| Weekly Newsletter for June 25, 2026 |
|
| | | In the spring of 2025, we started the Better Neighbors Project with two goals: To discern and pursue sale of excess real estate on the north side of our property, including the Rectory house. To establish a Land Use Agreement with the Deerfield Park District for our parking lot in order to equitably share expenses for its rebuilding and upkeep.
We are so excited to announce that Goal 2 has been accomplished! We will be entering an agreement with the Deerfield Park District and District 109 Public Schools. This agreement includes complete reconstruction of the parking lot, as well as ongoing resurfacing, striping, plowing, and maintenance for 15 years, renewable by mutual agreement. We expect the rebuilding to be completed this fall.
St. Gregory’s share of all these expenses is $0.
Sharing our parking lot with our neighbors to access the park and Wilmot School is a ministry of St. Gregory’s, and the Park District and the School District have become true partners to us in that ministry. We are very thankful for their commitment to working with us, and for their investment in our neighborhood and this congregation.
This agreement also sets up more structure to help us all share this resource with minimal friction. The goal of being “better neighbors” is ongoing and is incumbent upon all of us.
A huge thank you to our current wardens LoriLee Bielski and Rafael Orsi for making sure we got this part of the project over the finish line. Thank you to Susan Hitch and Jim Millspaugh, who prioritized the parking lot and got this process started when I arrived as your priest in 2023. Thank you to Peter Holtz, Bob Pederson, Art Bielski, David Schaper, and others who have provided important feedback and insights over the years. And a mega thank you to Sarah Kettlewell, who not only led this as warden but who stayed on as liaison to the Park District to see it completed. Her relationship-centric approach to this negotiation, her proven dedication to Deerfield, and her enduring spirit truly made this remarkable achievement possible.
And thank you all for all you do to make St. Gregory’s the radiant community that it is!
P.S. We continue to make good progress on Goal 1, too, so stay tuned!
|
|
| 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. |
|
| | | | | | | | | What a truly glorious, joyful Sunday! We welcomed Bishop Paula Clark, celebrated Pride Sunday, officially received Megan Agyeman, Cissy Singleton, and Annette Baez into the Episcopal Church, and witnessed Marilyn Knilans and Suzann Sladcik renew their baptismal vows! We’re so grateful to everyone who made this possible, including: Our candidate sponsors: Cyndi Millspaugh, Cheryl Trevithick, Sarah Kettlewell, Sally Holtz, Nancy Buller, Cissy Singleton, and Mary Keller Everyone who helped with the delicious luncheon! Egg casseroles were made by Barb Schaper and Cecilia Rodriguez. Susie Dutcher made banana bread, Karen Nicholas and Donna Hicks provided muffins, Dan Logas brought the sausage, and Annette Baez brought the quiche. Orange juice was brought by Beth Wyman. A big shout out to Holly Grasch for the fruit and veggie trays, Cissy Singleton for the Ham sandwiches, deviled eggs, and cinnamon rolls, and Carolyn Lombardo for the dessert tray! And a huge shout out to the entire Rodriguez family who decorated Founders Hall, made the welcome sign for Bishop Clark, provided cheesecakes, and platters of finger sandwiches! Gabriella and Celeste provided all the Pride materials and they were extremely helpful! Thanks to everyone for the clean up, especially Nancy Buller, Cissy Singleton, Carolyn Lombardo, and Cecelia Rodriguez.
Our musicians: the wonderful StGs choir; James Janssen; Julie, Bob, and Michael Potsic; Maddi Vogel; Robin Kessler; Cameo Humes; Ivo Suarez; and Kathryn Kinjo Duncan! And all of YOU, for coming and showing your support and sharing the welcoming heart of StGs with everyone present!
|
|
| | | | Discerning Our Gifts Update
This past spring, we conducted a survey and had great parish meetings about potential uses for the proceeds from selling the Rectory house and adjacent land.
The Vestry has decided that the next phase of this discernment is to develop a multi-year plan for growing the membership of St. Gregory’s. Decisions about the use of the money will be aligned with that plan.
The Vestry has begun and will continue working on that plan this summer. They will share that plan and a full proposal for use of the money this fall. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| | What Are Your BIG Questions?
At St. Gregory’s our core pillar is a commitment to Lifelong Spiritual Growth: To create safe spaces within which we can ask the biggest, hardest, most important questions of life. We seek to do that in everything we do as a church, and we also have intentional classes and groups to really do that wrestling with questions.
We need your help to plan our Spiritual Growth classes for the next program year.
What are the BIG QUESTIONS you have about everyday life and religion that we could wrestle with together?
Options for Submitting Questions Use this online board to post your Big Questions. Post your Big Question at church in the hallway.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| | Save the Date: AGT Finalist Leo High School Choir performing on Oct 17!
Leo High School Choir, America’s Got Talent finalist in 2025, will be performing at a concert hosted by Religious Leaders United on Saturday, October 17! The concert will take place at Holy Cross Catholic Church in Deerfield. Put it on your calendars now, with details to come as it gets closer! |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| | Cookbooks Ready!$2,000 raised!
The cookbooks have arrived and are ready to pickup!
That also means we can celebrate the great news that we raised $2,009 for the food pantries in West Deerfield and Vernon Townships!
Pickup Instructions: Location: Blessed Little Adventures classroom (the classroom across the hall from the restrooms.) Time: Sundays after church, June 14 and 21 Who: Cissy and Kim will distribute orders — please do not try to pick up your order without one of them present. Otherwise, the whole system will go kablooie. Need a different time to pickup? email Cissy Singleton
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| | THIS SUNDAY: Community Meals!
Thanks for the 2 people who have signed up to bake cookies for our June 28th meal. We still need 2 more bakers, so please sign up to help if you are able to do so. Thanks to the volunteers who have stepped up to prepare and distribute the meal. Please sign up in the Sign Up Center or… |
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| | | | | 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!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| | 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. |
|
| | 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 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! |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| | Book ClubWed, July 15 | 7:00pm
July 15: How to Read a Book by Monica Wood
This is a novel about three people whose lives intersect after a fatal drunk-driving accident: Violet, the young woman who caused the crash; Frank, the widower of the victim; and Harriet, a retired teacher who runs a prison book club that Violet attended. The story explores themes of forgiveness, second chances, and the transformative power of literature, following their journeys as they grapple with guilt, grief, and the unexpected connections that form through books and shared experiences in Portland, Maine.
Upcoming reads…
August 19: The Correspondent by Virginia Evans September 16: Hamnet by Maggie O'Farrell October 21: Daughter of Egypt by Marie Benedict November 18: Brighter Than Her Fears by Lisa Ard |
|
| | Meeting ID: 817 1184 3180
Passcode: 893734 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| | | | | For healing in mind, body, or spirit: Bill, Allison, Jill
Stephen Quarles Bev & Ron Falbe Suzy Porter
In thanksgiving for…
For the departed…
|
|
| | | | | | | | | | Announcements are for church-related matters only. Deadline for announcements is Monday at noon. Please send announcements to Kathryn Kinjo Duncan. |
|
| | |
|
|
|
| |
|
