Outreach & Service
- Centennial Scholarship Program
- Benevolence Agencies
- Volunteering at KUC
- Annual Benefit
- Rummage Sale
- Day-by-Day
An important part of our mission at Kenilworth Union Church is outreach and service to others, both within the congregation and to those in need in the greater Chicago community and the larger world community. We seek to answer Christ’s calling for outreach as it is revealed in scripture:
“For the whole law is summed up in a single commandment, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’” (Galatians 5:14)
“If anyone has material possessions and sees his brother in need but has no pity on him, how can the love of God be in him?” (1 John 3:17)
“To whom much is given, much is expected.” (Luke 12:48)
Outreach Mission - An overriding goal of Kenilworth Union Church’s outreach efforts is to involve the entire congregation in the Church’s outreach efforts so that we may connect in meaningful ways with those in need, thereby growing our community of faith by helping others. We seek to donate our time and talents and distribute our material gifts where they are most needed.
In the greater Chicago community - A significant portion of our outreach efforts are directed to less fortunate children, adolescents, their families, and individuals in Chicago and its surrounding communities. Specifically, Kenilworth Union Church provides financial contributions and liaison and volunteer support to approximately 40 partner organizations that we believe effectively and compassionately provide services to those we seek to assist.
To financially support these agencies, Kenilworth Union Church contributes 10% of its annual pledges each year to its Outreach Fund. In addition, the proceeds from the annual Rummage Sale and Annual Outreach Benefit are also given to this fund. In 2011, over $300,000 was raised for Christian Outreach. The Outreach Committee, comprised of members of the Board of Trustees and at-large members of the congregation, is responsible for the selection of our benevolence agencies and the distribution of financial contributions.
In the world at large – Kenilworth Union Church also offers a number of opportunities to serve people in need in other parts of the world through youth and adult mission trips. Every summer, a group of high school students and adult leaders go on a 10 day international mission trip, often in Central America, Mexico or the Caribbean, and perform a wide range of service projects. In recent years, the Church has also begun offering adult mission trips such as the ones to Haiti, where participants built a school, and to Cuba, where young adults provided humanitarian aid and a message of hope.
Within the Kenilworth Union Church Community - There are also many ways to serve others within Kenilworth Union Church. Our Congregational Care programs provide spiritual nurturing and physical and emotional support to individuals in need. In addition, there are many ways to assist with the daily activities of a church as active as Kenilworth Union. For a complete list of volunteer opportunities, click on Volunteering at KUC.