Reports - Central Illinois District - Lutheran Church Missouri Synod

Milford—Our Savior (Rev. Jason Wagner)Hoopeston—Good Shepherd (Rev. James Batchlor)Onarga—Trinity (Rev. Micheal Poynter)Osmond—Immanuel (Rev. Edgar Peters)Thawville—St. Peter (Rev. Micheal Poynter)Thomasboro—Peace (Rev. Justin Schmidt, installed November 23, 2008)Watseka—Calvary (Rev. Donald Love)Woodworth—St. Paul (Rev. Ben Meyer, installed July 6, 2008 [Woodworth joined our circuit and theCentral Illinois District since the last District Convention].There are six schools in our circuit.Buckley—Christ Lutheran High SchoolBuckley—St. John Lutheran School (PS-8)Danville—Danville Lutheran School (PS-8)Woodworth—St. Paul Lutheran School (PS-8)Thomasboro—Little Disciples of Christ Preschool (PS)Watseka—Calvary Lutheran Preschool (PS)Pastors EmeritusRev. Larry Bell (Mahomet)Rev. Carl W. Janssen (Watseka-Circuit Counselor)Rev. Paul Lohnes (Hoopeston)Rev. Lynn Podoll (Rantoul)Rev. Richard Stamm (Buckley)Rev. Donald Stuckwisch (Goodwine)All of our congregations are presently involved in special mission projects be they local, national, world wide or acombination thereof.NOTE: Pastor Edgar Peters of Immanuel/Osman will be retiring effective May 23, 2009.Rev. Carl W. Janssen, EMDanville Circuit CounselorDecatur Circuit – Rev. Melvin Weseloh, Circuit CounselorIt has been a joy to serve as Circuit Counselor of the Decatur Circuit for the past six years. Discussions at ourlocal conferences have been educational and helpful. The past three years also brought three special opportunitiesto serve the church, a Circuit Counselors Conference in Milwaukee, a trip to Germany and Latvia with otherDistrict representatives, and serving as a delegate to the Snodical Convention in Houston. John Casebeer ofTrinity served as the lay delegate.One sad event happened. Our Redeemer Lutheran Church of Forsyth chose to become independent and leave theLutheran Church - Missour Synod.The pastoral roster in the circuit remains the same. Pastor Bill Gaugin became assistant pstor of St. John's buthas already left.A great strenth of our Circuit is the Lutheran School Association. Five of the six congregations are members ofthis school association, service Grades K through 12. The other has a scholarship program to assist with tuition.The school is a beacon to the community and trains children and youth in the faith.Rev. Melvin WeselohEffingham Circuit – Rev. Gary Fortkamp, Circuit CounselorDuring the past triennium, the Effingham Circuit met jointly with the Shelby Circuit on the first Tuesday of themonth. We enjoy the mutual support and encouragement that this arrangement offers.2009 Convention Section B – Reports Page 41