New Pastor Installation

First Christian Church in Chicago Heights will install the Reverend Denise (Denny) Whiteside as their new Senior Minister on Sunday, November 25, during their 10:00 a.m. worship service.  A reception will follow in our fellowship hall.

Rev. Whiteside received her Master of Divinity degree from Christian Theological Seminary in Indianapolis and was ordained in 2009.  Prior to seminary, Denny worked for twenty years in the insurance industry as a specialist and manager In the area of pay and benefits. 

A lifelong Midwesterner, Denny comes to First Christian from New Castle, Indiana and is currently living in Park Forest.  Her partner of twenty years, Bonita Ware, is an award-winning  quilt designer.  

Denny has deep compassion for the marginalized in our society, a value that informs her ministry in areas of outreach and social justice.  She believes the most significant purpose for today’s church is to provide spiritual and emotional sanctuary for all people, to spread the word of God’s love, and to break down barriers that keep people from accepting that love for themselves.

She describes her long-range goals as learning to trust God more...and plan less for herself!  That being said, she feels a strong sense of call into parish ministry, desiring to be part of shaping a community that embraces Jesus’ promise that he is with us always, demonstrating through our love and support the love of God for all humanity. 

The members of First Christian feel privileged and immensely pleased to welcome Rev. Whiteside to their midst.  The church address is 1045 Dixie Highway, Chicago Heights.