| Weekly Newsletter for February 27, 2025 |
| | | | |  | Fat Sunday is Back!Kathryn Kinjo Duncan
This Sunday will mark our last chance to say our Alleluias before Lent! At this Joyful Noise celebration, we’ll enjoy great gospel music in the service, followed by a delicious Mardi Gras-themed coffee brunch with paczkis and king cake, of course! Parents: please note there will be no Blessed Little Adventures this Sunday, so everyone can enjoy our coffee brunch together.
A note about the music: even though Black History Month technically ends on Friday, two of the songs we’ll sing on Sunday are based on texts written by famed Black activists – Congressman John Lewis and Dr. Maya Angelou, whose lives were patterns of service and inspiration, and made an indelible impact on the entire world.
When the Library of Congress opened an extensive exhibition called, “Rosa Parks: In Her Own Words,” Congressman John Lewis spoke. “Rosa Parks inspired us to get in trouble. And I’ve been getting in trouble ever since. She inspired us to find a way, to get in the way, to get in what I call good trouble, necessary trouble.” Our sequence hymn this Sunday will be sung in a taize style, repeating the text “Our faith has challenged us to make good trouble – to make this world a better place!” My hope is that this refrain will get stuck in your head… a constant ear worm that inspires you to make good trouble at every possible turn. :)
Also this Sunday, our offertory anthem is written by famed Black composer Rollo Dilworth, who set to music a few of the best-known lines of Dr. Maya Angelou’s book Rainbow in the Cloud. “The onus is upon us all to work to improve the human condition. Perform good deeds, for that is truly the way to battle the forces of entropy that are at work in our world. The composite of all our efforts can have an effect. Good done anywhere is good done everywhere. When we unite in purpose, we are greater than the sum of our parts.” You can listen to a version of the anthem here.
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| Join us for Sunday morning worship online at 9:30am
Meeting ID: 842 861 148 Passcode: 414299 |
| | Sunday bulletins are posted online every Saturday morning. |
| | | | | | Ash Wednesday Service Times
Thank you for your input on the service times that work best for your household! We will hold the two following services on Ash Wednesday (March 5): Noon: a short, spoken service onsite only (no music, no Eucharist) 5:30pm: a Eucharist service with music, held both onsite and online
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| | Memories of Charlie Porter
Our friend Charlie Porter was a parishioner at St. Gregory's for many decades – and as such, we have many, many stories of the impact that he had on each of us, as well as the congregation as a whole! We would like to collect stories about him to share with each other and with his family. We're compiling the following: Any special memories you have of Charlie throughout the years Ways that Charlie participated in activities and fellowship at StGs Things that Charlie made/built/fixed around the physical church building (ex: we know he made the “reserved” pew signs we current use)
Please click the button below to record your memories of Charlie. |
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| | Love in a Dish: Barb Schaper
Let's support Barg Schaper with Love in a Dish as she recovers from surgery. Use the link below to sign up to provide a meal. Be sure to check all the information listed. If you have questions, please contact Cissy Singleton at singletoncissy@gmail.com. |
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| | New Spiritual Growth Series: LIfE iS MeSSy
In this series, we will step outside of the messiness of our own lives to play in the messiness of the Bible. Why? Because when we play in these stories, our brains, spirits, and hearts can be unlocked for new possibilities in our own lives. The tires can get some traction. Some other benefits of this series: You’ll get a crash course in what is actually in the Bible and how to navigate it. You’ll get some helpful tools for reading the Bible on your own. You’ll get a chance to practice interpreting the Bible with others in a safe, judgement-free environment.
Rather than or in addition to giving something up this Lent, consider making a commitment to attend every session of this series: Sundays, 10:45-11:30.
March 9 | The Bible Is Messy March 16 | Family Is Messy March 23 | The Universe Is Messy March 30 | Politics Is Messy April 6 | Religion Is Very Messy |
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| | Community Meals: thank you!
Many thanks to our volunteers which included Sally and Peter Holtz (first timers!); Jen Crone; Catherine, Anne, and Matthew Regalado; Bill and Janet Foltz; and Scott, Matthew, and Barbara Schaper. Thank you to our cookie bakers Donna Hicks and Cissy Singleton and our cookie provider Donald Ten Eyck.
We are seeing an increasing need for food in Waukegan – on Sunday we served 59 people 168 meals. Our March 23rd date of service is the beginning of spring break and some of our volunteers will not be available. We need volunteers to prepare the meals and fill bags with non-perishable food, as well as one more cookie baker. Please consider this opportunity to serve as a Lenten discipline. Please add your name to the sheet in the Sign Up Center, or email Barb below. |
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| | A little good news!
We are in a season of loss and adversity, and in these times it helps to reflect on the light and joy that still exists in the world around us. If you have some good news to share – whether it’s the birth of a new grandchild, a triumph at work, or something else bringing you joy – we encourage you to submit them here to be shared so our community can celebrate with you!
This week, Sharon Gramer shares good news about her grandson:
“My grandson, Nathan, is 11 years old and this is his third year playing park district basketball. This season their team is undefeated, but when they played last week, in the last seconds of the game they were losing 15-12. Nathan got the ball, stood at the 3-point line, and shot… sinking the ball in the net and causing a tie! Their overtime rules allow three players to shoot free throws, and the other team never made a basket. However, Nathan’s team got a basket, so they won 16-15! Going into this week, they are still undefeated!”
Congratulations from everyone at StGs, Nathan! |
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| | Interfaith Event: Layla in Lala
Religious Leaders United, of which St. Gregory's is a member, is hosting a dramatic reading of Rohina Malik's Layla in Lala. This is the story of a Muslim American woman balancing her cultural and religious identities, her dreams and career, and her father's care as his dementia worsens. A conversation with the playwright will be held after. RLU is hosting this event as part of its mission to promote dialogue that celebrates both cultural differences and the commonalities of our humanity.
This event will be on Saturday, March 22, at 7:00pm, at Holy Cross Catholic Church (724 Elder Ln, Deerfield). Tickets are $20 and will go on sale soon at St. Gregory’s, or can be purchased at the door. Questions? Email Pastor Dan.
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|  | Your New Vestry Gets Started
We devoted most of our first meeting to getting to know one another, talking about the ministry of the vestry, and orienting our new members. We also did our usual review of the finances and state of the buildings & grounds. Peter Holtz continues to work closely with our heating company to figure out why the heating system keeps shutting itself off, and we hope we’ve finally found the necessary repair.
If you have any questions or concerns, always feel free to reach out to any Vestry member.
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| | | | Morning Prayer for HealingEvery Wednesday | 8:00am
Anchor your week in prayer and fellowship from the convenience of home or work. This rich online worship service includes prayers for healing of body, mind, heart, and soul. |
| | Meeting ID: 750 552 357
Password: 587299 |
| 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!
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| Gentle & Meditative Yoga Every Friday | 8:00am
Start your day grounded, invigorated, and ready to go. This online class is especially helpful for mobility and flexibility. No prior yoga experience required, accessible to all physical abilities (whether you’re 9 or 90!). No fee to participate. |
| | Book Club Third Wednesday of the month | 7:00pm
February 19: Chicago by Brian Doyle
A young college graduate moves to the north side of Chicago in 1978 and experiences the city through the lens of his 5 seasons there. Characters include the residents of his apartment building. A love letter to Chicago. |
| | Meeting ID: 825 7456 6169
Passcode: 591239 |
| | | | | For healing in mind, body, or spirit: Suzann Sladcik, the Polzin family, the Kettlewell family, Kimberly Healy-Franzetti, Keith Stewart, Mike Hamilton, Lyle TenEyck, Anita Singleton, the Porter family, Edward Shawl, Emma
In thanksgiving for…
For the departed… Charlie Porter, Regina Sladcik, Elke Saylor
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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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