Human Needs
The people of Holy Spirit take to heart our Lord's command that we love and serve our neighbors in need. Here are some of our many programs under our Human Needs ministry efforts. If you would like to get involved, please contact Pastor Tim at tclinstrom@gmail.com.
Local
Regional
Global
Blood Drive
Annually, members of the Holy Spirit congregation and friends from the community have a chance to "give the gift of life" in our Sunday blood drive. Our fellowship hall is the perfect place for Lifesource to set up for a half-day event which usually yields 30 to 40 units of blood. Participants are treated to juice and delicious homemade brownies after they donate. Stop by! Walk-ins are always welcome.
Lutheran Day Nursery
Young preschoolers from Lutheran Day Nursery visit Holy Spirit in the summer for a joyous and fun-filled day.
COOL
C.O.O.L. food pantry supplies four days of emergency food to clients referred by area agencies and churches. C.O.O.L. also assists those in need with transitional housing as they begin the journey back to self-sufficiency. In addition to monetary gifts, congregation members got an opportunity to participate in hunger issues by actually bringing food to the Church.
Mission Church
Holy Spirit is committed to supporting mission beyond our community. For the last five years, we have been mission partners with the Hispanic ministry of Sagrado Corazon (Holy Cross) Lutheran Church worshiping at Trinity United Lutheran in Waukegan.
World Hunger
Our Lord made it clear that we are to serve our neighbor. Given that 1.4 billion of the world's people live in extreme poverty, the congregation of Holy Spirit actively supports the ELCA World Hunger Program.
We acknowledge our many blessings and commit ourselves joyfully to follow Christ’s call by going beyond relief by including development, education, and advocacy.
Every second Sunday of the month we take a special second offering for hunger. This offering is committed to those in need. We send 50% of the money received to the World Hunger Fund of the ELCA which distributes the dollars both in this country and overseas and 25% to the Vernon Township & COOL Food Pantries.
Refugee Resettlement
Welcoming the stranger is a Biblical tradition that Holy Spirit makes real through our work with Refugee One, The Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Services affiliate in the Chicago area. The congregation provides financial support towards the resettlement of refugees along with volunteers who gather needed items to furnish housing.
Members are invited to join in welcoming refugee families coming to Chicago.