We are reminded of the profound message of hope and healing that lies at the heart of this sacred season, including observations of Ramadan, Passover and Easter — each respectively steeped in Abrahamic traditions. It is a time when we reflect upon the ultimate act of love and redemption — the resurrection of Jesus Christ.

CRS shares our deep condolences with the saddening news of another senseless act of cruelty, the unimaginable brutality that stole the life of 11-year-old Jayden Perkins. We extend our heavy hearts to those grieving alongside us.

During an evening worship session of the 2024 Samuel DeWitt Proctor Conference, CRS Executive Director Rev. Dr. Waltrina Middleton provided a moving testimony and call to action. She preached the urgency of uplifting disinvested and displaced communities, not only in Chicago, but in Palestine.

Read staff reflections below of CRS’ powerful fall programming and enjoy photos and recordings! We thank our partners and all those who took part in the 2023 Illinois Conference United Church of Christ Annual Celebration, the A Gathering of Communities conference and our 141st Annual Membership Assembly.  

We oppose the Protect Children’s Innocence Act, which if passed, would ban transgender youth from accessing gender-affirming care and make it harder for trans adults to get such care.

CRS is steadfast in its commitment to honoring the sanctity of life. We grieve the loss of all lives impacted by the culture of violence across the global diaspora, perpetuated through war, racism, poverty, disinheritance, xenophobia and all crimes against humanity, including white supremacist patriarchal systems of oppression.

CRS condemns violence and oppression and we call for humanity, peace and justice. Read this blog article to access resources for Palestine toward liberation and healing.

As people of faith, our mission aligns with the responsibility to recognize challenges and injustices and take action. Being an ally means actively unlearning and relearning in the pursuit of a more accurate, respectful and inclusive understanding of Native American culture and history.

October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month; a beacon of hope, a call to action and a reminder that we can work toward a better society. In this article, find ways to get involved in dismantling the stigma and silence around domestic violence.

Underfunding and underrepresentation of Black-led nonprofits is prevalent within the philanthropic landscape, and addressing these issues require a comprehensive approach that acknowledges historical inequities, promotes representation and prioritizes equitable distribution of resources.

On August 1 of this year, what would have been Henrietta Lacks’ 103rd birthday, biotech company Thermo Fisher Scientific reached a settlement with Henrietta’s family for profiting from the use of Henrietta’s cells without her consent.

CRS grieves those lost to gun violence and urges you to take action. Read our reflection on the Highland Park Shooting.

View photos and read a recap of the historic groundbreaking ceremonies of the International African American Museum.

Profiles of two influential women in history for Women's History Month: Andrée de Jongh, who formed the Comet line to save Allied airmen, and Frances Perkins, the first woman appointed to the US Cabinet.

Read this article to learn about a National Day of Racial Healing celebration and healing circles hosted by Truth, Racial Healing, and Transformation Greater Chicago. Be sure to register for these events!

This year’s theme is Together, We Win! These questions can be used to guide conversation with your congregation after viewing the 2022 Annual Membership Assembly video. We would love to hear from you the thoughts and plans that came out of your discussion.

Today marks the 21st Anniversary of September 11, 2021, when we watched our nation come under one of the worst terrorist attacks in history. Yvonne V. Delk Theologian in Residence, Rev. Erica Williams shares her experience during this traumatic event and invites you to join her for Reflect, Act, Pray on September 20 via Zoom.

Some of you are familiar with the intelligent African tribe called the Maasai. These fearsome and mighty warriors have a tradition of greeting one another by asking: "Kasserian Ingera"...which means…"And how are the children?"

Community Renewal Society, as a member of the Chicago Religious Leaders of Metropolitan Chicago, share this statement condemning the mass shooting in Highland Park on July 4.

Executive Director, Rev. Dr. Waltrina Middleton, reflects on all the work we’ve been doing to advocate for social and economic justice and eliminate barriers of race and class over the past year.