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As State Reopens, Life In Proviso Township Goes On


Sunday, June 28, 2020 || By Michael Romain || @maywoodnews 

Illinois transitioned into Phase 4 of Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s Restore Illinois reopening plan on June 26, with movie theaters, fitness centers, museums and restaurants all opening their doors again. There are, however, restrictions. In-person dining is restricted to 25 percent capacity, or no more than 50 people a room.

On June 28, some Proviso Township churches and businesses were still easing into normal life with the knowledge that while COVID-19’s spread has slowed, the disease is still very much a force to be reckoned with.

Bishop Thomas A. Clark IV, the pastor of World Deliverance Christian Center, 439 Bohland Ave., in Bellwood, and his wife, First Lady Felicia Clark, spent Sunday morning and afternoon preparing for the church’s second annual graduation parade.

Jerome Tillis, who graduated from St. Norbert College, receives his certificate from Bishop Thomas Clark of World Deliverance Church in Bellwood on Sunday, June 28. | Shanel Romain 

“We had the first one last year to let students know we appreciate and encourage them,” said Bishop Clark. “Now, COVID-19 has changed this, but we said we don’t have to stop honoring them because of that. Let’s take it to the street and do a drive-by parade.”

Bishop Clark said that the church handed out certificates and gifts to 23 area graduates — whose academic levels ranged from pre-K to college undergrads — before hosting a parade.

He said that his church partnered with Chicago Methodist Senior Services, the nonprofit senior care organization that owns the building the church worships in each week, in order to distribute face masks, water and snacks.

Bellwood firefighters and police officers lead a caravan for the graduates outside of World Deliverance Church in Bellwood on Sunday. | Shanel Romain 

While World Deliverance is still avoiding in-person worship gatherings — instead holding its weekly services online via YouTube, Zoom and Facebook — the outreach has not stopped, the pastor and first lady said.

“Engagement has actually been up since the pandemic,” said Felicia Clark.

Greenbrook Elementary kindergarten graduate Kayden Johnson with his mom, Lakecia Bailey, after receiving his certificate outside of World Deliverance Church in Bellwood. | Shanel Romain 

“Our support has expanded, because we’ve shown people that we still care,” Bishop Clark said. “So, we’ve reached more individuals since the pandemic. And that’s what the church should be about. We should be getting out and touching people, versus asking people to come to us.”

Bishop Clark said that some of the high school and college graduates that received certificates on Sunday are among the first in their families to receive diplomas and degrees — a feat worthy of pomp and circumstance.

Young graduates stand outside of World Deliverance Church ready to receive their certificates on Sunday. | Shanel Romain 

For some graduates like Walther Christian Academy graduate Ajahnae Clay, the celebration was particularly emotional. Clay was brought to tears. Felicia Clark said that the Sunday event is just one of a string of outreach events that World Deliverance has conducted since the pandemic.

“Last Saturday, we were at Thorton’s [a gas station in Bellwood] offering prayer and giving out free gas gift cards,” said Clark, adding that the church has even more outdoor programming planned in the coming weeks.

Those programs include a drive-by communion service on July 5, an outdoor Gospel concert on July 12, free lunch on July 18, and a prayer and praise service on July 19. Visit the church’s website (worlddeliverancecc.net) for more details.

Walther Christian Academy graduate Ajahnae Clay gets emotional during Sunday’s graduation parade. | Shanel Romain 

A few blocks away, at True Vine Church of God in Christ, 400 23rd Ave. in Bellwood, Rev. Harley Hagler preached to roughly 30 congregants under a white tent pitched on the church’s parking lot — his sermon particularly timely, considering current events.

“The word of God strengthens us,” Harley said lyrically. “If you need strength today, go to the word of God. If you need patience today … Hallelujah. David said I waited patiently on the Lord and he heard me and delivered me from all of my fears.”

Moments later, scattered droplets turned into a downpour, just as Harley was concluding his message.

Rev. Harlan Hagler delivers a sermon under a tent outside of his church, True Vine Church of God in Christ, in Bellwood on Sunday. | Michael Romain 

Across town, roughly a half-dozen members of the Centro Cristiano Zamar Chicago congregation, 1208 S. 17th Ave. in Maywood, stood in front of their church wearing masks and standing a few feet apart. They had just concluded their first in-person service since the state transitioned into Phase 4 of the governor’s reopening plan.

“We don’t have a parking lot to do services outside for now, but we feel free to do services inside,” said one member of the new congregation, adding that members of the church who don’t feel comfortable worshiping on site can still take in online services.

Inside of Kathy’s Cafe in Maywood on Sunday afternoon. On Friday, the state reached Phase 4 of its reopening plan, which includes diners returning indoor eateries. | Michael Romain 

“We opened on the inside on Friday, so people are still getting used to the idea,” Saylor said. “But we still have people coming to the window.”

Saylor said that the restaurant has been retrofitted for COVID-19. Signs urging people to wash their hands are all over the diner. Hand sanitizer is available at each end of the restaurant and facemasks are required unless people are sitting down to eat.

“We’re trying to make it,” she said.

Owner Dennis Moran said that he’s thinking of putting some balloons and banners outside of the diner to let patrons know that they can once again eat inside of Kathy’s, which has become a Maywood institution.

Moran also said that he’s looking to expand hours and perhaps create a special afternoon lunch menu exclusively for walk-up orders. Despite the Phase 4 changes, the window at Kathy’s, a direct result of COVID-19, will be staying put into the foreseeable future.

Dennis Moran, the owner of Kathy’s Cafe in Maywood, points to a photo of one of the cafe staff’s favorite patrons, Nikki, as Jean Vega, an employee, works. | Michael Romain 

Perhaps the most significant change, however, is the loss of beloved customer Kanikka, known by most as Nikki. She died June 16 from cancer, Moran said.

“She was always out in front of here … This is the type of people we’re trying to help,” he said, pointing to an enlarged photo of Nikki that hangs above the diner. “I’ve got a bigger picture of her than I do of anybody at all in here. I don’t have no presidents or mayors or anything like that. This is real people. She was down to earth.”

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