5th Annual #OccupyPalmSunday Worship THIS Weekend

For the 5th year in a row, St. Luke's will be joining the other members of the Logan Square Ecumenical Alliance (LSEA) for a joint public witness to our faith in Jesus - who entered Jerusalem on the back of a donkey to disrupt business as usual on the day we now celebrate as Palm Sunday.New this Year: For the first time, three LSEA congregations will come together for a joint worship service on Palm Sunday (Sunday, March 20), followed by an action at Lathrop Homes for public housing at which we'll be joined by people of faith and good will from across Chicago as we protest the city's recent decision to eliminate 525 units of public housing in our community to make way for even more market rate development in our already rapidly gentrifying neighborhood.#OccupyPalmSunday Ecumenical Worship Service: Sunday, March 20, 2016 + 10:30am - 12pm at Diversey River Bowl (2211 W. Diversey)St. Luke's will be joined at this worship service by our sisters and brothers from Nuestra Señora de las Americas (Episcopal) and Kimball Avenue Church. Because this service will flow directly into our public action at Lathrop Homes, we'll be observing a different kind of "table fellowship" with one another during worship. Following the sermon, all three congregations will take part in an "agape feast" - a shared meal - during which we'll have a chance to sit with and get to know members of the other congregations. Having taken the time for both food and fellowship during the service, we will be ready to bless the palm branches in our hands and march with them to the rally at Lathrop Homes.NOTE: This service will include a light lunch in preparation for the rally to follow. St. Luke's has been asked to provide the cheese and bread for this shared meal. Please consider bringing an offering of sliced breads and sliced cheeses for the sandwiches we'll be providing at the "agape feast."Rally for Lathrop Homes: Sunday, March 20, 2016 + 12:30pm - 2pm at Lathrop HomesBy now you've very likely heard lots about our on-going advocacy for the restoration of public housing units at Lathrop Homes. For the last three years St. Luke's has taken part in the LSEA's "Las Posadas for Public Housing at Lathrop Homes." Last fall we participated in the Interfaith Call for Action for public housing at Lathrop. Members of St. Luke's have joined the Logan Square Neighborhood Association's (LSNA) "Housing & Land Use" committee. We have met with various aldermen and elected officials. In partnership with the Lathrop Leadership Team and LSNA we have done all we could to support the struggle for public housing in our community. Nevertheless, the city has made it clear that they intend to hand public land over to private developers in a move that will accelerate the gentrification of Logan Square and displace families who have made their homes and their livelihoods here for generations.WHAT WE NEED FROM YOU:

1. Come to worship this Sunday! Bring your offering of bread and cheese, and plan to arrive early so that we can begin worship on time. There's plenty of parking at Diversey River Bowl, so don't let the change in venue scare you off.
2. Decide now that you'll march with us, rain or shine ... and then dress accordingly. Make your intent to march public by RSVP'ing to the Facebook event page.
3. Study up on the facts of the matter. You can start with the video the Logan Square Ecumenical Alliance released a few weeks ago. Once you've watched it, PLEASE share it as widely as you can throughout your social networks.
4. Prayerfully consider taking on a special role in the Sunday rally by acting as a marshal, taking part in the direct action being planned, or keeping vigil outside the apartments throughout the afternoon as the direct action takes place. Click here to learn more and sign up.