Our little church, Christ Our Advocate (Wheaton, IL), which is only three years-old, has gotten significant online attention recently.

Much of it has been positive, focusing on the activism of our lay people to help protect and provide for our immigrant neighbors in Chicagoland. But some of it, coming from within our own denomination, has been negative--very negative.

I have been grieved by these denunciations, to say the least. But I currently feel no compulsion to defend myself or our parish. Frankly, our ministry of Word and sacrament, our discipleship, and our life together, which includes embodied solidarity with those who suffer, speaks for itself.

Instead, I'd like to let my friends know that we are finalizing our 2026 budget. If you have the financial capacity and the inclination, I invite you to consider making an end-of-year, tax deductible gift to support our work in the coming year. Thanks, y’all.