| Weekly Newsletter for September 10, 2026 |
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| 9/11 and Ministry Rev. Dan Puchalla, Rector |
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| This 25th anniversary of September 11 is a strange anniversary for me personally. It’s when I first really heard the whisper of God’s call in my life.
In the days and months following the attacks, I, like so many others, felt that the whole world as we knew it had been shattered, and something new was coming next. Even as that new thing took the form of TSA checkpoints, military escalations, and anti-Muslim rhetoric and violence, I kept hearing a voice (yes, a literal voice) in my head repeating words I had not thought about for years, words that cast a different vision of what might come next: …blessed are the peacemakers … …those who live by the sword will die by the sword… …turn the other cheek… pray for your enemies…
Mind you, I had stopped considering myself a real Christian not long after my Confirmation (go figure). I had decided for myself that religion caused too many problems and humanity did not need it anymore. You would think that 9/11’s abominable violence, inspired by — among other things — religious fundamentalism, would have solidified that opinion.
But that voice. It wouldn’t leave me alone.
Not less religion, but more, it seemed to say. More good religion, wherever you can find it. More faith that transforms us into our best selves. Build so much good religion that there’s no room left for the cruel, the violent, the fearful forms.
To make a long story short: thus began my journey back to the church, and, eventually, to my life’s work of priestly ministry.
I’m telling you this story not just because of this somber anniversary. I’m also telling it because my story is not unique: each of you is called to ministry, too, and you have answered your own calls. Ministry is what we do — we do the good religion. All of the things we do, in church and beyond, adds up to a faith that, with God’s help, transforms us into our best selves.
This Sunday, we will celebrate that with our first St. Gregory’s Day Ministry Fair. I’m so excited for this event. The big purpose of this is so that we can all see and learn about what each other is doing to make this a place where God’s grace radiates. And, if you feel called, enroll in something new!
Please make a point of being in church this Sunday and staying for the Ministry Fair, right afterward. Enjoy conversation, learn more about your church, and share some delicious food.
With gratitude and blessings, 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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| | | | | | | This Sunday is the St. Gregory’s Day & Ministry Fair: Explore, Engage, Enroll!
Final Call! Sunday, September 13th, is our Ministry Fair and St. Gregory’s Day celebration! Inspired by St. Gregory’s legacy of leadership, service, and mission, we invite you to explore our ministries, engage with representatives, and find your place to serve.
Can't make it? You can also view options and enroll online right from your computer or phone via the button below! |
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| | THIS SUNDAY Sept 13: Blessed Little Adventures Returns!
Our spiritual growth class for kids K-5 will run September and October this fall. The kids will be exploring similar ideas to what adults and youth will be learning about in their Spiritual Growth class after church. All classes happen 10:45 - 11:30. Sept 13: special art project during Ministry Fair Sep 20 & 27: What Happens at Church? Oct 4: game day during Parish Meeting Oct 11, 18, 25: Loving-Your-Neighbor Bible Stories
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| | Sept 20 & 27 Spiritual Growth:
How Do I Invite People to Church?
We want to grow as a congregation, because we believe we have something special to offer our neighbors. We want them to be a part of that, and we want them to help us build it stronger. But how do we do that effectively in a way that feels authentic, unpushy, and safe?
Sept 20: What makes StGs special and needed? This is an opportunity to get the whole picture of what we’re doing at StGs, and what we have to offer our neighbors who are looking for a community and spiritual home.
Sept 27: What can I actually say to invite someone to church? We’re not knocking on doors. But, when we know or meet someone who we think “I bet they would like StGs,” what do you say? When the conversation shifts to matters of religion, how do you talk about your church in an inviting way? |
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| | Interested in Representing St. Gregory’s at Diocesan Convention?
St. Gregory’s is seeking parishioners interested in serving as delegates to the Episcopal Diocese of Chicago’s Annual Convention. This year’s convention will meet online on Tuesday, November 10, from 6:30–9 p.m., and in person on Saturday, November 14, from 9 a.m.–4:30 p.m. at Cliffbreakers Event Center in Rockford. Delegates participate in the worship, fellowship, and decision-making of our wider diocesan community. If you might be interested—or would simply like to learn more—please email Pastor Dan. |
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| | Curious Faith: A New Theology Book Group!
Interested in exploring big questions of faith through thoughtful, accessible books? Join St. Gregory’s new theology book group, meeting by Zoom on Thursdays from 7–8 p.m., beginning October 1. Our first book will be Love Is the Way: Holding on to Hope in Troubling Times by former Presiding Bishop Michael Curry. No previous background in theology is needed—only curiosity and a willingness to join the conversation. Sign up in the Sign-up Center or online here. For more information, contact Sudi Johnson at 920-242-2059. |
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| | Pumpkin Patch Shift - Sign Up Onsite or Online!
You can now sign up both onsite (whiteboards are in the Sign-Up Center) AND online for pumpkin patch shifts via the button below! FYI: We’re cutting the Wednesday shifts this year, so we just need folks on Saturdays and Sundays!
If it’s your first time: you’ll be thoroughly trained by your week’s pumpkin patch captain – it’s very straightforward, no cash handling, very easy online payment interface, and lots of fun! |
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We still need ONE more Patch Captain!
Help keep the Pumpkin Patch running smoothly by serving as Captain for one weekend. Captains make sure Sat/Sun shifts are staffed, help new volunteers receive training, and remain available by phone when questions arise. You do not need to be onsite for every shift—just ready to recruit, coordinate, and offer support when needed. We’ll provide a complete orientation so you feel well equipped for the role.
Every captain receives a free Pumpkin Patch Captain’s Hat (shown).
Our final Captain vacancy is for Week 4 (Oct 24 and 25). Experienced Patch volunteers are encouraged to sign up on the Patch Captains sheet in the Sign-Up Center or email Pastor Dan. |
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| | Next Community Meals: Sept 27
Thanks to the 3 people who signed up to bake cookies. We have some volunteers for September 27th, but could use a few more. Please sign up in the Sign Up Center or… |
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| | Personal Care Items Needed!
Our Community Meals team is occasionally asked by those they serve if they have personal care products they could donate, in addition to the meals being served. To that end, we are gathering the following items for those in need. Starting this Sunday, we’ll have a box in the Sign-Up Center where you can leave donations! Whenever the box fills up, it’ll be brought to Community Meals and returned to the Sign-Up Center until it’s full again. Questions? Email Bill Foltz! They are specifically looking for the following: |
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| | Fall Concerts about Belonging and Justice
If you’ve been having complicated feelings about the “America 250” celebrations this year, Chroma’s upcoming “We the People” free concerts may be for you. You might know our summer baritone sub LaRob Rafael from Sounds Classical on WFMT, but he’s also the Founder and Artistic Director of Hearing in Color (a Chicago non-profit that amplifies historically excluded voices in classical music). LaRob, Ivo, and Kathryn all sing in Chroma together, and we have several performances of our latest concert, We the People (a dynamic concert about belonging and justice) coming up this fall! If you’d like to attend, join us at any of the
following FREE performances: Sat, Sept 19 from 3-4:30pm at Dunbar Park (Bring your lawn chairs and picnic blankets!) Wed, Oct 14 from 5-6:30pm at West Ridge Nature Preserve (a walking concert with discussions among native plants/flowers!) Fri, Oct 16 from 6-7:30pm at Douglass Park’s Cultural & Community Center (An indoor concert with a special opening performance from Ravinia’s Lawndale Family Music School Adult Choir!)
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| | | | | 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!
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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 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! |
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| | Book ClubWed, September 16 | 7:30pm *we’re moving it a half hour later due to some of our members doing EfM on Wednesdays as well!
September 16: Hamnet by Maggie O’Farrell
Hamnet is a 2020 historical fiction novel by Maggie O'Farrell that reimagines the life and death of William Shakespeare's son, Hamnet, who died at age 11 from the plague, and the profound grief it caused his family, particularly his mother, Agnes (Anne Hathaway). The book explores the marriage of William and Agnes, the bond between the twins Hamnet and Judith, and how the family's tragedy may have inspired Shakespeare's play Hamlet, focusing on the mother's perspective and the devastating impact of the plague.
Upcoming reads… October 21: Daughter of Egypt by Marie Benedict November 18: Brighter Than Her Fears by Lisa Ard |
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| | Meeting ID: 817 1184 3180
Passcode: 893734 |
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| | | | | For healing in mind, body, or spirit: Betty Duffy David Barron
In thanksgiving for…
For the departed…
Diane Jones
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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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