31st Street Bus!

Bridgeport Alliance is proud to announce that our efforts have been met with partial success!  As announced by Alderman Patrick Thompson earlier today, the Chicago Transit Authority has agreed to reinstate the 31 bus line on an experimental basis. This victory comes after three years of work byBridgeport Alliance, which has organized various meetings and events to both raise awareness and push decision makers to fund and reinstate the 31st Street route; hosting Bike/Rolls along the route, mounting photo petitions, meeting with senators, alderman, commissioners, and state reps, and convening public meetings, among other efforts.  Our 2014 lobbying trip to Dan Lipinki’s front door—we found him gardening—was particularly spirited.  Recently, building an alliance with North Side activists by forming theCTA31/CTA11 Crosstown Bus Coalition was particularly important.  The support of Aldermen Patrick Thompson (11th Ward), Ameya Pawar (47th Ward), and Michele Smith (43rd Ward) has also been pivotal. Stay tuned for more information about a celebratory party! We would like to thank the Crosstown Coalition, the aldermen, and the Coalition for a Better Chinese American Community for being our staunch allies.  Especially, thank you, people of Bridgeport and Chinatown, for your fighting spirit. Information on the specifics of the pilot route is incomplete, so let’s keep up the activism!  Please check back to our blog for more on this exciting development in the coming days. PLEASE RIDE THE 31ST STREET BUS! Alderman Thompson announces Pilot Program After 18 Years, CTA Brings Back 31st Street Bus The No. 11 Bus On Lincoln Avenue Is Coming Back, CTA Announces CTA restores Western, Ashland express service, 2 other routes Bridgeport Alliance is a grassroots organization of local residents and institutions committed to engage in the decision making that impacts our community utilizing education, advocacy, and collaborative action to promote responsive government and an improved quality of life for all residents. Connect with us at bridgeportalliance.org If you are on this list you have either attended a meeting or event, signed an petition, or interacted with  Bridgeport Alliance in some way.  We promise not to fill up your inbox, yet, if you would like to be removed from our list use the unsubscribe button below Thank you! Our next General Meeting is Thursday, December 3, 7:00 pm at First Trinity (643 W 31st)

E-News!

This Sunday November begins with All Saints Day and ends in or near Advent, when we anticipate Christ’s coming again. So the readings today tell of the final resurrection and the end time. In the turmoil of hope, fear, and disbelief that these predictions provoke in us, Hebrews sounds a note of confident trust. Christ makes a way for us where there is no way, and we walk it confidently, our hearts and bodies washed in baptismal water, trusting the one who has promised. The more we see the last day approaching, the more important it is to meet together to provoke one another to love. Readings: Daniel 12:1-3, Psalm 16, Hebrews 10:11-25, Mark 13:1-8   Thanksgiving Our next big event is coming soon!  Our Thanksgiving community meal takes place on Thanksgiving day, and is a full day of fun!  Doors will be open for cooking and fellowship around 2 pm, and dinner will be ready around 5.  Come all or part of the day, bring a dish to pass if you can.  There is also a small pie baking party the night before, see Rene if you want to know more.   A Message from Dolores Dolores shared a story about coming to First Trinity for the 150th Anniversary.  Thanks to Chris for editing and uploading it, and to Zarana for interviewing.  See the video here!   Christmas Stuff!   The kids will begin rehearsing the Christmas Pageant on Tuesdays, 5:30 - 7 (during God's Closet) next week.  Adults who want to help out are encouraged to talk to Pastor Tom. A tentative date has been set for Beer and Carols.  Location and time are still being worked out, but the date will likely be Thursday, December 17. A tentative date for Visiting Seniors/Christmas Caroling has been set for Tuesday, December 22.  See Pastor Tom if you are interested in going.   Pastor Ben and SLCM in The Lutheran South Loop Campus Ministry was recently featured in The Lutheran.  At November's Lutheran Magazine Discussion Group, Pr. Ben will join us to discuss the article and the work that is done at SLCM.  All Are Welcome!  The article is available here, or we will have copies available.  Sunday, November 29at 9:15am Facebook event page  We will also take a freewill offering for SLCM that morning, cash and sock donations are appreciated.   31st Street Bus Monday, November 16 at 5:45pm - Join the coalition for the restored 31st St. and Lincoln Ave. routes, as we fight for fair transit and make our voices heard at the CTA's Budget Hearing. Rene and members of Bridgeport Alliance will meet at 5pm at Dunkin Donuts, 31 and Halsted, and take the #8 to the meeting!.  Details here! The End of the Year is Near!   Help us reach our 2015 fundraising goal! Click here to join the Facebook event  Click here to donate online  Click here to read more!

Regular Activities: Sunday: Worship 10:30 am Monday: Office Closed Tuesday: Lectio Divinia 9 am, God's Closet 5-7, Books to Prisoners 5-9, Bible Study 7 pm Wednesday - Yoga 7 pm Friday - God's Closet 10-noon, Office Hours 10-Noon, AA 8:00 Last Saturday of Each Month - 7pm Ben's Movie Night Last Sunday of Each Month - 9:15am The Lutheran Magazine Discussion Group Check out some of the groups who meet or perform in our space: The Bridge, Bridgeport Alliance, The Glint, LGBT Neighbors in Bridgeport, Midwest Books to Prisoners, The Group Project, Windy City Opera, and more!   Coming Up: Nov 22 - Christ the King Sunday (Christian New Year) Nov 26 - Thanksgiving Day (And Community Meal)  Nov 27 - Grey Friday - God's Closet open as usual Nov 29 - The Lutheran Magazine group with Pr. Ben Adams Nov 29 - December 24 - Advent Dec 6 -12:15PM - Annual Congregational Meeting Dec 17 - Beer and Carols Dec 20 - Christmas Pageant Dec 22 - Visit Seniors/Christmas Caroling Dec 24 - 7PM Candlelight Service, Lessons & Carols Dec 25 - 10:30 Christmas Day Worship & Brunch * as part of our  year-long 150th anniversary celebration we have invited the bishop and former pastors to preach Did you know, First Trinity is a member of Concordia Cemetery?   If you have news for the benefit of the community, please send it to welcome@firsttrinitychicago.com

e-news

All Are Welcome! View this email in your browser This Sunday When Amos told what he saw when God held up the plumb line of justice next to Israel—that the poor were being trampled—he was a threat to the power of priests and king. John the Baptist also spoke truth to power, and Herod had him beheaded. In Herod's fear that Jesus is John returned from the dead, we may hear hope for the oppressed: that all the prophets killed through the ages are alive in Jesus. We are called to witness to justice in company with them. Readings: Amos 7:7-15, Psalm 85:8-13, Ephesians 1:3-14, Mark 6:14-29 And... Toby is preaching! #MoralMondaysIL Our next action will take place on Monday, July 13, at 10:30am at the James R. Thompson Center, 100 W Randolph St.   If the return of the 31st Street bus is important to you, join us on    Wednesday, July 15at 10:00am, CTA Headquarters (567 W Lake St).     The kids are coming back from Lutherdale today!  We look forward to hearing all of their new games, songs, and prayers.  Thanks again to everyone who helped to make this trip happen! #FTP & #FTVP hanging out by the crumbling paint.  We're most of the way there!  If you've been meaning to donate to the building fund but have not yet done it, here's the link!  Let's make sure that our worship space continues to be a sanctuary and home!  Details here, Donate here.