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Raneem Salem Raneem Salem

Wednesday Morning Study: Summer Series 2023

SPECIAL SUMMER SERIES

Wednesdays, 10:00 am In person and on Zoom

Each week a different article to discuss; you are welcome for any or all

Links for each week’s discussion

STARTING MAY 31, NEW ZOOM LINK FOR WEDNESDAY MORNINGS:

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81992576595?pwd=UEtlWnllUzV3YTc0d2VjYmN2WjZNUT09

SPECIAL SUMMER SERIES

Wednesdays, 10:00 am In person and on Zoom

Each week a different article to discuss; you are welcome for any or all

Links for each week’s discussion

May 31            The “e” word. Why does the ELCA have “evangelical” in its name?

June 7             Dignity and grace in the face of mental illness

June 14           Will the ELCA be gone in 30 years?

                        They may not come back. And here’s why.

June 21           The digital workplace is designed to bring you down

June 28           The millennial mystery

                        Gen Z and the church

July 5              Summer break

July 12            Summer break

July 19            To be announced

July 26            Ten myths white people believe about racism

August 2         The book of Exodus includers a story about reparations for slavery

August 9         The scandal of the anti-intellectual mind

August 16       A call to heal creation

August 23       The necessity of patriotism. Even in times like these.

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Raneem Salem Raneem Salem

Fair Tax Ballot Initiative (Ken Duckmann)

Please join me on Sunday, September 27 following the 9:30am service for a special forum on the Fair Tax ballot initiative with representatives from ONE Northside.

Fair Tax Ken.png

Why am I involved in the work?

Since joining Holy Trinity in 1994, I have been involved in many social justice issues important to our church community as well as to the larger community around Holy Trinity. Since the late 1990s I’ve been involved with the Lakeview Action Coalition, the predecessor agency to ONE: Northside (ONS), working specifically with police accountability and hate crimes in the Lakeview neighborhood. I’ve served as our representative since 2012 and helped guide LAC’s merger into the ONE: Northside organization we work with today. My faith compels me to work for justice, whether its been on the LAC or ONS, Lutherans Concerned (now Reconciling Works), the Synod’s Anti-racism ministry or our own anti-racism ministry, the Chicago CROP Walk, The Night Ministry or the Lakeview Pantry. The reality is that Jesus words in Matthew 25:42-44, “for I was hungry and you gave me no food, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink, I was a stranger and you did not welcome me, naked and you did not give me clothing, sick and in prison and you did not visit me.” And Jesus reply in verse 45, “Truly I tell you, just as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to me.” – is my guiding principle as to how I attempt to live out my faith.

What does it mean for the HT community?

Currently, one of the most pressing issues before us is the November election, specifically on a local level we have a ballot initiative on Fair Tax. Maybe you’ve heard about it on the television. Lately you cannot miss the advertising – either for or against it. On Sunday, September 27, after worship we’ll have an opportunity to learn more about the Fair Tax and what its implications are for us and the entire state of Illinois. This ballot initiative to amend our constitution happens very rarely. You’re probably wondering why, Ken, are you involved in the Fair Tax initiative. One, because of my work and involvement with ONS but secondly, and more importantly, because it is a place of fairness and equity. Currently, our tax system is out-of-whack and has been for much too long. The bottom fifth of Illinois taxpayers (those making less than $21,800) contribute 14.4% of their income to state and local taxes compared to 7.4% for the top 1 percent of Illinois taxpayers. The change will generate additional revenue for our state which can then be used to address funding for critical programs; such as: education, public safety, and social service services (mental health and substance abuse, as examples). It’s a place of justice and fairness. It’s why I’m helping work to get people to understand the implications on this ballot initiative.

Please join me on Sunday, September 27 following the 9:30am service for a special forum on the Fair Tax ballot initiative with representatives from ONE Northside.

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Raneem Salem Raneem Salem

The Chicago CROP Hunger Walk needs YOU.

The planning team for the Chicago CROP Hunger Walk is looking for a few new people for the team. The commitment is small and the reward is big! The team meets about 5 times to plan the Walk that happens in October each year. If you have a heart for justice and hunger or just like planning events, this is for you. Please contact Gail Angel (avanteangel@aol.com) or Jon Skogen (jskogen@cwsglobal.org)

The planning team for the Chicago CROP Hunger Walk is looking for a few new people for the team. The commitment is small and the reward is big! The team meets about 5 times to plan the Walk that happens in October each year. If you have a heart for justice and hunger or just like planning events, this is for you. Please contact Gail Angel (avanteangel@aol.com) or Jon Skogen (jskogen@cwsglobal.org)

 

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Raneem Salem Raneem Salem

Annual Meeting Sunday, January 26

JOIN US FOR THE ANNUAL MEETING

ON SUNDAY, JANUARY 26 AT HTLakeview

following the 11am service

upstairs in Passavant Hall

bring a dish to share for the potluck

brief meeting to thank volunteers,

adopt the budget, elect new leaders,

and celebrate another year of grace at Holy Trinity

LINK HERE FOR THE ANNUAL REPORT AND MEETING MATERIALS

JOIN US FOR THE ANNUAL MEETING

ON SUNDAY, JANUARY 26 AT HTLakeview

following the 11am service

upstairs in Passavant Hall

bring a dish to share for the potluck

brief meeting to thank volunteers,

adopt the budget, elect new leaders,

and celebrate another year of grace at Holy Trinity

LINK HERE FOR THE ANNUAL REPORT AND MEETING MATERIALS

Read More