Intersections is designated as a Synodically Authorized Worshipping Community of the Northern Il Synod and is supported by grant funding for Domestic Missions.

The Northern Illinois Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in  America (ELCA) is a gathering of nearly 150 congregations created by God in Christ,  empowered by the Holy Spirit, and called and sent to bear witness to God’s  creative, redeeming, and sanctifying activity in the world. 

Our mission is simple: 

Make Christ Known. 

There are three geographic Synods in Illinois.  The word "synod" means "on the road together"  - that's about 100,000 of us from these counties in Northern Illinois: Boone, Bureau,  Carroll, DeKalb, Grundy, Henderson, Henry, Jo Daviess, Kendall, Knox,  LaSalle, Lee McHenry, Mercer, Ogle, Putnam, Rock Island, Stephenson,  Warren, Whiteside, Will, and Winnebago. 

 As part of the ELCA, we are:

• Members of the fourth largest Protestant denomination in the United States
• Among almost five million people who belong to almost 10,000 congregations (2012) in the United States and the Caribbean
• Part of a church body with more than 270 agencies and institutions that are the second largest provider of human services of any non-governmental social services agency
• Part of a church body that maintains 27 church-related colleges and universities, enrolling more than 53,000 students each year
• Part of a church that provides eight seminaries across the country for the training of pastors and other church workers
• Helping to support 400 missionaries in 45 countries around the world
• Reaching thousands of men, women, and children by providing more  than $12 million annually in hunger funds, both internationally and at  home.

Mission Statement:

Responding to the Gospel, Lutheran Social Services of Illinois  (LSSI) brings healing, justice, and wholeness to people and communities.

Serving Illinois since 1867, Lutheran Social Services of Illinois (LSSI) is a nonprofit social service organization of the three Illinois synods of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA). LSSI is the largest statewide social service provider, serving almost 50,000 people across Illinois last year. The organization provides critical programs for the state’s most vulnerable residents including foster care, early childhood development, mental health services, alcohol and drug treatment, home care for seniors, affordable senior housing, residential programs for people with developmental disabilities, and programs that help formerly incarcerated individuals integrate 

back into society.

More than 800 million people - that's 11 percent of people in our world today - are hungry.  As members of the ELCA, we are called to respond. We are a church that rolls up our sleeves and gets to work.
 

Working with and through our congregations, in the United States, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands, Lutheran churches overseas and other partners, ELCA World Hunger  is uniquely positioned to reach communities in need. From health  clinics to microloans, water wells to animal husbandry, community meals  to advocacy, your gifts to ELCA World Hunger make it possible for the  ELCA to respond, supporting sustainable solutions that get at the root  causes of hunger and poverty. Learn More.
 

Hunger facts  

• 815 million people around the world - that's more than 1 in 10 -  can't access the food they need to live active, healthy lives. [1]
• According to the most recent estimates, 766.6 million people  live in extreme poverty on less than $1.90 per day. That's 10.7% of the  world's population. [2]
• At some point in 2016 (the most recent year available), more  than 41.2 million people in the United States were unsure where their  next meal might come from. [3]
• 40.6 million Americans were living in poverty in 2016. For a  family of four, this means their annual household income was below  $24,563. [4]

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 [1] Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, 2017 

  [2] The World Bank, 2015  

 [3] USDA, 2017  

 [4] US Census Bureau, 2017 

 ELCA Good Gifts provides more than 50  different gift-giving options that grow the church, fight hunger and  transform lives. These gifts, starting at just $10, provide direct  support for the churchwide ministries of the ELCA.
 

Their resources – from catalogs to coin banks - make it easy (and fun!) for you or your family, your  congregation and your community to support people globally.  

You might say “goodbye” to traditional gift-giving  and “hello” to meaningful gifts that really make a difference in the  world, or add these gifts as another way to share your resources.  What fun to sponsor some chicks, a hog or goat for a family or build a well, give seed money for a home business, or sponsor a mission!
 

Ready to shop now? Visit the ELCA Good Gifts store and print or order cards to tell loved ones about gifts given in their honor.  

Salem Lutheran is a partner church in establishing Genoa Intersections, praying for their neighbors to the north and sharing resources.  Established in 1870 by Swedish Immigrants, Salem congregation is located at 1145 DeKalb Avenue, Sycamore, and welcomes all people into Christian community and service.

   If you are interested in Christian Education, Youth activities, Creative Arts, Food Pantry Outreach, or more regular Worship opportunities,  please visit Salem's website to see what is available.