By Dr. Peggy Griffin

How does North Shore Baptist Church relate to Ida B. Wells Drive? The recent naming of a Chicago street for Ida B. Wells sent me to the archives. My long- term interest in the chivalry of Ida B. Wells Barnett, and also my acquaintance with some members of her family drew from my bookshelf a copy of Crusade for Justice: The Autobiography of Ida B. Wells.  Her writing reveals the fact that her early history was intertwined with the American Baptist Home Mission Society.

I am proud to say that my copy of the autobiography was personally autographed by her daughter, Dr. Alfreda M. Duster on January 19, 1973.  I was fortunate to know both of her daughters, Alfreda M. Barnett Duster and Ida B. Barnett, as well as her grandson, Atty. Benjamin Duster. I also take pride in the history of our church and our denomination, which have always had strong mission programs as well as advocacy for civil rights. I will here relay some facts about the life of Ida B. Wells that reveal the connection.

Ida B. Wells was an investigative journalist, educator, and early civil rights leader who was born into enslavement in Holly Springs Mississippi in 1862.  Her parents were married during slavery, with her father working in the carpenter’s trade and her mother working as a cook. They were emancipated at the end of the Civil War.

Yellow Fever took the lives of Ida’s parents and her youngest sibling when she was only sixteen.  Illness had earlier claimed the lives of two of the children.  Ida had received enough education to secure a teaching position to support her five siblings, with the help of her grandmother.  Ida B. Wells later moved to Memphis to earn higher wages.

Over 70 years before Rosa Parks refused to abide by segregationist laws in Montgomery, Alabama, Ida B. Wells made a similar stand in a Chesapeake, Ohio and Southwestern railroad car.  She refused to move to the “colored” section of the train when a white conductor ordered her to do so under the segregationist laws.  She was forcefully removed from the train, and she sued the company for her ill treatment.  One of her quotations challenges us today, “ One had better die fighting against injustice than die like a dog or a rat in a trap.”

She started writing for church publications.  Her first paid writing position was as a staff member of the American Baptist.  She later became a co-owner of Memphis Free Speech and Headlight.  Her writings exposed lynching and captured a national and international reading audience. Her paper enraged the segregationists, who lynched some of her friends, burned down her press, and put a price on her life. 
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She migrated to Chicago and continued her activist lifestyle.  She married Atty. Ferdinand L. Barnett and had a family. While rearing her children, she continued to write and speak out on civil rights and women’s rights.  Her legacy lives and reminds us as Christians to stand for the cause of justice and righteousness. 

Let artistic reflection be your Lenten discipline this year! This Lent, Viola Mayol will be leading a class on Creative Process.

Creative Process is a combination of writing and art making. Each time we meet we will begin with intention writing, a tool for focusing and preparing to be present to the art making. Intention writing is followed by art making (drawing, painting, simple sculpture, and mixed media) which will be the bulk of our time together. Art making is followed by witness writing, a reflection of the process. We will close each session by reading (if you wish) and sharing our writings. This art is concern about the process, not the product. The art made becomes a souvenir of the journey. Writing and art materials will be provided.

This class will meet in South Howel Hall at 11:30-12:30. Classes will meet on March 10, 17, 24 and April 7 and 14.

Vibrant urban multicultural congregation is looking for a part-time Accounting Assistant/Bookkeeper to work approximately 27 hours per week. This position is responsible for the coordination and maintenance of the detailed accounting records and all related supporting documentation, preparation of payroll and other financial data in the general books of The North Shore Baptist Church and the issuance of financial operating reports as required, in accordance with standard principles of accounting. Ideal candidate will possess an open, friendly personality and be comfortable interacting with a wide variety of people and situations. Must have excellent computer skills.  Experience with Sage software and/or ACS Contributions computer financial programs a plus with working knowledge of Microsoft Office programs a must. Minimum of two years of college, preferably with focus in the accounting field and minimum of two years accounting/bookkeeping experience. Working knowledge of fund accounting a plus. Work hours flexible within standard workday week schedule.

Click here for more detailed job description summary.

Click here to complete on-line application and submit resume.

​Rev. Dr. Marie Onwubuariri has served for over ten years as a cross-cultural competency trainer in faith-based, educational, and professional settings, and brings to her engagements a lifetime of continual formation at the intersection of cultures. Marie’s relational and contextual leadership style and unique approach is carefully designed based on her expansive and integrated experiences in local church, denominational, ecumenical, residential community, and secular settings, along with her formal education, which includes a BS in Management, a Master of Divinity with an emphasis in multicultural ministries, and a Doctor of Ministry in Transformation Leadership, which culminated in her dissertation topic, “Cultural Self-knowing and Negotiation: A Spiritual Practice for Intercultural Leaders.” Marie is co-editor and chapter author of Trouble the Water: A Christian Resource for the Work of Racial Justice (Nurturing Faith, 2017). Marie currently serves as Regional Executive Minister (REM) of the American Baptist Churches of Wisconsin, holding the distinct honor of being the first female and first person of color in this position in the region and first Asian-American female REM in the denomination (American Baptist Churches USA).This privilege informs her gratefulness for the many people who have boldly paved the path before her and her call to shape spaces that welcome and give home to the voices and gifts of those too often discounted. 

Paw Say Ku is a former Karen refugee from Thailand/Myanmar. Paw received her undergraduate degree in Social Justice  from Northeastern Illinois University and is pursuing her Master Degree in the Clinical Mental Health at Adler University. Currently, Paw works at the Heartland Human Cares Services with the Refugee and Immigrant Community Services as a Supervisor for Youth and Family Department after being chosen as a  Hear Chicago and Heal Chicago Fellow through Heartland Alliance.   Paw is passionate about advocating for human rights especially for refugee and immigrant, and community mental health.  Paw believes that we can be empowered to connect and create healing from listening and sharing stories with one another. ​

North Shore Baptist Church is seeking a nursery worker to care for a wonderful and diverse group of children during the hours of 9:15 am-12:45 pm on Sundays. The pay is $13.00/hour.  Qualified applicants will be aged 18 or over and have prior experience working with children. 
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The Church Nursery Worker/s shall:
1. Create and maintain a safe, nurturing environment for infants and young children and Sundays during the worship services and the education hour, demonstrating God’s love for each precious and unique child.
2. Work under the direction of Educational Ministry and its assigned pastor.
3. Communicate regularly with the Nursery Coordinator concerning the overall needs and progress of the Nursery program, including parent satisfaction, volunteer assistance, equipment needs, etc.
4. Welcome warmly all children and parents upon arrival, guiding them to use the sign-in sheets.
5. Foster a positive relationship with parents, communicating with them regarding any special needs, events during the morning, and their child’s adjustment to the nursery.
6. Attend promptly to children’s physical and emotional needs, i.e. runny nose, wet diapers, crying, etc.
7. Keep the children engaged in age-appropriate activities such as: coloring: listening to stories, playing with toys, and snack time.
8. Encourage children age 4 and over to go to the Beginner Class during the Adventures in Learning hour.
9. Watch for signs of illness (fever, vomiting, etc.) and notify parents to remove a sick child from the nursery.
10. Ensure that the nursery room is neat and clean (wash infant toys as necessary) at the end of each session.
11. Adhere to the guidelines of the NSBC Safe Church Policy at all times.

Please fill out this form to apply.

The Edgewater Community Religious Association will host its annual Thanksgiving service at 3 pm on Sunday, November 19 at the Ismaili Center, 6259 N. Broadway Ave. .  It will feature speakers, music, and sacred readings from various faiths represented in our community.  There will be a reception to follow.

​At the service, we will also be collecting canned goods to benefit Care for Real, the Edgewater food pantry.

By Dr. Peggy Griffin

​The newly formed NSBC Outreach Ministry organized the October 28th panel discussion on the “Liberating Church”. The idea spiraled from the 2018 Martin Luther King Weekend Teach-In. Dr. Nancy Bedford from Garrett Evangelical Theological Seminary was our guest theologian.  Pastor Rony Reyes and Lupe, a member of the Hispanic congregation, were the other panelists.  Pastor Michael Ware was the panel moderator, and Pastor Kathryn Ray was the translator.

The evocative discussion followed a luncheon that had a selection of delightful tastes from several Spanish speaking countries around the world.  The food and table discussions helped tune the ears of listeners to grasp meaningful content coming from the in-depth panel dialogue.  This physical nourishment was preceded by spiritual sustenance in the sermon of Pastor Michael in the morning service.  He reminded us that “It is not what we have, but what we share.” The total worship experience on that day involved sharing substance, ideas, sentiments, and action strategies.

One could sense the desperation of the travelers on the bridge between the borders of Guatemala and Mexico as Pastor Rony explained that he too had crossed that bridge.  He shared some history that built a case for the advantage of admitting the Caravan travelers    into the United States.  He spoke of “the law of proximity” in which human nature compels individuals to seek the closest and most convenient way to escape from oppression.  Lupe confirmed his statements as she shared her own story of finding refuge in the United States.  She made the situation real for us.  She emphasized the fact that people are coming with willing hands to work and make positive contributions to this country and to society at large. 

Dr. Bedford stated that “God is no respecter of borders.”  Peripheries and confines are constructions that are usually centered around aspirations for power and economic gain. She gave us the charge to put out truth narratives by collecting and disseminating testimonies of history.  Christian education includes presenting history in the proper perspective and reaching beyond borders.

The panel discussion was more than informative.  The question & answer period revealed that participants were ready to act on the ideas triggered during the discussion.  From the outcome of this event, members of North Shore Baptist church can watch for some positive new initiatives.  Several members signed up for the formation of an Immigration Task Force.  The Outreach Ministry is working on ways to collect and publicize the rich narratives in the congregations.  We have renewed inspiration in planning for our 2019 MLK Teach-in.

Pastor Michael began the panel discussion with reference to a triune plan for action that emerged in the Adventures in Learning Sermon Talk Back. These actions are: 1. Write to legislators to advocate desired changes. 2. Watch our words. Use “us” language rather than words that cause division.  3. Use the power of the vote to bring positive change.

Days have passed since the discussion of the Habits of a Liberating Church in Community, but the spirit and desire for action are rising from incubation.