Clergy & Staff
The Reverend Peter N. Campbell, Rector
Julie Nizick, Parish Administrator
Susan Krout, M.M., Organist & Choir Director
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Community
Christ Church takes up weekly donations for the Oak Park-River Forest Food Pantry, which provides hunger relief to families from Oak Park, River Forest, and over a dozen other surrounding Cook County communities. The pantry also provides assistance to clients in applying for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and other forms of public aid.
St. Leonard's Ministries is part of Episcopal Charities & Community Services (ECCS), a network of eleven social services agencies operated by the Episcopal Diocese of Chicago. St. Leonard's Ministries provides interim housing, temporary & permanent housing placement assistance, individual & group pyschological counseling, substance abuse treatment & support, life-skills development programs, education and employment services for men and women released from prison. Christ Church directly supports the work of St. Leonard's House, which serves men.
The Cathedral Shelter of Chicago, another agency of ECCS, provides residential and out-patient addiction treatment, food distribution, emergency social services, and supportive housing for single adults and mothers with children. Christ Church joins corporations, schools, and over fifty other Episcopal parishes to help thousands of Chicagoans in need through the Christmas Basket Program.
Christ Church also reaches out by making its facilities available to groups engaged in community service or that offer local fellowship opportunities. To that end, the parish serves as host to the Oak Park/River Forest Folkdancers and an Acorn chapter of Alcoholics Anonymous.
The Christ Church FunRaisers host events at the church to reach out to the larger suburban Chicago community, including the Holiday Hospitality Bazaar & Raffle, Lasagna Dinner, & Red Stocking Party. Every fall, the FunRaisers take over the Undercroft kitchen to make EpiscoPickles. Liberally seasoned with prayer, laughter, & love, EpiscoPickles are perennial best-sellers at the Holiday Hospitality Bazaar.
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In-Parish
Members of the Altar Guild prepare the church for all services, care for the church altar linens, sacred vessels, vestments, and other appointments, as well as decorate the church for festivals, holy days, and special celebrations.
Lay Eucharistic Ministers, or LEMs assist the Priest at Celebrations of the Holy Eucharist by offering the Prayers of the People, and acting as Chalice Bearer. LEMs may also lead Morning & Evening Prayer services, visit the sick or homebound, & distribute Holy Communion from the Reserved Sacrament.
Lay Readers, also called Lectors, read aloud lessons from Old & New Testament Scripture appointed for the day.
Members of the Choir, the Organist and parish musicians offer praise and thanks to God through their music.
At Celebrations of The Holy Eucharist, Gift Bearers carry Bread & Wine to the altar during the Offertory.
Ushers greet people as they arrive, distribute service bulletins, count heads, collect the Offering and bring it, plus any contributions to the Oak Park-River Forest Food Pantry or St. Leonard's House, to the altar for blessing, assist congregants to the communion rail, and after services, collect discarded bulletins, return stray books to pew racks, and turn off lights.
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Pastoral Care
Visitation of the Sick
Holy Baptism, Confirmation, & Reception
Celebration & Blessing of a Marriage
Funeral, Memoral, Burial, & Internment Services
Special Thanksgivings & Blessings
For more information or to make arrangements for any of these services,
please call 708-366-7730.
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