The Community of Congregations is an interfaith organization serving the greater Oak Park - River Forest, Illinois area. We support PADS [Public Action to Deliver Shelter], the Cluster Tutoring Program, the annual Crop Walk, the Walk-in-Ministry, the Oak Park/River Forest Food pantry, and the Holiday Food and Gift Basket program [HFGB], under a grant provided by Youth Services of Oak Park and River Forest Townships. In addition to these ministries we sponsor a variety of programs including the community's annual Interfaith Thanksgiving Service, one of the oldest such programs in the Chicagoland area. Friend us on facebook or email us with any questions at OPRFCOC@gmail.com.
Worker Justice in the 21st Century - Why It Matters. What You Can Do.
Join us for our May Community Meeting as we welcome Rev. C.J. Hawking, Executive Director of Arise Chicago. The event is free and all our welcome. Please email oprfcoc@gmail.com with questions.
Thursday May 9, 2013 at 7:30 pm
St. Giles Parish
McDonough Hall
1101 Columbian Avenue
Oak Park, IL
Community of Congregations Annual Meeting
Thank you to West Suburban Temple Har Zion and Rabbi Robin Damsky for hosting Community of Congregations 2013 Annual Meeting. We greatly appreciate the support of the individuals who attended the meeting and our speakers, Assaf Bar-Tura from the Jewish-Muslim Community Building Initiative, and Humaira Basith from the Council of Islamic Organizations of Greater Chicago.
Thank you to West Suburban Temple Har Zion and Rabbi Robin Damsky for hosting Community of Congregations 2013 Annual Meeting. We greatly appreciate the support of the individuals who attended the meeting and our speakers, Assaf Bar-Tura from the Jewish-Muslim Community Building Initiative, and Humaira Basith from the Council of Islamic Organizations of Greater Chicago.
Community Gathers to Give Thanks
From diverse religious traditions, hundreds of community members came together on November 18 to celebrate and give thanks. Pilgrim Church hosted the Community of Congregations’ annual interfaith Thanksgiving service, themed “Seeing beyond the Ordinary.”
The evening began with a welcome from host minister Sally Iberg and a Muslim call to prayer. Clergy members and laity from 19 congregations and community organizations—Catholic, Protestant, Jewish, Muslim and others—led the service and shared scripture and inspirational readings. Vocal and instrumental groups contributed their musical gifts.
Gen Kelsang Dorje, resident teacher at the Vajrayana Kadampa Buddhist Center, gave the keynote reflection: “Faith—Is it Essential or Not?” Seated comfortably before the guests, he discussed how living one’s faith will lead to happiness. Then he guided the group in meditation.
From diverse religious traditions, hundreds of community members came together on November 18 to celebrate and give thanks. Pilgrim Church hosted the Community of Congregations’ annual interfaith Thanksgiving service, themed “Seeing beyond the Ordinary.”
The evening began with a welcome from host minister Sally Iberg and a Muslim call to prayer. Clergy members and laity from 19 congregations and community organizations—Catholic, Protestant, Jewish, Muslim and others—led the service and shared scripture and inspirational readings. Vocal and instrumental groups contributed their musical gifts.
Gen Kelsang Dorje, resident teacher at the Vajrayana Kadampa Buddhist Center, gave the keynote reflection: “Faith—Is it Essential or Not?” Seated comfortably before the guests, he discussed how living one’s faith will lead to happiness. Then he guided the group in meditation.
The plate was passed to benefit two ministries of the Community of Congregations—the Holiday Food and Gift Basket Program and the Celebrating Seniors Coalition. After a benediction, the guests proceeded to an abundant reception in Pilgrim’s Fellowship Hall.
Many thanks to Pilgrim Church for hosting this year’s event, and to all involved in bringing neighbors together with the common purpose of expressing gratitude.
We are indeed blessed.
Many thanks to Pilgrim Church for hosting this year’s event, and to all involved in bringing neighbors together with the common purpose of expressing gratitude.
We are indeed blessed.
