What do we need to release this season? How can I prepare myself for the arrival of Jesus when the Christmas season can bring about some unpleasant feelings? Visitation, 2010, acrylic on linen, 8 x 7 ft (2.4 x 2.1 m) Jackie Kazarian Source: [...]Read More
Embracing Advent: Preparing Our Hearts for a Meaningful Christmas Celebration
The lights are up. The stores are bursting with tinsel, decorative trees and gifts galore. All around the world, a great "to-do" is made about Christmas. But just what are we really celebrating? The coming of Christ is undoubtedly one of the most monumental events in history; however, [...]Read More
Holding onto Hope
I’ve been thinking a lot about the first Advent and the early years of Jesus’ childhood. I wonder what Mary was thinking as she brought her son into the world, so far from home. Instead of nesting she had to flee to Bethlehem. So much for planning a cozy home birth. And yet, she held [...]Read More
Waiting on His Justice and Transformation
By Sunny Sue Chang Jonas Transformation. We wait for His transformation. We wait in line to buy a snack, we wait for a friend to return a phone call, we wait for the day to be over, or for a new day to begin. We anticipate what’s coming next and in doing so, we wait. In fact, sometimes [...]Read More
A Letter from Interim President & CEO Dr. Mary Nelson
Dear CCDA Family, I am excited about my new role as Interim President & CEO of CCDA. Bringing over 50 years of experience in Chicago-based Christian Community Development as well as national leadership on several fronts, I am ready to serve our much needed association. Joining our [...]Read More
Without Walls or Borders
by Christina Foor One beautiful piece of the Gospel is how God weaves together stories of people from all different backgrounds. In a small migrant shelter in Juarez, Mexico, people from several divergent worlds gathered together – Cuban asylum seekers, college students from both sides of the [...]Read More
CCDA & Value Our Families Coalition
By Jamesetta Tambah On Wednesday, July 17th, I had the opportunity to advocate in Washington D.C. on behalf of my family on the issue of immigration. I am Jamesetta Tambah, the daughter of Liberian refugees who came to the United States in the early 90’s under Temporary Protected [...]Read More
Lenten Immerse: Hospitality
Can you think of a time when you received hospitality from someone? Maybe it was an expression of kindness, a welcoming embrace, a warm meal, or a listening ear. Perhaps it took the form of someone who supported you when you didn’t feel you deserved it, or a new friend in an unfamiliar place. [...]Read More