Ministry Updates

Greetings, everyone!

We made it to phase 3 of Restore Illinois! Take a deep (socially-distanced) breath. As the state begins to loosen pandemic-related restrictions, here is an  update on a couple of the ministries we help support that continue to serve at-risk populations.


Highland Oaks, Elgin, senior care and retirement community

(Update from Betty) Highland Oaks is still in lockdown mode which means no visitors. The nurses and nursing assistants help the residents maintain family contact via Zoom, FaceTime, visiting through their windows with family outside, etc. 

Since all of the staff have contact to varying degrees with the outside world, they are screened through questioning about symptoms and temperature checks every time they come to work. There have been a few staff who have tested positive and sent home to quarantine for two weeks. We are giving staff bonus pay during this time. Morale has generally been good, but the stress on everyone is increasing as time wears on. 

We very much appreciate your prayers during this time. Nursing homes were among the first to lockdown and are likely to be among the last to open up. If anyone would like more in-depth information on Highland Oaks and how Covid-19 has and impacting them, please feel free to email or call me (Betty).

(Note that much of the same can probably be said for Artis, where we sing once a month and have also had a monthly Bible study, so say a prayer for them also!)


Hesed House, Aurora, homeless shelter

For an excellent (and surprisingly entertaining) update on what Hesed House has been doing during the pandemic, click here to watch one of the videos they have been regularly posting online. (You can also get to the video from their website.) The video is worth checking out and is a great introduction to Hesed House for anyone who may not be familiar with what they do.


That's it for this week. Be blessed, Chicago, and enjoy God's gift of sunshine! ☀️
The SPT