Our Work
ECRA 2026 Recap
As of September 15, 2026
Monthly Meetings: We continue to hold month ECRA gatherings from August through May, rotating the location and hosting among the various ECRA members. We periodically feature a “Deep Dive” in which members grow in better understanding and appreciation of our varying viewpoints on important topics. We represent about a dozen of the 25 houses of worship in Edgewater and are always looking for new member congregations . We encourage and support new active participants in our interfaith activities. In our June meeting at Care for Real, we welcomed new Senior Rabbi Rachel Sabath of Emanuel Congregation. Special guest presentations so far in 2026 included: “……Madonna Mission in Rogers Park (empowering refugees through education), the Chicgao Muslim Green Team, ……
Immigrant/Refugee Support: Madonna Mission in Rogers Park made a presentation on their efforts to empower refugees through education, and invited us to an open house at the location in Rogers Park in July. ….. did we do more?
Weekly Anti-Racism Solidarity and Prayer: We continue to hold almost weekly (but not during the summer months) “ECRA Anti-Racism Prayer and Solidarity Circle” discussions to deepen our bonds and commitment to equality – rooted in the mandate to “Do Justice, Love Kindness, Walk Humbly” (Micah 6:8). This group has been moving forward since the 2021 shocking killing of George Floyd and continues in 2026.
Care for Real: Care for Real, the Edgewater Community Food Panty, moved into their new building at 5840 N. Broadway in mid-2025. In 2026 reduced SNAP benefits created new barriers for many neighbors who rely on this support to put food on their table. This led to increased needs at Care for Real. Care for Real also is open weekly in Rogers Park and also offers services to clients in nearby communities like Uptown.
Connecting Edgewater: In 2025 Emanuel Congregation launched a new “Connecting Edgewater” program which features one or two monthly presentations on topics of interest as well as a casual opportunity for people to mingle and meet people with whom they otherwise might not connect. The presentations continue in 2026 with. …………….Funding for this series is being provided by RRF Foundation for Aging.
New Synagogue Planning: Immanuel Congregation continues the review process to build a new synagogue. The process will likely include temporarily moving the synagogue to the west side of Sheridan while the new synagogue will eventually be built on it’s current location. Conversations continue in 2026 within the congregation and in the community about the considerations and options for the multi-story building above the new synagogue.
Website Renovation: ECRA enhanced our website with a history of what we accomplished in 2025 and have entered this mid-2026 draft update. We offer the website as a tool to help publicize various events held by ECRA congregations that are open to all.
EVENTS
Juneteenth: Sacred Heart Schools hosts the fourth almost-annual ECRA Juneteenth celebration, which featured speaker State Senator Mike Simmons who shared shared the importance of this to the US and to him personally. The 2026 ECRA freedom day interfaith service was well attended (over 100?) and featured the North Shore Baptist Choir, including a very rousing “Just Like Selma” celebration song. Circle and Ciphers had a special performance and their Executive Director, AnnMarie Brown conducted an Ashe’ Ritual. The evening concluded with a delightful reception.
Thanksgiving: ECRA has been hosting this Interfaith Thanksgiving at various Edgewater houses of worship for over two decades. This community celebration has long been our primary event to connect with the entire community and serves as a good fund-raising benefit for Care for Real. It is typically held at 3 PM on the Sunday before Thanksgiving, and the location rotates among the various Edgewater houses of worship. This year it will be hosted at Immanuel Congregation.
Other events offered by various ECRA Congregations open to all in 2026 include
- Emanuel Congregation hosted “Share Shabat” on the second Friday of the month to bring people together through the joy of food, prayer, music, and connection.
- In April, Encounter Point hosted a contemplative Tenebrae service on the Wednesday of Holy Week.
- In April, the Ismaili Jamatkhana offered free vehicle emission testing services in their parking lot.
- In May St.Andrews held a Trisagion Prayer Service for slain Chicago Police Office John Bartholomew.
- On July 11-12, St. Andrew Greek Orthodox Church hosted their annual Edgewater Greek Fest, which draws a wide variety of people from around the Chicagoland area. The event features Greek food, pastries, and drinks as well as Greek music and dancing.
- In July, Madonna Mission in Rogers Park hosted an open house which featured empowering refugees through education.
- In August, Church of the Atonement and the 60128 North Arts Organization hosted “One Long Table” (perhaps for around the 10th year?) which drew many from Kenmore, and the surrounding streets, This wonderful community outreach features offering ?? free food and entertainment.
- Pet Blessings at Church of the Attornment on August 31 – other houses of worship as well ?
- In September, St. Andrew Greek Orthodox Church offered a Byzantine Iconography Seminar as part of their religious literacy program. It was open to anyone in the community with a $25 suggested donation.
- Connecting Edgewater – how many so far ? ---- how many planned for rest of the year? Highlights? (best attended?)
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- ONE Northside also shares many events with ERA since several ECRA houses of worship are active in this organizing group which serves Uptown, Edgewater and other communities on the northside of Chicago. Major topics include the Protecting Renter’s Ordinance (PRO), and….
ECRA 2026 Recap Draft
ECRA 2024 RECAP - Click here
ECRA 2026 - To Date