NewCom offers the Prayer & Listening Ministry as a form of emotional and spiritual support. We want to make sure that everyone has access to a trusted person in our community who can offer a listening ear and pray with you.
Experienced lay ministers are available to offer 30-minute sessions in which you can meet one-on-one for listening and prayer support OR as a couple with another married couple if you are feeling the stress of quarantine on your marriage. You might think of this as the equivalent of going to the front for prayer on a Sunday morning and continuing the conversation over a cup of coffee.
If you have any additional question about the Listening & Prayer Ministry, please email Shannon Krabill at EmotionalHealth@thenewcom.com
Shayna was born and raised on a farm in central Illinois. College was a pivotal time in her life due to her father’s death during her first semester of college. After graduation Shayna entered collegiate ministry as she wanted to walk alongside college students during one of the most transforming times in their lives. She has spent the last 15 years in college ministry with the last 6 being in Chicago. Shayna has a high value on mind, body, and spirit health and has spent years on her own healing journey.
Tim and Kristi have been married for 16 years. You could say they were college sweethearts having met early in their college years. Tim and Kristi have 4 children, (11, 10, 6 and 5) and have attended New Community since their eldest was in a carseat carrier. Tim serves faithfully on the worship team (drums) as well as the Nominating Committee. Kristi has previously served on the Leadership Team (Treasurer, Chair). Currently, they are navigating remote learning for 3 of their 4 children, work from home schedules and trying their best to get outside for a walk as a family every day. They love watching Marvel movies together and look forward to Friday Night @ home date nights each week (even pre-pandemic!).
Lynn worked for 25 years as a LICSW for Lutheran Social Service. He has been married 47 years and has 2 sons and 6 grandchildren. Lynn grew up and lived in Minnesota until moving to Chicago in 2013 to assist with grandchildren. He is a fan of several sports and various kinds of music. He has a deep love of fried chicken and remains an avid reader.
Over the past 12 years, NewCom is where I’ve encountered Christ-led, authentic community that makes me strive to live with accountability and transparency. I’ve found that authentic community is not easy, yet it is necessary to live a Christ-filled life.
I am also grateful for how NewCom has grown me spiritually: I have gained a deeper understanding and have felt the presence of the Holy Spirit, I have experienced brave spaces to confess and pray through struggles, and I have grown from listening to testimonies of how God is working through us, the congregation.
I believe Jesus calls us to live humbly and transparently, bearing each other’s burdens, and upholding each other in prayer – and that is the posture in which I approach these times of listening and prayer
I grew up in west suburban Chicago. My career background is professional nursing at 2 Southside Chicago hospitals. Dan and I have been happily married 42 years and raised 4 children in Southside Beverly, Chicago. We downsized and moved to a condo in East Lakeview last Fall. One strong motivation is so Dan and I can live closer to New Community; our church family of 11 years!
After attending North Park Seminary’s Weborg Center for 2 years I received my Certificate in Spiritual Direction. My practice has included privately meeting with Directees; volunteering at Retreats, Conferences and the Covenant Midwinter Conference. At NewCom, I’ve led spiritual practices, small groups, for women and co-lead Bible Studies and Pre-marital counseling with Dan. The various prayer and spiritual practices I’ve learned and use, I believe, are practical ways with which we can learn to “hear God’s still, quiet voice”. He desires to have an intimate relationship with each of us! I am passionate about coming alongside others as a spiritual companion to listen, discern and pray. My Life Verse is: Philippians 1:6.
Shannon has called New Community home for 15 years and has been married for the same length of time. She and Mike have 3 boys, ages 11, 9 and 3. Professionally, she works as a clinical therapist with a faith based nonprofit and has a background specifically in grief and loss. She is passionate about integrating spiritual care into her professional work and about creating more space and focus on emotional health in healing in churches. She is excited about the opportunity to come alongside her church family to lean into listening and prayer ministry together.
Constance was born and raised in Joliet, Il. After completing her undergraduate and graduate studies at Northern Illinois University, she spent the next few seasons of life working in undergraduate admissions for higher education. These experiences journeying with students and their families through their educational and life transitions nurtured her desire to serve in full-time ministry. Constance is an inquisitive sister who enjoys meeting new people, helping others, creating community and exploring the city through live music.
Dan and Wendy have been married 42 years and raised 4 children in Beverly. A recent move to a Northside condo put them just 3.5 miles from New Community where they’ve been active members for 11 years.
Mentoring and leading small groups of young adults, engaged and married couples is their passion. They’ve lead co-ed small groups, Bible studies, contemplative prayer practice groups, married couples groups, men’s groups, mentored individuals, and offered pre-marital counseling.
People in these groups are often at a strategic crossroad in their lives on many fronts. Crucial decisions, transitions, and issues can occur relating to relationships, deepening commitments, sexuality, career paths, relocation, engagement, marriage and children among many.
They believe what most of us deeply desire is for someone to be present to listen, discern, encourage and sometimes pray.
It is the Holy Spirit who influences and guides. What drives Dan and Wendy to make themselves available to couples in order to listen and support is knowing the Holy Spirit is continually at work for the health and benefit of the couple’s marriage.
We have reserved parking on W. Logan Blvd, designated with orange cones between N. Francisco Ave. and Sacramento Ave. Parking is also available on W. Schubert Ave., Sacramento Ave. and W. Diversey Ave. within approximately 2 blocks of our church.