COVID-19 Update:
March 17, 2020
Friends,
We are living in a tumultuous time. As more guidelines and information become available, we are prayerfully and thoughtfully considering the ways we can still be a church while also protecting the health of all who worship together in fellowship and use our space. The Session of Second Presbyterian Church met yesterday evening via phone conference last night and as of Tuesday, March 17, 2020 all building use, including worship, Bible Study, gym rentals, meetings and other facility use will be suspended until further notice. This decision did not come lightly. We are prepared for many more difficult conversations in the future.
For those in our community that are homeless or living with food insecurity, we will still be open for our Lunch Bag Program as a ‘grab-and-go’ service only. To protect the health and wellbeing of our volunteers, staff and guests, we are asking that all Lunch Bag Program guests enter through the South Narthex doors (facing Cullerton Ave.) and exit through the front doors of the church. Our building will be closed for all other use, including our restrooms.
Due to the closing of the building, we will also not be accepting any clothing/household donations until further notice.
Moving forward, we will be live streaming our worship services beginning this Sunday, March 22. You can visit our website (2ndpresbyterian.org) and click the link to worship live with us, or you may view the service later. We will be postponing Holy Week and Easter activities until it is safe for us to gather again. If you have prayer requests for the bulletin, please email the Office Administrator at secondchurch1936@comcast.net as bulletins will be emailed to each of you as part of the Friday email. If you are in need of pastoral care, please email our Office Administrator at secondchurch1936@comcast.net and let Ashley know so that our pastoral staff can reach you directly.
Now is the time for us to come together as a community in a new way—virtually. I encourage you to reach out to members and friends of the church and with compassion, check in on each other. While we may not be able to worship together physically, we are able to continue being the church in the way that we care for one another.
As Session makes changes and adjustments, we will communicate primarily to you through our website-- so please check it often. As soon as we are able to worship together again, you will be notified.
These are scary and difficult times for us all. You are in our prayers. Trusting in God, we will do our part and wait in hope for what tomorrow will bring.
In Christ’s peace,
David Neff, Pastor
Leslie Deslauriers, Pastoral Assistant
This Week in Our Church:
All programs, events and services have been CANCELED except for our Lunch Bag Program (Tuesday-Friday 11am-1pm--enter through Narthex doors at Michigan & Cullerton and exit through front doors. No restroom use will be available) and South Loop Community Table (Sunday evenings 7pm-9pm in the parking lot--no restroom use will be available).
Our worship services will be live-streamed through our website (link coming soon). Please reach out if you need pastoral care!
Worship
When you worship with us at Second Presbyterian Church, you will immediately be drawn by the outstanding architecture and artistry of this City, State, and National Historic Landmark location. Our sanctuary features nine Tiffany Stained Glass Windows and 175 angels depicted in statues, carvings, glass, and murals. We are a PC(USA) church rooted in the Presbyterian tradition, however our congregation is anything but traditional. We are proud to be a beautiful representation of God's Kingdom in the make-up of our congregants every Sunday. We have folks from every corner of the earth worshiping together each Sunday morning and we have formed a community of support, love, and care for anyone who walks in our doors. Whether you are new to Christianity or have been a life-long Christian, all are welcome and will feel comfortable worshiping with us. We look forward to meeting you and sharing in God's glory with you!
Serve
We have multiple volunteer opportunities weekly at Second Presbyterian Church.
Lunch Bag Program: We are always looking for volunteers Tuesday-Friday from 10am-1:15pm to help serve our neighbors that are either homeless or living with food insecurity. We serve a free lunch bag to anyone in need. This volunteer opportunity is a great way to serve those in need and connect with others living in the South Loop Community. For more information, please contact Vicki Reynolds at vickireynolds24@gmail.com
Tutoring: At Second Presbyterian Church, we tutor around 35 children and youth (2nd grade-8th grade) on Wednesday evenings (6pm-7:30pm) from September 18-mid June. If you are interested in helping with our tutoring program, please contact Pastor Neff at pastor.secondchurch1936@comcast.net
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Teach: Our Christian Education Hour is one of our most amazing programs and we are always seeking adults who have a passion for Christ and a passion for teaching to engage our children and youth. If you are interested in helping serve as a teacher, a substitute, or an aide, please contact Pastor Neff at pastor.secondchurch1936@comcast.net
Weddings: Second Presbyterian Church offers beautiful weddings in our National, State, and City Historic Landmark location. For any wedding to be successful, we need individuals who have a passion for making this day memorable and joyful for the wedding party. If you would like more information, please contact our Wedding Coordinator Barbara Crawford at spcweddingschicago@gmail.com
South Loop Community Table: The South Loop Community Table, brought to you by South Loop Campus Ministries and The Inclusive Collective, will resume on Sunday, September 8th at 7pm. Please enter through the parking lot doors. If you are interested in volunteering, please contact Pastoral Assistant Leslie Deslauriers at pastoralassistant.2ndpreschgo@gmail.com
South Loop Memory Cafe: The South Loop Memory Cafe is a monthly gathering for those living with Alzheimer's/Dementia and their caregivers to gather together for food, singing, and activities. We are always looking for volunteers to help with the monthly activities. South Loop Memory Cafe meets the 2nd Thursday of each month from 2:30pm-4pm. If you're interested in volunteering, please contact South Loop Memory Cafe at southloopvillage@gmail.com
Study
Second Presbyterian Church is committed to making disciples of all ages. We offer multiple Christian Education classes weekly for all age groups.
Present Word: This adult Christian Education class meets weekly on Sunday mornings at 9:30am in the Church Library. Study materials are provided each quarter and all are welcome.
Book of Romans: Join Rev. Tolliver for an in-depth study on the Book of Romans each Tuesday afternoon at 1:30pm in the Fellowship Hall. Only your Bible is needed!
Alpha to Omega Bible Discussion Group: This group is committed to going through the Bible, one book at a time and discussing key themes. They meet twice/month on the second and fourth Wednesdays at 6pm in the 2nd Floor office. All are welcome to participate. For more information, please contact Flea Parker at flea@golden2.net
Second Book Group: The Second Book Group meets monthly on the 3rd Sunday at 9:30am in the 2nd floor office. The April 19th book will be Talking with Strangers by Malcolm Gladwell. The May 18th book will be My Antonia by Willa Cather. All are welcome to participate in the discussion and recommend future books.
Biblical Foundations: This class is meant for children kindergarten-5th grade and meets every Sunday morning (September-June) in the middle classroom (behind the kitchen) at 9:45am. The lessons are meant to build a Biblical foundation for children and youth beginning at an early age.
Confirmation Class: A new confirmation class for grades 6 and above will meet the on the first and third Sunday of each month at 12:15 p.m. Join us on this journey to discover, nurture and develop your faith. For more information and a registration form, please contact Eugene Leonard or call the church office.
Post-Confirmation Class: This class meets Sunday mornings also in the North Parlor (September-June) at 10am and is designed to continue laying the Spiritual foundation for our youth once they have joined the church.
Other: Periodically we study series that meet during the week or even on Sunday afternoons. As these series are planned, they will be added to this section. Past studies include: Women of the Bible, The Book of Confessions Study, Loving Ourselves and Loving Our Neighbors: A Lenten Journey, Christianity and Poverty, and Christianity and Healthcare.
Who is Second Presbyterian Church?
We are diverse, inclusive, community, engaging, passionate.
Mission Statement
We are a diverse and inclusive community bringing people to Christ through the power of service, education, hospitality, and compassion.
Vision Statement
Second Presbyterian Church seeks to be a diverse, vibrant and passionate Christ-centered community of hospitality and outreach actively serving the South Loop, the city of Chicago, and the world. We accomplish this through inspirational worship in our historic Sanctuary, educational ministry to all ages, and the power of compassionate service to our neighbors.
Sunday Parking
The parking lot adjacent to the north side of the church is available for parking for Sunday worship. We encourage those whose mobility permits to park on the city streets so as to leave parking lot space for those with more limited mobility. Street parking is FREE every Sunday. Please contact Office Administrator, Ashley McLean, for more information.
Statement on Same Sex Marriage
For many years, Second Presbyterian Church has offered same-sex marriage as part of our ministry to the church and the greater Chicagoland community. You and your partner will find an inclusive, warm fellowship of diverse spiritual people at Second Presbyterian Church. If you are looking for a place to be married, or a people who believe in the full dignity, beauty and equality of all God’s children, welcome home.