The unit was started by a community of Mennonites who
live in Chicago with various church affiliations. Nearby
Lincoln United Methodist Church
(2009 W. 22nd Place) has been involved with the unit
since it was founded. Lincoln is a small, Hispanic/European,
bilingual church which is very involved in the community with an
after-school program, senior citizen group, award-winning community
garden, food pantry distribution, and more, all in addition to the regular
church program. Some contacts who can find someone to bring you to
church are Pastor Shirley Pulgar-Hughes, or Rich Rutchman. In
1998,
Oak Park Mennonite Church
became an official cosponsor
of the unit. Oak Park Mennonite Church is not in the
neighborhood, and it is a small church with
good hymn singing, intellectual programming, and socially liberal atmosphere. MVSers can get involved by joining small groups and participating in the annual church retreat and canoe trip. Contact Jan Wiebe if you would like a ride.
People from both churches and others are on the Pilsen MVS Support Committee and Housing Committee. Volunteers are welcome to attend either church, however, it is recommended that each volunteer chooses to adopt one of these churches to enable that church to become a regular part of that person's supportive community.