The January zoom meeting with Bishop Fiedlar and members of call committee members from across the synod was held January 26, 2026. Bishop Fiedlar told those attending that there has been no paperwork from interested candidates so far this year. She did say that this is not unusual as people don’t want to move in the winter or uproot children during the school year. As spring rolls around, she expects to receive more interest in the Northern Il synod.

On February 9, the first meeting of first call pastors will take place. Bishop Fieldar will attend this meeting. She will speak for our synod to those who are deciding which synods will receive first call pastors.  Bishop Fiedlar is strongly advocating for the Northern Il synod. This is good news for us and gives us hope as our budget would only allow for a first call pastor. 

There are still 17 congregations in the transition phase. Even though 6 congregations called pastors last year, there were that many pastors who either retired or took a different call.

Please do not give up hope on getting a pastor. Have faith in the process so that when the right candidate is presented to us, we will be ready to welcome them into our congregation and community. Please pray for all churches in transition, all seminarians, those contemplating the ministry and those discerning a new call.