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The Peace and Justice Committee works on the root causes of oppression and violence seeking systemic change. We welcome representatives from all congregations as committee members or as part of our grassroots liaison network. Our committee also serves as a chapter of the Episcopal Peace Fellowship. For information about upcoming meetings please contact Ellen Lindeen.

We are involved in advocacy and education with a special focus on refugee work, gun violence, economic justice, the Middle East, immigration reform, anti-racism work, support for the Standing Rock reservation, and LGBTQ issues.

The committee also administers The Rev. Seiichi Michael Yasutake Peace and Justice Award.

 

The Rev. S. Michael Yasutake Peace & Justice Award

The Rev. Seiichi Michael Yasutake Peace and Justice Award recognizes those who devote time and talent to the cause of the oppressed in our midst and the lifting up of justice where there is little to none. Each year, the Peace & Justice Committee of the Episcopal Diocese of Chicago gives an award to a peacemaker in honor of the Rev. Seiichi Michael Yasutake .

2023 Yasutake Award Recipients:

Recipients of the 2023 S. Michael Yasutake Award are Liz and Tom Kohlbeck and Jackie Kraus:

Liz and Tom Kohlbeck

  • Parishioners of St. Chrysostom’s Church, Chicago.
  • Leadership of “Neighbors in Need,” St. Chrysostom’s Feeding Ministry.
  • Expanded to St. Chrys Kitchen with weekly production of sack lunches.
  • Collaborated with Chicago Help Initiative and Breaking Bread, a ministry of LaSalle Street Church, with meals for needy people on the south and west sides.
  • With needs of asylum seekers coming to Chicago, organized St. Chrys Closet:
  • Collection of adult and baby clothing, bedding, household items and toys for asylum seekers.
  • Collaborated with Church of the Ascension, Chicago, to establish a permanent distribution center for the ongoing joint ministry.
  • Recruit and organize volunteers to work in sorting donations and welcoming asylum seekers at the location.

 

Jackie Kraus

  • Parishioner of St. Michael’s Barrington.
  • Commission on Global Ministry representative for the Diocese of Renk.
  • Leadership in launching Companion Diocese Relationship between the Diocese of Renk, in Upper Nile State, and the Diocese of Chicago.
  • Leads Renk Partnership Ministry at St. Michael’s, Barrington.
  • Worked to establish the Covenant of Relationship between St. Michael’s Church and Renk Theological College.
  • Organizes to raise funds to help support Renk Theological College in South Sudan.
  • Renk Theological College in South Sudan assumed primary responsibility for education of all levels for trained clergy and skilled community leaders until recent war broke out again.
  • Know as “Mama Jackie” to the Lost Boys of Sudan.
  • Hosts and arranges travel for Archbishop Joseph Garang Atem+ to visit the Diocese of Chicago.

Learn more about the Rev. S. Michael Yasutake and past award recipients:

Recording of January 12 Webinar on Confronting Israel’s Apartheid

On Thursday, January 12, 2023 at 7 pm, the Peace and Justice Committee of the Episcopal Diocese of Chicago and Episcopal Peace Fellowship-Palestine Israel Network hosted a webinar on confronting apartheid. The webinar builds on Resolution F-184, approved at the 2021 diocesan convention, that recognized that Israeli treatment of Palestinians constitutes apartheid as defined in international law.

Watch a recording in English with Spanish subtitles and view a transcript of the discussion that took place in the Zoom chat.

 

April 7, 2022 Workshop Recording of Reckoning and Reconciliation with Our Indigenous Neighbors: A Primer for All Who Seek for Justice

Forum on April 7, 2022 sponsored by the Peace and Justice Committee of the Episcopal Diocese of Chicago

Presenters: The Rev. Garth Howe, The Rev. Bob Trask, Mr. Newland Smith, The Rev. Kara Wagner Sherer

Watch the workshop recording on YouTube.

May 19, 2020 Webinar on Resolution G-182: Freedom of Speech and the Right to Boycott