Good News Sunday: Majority-white Arlington Heights church welcomes first Black pastor

This is Good News Sunday, a compilation of some of the more upbeat and inspiring stories published recently by the Daily Herald:

After 23 years of Lutheran ministry in predominantly Black communities in the South, Michael Johnson was tapped to lead a majority-white congregation in Arlington Heights.

It was a calling he couldn't deny.

"This is something unique," said Johnson, 62, now senior pastor of Faith Lutheran Church in Arlington Heights. "In our church system, we have many white pastors serving Black congregations, but not as many Black (pastors) serving white congregations."

He is among a handful of Black pastors leading majority-white faith communities within the more than 5,900 churches of the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod, which itself is 97% white.

"I've served our (synod) in helping congregations to revitalize and refocus. We call it the turnaround churches," Johnson said.

He aims to do the same for the Arlington Heights church, whose membership of mostly older adults of predominantly European descent is dwindling.

Church members chose Johnson from among 10 candidates being considered for the job. He was the only Black pastor in the pool.

Several of the members said they were glad to have Johnson there because he brings a fresh perspective.

"I enjoy his sermons," said Dorothy Finley, 92.

For the full story, click here.

Elburn resident's Rising Lights Project brings opportunities to the disabled

Former special education teacher Jaimie Valentini said she saw a need in the community that wasn't being met.

The Elburn resident always has passionately felt that individuals and families impacted by disability should have a sense of belonging and connection with their communities.

So last fall, Valentini founded Rising Lights Project, a nonprofit organization that is "dedicated to creating environments for individuals impacted by disability to learn, laugh, thrive and engage with the Fox Valley community."

The group's mission is to educate and encourage communities so they can "clearly see the ability in disability and create new opportunities to keep those with disability engaged and connected," according to its website.

One way Rising Lights Project fulfills the mission of providing an opportunity for individuals with disabilities is Garden Group, which began in April. The group meets on an Elburn farm every Friday to learn gardening skills while tending to a 1-acre garden, where they grow vegetables, herbs and more.

Recently, the garden added four beehives and members learned how to extract and store nearly 200 jars of honey, which they sold.

Garden Group not only provides a social outlet for group members, but helps them learn job skills that can translate into outside employment. The group of 12 ranges in age from 18 to 44 with a variety of disabilities.

For the full story, click here.

Pandemic reevaluation leads to Gurnee couple's business venture in downtown Libertyville

A couple's decision to rethink their lives during the COVID pandemic is transforming the former Starbucks store in downtown Libertyville.

The Joyful Gourmet, Dan and Kim Schlicksup's first business venture, was cooked up last January on a road trip home to Gurnee from Arizona.

Dan, an engineer for 27 years at Motorola, traveled extensively, but was grounded by the pandemic. Kim had been an accountant before becoming a stay-at-home mom.

The long drive home gave them ample time to determine what the next decade might hold. The answer was in the couple's love of good food and cooking with friends and family.

"I said, 'What if we opened a kitchen store?'" Kim recalled. They enjoy cooking together, and dinners at home have always been part of how the family spent time together, she added.

Work on that vision is moving fast. An opening is anticipated Thanksgiving week.

For the full story, click here.

Wheaton organizations hold candy collection drive for veterans

The DoodleBug Workshop in Wheaton is partnering with the City of Wheaton, Downtown Wheaton Association, Wheaton Park District, Wheaton Public Library and the American Legion in showing its support for veterans through several projects this fall.

Through Nov. 11, the workshop, 314 S. Main St., is hosting a collection drive for Veterans Day. The workshop participants have been helping to set up the facility and volunteering their time and talent to the project.

Drop off your leftover Halloween candy; letters for care packages; protein bars and drink mixes such as Gatorade and Powerade; toiletries; winter coats for homeless veterans; and dog food for veteran pets.

Other drop-off locations include: Wheaton Public Library, 225 N. Cross St.; Wheaton Park District Community Center, 1777 S. Blanchard St.; Arrowhead Golf Club, 26W151 Butterfield Road; Wheaton City Hall, 303 W. Wesley St.; Wheaton Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 2164, 0N731 Papworth St.; and Warrenville Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 8081, 3S371 Mignin Drive.

For the full story, click here.

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