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  815 Wilmot Road, Deerfield, IL 60015  ·   847.945.1678  ·   Giving

St. Gregory's Episcopal Church
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A Message from Mother Anne

Beloved,

Our Baptismal Covenant requires us to make renunciations (we give up) and to make promises (we will do) about certain things. In all these things, we acknowledge that we can do none of it without God's ever-present help. In light of the death of George Floyd in police custody, and the resulting outcry around the country, I'm struck especially by our renunciation of all powers of evil, and our promise to respect the dignity of every human being. I'm a product of the Southern United States. I grew up painfully aware of the sin (though I didn't know to call it that) of white supremacy and racism. I have struggled and worked my whole life, and continue to do so, to listen to voices of people of color. I have a vivid imagination, so when I hear them tell their stories, I can imagine what it must be like to be them and live in a constant state of fear. However, as much as I can imagine it, I do not have to live it.

I'm still a beginner in understanding and supporting anti-racism and race relations. I think I always will be. But, as Kathryn Duncan pointed out to me, I do know Jesus. I know Jesus is and was a man of color. I know Jesus is God incarnate - sent to this earth to show us the enormous depth, breadth, and power of God's love for all of us. I know Jesus intentionally sought out the marginalized. I know Jesus made a point to listen to the stories of the people nobody else wanted to listen to. I know Jesus loved even when he did not understand. I know Jesus taught about open hearts and minds and souls to the power of love. And so I try to live that, and I fail every day, and God still loves me and gives me strength to try again.

There is so much to be heartbroken about. Over 100,000 deaths in the United States alone from COVID-19, isolation from people we love, financial ruin for millions of Americans, people of color consistently abused, feared, and killed, and a million other things.

There is also much to give us hope. God's love endures. God's love is greater than fear, sin, and death. God promises the Kingdom where all suffering will end. And we get to do our part to live that out today and every day as individuals, as the worshipping community at St. Gregory's, and as human beings. How each of us lives a life of love will differ, but isn't it a healing grace to know that we are all trying to do that? That we can all share our struggles, failures, and successes with each other? Knowing that we remain in conversation with each other, and with people who think and act differently gives me hope. God's love DOES prevail, and sometimes it even looks like that on earth. Thanks be to God!

If you want to do something specifically about the outcry around George Floyd's death and the protests that have followed, here are a few resources:

Ways to help rebuild and financially support business that have been destroyed on the South and West side of Chicago:
Small Business Relief Fund
Physically Help to Clean Up and Rebuild


Anti-Racism Reading and Resources:
A list from the Chicago Diocese's Anti Racism Commission
God’s Peace, Anne+

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815 Wilmot Road · Deerfield, IL 60015
847.945.1678
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Service Times

In this time of social distancing, we can, and will practice connectivity in new and powerful ways, for we know we ARE connected as one in the Lord.

Click here to link to Sunday Worship page to join our services and see past videos,




Location

St. Gregory's Episcopal Church
815 Wilmot Road
Deerfield, IL 60015

Contact Us
847.945.1678

Newsletter Signup

Welcome to St. Gregory's – virtually! We know that the church is not the building in which we worship – but the people who worship and share God’s love with the world. In this time of social distancing, we will practice connectivity in new and powerful ways, for we know we all are connected as one in the Lord. Life is very different than we knew it to be, and yet our anchor in God’s love remains the same. All shall be well!

We are people from all walks of life and all parts of Chicagoland. Most people who worship here didn’t grow up Episcopalian, but seek to radiate God’s grace by gathering community and sharing joy and hope in the world. Join us however works for you: participate in Zoom worship, follow our livestream, help us give to the community, read with our kids, or even be a pen pal to get to know someone new.

Online Worship

Everyone is experiencing the Pandemic in different ways. Many people are experiencing deeper loss than they ever have before, and we are here to support them during this time. If you are experiencing loss and grief, we are here to pray with you, talk with you, and help financially.

The Body of Christ exists to care for each other. Sometimes we can be generous, and sometimes we receive generosity. Both are equal acts of faith and grace, and one cannot exist without the other.

Donate Annual Stewardship 2021