2) Child and Youth Group Antiracism Education

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Interfaith prayer service after the Mother Emmanuel shooting, June 2015

We are working to develop and obtain more antiracism education resources for our child and youth group education.

Another opportunity is to attend “How Do We Talk To Our Children About Race” Virtual training sponsored by All Saints Episcopal Church – Fall dates to be determined.

To help out with this gathering education resources or for more information on the virtual training, please contact Courtney Hug at corriehug@gmail.com .

3) Collaborate with neighborhood community groups such as the Northwest Coalition Against Racism and Hate

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Members of St. John’s participated in the Faith Walk for #blacklivesmatter

Follow online and support organizations such as the Northside Coalition Against Racism & Hate, Portage Park For Action, Respect and Community (PPARC) and  Neighbors for Affordable Housing.

Upcoming event Juneteenth Car Caravan on Friday June 19th 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. around the Jefferson Park neighborhood. Sponsored by the Northwest Coalition Against Racism & Hate. Follow on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/nwsidecoalition/ for exact location details.

Courtney Hug and Erica Zazo are St. John’s liaisons this year to the Northwest Coalition Against Racism And Hate. Please contact Courtney or Erica for more info at corriehug@gmail.com or erica.zazo@gmail.com.

4) Organize and Promote the St. John’s Antiracism Library

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4) Organize and Promote St. John’s Antiracism Library

We have two antiracism reading lists on our website:

Reading to End Racism – https://www.stjohnschicago.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/Reading-to-End-Racism-Publication-FINAL.pdf

Wrestling With White Supremacy – https://documentcloud.adobe.com/link/track?uri=urn:aaid:scds:US:47a7ac64-c173-4a72-82ff-39170001e6fb#pageNum=1

We have some of these recommended books in the St. John’s library. We are looking for volunteers to set up and manage a borrowing system for the antiracism books and perhaps set up a curbside pick up program. To volunteer for this project, please contact Laura Singer at laura.t.singer@gmail.com

Another Source for books – All Saints Episcopal Church has moved their Free Antiracism Little Library to 3856 W Eddy St Chicago, IL 60618, Front Porch, Corner of Springfield and Eddy (near Addison and Pulaski)

5) Prepare to Join the 2021 Congregational Antiracism Model Project

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St. John’s members attending a CROAR training

In 2020, initial team members were commissioned in February and have been meeting monthly to work on this 7 step pilot project with the Diocesan Antiracism Commission and CROAR trainers. We have taken steps to institutionalize antiracism work at St. John’s to make sure this doesn’t go away with time. As part of Step 3, we will be presenting a vision, mission, mandate and charter/by-laws document to the vestry in June to strengthen the structure to support antiracism work and create systemic change at St. John’s.

To get involved with the 2021 Congregational Antiracism Model Project, complete a recommended antiracism training in 2020 to be ready to begin work in January 2021. For more info on the Congregational Antiracism Model contact Laura Singer at laura.t.singer@gmail.com 

Vigil for George Floyd

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RAIN UPDATE: Candles will be placed just inside the front doors of the church. Please light a candle and then step out.

If joining in person:

You must wear a mask and remain 6 feet apart from other attendees.

We invite you to light a candle and remain for 8 minutes and 46 seconds.

Please return home so that others may light candles.

You can continue your vigil with us facebook.com/stjohnschicago or Zoom Meeting ID: 827 5533 3446 https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82755333446

This vigil in memory of George Floyd is sponsored by St. John’s Episcopal Church, the St. John’s Antiracism Team, and Friendship Presbyterian Church.

Giving to St. John’s

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Thank you for thinking about St. John’s during this difficult time. We are planning to continue to pay our employees and our bills so we appreciate all donations. There are four ways to give to St. John’s while we are quarantined.

This fun video shows all the ways you can give to St. John’s! Or read the details below:

  1. You can write a check and mail it to the office: 3857 N Kostner Ave. Chicago, IL 60641. The cost to you is the envelope and the stamp about $.51!
  2. If your bank offers on-line bill payment you can schedule a reoccurring payment. You just need the name and address of the church. If you have a pledge number please add it to the memo line. The bank will generate and send the checks to St. John’s. There is no fee for this.
  3. If you use Zelle or Quick Pay you can schedule a donation to St. John’s by using the email treasurer@stjohnschicago.com There is no fee for this.
  4. You can donate on our website. Click on the red “donate” button at the top of the screen and enter in your debit or credit card number. The fee is 3.95%. For example, if you donate $100 it will charge you $103.95.

If you have questions contact Lisa at parishoffice@stjohnschicago.com or call her at 773.725.9026. Thank you!

Land Acknowledgement

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The plaque has been installed!

We will have a dedication and day of learning whenever we can safely gather. We hope this is the beginning of meaningful relationships with our Native neighbors, a continued commitment to care for the earth, and symbol of our anti-racism work. In an irony of history this land was “free,” given by Sheriff John Gray in 1887. The cost of building the church in 1888 was $1,963.00; the plaque cost $1900. It was cast by by the Bronze Memorial Company and installed by Lopez Concrete. Expertise and wording donated by Dr. Dorene Wiese, president of the American Indian Association of Illinois. Please stop by and read about our history in your next walk around the neighborhood.