Video Series - How Is Morton Grove Is Dealing With COVID-19

“We Gather Together” – A New Video Series About How Morton Grove Is Dealing With COVID-19 in a four part series will begin on June 7, 2020 at 4 p.m.

Using recorded messages from a wide variety of local community leaders; the series will express thoughts and feelings on the loss of the past, challenges of today and our hopes for the future centering around the COVID-19 crisis and its effect on Morton Grove. The four 20-minute segments will air on consecutive Sundays beginning on June 7, 2020 at 4 p.m. on the “St. Luke’s Community Christian Church, Morton Grove” Facebook page and expected to be shared at a later date on YouTube and other local media outlets.

Pastor Elizabeth Jones of St. Luke's Community Church in Morton Grove is inviting everyone to watch the new four part series titled "We Gather Together" that she created with the help of many in Morton Grove. This series will share how the community is dealing with their own experiences and feelings about the COVID-19 pandemic.

Created by a group of volunteers from the local government, first responders, education, business and faith-based communities, the video segments will share how we all look at the crisis with an underlying theme of "Together Yesterday...Apart Today... Reunited Tomorrow".

Episode 1 will feature students and teachers who are missing each other along with the usual spring celebrations of proms, graduation ceremonies, parties and sporting events. It will present a look at the challenges faced by families and adults along with the those who are caregivers for our sick and senior population. More about how our library continues to find a way to serve those in the community as they work under difficult conditions, as well as a focus on social isolation.

Episode 2 addresses how the business community is struggling to find ways to continue offering their goods and services without opening doors and as they face a phased reopening. Part of this segment deals with a local funeral home's experiences handling the loss of loved ones. With so many in need, our food pantries in Niles and Maine Townships share how they are continuing to meet the public's needs. A representative of District 219 gives the perspective of how school districts are providing tangible resources, as well.

Episode 3 lets us hear from those on the front lines of the crisis, our first responders who are out there working every day while many find shelter at home to avoid spreading the virus. Our Police, Fire Fighters & EMT’s are also out there with essential business workers who staff the grocery and drug stores, delivery people and postal workers, truck drivers, custodians and others keeping our needs met. Of course, let us not forget the doctors, nurses, technicians, pharmacists and all support staff at the hospitals and clinics curing us and keeping us healthy.

Episode 4 concludes with how we are all dealing with the stress and trauma at so many levels. Most are dealing with some form of stress, grief and anxiety as we look ahead while dealing with the requirements of day to day living and dealing with the loss of our pre-COVID-19 lives. This includes a special focus on faith communities and ends with a roll of those who have died in our local community from COVID-19.

Pastor Jones stated “People are not only mourning personal losses of loved ones and relatives. they are also mourning other kinds of losses - both tangible and intangible”. She went on to add the following “Loss of community, loss of workplace, loss of most (if not all) things that are familiar. Loss of friends, family, the gym, a favorite coffee place or restaurant, loss of libraries, community centers and other gathering places, and especially the loss of faith communities are having a deep effect on our lives.”

For more information about the program, please contact:

Rev. Elizabeth Jones

St. Luke's Christian Community Church

9233 Shermer Road

Morton Grove, IL 60053

847-476-0612

elizajon@aol.com