| Weekly Newsletter for October 15, 2026 |
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| Pumpkin Fest this Sunday! Kathryn Kinjo, Music & Engagement Minister |
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Hey, friends!
Even though the parking lot has delayed our patch a bit, it has actually resulted in this Sunday’s Pumpkin Fest turning into a truly MASSIVE EXTRAVAGANZA, since it’s a combination of ALL our usual patch events!
If you haven’t been to a patch event before, THIS is the one to catch!
Here’s what’s happening on Sunday from 11:30-3:30 in our brand-spankin-new-parking lot: 12 super fun and free game stations for fun-loving folks of ALL ages - think Bozo Buckets, putt-putt, an obstacle course, Pickle Hooks, a delightful new game called Ringy Swingy Thingy (you have to come try it out!) and more! Kids can win amazing prizes and grown-ups can win actual raffle tickets!
Shop 25+ booths by local vendors and businesses – connect with our amazing community, and bonus: get your holiday shopping done early! (We have pottery, candles, pet accessories, media digitizing services and personal history interviews, honey and handmade soap, and SO much more!)
Live musical entertainment: Free petting zoo from 1-3pm: we have a combination of adorable farm animals and super cool reptiles this year!
Food trucks: We’ll have Tacomotora, a delicious Mexican street food truck, as well as Snowie selling snow cones, coffee, cider, lemonade, and more!
Raffle ticket sales: this will be your first chance to buy raffle tickets to win one of our fantastic prize baskets that include things like a $250 certificate for 4 pottery classes at Clay & Co, a $100 gift card to a Lettuce Entertainment restaurant, a Goldfish Swim School birthday party, and 4 tickets to the Chicago Stars!
And of course, all this happens in our pumpkin patch where ALL proceeds from pumpkin and raffle sales go to the food pantry!
Come out and show our neighborhood how vibrant and welcoming the StGs community is!
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| | Join us for Sunday morning worship online at 9:30am
Meeting ID: 842 861 148 Passcode: 414299 |
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| | Sunday bulletins are posted online every Saturday morning. |
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| Feed the Hungry. Connect to Neighbors.
Folks, this is our major way of connecting to our neighbors. We need all you wondeful people to be part of showing our neighbors who we are as we all work together to feed the hungry. Remember, every dollar of our proceeds goes to local food pantries.
Help Unload Pumpkins this Saturday, 10/17 Arrive by 10:00 a.m. Different strength levels are all welcome. We’ll have coffee, donuts, and lunch at the end. Scouts and other partners are already signed up. |
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Help Sell Pumpkins Sign up for a shift or two (or many) to help people purchase their pumpkins. The process is easy to learn, and the most important thing is to be welcoming and friendly. It’s also a great way to spend time with other St. Gregory’s folks.
Immediate Needs: This Saturday (10/17): 2:00-4:00 and 4:00-6:00 This Sunday (10/25): 3:30-5:30 |
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| While we’ll share the official weekly update in our Friday afternoon email, here’s the latest as we currently know it: Asphalt is done – WOOHOO! In the next few days the bulk of the fencing will be removed and we can drive on the lot this weekend! Onsite church will resume this Sunday, Oct 18, with Spiritual Growth occurring in the CHAPEL this week (here’s a link to last week’s Spiritual Growth, if you missed it!). Although the lot will be accessible for the weekend, please use extra care as you drive and park, with a special eye for the transitions from sidewalks/grass to asphalt, as that work is yet to be completed.
How Do I Stay Up to Date? Friday afternoons: look for a weekly email with construction progress updates. Updates will also be posted to our website. |
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| | | | Annual Giving 2027:Rooted in Faith, Growing Together, Giving with Purpose
Welcome back to our campus! It is a joy to come together in person and enjoy our newly paved lot - a visual reminder of what happens when we care for our church home.
As you drive in, reflect on the fresh path forward God is laying out for St. Gregory’s. We are a community Rooted in Faith, and we continue Growing Together through our ministries.
Review our Annual Giving 2027 Invitation, which highlights “Why Your Pledge Matters” and our operational goals. As we approach our In-Gathering on November 1, please consider Giving with Purpose by making a financial pledge. Every single gift, regardless of size, helps pave our way forward together. |
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| | Spiritual Growth this Sunday:When Loving Thy Neighbor
is Driving You Nuts, Part II
Last week, we learned a different approach when we’re tempted to think, “What is wrong with these people?”. We’ll build on that this week to learn a way to create lasting change for ourselves and others in ways that benefit the common good.
Spiritual Growth for Youth and Adults will meet in the Chapel this Sunday, between worship and the Pumpkin Fest. |
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| | November 1: All Saints & All Souls
October is fast coming to a close, which means we’re nearing our feast of All Saints & All Souls on Sunday, November 1. It is a beautiful and heartfelt service to commemorate those we love but see no longer, with many special features: The baptism of Audrey Logas! An altar at the front of the church where you can place photos/mementos of your beloved dead A bigger choir with extra special music throughout the service The reading of the Necrology (where we read aloud a list of the names of all our beloved dead) during Communion. Just as we did last year, this year we will read only the names that you submit to Kathryn. Please do so via email or the button below, including pronunciation help. Deadline is MONDAY, Oct 26! A delicious brunch to follow, where we’ll move the altar with photos/mementos so we can enjoy looking at them all while we eat!
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| | Love in a Dish support for the Hamiltons!
Dates are available between now and the end of December to provide a meal (or food gift card) each week to support Scott and Elizabeth Hamilton. Please check the link below. If you have any questions, contact Cissy Singleton. |
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| | New Ministry Alert: Wheels of Love!
We are starting a new ministry where those who are able to provide rides to/from church can be connected with those who need rides to/from church!
Our first recipient is Jeanette Blanck, who lives at CIEL Senior Living (145 N. Milwaukee in Vernon Hills). If you live in the area (or that’s on your way!), please use the button below for additional details and to sign up. If you have any questions, contact Cissy Singleton. Thank you! |
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Leo Concert is THIS Saturday(Because we don’t have enough going on)
Leo High School Choir, America’s Got Talent 2025 finalist, will be performing at a concert hosted by Religious Leaders United THIS Saturday, October 17 at 7pm! The concert will take place at Holy Cross Catholic Church in Deerfield.
It’s not too late to reserve your tickets. Get more info and your tickets here!
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| | Oct 25 is next Community Meals
We have many opportunities to volunteer for the October 25th Community Meals. We need both bakers and volunteers to help prepare and distribute the meal. Please sign up in the Sign Up Center or by emailing Barb via the button below. |
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| | Free Concerts about Justice & Belonging!
Come hear Kathryn, Ivo, and LaRob as Hearing in Color brings its resident vocal ensemble, Chroma, to the parks for We the People, a program exploring the evolving American story through music that asks who is remembered, who belongs, and how we might imagine a more inclusive future together. Join Chicago’s newest chamber choir as we blend contemporary works, reimagined favorites, and new voices to explore what it means to feel welcome and how we acknowledge the many voices that shape our country.
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| | | | | Coffee with Dan on Mondays
Have something weighing on your heart, mind, or spirit? Want to connect more deeply with Dan? Not sure exactly what you want to talk about? It’s all good. No RSVP, no appointment needed. Drop-in to the Starbucks at Deerfield & Waukegan every Monday from 3-6pm. As always, he’s also available by appointment on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Sunday afternoons. Send him an email to schedule!
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| | Midweek Prayer Every Wednesday | 8:00am
Need a midweek spiritual boost? Join a lovely small group of folks who gather online every week for spiritual renewal and to pray intentionally for everyone in our community who is in need. |
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| | Meeting ID: 750 552 357
Password: 587299 |
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| | Common Threads Second Tuesday of the month | 7:00pm
Bring a new or ongoing craft project to work on while you enjoy fun and fellowship with other parishioners in the newly revamped Parker Room at StGs. Whatever your craft - whether your medium is knitting, embroidery, painting, calligraphy, etc - and whatever your skill level, all are welcome! Please reach out to Kathryn at kathryn@stgregoryschurch.org to get on the mailing list! |
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| | Book ClubWed, October 21 | 7:00pm
October 21: Daughters of Egypt by Marie Benedict
Daughter of Egypt is a historical fiction novel by Marie Benedict (writing as Heather Terrell) that tells the parallel stories of two ambitious women: Lady Evelyn Herbert in the 1920s and the ancient Egyptian Pharaoh Hatshepsut. The book follows Evelyn's quest to find Hatshepsut's tomb, a mission that mirrors Hatshepsut's own struggle to rule Egypt and have her legacy recognized, as both women defied the expectations of their time to leave their mark on history.
Upcoming reads… November 18: Brighter Than Her Fears by Lisa Ard |
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| | Meeting ID: 817 1184 3180
Passcode: 893734 |
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| | Curious Faith:A New Theology Book ClubThursdays from 7-8pm, Zoom only
Current book: Love Is the Way: Holding on to Hope in Troubling Times by former Presiding Bishop Michael Curry
Interested in exploring big questions of faith through thoughtful, accessible books? Join St. Gregory’s new theology book group. No previous background in theology is needed—only curiosity and a willingness to join the conversation. Sign up in the Sign-up Center or online here. For more information, contact Sudi Johnson at 920-242-2059. |
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| | Meeting ID: 817 1184 3180
Passcode: 893734 |
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| | | | | For healing in mind, body, or spirit: Jeffrey Kistler Lisa Jay Carol Radloff Scott & Elizabeth Hamilton Jeanette Blanck Kristen & baby Henry Lily Jamie Kendall Synda Nelson Ron & Loraine and their family
In thanksgiving for… the upcoming baptism of Audrey Logas at the Nov 1st All Saints service!
For the departed…
Antje Kalov Alex
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| | | | | | | | | | Announcements are for church-related matters only. Deadline for announcements is Monday at noon. Please send announcements to Kathryn Kinjo. |
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