Dear Friends,
“Where will you be on July 9 at 4:00pm?” This was the question that House Speaker Chris Welch and Pastor James Meeks posed to our new mayor Brandon Johnson soon after attending our 100+ person United Power action last Wednesday, June 14 in North Lawndale. And to our great delight, the Mayor’s office responded at 11:00am the next day to confirm Mayor Johnson’s attendance. This certainly goes to show you what organized people who are persistent and committed can get done.
All Saints has committed to bringing 70 people to the United Power action that will take place on July 9 from 4-6:00pm in North Lawndale. We hope to charter a school bus to assist with transportation to and from. If you can attend, please sign up here and invite friends and family to join you. If you can’t attend, let others know about the action and encourage them to go if they are able.
We joined United Power in 2019 and brought 135 All Saints folks to an action with then Mayor Lori Lightfoot, the first mayor of Chicago to meet with United Power. While the work can seem slow and is often challenging, the work of building communities that are just and equitable, flourishing and safe is rooted in building relationships, in showing up for our neighbors and friends. I believe it is holy work.
We’ve learned a lot since our action four years ago with Mayor Lightfoot. We’ve developed new relationships and strengthened old ones with people like Speaker Welch and Senate President Don Harmon. We have new members including Salem Baptist Church in Roseland, Grace Episcopal in the South Loop, and New Mount Pilgrim Church in West Garfield who bring new people and new power to the table. And homes have been built and purchased with more being built this summer.
All Saints has been an integral part of these efforts, and it truly makes a difference when we show up.
Where will you be on July 9? I hope you’ll be with us in North Lawndale.
I look forward to seeing many of you this Sunday as we wrestle with the story of Hagar in Genesis and consider God’s faithfulness in the midst of human sinfulness. And there will be coffee hour at 10:00am and sparkling beverages and treats after the 11:00am.
See you Sunday.
All my best,
Courtney +