Thank you also for all you calls, texts and messages of care while I was at home with COVID. Because of that, we will have Holy Communion this Sunday.
Yes, I know I have not written to you in a while! Pip was doing a fine job and now that there time with us is coming to an end, I am getting back to it. Another reason is that are things I needed to bring to your attention- some of which you might be aware of already.
You might be aware that since August last year, the State of Texas has been sending asylum seekers to Chicago. The City of Chicago, being a Welcoming City, has a responsibility to provide for our asylum seeking siblings. There being not enough places the city has organized to house them, they have been staying at various police stations and sleeping on the floor- some also staying at the 19th District Police Station on Addison.
Lakeview Lutheran Church has partnered with the police station to organize help/volunteers. I invite you to do what you can and assist our neighborhood in taking care of our siblings from other countries. Here is a list of items that are needed for the families. Feel free to drop them off at the drop off locations or bring them to church and we can take all the donations. If you have time to give, please sign up here. Click here to help with meal delivery. For meal delivery, I would like for us to also sign up as a church. Let me know if you are available to partner with me for this.
On a different note- remember that May is also Asian American and Pacific Islander heritage month. As a church, as we do with other cultural observations, we have been lifting up lesser known AAPI people who have made significant contributions to the society, and I invite you to take some time on your own also to learn more. I am always bothered when some folk use the term ‘oriental’ for people of Asian origin- I think rugs are oriental, people are Asian. Read here to learn more about where the term oriental comes from, here to understand why Asians and Pacific Islanders are lumped together. With so many Asian countries and cultures, I feel the Pacific Islanders get lost in the mix.
And lastly- remember that May 28th (Pentecost Sunday) will be Pip’s last Sunday with us as an intern. They will preach that Sunday and we will celebrate their time with us with cake and fellowship! Please make sure to join us for worship on that Sunday to celebrate them and their ministry with and through us.
And, as always let us continue to do all we can to be the church that God has called us to be in this neighborhood!
Be blessed beloveds, and I look forward to seeing you in church.
