More than 340 people gathered at the Doubletree Hotel on Sunday, Sept. 29, to honor a group of volunteers selected as “Vision Keepers” by their faith communities and also raise money for the work of Interfaith Action of Evanston.
Twenty-one faith communities that are members of Interfaith Action chose Vision Keepers for the 2024 version of the annual awards dinner. The Vision Keepers chosen were selected for their work within their faith communities and the broader community, including sponsoring immigrants, running soup kitchens, creating music and theater programs, introducing sustainability and environmental awareness, teaching values classes for young kids, and working against racism and violence.
Attendees to the event donated more than $18,000 to support Interfaith Action of Evanston’s work on behalf of those experiencing homelessness and hunger. That was matched by a $7000 donation from an anonymous donor.
One theme of the evening was the ongoing need for interfaith dialogue and work across faith communities to continue to promote peace and healing.
The 2024 Vision Keepers and their faith communities are:
Michael Rogers, Bethany Baptist Church of Christ
Sharon Smaller, Chris Wynn, Eli Coustan, Beth Emet The Free Synagogue.
Aidan Kopke, Fazal Mato, Amalee and Nala Taherzadeh, Evanston Bahá’í Community
Judith Jager, Evanston Friends Meeting
Beth Babbitt Borst, First Congregational Church
John Powell and Karen McLeod, First Presbyterian Church
Mark and Alli Henry, First United Methodist Church
New Neighbors Team, Grace Lutheran Church
This nine-member team consists of Dorothy Nagelbach, Evelyn Soto Straw, Casey Tkacz, Kaari Reierson, Liz Laughlin, Nancy Mathyer, Soraida Berrios Guccione, Pr. Luke Harris-Ferree, and Taína Rodríguez Encarnacion.
Dana Barron, Immanuel Lutheran Church
Jonathan Nieuwsma, Interfaith Action of Evanston
Terry and Nancy Kim Phillips, Northminster Presbyterian Church
Dr. Gina Robinson, Second Baptist Church
Aurelia Clunie, Sherman United Methodist Church
Helen Madden, Newman Parish
Fr. Robert Oldershaw and Theresa Infante, St. John XXIII Parish
Judy Herbert, St. Luke’s Episcopal Church
Allison Ashley, St. Mark’s Episcopal Church
Marilyn Starenko, St. Paul’s Lutheran Church
Jes and Leesa Sherborne, Trinity Lutheran Church
Ellie Feddersen, Unitarian Church of Evanston
Mike Nash, Unity on the North Shore