The Chicago Coalition of Welcoming Churches is a collaboration of more than 70 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.
Purpose of the Coalition
The Chicago Coalition of Welcoming Churches is a collaboration of more than 70 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.
Volunteer Opportunity for Partner Churches
Broadway Youth Center is a part of Howard Brown Health and is a haven for LGBTQ youth and young people experiencing homelessness or housing instability. Here, young people find a safe community as well as medical, social and mental health care services. All services are for youth, ages 12 to 24 regardless of their ability to pay.
Because we do not have a kitchen, the Center relies on food donations to provide breakfast and lunches for homeless youths. We are looking for partners to help us continue our meal program.
Partner congregations may provide anything from one meal a month, twice a month, or once a week, so whatever a church can assist with would be helpful.
For more information about how your congregation can participate, please, contact Tali Levy-Bernstein at TalliL@howardbrown.org. For more information about The Broadway Youth Center, visit howardbrown.org/byc/.
Documenting Your Faithful Journey
How did your congregation become an inclusive, faith community? Is someone in your church collecting the stories and oral histories from your journey to inclusion? The Coalition invites our partner congregations and affiliates to preserve and publish the stories of their own path to inclusive ministry.
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Pride Brunch
Our brunch was an AWESOME and inspiring success. Heartfelt thanks to all our volunteers, especially the UCE team including Chris Allender, Shirley Adams, and Mike Takada. Also thanks to Sarah Swagler, Steph Youngman, Jossy and the team from Christ Lutheran, Vernon Hills. Thanks to Jenn Peterson and the CCWC Executive Committee for a story-stirring event!
Chicago Equality Rally at Andersonville Midsommarfest
The Coalition is proud to have been a cosponsor of Chicago's Equality Rally.
The Rally gave support to those in our communities who are targeted due to immigration status, ethnicity, religion, skin color, gender, or disability.
EqualityCon 2017
Thank you so much for your support! EqualityCon 2017 attracted about 2,000 people, and helped push forward several bills on topics related to racial justice, transgender equality, and safety in schools.
For lots of pics and video from the event, go here.