SAVE THE DATE: Rev. Pinkney at FIrst Lutheran July 11!

What: Speech and Rally by Rev. Edward Pinkney
Where: First Lutheran Church, 3500 W. Fullerton Ave., Chicago 60647
When: Friday, July 11, 6:30 p.m.

Join the Facebook event and invite friends!

Contact: Andrew Willis, 773-680-7627, lesandy@ameritech.net

Persecuted Michigan Faith Leader and Activist to Make a Rare Appearance in Chicago

Despite House Arrest and Pending Trial, Rev. Pinkney to Speak Here

In Benton Harbor, the residents recently managed to recall a mayor they felt was working against their interests, and for the interests of local corporations. The response was swift: the state took control of the city, and prosecutors pressed charges against the leader of the recall effort.

Despite being under house arrest and facing trial in July on trumped-up "voter fraud" charges, Rev. Pinkney will be in Chicago on July 11 to help lead a discussion of what is happening in Benton Harbor and how it relates to developments in Chicago and the rest of the country.

According to John Anthony La Pietra, Elections Coordinator, Green Party of Michigan, “For over a decade, Rev. Pinkney has devoted time and energy to helping individual citizens have a voice in their government and their lives — in Benton Harbor, across Michigan, and around the country."

Faith leaders and activists for racial and economic justice around the country have been following the struggle of people in Benton Harbor, MI. Despite the express wishes of the residents, reflected in a recall election, corporations, developers, and neighboring municipalities have conspired to control the city of Benton Harbor. "They were shocked when the recall went through. Michigan is a test ground. If they see how easy it is to get us, it will soon be coming your way,” said Patsy Heinz, a Benton Harbor resident.

Join the Facebook event and invite friends! 

FOR MORE INFORMATION:

http://peoplestribune.org/pt-news/2014/06/fighting-the-corporate-dictatorship-in-michigan-2/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oBzkuiD6LD0

Report - Discussions at LSEA June 10, 2014, Meeting

We had an excellent meeting on Tuesday, June 10. See below for key points, and please mark your calendars for our next meeting: August 5, 2014 at ALSO (2401 W. North).


(1) Inclusive and Affirming Ministry for LGBTI People in Africa

Pastor Erik Christensen from St. Luke's Logan Square shared information about a series of events taking place in the next several days relating to human rights for LGBTI people in Africa. The events start Friday afternoon with Judith Kotzé and Ingrid Schoonraad from Inclusive & Affirming Ministries (IAM) South Africa joining in conversation and reflection on the theological resources for the work of LGBTI liberation in Africa. They will consider the intersections of North American liberation theology and South African post-apartheid theology, as they inspire, encourage, and challenge the work of solidarity and liberation for LGBTI people.

Full details of Friday event, plus more on Saturday and Sunday: June 13-15, 2014 - LGBTI Solidarity in Africa Weekend, including special Sunday worship at St. Luke's.

(2) Deferred Action of Childhood Arrivals (DACA) renewal process

Immigration attorney Christopher Elmore -- who is a member at St. Luke's Logan Square, and who volunteers with the Justice for Our Neighbors (JFON) program at Humboldt Park United Methodist -- gave a brief introduction to DACA.

DACA is a discretionary policy that began in 2012 that allows eligible undocumented individuals to temporarily remain in the United States. Individuals who benefit from DACA must renew their deferred action every two years. The first opportunity for renewal begins this summer and it is very important that DACA recipients submit their renewal documentation before their initial 2-year DACA term expires.

Next step: A full presentation on DACA and the renewal process is being scheduled for the very near future - to be held at Nuestra Señora de las Americas at the corner of Logan Boulevard and Francisco. The entire community is invited and an announcement will be emailed.

You may also contact Mr. Elmore directly at christopher@celmorelaw.com.

(3) Concern about police-community relations

An incident was discussed that led us to consider the need to be more attentitve with how police officers are engaging with people in the community, particularly with young people.

Next step: (a) Clergy members of LSEA will connect with others who are active with the local police district clergy council. (b) A "know your rights" training for youth is being scheduled - to be held at ALSO. Further details will be emailed.

(4) Upcoming Event: SCUPE Congress June 23-26

Pastor Bruce Ray of Kimball Avenue Church will be speaking at the Seminary Consortium for Urban Pastoral Education (SCUPE) Congress from June 23-25 at De Paul University. More info at: www.congressonurbanministry.org

(5) Support for activist clergy in Benton Harbor

The case of activist pastor Rev. Edward Pinkney in Benton Harbor was brought to our attention. Press coverage from the People's Tribune and Rachel Maddow describes the fact that this pastor is being prosecuted for his activism on behalf of the poor in Benton Harbor, and faces court proceedings in July.

Next step: Andy Willis of Kimball Avenue Church is scheduled a solidarity event, at which Rev. Pinkney will speak here in Chicago: July 11, 6:30 p.m., First Lutheran.

(6) Looking ahead to fall: "Labor in the Pulpit"

We were reminded that many area churches will invite labor movement representatives to speak on labor day weekend.  Contact Luke Sullivan at ARISE Chicago luke[at]arisechicago[dot]org for help arranging speakers.

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Next meeting: Tuesday, August 5, 2014 -- ALSO - 2401 W North Avenue in Chicago.

We meet at 1:00 p.m.  (If interested, please come early and join us over a brown-bag lunch for informal discussion at noon.)

We will have a focused discussion on housing issues in the neighborhood. Additional topics for the meeting will be added to this post closer to the time of the meeting.

Thanks!

Resource Page: Recent Developments in Affordable Housing in Logan Square

LSEA continues to focus on developments in Logan Square related to affordable housing.

We are assembling links to useful information on recent developments with respect to affordable housing in Logan Square.

If you have additional useful links, please add them as a comment!



General

Logan Square Neighborhood Association (LSNA): Affordable Housing (Campaigns and Resources)


Milshire Hotel

Tuesday September 23 - "Logan Square for All" Rally


Lathrop Homes

June 12, 2014, Chicago Reader, "The fight to preserve a model public housing project" by Maya Dukmasova


Logan Square Ecumenical Alliance: "POSADA 2013: Is there room at the inn at the CHA’s Lathrop Homes?"


Chicago Housing Authority (CHA)

"Community Feedback on the Five Year Housing Plan from St. Luke’s Lutheran Church of Logan Square"




Related posts

Looking Ahead: Posada Planning for December 2014

Save the Date: Walk for Peace June 7, 2014

19th Annual Walk for Peace

YOUR LIFE IS MY LIFE

ending violence starts with me 

June 7, 2014

Location: Funston Elementary School

2010 N Central Park, Ave, Chicago, IL 60647

For more information

please go to www.also-chicago.org 

What do we want? SALVATION! When do we want it? NOW!

On Palm Sunday (April 13, 2014) the Logan Square Ecumenical Alliance (LSEA) hosted its 3rd annual public witness at the Logan Square monument from 12pm—1pm. As in previous years, we gathered to celebrate the very public and political nature of Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem and his call to people of faith to resist the values of empire and seek instead “the kingdom of heaven.”

Check out the full picture gallery below!

LSEA congregations processed from their respective houses of worship carrying palm branches, for an opportunity to stand together to listen to our neighbors and dream together about God’s preferred future for our community.

Building on the success of our December 2013 “Posada for Public Housing,” we focused on issues of housing in Logan Square as we heard testimony from people experiencing eviction and foreclosure and campaigning for quality, affordable public housing. We considered faithful responses to our neighbors' needs, and provided opportunities to get directly involved.

Thank you for all of your continued support of the Logan Square Ecumenical Alliance!

Special thanks to Andrew Willis for poster art;
New Level Sound for technical support;
and FJJ for photography!

Please "like" us on Facebook so we can keep you posted about upcoming LSEA activities.

Photos: Courtesy FJJ.


Related posts

Think back on everything that has happened in the last year. Is it time for things to quiet down? To have a "nice" spring? To sit back and be entertained by the usual presidential campaign circus?

(See Occupy Palm Sunday in 2016)

Palm Sunday 2012: Occupy Palm Sunday!	Palm Sunday 2013: Remedy for Violence

Poster Art: Andrew Willis


I've been thinking about the Occupy movement and what it has to do with Christian witness. The conclusion I've come to is: a lot! In fact, I think it's central to our understanding of what Christ's life and death meant.

(See Occupy Palm Sunday! )

Ramon Nieves, Pastor of Humboldt Park United Methodist Church

English ... Español ... Memorial

Grace and peace to you in the name of our Lord and Savior Jesus the Christ. It is with profound sadness in our hearts that we share with you the news that our beloved pastor, the Rev. Dr. Ramon L. Nieves, Jr. has passed away following an accident while on a mission trip to Guatemala. Rev. Nieves’ last days were a reflection of his life: serving God. He was born in Humboldt Park and he completed his ministry here in Humboldt Park after 30 years of faithful service. In Guatemala, Rev. Nieves and his wife Yolanda Nieves trained over 180 teachers who will be forever changed because of Rev. Nieves’ wisdom and experience. They will go on to touch the lives of many others because of Rev. Nieves’ work.

It is with joy in our hearts that we can celebrate that work, as well as the life and service of Rev. Dr. Ramon L. Nieves because we are confident that God has welcomed him with open arms saying “well done, my good and faithful servant”.

We ask you to keep Yolanda, Yvonne, Laura, and Vince and the entire family in prayer, as well as the Humboldt Park United Methodist Church. Thank you for your prayers. We appreciate your respect for the privacy of the Nieves family in this difficult time of grief.

Thank you to all who contributed funds to bring Rev. Nieves back to be with his family in Chicago. We are eternally grateful. May God richly bless you. We will keep you informed regarding funeral arrangements as they become available.

Gracia y paz a ustedes en el nombre de nuestro Señor y Salvador Cristo Jesús. Es con gran tristeza en nuestros corazones que compartimos las noticias que nuestro amado pastor, el Rev. Dr. Ramón L. Nieves, Jr., ha fallecido después de un accidente durante un viaje misionero en Guatemala.

Los últimos días del Rev. Nieves fueron de refleción de como él vivió su vida: sirviendo a Dios. Él nació en Humboldt Park y terminó su ministerio aquí en Humboldt Park después de treinta años de servicio fiel. En Guatemala, Rev. Nieves, junto a su esposa Yolanda Nieves, entrenaron a más de 180 maestros a quienes la sabiduría y experiencia del trabajo de Rev. Nieves cambiaron para siempre.

Es con gozo en nuestros corazones que podemos celebrar el trabajo, la vida y el servicio de Rev. Dr. Ramón L. Nieves porque tenemos la confianza que Dios lo ha recibido con brazos abiertos diciendo “bien hecho, mi buen y fiel siervo”.

Les pedimos que oren por Yolanda, Yvonne, Laura, Vince y la familia y al igual que por la Iglesia Metodista Unida de Humboldt Park. Les agradecemos sus oraciones y respeto de privacidad para la familia Nieves durante estos momentos de perdida.

Gracias a todos los que nos apoyaron con sus donaciones para poder traer al Rev. Nieves a Chicago para estar con su familia. Lo agradecemos con todo nuestro corazón. Que Dios les bendiga grandemente. Los mantendremos informados acerca de los detalles de los servicios funerales cuándo estén disponibles.



Memorial Service and Celebration of Life Worship Service

The Nieves' family will hold a Memorial Service and Celebration of Life Worship Service for Rev. Ramon Nieves at Humboldt Park UMC on Sunday, February 2nd at 10:30 am.

Additionally, Visitation, Viewing, and Service is planned for Monday, January 20th from 4 pm to 9 pm at Alvarez Funeral Home located at 2500 N Cicero, Chicago IL 60639.

On Tuesday, January 21st, there will be a final Viewing from 9 to 10 am after which the Burial will take place at Acacia Park Cemetery located at 7800 West Irving Park Road, Chicago IL 60706.

The Family asks that in lieu of flowers, a donation be made to Ramon's youngest child Vicente Ramon Nieves' Education Fund via Paypal to CandelariaSpirit@gmail.com (subject: "for Vicente")

Please continue to lift the entire Nieves family and the Congregation of Humboldt Park UMC in your prayers.


Delia Ramirez on behalf of Humboldt Park UMC
773-490-4302

Logan Square Ecumenical Alliance (LSEA) -- Coming Into Its Own

The Logan Square Ecumenical Alliance (LSEA) was founded by a group of Logan Square churches in 2012. The initial impetus was a public witness on Palm Sunday 2013 -- "Occupy Palm Sunday!" -- organized by First Lutheran Church, Humboldt Park United Methodist, Kimball Avenue Church, and St. Luke's Lutheran Church of Logan Square. LSEA built upon discussions that had been ongoing over a period of years among leaders at these churches about finding ways to work together in the Logan Square Community.

2013 was a year in which LSEA solidified itself.

Regularity - We moved to a schedule of regular monthly meetings. We have been graciously hosted by the Alliance of Local Service Organizations (ALSO) -- which focuses on violence prevention -- at 2401 W. North. In relation to this, we have developed a routine of providing agendas and minutes, and sharing of tasks.

A goal for 2014 is to continue to put this structure to work to build an even more effective LSEA.

Outreach - In 2013, two major organizations in Logan Square became de facto members of LSEA: ALSO, and Logan Square Neighborhood Association (LSNA). One new congregation became a frequent participant - a new UCC church plant in the neighborhood, Root and Branch Church. Moreover, we gained a route for passive participation (i.e. a path to awareness) by a large number of Logan Square congregations, in that our meeting agendas and minutes are frequently cross-posted with the list related to the housing campaign in Logan Square -- which contains a large number of local faith leaders.

A goal for 2014 is active participation by a larger number of congregations, and by a larger number of members of each participating congregation.

Clarified Goals - The consistency and intentionality with which LSEA participants have approached this work in 2013 have helped us make progress in answering the question, "What's special about LSEA? What do we really want to do?" We are beginning to see the importance of complementing and building upon (rather than trying to duplicate) the work of the very effective community organizations we have in our neighborhood. We are recognizing the special contribution we, as congregations, can make by providing public witness around important social issues. And we are realizing that being relevant and effective requires us to be very tuned into the current developments and issues in the neighborhood: Logan Square is an extremely dynamic social setting, and the needs that must be addressed are rapidly evolving.

Clearly, there is much room to refine and expand this understanding in 2014.

Events - In 2013, LSEA held two major events: the "Remedy for Violence" witness on Palm Sunday, and the "POSADA for Affordable Housing" during Advent. In addition, there were numerous events that were spawned by LSEA connections, including: participation by various congregations in the ALSO Walk for Peace in June; the collaboration between the St. Luke's and Kimball Avenue Church social justice groups to screen "The House I Live In" (about mass incarceration) in July; and the collaboration with ALSO and LSNA in the 2013 Boulevard in August.

We will continue our program of events in 2014, starting with a Palm Sunday event in April.

The prospect for 2014 is to further expand the connections between LSEA and its member congregations and organizations with the Logan Square and Chicago communities!