Thanks for taking a moment to check out these events in our shared life & the wider world.
If you’d like something included in an upcoming newsletter, please let the office know! Reach out to office@waucc.org or 773-935-0642 (text or call).
Join us ONSITE at
First Church of the Brethren,
425 S. Central Park Avenue.
To map directions from your location, CLICK HERE.
Street parking is free & available close to the church building.
Join us on November 16th for a Wellington Way that will get to the ❤️ of our “why” as a community – which will inform our plans for the year ahead! Want to study up ahead of time?
Check out Simon Sinek’s Ted Talk: Start with Why.
A new weekly offering to keep our hearts, minds, and actions aligned with the people of Palestine.
We lift up in our prayers this week the case of Mohammed Ibrahim, a 16-year-old Palestinian-American boy who was violently arrested by Israeli soldiers in February 2025 after being accused of throwing rocks at Israeli settlers in the occupied West Bank. At his court hearing on November 9, an Israeli military court postponed proceedings, effectively extending his imprisonment until at least 15 December 15. Mohammed is one of hundreds of Palestinian children in Israeli detention. Mohammed has lost a quarter of his weight and contracted scabies after being beaten and tortured in prison.
Good God, we cry to you in deep despair and lament. We cannot fathom the cruelty of a system that deprives children of their childhood. We pray for the liberation and full healing of Mohammed and all children suffering in prisons. Lord, help us dismantle all systems of oppression and build a world where every child is safe to live and thrive.
Lord in your mercy…hear our prayer.
From the Sabeel Ecumenical Liberation Theology Center
A message from Debbie Southorn:
On Sunday I get to do the Helping Hands offering and share more about my dear friend Patrice, who’s been incarcerated for over 31 years for a crime he committed at just 18 years old. We’re fundraising to get an expert assessment done that shows he was a juvenile at the time of his crime, in order to get the state’s attorney’s office to agree to resentencing. Without this, he will likely die behind bars – which is his greatest fear in life.
Patrice is a wonderful uncle to Mia, a dear friend and mentor to me, and has directly improved the lives of so many people during his time behind bars. He’s won lawsuits that led to improved conditions for tens of thousands of prisoners with mental illness in Illinois, led classes for men to work on challenging patriarchy in their lives, taught courses on civic engagement with other incarcerated folks, and directly mentored dozens and dozens of other men. There’s so much more that I could share about, and I’ve only known him for the past twelve years.
Patrice has taught me that one’s conditions don’t define a person. He chooses every day to live a life as fulfilling as he can, despite the fact that he’s behind bars. I would give almost anything for him to see freedom in his lifetime.
I invite Wellington members, friends, allies and family to please consider donating generously to help us raise the funds necessary to give him a chance at release. He has a powerhouse team of pro bono attorneys working on his case – all because they are so enamored with the person that he has become and believe he should be home with his family. We just need to pay for an expert assessment so that his case is as strong as possible.
Thank you for considering, for believing in second chances, and recognizing the value and worth of my dear friend’s humanity.
Please bring non-perishable food items to church THIS SUNDAY!
STAND UP TO AT&T!
AT&T currently has a multi-year, multi-million dollar contract to provide communications services for ICE’s abductions and deportations, and a bigger contract is already on the way. Join people of faith & conscience across the state on Sunday, November 16th for a targeted protest! Contact Barb Lagoni for details.
Rubi shared a “Report from the Field” after church last Sunday,
and has a special message for us!
Thank you once again to those who made my trip on the Bayan Peace Mission possible. I’m happy to answer any additional questions or hear any reflections folks had. To stay updated on the work PUSO does you can email me at rmendez51219@gmail.com or PUSO.chicago@gmail.com.
You can check out Rubi’s presentation HERE.
Sign on to demand Tita Rebecca’s safe return to the Philippines:
Follow @freeyakub on Instagram to continue to be updated on Ya’akub’s wellbeing and legal proceedings. Click HERE to read the statement from his legal team on his detainment:
Donate to the relief efforts for Typhoon Uwan
Just another day doing the Lord’s work…
On Friday, November 14th, over 200 (maybe 300?) faith leaders from a variety of traditions gathered once again at Broadview to say
“God Demands Freedom: Faith Leaders Say NO MORE ABDUCTIONS.”
Your pastor took the street, but managed to not get arrested. 🙏🏼
Click HERE to watch MSNBC’s coverage of the protest – but prepare your ❤️
because it’s rather intense.
Book ClubSaturday, November 15 at 10am on Zoom
This month’s selection comes recommended by Jim Morris!
“A queer hijabi Muslim immigrant survives her coming-of-age by drawing strength and hope from stories in the Quran in this “raw and relatable memoir that challenges societal norms and expectations”
~ Linah Mohammad, NPR
Also – staring this month we will jettison the special Zoom link for Book Club & just use the usual Sunday one! REJOICE!
The memorial service for Deb Lee’s sister, Dottie Webster, will take place at 11am on Saturday, November 29th at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Edgewater (1500 W. Elmdale).
On November 29th, our community partners at American Indian Health Service of Chicago are celebrating their 51st anniversary in style!
Interested in attending? Let Outreach Committee Chair Barb Lagoni (barb@lagonihealth.com) know – we may have some complementary tickets available!
The evening will feature:
· A vibrant cultural Welcome Reception with hors d’oeuvres, a Native food station, and entertainment· Inspiring stories of impact from AIHSC community members
· A powerful showcase of Native American heritage through music, drums, and dance
· Opportunities to invest in AIHSC’s expansion through sponsorships, donations, community tables, and our “Spirit of 51” Campaign in celebration of our 51 years of service. Get more information HERE.
We Resist
Prayer Anthem
We resist, we refuse, to let hatred in!
We rise up, we won’t back down!
We’re in this ‘til the end.
Pray for your enemies!
Welcome the stranger!
Show love to your neighbor!
We’re in this ‘til the end.
Sometimes you just need a document!
Click below if you’re looking for:
- This Sunday’s BULLETIN
- The latest version of the CHURCH DIRECTORY
- The approved CHURCH COUNCIL MINUTES (Oct mtg)
- Buying something for church? Remember that it’s tax-exempt! CLICK HERE for a copy of the form.
- Need to be reimbursed for a church expense? Download a Wellington REIMBURSEMENT FORM and submit it to the Church Office!
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