Commutes

Here is Chicago the YAV/Dwellers are having interesting commutes to say the least. Here is a window into Steph's commute.

City Girl?

“Uh, you aren’t a country girl….you are from Chicago, Krista!” my husband exclaimed as we were driving through Ohio to a friend’s wedding this summer as I was talking about the rural country side as if it was a long lost relative.  Watching me drive, asking me about my commute, or looking at my calendar it may be clear that I am a city girl to my city husband or to others.  However, a part of recognizing the city girl is also recognizing where I come from and who I am, a white eldest girl from an overgrown Christmas tree farm.
I was reminded of this conversation and this fact recently when I asked three friends to come talk to a group of students about living cross culturally.  They spoke of  the balance between letting a new culture shape who you are becoming but also knowing who you are.  My experience is the more I recognize who I am and what is shaping me the more I am able to embrace about other cultures. 
My prayer is that those serving in the Dwell and YAV programs find this balance while living in communities across this country and the world this year.
-Krista

Local Board Meeting this Wednesday

There aren't many meetings that many folks look forward to. But the Chicago Board of Directors is a meeting of creative minds and willing hands.
For many years, Brenda Matthews has given heart and soul to our board. Words can't express our gratitude but we can say Thank you. Thank you Brenda for your years of service to this community and to guiding and inspiring us.

Dwell in Chicago

In the last week or so, I have gotten to experience Chicago anew. When seeing the city through 6 new-to-Chicago pairs of eyes it is a great joy to relearn my city. This week as Katie, Stephanie, Mara, Tad, Nathaniel, and Brian started their placements and settle into a routine of their life here in Chicago, my prayer is that they continue to see and engage Chicago in new ways.

The Journey ends, begins, ends, begins

It seems only yesterday we were posting information about our Radical Journey participants coming to Chicago for their re-entry and transition reflection retreat.  This week we're orienting a new group of participants. These 18 young adults will embark upon journeys to three international locations. We begin in Chicago as a lab for exploration, development, team building and plenty of self discovery.
Today Krista had the participants take Psalms 23 on the EL. They were instructed to to get to three very different locations throughout the city to read, listen and reflect on the Psalm in the various surroundings. It was a fantastic day.
Having these special times with the Radical Journey participants intermixed with the schedule of our summer Discover weeks brings a long view to the mission before us. The city allows such a brief stay as a weekend or a day to transform a life. The city can be the laboratory for a 3 week training that will shape a year or a life of experience ahead. The city can be the dwelling of many a traveler for a year or more as young adults come for a year in service, or as a college student for their 4 years or as a new family to put down their roots here, or for the many Chicagoans that make this city their home place.
God thank you for your presence here in Chicago and it's many entry points, lessons, trains, and sounds of your love.

Radical Journey Re-Entry

DOOR Chicago closely partners with Radical Journey. It is program for young adults to serve internationally supporting long term mission workers and bring that experience intentionally home to their home congregations. Chicago is possibly the perfect place to prepare in orientation to a year serving internationally and to transition back home once the assignment is complete.
We are thrilled to see the 2009-2010 teams back in Chicago again. We've been sharing, listening, worshiping all complete with both laughter and tears. 
We give thanks to the God of the entire world for the work done in each life and every life touched over the year.

Great Open House

I am a detail person primarily.  Yes, the big picture is all well and good but in the end, my to-do list gets filled with the details of the big picture.  That is why I am thankful for events like this past weekend's DOOR Chicago's Open House.  The board, Brian Sales, and I were able to combine the little details of each program, the history of our host church, and our community partnerships and show the big picture that is DOOR.  Many of the friends of DOOR Chicago know one or maybe two pieces of the program, but the Open House gave us the forum to share with 30 or so folks about all the pieces.  Thanks to all that came, and all who helped pull off the event!
- Krista

Three Weeks into Summer Already

Tonight we start our third week of hosting summer groups.  The staff have been together for four weeks now including training/ orientation week. We are getting a good feel of things and bonding well as a group. The staff have done and learned so much already. I am thrilled to watched their growth as leaders and individuals.
Tonight we are looking forward to the arrival of 3 great groups;  
Peace UCC, Duluth, MN
Aldersgate UMC, Augusta GA
Trinity Presbyterian Church, Charlotte NC
Three senior high youth groups from different small cities, states and denominations. One of the best thing about these weeks is watching how much we have in common as the body of Christ.
May each participant see the things they have in common with their brothers and sisters in each group but throughout the city of Chicago.

Welcome Summer

This week we're excited to be hosting our first summer group- Hoffnungsau Mennonite of Hutchinson KS. It's a great start to a season of serving Chicago and seeking God's face in others. Our staff is ready to learn the lessons God has for us.  

Open House- June 19- 4-6pm

Join us to learn more about DOOR Chicago and the incredible work that we do in the city. Please save the date for our Open House:
Saturday June 19,   4:00-6:00 p.m. 
at Chicago Community Mennonite / First Church of the Brethren, 
425 S. Central Park Blvd., Chicago.
There will be tours of our program space, stories of changed lives, and of course, delicious free treats! We hope that you can make it.

Travel in the City- Brian Sales

Those who lead our country say that construction is the back bone of this nation. Currently, we in the Chicago area have a firsthand look at lower part of the country’s thoracic vertebrae. On most major routes around the Chicago land area you will find men and women risking their lives working diligently to repave, repair, and improve our buildings, roads and bridges. With any large construction project comes time added to driving routes. I myself had to add an extra 20 minutes on top of my route to the DOOR Chicago office from my apartment (this use to take me just 22 minutes). If I had any advice to those who visit our city (DOOR Chicago have several hundred coming this summer) public transit wouldn’t be a bad idea. Most of the agencies that we go to are near a public transit stop which is very convenient. First Church of the Brethren itself is located near several public train and bus stops. . Public transit also gives you a more diverse lens at Chicago culture. Not taking public may have you spending more time in a vehicle than anywhere else. May God grant all of those who travel to our program this summer have their trip blessed by God and watched over by the Holy Spirit.

http://www.dot.state.il.us/road/chicago.htm

A psalm

Becky and I took some time to write a psalm last week in the middle of the city. The following is the one I wrote.

Oh God,

You are more beautiful than Preston Hall
a pillar taller than the old Sears Tower
more awesome than Pritzer Pavilion
and as fun and familiar as Crown Fountain

You can be witnessed in the streams of Humboldt Park
and in the streets of Austin
You are as colorful as the diverseness of Rogers Park
and as full of history as Bronzeville, Bridgeport, and Pullman

You are in the midst of this city, my city. I see you here.

In the people I see you - Michelle, Brenda, Mattie, Nadia, Annie
I see you in the work of many non-profits

I see you in the very being of this city -
you show up on the 82 bus,
where you stand up against injustice and sit with weary

You bring the city together with sports, music and the utter pride of being a part of this city.

You provide the big shoulders on which we can rest and be propelled to get back to work...against violence, racism, and misunderstanding

You sit and play in the neighborhoods and call us to attend to what is good and right.

You are in this city, my city, and more importantly your city.

Upcoming Open House

DOOR Chicago is having an open house on

June 19
4:00- 6:00 pm
First Church of the Brethren

Come and See what we are all about, hear the stories, meet the staff!

Another Peace and Justice walk

Friday, Becky and I took another walk for justice. The assignment was "Take pictures that somehow represent the presence or the absence of peace and justice."

Here are some of my photos from that walk..



"Urban Web" - such a diverse concept, and yet we are gracefully stuck together.



This Canadian Goose struck me funny as a peaceful image. This goose decided to make her nest on the green roof at the Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum, on a walking path on the green roof. Therefore, the Museum had posted a sign that people may not want to walk on the path when the goose was present due to territory issues around nesting. I found this funny and yet maybe one definition of peace. Geese tend to be mean, and yet, the nature museum didn't disturb the nest but rather decided that we needed to be present with this new life.





I have a special place in my heart for this church. This was one of the first service sites DOOR Chicago partnered with in 2001. They have a small bag lunch program for anyone who comes on Tuesdays. I believe that is a good example of a church doing what it can and to be a part of the solution...being called to do something and following through. However, this picture turned out to show a church that is working for peace and justice in the world with a tow zone sign in it. Injustice is right in front of us, and yes, we can ignore it by going around into our safe places - but it is important to look at it and confront it!

Linking new traditions

Stations of the Cross. Good Friday. What does it mean today?

I love a good tradition. I also love when a tradition causes me to learn about news ways to act on my faith. The 8th Day Center for Justice’s annual Good Friday Walk for Justice calls my attention each year to the suffering that folks are enduring in our world. Using the model of the stations of the cross, linking this walk to that Jesus took in Jerusalem and current injustice in the world helps me understand both better. Becky and I joined about 400 others in downtown Chicago for this walk.

May we all learn ways to celebrate and also fight injustice in this Eastertide.

Semester 2010

I learn so much when I teach.

Becky and I were finishing a week focusing on “Church in the City” when we worshipped in four different congregations over Palm Sunday weekend. I had planned these field trips, so I thought I wouldn’t be effected. I was wrong.

The four congregations allowed me to worship in new and different ways, and also allowed me to think through why I attend church where I do. Four questions came almost immediately after the weekend.

What is the line between worshipping the Holy God of the Universe and worshipping the God who walks along side us in the journey?

What is the line between being a church that hosts guests well and making sure those who are not guests have a vibrant life in Christ?

What is the line between community minded worship and community minded living?

What is the line between stereotypical behavior and being true to yourself as a congregation despite the stereotypes?

Not only does being a teacher allow me to reflect on experiences that I have with my class, it is also giving me the permission to go on these spiritual field trips. Thanks Becky for helping me learn.

Week of Service and Learning

This week we've hosted Cats for Christ, Manhattan KS and St. Matthew's UMC, Madison MS. It was great having St. Matthew's return again. We value leadership development and see the fruits of the program there. It is great to watch as former participants return as leaders.
All around, it has been an incredible week of serving, sharing, learning and worshiping together.

The Providence Effect on DOOR

Becky, our semester student, is interning at Providence St Mel.  Providence St Mel is a school that has a long history first as a Catholic school then as a neighborhood owned school in East Garfield Park.  PSM works to illustrate black history, organization, and care for students.  In December, the Department of Education recognized Providence St. Mel for its work with successful students.  A documentary was also made about the school, entitled The Providence Effect.  Click here to see a trailer for the film, The Providence Effect.

DOOR is thankful to the school and especially Becky’s supervisor, Joan Gerig, for being such a large part of the DOOR semester in Chicago.

Volunteer Forum

DOOR Chicago is hosting a Volunteer Forum on Saturday March 6. High Schoolers from Chicago will be gathering and talking about what community service is all about. Wayne Richard will be speaking and lunch will be served. For more information, contact Brian Sales at Brian@DOORnetwork.org.

In celebration of Brenda and the H.O.O.D

Brenda Matthews, a member of the DOOR Chicago board and a all around awesome woman, was showcased and executive produced a documentary entitled H.O.O.D that debuted February 18. The documentary brought light to the many deaths of young people in the last several years on the west side of Chicago. We are thankful for the witness of Brenda Matthews to her community and to DOOR!

For more information and a trailer of the movie, click here.

Spring Semester in Chicago Begins

DOOR Chicago welcomed in the semester this past week!  "Chicago from a Multicultural Perspective" is a class offering that works in conjuction with an internship. Participant Becky S will receive 13 credits upon completion of the the semester.  Of course not all institutions and all majors are eligible for such academic credit.  But what a great way to spend a semester but living the words of textbooks in shelters, homes, agencies and ministries of Chicago!
The first week has included meals with various agencies and other service programs in Chicagoland. We've been in 6 different neighborhoods already and today we're cooking, serving and eating in a shelter for homeless. This week in class we will be working with Kenwood UCC, attending a event focusing on redlining on the West Side, and learning a bit about the history of Chicago. The impending snow storm can't possibly dampen our spirits.  It's been a great beginning, even if it doesn't quite look like "Spring" yet.

Video ready to highlight Discern program

Brian has been working with the summer participants from the DOOR Chicago Discern program. He has taken some interviews to make an outstanding video representation of what local leaders have learned and continue to learn in leadership and in ministry.

Local Board Meeting Monday

Every DOOR city is run by a local board of directors. Each local board sends two representatives to the National Board. It's a complicated and intertwined system but relationships always are and we believe mission does not happen apart from relationships. If you're on the local board, we'll see you Monday. If you'd like to serve on the local board, please contact our chair, Orlando Redekopp, Pastor of First Church of the Brethren, Chicago.

Happy New Year!!!!!

With a new year here that means spring is just around the corner. Yes it's freezing outside now but before we know it birds will be singing and flowers will start blooming! If you want to have an awesome spring break from school, work, life why not take a bunch of friends on a road trip and hit up a DOOR city for a week of service learning. 

Some of the best spring breaks I had were with friends doing service projects.  You can use your spring break to learn a new city, gain experience, make new friends and best of all, help neighborhood initiatives, schools, agencies and ministries in their mission. 

There are many ways you could use your time away from school and even if you're not traveling away on your spring break week why not spend time at various local agencies in your own town. May God bless all of you who give of your time just to make someone else's day bright.

-Brian