Latest news with #LakeStreetChurch
CBS News
2 days ago
- General
- CBS News
Rev. David Gregg, executive minister of Chicago's American Baptist Churches, dies at 58
The Rev. Dr. David Gregg, a respected pastor and scholar who led the American Baptist Churches of Metro Chicago, died last week. The religious association announced that Gregg passed away on Thursday, June 26. He was 58. Rev. David Gregg American Baptist Churches of Metro Chicago Gregg had served as executive regional minister of the American Baptist Churches of Metro Chicago for seven years. The religious association called Gregg "a devoted pastor, scholar, and advocate for inclusive ministry." Gregg grew up in Ann Arbor, Michigan. He earned his bachelor's degree from Harvard University and a Master's in English from the University of Michigan. He went on to earn a Master's of Divinity from the University of Chicago School of Divinity. He spent 10 years as minister of congregational life at the Lake Street Church of Evanston back in the 1990s and 2000s — working alongside the Rev. Robert V. Thompson, who spent 30 years as pastor of the church. At Lake Street Church, Gregg was revered for leading the "moment as children" segments of Sunday service—in which the congregation's youngsters would gather at the altar as Gregg taught a spiritual lesson. Gregg was also revered for the guidance he provided as a leader of the church's teen youth group. Gregg also held interim pastorates at several other Chicago area congregations — including the Community Church of Wilmette, the South Church of Mount Prospect, the North Shore Baptist Church in Chicago's Edgewater neighborhood, and the United Church of Hyde Park. In 2020, Gregg earned his Ph.D., again from the University of Chicago School of Divinity. His dissertation explored the cosmology of English philosopher Alfred North Whitehead — which views the divine as being involved in and affected by the physical processes of the world rather than a distant "unmoved mover" — and the philosophy of art and human creativity that could stem from such a cosmology, with a focus on theatre and an emphasis on the works of Samuel Beckett. Gregg also edited the most recent edition of the seminarian training document, "A Baptist Manual of Polity and Practice." He also served on the board of directors of Sympara, a group that helps communities repurpose underutilized religious properties for social impact. In March 2024, Gregg published an essay for Sympara in which he candidly addressed his own battle with cancer and consideration of mortality by drawing a comparison to local churches facing the prospect of having to give up their beloved physical buildings. The American Baptist Churches of Metro Chicago said details on memorial arrangements for Gregg will be shared as they become available. "We give thanks for the life and witness of Rev. Dr. David Gregg — a faithful servant, thoughtful leader, and compassionate presence in the lives of many," the religious association said.
CBS News
28-01-2025
- Politics
- CBS News
Mayor Brandon Johnson asked to testify before Congress about sanctuary city policies
CHICAGO (CBS) -- Mayor Brandon Johnson is being asked to testify on Capitol Hill next month about Chicago's sanctuary city status. The House Oversight and Government Reform Committee has launched an investigation into policies in so-called "sanctuary cities" – including Chicago, Boston, Denver, and New York – that prohibit local law enforcement from cooperating with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents on the Trump administration's "mass deportation" efforts. The mayors of those cities have been asked to testify before the committee on Feb. 11, and to hand over all documents and communications related to their cities' sanctuary policies. "Sanctuary jurisdictions and their misguided and obstructionist policies hinder the ability of federal law enforcement officers to effectuate safe arrests and remove dangerous criminals from American communities, making Americans less safe," U.S. Rep. James Comer (R-KY), the committee's chairman, wrote in letters to each mayor. It's not clear if Johnson or any of the other mayors will appear before Congress, but Johnson was expected to hold a briefing on Tuesday alongside Chicago Police Supt. Larry Snelling. Also on Tuesday, Illinois Senate Republican leaders were expected to unveil proposed legislation that they said would "address critical flaws in state policies that allow dangerous undocumented criminals to remain in Illinois communities." The proposal would prohibit local or state governments from creating policies that stop them from complying with or assisting in enforcement of immigration laws. It specifically states county jails and the Illinois Department of Corrections are responsible for temporarily housing detainees. Meantime, a church in Evanston said it is opening its doors to anyone worried they might be a target of ICE for deportation. "We make this announcement so that those who are in fear know they have a place – a physical structure, God's house – to turn to," Lake Street Church senior minister Michael Woolf said, flanked by other local faith leaders and Mayor Daniel Biss. Evanston recently approved several changes to its own Welcoming City Ordinance to prohibit the sharing of city databases or information with federal immigration authorities, and to clarify that city officials may not participate in civil immigration enforcement by any agency—including private contractors. "My heart has also been lifted in these recent days, as I see the people in this community are ready; are ready to stand up, are ready to put their arms around one another," Biss said. Woolf said, even though ICE now has permission from the Trump administration to enter houses of worship to make arrests, Lake Street Church's commitment to providing sanctuary to anyone who needs it is "ironclad."
