Outreach
We are proud to be an urban congregation that reaches out into our community and the world. We work with the Lakeview Action Coalition to address issues such as youth homelessness, hate crimes, and affordable housing. Our members volunteer at the Lakeview Pantry, the Night Ministry and other organizations. We also sponsor a refugee family each year in cooperation with Interfaith Refugee and Immigration Ministries. Eleven percent of our offerings support local ministries in Chicago, and the worldwide charitable efforts of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America.
The Lakeview Pantry
This food pantry serves persons in need in the west Lakeview community. Volunteers are needed to work at the pantry, conduct food drives, and distribute food to the pantry. Please place canned goods or other non-perishable food in the narthex, and it will be taken to the pantry. We also urge members to contribute generously to the ELCA World Hunger Appeal.
The Lakeview Shelter
The shelter is located in the lower level of the LakeView Lutheran Church, 835 W. Addison in Chicago, and is open every day of the year. Residents stay on a temporary basis, and while here they sleep in a warm, clean environment, and eat nourishing meals. They are also able to clean their bodies and refresh their spirits. Some of the residents are employed and have a family. Others are without income completely and are alone. But no matter what the situation, men who knock on the doors of the shelter share this: they are without resources and have no place to stay.
Interfaith Refugee and Immigration Ministries
On a daily basis, refugees and immigrants are quietly making progress throughout the Chicago region. There are over 11 million refugees in the world. Each has experienced the terror of war and suffered immeasurable losses- loved ones, home, job, security and a sense of hope for the future. Uprooted and torn from the communities that sustained them, they are haunted by their past and bewildered by their future. their lives are forever changed. Everyday, Interfaith is involved in welcoming people to Chicago who are fleeing destruction and despair. An affiliate of Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service, Interfaith's services address the social, emotional and material needs of refugees and immigrants.
The Night Ministry
This ecumenical effort serves the nighttime community in Chicago. Founded in 1976, the Night Ministry offers friendship and a caring ear to society's lonely and abandoned, and brings its message to diverse communities of Chicago. The Night Ministry provides volunteer opportunities at their Open Door shelter for youth, and on their Outreach Health Ministry bus. Each year Holy Trinity participates in a "moonlight picnic" where participants spend an evening with the bus and provide refreshments and hospitality to the people of the nighttime streets.
Lutherans Concerned
In 1990 Holy Trinity declared itself a "Reconciling in Christ"; congregation, a program of Lutherans Concerned. Reconciling in Christ (RIC) congregations affirm that people of all sexual orientations and gender identities share with all others the worth that comes from being individuals created by God. They openly welcome people of all sexual orientations/gender identities within the membership of their congregation, and will accept, support and nurture them as loved and loving members of the body of Christ. The Chicago area chapter of Lutherans Concerned is an organization for understanding, support and advocacy.
Lakeview Action Coalition
Holy Trinity is one of 34 religious congregations, social service agencies, banks and other organizations that make up the Lakeview Action Coalition (LAC). The coalition works to sustain diversity in a rapidly gentrifying community, and enables its members to act on their values in public life by participating in the decisions that shape the community's future. Recently LAC has addressed health issues, hate crimes and affordable housing.
Christian Peacemaker Teams
This is an initiative of the historic peace churches (Mennonites, Church of the Brethren and Quakers) with support and membership from a range of Catholic and Protestant denominations.
Through our offerings we financially support the seminaries, colleges, missionaries and other ministries of the Metropolitan Chicago Synod and the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America.