| Weekly Newsletter for August 28, 2025 |
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| Sacred Spaces in a Violent WorldRev. Dan Puchalla
The news of the shooting at Annunciation Catholic Church and School in Minneapolis this week was horrific. It comes amidst an ever rising tide of horrific images and stories that crash over us each day, stories that tell of a nation and a world increasingly possessed by a spirit of violence. And this spirit seems to be growing stronger and more wanton: no regard for just causes, no regard for proportionality, no regard for deescalation, no regard for the innocence of children and bystanders and communities. Speaking only for myself: I fear that a twisted worship of aggressiveness, cold-heartedness, and spite is feeding such a spirit of violence at all levels of society.
As our Baptismal Covenant puts it, such are the evil powers which corrupt and destroy the creatures of God. We are made for something better than this.
On September 7, as advertised, we will celebrate the feast of St. Gregory and we will launch our first Spiritual Growth series of the program year: How Do We Make Sacred Space? I want you to know that this series is designed as very much an answer to that spirit of violence which is tightening its hold on us.
Following Jesus means we do not answer violence with more violence but with a bold, vulnerable, and life-changing invitation to the awareness of God in all places, all times, and all people. Skills for doing that are what we will learn together.
For those of you who are in town this Sunday: it’s going to be another one of those Pastor Dan sermons where we’re going to try something a little weird. We will get a preview of what making sacred space might look like — and how such a small thing has the power to change the world.
Otherwise, I hope to see all of you, onsite or online, on September 7.
Peace to you all.
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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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| | | | | Possible Sale of Land: Update from the Vestry
Thanks to all who participated in our parish meeting after the service last Sunday! Based on the overwhelmingly positive response to our latest proposal (see the proposal here), the Vestry used an intentional consensus process to confirm we are aligned on moving forward: At our Sep 22 meeting, the Vestry intends to vote on a formal resolution that reflects our latest proposal. If the Vestry approves that resolution, we will begin the whole congregation’s voting process on Sep 23. If 2/3 of the congregation also consents to that resolution, then we will go to the Bishop and the Standing Committee for approval to start soliciting offers.
For now, all you need to do is keep a lookout for special communications on Sep 23 and continue to pray for our ongoing discernment! |
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| | | Thank you to all who helped make last Sunday’s Mass on the Grass so much fun! |
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| We had a great service, productive parish meeting, and delicious cookout all on one excellent morning! There were so many hands who helped make light work that we couldn’t possibly list them all, but special thanks to our coffee brunch hosts (Ana and Ob Soonthornsima, with Carolyn Lombardo and Sharon Gramer), our grillers (Peter Holtz, Hiko Kinjo, Ob Soonthornsima), and everyone who supplied tasty food items to add to the smorgasbord! We’re also grateful to Casey Kremer, Peter Holtz, David Schaper, Cyndi Millspaugh, and Matt Geiger for their extra help in setup and cleanup. Shout out to our guest musicians as well – Keanon Kyles, Laura Perkett, Maddi Vogel, Matt Sobczyk, and Abby Kettlewell! |
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| The Youth Service Corps gets to work! |
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| We have relaunched our youth group as the St. Gregory’s Youth Service Corps, with a more intentional focus on service to our neighbors. Last Saturday, they kicked-off by making delicious cookies for Community Meals. Thank you to Nana and Megan Agyeman for joining the leadership team, and to the Kettlewells for hosting! |
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| | | | How do we make Sacred Space?September Spiritual Growth SeriesSundays from 10:45-11:30amSept 7: Sensing the Sacred - intergenerational class to start learning skills for making sacred space. Sept 14: Where is the Sacred? Sept 21: Altars & Sacred Toys Sept 28: Make Your Own Sacred Space Adults/Youth: We learn how to make a sacred space using breath, meditation, and imagination. Children: We learn how to make a sacred space using breath, meditation, and imagination.
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| | Farewell, Cameo!
We bid a fond farewell to our tenor, Cameo Humes, this last Sunday. We’re gathering a purse in gratitude for his ten years of service, and have extended the deadline to next Sunday, August 31! Donate via the button below - select “other,” and then make sure to include “Cameo” in the note line. If you haven’t yet written a message of well-wishes to be included in his card, please email it to Kathryn this week! (kathryn@stgregoryschurch.org) |
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| | Next Community Meals: Aug 24
Thanks to our volunteers who went to Waukegan to prepare and distribute meals to our food insecure neighbors. Volunteers included Holly and Tony Grasch; Sally and Peter Holtz; Catherine and Matthew Regalado; Janet and Bill Foltz; and Scott and Matthew Schaper.
Thanks to the youth group and family who baked half of the cookies that were distributed. They included Matthew Regalado; Iris Lacaillade; Renzo Rodgers-Geiger; Sarah, Andy, Abby, and Liam Kettlewell; Carrie, Jacob, and Brandon Buglio; Eugene, Tina, Emily, and Tyler Calub; Nana, Megan, Josephine, and Savannah Agyeman. Kim Baer and Nancy Buller also baked cookies.
Our next opportunity to serve is Sunday, September 28th. Sign up in the sign up center to bake cookies and/or volunteer in Waukegan. |
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| | Beyond a Binary God: learn more about trans issues and scripture!
After the Rector's Roundtable on LGBTQ+ inclusion and our first Pride Sunday, there has been a desire for more learning opportunities on these issues -- and particularly understanding trans identities. This fall, you're invited to a small group book discussion on Beyond a Binary God: A Theology for Trans* Allies by Tara Soughers, an Episcopal priest and mother of a trans son. Details: Time: Meets weekly starting the week of October 13 and runs for 5 weeks. Specific day/time to be determined with those who sign up. Group Leader: parishioner Dan Nicholas, graduate of Education for Ministry Format: Read 1 chapter per week before meeting for discussion. Limit: Only 4 spots remaining, so don't delay in signing up! (We'll probably have another round in the spring, so even if there’s no space left in this session put your name down, and we’ll contact you for the next one!)
Sign up in the Sign-up Center at church or email Dan via the button below! |
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| | New Coffee Brunch Coordinators!
We’d like to give a special shout out to Debbie Kinjo, who has been one of our excellent coffee brunch coordinators for the last couple years. Since she and Hiko will be moving back to Utah sometime in the next six months, we have asked Carolyn Lombardo to fill her role! Carolyn and Sharon Gramer will continue to coordinate our monthly(ish) coffee brunches, so if you’re interested in helping, please add your name to the sheet in the Sign-Up Center. |
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| | The pumpkins are coming soon…
Can you believe the pumpkin patch is almost upon us? This will be our 21st year as “the pumpkin church,” supplying thousands of pumpkins, gourds, and all sorts of family fun to the Deerfield community!
How to get ready for a great October: Help unload! The pumpkins are scheduled to arrive Sat, Oct 4 at 10am. Add your name to the big poster boards in the Sign-Up Center. There’ll be ways to help for all ages and ability levels! Sign up to work a shift in the patch! Those poster boards also have all slots for staffing the patch throughout October. While patrons can self-checkout 24/7, we are once again only staffing the patch Wednesdays (2-6pm), Saturdays (10-6pm), and Sundays (11:30-5:30). It’s very easy – no handling cash, no prior experience required (you’ll get trained at your first shift!). Sign up with kids, fellow parishioners, or bring your friends/neighbors - it’s a lot of fun! Plan to attend all Sunday afternoon events in the patch! We’ve got a great slate of events starting at 11:30 every Sunday in October! If you’d like to help in any way with these, please contact Kathryn. Check out details on all events below…
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| | PAWS in the PATCHSunday, October 5 | 11:30-1:30pm
New this year, enjoy activities for pets and humans alike! Enjoy a petting zoo with adorable farm animals, dress up your pet for a pet costume contest at 12:30pm, snap pics of your furry friends at our themed photo ops, craft a pet-themed Christmas ornament, and visit booths by our local pet service providers. Pastor Dan will be offering pet blessings at his own booth too! We’ll also be hosting a pet adoption event by our neighbor Orphans of the Storm, so you might even find your newest furry family member! At least one food truck will be there too, so the fun doesn’t have to stop for lunch. :) |
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| | FUN FAIRSunday, October 12 | 11:30-1:30pm
Tons of free games for fun-loving folks of all ages, with plenty of prizes to win! Other activities include a pumpkin decorating and carving station, a Halloween-themed scavenger hunt, obstacle course, face-painting, and more! We’ll have live music provided by local groups (as well as our own StGs vocalists!) and food trucks too! |
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| | PUMPKIN FESTSunday, October 19 | 11:30-3:30pm
A street fest at its finest! Get your holiday shopping done early from all types of local vendors – arts & crafts, beauty & spa, food, local services, etc. We’ll also have face-painting and interactive games, plus live music provided by two great local groups – Subway, Tubway, and the Terrible Goat, and the talented kids of the Ensemble Society!Food trucks will round it out to make an afternoon of fun for the whole family. |
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| | TRUNK or TREATSunday, October 26 | 11:30-2:00pm
The Deerfield Park Foundation is once again hosting a Trunk-or-Treat after the astounding turnout last year! Participants decorate their cars and give out candy in our parking lot. Anyone can come trunk-or-treat, but proceeds from sales of “trunk spots” provide financial assistance so children in need can participate in Park District programs. This happens at the same time as Scout Troop 50’s 44th Annual Haunted House! We’ll have food trucks this weekend as well, so you can fill up on more than just candy. :) |
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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. Whatever your craft - whether your medium is knitting, embroidery, painting, calligraphy, etc - and whatever your skill level, all are welcome! We meet in the Parker Room. |
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| | Book Club3rd Wednesday of the month | 7:00pm
September 17:
The Paris Novel by Ruth Reichl
Bestselling author Ruth Reichl takes readers on an adventure of food, art, and fashion in 1980s Paris in this dazzling, heartfelt novel.
When her estranged mother dies, Stella is left with an unusual a one-way plane ticket and a note reading “Go to Paris.” But Stella is hardly cut out for adventure; a childhood trauma has kept her confined to the strict routines of her comfort zone. When her boss encourages her to take time off, Stella resigns herself to honoring her mother’s last wishes. Alone in a foreign city, Stella falls into old habits, living cautiously and frugally. Then she stumbles across a vintage store where she tries on a fabulous Dior dress. The shopkeeper insists that this dress was meant for Stella and, for the first time in her life, Stella does something impulsive. She buys the dress and together they embark on an adventure. As Jules introduces her to a veritable who’s who of the 1980s Paris literary, art, and culinary worlds, Stella begins to understand what it might mean to live a larger life.
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| | Meeting ID: 817 1184 3180
Passcode: 893734 |
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| | | | | For healing in mind, body, or spirit: Suzy Porter, Christy & Darrell Groves
In thanksgiving for…
For the departed…
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| | | | | | | | | | Announcements are for church-related matters only. Deadline for announcements is Monday at noon. Please send announcements to Kathryn Kinjo Duncan. |
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