RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, the City of Chicago has been blessed by the presence and continuing efforts of religious leaders who are able to minister to their congregations while seeing their ministry as able to affect our society as a whole; and
WHEREAS, one such leader is Bishop Charles Mason Ford, who this year will celebrate 20 years as pastor of St. Paul Church of God in Christ; and
WHEREAS, Bishop Ford's 20th anniversary as pastor will coincide with the Church's 81st anniversary celebration and 20th year anniversary of St. Paul Community Development Ministries on June 14, 2015; and
WHEREAS, the City Council has been informed of these milestone events by the Honorable Robert W. Fioretti, Alderman of the 2nd Ward; and
WHEREAS, the Church of God in Christ was founded in 1897 by a group of churchmen including Charles A. Mason, for whom Bishop Ford is named; and
WHEREAS, St. Paul Church of God in Christ was founded in Chicago in 1934 by Bishop Henry Louis Ford, who served as pastor until his death in 1995; and
WHEREAS, Bishop Charles Ford learned from his parents to see that people of faith must address the very real needs of those around them as taught in the 25th chapter of the Gospel according to St. Matthew: by treating the needy as one would treat Jesus himself. This Bishop Charles Ford has done with great success and greater humility; and
WHEREAS, after succeeding his father as pastor, Bishop Charles Ford led his congregation to identify and help fill crucial needs in the local community: he oversaw establishment of St. Paul COGIC Community Development Ministries, Inc., which thus far has sponsored the Chaney Ford Child Care Center, the Chaney Ford Early Head Start Program, the YES (Young Enlightened Saints) After School Program, and Project P.R.I.D.E, which connects young people to the skilled trades so that they may obtain gainful employment that in turn develops the community around them; and
WHEREAS, under Bishop Ford's leadership, St. Paul COGIC Communi...
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