First Church to Host Garden Picnic July 19

First Church of the Brethren is inviting its neighbors to a picnic lunch Saturday, July 19, 2008 at the New Horizons Community Garden, located at Central Park Avenue and Van Buren Street.

The event, the second of its kind in as many years, gives church members and neighbors an opportunity to get to know one another and enjoy the early summer Chicago outdoors.  The multicultural congregation has worshipped in the tall brick building at Central Park and Congress, just north of the Eisenhower Expressway, since 1925. The Brethren denomination is one of the “historic peace churches” in the United States. 

“Since before Dr. King had an office in this building forty-one years ago, and until today, this church has worked for peace and justice locally and internationally,” said church member Duane Ediger. 

Outreach ministries range from tutoring local schoolchildren to nonviolent peacemaking in conflict zones such as Colombia, Palestine and in the U.S.-Mexico border area.  An annual Vacation Bible School is scheduled for the week of August 18 this year.  Following up on a visioning process last year, the congregation is expanding its ministry to young people and is advertising to hire a youth worker this fall. 

“Our congregation has some things to offer young people of East Garfield Park.  We have living examples of people finding hope in the middle of trying circumstances and claiming dignity when all around that dignity is challenged and undermined,” said Ediger. 

The picnic will take place from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Saturday, July 19, at New Horizons Community Garden on the northeast corner of Central Park Avenue and Van Buren.  Neighbors and others interested in getting to know the congregation are invited.

The church’s web site, www.firstcob.org, includes historical notes, a job description for the Church Youth Worker position and Vacation Bible School details.