Annual Membership Assembly 2025

“Love is being able to reach beyond anything that you think is possible, but believing that with faith, with hope, with God it is possible” — Rev. Dr. Yvonne V. Delk

At the 143rd Annual Membership Assembly (AMA), our keynote speaker, Rev. Julian Deshazier, etc. [TO BE UPDATED]

As you read our Annual Report for the 2024-2025 Fiscal Year, we want to thank you for being part of the CRS family. Together, we are building a world that reflects the values of beloved community.

Annual Report
2024 — 2025

CONTENTS

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2024 Martin Luther King Jr. Day Faith in Action Assembly

Community Renewal Society (CRS) hosted a powerful gathering honoring the legacy of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., bringing communities together to reflect, resist, and rejoice.

Our 2025 Annual Martin Luther King Jr. Faith in Action Assembly “The People’s Inauguration: The Sounds of Freedom” held even greater significance as it coincided with Martin Luther King Jr. Day and the United States Presidential Inauguration Day. In response to harmful rhetoric, we commemorated Dr. King’s transformative work while boldly opposing policies that undermine human dignity and equality.

This gathering featured phenomenal artists and performers whose voices and artistry inspired action and hope, including Tony Carpenter and the Toca LIVE! Jazz ensemble, CRS member congregation Trinity United Church of Christ choir ensemble Voices of Trinity, our incredible performers and MC’s for the day Jonathan Lykes and Laurence Minter, and our closing artists Common Hymnal and Malcolm London.

Growing Leadership Training

Access our March 19 Growing Leadership Training!  We are grateful to our presenters for making this teach-in on the Empowering Communities for Public Safety and Grassroots Alliance for Police Accountability (GAPA) coalitions a success: Kevin Tyson, CRS Board Member and Imani Village Ambassador and Community Outreach Organizer from CRS member congregation Trinity United Church of Christ; Sully Peterson-Quinn, GAPA Coordinator; and Grace Patino, Chicago Alliance Against Racist and Political Repression Executive Member.

Migrant Advocacy Work

CRS amplified its support for migrant rights through partnerships and community engagement. Our team worked on campaigns to address systemic barriers and provide resources to immigrant communities, aligning with CRS’s commitment to justice for all.

Community Cafe Leadership Training

CRS led our first-ever Community Café event on May 23 at Lawndale Community Church. Participants, representing a diverse array of community members committed to our mission, had deeply moving chats facilitated by our table hosts. We talked about topics ranging from self and civic development, reparations, healing, and positive change. Catch the moments we captured.

Juneteenth 2025

Our 2025 Juneteenth celebration, In Our Ancestors’ Footsteps: We Can’t Be Broken, was on June 19! Community Renewal Society (CRS) thanks our generous sponsors, such as Third World Press Foundation, talented artists, and community who joined from all over the nation to commemorate this faith-rooted festivity in Bronzeville dedicated to peace and multi-generational unity.

We are so glad that you gathered with us and the incredible individuals and groups below in reflection, resilience, and relaxation:

  • Brian Young Jr. from CRS

  • Victoria Djembe from Divine Purpose Fine Arts Center and Ayodele Drum and Dance

  • veronica precious bohanan of create.heal.share.

  • Tony (ToCa) Carpenter

  • Daniel Hammond of Smoky Soul Barbecue Chicago

  • AlHub

  • Fasika Y. Alem from United African Organization

  • Nubia Kai

  • Frank Chapman from the Chicago Alliance Against Racist and Political Repression and National Alliance Against Racist and Political Repression.

  • Rev. Cedric McCay and Dr. Stephanie from CRS member congregation Trinity United Church of Christ

  • The United States Palestinian Community Network

CRS is also grateful to Rev. Cedric McCay for explaining the origin of Juneteenth and why we celebrate this special holiday born in the South.

In honor of those who came before us, CRS was proud to keep the Juneteenth tradition alive. Together, we recommitted to building a better future.

CRS Day of Remembrance

For the CRS Day of Remembrance: Remembering Our People & Our Power on October 14, we came together in song, story, and spirit with Chicagoans across the city in memory of those whose lives have been stolen. Through community panels and breathtaking performances, we remembered George Floyd, Wadee AlFayoumi, Breonna Taylor, Rekia Boyd, Demartravion “Trey” Reed, Silverio Villegas González, and many others.

Building Beloved Community

Watch the full 143rd Annual Membership Assembly video. [TO BE UPDATED AFTER AMA]

Financials

Expenses

  • Program Services: $1,330,122

  • Support Services: $569,260

Total Expense: $1,899,382

Contributed Revenue

  • Individual Contributions: $66,575

  • Member Congregation Dues, Nonprofit Donations: $46,392

  • Corporate and Nonprofit Contributions: $7,875

  • Foundation Grants: $350,080

Other Revenue

  • Endowment Distributions: $1,998,243

  • Interest designated for Operations: $41,919

  • Gain from extinguishment of debt: $356,952

  • Publication Sales: $246

Total Revenue: $2,868,284

Thank You to Our Partners!

Coalitions & Community Organizations

  • Chicago Theological Seminary, Rev. Dr. Brad Braxton

  • Coalition to End Money Bond

  • Communities United (GOC)

  • CPD Consent Decree Coalition

  • Empowering Communities for Public Safety Coalition

  • Grassroots Alliance for Police Accountability

  • McCormick Seminary

  • Sabeel Ecumenical Liberation Theology Center

  • Sanctuary Working Group

  • Wellington United Church of Christ

  • Women’s All Points Bulletin, Crista Noel

Foundations and Funders

  • Chicago Community Bond Fund

  • Field Foundation

  • GAPA Coalition Funders

  • MacArthur Foundation

  • Foundation to Promote Open Society

  • Woods Fund of Chicago

Thank you to our member congregations and individual donors.
We could not accomplish what we do without your financial support.

Become a CRS Sustainer by donating monthly and consider including CRS in your estate plan.

Community Renewal Society Staff Members

EXECUTIVE

Rev. Dr. Waltrina N. Middleton
Executive Director

ADMINISTRATION
Liz Kloster
Cassandra McClendon
Quentin D. McGee
Marian McKinney
Bria Taylor
Artaisha Thompson
Pateska Woods

HUMAN RESOURCES AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
Rev. Dr. Ebony Only
Jim Trapp

DEVELOPMENT AND COMMUNICATIONS

Tatum Causey
Franchelle Brown
Tyla Gross
Chris Groza

POLICY AND ORGANIZING
Keron Blair
Biliah Castleberry
Malcolm London
Ikechukwu Ozuzu Jr.
Brian Young Jr.

THE CHICAGO REPORTER

Hugo Balta
Kenya Joyce Hatch
Relana Johnson
Cecilia Milmoe
Glenn Reedus
Katherine Schulder-Battis
L. Nicole Trottie

INTERNS

Nour Al Hajjeh
Katie Masano Hill
Zachary Leiter
Mackenzie Tatananni

Community Renewal Society Board of Directors

  • Rev. Avalon Betts-Gaston

  • Juanita Bradley 

  • Glenn Brewer 

  • Dr. Ulysses Burley III 

  • Rev. Dr. Lillian Daniel 

  • Rev. Dr. Carmin A. Frederick-James

  • Rev. Dr. Aaron J. McLeod

  • Rev. Dr. Terrill Murff  

  • Kevin Tyson

Community Renewal Society Member Congregations

  • Bethel United Church of Christ, Elmhurst

  • Bethlehem Evangelical Lutheran Church

  • Christ Church United Church of Christ, Des Plaines

  • Clair-Christian United Methodist Church, Chicago

  • Congregational United Church of Christ of Arlington Heights

  • First Baptist Congregational Church

  • First Church of Lombard United Church of Christ

  • First Congregational Church of La Grange

  • First Congregational Church of Wilmette

  • First Congregational United Church of Christ of Naperville

  • First Congregational United Church of Christ of Waukegan

  • First Unitarian Church of Chicago

  • First United Church of Oak Park

  • First United Methodist Church of Arlington Heights

  • First United Methodist Church at the Chicago Temple

  • Fourth Presbyterian Church of Chicago

  • Glenview Community Church

  • Grace Lutheran Church, Evanston

  • Grace United Church of Christ

  • Highlands Presbyterian Church

  • Kenwood United Church of Christ, Chicago

  • Lincoln United Methodist Church

  • Luther Memorial Church

  • North Shore Unitarian Church

  • Northfield Community Church

  • Our Saviour's Lutheran Church, Arlington Heights 

  • Pilgrim United Church of Christ, Oak Park

  • Prince of Peace United Methodist Church, Elk Grove Village

  • San Lucas United Church of Christ, Chicago

  • Second Presbyterian Church of Chicago

  • Second Unitarian Church of Chicago

  • Southminster Presbyterian Church, Arlington Heights

  • St. Paul United Church of Christ, Barrington

  • Third Unitarian Church of Chicago

  • Trinity United Church of Christ, Chicago

  • Unitarian Church of Evanston

  • Unity Temple, Oak Park

  • University Church of Hyde Park, Chicago

  • Urban Village Church, Chicago and River Forest

  • Westchester Community Church

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