McCormick alumna helps churches aid Chicago’s most vulnerable

The Rev. Julie Delezenne, center, is a 2007 graduate of McCormick Theological Seminary. She's pictured with McCormick graduates Joe Genau, left, and Kurt Esslinger, right, at the Presbyterian Peacemaking Program's 2008 Intergenerational Peacemaking Conference. Photo by Irene Pak

A considerable portion of the work the Rev. Julie Delezenne has done since she earned a Master of Divinity degree from McCormick Theological Seminary in 2007 has been to help Chicago-area congregations locally impact issues such as homelessness and inadequate health care.

As the coordinator of congregational and community relations for The Night Ministry, Delezenne connects with some 300 congregations of different faith backgrounds to support the goals of the ministry.

The Night Ministry — a nonprofit, nondenominational organization founded in 1976 — provides outreach services to youth and adults existing on the streets of Chicago through efforts such as its health outreach bus, youth outreach van and youth shelter.

Delezenne matches the needs of some of the city’s most vulnerable individuals with congregations that wish to serve. “I really enjoy the work of bringing those groups together,” she said.

“I see my role as both facilitating resources for The Night Ministry … but also helping congregations to facilitate their own ministry and mission” connected to the issues in the community, said Delezenne, also a parish associate at Chicago’s Lake View Presbyterian Church.

Delezenne contends her training at McCormick prepared her for that service, which ultimately impacts the people in the pews.

Often on Sundays, Delezenne uses the preaching skills she garnered at McCormick to share the good news and inform congregations about how they can make a difference. Her work also includes presentations and classes on what churches, synagogues and others can do.

McCormick’s diverse community provided “a broader base, a broader understanding to do the work that I do,” Delezenne said. The institution also shares with other denominations’ seminaries in the city, providing greater ecumenical understanding, she said.

McCormick gave Delezenne the network insight of “knowing who’s who in Chicago churches and synagogues,” she said.