Monday, October 9, 2006

The Presbytery of Chicago

From age to age, the church has been called to reach out in ministry to those in need. Nueva Esperanza Urban Youth Ministry is a vitally important outreach of the Presbytery of Chicago. Nueva Esperanza, “new hope,” is bringing just that to urban youth on the west side of Chicago.

The outreach program offerings at Nueva Esperanza are multifaceted. From spiritual and Bible-oriented activities to social interactions in small and large group activities, youth find their spirits are nourished and their intellects are challenged. Programs also include a year-round sports program and a vibrant arts and music program. The young people are exposed to cultural institutions, books, and study and to the sophisticated and vigorous city of Chicago.

Youth receive scholarships to attend St. Gregory High School. In June 2004, three seniors graduated, with grade point averages ranging from 3.25 to 4.0. Before Nueva Esperanza, they had been at risk of dropping out. Nine academic excellence awards were conferred upon Nueva Esperanza youth, in addition to sports and citizenship awards. One of the group qualified for the National Honor Society. These young people now have opportunities for their futures.

Nueva Esperanza is located in Vida Nueva Presbyterian Church in Chicago. The congregation recognizes the value that Nueva Esperanza can bring to its own youth, including outreach to teens in the high school across the street from the church. This urban youth ministry represents the presbytery’s presence in and commitment to the Hispanic/Latino community. It is one of the ways the presbytery is living out the vision of being a welcoming, worshiping, witnessing Christian community that is connected in faith and service to the faithful from age to age.

The Presbytery of Chicago includes 106 churches, 39,458 members, Presbyterian Camps at Saugatuck, and Nueva Esperanza Urban Youth Ministry. McCormick Theological Seminary and Lake Forest College are within the presbytery’s bounds.

Presbytery Staff
Elder Martha Brown, Presbytery council administrator; John Coughlin, business affairs director; Elder Gene Craig, COM regional coordinator; Rev. David Ezekiel, associate executive; Brad Fries, camp food services supervisor, PC; Bonita Gilchrist, executive assistant; Elder Loretta Gratias-Bremer, interim associate executive; Elder Carlene Hyrams, associate executive; David Johnston, executive director, PC; Rev. Kathryn Ksander, recording clerk; Elder Betty McGinnis, resource coordinator; Agnes Murphy, administrative assistant; Elder Carole Norton, com/cpm coordinator; Earnestine Norwood, office manager; Elder Grace Ohman, receptionist; Brenda Pious, accounting manager; Rev. Robert Reynolds, executive presbyter; Kitty Ridley, executive assistant; Rev. Nanette Sawyer, Wicker Park Grace NCD evangelist; Glen Wagner, mailroom clerk/groundskeeper; Elder Allena Williams, executive assistant; Elder Janet Wilson, stated clerk

PC(USA) General Assembly Staff
Matthew Robbins, MSS
James Roberts, BOP

Give justice to the weak and the orphan; maintain the right of the lowly and the destitute (Ps. 82:3).

Ps. 5, 29, 82, 145
Hos. 6:7—7:7
Acts 22:30—23:11; Luke 6:39–49

Select a day of the month to visit

01

11

21

ÿ