The Church of Good Shepherd Christmas Celebration
The holiday season kickoff merrier for children on Chicago’s South Side. The Church of The Good Shepherd hosted their annual “Lunch With Santa” event on Saturday, December 13th.
The lead organizer, GC Middleton is a member of the Church of the Good Shepherd. She had been running the “Lunch with Santa” event for seven years after taking it over from the church’s “Couples Club.” However, she referrs to herself as the “CEE – chief executive elf, for Santa.”
She personally purchased the gifts and toys, coordinated with community partners – Top Teens of America and The Top Ladies of Distinction Inc., Chicago Chapter.
“They had it going for years and then they decided they were going to give it up. And I was like, ‘Nope, can’t do that. I will take it over,” GC Middleton said.
The event was designed specifically for children ages 10 and under. The celebration took place at Church of the Good Shepherd, located at 5700 S. Prairie Avenue, Chicago, IL 60637.
The two-hour celebration offers young attendees the opportunity to meet Santa Claus, enjoy a meal, and participate in various holiday activities.
Parents and guardians were encouraged to dress their little ones in Christmas pajamas, adding an extra touch of cozy holiday spirit to the festive atmosphere.
The event organizer, C.E.E., planned a variety of engaging activities to keep children entertained throughout the morning. The schedule included:
- Crafts: Hands-on creative activities that allow children to make holiday keepsakes
- Face Painting: Professional face painting to transform kids into their favorite winter characters or festive designs
- Storytelling: Holiday tales and stories to capture young imaginations
- Santa Visit: The highlight of the event—personal time with Santa Claus himself
These activities were designed to create memorable experiences for children while fostering community connection and holiday cheer. The combination of creative, interactive, and traditional holiday elements ensured that every child found something to enjoy.
The “Lunch With Santa” event showcased the strength of community organizations collaborating to support local families. The Church of The Good Shepherd has a long history of civic engagement and serving the Washington Park community. Source and Photos: 3:16 Magazine.
3:16 Magazine celebrates community organizations that bring joy and connection to our neighborhoods during the holiday season and throughout the year.
