HR1200 96TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR1200 LRB096 22177 KXB 40908 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The Rogers Park Presbyterian Church is celebrating 100 years of faithful witness and service to the Rogers Park community in 2010; and

WHEREAS, The Rogers Park Presbyterian Church is located at the corner of Greenview and Greenleaf Avenues in Chicago; it was officially organized by the Presbytery of Chicago on January 13, 1910; the congregation began gathering in homes and schools for worship, Christian education, and fellowship; and

WHEREAS, The first building, called the Chapel, was dedicated in June 1912 and remains to this day central to its ministry; by April of 1925, the congregation numbered more than 600, and more space was needed; the second building, which included a new sanctuary and fellowship hall, was dedicated in January 1927; and

WHEREAS, The Rogers Park Presbyterian Church was known in its early years as " A Family Church for the Friendly Service of the Community"; over the past ten decades the church has been a faithful and caring presence in the community, experiencing many blessings and challenges as the community went through various changes; new groups of people moving in and out, changes in the economy and technology, and significant events in national and world history; and

WHEREAS, The Rogers Park Presbyterian Church has been and continues to be a safe haven for people of all persuasions and circumstances; it is a congregation that cares for the physical and spiritual needs of people in the community; and

WHEREAS, The Rogers Park Presbyterian Church has been and continues to be home to a number of other congregations and fellowships of various faith traditions; the Church hosts a number of organizations and programs that serve the community, including the Christopher House preschool, the English as a Second Language Program, the Cook County Probation Office: Communities Dare to Care Program, Chicago Public Schools: Smart Program, and the Rogers Park Garden Club; and

WHEREAS, The members of the Rogers Park Presbyterian Church have given and continue to give their time, talent, and resources to various local and global missions, including the RPPC Clothing Pantry and the Good News Community Kitchen; the Church has been and will always be a place dedicated to the worship and service of God, and the love and care of all God's people; and

WHEREAS, "Faithful in all Seasons" is the theme for the 100th anniversary celebration, recognizing the faithfulness of the church members, and more importantly God's faithfulness to them; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-SIXTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we congratulate the congregation and pastor of Rogers Park Presbyterian Church on their centennial celebration; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to Deborah Paton, Pastor of the Rogers Park Presbyterian Church, as a symbol of our respect and esteem.