RESOLUTION HONORING THE RETIREMENT OF REVEREND DELORES ROGERS FROM MAYFAIR PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
WHEREAS, Reverend Delores Rogers retired as Pastor of Mayfair Presbyterian Church on April 30, 2023, following 14 years of dedicated service; and
WHEREAS, The Chicago City Council has been informed of this milestone by the Honorable Samantha Nugent, Alderman of the 39th Ward; and
WHEREAS, From its humble beginnings as a Sunday School in 1918 and its formal incorpoation as Preserverance Presbytrian Church in 1922, to weathering the storm of the Great Depression by holding services in the basement of a partially completed building for 20 years, Mayfair Presbytian Church has epitomized its slogan - "a community church" - for over a century; and
WHEREAS, In Pastor Delores's words, MPC has grown into more than a church - it is a warm and caring association of worshippers who rejoice with others in their times of joy, care for those in times of trial and need, and promote peace and friendship within their community and with all people wherever they may live; and
WHEREAS, Deeply committed to education, Pastor Delores earned her Master of Arts in Theology from the University of Chicago, her Master of Divinity from McCormick Theological Seminary, and a Ph.D. in the History of Religion from Northwestern University; and
WHEREAS, After being ordained at Fourth Presbyterian Church where she was a member for many years, Pastor Delores was an associate pastor at Northfield Community Church for 27 years before becoming the Pastor at MPC; and
WHEREAS, Throughout her years with MPC, Pastor Delores has reestablished the adult bible study program on Tuesday afternoon, established a Friday morning Tots Playgroup which provides an opportunity for socialization and interaction through free activities to develop motor and social skills in a playful setting, and was instrumental in growing the monthly Youth Group, which in recent years has developed a "chick fund" to provide 16 flocks of chickens to families around the world through Heifer International and a "water fund" to help supply safe water innovations for communities in need through World Vision; and
WHEREAS, Pastor Delores's impact on her church and her community has been immense, and her wisdom, guidance, and love will be missed by the entire 39th Ward; now, therefore
BE IT RESOLVED That we, the Mayor and members of the City Council of the City of Chicago, gathered here this 31st day of May 2023, do hereby congratulate Reverend Delores Rogers on her retirement as Pastor of Mayfair Presbyterian Church; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be prepared and presented to Reverend Delores Rogers.
SAMANTHA NUGENT Alderman, 39th Ward