These are some ways that we make connections, serve and engage with the community outside our sanctuary walls.
riverside refugee resettlement project
Over the past couple years, we've been working together with our neighbors at Riverside Presbyterian Church and partnering with RefugeeOne to host and resettle refugees in the Chicago area.
RefugeeOne creates opportunity for refugees fleeing war, terror, and persecution to build new lives of safety, dignity, and self-reliance. Teaching English, computer skills, finding jobs, securing living quarters, providing wellness services and strengthening families are just some of the areas that RefugeeOne works in to make transition to life in the U.S. smooth and successful.
beds plus
BEDS Plus Care provides emergency overnight shelter and support services including case management for homeless persons in west suburban Cook County communities. Several times a year, a group gathers in the Ascension kitchen to prepare a meal to be served at a local overnight shelter for the homeless organized by Beds Plus.
dress a girl around the world
Ascension participates in sewing workshops for "Dress a Girl Around The World", a program sponsored by Hope 4 Women International. Members of this ministry learn to recycle old shirts into beautiful, simple but sturdy dresses for needy girls in over 80 different countries. For many, these dresses are the only new clothing they will ever own. Having appropriate clothing means a girl is able to go to school, help her family outside the home, and be part of her local community with dignity.
appalachia service project
In addition to the summer service trip of adult leaders and youth going to Appalachia, we organize events to raiser funds and awareness for the Appalachia Service Project. These events are various dinners, silent auctions, or similar events where we can share information about ASP.
Jodi Swanson at Selian Hospital, Tanzania. Photo courtesy of ELCA missionaries, Living Lutheran March 2017 issue.
elca global mission - dr. stephen and jodi swanson
Through the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America's Global Mission, Ascension sponsors two missionaries, Dr. Stephen and Jodi Swanson, helping to support their ministry in Tanzania. Stephen is medical director of the neonatal intensive care unit at Arusha Lutheran Medical Center and Jodi, whose background is in pediatric nursing and community health, works with programs for malnourished children at Serlian Hospital and the medical center. You can find a recent article on their work in the March 2017 issue of Living Lutheran. Here is a recent video documenting their hospital ministry. If you'd like to support Arusha Lutheran Medical Center directly, click here.
meals do matter
Meals Do Matter is a ministry that many churches around the country engage in and was highlighted in the September 2017 edition of Living Lutheran. It involves making frozen meals that are available to be taken to anyone in need—the ultimate definition of comfort food. Visit the website to learn more.