Outreach
The Community Church is known for the unique and impactful Outreach we’ve offered over the years.
The following programs that we have both created and supported in recent years provide a snapshot of our outreach ministry
The following programs that we have both created and supported in recent years provide a snapshot of our outreach ministry

Restaurant of the Week
As you all know, restaurants are among the most hard hit businesses due to Covid - 19.
Until things change, we'll be featuring a different Lake Forest or Lake Bluff area restaurant each week. Our hope is that once during the week our "Restaurant of the Week" blurb will remind you that they're likely struggling right now, and that you'll consider ordering take out from the restaurant.
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Our first restaurant is the "Market House" in Lake Forest just off Market Square. Carla Westcott is the proprietor and a friend to many in our congregation - not to mention the generous visionary behind the Beacon Place meals program we are honored to participate in. To see their menu and to order online, click Market House..
(Finally, thanks to Toby Jones for the great idea!)
As you all know, restaurants are among the most hard hit businesses due to Covid - 19.
Until things change, we'll be featuring a different Lake Forest or Lake Bluff area restaurant each week. Our hope is that once during the week our "Restaurant of the Week" blurb will remind you that they're likely struggling right now, and that you'll consider ordering take out from the restaurant.
* * * * *
Our first restaurant is the "Market House" in Lake Forest just off Market Square. Carla Westcott is the proprietor and a friend to many in our congregation - not to mention the generous visionary behind the Beacon Place meals program we are honored to participate in. To see their menu and to order online, click Market House..
(Finally, thanks to Toby Jones for the great idea!)

Join Us in Beacon Place's Innovative 2020
Christmas Gift Program
This year, because of Covid - 19, Beacon has come up with a way for their families to receive gifts - without shoppers having to risk being in public. Beacon has created an online Amazon registry as a safe shopping alternative during this unusual Christmas season. (Of course, those who wish to do in-person shopping are encouraged to use the Lake Forest Book Store, where books and board games are in good supply!) So, how to help?
If you wish to shop online, simply click on the link HERE to find a huge assortment of gifts for children, teens, and parents.
Purchase a gift or two (or more!) and they will be sent directly to Beacon Place. When you are asked to fill the Gift Message prior to check out on Amazon, be sure to put your name AND “The Community Church,” so that Beacon Place can account for who provided the gifts. If you choose to purchase gifts on your own, please contact Pam Campbell HERE to arrange drop off or pick up.
With your generous support, we can help Beacon Place kids and families celebrate this holiday season with a little extra under the tree. Questions? Contact Sean HERE. (deadline for gifts - Dec. 6)
Christmas Gift Program
This year, because of Covid - 19, Beacon has come up with a way for their families to receive gifts - without shoppers having to risk being in public. Beacon has created an online Amazon registry as a safe shopping alternative during this unusual Christmas season. (Of course, those who wish to do in-person shopping are encouraged to use the Lake Forest Book Store, where books and board games are in good supply!) So, how to help?
If you wish to shop online, simply click on the link HERE to find a huge assortment of gifts for children, teens, and parents.
Purchase a gift or two (or more!) and they will be sent directly to Beacon Place. When you are asked to fill the Gift Message prior to check out on Amazon, be sure to put your name AND “The Community Church,” so that Beacon Place can account for who provided the gifts. If you choose to purchase gifts on your own, please contact Pam Campbell HERE to arrange drop off or pick up.
With your generous support, we can help Beacon Place kids and families celebrate this holiday season with a little extra under the tree. Questions? Contact Sean HERE. (deadline for gifts - Dec. 6)

Help Beacon House Shine a Light of Hope!
On Sunday, December 6, Beacon Place will spread light and love throughout the community with their first annual Luminaria event. Volunteers, families, kids, people of all ages are invited to come and help spread over 1000 luminaria throughout the neighborhood surrounding Beacon Place
as a show of hope in these difficult times.
Volunteers will meet at Beacon Place to receive their luminaria supplies at Beacon Place, and then proceed to a designated Beacon Place neighborhood street to set up and light the lanterns.
Email Sean HERE if you are interested in joining Sean on this important, fun, and safe holiday event!
On Sunday, December 6, Beacon Place will spread light and love throughout the community with their first annual Luminaria event. Volunteers, families, kids, people of all ages are invited to come and help spread over 1000 luminaria throughout the neighborhood surrounding Beacon Place
as a show of hope in these difficult times.
Volunteers will meet at Beacon Place to receive their luminaria supplies at Beacon Place, and then proceed to a designated Beacon Place neighborhood street to set up and light the lanterns.
Email Sean HERE if you are interested in joining Sean on this important, fun, and safe holiday event!
Thanks to the wonderfully generous folks who've made donations allowing us to achieve a match of $2000!
We have sent $6000+ checks to the Beacon Place and El Puente Latino Food Pantries!
•••
Friends, most children in the areas where we are donating food are not receiving daily meals at school.
Many of their parents have lost jobs or have been laid off due to the virus. Our neighbors are HUNGRY. Please help.
And if you prefer to write a check, please make it out to:
Community Church Charities.
Or you can give on our website in a variety of ways.
Both Beacon Place and El Puente Del Taco are able to purchase food in bulk at excellent prices
We have sent $6000+ checks to the Beacon Place and El Puente Latino Food Pantries!
•••
Friends, most children in the areas where we are donating food are not receiving daily meals at school.
Many of their parents have lost jobs or have been laid off due to the virus. Our neighbors are HUNGRY. Please help.
And if you prefer to write a check, please make it out to:
Community Church Charities.
Or you can give on our website in a variety of ways.
Both Beacon Place and El Puente Del Taco are able to purchase food in bulk at excellent prices

Market House & Community Church Announce Joint Program Benefiting Beacon Place Families
The Market House Restaurant in Lake Forest, which has re-opened serving carry out customers, has also quietly begun an extraordinary additional service. Beginning next Tuesday, May 12, the Community Church will pick up and deliver 200 meals per week prepared by Market House chefs for the families of Beacon Place on the south side of Waukegan. The Community Church is honored to play a small role in supporting this fantastic Market House program benefiting Beacon Place families!
The Market House Restaurant in Lake Forest, which has re-opened serving carry out customers, has also quietly begun an extraordinary additional service. Beginning next Tuesday, May 12, the Community Church will pick up and deliver 200 meals per week prepared by Market House chefs for the families of Beacon Place on the south side of Waukegan. The Community Church is honored to play a small role in supporting this fantastic Market House program benefiting Beacon Place families!

WORK TRIP – The Annual High School Work trip takes place each June. The last two years we’ve worked with Habitat for Humanity in Lake Delton, Wisconsin. In 2017, 26 students and 6 adults participated in the trip.

Our church is developing an ongoing partnership with the great folks at Farm Church in Durham, NC. Farm Church is a bold spiritual enterprise whose mission is to grow and provide healthy food for a hungry world. In a manner that teaches earth-tending, healthy eating and abundant sharing as spiritual practices, Farm Church seeks to make "thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven."
If you would like to support their mission, visit our Donate Page and use the pull down menu to select Farm Church. Donations by check can be made payable to Community Church Charities.
KIDSUGANDA – A program started by the Community Church in 2005, KidsUganda is an independent not-for-profit organization that exists to serve children in Mityana, Uganda through providing education, food, shelter and love. Over the years, over 75 people have participated on short term mission trips (“Adventures in Service”), and KidsUganda has distributed over $1.5 million in aid.
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NET GAIN-- The Community Church serves as organizing sponsor of Net Gain, which has both raised funds in support of the Orr Academy High School basketball program and developed a partnership between Orr and Lake Forest High School. The two high schools played a game in June and demonstrated the height of brotherhood and sportsmanship. |
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BEACON PLACE – Serving the children and families on Waukegan’s south side, Beacon Place provides comprehensive services including tutoring, meals, swim lessons, summer gardening, and after school programs. We provide volunteers and financial support, and are particularly active in the after school, summer, and Christmas Boutique programs.
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COOL FOOD PANTRY – We have periodic Sundays when food and cash donations are collected at church for COOL, which serves throughout Lake County. In addition, Ken Hall and others from the church in the Annual Foodstock Concert in Lake Bluff, which raises food, money, and awareness for the malnourished.
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EMERGENCY ASSISTANCE – The church regularly works with individuals and families in need of emergency assistance.