CRS responded to the call to put our faith into action by holding our 2023 Annual Martin Luther King Jr. Faith in Action Assembly. Together with CRS member congregation St. Mark United Methodist Church, we hosted a Chicago Community Conversation to provide space for sharing community concerns, engaging with district council and aldermanic candidates, and learning about the 2023 municipal election.
Check out this recording of Stop Stopping Us: A CRS Teach-In to End Pretextual Traffic Stops featuring Urban Village Church (UVC), Wicker Park. The CRS Organizing and Policy Team and UVC, Wicker Park educated community leaders about the critical campaign to end pretextual traffic stops, originating from the Free2Move Coalition, of which CRS is a steering committee partner. We strategized how to abolish this discriminatory, ineffective, excessive, and fatal policing practice.
Tune in to our virtual celebration of the past year and be inspired by a message from CRS Board Member and keynote speaker Rev. Avalon Betts-Gaston, who challenged us to reimagine what is possible when we come together for change.
At Sherman United Methodist Church’s (Sherman UMC) Pentecost Sunday Service, CRS Executive Director Rev. Dr. Waltrina Middleton wisely preached about the revolutionary impact of disrupting silence and speaking truth to power. Enjoy her post sermon interview with Sherman UMC Pastor and CRS Board Member Rev. Dr. Aaron J. McLeod.
On Sunday, May 19, Executive Director of Community Renewal Society Rev. Dr. Waltrina Middleton joined Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority and Rev. Dr. Aaron J. McLeod, CRS Board Member and Sherman United Methodist Church (Sherman UMC) Pastor, at Sherman UMC’s Pentecost Sunday Service. Rev. Middleton wisely preached about the revolutionary impact of disrupting silence and speaking truth to power. Sharing the stories of marginalized and oppressed groups allows us to honor history, be messengers of love, and create transformative change. Enjoy Rev. Middleton’s energizing sermon The Power of Memory: Let the Redeemed of the Lord Tell Their Story.
Check out this conversation on how reentry work ties into Second Chance Month and the campaign to end permanent punishments.
Watch CRS Executive Director Rev. Dr. Waltrina Middleton's powerful testimony at the 2024 Samuel DeWitt Proctor Conference.
This special programming hosted a panel of diverse speakers among CRS staff. Centered on the wisdom of Dr. King and his prophetic language, speakers will directly connect to the five key issue areas on our Platform for Renewal.
Tune in to our virtual celebration of the past year, Healing as One: A Beacon of Hope & Humanity, and get an update about CRS’ work to build Beloved Community!
CRS Executive Director Rev. Dr. Waltrina Middleton discussed building and strengthening relationships between the community and the Chicago Police Department during a WTTW Chicago Tonight segment.
CRS Executive Director Rev. Dr. Waltrina Middleton shared how stop and frisks have traumatized people in her community during a WTTW Black Voices segment.
“Does the Church Love Us?” is an intergenerational conversation between theologians, queer organizers and queer people of faith.
CRS celebrated Pride Month by hosting Trans 101 on June 15, a virtual event facilitated by Kayden Coleman, a Black father, gay trans man and social media influencer who has taken the charge to educate people about his identity and the queer community.
Trans 101 is intended for allies, accomplices and empathetic folks who want to know about trans folks. This is a brave space where participants will be agitated about their own definition of gender identity, challenged on their own biases and supported with information about how to help the transgender community.
As we remember and honor George Floyd’s life today, let us be reminded that the fight against racism is not over. Together, let us strive for a brighter future fueled by justice, equity and compassion. #SayHisName #WeMustBreathe #CRSPoliceAccountability
Watch as Yvonne V. Delk Theologian in Residence for CRS, Rev. Erica Williams has an important conversation with Rev. Darren Calhoun of Urban Village Church where they discuss their hopes for Chicago's mayor-elect Brandon Johnson.
Watch as Yvonne V. Delk Theologian in Residence for CRS, Rev. Erica Williams has an important conversation about the upcoming Chicago consolidated election with Carlos Rodriguez of the Illinois Poor People's Campaign.
The Chicago Community Conversation held on March 28 brought together a diverse group of community members, congregations, moderators, panelists and candidates to discuss issues that are important to our city, and our community's engagement during the event helped to create a lively and informative discussion.
Tune in to our celebration of the past year, get an update about CRS’ work to build Beloved Community, and be inspired by the keynote address of Rev. Dr. Brad Braxton.
Commissioner and Chicago mayoral candidate Brandon Johnson thanks Community Renewal Society during our Chicago Community Conversation and recognizes our important work in the City of Chicago.
The Community Renewal Society (CRS) hosted a community conversation forum as part of the Chicago Mayoral race runoff. The event aimed to provide an educational platform and safe space for discussing ethical, moral, and socio-political values in civic leaders. This forum was not an endorsement for either candidate, Brandon Johnson or Paul Valance. CRS adjusted their schedule to accommodate the candidates' busy campaign trails and even offered pre-recorded interviews with moderator Katera Washington Patton.
Katera Washington Patton is an accomplished author, editor, and publisher, with experience at various publishing houses and magazines. Her most recent book, "Navigating the Blues," debuted on Amazon's best sellers list for new releases. The discussion featured a diverse panel of thinkers, leaders, and educators to delve into the conversation along with audience questions.
The event aimed to foster a safe environment for respectful and inclusive discourse, and the conversation will be archived for future viewing. CRS, along with its congregational sponsors, Urban Village Church and Trinity United Church of Christ, hopes to encourage participants to be active in their democracy and vote while holding officials accountable. With a mission to eradicate racism and poverty, CRS remains dedicated to providing education, activism, and transformation for love and justice.
Don't miss Dr. Brad R. Braxton's inspiring video on the intersection of religion and social justice, drawing from his expertise and global experiences!
On October 14, 2021 the Empowering Communities for Public Safety (ECPS) Coalition held a virtual teach-in. The ECPS ordinance will establish a civilian oversight body over the Chicago Police Department, which will help shape police policy. This new ordinance creates one of the most progressive police-government-community partnerships in the country.