| Weekly Newsletter for September 11, 2025 |
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| Slow Down and Notice…Rev. Dan Puchalla
I was walking in the Botanic Garden earlier this week and was delighted to see this sign. It sounded very much like the skill of Mindful Sensing we practiced in last Sunday’s Spiritual Growth class. (Click here if you missed it and what to try it.)
See? We’re not alone! This idea of slowing down and noticing … noticing the presence of God, noticing goodness and beauty, noticing grace and love and mercy … is what we’re up to this month.
As St. Gregory taught, these skills are a necessary balance to our busy activity in the world. In fact, these skills make us more effective in our actions and decisions: at work, in our families, as friends, and in the civic sphere.
Here’s what’s happening this Sunday:
Adults & Youth: We will journey to the mysterious caves of Chauvet-Pont-d'Arc, France, and learn how skills for making sacred space are rooted in the practices of our prehistoric ancestors. What can we learn from such caves about how we can make sacred space today and in our daily lives?
Children: Kids will have their first class together, but also their first field trip! They will be taken on a guided exploration of our sanctuary to learn about the colors of the seasons, 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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| | | | | | Important Update from Deacon Max
Dear friends,
I have been diagnosed with Stage 4 melanoma, which fortunately can be addressed with immunotherapy infusions. These might be complete in 3 months, or perhaps treatment will last up to a year. The side effects of this medicine are varied, and most are quite manageable. However, I won't know my reactions until I have a couple of these infusions.
In order to be as responsible a deacon as possible, I'll take a hiatus for at least the month of Sept. After that, Pastor Dan and I will assess what's best month-to-month.
I will miss you all! I ask for your continued prayers and for St G's speciality: loving , healing, gracious thoughts.
Rev. Max Smith Deacon |
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| | Kyle Oliver to be Regular Preacher
The Rev. Kyle Oliver — a friend of St. Gregory’s who has often been our supply priest when the rector is away — will be preaching at St. Gregory’s about once a month for the rest of 2025. This was a plan to give Pastor Dan a little extra help, even before Max received her diagnosis. The Lord provides.
As we approach the end of the year, we’ll see if this is an arrangement we want to continue into 2026. In the mean time, please welcome Kyle (even though he’s already a part of us)! |
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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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| | | | | Shepherds Needed
Shepherds are adults who sit with the children in the Prayground Chapel during the Sunday service to support them and their parents. We need a few more adults to help with this important ministry.
Interested? Questions? |
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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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| | Next Community Meals: 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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| | New: Reminder of Pastoral Care options
We occasionally have submissions to our Prayer List (either the online version or the handwritten Prayers of the People on Sundays) of prayers needed for fellow parishioners. We are of course always happy to pray for any who need it, but …
…if you think the person you wrote in might need some additional support – a call or a visit from Pastor Dan, a meal train, etc – please let us know!
You can leave a message at the church office (847)945-1678, but you can also reach Dan directly via the pastoral help line at (847)929-9986 or via his email. Let’s all help take care of each other! |
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| | Rest in Peace, Jane Hush
If you didn’t see the special email earlier this week, we are sorry to announce that parishioner Jane Hush died early Tuesday morning.
Jane and Howard have been longtime pillars of this faith community. There are so many stories of how Jane was a true friend to so many here. She lived her ministry not only here at St. Gregory’s but also in the local branch of the American Association of University Women, the League of Women Voters, and in many other groups. And, of course, she was treasured for the beauty of her artistic skill as a potter. Many of us have pieces she created!
We have scheduled Jane’s service for Saturday, September 27, here at St. Gregory’s. We will announce a specific time very soon.
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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| | 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 ONE spot 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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| | 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
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: Christy & Darrell Groves, Carol Radloff, Howard Hush and family, Fran Ingram, Dot Leggett, Roseann
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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