Upcoming Events

The Reading Connection is the reading/mentoring outreach of South Loop Church. It is just one of the things we do to make our community a better place while giving our members and others an opportunity to serve.

Here are the facts:

• According to the U.S. Department of Education more than 60% of K-12 school children are reading below the level needed to proficiently process the written materials used in their grade levels.
• One in six children who are not reading proficiently in third grade do not graduate from high school on time.
• By the 3rd grade a child learns to read, after that they must read to learn.
• Only 52% of students in Chicago graduate.
• Initial problems in reading do not go away without intensive intervention and individualized tutoring.
• The number of prison cells needed to be built are determined on a state's 3rd grade reading scores. (from the documentary Children of the Code).
• 85% of those currently in prison have literacy issues

The Reading Connection meets on Saturday mornings from 11:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. Once you arrive you will be paired up with an elementary student whom you will spend one hour listening to her/him read and helping her/him with the difficult words.

Our current location is the social room of the Hilliard Apartments (where the students live) located at 30 West Cermak, Chicago.

Even though each adult is never left alone with a child, we do ask that each of our Mentors submit to a federal background check.

You do not have to be a teacher or even have a college education to be part of this outreach. All you have to do is give one hour of your time and have the willingness to help a child improve her/his reading skills.

Download the federal background check form here. Once form is completed you may turn it in to Dug Harris on Sunday or scan and email it to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. . Please note that all of your information will be kept in a locked safe and kept completely confidential.

If you are driving, there is plenty of parking in our lot located one block west of State Street on 23rd Street. Once parked you may enter through the south door of the building.

If you are taking the Redline or walking, you may enter through our north doors located by the playground off of Cermak.

After you enter come in to our auditorium where a hot cup of coffee, tea, hot chocolate, lemonade or a juice box (if that's your thing) is waiting for you. All snacks and beverages are complimentary so feel free to grab whatever you like. If you have children that you wish to enroll in our Sunday School program, you may register them in our children's area just down the hallway from the auditorium.

Be prepared to be greeted by some of the friendliest people that Chicago has to offer. We have no official greeting team because being naturally friendly is just the way South Loopers are.

We begin our gatherings with a few songs, some new, some over 400 years old, led by our South Loop Worship Band.

When the music set is over we take about a 5 minute break. At this time feel free to refill your coffee and greet some new friends. Also at this time our children are dismissed to their Sunday School classes.

After the break our pastor teaches a message from the Bible. These messages can be downloaded from our podcast page if you miss a week or if you would like a friend to hear what you heard on Sunday.

After the message our band typically comes back to play one more song before the closing prayer.

Dress is casual so outside of bikinis and speedos, if it's okay with you, it's okay with us.

Our worship gatherings begin at 10:00 a.m. and end by 11:00 a.m. We think you'll be surprised how fast that one hour goes.

So now you know what to expect, come and visit us soon so you can experience South Loop Church for yourself.