A Message From Our District President
Introducing Our New District President
Rev. Timothy J. Scharr was ordained into the Holy Ministry on July 22, 1984 and served his first congregation, Mt. Calvary Lutheran Church in Indianola, Iowa from 1984 until 1994. He has also served: St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, Wenatchee, WA. (1994-2001); and Trinity Lutheran Church, Nashville, IL. (2001 to September 1, 2010).
At the July 31, 2010 SID Board of Directors Meeting, it was resolved to receive Pastor Scharr into the Office of President of the Southern Illinois District, effective September 1, 2010 after they resolved to grant Rev. Herbert C. Mueller, Jr. a peaceful release from the office and duties of Southern Illinois District President due to his election as First Vice President of The Lutheran Church Missouri Synod.
President Scharr was born and raised in Detroit, Michigan where he was educated in Lutheran Schools from the first through twelfth grades. He then went on to graduate from Concordia College in Ann Arbor, Michigan with majors in History/Political Science and Religious Studies. President Scharr received his seminary education at Concordia Theological Seminary in Ft. Wayne, Indiana, graduating in 1984 with the Master of Divinity degree. His vicarage year was served at St. Mark’s Lutheran Church, Steeleville, Illinois.
President Scharr married Kathryn (Kathy) Zimmerman on June 9, 1984 and their marriage has been blessed with two daughters, Jennifer and Kayla. Their family will soon be moving to Aviston, Illinois.
Please welcome our new president and keep him and his family in your prayers!

Latest News in the District
Farewell For President Herbert Mueller
A Service of Celebration and Farewell for President Herbert Mueller will take place on Sunday, Sept. 19, at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Columbia, Ill. For more information, call the district office at 618.234.4767.
Calling All SID Retired Pastors, Teachers, & Church Workers!
On Thursday, 16 September 2010, all Retired LCMS Pastors, Teachers, and Church Workers of the Southern Illinois District are invited to meet for dinner and for fellowship at the Roland Barkau Memorial Golf Course and Country Club in Okawville, IL on 1500 N. Waterworks Rd. Okawville, IL. Click here to read more about and to make reservations.
Mission Possible
Click here to download the Southern IL District "Mission Possible" poster.
Following are the "Mission Possible" efforts of our district:
1. Our Mission Partnership with the Lutheran Church in Southern Africa
2. Unity Lutheran Christian Elementary School, East St. Louis
3. Freed in Christ program
4. Our district's Prison Ministry Efforts
5. Campus Ministry
6. Faith Luthuran Mission - Harrisburg, Saline County
7. Acts 1:8 Mission Society (an RSO growing out of Pastor Randy Wilken's social ministry efforts)
To read more of the latest news click here.