Mennonite Mission Network staff
Tuesday, May 16, 2006

CHICAGO, Ill. (Mennonite Mission Network)-- I wish I could say that violence has departed from the corner of Pratt Boulevard and Ashland Avenue since Living Water Community Church renovated and took occupany of our new meetinghouse at this location on Christmas Eve 2005.

God first focused our attention on this spot when a drive-by shooting occurred here in October 2001. (See: "Called to the corner" for background.) Our congregation began a weekly Sunday night prayer vigil on this corner which continues even now. 
 
Reality is that we are located in a volatile space one block from the local public elementary school and two blocks from the local public high school where fighting often breaks out between students. Rival gangs conduct turf warfare back and forth in this space as well. Police cars are a common sight around this intersection many days after school. Just last week we heard gunshots as the elementary kids were coming out of school. 
 
These events convince us more than ever that our prayers and peace witness are needed here. When school was starting up last fall, we set up our free lemonade stand on the corner to offer ourselves as a peace-making presence on the street.  We anticipate doing this again as school winds down so we can publicize our four-week Vacation Bible School program being offered this summer.
 
On Easter Sunday, we poured out of the meetinghouse to sing our praises to God (with "old 606" and other selections) for the resurrection of Jesus at this intersection. 
We find more of our neighbors dropping in for Sunday worship now that we are in a more visible location.

A loan from Reba Place Fellowship and MMA made it possible for our 10-year-old church plant to purchase the property. A capital campaign committee led by Patty Peebles raised funds needed for a down payment, renovation and ongoing maintenance costs. More than $500,000 has been raised in gifts and pledges, with more than half coming from the 80-member congregation.
 
Please continue to pray that our presence brings Christ's peace to this conflictual area in a tangible and visible way.

 

 

 Related

 

 

It starts with languageStewardshiphttps://www.mennonitemission.net/news/4905/It-starts-with-languageIt starts with languageGP0|#52c46992-a072-4af3-b006-834f7e8b9cb1;L0|#052c46992-a072-4af3-b006-834f7e8b9cb1|News;GTSet|#544fcc8d-5de2-49c8-9d51-afee09323476
Meserete Kristos Seminary celebrates 101 graduates, expands training globallyMeserete Kristos Seminaryhttps://www.mennonitemission.net/news/4906/Meserete-Kristos-Seminary-celebrates-101-graduates-expands-training-globallyMeserete Kristos Seminary celebrates 101 graduates, expands training globallyGP0|#52c46992-a072-4af3-b006-834f7e8b9cb1;L0|#052c46992-a072-4af3-b006-834f7e8b9cb1|News;GTSet|#544fcc8d-5de2-49c8-9d51-afee09323476Bishoftu
Mennonite Mission Network now scheduling autumn Just Peace PilgrimagesJust Peace Pilgrimagehttps://www.mennonitemission.net/news/4902/autumn-Just-Peace-PilgrimagesMennonite Mission Network now scheduling autumn Just Peace PilgrimagesGP0|#52c46992-a072-4af3-b006-834f7e8b9cb1;L0|#052c46992-a072-4af3-b006-834f7e8b9cb1|News;GTSet|#544fcc8d-5de2-49c8-9d51-afee09323476
Mission Network seminars at MennoCon23 for all agesMennoCon23https://www.mennonitemission.net/news/4890/seminars-at-MennoCon23Mission Network seminars at MennoCon23 for all agesGP0|#52c46992-a072-4af3-b006-834f7e8b9cb1;L0|#052c46992-a072-4af3-b006-834f7e8b9cb1|News;GTSet|#544fcc8d-5de2-49c8-9d51-afee09323476
Medical mission worker in Taiwan leaves legacy of teaching and compassionate careObituaryhttps://www.mennonitemission.net/news/4903/Medical-mission-worker-in-Taiwan-leaves-legacy-of-teaching-and-compassionate-careMedical mission worker in Taiwan leaves legacy of teaching and compassionate careGP0|#52c46992-a072-4af3-b006-834f7e8b9cb1;L0|#052c46992-a072-4af3-b006-834f7e8b9cb1|News;GTSet|#544fcc8d-5de2-49c8-9d51-afee09323476Hualien
Peace pins serve as a reminder for congregationsPeace pinshttps://www.mennonitemission.net/news/4898/Peace-pins-serve-as-a-reminder-for-congregationsPeace pins serve as a reminder for congregationsGP0|#52c46992-a072-4af3-b006-834f7e8b9cb1;L0|#052c46992-a072-4af3-b006-834f7e8b9cb1|News;GTSet|#544fcc8d-5de2-49c8-9d51-afee09323476
A broader movement in church propertiesMennonite Voluntary Servicehttps://www.mennonitemission.net/news/4896/A-broader-movementA broader movement in church propertiesGP0|#52c46992-a072-4af3-b006-834f7e8b9cb1;L0|#052c46992-a072-4af3-b006-834f7e8b9cb1|News;GTSet|#544fcc8d-5de2-49c8-9d51-afee09323476Washington
Mennonites in Burkina Faso request prayer as they speak out against military taxationMilitary Taxationhttps://www.mennonitemission.net/news/4897/Mennonites-in-Burkina-Faso-request-prayer-as-they-speak-out-against-military-taxationMennonites in Burkina Faso request prayer as they speak out against military taxationGP0|#52c46992-a072-4af3-b006-834f7e8b9cb1;L0|#052c46992-a072-4af3-b006-834f7e8b9cb1|News;GTSet|#544fcc8d-5de2-49c8-9d51-afee09323476
Miriam Graber Schrock left loving memories in BrazilObituaryhttps://www.mennonitemission.net/news/4895/Miriam-Graber-Schrock-left-loving-memories-in-BrazilMiriam Graber Schrock left loving memories in BrazilGP0|#52c46992-a072-4af3-b006-834f7e8b9cb1;L0|#052c46992-a072-4af3-b006-834f7e8b9cb1|News;GTSet|#544fcc8d-5de2-49c8-9d51-afee09323476
Shared Voices version three is availableShared Voiceshttps://www.mennonitemission.net/news/4892/Shared-Voices-version-threeShared Voices version three is availableGP0|#52c46992-a072-4af3-b006-834f7e8b9cb1;L0|#052c46992-a072-4af3-b006-834f7e8b9cb1|News;GTSet|#544fcc8d-5de2-49c8-9d51-afee09323476
Neta Faye Yoder served God’s people in Japan for 35 yearsObituaryhttps://www.mennonitemission.net/news/4888/Neta-Faye-Yoder-served-Gods-people-in-JapanNeta Faye Yoder served God’s people in Japan for 35 yearsGP0|#52c46992-a072-4af3-b006-834f7e8b9cb1;L0|#052c46992-a072-4af3-b006-834f7e8b9cb1|News;GTSet|#544fcc8d-5de2-49c8-9d51-afee09323476Iowa
For Mennonites in Ethiopia, human analysis follows Holy Spirit’s guidanceMeserete Kristos Churchhttps://www.mennonitemission.net/news/4883/For-Mennonites-in-Ethiopia-human-analysis-follows-Holy-Spirit’s-guidanceFor Mennonites in Ethiopia, human analysis follows Holy Spirit’s guidanceGP0|#52c46992-a072-4af3-b006-834f7e8b9cb1;L0|#052c46992-a072-4af3-b006-834f7e8b9cb1|News;GTSet|#544fcc8d-5de2-49c8-9d51-afee09323476
A ministry of accompanimentObituaryhttps://www.mennonitemission.net/news/4882/ministry-of-accompanimentA ministry of accompanimentGP0|#52c46992-a072-4af3-b006-834f7e8b9cb1;L0|#052c46992-a072-4af3-b006-834f7e8b9cb1|News;GTSet|#544fcc8d-5de2-49c8-9d51-afee09323476
Eunice Miller sparked resistance to injusticeLatin Americahttps://www.mennonitemission.net/news/4885/Miller-sparked-resistance-to-injusticeEunice Miller sparked resistance to injusticeGP0|#52c46992-a072-4af3-b006-834f7e8b9cb1;L0|#052c46992-a072-4af3-b006-834f7e8b9cb1|News;GTSet|#544fcc8d-5de2-49c8-9d51-afee09323476Buenos Aires
Bonita Landis Driver embodied God’s love on three continentsWomen's History Monthhttps://www.mennonitemission.net/news/4869/Bonita-Landis-Driver-embodied-God’s-love-on-three-continentsBonita Landis Driver embodied God’s love on three continentsGP0|#52c46992-a072-4af3-b006-834f7e8b9cb1;L0|#052c46992-a072-4af3-b006-834f7e8b9cb1|News;GTSet|#544fcc8d-5de2-49c8-9d51-afee09323476

 

 

 

 

It starts with languagehttps://www.mennonitemission.net/news/4905/It-starts-with-languageIt starts with language
Meserete Kristos Seminary celebrates 101 graduates, expands training globallyhttps://www.mennonitemission.net/news/4906/Meserete-Kristos-Seminary-celebrates-101-graduates-expands-training-globallyMeserete Kristos Seminary celebrates 101 graduates, expands training globally
Mennonite Mission Network now scheduling autumn Just Peace Pilgrimageshttps://www.mennonitemission.net/news/4902/autumn-Just-Peace-PilgrimagesMennonite Mission Network now scheduling autumn Just Peace Pilgrimages
Mission Network seminars at MennoCon23 for all ageshttps://www.mennonitemission.net/news/4890/seminars-at-MennoCon23Mission Network seminars at MennoCon23 for all ages
Medical mission worker in Taiwan leaves legacy of teaching and compassionate carehttps://www.mennonitemission.net/news/4903/Medical-mission-worker-in-Taiwan-leaves-legacy-of-teaching-and-compassionate-careMedical mission worker in Taiwan leaves legacy of teaching and compassionate care
Peace pins serve as a reminder for congregationshttps://www.mennonitemission.net/news/4898/Peace-pins-serve-as-a-reminder-for-congregationsPeace pins serve as a reminder for congregations



 

 

It starts with languagehttps://www.mennonitemission.net/news/4905/It-starts-with-languageIt starts with languageStewardship
Meserete Kristos Seminary celebrates 101 graduates, expands training globallyhttps://www.mennonitemission.net/news/4906/Meserete-Kristos-Seminary-celebrates-101-graduates-expands-training-globallyMeserete Kristos Seminary celebrates 101 graduates, expands training globallyMeserete Kristos Seminary
Civil rights learning tour recap: days one and twohttps://www.mennonitemission.net/blog/4904/Civil-rights-learning-tour-recap-days-one-and-twoCivil rights learning tour recap: days one and twoJust Peace Pilgrimage
Mennonite Mission Network now scheduling autumn Just Peace Pilgrimageshttps://www.mennonitemission.net/news/4902/autumn-Just-Peace-PilgrimagesMennonite Mission Network now scheduling autumn Just Peace PilgrimagesJust Peace Pilgrimage
Mission Network seminars at MennoCon23 for all ageshttps://www.mennonitemission.net/news/4890/seminars-at-MennoCon23Mission Network seminars at MennoCon23 for all agesMennoCon23
Solar energy brings healing to land and communitieshttps://www.mennonitemission.net/blog/4901/Solar-energy-brings-healingSolar energy brings healing to land and communitiesSolar energy