menu icon    Visit our Facebook page.    Send us email.   

Purpose of the Coalition

CCWC Graphic.

The Chicago Coalition of Welcoming Churches is a collaboration of more than 80 churches and other ministries in the Chicago metropolitan area which welcome and affirm people of all sexual orientations and gender identities. We have two goals:

  • To spread the message of our members' LGBTQ-inclusion across the Chicago metropolitan area, mindful that a positive message about sexual and family diversity is a gift to all people.
  • To connect the leaders, members, and guests of our partner churches for fellowship and education, enabling support and resource-sharing for the practices of faithful welcome.

Coalition News and Events

Pride Flag.

Happy Pride Month!

What a time of mixed emotions for so many. We prayerfully lament with all those experiencing sorrow and anger, sadness and frustration, anxiety and depression, and all other feelings in this time like almost no other in our lives. We also thank God for her love and promise of hope. Together during this month of Pride, CCWC invites you to join us in celebration and fellowship. While physically distant, we're excited to share two opportunities to connect as a community of religious families and share God's love and warm welcome for all, especially our LGBTQ+ siblings!

Pride Celebration

In leu of our traditional Pride Brunch, CCWC will be hosting a celebration on Saturday June 27th at 10:00 a.m. The event will be held on Zoom. We are busy working on the details, including an exciting, soul nourishing program. We will also debut the Pride video at the celebration. Click here to register.

Click here for more information.

The Many.

Performance by The Many

We are so excited to announce our Pride celebration will include a liturgical performance by The Many! A local group based in indie pop and gospel traditions, The Many is dedicated to making music for peace, justice, and the all inclusive love of God for our world. Anyone who has attended a service or gathering where they have performed know the inspiration they share is tremendously uplifting and healing. We can think of no better group to join us this year.

Contribute to the 2020 Pride Video

We are creating a video montage (or "Tribute") for Pride 2020. It will only take a minute (2 minutes max) for your church/community to record and submit your unique message.

Be creative! Utilize your pastor! Use technology to create a group video or get together to record (with physical distancing of course)! Be unique and reflect your community.

Please record a message responding to this statement: Share a message of God's love and support for the LGBTQ+ community, especially during this COVID pandemic and the tragic murders of Black Americans.

University Church sign.
Photo by Christine Allender.

We invite you to submit your video at https://www.tribute.co/chicago-coalition-of-welcoming-churches/. The page provides detailed instructions on how to record/upload your message and support to answer technical questions. Also, please reach out to CCWC at info@chicagowelcomingchurches.org for any questions you have. We will respond to you as soon as we are able.

Click here for more information.

CCWC will compile the submissions into a single video message which will be shared for your church to use, as well as placed on Facebook and the CCWC website.

Don't be the last to submit! Start organizing now!

ELM Blog Devotionals

Extraordinary Lutheran Ministries (ELM) has a blog with devotionals keyed to the seasons. Check it out here.

The Coalition on Facebook

Chicago Coalition of Welcoming Churches