supporting people in detention
In July, 2025, Mike Choquette, Archdeacon of the Diocese of Chicago, contacted the Chicago deacon community regarding a matter of some urgency. Mike’s request was straightforward…he sought our help to purchase Spanish language Bibles for individuals detained by ICE. Bibles are particularly meaningful since they are among the few personal items detainees are allowed to take with them when transferred between facilities. With our help, this act of kindness would provide spiritual nourishment for many people facing hardship and isolation.
St. Lawrence stepped forward.
Today we offer a message from Deacon Hal
“Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.”
It is with profound gratitude that I thank you, my fellow parishioners, for the generous contributions, making possible the purchase of 150 Spanish translation Bibles for ICE detainees. The bibles are being readied for distribution and will soon be bringing both solace and hope to the recipients and their families. While we may never meet them face to face, rest assured that those who we serve will know us through our gifts given out of concern and love.
Deacon Hal
nORTHsHORE wELCOME - REFUGEE RESETTLEMENT
St. Lawrence helps resettle recent arrivals from through a collaboration with Episcopal Migration Ministries, Sponsor Circles, and the Diocese of Chicago Sanctuary Task Force. These organizations match us with recent arrivals, whom we house on a transitional basis while helping them become self-sufficient. NorthShore Welcome, includes members of our four Better Together Episcopal Churches; it is also open to anyone who would like to help with this ministry. If you would like to learn more about this project, email us at northshorewelcome@trinitychurchhp.org.
NorthShore Welcome Receives UTO Grant
The Episcopal Church's United Thank Offering (UTO) has given $40,945 to NorthShore Welcome, a collaboration between four Episcopal congregations (Trinity Highland Park, St. Lawrence Libertyville, St. Elisabeth's Glencoe, and St. Gregory's Deerfield) to provide community-based housing and accompaniment to families seeking asylum in Illinois.
Following a successful pilot program in which the group provided a safe home and community support to resettle four families of new arrivals from Venezuela, NorthShore Welcome plans to replicate their model of welcome and assistance with other congregations who are looking for ways to help address the needs of asylum-seekers in their communities.
"Volunteers throughout the Diocese of Chicago have expressed interest in finding these families transitional housing but struggle to imagine what their ministries could look like or how to get started," said the Rev. Bryan Cones, priest-in-charge at Trinity and leader of the pilot program for NorthShore Welcome. "The UTO grant will provide a bridge between families in need and communities wanting to accompany them."
CLICK HERE to learn more about United Thank Offering.
northshore welcome Refugee resettlement in the news
The February, 2024, issue of Highland Park Neighbors features St. Lawrence and our Better Together partners as we welcome migrants arriving in Lake County.
CLICK HERE to read the article.
January 4, 2024, Rev. Bryan Cones joined Sasha-Ann Simons to discuss the work we do and the needs we have seen on WBEZChicago's RESET.
CLICK HERE to listen.
The Better Together Episcopal Churches as NorthShore Welcome and our community partners are thrilled to announce that our Venezuelan guests have moved into their own housing and secured employment.
In recent months, we have assisted 19 individuals as they make a new life here in the US.