| Weekly Newsletter for September 18, 2025 |
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| Bev Laurell and the Agyeman kids get playful for last year’s Epiphany Pageant.
(which is returning, by the way) |
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| Playfulness is Next to GodlinessRev. Dan Puchalla
One of the underlying questions behind our current Spiritual Growth series How Do We Make Sacred Spaces? is the question: what difference does it make in the “real world” that people like us go to church?
Here’s one, big difference: Each time we worship together, we become better at the skill of ritual, which is nothing other than playfully using objects and words in order to bring attention to the presence of God.
Many social scientists, business leaders, and politicians already know what we church-going folk often under-appreciate about ourselves: there is often nothing more effective for changing the world than a thoughtful, meaningful, and playful ritual.
So, here’s what’s happening this Sunday: All Adults & Youth (6-12):
We are going to make our own rituals for life events that don’t have rituals — but should. We will then dive a little into the theory of play and ritual. How does leaning into playfulness make us more skilled at ritual? And we’ll discuss if you think playfulness is indeed next to godliness.
Children (K-5):
Note: I completely messed up and wrote this for last week.
The kids are doing this THIS week!
Kids will have their first “field trip.” They will be taken on a guided exploration of our sanctuary to learn how we playfully use objects in our worship: the colors of the vestments, why we set up the altar the way we do, what stained glass is for. They will also get a chance to practice making their own “altars” with different objects.
Both groups meet at 10:45 after church.
Hope to see you all on Sunday! Dan
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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
Based on the overwhelmingly positive response to our latest proposal (see the proposal here) at the parish meeting on Aug 24, 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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| | Watch for a pumpkin email TOMORROW!
Keep a look out at 8am Friday morning for a comprehensive email covering ALL of the info you need for our upcoming Pumpkin Patch! You’ll want to save it for reference throughout October. |
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| | | | | More Help Needed
for Community Meals on Sept 28
We need volunteers to prepare the meal, pack the bags with non-perishable food items and distribute the meals at our September 28th Community Meals. Right now we only have two volunteers. If you’re able to join us, please email Barb via the button below, or sign up in the Sign Up Center. |
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| | Volunteer Opportunities in October
Kathryn and Suzann Sladcik have been hard at work organizing all of the Sunday afternoon community events that will happen in the patch this October, and need your help to arrange the final touches!
Some help is needed at the actual Sunday event, some are things that can be done in advance.
These range from help setting up tables… to creating adorable pet photo ops with silly gourds and hay bales… to learning how to do face-painting! There are opportunities for all ages and skill levels and time commitments.
Check the Sign Up Center for specific ways you can help with each event, or email Kathryn via the button below. Thank you! |
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| | Rest in Peace, Jane Hush
We have scheduled Jane Hush’s memorial service for Saturday, September 27 at 11:00am, here at St. Gregory’s.
In the meantime, please pray for all who mourn Jane, especially her devoted husband Howard, and their children Laura (married to Jordy) and Andy (married to Gina), and all their family. |
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| | Lake County Honor Flight #29
Sharon Gramer has asked us to pass along this special info about her husband’s brother, Vietnam Veteran Tom Gramer!
Lake County Honor Flights celebrates veterans with a free multi-day trip to Washington, D.C. to visit the memorials dedicated to honor their service and sacrifices. The trip includes a personal guardian, airfare, ground transportation, tours, meals, hotel accommodations, and much more.
Tom Gramer has been selected for an honor flight on Oct 10-12, and Sharon’s husband, Don, will be his guardian. Tom served as a captain in Vietnam 1968-1970 and earned a Purple Heart. He’s very honored to be included on this flight. He lost a number of fellow soldiers during his tour and looks forward to finding their names on the Vietnam Memorial wall.
Anyone from the StGs community can submit a letter to Tom to be a part of his “Mail Call” bag, a special moment during his Honor Flight journey where he’ll receive messages of appreciation for his service or stories about your own service experiences. Please send Sharon your letter by October 4, or contact her via the button below with any questions. |
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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
Activities for pets and humans alike! Enjoy an interactive reptile exhibit with amazing snakes, lizards, frogs, turtles, and bugs; 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 holiday 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 and pet supply drive 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
October 15:
Into the Beautiful North by Luis Alberto Urrea
This powerful novel from a bestselling and Pulitzer Prize winning author tells the story of a young woman's journey—both emotionally and physically—as she travels north to America. Filled with unforgettable characters and prose as radiant as the Sinaloan sun, Into the Beautiful North is the story of an irresistible young woman's quest to find herself on both sides of the fence.
Nineteen-year-old Nayeli works at a taco shop in her Mexican village and dreams about her father, who journeyed to the US to find work. Recently, it has dawned on her that he isn't the only man who has left town. In fact, there are almost no men in the village – they've all gone north. While watching The Magnificent Seven, Nayeli decides to go north herself and recruit seven men – her own "Siete Magníficos" -- to repopulate her hometown and protect it from the bandidos who plan on taking it over.
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| | Meeting ID: 817 1184 3180
Passcode: 893734 |
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| | | | | For healing in mind, body, or spirit: Christy & Darrell Groves, Carol Radloff, Howard Hush and family, Fran Ingram, Dot Leggett, Roseann, Max Smith, baby Juniper, Louie
In thanksgiving for… the safe arrival of baby Elisabeth Sarah to the Martins’ nephew Will Stover and his wife Megan Mader
For the departed… Jane Hush
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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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