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Peace grant will help church reach youth of inner-city Chicago Barbara Dunlap-Berg, Jun 23, 2010
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Chicago’s United Church of Rogers Park, a United Methodist congregation, offers free after-school and summer camps for neighborhood children.
By Barbara Dunlap-Berg United Methodist News Service
CHICAGO—The United (Methodist) Church of Rogers Park—150 members strong—is everything but a Sundays-only congregation.
Since 2008, Andrew’s Answer, the church’s outreach ministry, has provided free after-school and summer camps for neighborhood children, as well as counseling services. It also serves as a mission trip center for youth and adult volunteers from United Methodist churches to come to Chicago and learn about justice and faith.
Andrew’s Answer is one of several global efforts benefiting from United Methodist gifts on Peace with Justice Sunday, celebrated May 30 this year. The ministry recently received a $2,500 grant from the United Methodist General Board of Church and Society.
The program’s name—Andrew’s Answer—came from the biblical story (John 6) in which the disciple Andrew said, “There is a boy here who has five barley loaves and two fish. But what are they among so many people?”
The congregation has struggled financially over the years, but, much like the Gospel story of Jesus feeding the 5,000, members always seem to find the resources to do innovative ministry with as many people as they can.
The after-school program, offered three days a week from October to May, has a full menu of activities for 35 grade-schoolers. Along with getting help with homework, participants enjoy art, choir, dance and yoga.
Now that school is out, summer camp is on the agenda. This year, six groups—five youth and one adult—“are coming to learn, to explore and to work in the camps,” said the Rev. Wesley P. Dorr, deacon and minister of children and outreach.
During Mr. Dorr’s first year at the church, he decided to offer a summer camp. He advertised, expecting about 15 responses. Sixty children showed up.
Last year, 75 children registered for camp. “We didn’t even advertise,” said Kate Setzer Kamphausen, church administrator. Ms. Kamphausen anticipates a similar number this year.
Participants are diverse, with many immigrant families from Belize, Haiti, Jamaica, Mexico, Nigeria and Tanzania.
Four of the volunteer groups also will study a social justice curriculum. They pay a fee to participate, and the money goes toward the church’s outreach ministries. Participants focus on such issues as homeless teens, refugee ministries and violence prevention.
Immersed in the community, Mr. Dorr said, “They get an overview of a different culture.
“Often, the experience changes their point of reference so if someone talks about immigration, refugees or homosexuality, they learn to explore the issues with open minds.”
Andrew’s Answer is not a one-church show, Mr. Dorr points out. Other congregations and community organizations, including many other United Methodist churches, step in to help, usually for a week at a time.
This year he is looking forward to welcoming church groups from the Chicago area as well as Colorado, Kansas and other states.
Volunteers from Kansas City’s Church of the Resurrection West Campus will plant a vegetable garden in front of the church. The campers will study gardening and eventually will be able to pick food to serve during snack time.
“It’s good to be connectional,” Mr. Dorr said. “That’s why we’re United Methodists. We’re a lot stronger together than on our own.”
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Participants are diverse, with many immigrant families from Belize, Haiti, Jamaica, Mexico, Nigeria and Tanzania.
