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.
Ministry descriptions and contact information can be found below.
Ministry descriptions and contact information can be found below.
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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 EQUALITY FOR WOMEN IN THE CHURCH
In 2019, Equality for Women in the Church (EWC) formed in response to the historic and systemic exclusion of women from full participation in the Church. EWC advocates for inclusive liturgical leadership and church governance. We acknowledge that diversity, equity, and inclusion transcend gender and intersect with one another. We invite you to engage in this work as we create a local and universal Church that celebrates and represents the diversity of human experience.
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 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 (St. Nicholas) dorvacs@gmail.com 312-735-2954 James Holzhauer-Chuckas, ObSB (UCYM) jholzhauerchuckas@archchicago.org 847-719-9071 x1 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 TBD 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 here or contact :
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 COMMITTEE
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. Learn more about the Peace & Justice Committee activities on our webpage.
For more information contact Margaret Feit Clarke email: marg.feitclarke@gmail.com phone: 847.982.1590 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 jholzhauerchuckas@archchicago.org 847.719.9071 x1 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 UNITED POWER FOR ACTION AND JUSTICE
United Power for Action and Justice consists of many faith based organizations in Cook County of which St. Nicks has been a member since its founding.
The St. NIck's team has been working to improve mental health resources in our community. |
