In this day and age of social media and impersonal human contact, getting to know someone “in real life” becomes so much more important in helping to understand the meaning of a personal relationship. As we are to develop a personal relationship with the Father and his son, the Messiah, so must we with each other. Many of us believe that interacting with the community and interacting with people is a much more effective way to establish personal relationships and to share the Gospel.
Fellowship Opportunities
Area In-Person Sabbath Options:
- Active Bible Church of God holds services every Sabbath at the University Church; 5655 S. University Chicago, IL 60637 (Hyde Park Neighborhood).
- Bible Study 10:45 am to 11:30 am
- Worship Service 11:45 am to 1:15 pm
- Fellowship time 1:30 pm to 3:00 pm
- You can also visit their Facebook Page for more information.
- Other In-Person Options: Vary between Sterling,IL; Rockton,IL; Jefferson,WI; and New Berlin,WI. Please contact Laureen Blissard for more information.
Online Sabbath or Bible Study Options:
- Congregational Fellowship of God Typically meets online for interactive services/studies. Please visit their website for more information.
- Other Online Options: Check out this link for dozens of webcasts to log onto, in the time zone of your choice!
Church of God Downers Grove Broadcasts:
We have temporarily stopped our live broadcast until we can make technological arrangements.
Organizations that we or our members support directly
Family Shelter Service was founded in 1976 by a group of concerned
individuals who wanted to help the growing number of people in DuPage County made homeless by domestic abuse. They recognized that shelter for victims of domestic abuse was a critical and overlooked factor in confronting this issue and many of these families offered refuge in their own homes to individuals escaping violent households. The founding families obtained a 501(c)(3) for an organization named Family Shelter Service and a hotline operating eight hours a day was the first program offered by the fledgling organization. Shortly after, a local church donated space and a telephone, and the hotline was staffed 24 hours a day.
In 1980, the first shelter opened in Glen Ellyn, but not before it was the subject of numerous Village Council meetings with individuals on both sides of the issue. Significant legislation to combat domestic violence followed in the ensuing years:
- 1982: passage of Illinois Domestic Violence Act paved the way for Family Shelter’s court advocacy program
- 1984: Victims of crime act provides funding for court, medical and children’s services
- 1988: Domestic violence protocol implemented in DuPage County providing a coordinated response from first responders to incidents of domestic violence. Family Shelter played a key role in the development of this new protocol, which provides a structure for the community’s response to domestic violence.
In 2008, following a $2 million capital campaign, Family Shelter transitioned its Carol Stream shelter into a new location at Downers Grove offering both shelter and non-residential counseling services. Also in 2008, the shelter at Naperville was converted to an intermediate housing facility enabling clients to move toward independent living and address obstacles to long-term safety such as financial stability.
Ways to directly assist Family Shelter Service – Attend their annual gala, in-kind donations, or direct donations. For more information, please visit their donation page on their website.
Second Chance resale stores create an additional source of income to indirectly help Family Shelter support their mission to provide “help and hope” to victims of domestic violence in DuPage County. They accept gently used clothing & household items as well as jewelry, accessories, linens, collectibles, and antiques. Follow their Second Chance Resale facebook page to find out their donation and / or volunteer needs.
