On June 27th St Pauls Church in Chicago honored Reverend Thomas R. Henry’s 28 year ministry with a stirring worship service and retirement celebration gala. It was the members of St Pauls Church originally founded St Pauls House and over the years, Rev. Tom Henry has been one of the senior living community’s most consistent and dedicated supporters. The residents and staff of Saint Pauls House wish Tom and his wife, Colleen, all God’s blessings as they begin a new chapter in their lives.

St. Pauls House residents and families gathered for Mother’s Day Brunch on Sunday, May 9, 2010. The Dining Services Department provided a champagne buffet brunch,which included made-to-order omelets, French toast and pancakes, as well as Hawaiian Chicken. A carving station featured roast beef and honey ham. Mimosas and a sweet table completed the menu. Volunteers assisted residents from sheltered care for the brunch.

Two seatings were offered, 11:30 a.m. and 1 p.m. Residents dined while being entertained by tuxedo-clad Wayne Bradley, pianist. Families visited and enjoyed each other’s company on a beautiful day for moms.

The last week of April, St. Pauls House celebrated Earth Day by “Going Green.” The residents watched the National Geographic movie, Arctic Tale, to learn about how climate change impacts the animal life in the Arctic Circle. Pastor Matt focused his monthly coffee and chat time to discuss the basic facts regarding recycling as well as the specifics about the financial costs and environmental impact related to the production and use of plastic bags. In a craft project, the residents learned how to re-use plastics bags, turning them into useful items. Finally, the residents rounded out the week, celebrating Arbor Day, by planting a Scarlet Red Maple Tree in the North Garden. Praise God for the beauty of the Earth!

January 20, 2010, St. Pauls House residents presented a check donating to the Uhlich Children’s Advantage Network (UCAN) program, Hands Without Guns (HWG). HWG is a public program dedicated to reducing violence and the use of handguns through educational workshops, youth projects, and community awareness. UCAN believes that the youth that suffer trauma today can be the leaders of tomorrow, and work to advocate for children and their families.Pastor Matt Smucker, Claude Robinson from UCAN, Resident Council president Laini Zinn, and St. Pauls House administrator Eliana Casella.

St. Pauls House celebrates the generosity of residents and their concern for the larger community and the violence youths experience in their schools, neighborhoods and in their homes. The $700 donation was gathered through Advent-Christmas-Epiphany Chapel offerings, and is more than double what the Resident Council collected in 2008.

Laini Zinn, Resident Council president explains the Resident Council’s decision:

“Perhaps the immediate recognition of youth we have met in our activities here helped us see their needs. Many know only violence in their streets and schools. Hands Without Guns will run various workshops connected with the violence prevention work already in progress to prevent violence and gang activity in Chicago Public High Schools. Youth gang shootings have sadly attracted our attention and encouraged the council’s decision to make this contribution with the hope of improving many lives.”

Residents have donated money to various charities and causes over the years, but this offering was particularly close to their hearts. Children from the UCAN program have volunteered their time at St. Pauls House, playing games and going for walks around the campus, for over 3 years.

“As an organization, we were honored to meet with Pastor Smucker and Administrator Eliana Casella through CHHSM (Council for Health and Human Service Ministries) and have a conversation about our community,” said Claude Robinson, Executive Vice President, External Affairs and Diversity for UCAN. “It’s great to see residents doing all they can to make Chicago a safer place for young people. By donating funds, they allow us to continue the work we do to help people in the Chicago community.”

St. Pauls House residents and staff, UCAN members, and community members attended the gift ceremony and blessing, and shared refreshments together afterward.

During the presentation of the check, Casella reminded those present that residents were truly representing the mission that St. Pauls House, as a Lutheran Life Community, empowering vibrant, grace-filled living across all generations. Through their charitable donation and awareness of community issues, they are doing just that – empowering the younger generation with the skills and knowledge to avoid violence to ensure a better, more peaceful future.

St Pauls House, a Lutheran Life Community in Chicago, has opened 24 newly decorated private rooms in its first floor east wing. This section of St. Pauls House is specifically designed to offer premiere rehabilitative care and services to its guests. Each room is equipped with flat screen TV, new furniture lighting, and carpeting. The surrounding hallways have also been updated with brand new flooring, lighting, railings, and decorations. Visiting family members and friends can also enjoy comfortable, newly furnished sitting areas.

St. Pauls rehabilitation program features a mix of traditional, tried and true rehabilitation methods, as well as progressive new options. Guests can now use It’s Never 2 Late, a computer based rehab option with a variety of programs, from brain teasers to a biking simulation. It’s Never 2 late combines games and motor skills to create an occupational therapy program that is engaging for the brain as well as the muscles. Exercise equipment at St. Pauls is designed to safely accommodate a wide range of abilities. And one-to-one therapists will help design a fitness plan that is right for the recovery of the individual.

St. Pauls House celebrated the redecorated wing with a blessing and invited neighbors and families to a celebration of thanksgiving, complete with refreshments and plenty of holiday cheer.

Said St. Pauls House Administrator Eliana Casella, “We are growing as a Lutheran Life Community, and these advancements will be an immediate blessing to residents and their families – as well as all of us those that serve them.”

The east wingis just one of many upcoming projects. Faithfully serving their Northwest Chicago community since 1921, and a Lutheran Life Community since 2007, St. Pauls House consistently pursues opportunities to enhance the comfort and wellness of residents and rehabilitation guests. Future

projects include: expanding rehabilitation options, installing Caretracker systems that enable greater efficiencies in health documentation and care, and a state of the art SARA system that provides complete community audio communication so that both staff and residents can be alerted to important events and emergency announcements.