The Outreach and Community Service Cabinet provides support for St. Luke’s members to respond to human need through word and service locally, regionally, nationally, and globally.

Members of the Outreach and Community Service Cabinet

Heather O’Reilly – chair (847-825-7174)
Janet Hoiberg
Lynda Minnick
Maggie English
Katie English
Diane Barounis

We welcome additional participants! Explore possibilities in any of the following areas:

Evangelical Outreach
Lynda Minnick (773-637-0081)
Lynda Minnick, Sally Petterson, Pr. Stephen Larson along with others, develop and implement plans for welcoming visitors and disseminating information about St. Luke’s ministries.

Mission Education and Interpretation
Lynda Minnick (773-637-0081)
Through encounter events, monthly articles and corresponding picture posters, members and visitors are made aware of St. Luke’s participation in the work of the wider church through our offerings.

The Global Links Team raises awareness of and participation in God’s global mission through displays, curriculum, adult forums, fair trade coffee and chocolate sales, festivals, the ELCA Global Mission Events, missionary sponsorship and alternative giving options, with special emphasis on the Stand with Africa campaign and the World Hunger Appeal.

      ►October 2006 Trip to Tanzania
      ►Tanzania Journey Blog
      ►June 2008 Trip to the Holy Land

Community Service Coordination
Members identify in-house and community avenues for providing assistance for people in need. The group supports ongoing social ministry programs: food, clothing, and blood drives; Crop Walk for Hunger; Christmas card tree alternative giving option.

Moral Deliberation
Janet Hoiberg (847-692-5407)
Opportunities are provided for reflection and discussion of church, community, national, and international issues of concern.

St. Luke's, A Reconciling In Christ Congregation
St. Luke’s Reconciling in Christ (RIC) journey began in November 2003 with a resolution brought to the St. Luke's Church Council (CC) by the Education and Learning Cabinet that St. Luke’s consider becoming an RIC congregation. The CC “approved the formation of a task group to evaluate the disposition of St. Luke’s towards developing a statement of welcome and affirmation for people of all sexual orientation.” Following several months of educational opportunities, congregational dialog and meetings, a Congregational Meeting was called for June 13, 2004. At that meeting, with an 82% vote in favor, St. Luke’s adopted a statement of welcome and became an RIC congregation.  For resources and the latest information about this journey, see the St. Luke's Reconciling In Christ page.