Capitol Fax: ISP warns Pfleger over expressway protest

Read a press release from the Illinois State Police over at the Capitol Fax regarding the upcoming march on the Dan Ryan Expressway to commence this coming Saturday.

ISP warns Pfleger over expressway protest https://t.co/ghjAbskxMc

— Rich Miller (@capitolfax) July 3, 2018

RELATED

• Tribune: Police call on Pfleger to not shut down Dan Ryan with July peace march
• Sun-Times: Pfleger plans to shut down Dan Ryan on July 7 by marching on roadway

Pray for Chatham today - #PrayChicago

This is a follow-up to a previous post about an effort to pray for all 77 of Chicago's community areas. Today is Chatham's turn.

We posted  Chatham's prayer requests, and had some interesting feedback on our Facebook page.

What are your thoughts? Are the requests accurate? What would you ask Chicago to pray for in Chatham?

Here's what PrayChicago posted:

Pray for the ‪#‎Chatham‬ community on ‪#‎Chicago‬'s South side. ‪#‎WestChesterfield‬

Here are some ways you can pray:

- New residents are moving into the area due to the closings of housing projects in other parts of the city. Pray that these new residents and for great respect and care for neighbors and the neighborhood.

- Pray for the elderly residents of Chatham, many of whom are widows and widowers. Pray that they may find community and would not feel overlooked in their later years.

- As the community is beginning to experience socioeconomic transition, pray that class struggles would not cause division among the residents.

- Pray for the followers of Jesus and the churches in this region, that the would be a light to this community!

www.praychicago.us ‪#‎Pray77‬ ‪#‎PrayChicago

And what JP Paulus posted:

PrayChicago is focusing on ‪#‎Chatham‬ Today (including ‪#‎WestChesterfield‬, ‪#‎Chesterfield‬, ‪#‎WestChatham‬ ‪#‎EastChaham‬ ) . I ( JP Paulus) also asked them to include this:
Would you mind re-issuing this later in the day, but also add these requests (feel free to tag/mention me as a Chatham resident if you'd like.):

Pray for unity among the churches. & community groups There are over 100 churches within 1 mile of 79th Street & King Drive. Pray that not just pastors, but members work with each other to complement, rather than compete, in their efforts. Secular community groups (as well as several churches) have undergone dramatic leadership transition in the past few years.

Pray for economic development. Several longtime, as well as new businesses have failed over the past few years, leaving very few businesses for residents to frequent.

Pray for youth: there are few opportunities for youth to grow, be mentored and to make a positive impact in their immediate community.

Pray for young leaders who grew up in the community to come back and take their place in leadership & community development.

#WestChatham (part of the community area, but separated by the Dan Ryan, so a little distinct)

What are YOUR thoughts?

Can Old World Churches Survive in "New" Black Communities

Can Old World Churches Survive in "New" Black Communities

In approximately 30 days St. Dorothy Catholic Elementary School, at 450 E 78th Street, will close its doors after graduating several thousand students and operating 98 years. In October 2014 the Chicago Archdiocese announced that St. Dorothy would close and merge with St. Coumbanus to create Augustus Tolton Academy. The Tolton Academy will be housed at the former St. Columbanus School building. Also, it was recently announced that Salem Lutheran Church, 318 E. 74th, who recently celebrated their 145th anniversary, has been placed under receivership. The church is under the receivership of the Northern Illinois Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America. The receiver attempting to shore up the church finances sold "Salem House". Salem House, which is a brick bungalow adjacent to the church, was used for meeting space, social services and other uses. The house was donated to the church over 30 years ago.

Both of these churches have survived racial and ethnic changes over the years but with the recent major changes the question has to be asked. Can these churches survive? 

Both Salem and St. Dorothy have dwindling congregations as well as dwindling contributions. Both churches hosted boy and girl scouts and teen clubs. Some in this community were exposed to sports such as skiing with their involvement in these churches.

Fast forward to today and boy and girl scouts are considered out of touch with today's youth and many have changed their views on assimilation. Many African Americans who moved to Chatham and Park Manor started to attend catholic and Lutheran churches in the community to get along with their non African American neighbors. Today many believe that philosophy was flawed and prefer to attend traditional "Black churches" or "Mega" churches.

What happened and why are these churches in the condition they face today? Do we have "black churches" in the community that will soon face the same predicament?

What do you think?