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

Looking back over the years

As we end 2009, I am left at a state of reminiscing about past DOOR years here in Chicago. A lot of people have come and served with DOOR Chicago by way of our Discover ministry. I have seen many suit cases, buses, pillows, sleeping bags, back packs, and of courses the smiles of friendly participants coming to share the love of God with Chicagoland. 

I also think about the very first time I came to know DOOR Chicago. At that time I just finished my sophomore year of high school and really didn't know what to expect when I decided to participate in DOOR's Discern program. Every year I kept returning to the program for reasons unknown to me. Every year I would find a way to contribute a little more of myself to the program and continue to think about the commitment it has for serving. Every year I would grow wiser and spiritually as I served side by side with many others. 

DOOR has taught me the basics of what it takes to be a leader. These skills allowed me to be successful in receiving a POSSE grant (full tuition scholarship) to go off to Denison University. In 2007, I graduated with a BA in Communications and started as the assistant director in DOOR Chicago and now I sit as the current Director. 

I know that I am not the only person who looks back at their time at this program and think about the impact it has placed on their life. Everyone who has participated through our program has their own story of their experience with us. I thank God for blessing DOOR with the gifts and talents to help nature a young man from the west side of Chicago to be a fighter for God's kingdom. 
-Brian

Faith House

We've been putting some extra care and attention into Faith House. The house is a special two story house located right next door to First Church of the Brethren. The house has had a wonderful history and mission in the neighborhood. We're glad it continues to house groups and individuals as a special place for gathering on the west side of Chicago. It is our hope that more groups will be able to use Faith House for retreats and meetings. If you're interested, contact Brian Sales, City Director.

Silent Retreats in the Middle of City Noise

Silent retreats are a wonderful way to challenge a group together to path silence can take them individually. Time set aside is always a great way to reflect and think about God's plan for your life. It is a way to listen to the world around us.

So often we get caught up in our own realities and not pay any attention to those outside our world. Having the ability to see how we all depend on one another is truly a gift. This is one ability I think is missing in American culture. We tend to judge individual "success" from the perspective on the individual and not realize how many people played a role in that success.

Doing a silent retreat as a group is an interesting experience. Several people in the same space but avoiding eye contact. No one can complain about someone else leaving the mayonaise out of the fridge. No one can compliment each other on being silent so well. Each are left to thinking and doing alone. The folks that like to keep busy, find something to do, clean, create. The folks that like to relax, just nothing more. Often participants produce incredible pieces of art.

Service learning mission trips rely heavily upon reflection and interaction, but a silent retreat amidst the hustle and bustle of the city is just as profound. To remove yourself to listen and pray in the middle of the activity is a skill we need daily. When I think of a silent retreat in a city, I see an opportunity for me to listen to God and observe the ways in which 9 million people make the city of Chicago a wonderful place.