Mt. Greenwood: Intentional Ministry
Disability awareness coupled with a basic love for all God’s children and a desire to make a difference in their own community has blossomed into a beautiful ministry -- sometimes all it takes is a seed.
In the case of Mt. Greenwood Lutheran Church of Chicago, it was a Lutheran Women’s Missionary League member that planted the seed. The members of Mt. Greenwood decided to invite the people of Blue Cap (Blue Island Citizens for Persons with Developmental Disabilities) to dine with them. Some folks from Blue Cap came, so the church hosted another meal and more came. Mt. Greenwood contacted Voice of Care seeking resources and ideas. Then, Rev. Louis Vician began a Bible study and the members of Mt. Greenwood invited the people of Blue Cap to join them. Now the relationship between friends from Blue Cap and members of the congregation is stronger than ever! Mt. Greenwood proclaims, “We do not preach ourselves but Jesus Christ as Lord.” As the church actively serves as Jesus' hands in feet in this southwest Chicago neighborhood, one participant observed, “We’ve made many new friends!” |