March 7, 2022
Dear Friends of UCRP,
March 14th will be the anniversary of the Uplift Accessibility Campaign launch. One year later we have GOOD NEWS: Of our $300,000 goal, we have raised over $180,000!!! With that support we’ve been able to begin the first phase of the Project. So far, the corroded exterior ramp has been removed from the south side of the church, and tuckpointing work has been completed in preparation for installing a new ground-level entrance on the southwest corner of the building. Our permit application is moving forward to build an interior ramp down to the undercroft, and add a mechanical lift up to the Sanctuary.
We have more GOOD NEWS: The Uplift Accessibility Project itself has gotten a big uplift! As we move forward to raise the rest of the funds, we are blessed to announce that we’ve received a pledge for over $50,000! This donation is given in recognition of the members and leaders of United Church of Rogers Park in the 1970’s who first committed to making the church building accessible.
UCRP has a long legacy of accessibility. Fifty years ago, despite the odds against them, the people of UCRP managed to install the elevator to Overdier Hall and build the outdoor ramp to the Sanctuary level. They did not have a lot of money. They were not large in number. In spite of this, they were committed to creating a place of care for the whole Rogers Park community. Their story remains an inspiration for us [Check out our website to read a 1979 magazine article about the story: “A Serious Commitment to Accessibility”].
Enclosed you will find a remembrance from Sue Davies describing the work of the congregation when they acted by faith and invested in accessibility. Their time, energy, and commitment combined with the money raised from the elevator fund opened up the building to more people. That physical work to make the building accessible set the stage for the outreach that happened in the years and decades that followed.
We stand on the shoulders of those who came before us. Hearing the stories of those who have been faithful before us provides us hope and reassures us of God’s faithfulness. As we once again invest in the physical structure of our building, we believe that this investment will bear fruit for generations to come. UCRP’s physical presence in the UNITED CHURCH OF ROGERS PARK ADDRESS:
1545 W Morse Ave
Chicago, IL 60626
PHONE: 773-761-2500
WEBSITE: www.ucrogerspark.org
EMAIL: unitedchurchofrogerspark@gmail.com
neighborhood will continue to demonstrate our commitment to welcome ALL people as a sign of God’s love and care for individuals of all ages, races, genders, sexualities, and abilities.
Today we are asking for your help! We need your donation to continue building upon the legacy of those who established accessibility as part of UCRP’s mission. With the funds already in hand plus those that have been pledged, we now need to raise another $70,000 to fully fund the Uplift Accessibility Project. Please give what you can to lift us over the top!
To those who have given or made a pledge to the Uplift Campaign, we thank you. If you have not yet given, we invite you to join the legacy! Upon completion of Phase Two of The Uplift Accessibility Project, there will be an installation honoring ALL those who have already given and who will give to this campaign. Donations given in honor or in memory of others will be recognized and published when the new entrance is dedicated.
Please fill out the enclosed pledge form by CLICKING HERE where you can find an updated pledge form and a donation link. You can also email us at unitedchurchofrogerspark@gmail.com.
May you be uplifted and encouraged as we look forward to the time when ALL people can enter our building and be uplifted by the love of God and each other!
In Ministry Together,
The United Church of Rogers Park Fundraising team:
Pastor Hope Chernich, Jill Graham, Pastor Lindsey Joyce, Randall Doubet King, Phyllis Tholin, Brandon Pond, Isaiah Witcher, and Cliff Zimmerman