Our guest speaker was our very own Court Williams. Reverend Court began his ministry with Trinity Episcopal Church September 1st, 2015.  He and his wife Julie and their two children Maggie and Joe moved here from Eugene, Oregon where Fr. Court had served as rector to St. Thomas Episcopal Church for six years.  In his personal ministry statement, Fr. Court revealed, "I want to welcome all people into a deeper relationship with God, known in Jesus Christ and experienced through the Holy Spirit, through Christian formation, vibrant worship, radical hospitality and outreach to the local and global community." 

 

Reverend Court reminded members how Trinity has been involved with giving back for a long time with a desire to help the local community thrive. The church even opens their doors to allow other organizations and groups to use the open space for various functions, and pointing out the churches beautiful stained glass and architectural features.

 

Rev Courts main discussion was on his involvement as co-president of an organization called Community The Anti-Drug whose mission is keeping our teens drug and alcohol free. This outreach was started after a tragic accident in Deerfield involving a teen who had been drinking and driving. It started as Parent The Anti-Drug and ultimately evolved to Community the Anti-Drug. This anti-drug coalition is dedicated to reducing the use of alcohol, marijuana, and other drugs among youth in Bannockburn, Deerfield, Highland Park, Highwood and Riverwoods. The organization formed a group of youth called Delta from both Deerfield and Highland Park High schools. DELTA which means change are a group of kids helping change kids attitudes, by spreading awareness, and designing major ads for the anti-drug coalition. There are also materials created in Spanish as well. Court spoke about some current topics involving vaping and how it could be causing permanent brain damage to students and that their organization is trying to get this information to schools and the public immediately. There was an open discussion with questions relating to issues in Highland Park and the surrounding area and how the parents really need to be more involved and set the standards regarding what is acceptable.

 

About one in five of DHS and HPHS students have tried vaping and/or marijuana. Vaping is a newer concern based on the recent reports of respiratory illnesses associated with young people across the country. Of those who report having tried marijuana say they vaped. Symptoms of the respiratory illness include: cough, shortness of breath, chest pain, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, fatigue, fever or abdominal pain. Not one specific device or product has been identified as an underlying factor for this rising health issue.

 

The presentation was excellent and Rev. Court even left us with some goodies which included keys chains, informational folders on Community the Anti-Drug and even some packets that can be used to destroy drugs that you might find laying around.