57th Regular Convention

LCMS Central Illinois District
The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod

57th Regular Convention

July 8 – 10, 2012

Convention Workbook Convention Updates Convention Photos

The 57th Convention of the LCMS Central Illinois District (CID) of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS), the 6th Convention of the Church Extension Fund, Inc. (CEF), and the 3rd Convention of the CID Endowment Fund will be held at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Springfield, Illinois, on July 8-10, 2012.  Registration for the convention and business sessions will be held at the Crowne Plaza from 3:00 pm to 6:00 pm on Sunday, July 8th, and beginning at 7:00 am on Monday, July 9th.  Rooms will be available at the Crowne Plaza and the Holiday Inn Express (next door).  The Holiday Inn provides a continental breakfast, but the Crowne Plaza does not.

The By-Laws of Synod (4.2) state that delegates of a voting congregation shall be accredited.  This involves preconvention registration by both the pastoral delegate and lay delegate with properly signed documentation by 2 congregational officers.   At the convention they are to identify themselves to the credentials committee, presenting the special card (send to them) completely filled out which entitles them to vote for the synodical president.  All nonvoting ordained and commissioned ministers who are members of the Synod within the district shall serve as advisory delegates.  They are entitled to voice and vote on a floor committee, if appointed, and to voice in the convention.  All advisory members are expected to attend all sessions of the convention.

Guests, exhibitors, and others are welcome to attend, but are also to present themselves to the credentials committee at the registration desk to identify themselves.

Prior to the convention, each congregation will receive a CD with convention materials included.  Others desiring this information may request it from the District Office or retrieve from the above links.  Each individual is responsible for printing up any material they need for the convention.  There will be very limited printed convention material at the registration desk.  There will be no electrical outlets available for computers.

We plan to again use voting key pads.  This should hasten the election process and eliminate much paper work.  Each voting delegate will be assigned a wireless voting key pad.  There is a charge of $395 for any damaged or lost.

Registration Fees:   Since we received a refund from the last Synodical Convention, each voting delegate will only be assessed a fee of $20 to cover convention costs and 2 meals on Monday.  Voting delegate registration not received after May 31, 2012 will be subject to a $50 fee.  Nonvoting ordained and commissioned ministers who are actively serving will be assessed a fee of $5 which does not include meals.  If meals are desired add $50 ($20 for lunch and $30 for dinner).  For emeritus ordained and commissioned ministers, guests, and exhibitors there is no charge for registration, but the $50 meal charge applies if meals are desired and at least one week notice given before convention.  Exhibitor space is available for $25 per table desired.  If an electrical connection is desired, an additional $25 is required.  Exhibitors will be assigned tables and a layout will be available so conventioneers will know where each exhibitor is located.

Hotel Information:   Everyone is to make their own reservations with the hotels.  Room rates which include 1 or 2 persons at the Crowne Plaza is $90 (does not include breakfast) and at the Holiday Inn Express $89 (which includes a continental breakfast).  When you contact the hotels, use the code listed for each one to receive our special rates.  If you have any difficulties contact the District Office.

 

Crowne Plaza ("GOD")
3000 S. Dirksen Parkway
Springfield, IL 62703
(217) 529-7777

Holiday Inn Express ("LCM")
3050 S. Dirksen Parkway
Springfield, IL 62703
(217) 529-7771

Directions:  From Interstate 55 take Exit #84 (Stevenson Drive) and travel west to Dirksen Parkway.  Turn right (north) and travel a short distance to the hotels will be located on your right (East).

Schedule:  The convention will start with an opening communion service on Sunday, July 8, at 6:30 pm.  Monday morning, July 9th, the sessions begin at 8:00 am and will continue until 9:30 pm.  The only scheduled breaks are for lunch and dinner.  Bathroom and coffee breaks are on your own.  It is not good stewardship to have everyone heading to those areas at the same time.  Our meals will be next door to our convention meeting area.  Tuesday, July 10th, the sessions again begin at 8:00 am and continue until 12 noon.  You will be on your own for Tuesday lunch. 

ELECTING THE SYNODICAL PRESIDENT
(which takes place after the District Conventions)

Only delegates in attendance at the District Convention are eligible to vote for Synodical president.

If a lay delegate is unable to attend the district convention, but his alternate attends, the alternate is the one voting for Synodical President.

If no lay delegate attends the district convention, the congregation has lost its vote for Synodical President.

If a Pastor is no longer the pastor of the congregation he was serving at the time of the district convention, there is an opportunity for a new pastor to vote in his place.