Serving the Needs of Others
We strive to be a welcoming, affirming and inclusive community of faith, inviting people to be full participants in the Church and in society. Our baptismal vocation compels us to a deep commitment to serve the needs of others in the church, in the community and in the world. We encourage one another to live out our faith in our everyday lives, at home, at work and in the community. At St. Nicholas there are numerous opportunities to act upon the conviction that social justice and concern for others call us to act in response to the Gospel message. Ministry that responds to the people who are economically poor, marginalized and fragile is ever conscious in the minds and the hearts of the people of St. Nicholas. These ministries meet regularly throughout the year to carry out God’s message of love for one another.
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Ministry descriptions and contact information can be found below.
ADDICTION AWARENESS
The parish has a free and confidential recovery resource, available to those who are struggling with an addiction, or for family members and others who love them. We talk a bit about our own experiences and let the person tell us about their situation. We strongly suggest they go to AA meetings and provide times and locations and sometimes offer to accompany them to their first meetings and introduce them to other members. Three meetings are held at St. Nick’s. Family and friends are referred to Al-Anon and provide times and places of meetings. For more information contact Margaret Mantle mmantle38@sbcglobal.net 847.869.3599 Kevin Axe khpaxe@aol.com 847.641.6890 EQULITY FOR WOMEN IN THE CHURCH
A group of parishioners meet monthly to explore concerns arising from the painful exclusion of women within the institutional church. We share experiences and consider how others address the need for global church reform related to patriarchal power/clericalism. We support one another, generating ideas to increase the visibility and full inclusion of women. Our mission statement is as follows: As the People of God, we invite all to join as we explore and promote full inclusivity within our church. Our focus is on, but not restricted to, women's participation in all aspects of ministry and leadership. We welcome your participation. Contact Mary Signatur 847.869.8409 msignatur@aol.com FAMILY PROMISE
Family Promise provides temporary housing using host churches and existing facilities, coupled with volunteers to help keep families together, to provide comfort and stability to children by keeping them in their schools while parents get their feet back on the ground and transition into permanent housing. We partner with Grace Lutheran and St. James Armenian Churches in Evanston to support this vital ministry. Dan and Michelle Stalilonis and family msamreta@hotmail.com GREEN TEAM
The Green Team is committed to helping the St. Nicholas Community—both the church and its members—be good stewards of Gods’ Creation. The Green Team meets monthly. For more information contact Carol Michelini email: cmichelini@hotmail.com phone: 847.492.8589 INCLUSION AND ACCESSIBILITY COMMITTEE
The Inclusion and Accessibility Committee addresses both physical and attitudinal barriers that make it difficult for people with disabilities to participate fully in all aspects of parish life. The committee meets “as needed” in various fully accessible locations. For more information contact Jim Croegaert jcroegaert2@comcast.net 847.491.1905 Sheila Hebein sheilahebein@icloud.com 847.864.8064 INTERFAITH ACTION OF EVANSTON
Interfaith Action, based in Evanston, is a non-profit organization whose mission is to bring together communities of faith and spirit to serve people who are hungry and homeless, and to express shared values through action and interfaith dialogue. For more information contact Charlotte Kovacs email: dorvacs@gmail.com LGBTQ+FAMILY AND FRIENDS
The St. Nicholas Gay and Lesbian LGBTQ+Family and Friends Ministry gathers in the community to explore spirituality and social issues of the day as they relate to their personal faith journey. The group includes family and friends of all ages of gay and lesbian people, as well as folks who are questioning. For more information contact Cristie Traina email: trainacristie@gmail.com phone: 847.337.8797 MISSION TRIPS
The St. Nick's Mission Trip committee selects locations in the US based on need for a trip in the summer. For more information visit their website at https://sites.google.com/site/appalachianservicetrip2020/home or contact Jeanie Brabeck j.brabeck@hotmail.com Pat Trafton p.trafton@comcast.com Genny O’Toole gnwotoole967@gmail.com PASTORAL MIGRATORIA
Pastoral Migratoria oversees the needs of the migrant and supports those needs with workshops and information. Contact Teresa Infante 847.933.9150 teresainfante63@gmail.com Mireya Terrazas 847.630.1637 mterrazas66@gmail.com PEACE & JUSTICE
This committee helps to spotlight issues of worker rights, immigrant rights, non-violence, and racial justice including eradicating systemic, institutionalized, and individual acts of racism. We partner with other faith-based coalitions for meetings with legislators and participation in lobbying and other events. In the parish, the group helps facilitate speakers, letter-writing campaigns, and the formation of committees as needed. For more information contact Margaret Feit Clarke email: marg.feitclarke@gmail.com phone: 847.982.1590 For more information on Peace & Justice activities and program please visit their page HERE PEOPLE FOR A SAFER SOCIETY
People for a Safer Society (PFSS) is a nonprofit organization working on gun violence prevention. Through awareness, education, and advocacy, People for a Safer Society facilitates simple solutions that make a difference. The organization was founded in early 2013, shortly after the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting. PFSS Works with the St. Nicholas Peace and Justice Committee to promote the safety of all people. For more information visit www.peopleforasafersociety.org email: peopleforasafersociety@gmail.com POST DETENTION ACCOMPANIMENT TEAM
The St. Nick’s Team is “on call” one week a month to greet detained immigrants when they are released in downtown Chicago and to offer accompaniment at a time when they are vulnerable and need help. However, there are many other ways to be a team member: making up backpacks for the newly released immigrants, providing a presence in two houses of hospitality, and providing ongoing support. For more information contact Joe Boyle email: boyle.joe@comcast.net phone: 847.724.3835 SAINT VINCENT DE PAUL SOCIETY
The Society provides food, clothing and emergency financial assistance to residents of South Evanston. A food pantry of canned, packaged and frozen food is stocked by periodic food drives. Parishioner generosity permits the distribution of dozens of Holiday Food Baskets at Thanksgiving, Christmas, and Easter to needy families. For more information call 847.864.1185, extension x45 SOUP KITCHEN
Help prepare or serve a nutritious hot meal for homeless and other people in need. Once a month we prepare a meal in Oldershaw Hall and transport it on Monday at 9:00 am to Second Baptist Church, 1717 Benson Avenue, Evanston. We arrive at 11:00 am and serve at Noon. Members of our team may choose to volunteer either for food preparation Sunday or serving the meal Monday (or both). James Holzhauer-Chuckas, ObSB jholzhauer-chuckas@nickchurch.org 847.864.1185 x26 José E. Chavez V. jchavez@nickchurch.org 847.864.1185 x23 ST. NICK'S KNITTERS
The St. Nick’s Knitters work all year to create items to sell at the St. Nick’s Holiday Festival. All proceeds from the sales go directly to the St. Vincent de Paul Society. For more information contact Julie Drew email: juliedrew52@comcast.net phone: 847.757.8883 |
