IHG
Rock Falls (25-30 min)Holiday Inn - IHG (close to Rock River off of Illinois Route 40)
Country Inn & Suites – Radisson (near Interstate 88 / Illinois Route 40)
Super 8 - Wyndham (near Interstate 88 / Illinois Route 40)

East of Polo Church of the Brethren (401 S. Congress Ave., Polo, IL)Camp Emmaus (15-20 min) Limited availability
Retreat Lodge: 24 beds available: $150 per night (1-8 people)$225 (9-16 people) $300 (17-24 people)
Log Cabin: 14 beds available: $75 per night (1-7 persons) $100 per night(8-14 persons); $75 per night (1 fam.) $35 per night (2 fam.) $25 pernight (3 fam.)
Hare Lodge: 3 apartment/dorm rooms available: $20 per night*Craft Cabin Dorms: $10 per night/per person (Family Max $30)**not heated
Contact Randall at www.campemmaus.org for questions or reservations
White Pines State Park (10-15 min) Limited availabilityWhite Pines State Park Lodge - cabins
The Cabins at Pine Creek - $$ - South side of the Pines Rd
Oregon (25-30 min)Paddle Wheel Inn

09/01/2026

Before the official conference starts on Friday evening, the district Ministerial Leadership Development Team will offer a workshop around the theme of discipleship led by Josh Brockway of the denomination’s Discipleship and Leadership Formation office. Cost will be $20 per person, including lunch. The workshop will run 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday (Nov. 6) with a lunch break. While clergy are especially encouraged to attend (and can receive 0.5 CEU's for participation), all are welcome. To register, please contact the district office at [email protected] and send your name and congregation; checks should be made payable to the Illinois/Wisconsin District CoB and mailed to the district office at 1S 071 Luther Ave., Lombard, IL 60148. See flyer attached for more information.

09/01/2026

Midwest Regional Youth Conference 2027

Looking ahead.....
Please mark your calendars for the Midwest Regional Youth Conference!

08/30/2026

🙏Week of Aug. 30:
Pray for the First Church of the Brethren of Peoria and its service ministries, including the ongoing “Mountain Mission” outreach in Kentucky.

08/23/2026

🙏Week of Aug. 23:
Pray for the Virden Church of the Brethren congregation, and for the Church of the Brethren in central and southern Africa: Rwanda, the Democratic Republic of Congo, South Sudan, Uganda, and beyond.

08/16/2026

🙏Week of Aug. 16:
Pray for the Champaign congregation and its wide-ranging community ministries. Pray that all our congregations would be intentional about being “Jesus in the Neighborhood” and connecting with their communities.

08/15/2026

IL/WI District Newsletter: August 2026

Among the various congregational newsletters I receive, I recently noticed a story shared by a member who had drifted away from that congregation at one point and later returned.