New Englewood Senior Ministry Celebrates 1st Anniversary & Black History Month
Rev. Joel Washington (Khunanpu Sangoma)
Published: February 28, 2017
UnChained Ministry (UM), an Englewood-based faith community of Black Church believers, "called to serve seniors and their extended families," celebrated their 1st anniversary as well as Black History Month, Sunday afternoon, February 26th past, with a festive Jazz Brunch in the Joann Thompson Community Room of Bethel Terrace Co-op Senior Apartments, 900 W. 63rd Parkway.
Organized under the pastoral leadership of Rev. Shavonda Fields, who also professionally serves as the Social Services Coordinator of the Bethel Terrace community, UM'S Jazz Brunch was headlined by the Sacred Jazz and Poetry Worship Ministry of Reformation Lutheran Church Chicago, led by Rev. Joel Washington (Khunanpu Sangoma) who, along with his spouse, Deacon Marsha Washington, serve as leading veteran residents of Bethel Terrace.
According to UM spokesperson, Ms. Rosa Pugh "Our ministry was birthed out of obedience to the Holy Spirit on February 3rd, 2016, to serve the Bethel Terrace senior community, especially, but not limited to, residents unable to attend Sunday worship, and other services, at their regular home churches."
Pastor Fields, via in UM'S introductory brochure, observes "We provide ministry to those who have limited mobility and are in need of resources that will assist them in maintaining their independence. The bi-vocationl Pastor and Social Services Coordinator adds, "Our goal is to address the social, spiritual, and educational needs of this special and highly valued population."
Althoughly distinctively non-denominational in service, UM is emergent out of the South Side Chicago African American Lutheran tradition. It is supported by such Black Lutheran pastors and lay leaders concerned as Rev. Booker Vance, Faith in Place, Rev. Lawrence Clark, St. Mark Lutheran and Co-Dean of Metro Chicago Synod's South Conference, Rev. Joel Washington (Khunanpu Sangoma) and Deacon Marsha Washington of Reformation Lutheran Church and Ms. Pat Harper, lay leader of St. Stephen Lutheran Church.
UM worship's at Bethel Terrace's Community Room every Sunday morning at 10 AM. For more information contact Pastor Fields at 773-873-8703.
Respectfully submitted: Rev. Joel Washington (Khunanpu Sangoma), Pastor of Reformation Lutheran Church Chicago/ELCA ("Young Barack Obama's 1980s sanctuary for Pullmanland community organizing") and for AFRO LUTHERN CHICAGO MATTERS, Reformation's new media voice for clergy and lay leaders concerned, 2-28-17
Posted in Neighborhood News, Good In Englewood, Community Organizations, Social Services, Faith, Pastors of Englewood - U.I.O.C.C., Arts and Culture, Housing