About
By following the life and teachings of Jesus Christ, we are an Anabaptist Mennonite church seeking community, peacemaking and compassionate service to others. We invite you to join us on our journey.
What is an Anabaptist?
The term "Anabaptist" means "one who baptizes again." In the 1520s, a small group who had been meeting together for Bible study and prayer decided to form a church based upon their belief that adults should be baptized upon their confession of faith, hence the name “Anabaptist.” Anabaptists have many beliefs in common with other believers, but there are several core values that more clearly define what an Anabaptist believes: Jesus as the center of our faith, community as the center of our lives, and reconciliation as the center of our work.
What is a Mennonite?
The Mennonites are a group of Christian denominations with origins in Europe during the 16th-century Protestant Reformation. In 1536, a Catholic priest named Menno Simons joined a group of Anabaptists and became one of their leaders. Originally a nickname, the term “Mennonite” persisted as the name for this particular group of Anabaptists. Today, Mennonites number over one million and can be found in about 60 countries around the world.
Congregation
As an Anabaptist Mennonite congregation, we believe that Jesus Christ is our example for everyday living and behavior. Mennonites are known for their emphasis on peacemaking, reconciliation, nonviolence, a simple lifestyle, servanthood, and a strong sense of community and service to others, caring for each other and those in need.
Our congregation numbers about 30 and represents a diverse group of life-long Mennonites and more recent Mennonites. Our participants live not only in Libertyville, but also in the surrounding communities of Mundelein, Grayslake, Lake Villa, and even Wisconsin.
North Suburban and Christ Community Mennonite Churches are yoked congregations. These two small, intimate congregations collaborate for worship, Christian formation, Bible study, Creation Care, special gatherings, and service projects. They have separate identities and missions and both seek to serve their own communities in unique ways.
North Suburban Mennonite Church began in 1985 with four couples deciding to be a Mennonite presence in the northern suburbs of Chicago. (Read more in a brief history of the church.) Our confession of faith outlines our theological commitment to the Anabaptist/Mennonite faith that is grounded in the centrality of Jesus Christ. Instead of membership, people choose to become affiliates of the congregation.
To learn more about our worship services, please go to our worship page.
Whoever does the will of God is my brother and sister and mother.Mark 3:35
Statement of Welcome and Affirmation
In the name of Christ, we welcome you to our community and invite you to journey with us as we seek to follow Jesus together. As an Anabaptist congregation, we believe the essence of the Bible is embodied in Jesus Christ, the living, acting Word of God, and Christ is our authority. Christ calls us to love one another unconditionally just as Christ loves us: without judgment, condemnation, or conformity. We believe that practicing unconditional love calls us to welcome those who have been marginalized, and we are especially concerned for the protection of the most vulnerable in all walks of life. All who wish to meet the Living Christ are welcome to worship with us and participate fully in congregational life. As a congregation of God’s people, we desire to reflect the diversity of the human family, including the diversity of sexual orientation, gender identity, race, ethnicity, age, economic status, marital status, physical and mental ability, and education. We therefore have chosen to become a welcoming and affirming congregation affiliated with the Supportive Communities Network of the Brethren Mennonite Council for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Interests. We trust that following Christ faithfully—while patiently agreeing and disagreeing in love—will call for ongoing communal discernment and self-reflection that urges us to grow beyond the consumerism, militarism, racism, sexism, and other destructive forces of our culture that marginalize people. We welcome you to experience God’s love and be a light in the world with us.
Pastoral Team
Anne Munley has been a member of our pastoral team since 2005. Anne divides her time between hospital work and patient care and ministry at North Suburban where she focuses on empowering others in our individual and collective walk with God.
Shane O'Leary has been a member of our pastoral team since 2022. As an intern, Shane brings a passion for Bible study and preaching to North Suburban. Shane has recently begun the Journey program at the Anabaptist Mennonite Biblical Seminary.
Suzanne Ford is a former Special Education Teacher, an overseas development worker, and is now a new pastor. She recently moved here from Colorado to work with this pastoral team as lead pastor at Christ Community Mennonite Church. She loves preaching and working with congressional process and vision.
Location
North Suburban Mennonite Church does not own a church building—we rent space in the Libertyville Civic Center.
Meeting in a public facility reminds us that the church is not limited to a building. Our worship space is informal yet functional. Because our facility expense is minimal, a maximum amount of money is available for the service and witness of the congregation.
The Civic Center has parking spaces on the south side, behind the building, in a multi-story parking garage.
Mailing Address
P.O Box 967
Mundelein, Illinois 60060
Phone Number
224-600-7740
Worship
Libertyville Civic Center, Upper Level
135 W. Church St.
Libertyville, Illinois 60048
Sunday Schedule
9:30am Worship
10:30am Sermon Discussion
Potluck meals will be scheduled. Please check the calendar.
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