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