Training the Next Wave of Justice Advocates: "Confronting Pharaoh" with CRS and LSEA

Marc Chagall, Moses and Aaron Before Pharaoh

The Logan Square Ecumenical Alliance (LSEA) is teaming with Community Renewal Society (CRS) to bring training to budding social justice activists in the Logan Square community.

The CRS "Confronting Pharaoh" sessions "train congregations to fight for justice . . . and win!"

Two trainings have been scheduled:

Part 1: Saturday, March 14, 2015 (REVISED)
10:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
St. Luke's Lutheran Church of Logan Square
2649 N Francisco Avenue

Part 2: Saturday, April 18, 2015
(NOTE UPDATED LOCATION)
10:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
St. Luke's Lutheran Church of Logan Square
2649 N Francisco Avenue

Cost is free for members of Community Renewal Society member congregations; $30 per person otherwise. (Questions about CRS membership? Please contact Maria Torres (224) 241-1096 mtorres@communityrenewalsociety.org.)

In these two training sessions, participants will:

* Reflect on what the scripture call to "do justice" means for your community.

* Learn more about how your church's ministries affect the world -- and how to make a deeper impact.

* Understand power and what it takes to make real change.

* Build relationships with other leaders ready to take action.

* Create strong teams to act together and create change.

* Identify and develop new leaders in your church.

* Learn to identify the most vital issues affecting your neighborhood.

* Move your congregation into public action to speak truth to power.

Want to tackle the injustices in our communities -- poverty, racism, and education inequality --but not sure how? Attend CRS' JUSTICE TRAINING!

About CRS: "Community Renewal Society is a progressive, faith-based organization that works to eliminate race and class barriers. Founded in 1882, Community Renewal informs, organizes and trains both communities and individuals to advocate for social and economic justice." (More at www.communityrenewalsociety.org )

Lent and Palm Sunday 2015: Worker Justice in Logan Square

Sadao Watanabe, "Cleansing the Temple"

Members of the Logan Square Ecumenical Alliance plan three events leading up to and including Palm Sunday, 2015:

Wednesday, February 25, 2015 -- 6:30 - 8:30 p.m.
But What Will We Choose
Location: Ñuestra Señora De Las Americas, 2900 W Logan Boulevard

Wednesday, March 4, 2015 -- 6:30 - 8:30 p.m.
The 10 Commandments & Fight for 15
Location: San Lucas United Church of Christ, 2914 West North

Wednesday, March 11 2015 -- 6:30 - 8:30 p.m.
Luke 18:1-8
The Parable of the Unrelenting Activist
Location: Ñuestra Señora De Las Americas, 2900 W Logan Boulevard

* ALSO: March 11 is the "Day of Action Against the Rauner Budget" - Join other justice activists in a bus trip to Springfield (6 am - 7 pm - breakfast and lunch provided). For transportation to Springfield contact: aridfleisch@lstc.edu )

Wednesday, March 18, 2015 -- 6:30 - 8:30 p.m.
Matthew 20 & Worker Solidarity
Location: San Lucas United Church of Christ, 2914 West North

Wednesday, March 25, 2015 -- 6:30 - 8:30 p.m.
The Way of the Cross and Worker Justice
Location: Humboldt Park United Methodist Church, 2120 N Mozart

Sunday, March 29, 2015 -- 11:30 a.m.
Palm Sunday witness for worker justice
Location: Logan Square monument ("the eagle")


LSEA is teaming with ARISE, a Chicago faith-based advocacy organization working to eliminate wage theft and push for passage of living wages for low income workers. 

LSEA member congregation Kimball Avenue Church will have a "Lenten Compact" entitled "Not Lovin' It: Fast Food Fast for Worker Justice." Throughout March, 5% of Sunday offerings at Kimball Avenue Church will be donated to ARISE.

LSEA member congregation St. Luke's Logan Square will collect it's monthly Justice Offering on March 8 on behalf of ARISE.

Other speakers and bible study leaders: West Side Health Authority, Rev. Liz Muñoz of Ñuestra Señora, Rev. Marilyn Pagan-Banks and Pastor Drew Rindfleisch of San Lucas UCC.

LSEA supports Parents for Peace & Justice

February 8 - Community gathering with Parents for Peace & Justice
HPUM pastor Rev. Paula Cripps-Vallejo and other community leaders.

Rev. Paula Cripps-Vallejo, pastor of LSEA member congregation Humboldt Park United Methodist, writes:

"On Sunday evening (February 8th) I was honored to gather with Parents for Peace & Justice (parents whose children have fallen victim to senseless violence here in Chicago), interfaith leaders from throughout Chicago, the District 14 Police Commissioner, and other amazing community folks. We are working together for reforms in education, an end to poverty and racism, and all the root causes of the violence that plagues our city. Keep us in your prayers and walk with us!"

More photos and comments on Facebook.

Related posts

Logan Square Ecumenical Alliance's second annual Palm Sunday gathering, in 2013, was focused on all the ways we can work for justice and against violence in our community.


(See Photo Gallery: Palm Sunday 2013 - "I Will Be a Remedy for Violence!")

Upcoming events on Community-Police Relations

Members of LSEA will be attending upcoming events, and will provide updates and propose follow-on action at our March meeting.

Saturday, February 7, 2015 - 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. - UIC
Racism, Police Violence, and Health "Teach In"

Sunday, February 8, 2015 - 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. - Carpenter's House
United Against Violence , One People One Voice!

Saturday, February 14, 2015 - 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. - Chicago Temple
Rally for Reparations: A People's Hearing

QUESTION: A Central Community Worship Space in Logan Square

Partial street map, Logan Square, Chicago

At our February 3, 2015, meeting, LSEA raised the question:

"Would it be desirable to have a central community worship space in Logan Square"?

We will take this question up in meetings and other fora in the coming year.

What do you think?