International Day presentation, Wildwood Church, Kankakee

Montague Williams will be the featured speaker at International Day at 10:30 a.m. on Sunday at Wildwood Church of the Nazarene, 425 E. Court St, Kankakee.

Williams is a former youth minister at Wildwood and holds both a B.A. and M.A. from Olivet Nazarene University and an M.Div. from Nazarene Theological Seminary. He is a Ph.D. candidate in practical theology at Boston University and teaches at Eastern Nazarene College in the division of religion and philosophy. He is an ordained elder in the Church of the Nazarene. International Day is a celebration of ethnic and cultural diversity and festivities. The presentation will be followed by dinner of various ethnic foods.

For more information, call the Wildwood Church of the Nazarene at 815-933-2443 .

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Historic Kankakee church remains vibrant by staying current

Much has changed in 150 years, and facing transition head on is a major reason why St. Paul Episcopal Church still exists.

Actually, the stately church, located on the corner of Harrison Avenue and Station Street in Kankakee since 1900, is not only surviving, it's thriving.

Community outreach is a top priority at St. Paul, and it's something the Rev. Israel Anchan, the church's rector, has emphasized since arriving in 2009.

He knows his approach is different than what members of the congregation and community at large have been accustomed to, but he is convinced it's the best way to achieve success.

"My strategy is quiet different than the traditional one,'' Anchan said. "The old Roman theory is 'come on, let's worship together.' That does not work.

"My strategy is the St. Patrick way. He went out into the community and made them familiar with the church.''

People who reside in the neighborhoods surrounding the inner-city church quickly were introduced to the St.

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10 Questions with The Rev. Israel Anchan, St. Paul Episcopal Church, Kankakee

10 Questions with The Rev. Israel Anchan, St. Paul Episcopal Church, Kankakee

The Rev. Israel Anchan arrived at St. Paul Episcopal Church in 2009.

In the four years that have passed since he came to the historic place of worship located in downtown Kankakee, he has made great strides in bringing the message conveyed inside the walls of the church to the community outside of it.

That effort is a central emphasis as St. Paul Episcopal Church celebrates its 150th year of existence on Sunday. As Anchan has been busy preparing for the anniversary and the church's future, he took time to answer "10 questions'' for The Daily Journal.

Where are you from originally?

I am originally from South India, and upon completion of my theological education, I served as a pastor in church and principal of high school in Mumbai until 1999.

What was it like to transition to life in America?

I came to U.

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Kankakee church celebrating 155th anniversary

First Baptist Church of Kankakee, 1756 W. Illinois Route 113, Kankakee, will be holding its 155th anniversary celebration Sunday. Services will be held at 10:45 a.m. followed by a lunch and a program.

For more information, call 815-932-2214 or visit firstbaptistkankakee.com.

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