evanston il 60204 executive director susan murphy ......rice teachers, volunteering at public tv...

Interfaith Action of Evanston

1414

Evanston IL 60204

847-475-1150

Executive Director Susan Murphy

Administrative Assistant Sara Lafler

[email protected]

facebook.com/interfaithactionofevanston

February 18 Hilton Orrington/Evanston

2018 Vision Keepers

We are people of many faiths and traditions who not only volunteer

together but also pray together, engage in interfaith dialogue, and

advocate. We look for ways to strengthen the natural bond between

spiritually committed people. We welcome all who want to learn and

serve.

Interfaith Action of Evanston

P.O. 1414

Evanston IL 60204

847-475-1150

Executive Director Susan Murphy

Administrative Assistant Sara Lafler

[email protected]

www.interfaithactionofevanston.org

facebook.com/interfaithactionofevanston

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Interfaith Action wishes to thank all who attended the 2018 Vision

Keepers Dinner. We also express our gratitude to the following:

Planning Team: Rita Bailey, Diane Currano, Richard Peterson,

Mary Beth Roth, David Rouleau

Photographer: Richard Cahan

Ads: Rev. Ann Rosewall, Joan Sherman

Program Welcome

Paul Traynor, Master of Ceremonies

Blessing and Dinner

Pastor Timothy Brown, Trinity Lutheran Church

Interfaith Action: Helping Those in Need

Birch Burghardt, President

Susan Murphy, Executive Director

Paul Traynor

Vision Keepers Ceremony

Reverend Ann Rosewall, First Congregational Church

Benediction

Reverend Michael Nabors, Second Baptist Church

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Thanks to Our Sponsors

A big Thank You to Sue Murphy for

20 years of faithful service to

Interfaith Action of Evanston. You are

an inspiration to us all!

2018 Vision Keepers

Then the Lord answered me and said:

“Write the vision; make it plain on tablets,

so that a runner may read it.

For there is still a vision for the appointed time;

It speaks of the end and does not lie.

If it seems to tarry, wait for it;

It will surely come; it will not delay.

Look at the proud! Their spirit is not right in them,

But the righteous live by their faith.”

Habakkuk 2:2-4

A Vision Keeper embodies values that positively impact both the faith

community and the larger community. We honor them tonight because

they truly grace every life they touch and encourage all of us to affirm

our own vision.

The 2018 Vision Keepers are listed in this booklet in alphabetical

order by the faith community that nominated them.

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Alice Millar Chapel of Northwestern University

Alice Millar Soup Kitchen Team Alice Millar Chapel is proud to name Sara Bowers, Evan and Beth

Bowers, Marge Bradford, Bill and Carolyn Gifford, Joan Hickman, Mary

and Ken Kling, Omer Reese, Audrey Reynolds, Mary Beth Roth, and

Jane Wickenkamp as its 2018 Vision Keepers.

For nearly ten years, these members of Alice Millar Chapel have cooked

dinners at Hilda’s Place shelter six times a year. From pot roast to

baked tilapia, and sides like deviled eggs, fruit salad and green beans

almondine, everything is made from scratch using fresh, healthy

ingredients.

When not in the kitchen, you can find team members individually

volunteering all over the area, acting on a shared vision of bettering

our community. Currently they help ill, homebound and elderly people,

as well as volunteer for organizations that focus on immigrants, poor

people, vulnerable children, senior citizens, law enforcement, the arts,

public radio, religion, libraries, affordable housing, peace and justice,

education, and literacy. They serve by caretaking, baking, driving,

ushering, donating, providing snacks, distributing produce, serving as

executors, making wellness checks, delivering library books, making

sociable home visits, aiding in classrooms, delivering homemade food,

and hosting international visitors. Some also volunteer their special

musical, accounting, organizational and finance skills; others serve as

members and leaders of boards, foundations and city commissions.

Alice Millar Chapel is pleased to honor these remarkable individuals.

Thanks to Our Sponsors

Congratulations to the 2018 Vision Keepers

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4. SOUP KITCHENS

Interfaith Action is part of a network of soup kitchens that provides

meals 365 days a year. Over one hundred teams of religious groups,

service clubs, businesses, students, and families commit to

dates throughout the year. Interfaith Action directly sponsors four of

the soup kitchens and always welcomes new teams.

Second Baptist Church

Richard Davies, coordinator

1717 Benson, Mondays at noon

First United Methodist Church

Ethlyn Bond, coordinator

516 Church, Thursdays at 6:00 P.M.

St. Paul Lutheran Church

Paula Ketcham, coordinator

1004 Greenwood, Sundays at 3:00 P.M.

First Congregational Church House

Mary Beth Roth, coordinator

1417 Hinman, Fridays at noon

5. PRODUCEMOBILE

The Greater Chicago Food Depository's Producemobile, in partnership

with Interfaith Action and The City of Evanston, distributes free produce

at Robert Crown Center, 1701 Main Street. Disbursements occur on

the second Tuesday of each month, from 9:30-11:30 A.M. Anyone in

need is welcome to come and receive an assortment of free fruits and

vegetables.

A large number of volunteers is necessary each month to unload the

truck, bag the produce, and distribute it. See the “Producemobile” link

on our Website to become part of this program.

Chicago Ethical Humanist Circle

Marne Glaser

Marne Glaser has been an Ethical Humanist for the better part of two

decades. She was for several years the chair or co-chair of the Ethical

Action group at EHSC, instituting service projects in which community

members could participate together, including providing Starlight

Suppers for the Night Ministry, supporting the Rice Holiday Store and

Rice teachers, volunteering at public TV drives, and participating in

demonstrations for just causes. Marne was also a humanist celebrant

for several years. She continues to work with the Circle's Ethical Action

efforts, with special focus on support for the New Foundation for Hope

on Chicago's south side. In addition, she has given several

presentations and concerts at EHSC, and co-ran a monthly

documentary film series for five years.

Marne started and has run a Rice Holiday Store for the children in

residence at Rice Child and Family Center for thirteen years, with the

support of two Humanist organizations, St. Nicholas Religious

Education Dept., and this year for the first time members of other IAE

faith communities. Through donations of new and like-new items, the

children at Rice have been able to shop (free) at the one-day store for

gifts to give loved ones for the holidays.

Although Marne is originally from New York, she worked as a school

psychologist in Evanston and Wilmette for 22 years. Prior to that, she

was a school psychologist in Ohio and a Montessori teacher in Atlanta.

This well-rounded woman enjoys music, writing, and the arts in general.

She sings and performs jazz concerts several times a year. She loves

entertaining, both at home by cooking and baking, and on stage.

5

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Evanston Bahá'í Community

Joseph Kopke

Joe left his career as a B-52 pilot in the US Air Force to pursue graduate

studies in physical therapy and biomedical engineering at

Northwestern University just because he wanted to help people more

directly. His commitment to service extends beyond his education and

career and truly pervades all aspects of his life. Like millions around

the world, Joe is trying to bring Baha’u’llah’s vision of the oneness of

humanity and ultimately the individual and collective transformation of

the world to reality. He is currently involved in many community building

activities including: hosting interfaith devotional programs in his home;

visiting with friends and neighbors to have meaningful elevated

conversation; participating in study circles to increase his capacity to

serve others and the community; and educating children and aiding

them in developing virtues.

In addition, Joseph consistently connects with, encourages, and

accompanies others in the community to find and walk their path of

service. Joe serves as part of two local Baha’i institutions that offer

guidance and support to the community in different ways. We truly

appreciate Joe’s commitment to bettering himself and serving his

community. We hope that his actions will continue to have a positive

impact on Evanston.

Proceeds from the Vision Keepers Dinner support these five Interfaith

Action of Evanston (IAE) Programs

1. HOSPITALITY CENTER FOR THE HOMELESS

Open Monday through Friday, 7:00-11:00 A.M., every week of the

year, the Hospitality Center provides a warm, friendly environment for

guests from Hilda’s Place and Entry Point, which are programs run by

Connections for the Homeless. The center operates from rooms

graciously provided by St. Mark’s Episcopal Church. At the Center,

guests may eat breakfast, consult a job coordinator, receive computer

training, and make phone calls regarding jobs or housing.

The Hospitality Center always welcomes contributions for the personal

hygiene of its guests. Please consider donating items such as lip balm,

double-blade razors, toothbrushes, small tubes of toothpaste, and

hand sanitizer. Call Sue Murphy at 847-869-0370 between 7:00 and

11:00 A.M. on weekdays to make a contribution or to volunteer.

2. WINTER WARMING CENTERS

From early November through the end of March, IAE sponsors centers

that provide a warm, safe place for guests to enjoy conversation,

reading, light snacks, or a restful nap. The faith communities that host

this program are:

St. Paul’s Lutheran Church

First Presbyterian Church

Bethany Baptist Church of Christ

St. Mary Catholic Church

First Congregational Church

Sojourner Covenant Church

3. OVERNIGHT SHELTER

During extremely cold weather (below 15º), Interfaith Action provides

an overnight shelter at six Evanston faith communities. Guests arrive

at 9 pm and stay until 6:45 am. They enjoy hot drinks and a warm,

safe place to sleep. The host sites are at First Presbyterian, First United

Methodist, First Congregational, Unitarian of Evanston, Beth Emet and

St. Paul’s Lutheran. Many other faith communities supply volunteers.

6 35

IAE Faith Community Members

Alice Millar Chapel, Northwestern University

Beth Emet The Free Synagogue

Bethany Baptist Church of Christ

Chicago Zen Center

Ebenezer A.M.E. Church

Emmanuel United Methodist Church

Ethical Humanist Society of Chicago

Evanston Bahá'í Community

Evanston Friends Meeting




Fisher Memorial A.M.E. Zion Church

Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary

Grace Lutheran Church

Hemenway United Methodist Church

Immanuel Lutheran Church

Jewish Reconstructionist Congregation

Lake Street Church

Northminster Presbyterian Church

Reba Place Fellowship

Salvation Army


Second Church of Christ, Scientist

Sheil Catholic Center

Sherman United Methodist Church

Sojourner Covenant Church

St. Athanasius Catholic Church

St. John’s Evangelical Lutheran Church

St. John’s United Church of Christ

St. Luke Episcopal Church

St. Mark’s Episcopal Church


St. Matthew’s Episcopal Church

St. Nicholas Catholic Church


St. Timothy’s Lutheran Church, Skokie

Trinity Lutheran Church

Unitarian Church of Evanston

Unity on the North Shore

University Lutheran Church

Evanston Friends Meeting

David Shiner

Evanston Friends Meeting is very pleased to nominate David Shiner as

its Vision Keeper for 2018. David has served the Religious Society of

Friends in many capacities over the past 25 years. He has served as

clerk of his Friends Meeting; clerk of Illinois Yearly Meeting; and in

other positions of the Friends World Committee for Consultation, which

is the international association of Quakers that last met in Peru. He is

currently engaged in composing Faith and Practice, a book of spiritual

guidance of the Illinois Yearly Meeting-- its first in nearly a century.

Locally David has been a dedicated member of a group visiting and

supporting a young Rohingyan refugee family and is actively involved

with the Rohingyan Community Center. He has participated in the

religious education of children and has accompanied several spiritual

programs as an accomplished pianist and guitarist. David is also a

beloved teacher and experienced speaker.

David states that his service in the Quaker Community reflects his

gratitude for the many gifts he has received: "To whom much is given,

much will be required" (Luke 12:48). We appreciate David as a quiet

and unassuming person and a member of the Quaker faith community.

We are honored to have the opportunity of acknowledging the

dedicated service of David Shiner.

7 34


Laurie Brown

Laurie Brown is an activist, singer, Interfaith Action delegate and

faithful volunteer in the IAE Friday lunch and Thursday warming center

programs at First Congregational Church, UCC. Laurie served on the

church Mission Board and Benevolence Committee for many years,

and currently serves in the role of church clerk. Her unassuming

manner is misleading – she is a force of change and advocacy! In

addition to her participation with IAE, she is active with the Community

Renewal Society and its mission to enact systemic change in Illinois

through legislation and education.

In her professional life, Laurie was a bookseller and editor, and now

runs her own pet sitting service. Everything she does is geared toward

the care and encouragement of others. First Congregational Church is

blessed to have Laurie keeping the vision of mission and outreach in

front of us all.

Board of Directors

President - Birch Burghardt, St. Luke’s Episcopal Church

Vice President - Thomas Carney, Jr., St. Nicholas Church

Secretary –Anne Heinz, St. Mark’s Episcopal Church

Treasurer – Rita Bailey, Northminster Presbyterian Church

Simon B. Anolick, Beth Emet The Free Synogogue

Richard Cahan, Jewish Reconstructionist Congregation

Melia Pappas, St. Andrew Greek Orthodox Church

Richard Peterson, Trinity Lutheran Church

Joey Rodger – Evanston Friends Meeting

Rev. Ann Rosewall, First Congregational Church

David Rouleau, Evanston Bahá'í Community

Rev. Warren G. Smith, Fisher AME Zion Church

Heather Soto, First Church of Christ Congregational

Adrian Willoughby, Vineyard Christian Fellowship

8

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Unity on the North Shore

Karl Remien

Karl Remien, a Doctor of Chiropractic care, is one of Evanston’s “own.”

Born in Joliet, Illinois, in 1964, he grew up in Evanston and except for

attending Palmer College of Chiropractic in Davenport, Iowa, he has

lived in Evanston ever since.

In his twenties, Karl knew nothing about Chiropractic, and was both

healthy and active. But he learned that Chiropractic can improve health

whether or not someone experiences symptoms of disease, and that it

does not depend on pills or surgery. This therapeutic approach

resonated with him, and he chose to follow it all the years of his work.

His practice, he explains, “focuses on improving the expression of

human potential.” And he adds: “We are healthy or not due to the

choices we make. We are healthy from the inside out.”

Karl’s oldest client was 95, his youngest, only hours old.

Karl and his wife Lori (who teaches in Evanston) began attending Unity

on the North Shore in 1995. They have a 23-year-old daughter, Eve. At

Unity, Karl has been part of the building and grounds team, the choir,

and the sound system team. Yet his contributions far exceed these

important volunteer activities. He is known for his welcoming,

supportive, and humble presence. His sound (and sound system!)

advice presents Unity’s guest speakers and singers at their best. You

can often see Karl, even in rain or snow, changing the outdoor Unity

sign.

Karl is a devoted, selfless and deeply generous spirit, whose quiet,

healing presence and desire to empower others is a blessing in our

Center, our lives, and our community.


Terri Jo Englund

Terri Jo Englund has a passion for welcoming families into First

Presbyterian Church, and so we honor her as our Vision Keeper.

Terri Jo became involved with Children’s Ministry by leading music at

Vacation Bible School, and from this she dove into serving children,

youth, and families in countless ways. Her love for her own family, and

her heart for seeing her two sons included in the body of Christ have

driven her to create opportunities for many children at First Pres. Terri

Jo began an after-school ministry where children learned Bible stories

and songs weekly and then focused those lessons into a musical that

blessed our church. She has shared her dance and musical talents

with children, most recently as our Christmas Pageant director, and she

has mentored youth on a mission trip and as student leaders.

Another of Terri’s visions was to see all generations connect over a

meal, so she began our Wednesday night dinners. And with our First

Friends ministry to refugees, Terri Jo extends the love of Christ to

families in our community.

Terri Jo passionately inspires others to serve alongside her, and she

loves God and God’s people with all her heart, soul, mind, and strength.

9 32


John Kerastas

The First United Methodist Church of Evanston is pleased to nominate

John Kerastas as its Vision Keeper this year. He is our Renaissance

man, and we are fortunate to count him among us.

John has a long history of involvement at FUMC—from leading Sunday

school, where he highlighted Biblical references in rock and roll, to

participating in numerous committees and in book group discussions.

In the community, you will find him volunteering for Interfaith Action’s

Producemobile and assisting Apna Ghar, an organization that provides

services and advocacy for immigrant communities, and works to end

gender violence.

John is best known for his work as a leader and trainer for Early

Response Teams, which support efforts by the United Methodist

Committee on Relief, and as a regular participant in FUMC’s adult

mission trips. These activities have taken him to New Orleans after

Katrina, to Brooklyn and Staten Island after Sandy, and to Detroit and

Appalachia for ongoing rebuilding efforts. His trainees continued his

commitment in Houston after Harvey. In these many places, John not

only wields a power drill and paintbrush, he also understands the

importance of a compassionate ear for the people we serve, as well as

a sense of humor to lighten the load. “One of my vivid memories of

John,” remarks one of his fellow travelers, “was in Appalachia when he

found himself in the middle of feuding family members. John deftly

requested a tour of an outer barn far out on the grounds, effectively

removing one of the feuding members and diffusing a potentially

explosive situation.”

Unitarian Church of Evanston

Jane Bannor

Jane Bannor has been a member of the Unitarian Church of Evanston

for 40 years. In that time she has served as a role model by organizing

activities that promote our Unitarian Universalist second principal: the

promotion of justice, equity and compassion in human relations.

Jane has led or participated in countless church activities that oppose

war, and promote peace and justice. She especially values activities

where congregations learn from each other. Many of the task forces,

workshops, and conferences Jane has helped organize have involved

other churches across our denomination. Jane was instrumental in

bringing about our church’s recognition as a Unitarian Universalist

Peace Advocacy Congregation. On April 21st she will co-chair a

conference on income equality at our church.

As a church and denominational activist for so long, Jane has put into

practice her belief that “Our religion only makes sense when we put it

into action.”

10 31

Trinity Lutheran Church

Kriss Geyer

Trinity's Vision Keeper for 2018 is Kriss Geyer, a man whose face is

familiar to almost anyone attending services at Trinity. Kriss is being

honored for a variety of efforts on his part, the primary one being his

work with Trinity's young people. He has been actively engaged with Hi-

League, participating in trips to Detroit and Colorado and has plans to

travel with the youth to Houston this summer. In preparation for those

trips, he has worked on fundraisers, such as the Black and White Affair,

to help raise money as well.

As an usher at the 11 AM service, Kriss has actively trained many of

the youth to usher and been a guiding hand for their active

participation in Trinity's worship services. He is also an active member

of the Sanctuary Choir, which performs at the 8:30 AM service.

Kriss served as a member of Council and on the Worship Committee

and is currently in his third year on the nominating committee. He has

been active in Trinity's efforts to fight hunger, personally providing the

purple bags we use to collect and donate food, and helping transport

food when needed.

Outside of Trinity, Chris works as an occasional volunteer at the Greater

Chicago Food Depository, repacking food for distribution. Kriss has also

worked as a volunteer for As Good as Gold, a golden retriever rescue

group, and is a regular blood donor.

Fisher Memorial A.M.E. Zion Church

Alan and Sharonne Green

Alan (Al) and Sharonne Green have been members of Fisher Memorial

AME Zion for a combined total of more than 40 years. Al graduated

from Hales Franciscan before continuing his studies at Western Illinois,

earning his B.S. in marketing. Sharonne is a product of Pine Bluff,

Arkansas, with a B.A. in social welfare from the University of Arkansas

at Pine Bluff. She relocated to Illinois where she continued her

education by obtaining an MBA in business management from National

Louis University.

Al and Sharonne married in 2001 They are a loving couple who work

hard in their community and church, supporting the NAACP, Evanston

Community Foundation, H. E. Lane Center program and other

organizations. They are also instrumental in coordinating their annual

block party in their neighborhood. At Fisher Memorial, Al is a Class

Leader and co-leader of the weekly Men’s Bible Study. He can wear the

toque of Master Chef at the annual Back to School picnic as

comfortably as being an usher. He does what’s needed. Sharonne

serves on the church’s Financial Strategy Committee and recently

spearheaded a successful Brick Campaign for the church. In addition,

she is a committed member of Delta Sigma Theta, Inc., currently

serving as the Financial Secretary of the Evanston-North Shore

Alumnae Chapter.

Al and Sharonne enjoy travelling, socializing and working. Al has

worked 19 years for Chicagoland Community Management, and

Sharonne has worked more than 30 years at BMO Harris Bank. Al and

Sharonne have four children: Quentin, D’Aria, Ricky and Alana. They

also have three grandchildren; La’Nigha, Donye and Antwan (AJ).

11 30

Garrett Evangelical Theological Seminary

Maria Alejandra Salazar

Maria Alejandra is a second-year Master of Divinity student at Garrett-

Evangelical Theological Seminary. A formerly undocumented

immigrant from Lima, Peru, she was raised in Skokie, IL and is a proud

Niles North alumna. Maria Alejandra earned a Bachelor’s degree in

Social Policy and Education and a minor in Latina/o Studies from

Northwestern University.

Professionally, Maria Alejandra’s background is in community

organizing and advocacy around immigrant and refugee rights in

Chicagoland. She serves as a board member of the Latinx Alumni of

Northwestern University (LANU) and the Education Foundation

(supporting the Students of Niles Township). She is also a member of

Lambda Theta Alpha Latin Sorority, Incorporated. At Garrett-

Evangelical, she serves as Co-Chair of the Student Council and student

representative for the Hispanic-Latinx Center.

Maria Alejandra is a Heerey Scholar currently working as a chaplain

intern at NorthShore Evanston hospital. She is passionate about

exploring theologies that recognize the fullness of ourselves, and

center our lived experiences as sites of liberation and transformative

healing.


Jen Buehn, Mark Pinguey, Melissa Foster

Melissa Foster, Mark Pinguey, and Jennifer Buehn have a shared vision

that our human physical and spiritual existence is inextricably bound

with nature. We at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church can serve our Creator

and nurture our own right relationship with Creation by using the land

with which we have been blessed and entrusted to grow healthy food.

We can contribute our “square” of land to a patchwork quilt of restored

habitats essential to the survival of our pollinators-– birds, butterflies,

and bees.

Melissa, Mark, and Jen inspired and led the St. Paul’s Green Team to

install two native gardens and several raised bed vegetable gardens

on St. Paul’s property. Wielding saws, pickaxes, and shovels, they

removed a thicket of intractable yews and created healthy beds for

native gardens; hauled in hundreds of cubic yards of dirt; planted and

transplanted hundreds of native plants; built raised bed vegetable

gardens; installed hoop houses; and harvested vegetables for the

community.

Melissa, Mark, and Jen’s vision and leadership have led St. Paul’s to

be a part of our larger Evanston community’s efforts to stitch back

together some of the frayed and torn fragments of the Creation that

sustains all of us, body and soul.

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St. Nicholas Catholic Church

Christine Benn

When Christine Benn moved to Evanston to help her family in 1989,

she immediately joined St. Nicholas Parish and continued a lifetime of

service that had begun years earlier as a Sister of the Blessed Virgin

Mary. She had become a lay-woman, but continued to think of herself

as someone who “spreads the flame of the Holy Spirit.” In fact, when

an elderly aunt made a “cheerleader” stuffed doll for her (pictured

here), Christine hung a sign on the doll that reads, “Cheerleader for the

Holy Spirit.”

Christine is motivated by a deep desire to serve those who are

marginalized. Many St. Nicholas parishioners know Christine from her

work with the St. Vincent De Paul Society or through the church’s

Women’s Club. Some members of Grace Lutheran Church may

remember her from a bible study collaboration with St. Nick’s. Her

interfaith outreach also included painting Hilda’s Place together with

members of Beth Emet Synagogue.

Many in South Evanston know Christine from her community organizing

for a safer neighborhood, her work on an Ecumenical Peace Garden,

and for the fresh-vegetables she grows and donates annually to Edible

Evanston.

Christine says she lives to help God “mend what’s wrong and celebrate

what’s right.” She writes poetry, loves to sing, to laugh and make others

laugh. What keeps her rooted and grounded in love, Christine says, are

words from her favorite Psalm: “Scrutinize me, O God, as Thou wilt, and

read my heart; put me to the test and examine my restless thoughts.”

Grace Lutheran Church

Rina Campbell and Nancy Schubert

A brave and bold life is possible when there’s a strong foundation for

support. Nancy and Rina represent that kind of life as ministry partners

at Grace Lutheran Church. They inspire us all.

Nancy is a quietly powerful member who advises leaders, encourages

volunteers, and pays attention to the pulse of the community. She

serves faithfully on altar care; ensures that our Saturday adult

education classes are organized and hospitable; and makes coffee for

Grace Lutheran’s 9:00 am Sunday services. Nancy has also served on

Council over the years, chaired our pastoral search team, aided in

important communications work, and teamed up with other volunteers

that made the recent “Bridges to Home” fundraising events so

successful.

Nancy’s contributions to Grace’s stability and health provide a

foundation for activist-disciples like Rina, who is involved in important

community issues. Rina is a longtime advocate of Grace’s justice

ministries. She has facilitated a film discussion on male gender

stereotypes and attends Evanston Council meetings addressing

racism, affordable housing, and police accountability. Rina also

shepherded members of Grace to the Women’s March, and has stood

in the rain at press conferences demanding more accountability for

African-American students in Evanston. She is a team leader in the

interfaith, Evanston 4All initiative that supports and acts on behalf of

targeted populations in response to the national climate of fear,

sexism, and racism.

13 28

Emma Jane Cole

Enrolled in the Cradle Roll Department of Spruce Street Methodist

Church, in Morgantown WV at three months of age, Emma Jane has

been a devoted, lifelong, worshiping member of the Methodist Church.

Upon moving to Lafayette, Indiana, she and her husband, Edmond,

joined First Methodist Church and were very active. After five years,

they moved to Detroit, joining the First Methodist Church in Lincoln

Park, where she was Sunday school teacher, member of the Board of

Trustees and UMW. Upon Edmond’s completion of two years of

specialization in the medical field of coagulation, they moved to

Evanston, where he served for 34 years at Rush-Presbyterian-St.

Luke’s medical center.

The Coles were very active at Covenant Methodist Church in Evanston,

but when it closed, they moved to Hemenway. Once again, Emma Jane

distinguished herself, working at Soup-at-Six, greeting, passing Sunday

programs, welcoming (with a candy bowl), replenishing Hospitality Hour

supplies, baking cakes, and helping out in the kitchen at all church

functions.

Emma Jane has three daughters, six grandchildren, and one great-

grandchild, who are all involved in keeping her busy preparing their

favorite foods and “just lovin’ them.”

St. Matthew’s Episcopal Church

Kati Olsen and Dorothy Wyandt

Kati Olsen has been serving the people of St. Matthew’s and the

community of Evanston for over 31 years. Shortly after she began

attending St. Matthew’s as her neighborhood church, she noticed her

name was listed in the bulletin as soprano in the choir. Friends from

the Symphony Chorus had wanted her to find her spiritual home at St.

Matthew’s so they relied on the power of the press to do it! She finds

great joy in the church service’s music. Kati has also served on the

church’s governor board, volunteered in the nursery, and been a part

of the Altar Guild. She has participated in Faith in Action, volunteered

at ESCCA, tutored 5th grade math at Kingsley School, and took part in

St. Matthew’s first makeover of the room at Mary Lou’s Place. She

currently organizes St. Matthew’s Christmas Child program and is a

weekly volunteer at our Wednesday lunch program.

Dorothy Wyandt delights in the fact that Evanston is a lighthouse town,

willing to address the issues of the day within the context of the diverse

voices of this community. Dorothy has been a member and leader at

St. Matthew’s for over 60 years. She has served on the vestry five

times. Additionally, she is a home communion minister, chalice bearer,

and shows her passion for hospitality ministry by organizing community

dinners and funeral receptions. She is a part of the Wednesday lunch

program and regularly attends the St. Matthew’s movie group.

Fellowship is important to Dorothy. She believes that in the current

climate, it is important for us to reflect upon how we look at and relate

to each other. We must attend to relationships in the hope of achieving

understanding and reconciliation.

Hemenway United Methodist Church

27 14


Jane and Don Colleton

Jane and Don Colleton have been active parishioners at St. Mary for

40 years. During that time they have distinguished themselves in the

many ways they serve the parish and the Evanston community. Jane is

well-known for her long tenure as a member of the ETHS school board

and for her involvement with the Women’s Center. She is a retired

Montessori teacher and has always been concerned about educational

issues. At the church, she coordinates the lectors and is a member of

the Faith Awareness ministry.

Don is a composer whose liturgical music has given special meaning

to Advent and Lenten services. For many years he has enriched

Saturday morning Masses with voice and piano music. In addition, Don

is active in the Knights of Columbus, whose charitable works are

legendary. He is a practicing attorney.

The Colletons have been tireless in their work for Aid for Women. For

more than 20 years they have written their newsletter. However, the

people of St. Mary’s know Jane and Don best as the Respect Life

coordinators. They convey the Church teachings through weekly

bulletin articles and fundraisers that support community organizations

such as the Women’s Center. They constantly speak out with words

and actions on behalf of unborn children, people with disabilities,

condemned prisoners, the marginalized members of society, elderly

citizens, and those with infirmities.

The Colletons have four children and nine grandchildren, three of

whom actually live within a stone’s throw of their grandparents’ home.

Immanuel Lutheran Church

Eliza McDaniel and Nicolai Schousboe

Eliza McDaniel’s natural curiosity and devotion to helping others has

opened many doors for her. She embodies Immanuel’s commitment to

welcome all by frequently interpreting the lessons and liturgy in American

Sign Language. Next year, she will continue her studies in American Sign

Language and Interpreting at college.

Eliza served as a voting member of Immanuel’s church council, during

which she championed the conservation of the stained glass windows in

the sanctuary. Her artistic eye was crucial in the selection of Immanuel’s

new logo, and her photographs appear on the website.

In 2016, Eliza traveled with the youth group to Washington DC for a

weeklong intensive on homelessness and its causes. There she attended

workshops, distributed care packages in parks, served at a soup kitchen,

sorted furniture, and stocked a food pantry. Here in Evanston she

volunteers at Café Immanuel and Immanuel’s Indoor Farmers’ Market,

which supports hunger initiatives.

Nicolai Schousboe has been a member of Immanuel Lutheran Church for

over 15 years. During that time he has served two terms on the church

council. He has also been a member of the social ministry committee for

several years and currently serves as its chairman. He is a delegate to

Interfaith Action in Evanston, and the Bridges to Home project.

As a Danish immigrant, Nicolai is president of the Danish National

Committee, volunteers his time at the Danish Home in Chicago, and serves

on the North Park University Scandinavian Advisory Committee. As a long-

time resident of Evanston he was a founding board member of Citizens for

a Greener Evanston. He and his wife, Barbara, have four adult children

living in Evanston, New York, California and Australia.

15 26

Jewish Reconstructionist Congregation

Tikkun Olam Leaders of JRC

The Jewish Reconstructionist Congregation is a vibrant, warm, and

welcoming community, known for its joyful spirituality, intellectual

curiosity, inclusivity, respect for diversity, and deep commitment to

social justice and sustainable coexistence between people and the

environment.

Congregational life is infused with our core values which include Tikkun

Olam (Repair of the World), a commitment to creating a just world and

supporting others in this mission; and Tzedakah (Righteousness),

sharing our resources to make the world more equitable.

Our Tikkun Olam Vice President, Laurie Goldstein, and our Task Force

Chairs, Becca Sperling and Maria Tolpin of Peace Dialogue; Nicki Bazer

and Juliet Berger-White of Gender Inclusion; Steve Fox, Rhoda Kamin,

Ann Kaplan-Perkins, Jackie Kaplan-Perkins, Michael Sehr, Lisa Pildes,

Linda Cosby, and Candice Green, who organize and run our soup

kitchens; Rebecca Rubin of the Green Team; Beth Lange of Immigrant

Justice and Julia Tauber of our LGBTQ Havurah (Fellowship), are the

driving forces behind this vital work at JRC

It is with gratitude, respect, and pride that JRC honors those who

sustain our core values. We face a myriad of issues in our community

and our world, with a multitude of opportunities to respond. These

leaders keep the flame of this work alive in our congregation.

St. Mark’s Episcopal Church

Rima Lockwood

St. Mark’s is delighted to nominate Rima Lockwood, a woman who

embodies values that positively impact the faith community and the

larger community, as our Vision Keeper for 2018.

Rima is a stalwart volunteer at the Wednesday Lunch program which

provides a mid-week meal to our hungry neighbors. This is a ministry

St. Mark’s offers in partnership with our friends at St. Matthew’s

Episcopal Church. Rima has volunteered at the lunch program nearly

every week since its launch now nearly four years ago.

Rima can also be found at the Producemobile most months, working

alongside volunteers from throughout the Evanston community. You

can usually find her near the lettuces or the breads!

Rima’s involvement at St. Mark’s is not limited to outreach. She also

has served faithfully on the leadership board of the church, a task

which this year included a great deal of extra dedication, because

we’ve been engaging the whole congregation in dreaming about our

future. She is also a dependable assistant for our children’s

programming-- especially our annual Christmas pageant.

For the past three summers, Rima has been responsible for renovating

and maintaining the garden that runs the length of the alley behind St.

Mark's. Our neighbors, who live in the housing on the opposite side of

the alley, greatly appreciate her work, which makes our church and our

shared neighborhood more welcoming.

16 25

St. Luke’s Episcopal Church

Myra Janus

With a head for planning and a loving heart, Myra was just the person St.

Luke’s needed. Like many others, St. Luke’s wanted to support some of

the thousands of people in 2016 seeking refuge. Lucky for us, Myra had

experience: she had worked in Ghana with the Peace Corps. As a member

of St. Luke’s, she helped to resettle a family from Sierra Leone by

connecting them to the services they needed.

Myra stresses that the refugee ministry involves many parishioners. When

World Relief asked St. Luke’s to sponsor a new family, from Sudan, the

first action of the group was a collection drive to assemble a Good

Neighbor kit to outfit the family’s apartment. Significantly, this coincided

with Lent, a time for works of mercy.

With a career in education and large grant management, Myra has robust

organizational skills. She can muster the little stuff like school supplies

and afterschool pick-‐ups to achieve the big goals like educating the

children. She and other team members visit the Sudanese family’s home

three times a week to help the children with homework and support the

mother’s ESL learning. Myra also meets with the Evanston Interfaith

Refugee Roundtable to capture others’ wisdom as a guide for future

resettlement workers.

Remember the family from Sierra Leone? When the Sudanese family

needed to finish the medical portion of their green card application at the

Touhy Clinic, they were helped by the grown daughter of the Sierra Leone

family. So grows the kingdom.

Because she answers the call to treat strangers with dignity and hospitality

and bends her talents toward serving vulnerable people who seek a new

home, St. Luke’s is proud to name Myra Janus as our 2018 Vision Keeper.

Lake Street Church

Jackie McKay

Jackie McKay found an immediate home at Lake Street Church (LSC)

on her first visit. She read its Covenant and found that members were

serious about LSC’s call that faith be a mix of contemplation and

action. She found a community with a strong ministry for hungry and

homeless people. The impetus to feed and house the “strangers and

travelers” among us developed into recognition of the growing

immigrant crisis. The Peace and Justice committee (P & J), which she

co-chairs with Arleen Prairie, revisited the idea of Lake Street becoming

a sanctuary church. LSC now hosts a family in asylum proceedings.

Jackie’s warm, encouraging and dedicated leadership motivates

others. She supported the expansion of the P & J committee’s activist

horizons to encompass the environmental threats of climate change;

the continual undeclared war; and the injustice of economic inequality

in America. Jackie’s contribution is finding ways to tap the expertise of

leader-members steeped in peace and justice issues and to help them

develop educational and activism opportunities that appeal to the

varied interests of the LSC community.

As American policy upended the traditional course of our Ministries,

the P&J committee keeps our faith community attuned to rapid

changes and positively counteracts the negative impact on our faith-

based values.

24 17

Northminster Presbyterian Church

Kelly Brest van Kempen,

Greg Boyer and Douglas Meekhof

Kelly Brest van Kempen is a mainstay of Northminster’s Mission

Committee. She oversees our Christmas Giving Tree project for

Evanston families, makes lunches for Interfaith Action, and leads the

reading-glasses and sock drives. Kelly supported Northminster’s

participation in Family Promise, which houses homeless families, from

its beginning and is now president of the board. A former Peace Corps

volunteer, Kelly speaks several languages. She uses this skill to

mentor a Syrian refugee family and to organize our Procession of

Languages on Pentecost each year. Kelly has also served several

terms as an elder of Northminster.

For 20 years, the creative energies of Greg Boyer and Douglas Meekhof

have enriched our church, deepening our worship experience and our

sense of connection with one another. Their art projects, including

beautiful paraments for our communion table and a 5-foot wreath,

handmade by Douglas from retired hymnals, brighten our worship

space. On the Fellowship Committee, Greg and Douglas organize and

host countless delicious gatherings. They have served as elders and

deacons, and spearheaded the effort to re-make the church kitchen.

Douglas has been a stalwart on the nominating committee. Greg helps

lead our Worship, Music and the Arts committee. He is also the Clerk

of Session and for years, has served as commissioner to the Assembly

of the local Presbytery and chairs its Board of Directors.

St. John’s Evangelical Lutheran Church

Chad Johnson

Chad and his son were the visionaries and are the ongoing

coordinators of Brother Dano’s Sandwich Ministry, which supports The

Night Ministry in Chicago. Monthly, Brother Dano’s has prepared hearty

bag meals (more than 20,000 to date!) and engages the congregation

and many community groups in its work, broadening compassion and

responding to faith with active love. It is a defining ministry for St.

John’s.

Chad was a founding board member of Family Promise Chicago North

Shore, and helped lead St. John’s in becoming one of the first hosting

congregations.

Chad’s first role at St John's was as a Sunday School teacher. He later

was elected to the Church Council and now serves as its president. He

and his daughter organized sales of Fair Trade goods at the church,

and, with his wife, created UpCycle ReCycle events to benefit many

ministries. He is also an assisting minister, usher, and communion

minister.

Chad is the president of Wildcat Aquatics, an age group swim team

based at Northwestern University. For the fifth year in a row the team

is ranked by USA Swimming as one of the top 50 teams in the nation.

Congratulations and many thanks, Chad!

18 23

St. Athanasius Catholic Church

Peter Gamber

Being able to help someone in need is what Peter Gamber finds

rewarding. He’s been doing just that in varied ways for many years. St.

Athanasius Catholic Church is proud to name Peter as its 2018 Vision

Keeper.

Some of those who benefit from Peter’s services are people assisted

by the parish St. Vincent DePaul Society. Peter and other members

work in two-person teams, visiting people who seek help—for

everything from buying needed groceries to paying heating and electric

bills and covering emergency needs.

Over the past 14 years Peter has been an active volunteer at the

Presbyterian Home. At first he helped people in wheelchairs. Now he’s

that cheerful fellow delivering mail, along with conversation, to patients

in the campus health care centers. Susan Yax, the organization’s

director of volunteer services, praises Peter’s “wonderful sense of

humor.”

Peter has also helped raise funds for Evanston young people as a

member and past president of the Kiwanis Club of Evanston, which

supports the YMCA, Curt’s Café, sports and other programs for local

boys and girls.

Peter got his start caring at home. He and his wife, Anne, are the

parents of eight children and have 23 grandchildren. This Vision

Keeper, who retired in 1999 after a long career, primarily with Allstate

Insurance Company, is an Evanston native who has spent nearly all of

his life in the city.


Dorothy Headd

Dorothy Headd has lived in Evanston since May 1975. She has been

a member of Second Baptist Church of Evanston for over 40 years,

joining soon after moving to Evanston.

Dorothy worked at Northwestern University for 30 years, retiring in

2011. After her husband Samuel passed in 2015, she decided to go

back to work part- time. She was hired by the City of Evanston for

Crossing Guard duty in 2016. Dorothy enjoys interacting with the kids

and their parents and even some of the people in the neighborhood.

She makes a point of speaking to the kids in the morning and evening.

She knows most of them by name.

At Second Baptist, Dorothy serves on the Ladies Auxiliary and the

Deaconess Board. She is the Adult Sunday School Superintendent and

works in the soup kitchen once a week, as well as being active in

several other committees within the church. She is also an active

member of the 5th Ward and a member of the Citizens Greener

Evanston Environmental Justice committee.

Dorothy likes reading, walking, gardening and traveling by car. She

likes helping others in whatever way she can, a trait she inherited from

her mother, and she has always pulled for the underdog. Dorothy has

one son, Michael, and one granddaughter, Jasmine. She LOVES GOD,

her biological family and her church family.

19 22

Sheil Catholic Center of Northwestern University

Aireale Joi Rodgers

Aireale Joi Rodgers is a master’s student in the learning sciences

program at Northwestern. She also completed her undergraduate

studies at NU in Education and Social Policy. Aireale has worked in the

field of education supporting non-dominate students; her focus was on

the development of inclusive and expansive classroom learning

environments and equity-oriented faculty professional development

programming at white-serving institutions of higher education.

At the Sheil Catholic Center, Aireale has been secretary of the

leadership council and a sponsor in our RCIA program. She is organizer

for the Purple Pantry, which distributes groceries to students who

experience hunger due to financial constraints; a participant in Just

Faith, a yearlong peace and justice service learning program; a

member of N.U’s M.L. King, Jr. Commemoration Committee; and

organizer and facilitator of the Black History Program Being My Siblings

Keeper, A Dialogue on Race, Policing and the Christian Call to Action.

Aireale has been a valued member of our community whose leadership

has been inspiring and whose service to others has been passionate

and engaging. As a leader and example of Catholic faith and service,

Aireale has been integral in helping our associates and students

envision ways that Sheil Center can continue to improve. Her passion

for peace and justice and her ability to lead others is outstanding.

Aireale was raised by her mother, grandmother, and great aunt on

Chicago’s south side. She considers her greatest strength to be her

faith in God. We are blessed to have her in our community; she is a

person of integrity and a model of Christ’s Love in the world.

Sherman United Methodist Church

Donna Long and Blanche Smith

Donna Long lives by the mantra, "to whom much is given, much is

required." She has a passion for helping others and always seeks out

opportunities to serve Sherman and her community. Before working at

the Moran Center, she volunteered her time and talents to Oakton

Elementary School where she assisted the teachers in the classroom

and helped with Blessings in a Backpack, which provides food on the

weekends for children. Donna, her husband Marty, and daughters

Anna and Kayla have been members of Sherman for eight years.

Donna has held a variety of jobs at Sherman. As a vital part of our

Outreach Ministry, she prepares lunches for Connections for the

Homeless, serves at our soup kitchens, and supports the homeless

shelter for women and children.

Blanche Smith has been a lifelong member of Sherman, which was

organized in the home of her grandmother, Mrs. Lula B. Sherman,

where the roots of our congregation began. Blanche’s service to

Sherman has taken many forms and she sets an example of personally

reaching out to those in need. As an integral part in the life of our

church, Blanche gives support to our sick and shut-in members, to our

seminarians, and to our numerous community service and outreach

ministries. Blanche also started and presided over our current United

Methodist Women unit, whose purpose is to turn faith, love and hope

into action for women, children and youth around the world

Blanche taught for 50 years in Chicago schools and her love and

concern for children shines through. She continues to be active in the

Fisk University Choir concert committee, which donates part of the

funds raised to the university.

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evanston il 60204 executive director susan murphy ......rice teachers, volunteering at public tv...

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