evanston il 60204 executive director susan murphy ......rice teachers, volunteering at public tv...
TRANSCRIPT
Interfaith Action of Evanston
1414
Evanston IL 60204
847-475-1150
Executive Director Susan Murphy
Administrative Assistant Sara Lafler
facebook.com/interfaithactionofevanston
February 18 Hilton Orrington/Evanston
2018 Vision Keepers
We are people of many faiths and traditions who not only volunteer
together but also pray together, engage in interfaith dialogue, and
advocate. We look for ways to strengthen the natural bond between
spiritually committed people. We welcome all who want to learn and
serve.
Interfaith Action of Evanston
P.O. 1414
Evanston IL 60204
847-475-1150
Executive Director Susan Murphy
Administrative Assistant Sara Lafler
www.interfaithactionofevanston.org
facebook.com/interfaithactionofevanston
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Interfaith Action wishes to thank all who attended the 2018 Vision
Keepers Dinner. We also express our gratitude to the following:
Planning Team: Rita Bailey, Diane Currano, Richard Peterson,
Mary Beth Roth, David Rouleau
Photographer: Richard Cahan
Ads: Rev. Ann Rosewall, Joan Sherman
Program Welcome
Paul Traynor, Master of Ceremonies
Blessing and Dinner
Pastor Timothy Brown, Trinity Lutheran Church
Interfaith Action: Helping Those in Need
Birch Burghardt, President
Susan Murphy, Executive Director
Paul Traynor
Vision Keepers Ceremony
Reverend Ann Rosewall, First Congregational Church
Benediction
Reverend Michael Nabors, Second Baptist Church
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Thanks to Our Sponsors
A big Thank You to Sue Murphy for
20 years of faithful service to
Interfaith Action of Evanston. You are
an inspiration to us all!
2018 Vision Keepers
Then the Lord answered me and said:
“Write the vision; make it plain on tablets,
so that a runner may read it.
For there is still a vision for the appointed time;
It speaks of the end and does not lie.
If it seems to tarry, wait for it;
It will surely come; it will not delay.
Look at the proud! Their spirit is not right in them,
But the righteous live by their faith.”
Habakkuk 2:2-4
A Vision Keeper embodies values that positively impact both the faith
community and the larger community. We honor them tonight because
they truly grace every life they touch and encourage all of us to affirm
our own vision.
The 2018 Vision Keepers are listed in this booklet in alphabetical
order by the faith community that nominated them.
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Alice Millar Chapel of Northwestern University
Alice Millar Soup Kitchen Team Alice Millar Chapel is proud to name Sara Bowers, Evan and Beth
Bowers, Marge Bradford, Bill and Carolyn Gifford, Joan Hickman, Mary
and Ken Kling, Omer Reese, Audrey Reynolds, Mary Beth Roth, and
Jane Wickenkamp as its 2018 Vision Keepers.
For nearly ten years, these members of Alice Millar Chapel have cooked
dinners at Hilda’s Place shelter six times a year. From pot roast to
baked tilapia, and sides like deviled eggs, fruit salad and green beans
almondine, everything is made from scratch using fresh, healthy
ingredients.
When not in the kitchen, you can find team members individually
volunteering all over the area, acting on a shared vision of bettering
our community. Currently they help ill, homebound and elderly people,
as well as volunteer for organizations that focus on immigrants, poor
people, vulnerable children, senior citizens, law enforcement, the arts,
public radio, religion, libraries, affordable housing, peace and justice,
education, and literacy. They serve by caretaking, baking, driving,
ushering, donating, providing snacks, distributing produce, serving as
executors, making wellness checks, delivering library books, making
sociable home visits, aiding in classrooms, delivering homemade food,
and hosting international visitors. Some also volunteer their special
musical, accounting, organizational and finance skills; others serve as
members and leaders of boards, foundations and city commissions.
Alice Millar Chapel is pleased to honor these remarkable individuals.
Thanks to Our Sponsors
Congratulations to the 2018 Vision Keepers
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4. SOUP KITCHENS
Interfaith Action is part of a network of soup kitchens that provides
meals 365 days a year. Over one hundred teams of religious groups,
service clubs, businesses, students, and families commit to
dates throughout the year. Interfaith Action directly sponsors four of
the soup kitchens and always welcomes new teams.
Second Baptist Church
Richard Davies, coordinator
1717 Benson, Mondays at noon
First United Methodist Church
Ethlyn Bond, coordinator
516 Church, Thursdays at 6:00 P.M.
St. Paul Lutheran Church
Paula Ketcham, coordinator
1004 Greenwood, Sundays at 3:00 P.M.
First Congregational Church House
Mary Beth Roth, coordinator
1417 Hinman, Fridays at noon
5. PRODUCEMOBILE
The Greater Chicago Food Depository's Producemobile, in partnership
with Interfaith Action and The City of Evanston, distributes free produce
at Robert Crown Center, 1701 Main Street. Disbursements occur on
the second Tuesday of each month, from 9:30-11:30 A.M. Anyone in
need is welcome to come and receive an assortment of free fruits and
vegetables.
A large number of volunteers is necessary each month to unload the
truck, bag the produce, and distribute it. See the “Producemobile” link
on our Website to become part of this program.
Chicago Ethical Humanist Circle
Marne Glaser
Marne Glaser has been an Ethical Humanist for the better part of two
decades. She was for several years the chair or co-chair of the Ethical
Action group at EHSC, instituting service projects in which community
members could participate together, including providing Starlight
Suppers for the Night Ministry, supporting the Rice Holiday Store and
Rice teachers, volunteering at public TV drives, and participating in
demonstrations for just causes. Marne was also a humanist celebrant
for several years. She continues to work with the Circle's Ethical Action
efforts, with special focus on support for the New Foundation for Hope
on Chicago's south side. In addition, she has given several
presentations and concerts at EHSC, and co-ran a monthly
documentary film series for five years.
Marne started and has run a Rice Holiday Store for the children in
residence at Rice Child and Family Center for thirteen years, with the
support of two Humanist organizations, St. Nicholas Religious
Education Dept., and this year for the first time members of other IAE
faith communities. Through donations of new and like-new items, the
children at Rice have been able to shop (free) at the one-day store for
gifts to give loved ones for the holidays.
Although Marne is originally from New York, she worked as a school
psychologist in Evanston and Wilmette for 22 years. Prior to that, she
was a school psychologist in Ohio and a Montessori teacher in Atlanta.
This well-rounded woman enjoys music, writing, and the arts in general.
She sings and performs jazz concerts several times a year. She loves
entertaining, both at home by cooking and baking, and on stage.
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Evanston Bahá'í Community
Joseph Kopke
Joe left his career as a B-52 pilot in the US Air Force to pursue graduate
studies in physical therapy and biomedical engineering at
Northwestern University just because he wanted to help people more
directly. His commitment to service extends beyond his education and
career and truly pervades all aspects of his life. Like millions around
the world, Joe is trying to bring Baha’u’llah’s vision of the oneness of
humanity and ultimately the individual and collective transformation of
the world to reality. He is currently involved in many community building
activities including: hosting interfaith devotional programs in his home;
visiting with friends and neighbors to have meaningful elevated
conversation; participating in study circles to increase his capacity to
serve others and the community; and educating children and aiding
them in developing virtues.
In addition, Joseph consistently connects with, encourages, and
accompanies others in the community to find and walk their path of
service. Joe serves as part of two local Baha’i institutions that offer
guidance and support to the community in different ways. We truly
appreciate Joe’s commitment to bettering himself and serving his
community. We hope that his actions will continue to have a positive
impact on Evanston.
Proceeds from the Vision Keepers Dinner support these five Interfaith
Action of Evanston (IAE) Programs
1. HOSPITALITY CENTER FOR THE HOMELESS
Open Monday through Friday, 7:00-11:00 A.M., every week of the
year, the Hospitality Center provides a warm, friendly environment for
guests from Hilda’s Place and Entry Point, which are programs run by
Connections for the Homeless. The center operates from rooms
graciously provided by St. Mark’s Episcopal Church. At the Center,
guests may eat breakfast, consult a job coordinator, receive computer
training, and make phone calls regarding jobs or housing.
The Hospitality Center always welcomes contributions for the personal
hygiene of its guests. Please consider donating items such as lip balm,
double-blade razors, toothbrushes, small tubes of toothpaste, and
hand sanitizer. Call Sue Murphy at 847-869-0370 between 7:00 and
11:00 A.M. on weekdays to make a contribution or to volunteer.
2. WINTER WARMING CENTERS
From early November through the end of March, IAE sponsors centers
that provide a warm, safe place for guests to enjoy conversation,
reading, light snacks, or a restful nap. The faith communities that host
this program are:
St. Paul’s Lutheran Church
First Presbyterian Church
Bethany Baptist Church of Christ
St. Mary Catholic Church
First Congregational Church
Sojourner Covenant Church
3. OVERNIGHT SHELTER
During extremely cold weather (below 15º), Interfaith Action provides
an overnight shelter at six Evanston faith communities. Guests arrive
at 9 pm and stay until 6:45 am. They enjoy hot drinks and a warm,
safe place to sleep. The host sites are at First Presbyterian, First United
Methodist, First Congregational, Unitarian of Evanston, Beth Emet and
St. Paul’s Lutheran. Many other faith communities supply volunteers.
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IAE Faith Community Members
Alice Millar Chapel, Northwestern University
Beth Emet The Free Synagogue
Bethany Baptist Church of Christ
Chicago Zen Center
Ebenezer A.M.E. Church
Emmanuel United Methodist Church
Ethical Humanist Society of Chicago
Evanston Bahá'í Community
Evanston Friends Meeting
First Congregational Church
First Presbyterian Church
First United Methodist Church
Fisher Memorial A.M.E. Zion Church
Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary
Grace Lutheran Church
Hemenway United Methodist Church
Immanuel Lutheran Church
Jewish Reconstructionist Congregation
Lake Street Church
Northminster Presbyterian Church
Reba Place Fellowship
Salvation Army
Second Baptist Church
Second Church of Christ, Scientist
Sheil Catholic Center
Sherman United Methodist Church
Sojourner Covenant Church
St. Athanasius Catholic Church
St. John’s Evangelical Lutheran Church
St. John’s United Church of Christ
St. Luke Episcopal Church
St. Mark’s Episcopal Church
St. Mary Catholic Church
St. Matthew’s Episcopal Church
St. Nicholas Catholic Church
St. Paul’s Lutheran Church
St. Timothy’s Lutheran Church, Skokie
Trinity Lutheran Church
Unitarian Church of Evanston
Unity on the North Shore
University Lutheran Church
Evanston Friends Meeting
David Shiner
Evanston Friends Meeting is very pleased to nominate David Shiner as
its Vision Keeper for 2018. David has served the Religious Society of
Friends in many capacities over the past 25 years. He has served as
clerk of his Friends Meeting; clerk of Illinois Yearly Meeting; and in
other positions of the Friends World Committee for Consultation, which
is the international association of Quakers that last met in Peru. He is
currently engaged in composing Faith and Practice, a book of spiritual
guidance of the Illinois Yearly Meeting-- its first in nearly a century.
Locally David has been a dedicated member of a group visiting and
supporting a young Rohingyan refugee family and is actively involved
with the Rohingyan Community Center. He has participated in the
religious education of children and has accompanied several spiritual
programs as an accomplished pianist and guitarist. David is also a
beloved teacher and experienced speaker.
David states that his service in the Quaker Community reflects his
gratitude for the many gifts he has received: "To whom much is given,
much will be required" (Luke 12:48). We appreciate David as a quiet
and unassuming person and a member of the Quaker faith community.
We are honored to have the opportunity of acknowledging the
dedicated service of David Shiner.
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First Congregational Church
Laurie Brown
Laurie Brown is an activist, singer, Interfaith Action delegate and
faithful volunteer in the IAE Friday lunch and Thursday warming center
programs at First Congregational Church, UCC. Laurie served on the
church Mission Board and Benevolence Committee for many years,
and currently serves in the role of church clerk. Her unassuming
manner is misleading – she is a force of change and advocacy! In
addition to her participation with IAE, she is active with the Community
Renewal Society and its mission to enact systemic change in Illinois
through legislation and education.
In her professional life, Laurie was a bookseller and editor, and now
runs her own pet sitting service. Everything she does is geared toward
the care and encouragement of others. First Congregational Church is
blessed to have Laurie keeping the vision of mission and outreach in
front of us all.
Board of Directors
President - Birch Burghardt, St. Luke’s Episcopal Church
Vice President - Thomas Carney, Jr., St. Nicholas Church
Secretary –Anne Heinz, St. Mark’s Episcopal Church
Treasurer – Rita Bailey, Northminster Presbyterian Church
Simon B. Anolick, Beth Emet The Free Synogogue
Richard Cahan, Jewish Reconstructionist Congregation
Melia Pappas, St. Andrew Greek Orthodox Church
Richard Peterson, Trinity Lutheran Church
Joey Rodger – Evanston Friends Meeting
Rev. Ann Rosewall, First Congregational Church
David Rouleau, Evanston Bahá'í Community
Rev. Warren G. Smith, Fisher AME Zion Church
Heather Soto, First Church of Christ Congregational
Adrian Willoughby, Vineyard Christian Fellowship
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Unity on the North Shore
Karl Remien
Karl Remien, a Doctor of Chiropractic care, is one of Evanston’s “own.”
Born in Joliet, Illinois, in 1964, he grew up in Evanston and except for
attending Palmer College of Chiropractic in Davenport, Iowa, he has
lived in Evanston ever since.
In his twenties, Karl knew nothing about Chiropractic, and was both
healthy and active. But he learned that Chiropractic can improve health
whether or not someone experiences symptoms of disease, and that it
does not depend on pills or surgery. This therapeutic approach
resonated with him, and he chose to follow it all the years of his work.
His practice, he explains, “focuses on improving the expression of
human potential.” And he adds: “We are healthy or not due to the
choices we make. We are healthy from the inside out.”
Karl’s oldest client was 95, his youngest, only hours old.
Karl and his wife Lori (who teaches in Evanston) began attending Unity
on the North Shore in 1995. They have a 23-year-old daughter, Eve. At
Unity, Karl has been part of the building and grounds team, the choir,
and the sound system team. Yet his contributions far exceed these
important volunteer activities. He is known for his welcoming,
supportive, and humble presence. His sound (and sound system!)
advice presents Unity’s guest speakers and singers at their best. You
can often see Karl, even in rain or snow, changing the outdoor Unity
sign.
Karl is a devoted, selfless and deeply generous spirit, whose quiet,
healing presence and desire to empower others is a blessing in our
Center, our lives, and our community.
First Presbyterian Church
Terri Jo Englund
Terri Jo Englund has a passion for welcoming families into First
Presbyterian Church, and so we honor her as our Vision Keeper.
Terri Jo became involved with Children’s Ministry by leading music at
Vacation Bible School, and from this she dove into serving children,
youth, and families in countless ways. Her love for her own family, and
her heart for seeing her two sons included in the body of Christ have
driven her to create opportunities for many children at First Pres. Terri
Jo began an after-school ministry where children learned Bible stories
and songs weekly and then focused those lessons into a musical that
blessed our church. She has shared her dance and musical talents
with children, most recently as our Christmas Pageant director, and she
has mentored youth on a mission trip and as student leaders.
Another of Terri’s visions was to see all generations connect over a
meal, so she began our Wednesday night dinners. And with our First
Friends ministry to refugees, Terri Jo extends the love of Christ to
families in our community.
Terri Jo passionately inspires others to serve alongside her, and she
loves God and God’s people with all her heart, soul, mind, and strength.
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First United Methodist Church
John Kerastas
The First United Methodist Church of Evanston is pleased to nominate
John Kerastas as its Vision Keeper this year. He is our Renaissance
man, and we are fortunate to count him among us.
John has a long history of involvement at FUMC—from leading Sunday
school, where he highlighted Biblical references in rock and roll, to
participating in numerous committees and in book group discussions.
In the community, you will find him volunteering for Interfaith Action’s
Producemobile and assisting Apna Ghar, an organization that provides
services and advocacy for immigrant communities, and works to end
gender violence.
John is best known for his work as a leader and trainer for Early
Response Teams, which support efforts by the United Methodist
Committee on Relief, and as a regular participant in FUMC’s adult
mission trips. These activities have taken him to New Orleans after
Katrina, to Brooklyn and Staten Island after Sandy, and to Detroit and
Appalachia for ongoing rebuilding efforts. His trainees continued his
commitment in Houston after Harvey. In these many places, John not
only wields a power drill and paintbrush, he also understands the
importance of a compassionate ear for the people we serve, as well as
a sense of humor to lighten the load. “One of my vivid memories of
John,” remarks one of his fellow travelers, “was in Appalachia when he
found himself in the middle of feuding family members. John deftly
requested a tour of an outer barn far out on the grounds, effectively
removing one of the feuding members and diffusing a potentially
explosive situation.”
Unitarian Church of Evanston
Jane Bannor
Jane Bannor has been a member of the Unitarian Church of Evanston
for 40 years. In that time she has served as a role model by organizing
activities that promote our Unitarian Universalist second principal: the
promotion of justice, equity and compassion in human relations.
Jane has led or participated in countless church activities that oppose
war, and promote peace and justice. She especially values activities
where congregations learn from each other. Many of the task forces,
workshops, and conferences Jane has helped organize have involved
other churches across our denomination. Jane was instrumental in
bringing about our church’s recognition as a Unitarian Universalist
Peace Advocacy Congregation. On April 21st she will co-chair a
conference on income equality at our church.
As a church and denominational activist for so long, Jane has put into
practice her belief that “Our religion only makes sense when we put it
into action.”
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Trinity Lutheran Church
Kriss Geyer
Trinity's Vision Keeper for 2018 is Kriss Geyer, a man whose face is
familiar to almost anyone attending services at Trinity. Kriss is being
honored for a variety of efforts on his part, the primary one being his
work with Trinity's young people. He has been actively engaged with Hi-
League, participating in trips to Detroit and Colorado and has plans to
travel with the youth to Houston this summer. In preparation for those
trips, he has worked on fundraisers, such as the Black and White Affair,
to help raise money as well.
As an usher at the 11 AM service, Kriss has actively trained many of
the youth to usher and been a guiding hand for their active
participation in Trinity's worship services. He is also an active member
of the Sanctuary Choir, which performs at the 8:30 AM service.
Kriss served as a member of Council and on the Worship Committee
and is currently in his third year on the nominating committee. He has
been active in Trinity's efforts to fight hunger, personally providing the
purple bags we use to collect and donate food, and helping transport
food when needed.
Outside of Trinity, Chris works as an occasional volunteer at the Greater
Chicago Food Depository, repacking food for distribution. Kriss has also
worked as a volunteer for As Good as Gold, a golden retriever rescue
group, and is a regular blood donor.
Fisher Memorial A.M.E. Zion Church
Alan and Sharonne Green
Alan (Al) and Sharonne Green have been members of Fisher Memorial
AME Zion for a combined total of more than 40 years. Al graduated
from Hales Franciscan before continuing his studies at Western Illinois,
earning his B.S. in marketing. Sharonne is a product of Pine Bluff,
Arkansas, with a B.A. in social welfare from the University of Arkansas
at Pine Bluff. She relocated to Illinois where she continued her
education by obtaining an MBA in business management from National
Louis University.
Al and Sharonne married in 2001 They are a loving couple who work
hard in their community and church, supporting the NAACP, Evanston
Community Foundation, H. E. Lane Center program and other
organizations. They are also instrumental in coordinating their annual
block party in their neighborhood. At Fisher Memorial, Al is a Class
Leader and co-leader of the weekly Men’s Bible Study. He can wear the
toque of Master Chef at the annual Back to School picnic as
comfortably as being an usher. He does what’s needed. Sharonne
serves on the church’s Financial Strategy Committee and recently
spearheaded a successful Brick Campaign for the church. In addition,
she is a committed member of Delta Sigma Theta, Inc., currently
serving as the Financial Secretary of the Evanston-North Shore
Alumnae Chapter.
Al and Sharonne enjoy travelling, socializing and working. Al has
worked 19 years for Chicagoland Community Management, and
Sharonne has worked more than 30 years at BMO Harris Bank. Al and
Sharonne have four children: Quentin, D’Aria, Ricky and Alana. They
also have three grandchildren; La’Nigha, Donye and Antwan (AJ).
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Garrett Evangelical Theological Seminary
Maria Alejandra Salazar
Maria Alejandra is a second-year Master of Divinity student at Garrett-
Evangelical Theological Seminary. A formerly undocumented
immigrant from Lima, Peru, she was raised in Skokie, IL and is a proud
Niles North alumna. Maria Alejandra earned a Bachelor’s degree in
Social Policy and Education and a minor in Latina/o Studies from
Northwestern University.
Professionally, Maria Alejandra’s background is in community
organizing and advocacy around immigrant and refugee rights in
Chicagoland. She serves as a board member of the Latinx Alumni of
Northwestern University (LANU) and the Education Foundation
(supporting the Students of Niles Township). She is also a member of
Lambda Theta Alpha Latin Sorority, Incorporated. At Garrett-
Evangelical, she serves as Co-Chair of the Student Council and student
representative for the Hispanic-Latinx Center.
Maria Alejandra is a Heerey Scholar currently working as a chaplain
intern at NorthShore Evanston hospital. She is passionate about
exploring theologies that recognize the fullness of ourselves, and
center our lived experiences as sites of liberation and transformative
healing.
St. Paul’s Lutheran Church
Jen Buehn, Mark Pinguey, Melissa Foster
Melissa Foster, Mark Pinguey, and Jennifer Buehn have a shared vision
that our human physical and spiritual existence is inextricably bound
with nature. We at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church can serve our Creator
and nurture our own right relationship with Creation by using the land
with which we have been blessed and entrusted to grow healthy food.
We can contribute our “square” of land to a patchwork quilt of restored
habitats essential to the survival of our pollinators-– birds, butterflies,
and bees.
Melissa, Mark, and Jen inspired and led the St. Paul’s Green Team to
install two native gardens and several raised bed vegetable gardens
on St. Paul’s property. Wielding saws, pickaxes, and shovels, they
removed a thicket of intractable yews and created healthy beds for
native gardens; hauled in hundreds of cubic yards of dirt; planted and
transplanted hundreds of native plants; built raised bed vegetable
gardens; installed hoop houses; and harvested vegetables for the
community.
Melissa, Mark, and Jen’s vision and leadership have led St. Paul’s to
be a part of our larger Evanston community’s efforts to stitch back
together some of the frayed and torn fragments of the Creation that
sustains all of us, body and soul.
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St. Nicholas Catholic Church
Christine Benn
When Christine Benn moved to Evanston to help her family in 1989,
she immediately joined St. Nicholas Parish and continued a lifetime of
service that had begun years earlier as a Sister of the Blessed Virgin
Mary. She had become a lay-woman, but continued to think of herself
as someone who “spreads the flame of the Holy Spirit.” In fact, when
an elderly aunt made a “cheerleader” stuffed doll for her (pictured
here), Christine hung a sign on the doll that reads, “Cheerleader for the
Holy Spirit.”
Christine is motivated by a deep desire to serve those who are
marginalized. Many St. Nicholas parishioners know Christine from her
work with the St. Vincent De Paul Society or through the church’s
Women’s Club. Some members of Grace Lutheran Church may
remember her from a bible study collaboration with St. Nick’s. Her
interfaith outreach also included painting Hilda’s Place together with
members of Beth Emet Synagogue.
Many in South Evanston know Christine from her community organizing
for a safer neighborhood, her work on an Ecumenical Peace Garden,
and for the fresh-vegetables she grows and donates annually to Edible
Evanston.
Christine says she lives to help God “mend what’s wrong and celebrate
what’s right.” She writes poetry, loves to sing, to laugh and make others
laugh. What keeps her rooted and grounded in love, Christine says, are
words from her favorite Psalm: “Scrutinize me, O God, as Thou wilt, and
read my heart; put me to the test and examine my restless thoughts.”
Grace Lutheran Church
Rina Campbell and Nancy Schubert
A brave and bold life is possible when there’s a strong foundation for
support. Nancy and Rina represent that kind of life as ministry partners
at Grace Lutheran Church. They inspire us all.
Nancy is a quietly powerful member who advises leaders, encourages
volunteers, and pays attention to the pulse of the community. She
serves faithfully on altar care; ensures that our Saturday adult
education classes are organized and hospitable; and makes coffee for
Grace Lutheran’s 9:00 am Sunday services. Nancy has also served on
Council over the years, chaired our pastoral search team, aided in
important communications work, and teamed up with other volunteers
that made the recent “Bridges to Home” fundraising events so
successful.
Nancy’s contributions to Grace’s stability and health provide a
foundation for activist-disciples like Rina, who is involved in important
community issues. Rina is a longtime advocate of Grace’s justice
ministries. She has facilitated a film discussion on male gender
stereotypes and attends Evanston Council meetings addressing
racism, affordable housing, and police accountability. Rina also
shepherded members of Grace to the Women’s March, and has stood
in the rain at press conferences demanding more accountability for
African-American students in Evanston. She is a team leader in the
interfaith, Evanston 4All initiative that supports and acts on behalf of
targeted populations in response to the national climate of fear,
sexism, and racism.
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Emma Jane Cole
Enrolled in the Cradle Roll Department of Spruce Street Methodist
Church, in Morgantown WV at three months of age, Emma Jane has
been a devoted, lifelong, worshiping member of the Methodist Church.
Upon moving to Lafayette, Indiana, she and her husband, Edmond,
joined First Methodist Church and were very active. After five years,
they moved to Detroit, joining the First Methodist Church in Lincoln
Park, where she was Sunday school teacher, member of the Board of
Trustees and UMW. Upon Edmond’s completion of two years of
specialization in the medical field of coagulation, they moved to
Evanston, where he served for 34 years at Rush-Presbyterian-St.
Luke’s medical center.
The Coles were very active at Covenant Methodist Church in Evanston,
but when it closed, they moved to Hemenway. Once again, Emma Jane
distinguished herself, working at Soup-at-Six, greeting, passing Sunday
programs, welcoming (with a candy bowl), replenishing Hospitality Hour
supplies, baking cakes, and helping out in the kitchen at all church
functions.
Emma Jane has three daughters, six grandchildren, and one great-
grandchild, who are all involved in keeping her busy preparing their
favorite foods and “just lovin’ them.”
St. Matthew’s Episcopal Church
Kati Olsen and Dorothy Wyandt
Kati Olsen has been serving the people of St. Matthew’s and the
community of Evanston for over 31 years. Shortly after she began
attending St. Matthew’s as her neighborhood church, she noticed her
name was listed in the bulletin as soprano in the choir. Friends from
the Symphony Chorus had wanted her to find her spiritual home at St.
Matthew’s so they relied on the power of the press to do it! She finds
great joy in the church service’s music. Kati has also served on the
church’s governor board, volunteered in the nursery, and been a part
of the Altar Guild. She has participated in Faith in Action, volunteered
at ESCCA, tutored 5th grade math at Kingsley School, and took part in
St. Matthew’s first makeover of the room at Mary Lou’s Place. She
currently organizes St. Matthew’s Christmas Child program and is a
weekly volunteer at our Wednesday lunch program.
Dorothy Wyandt delights in the fact that Evanston is a lighthouse town,
willing to address the issues of the day within the context of the diverse
voices of this community. Dorothy has been a member and leader at
St. Matthew’s for over 60 years. She has served on the vestry five
times. Additionally, she is a home communion minister, chalice bearer,
and shows her passion for hospitality ministry by organizing community
dinners and funeral receptions. She is a part of the Wednesday lunch
program and regularly attends the St. Matthew’s movie group.
Fellowship is important to Dorothy. She believes that in the current
climate, it is important for us to reflect upon how we look at and relate
to each other. We must attend to relationships in the hope of achieving
understanding and reconciliation.
Hemenway United Methodist Church
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St. Mary Catholic Church
Jane and Don Colleton
Jane and Don Colleton have been active parishioners at St. Mary for
40 years. During that time they have distinguished themselves in the
many ways they serve the parish and the Evanston community. Jane is
well-known for her long tenure as a member of the ETHS school board
and for her involvement with the Women’s Center. She is a retired
Montessori teacher and has always been concerned about educational
issues. At the church, she coordinates the lectors and is a member of
the Faith Awareness ministry.
Don is a composer whose liturgical music has given special meaning
to Advent and Lenten services. For many years he has enriched
Saturday morning Masses with voice and piano music. In addition, Don
is active in the Knights of Columbus, whose charitable works are
legendary. He is a practicing attorney.
The Colletons have been tireless in their work for Aid for Women. For
more than 20 years they have written their newsletter. However, the
people of St. Mary’s know Jane and Don best as the Respect Life
coordinators. They convey the Church teachings through weekly
bulletin articles and fundraisers that support community organizations
such as the Women’s Center. They constantly speak out with words
and actions on behalf of unborn children, people with disabilities,
condemned prisoners, the marginalized members of society, elderly
citizens, and those with infirmities.
The Colletons have four children and nine grandchildren, three of
whom actually live within a stone’s throw of their grandparents’ home.
Immanuel Lutheran Church
Eliza McDaniel and Nicolai Schousboe
Eliza McDaniel’s natural curiosity and devotion to helping others has
opened many doors for her. She embodies Immanuel’s commitment to
welcome all by frequently interpreting the lessons and liturgy in American
Sign Language. Next year, she will continue her studies in American Sign
Language and Interpreting at college.
Eliza served as a voting member of Immanuel’s church council, during
which she championed the conservation of the stained glass windows in
the sanctuary. Her artistic eye was crucial in the selection of Immanuel’s
new logo, and her photographs appear on the website.
In 2016, Eliza traveled with the youth group to Washington DC for a
weeklong intensive on homelessness and its causes. There she attended
workshops, distributed care packages in parks, served at a soup kitchen,
sorted furniture, and stocked a food pantry. Here in Evanston she
volunteers at Café Immanuel and Immanuel’s Indoor Farmers’ Market,
which supports hunger initiatives.
Nicolai Schousboe has been a member of Immanuel Lutheran Church for
over 15 years. During that time he has served two terms on the church
council. He has also been a member of the social ministry committee for
several years and currently serves as its chairman. He is a delegate to
Interfaith Action in Evanston, and the Bridges to Home project.
As a Danish immigrant, Nicolai is president of the Danish National
Committee, volunteers his time at the Danish Home in Chicago, and serves
on the North Park University Scandinavian Advisory Committee. As a long-
time resident of Evanston he was a founding board member of Citizens for
a Greener Evanston. He and his wife, Barbara, have four adult children
living in Evanston, New York, California and Australia.
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Jewish Reconstructionist Congregation
Tikkun Olam Leaders of JRC
The Jewish Reconstructionist Congregation is a vibrant, warm, and
welcoming community, known for its joyful spirituality, intellectual
curiosity, inclusivity, respect for diversity, and deep commitment to
social justice and sustainable coexistence between people and the
environment.
Congregational life is infused with our core values which include Tikkun
Olam (Repair of the World), a commitment to creating a just world and
supporting others in this mission; and Tzedakah (Righteousness),
sharing our resources to make the world more equitable.
Our Tikkun Olam Vice President, Laurie Goldstein, and our Task Force
Chairs, Becca Sperling and Maria Tolpin of Peace Dialogue; Nicki Bazer
and Juliet Berger-White of Gender Inclusion; Steve Fox, Rhoda Kamin,
Ann Kaplan-Perkins, Jackie Kaplan-Perkins, Michael Sehr, Lisa Pildes,
Linda Cosby, and Candice Green, who organize and run our soup
kitchens; Rebecca Rubin of the Green Team; Beth Lange of Immigrant
Justice and Julia Tauber of our LGBTQ Havurah (Fellowship), are the
driving forces behind this vital work at JRC
It is with gratitude, respect, and pride that JRC honors those who
sustain our core values. We face a myriad of issues in our community
and our world, with a multitude of opportunities to respond. These
leaders keep the flame of this work alive in our congregation.
St. Mark’s Episcopal Church
Rima Lockwood
St. Mark’s is delighted to nominate Rima Lockwood, a woman who
embodies values that positively impact the faith community and the
larger community, as our Vision Keeper for 2018.
Rima is a stalwart volunteer at the Wednesday Lunch program which
provides a mid-week meal to our hungry neighbors. This is a ministry
St. Mark’s offers in partnership with our friends at St. Matthew’s
Episcopal Church. Rima has volunteered at the lunch program nearly
every week since its launch now nearly four years ago.
Rima can also be found at the Producemobile most months, working
alongside volunteers from throughout the Evanston community. You
can usually find her near the lettuces or the breads!
Rima’s involvement at St. Mark’s is not limited to outreach. She also
has served faithfully on the leadership board of the church, a task
which this year included a great deal of extra dedication, because
we’ve been engaging the whole congregation in dreaming about our
future. She is also a dependable assistant for our children’s
programming-- especially our annual Christmas pageant.
For the past three summers, Rima has been responsible for renovating
and maintaining the garden that runs the length of the alley behind St.
Mark's. Our neighbors, who live in the housing on the opposite side of
the alley, greatly appreciate her work, which makes our church and our
shared neighborhood more welcoming.
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St. Luke’s Episcopal Church
Myra Janus
With a head for planning and a loving heart, Myra was just the person St.
Luke’s needed. Like many others, St. Luke’s wanted to support some of
the thousands of people in 2016 seeking refuge. Lucky for us, Myra had
experience: she had worked in Ghana with the Peace Corps. As a member
of St. Luke’s, she helped to resettle a family from Sierra Leone by
connecting them to the services they needed.
Myra stresses that the refugee ministry involves many parishioners. When
World Relief asked St. Luke’s to sponsor a new family, from Sudan, the
first action of the group was a collection drive to assemble a Good
Neighbor kit to outfit the family’s apartment. Significantly, this coincided
with Lent, a time for works of mercy.
With a career in education and large grant management, Myra has robust
organizational skills. She can muster the little stuff like school supplies
and afterschool pick-‐ups to achieve the big goals like educating the
children. She and other team members visit the Sudanese family’s home
three times a week to help the children with homework and support the
mother’s ESL learning. Myra also meets with the Evanston Interfaith
Refugee Roundtable to capture others’ wisdom as a guide for future
resettlement workers.
Remember the family from Sierra Leone? When the Sudanese family
needed to finish the medical portion of their green card application at the
Touhy Clinic, they were helped by the grown daughter of the Sierra Leone
family. So grows the kingdom.
Because she answers the call to treat strangers with dignity and hospitality
and bends her talents toward serving vulnerable people who seek a new
home, St. Luke’s is proud to name Myra Janus as our 2018 Vision Keeper.
Lake Street Church
Jackie McKay
Jackie McKay found an immediate home at Lake Street Church (LSC)
on her first visit. She read its Covenant and found that members were
serious about LSC’s call that faith be a mix of contemplation and
action. She found a community with a strong ministry for hungry and
homeless people. The impetus to feed and house the “strangers and
travelers” among us developed into recognition of the growing
immigrant crisis. The Peace and Justice committee (P & J), which she
co-chairs with Arleen Prairie, revisited the idea of Lake Street becoming
a sanctuary church. LSC now hosts a family in asylum proceedings.
Jackie’s warm, encouraging and dedicated leadership motivates
others. She supported the expansion of the P & J committee’s activist
horizons to encompass the environmental threats of climate change;
the continual undeclared war; and the injustice of economic inequality
in America. Jackie’s contribution is finding ways to tap the expertise of
leader-members steeped in peace and justice issues and to help them
develop educational and activism opportunities that appeal to the
varied interests of the LSC community.
As American policy upended the traditional course of our Ministries,
the P&J committee keeps our faith community attuned to rapid
changes and positively counteracts the negative impact on our faith-
based values.
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Northminster Presbyterian Church
Kelly Brest van Kempen,
Greg Boyer and Douglas Meekhof
Kelly Brest van Kempen is a mainstay of Northminster’s Mission
Committee. She oversees our Christmas Giving Tree project for
Evanston families, makes lunches for Interfaith Action, and leads the
reading-glasses and sock drives. Kelly supported Northminster’s
participation in Family Promise, which houses homeless families, from
its beginning and is now president of the board. A former Peace Corps
volunteer, Kelly speaks several languages. She uses this skill to
mentor a Syrian refugee family and to organize our Procession of
Languages on Pentecost each year. Kelly has also served several
terms as an elder of Northminster.
For 20 years, the creative energies of Greg Boyer and Douglas Meekhof
have enriched our church, deepening our worship experience and our
sense of connection with one another. Their art projects, including
beautiful paraments for our communion table and a 5-foot wreath,
handmade by Douglas from retired hymnals, brighten our worship
space. On the Fellowship Committee, Greg and Douglas organize and
host countless delicious gatherings. They have served as elders and
deacons, and spearheaded the effort to re-make the church kitchen.
Douglas has been a stalwart on the nominating committee. Greg helps
lead our Worship, Music and the Arts committee. He is also the Clerk
of Session and for years, has served as commissioner to the Assembly
of the local Presbytery and chairs its Board of Directors.
St. John’s Evangelical Lutheran Church
Chad Johnson
Chad and his son were the visionaries and are the ongoing
coordinators of Brother Dano’s Sandwich Ministry, which supports The
Night Ministry in Chicago. Monthly, Brother Dano’s has prepared hearty
bag meals (more than 20,000 to date!) and engages the congregation
and many community groups in its work, broadening compassion and
responding to faith with active love. It is a defining ministry for St.
John’s.
Chad was a founding board member of Family Promise Chicago North
Shore, and helped lead St. John’s in becoming one of the first hosting
congregations.
Chad’s first role at St John's was as a Sunday School teacher. He later
was elected to the Church Council and now serves as its president. He
and his daughter organized sales of Fair Trade goods at the church,
and, with his wife, created UpCycle ReCycle events to benefit many
ministries. He is also an assisting minister, usher, and communion
minister.
Chad is the president of Wildcat Aquatics, an age group swim team
based at Northwestern University. For the fifth year in a row the team
is ranked by USA Swimming as one of the top 50 teams in the nation.
Congratulations and many thanks, Chad!
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St. Athanasius Catholic Church
Peter Gamber
Being able to help someone in need is what Peter Gamber finds
rewarding. He’s been doing just that in varied ways for many years. St.
Athanasius Catholic Church is proud to name Peter as its 2018 Vision
Keeper.
Some of those who benefit from Peter’s services are people assisted
by the parish St. Vincent DePaul Society. Peter and other members
work in two-person teams, visiting people who seek help—for
everything from buying needed groceries to paying heating and electric
bills and covering emergency needs.
Over the past 14 years Peter has been an active volunteer at the
Presbyterian Home. At first he helped people in wheelchairs. Now he’s
that cheerful fellow delivering mail, along with conversation, to patients
in the campus health care centers. Susan Yax, the organization’s
director of volunteer services, praises Peter’s “wonderful sense of
humor.”
Peter has also helped raise funds for Evanston young people as a
member and past president of the Kiwanis Club of Evanston, which
supports the YMCA, Curt’s Café, sports and other programs for local
boys and girls.
Peter got his start caring at home. He and his wife, Anne, are the
parents of eight children and have 23 grandchildren. This Vision
Keeper, who retired in 1999 after a long career, primarily with Allstate
Insurance Company, is an Evanston native who has spent nearly all of
his life in the city.
Second Baptist Church
Dorothy Headd
Dorothy Headd has lived in Evanston since May 1975. She has been
a member of Second Baptist Church of Evanston for over 40 years,
joining soon after moving to Evanston.
Dorothy worked at Northwestern University for 30 years, retiring in
2011. After her husband Samuel passed in 2015, she decided to go
back to work part- time. She was hired by the City of Evanston for
Crossing Guard duty in 2016. Dorothy enjoys interacting with the kids
and their parents and even some of the people in the neighborhood.
She makes a point of speaking to the kids in the morning and evening.
She knows most of them by name.
At Second Baptist, Dorothy serves on the Ladies Auxiliary and the
Deaconess Board. She is the Adult Sunday School Superintendent and
works in the soup kitchen once a week, as well as being active in
several other committees within the church. She is also an active
member of the 5th Ward and a member of the Citizens Greener
Evanston Environmental Justice committee.
Dorothy likes reading, walking, gardening and traveling by car. She
likes helping others in whatever way she can, a trait she inherited from
her mother, and she has always pulled for the underdog. Dorothy has
one son, Michael, and one granddaughter, Jasmine. She LOVES GOD,
her biological family and her church family.
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Sheil Catholic Center of Northwestern University
Aireale Joi Rodgers
Aireale Joi Rodgers is a master’s student in the learning sciences
program at Northwestern. She also completed her undergraduate
studies at NU in Education and Social Policy. Aireale has worked in the
field of education supporting non-dominate students; her focus was on
the development of inclusive and expansive classroom learning
environments and equity-oriented faculty professional development
programming at white-serving institutions of higher education.
At the Sheil Catholic Center, Aireale has been secretary of the
leadership council and a sponsor in our RCIA program. She is organizer
for the Purple Pantry, which distributes groceries to students who
experience hunger due to financial constraints; a participant in Just
Faith, a yearlong peace and justice service learning program; a
member of N.U’s M.L. King, Jr. Commemoration Committee; and
organizer and facilitator of the Black History Program Being My Siblings
Keeper, A Dialogue on Race, Policing and the Christian Call to Action.
Aireale has been a valued member of our community whose leadership
has been inspiring and whose service to others has been passionate
and engaging. As a leader and example of Catholic faith and service,
Aireale has been integral in helping our associates and students
envision ways that Sheil Center can continue to improve. Her passion
for peace and justice and her ability to lead others is outstanding.
Aireale was raised by her mother, grandmother, and great aunt on
Chicago’s south side. She considers her greatest strength to be her
faith in God. We are blessed to have her in our community; she is a
person of integrity and a model of Christ’s Love in the world.
Sherman United Methodist Church
Donna Long and Blanche Smith
Donna Long lives by the mantra, "to whom much is given, much is
required." She has a passion for helping others and always seeks out
opportunities to serve Sherman and her community. Before working at
the Moran Center, she volunteered her time and talents to Oakton
Elementary School where she assisted the teachers in the classroom
and helped with Blessings in a Backpack, which provides food on the
weekends for children. Donna, her husband Marty, and daughters
Anna and Kayla have been members of Sherman for eight years.
Donna has held a variety of jobs at Sherman. As a vital part of our
Outreach Ministry, she prepares lunches for Connections for the
Homeless, serves at our soup kitchens, and supports the homeless
shelter for women and children.
Blanche Smith has been a lifelong member of Sherman, which was
organized in the home of her grandmother, Mrs. Lula B. Sherman,
where the roots of our congregation began. Blanche’s service to
Sherman has taken many forms and she sets an example of personally
reaching out to those in need. As an integral part in the life of our
church, Blanche gives support to our sick and shut-in members, to our
seminarians, and to our numerous community service and outreach
ministries. Blanche also started and presided over our current United
Methodist Women unit, whose purpose is to turn faith, love and hope
into action for women, children and youth around the world
Blanche taught for 50 years in Chicago schools and her love and
concern for children shines through. She continues to be active in the
Fisk University Choir concert committee, which donates part of the
funds raised to the university.
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