| Weekly Newsletter for January 29, 2026 |
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| | What Did You Say? Rev. Dan Puchalla
Thank you to everyone who has contributed so far to the What is Grace? board at church!
Here are just a few of things you have said.
Grace is … “Love. Everywhere. Feels like a warm blanket.” “a smile to show understanding of the situation.” “1. my late grandmother’s AND my daughter’s name. 2. Grace is forgiving others that we are being ourselves and perfect!” “compassion, love, forgiveness, acceptance, relief…when troubled.”
This is a great start! What else? What’s your take? What are specific things we should say about grace:
Add a word, a sentence, a story, even a drawing. You can also submit via this Google Form, and we will add you to the board!
This is all leading up to our Lent Spiritual Growth series entitled
The Circle of Grace Mark these dates in your calendar for adults and kids. Feb 22 Mar 1 Mar 8 Mar 15 Mar 22 (kids off for Spring Break)
Make a commitment to yourself to do the whole Lent series.
Thanks!
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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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| | | | | | Annual Meeting is February 8
Immediately after the 9:30am service, we’ll look back at our accomplishments in 2025 and look ahead to our goals for 2026…. all while enjoying our annual crockpot chili/stew brunch. :)
Add your name in the Sign-Up Center to bring your favorite soup/stew/chili (please bring it in your own crockpot!), or side items like rolls and drinks!
P.S. We promise to be finished well in advance of any pre-game tailgating for the Super Bowl. ;) |
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| | New Warden/Vestry Slate
At the Annual Meeting, we elect new wardens and vestry members. The Rector, Wardens, and Vestry are the governing body of the congregation. A Nominating Committee — consisting of the sitting rector, wardens, and retiring Vestry members — nominates candidates for the congregation to approve.
For Wardens
For Vestry
We will also give thanks for and celebrate Sarah Kettlewell, who is retiring as warden.
Both online and onsite votes will be counted during the meeting, so please make sure you’re in attendance to have your voice heard be heard! |
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| | February 15: Fat Sunday!
On Sunday, February 15 we will enjoy our traditional Fat Sunday service - with gorgeous uplifting gospel music led by a band, and a festive brunch (with king cake to follow! … and why is there a baby in my cake?). This is a great Sunday to invite your friends and neighbors, to showcase the fun and joyful heart of StGs on this last Sunday before Lent begins. :) You won’t want to miss it! |
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| | Community Meals: thank you!
A huge thanks to Cissy Singleton, Kim Baer, Cecilia Rodriguez and Joanne Jackson for baking cookies. Thanks to Cissy and Jeff Singleton; Catherine and Matthew Regalado; Mary Rodgers, Matt Geiger, and their children Renzo and Remy; Janet and Bill Foltz; and Matthew and Scott Schaper. If this is a ministry you are considering, talk to any of these people to find out more information. Please sign up in the Sign-Up Center or contact Barb Schaper via the button below to help bake cookies or volunteer at our next Community Meals on Sunday, February 22. |
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| | Ash Wednesday is February 18,
with our Better Together partners
Rather than hosting our own service, we will be joining our Better Together partners for Ash Wednesday this year. You can attend either: If you would like to attend the evening service but do not drive (or just do not drive at night!), please add your name in the Sign Up Center or email Kathryn and we’ll connect you with a carpool!
If you are not able to attend a service onsite and would like to have consecrated ashes mailed to you, please email Kathryn no later than Feb 6 with your current physical address! |
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| | Wednesdays in Lent:
Stations of the Cross
We will once again be holding Stations of the Cross at St. Gregory’s on Wednesdays in Lent. The service will be onsite only, starting at 5:30pm. Stations will be held on Feb 25, March 4, 11, and 18.
There will NOT be Stations on Wed, March 25th, because instead we’ll be joining our friends at Trinity in Highland Park that Friday the 27th for their annual Stations & Fish Fry! Stations starts at 6pm, with the dinner at 7pm. Tickets for dinner are $10 each.
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| | StGs Cookbook Fundraiser Project!
We all know the StGs community enjoys our potluck events, and we’re sure you have requested or shared a recipe from food contributed! But now, you can help those dealing with food insecurity… just by sharing your recipes!
It’s simple: Use the button below to enter as many recipes as you’d like to share. Recipes will be collected until February 22nd. The St. Gregory’s Cookbook will be sold during Lent and delivered after Easter. All proceeds from cookbook sales will go to the West Deerfield and Vernon Township Food Pantries!
We need your help to achieve our goal of a minimum of 150 recipes! Questions or need help? Contact Cissy Singleton or Kim Baer. |
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| | Are you interested in getting baptized or officially joining the Episcopal Church?
Pastor Dan would like to know if anyone is interested in a class for adults who might like to be baptized, confirmed, or officially received into the Episcopal Church.
This class would meet weekly between April 20 and May 20, day and time TBD.
This class will also be great for anyone who is simply interested in learning more about the distinctiveness of the Episcopal Church. You’re not committed to going through with one of the rites.
Click the button below to express interest, or add your name to the sheet in the Sign Up Center. |
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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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| | Don’t Reply to These Scam Emails!
We have been targeted in a phishing scam. Do you not reply to emails that appear to be from Pastor Dan, LoriLee Bielski, or anyone else which … ask you for a parish directory. make a vague request about a matter that requires “discretion.” ask you to purchase gift cards. just don’t sound right.
Scammers are getting better and better at faking the identities of church leaders. Please use these important tips to avoid being scammed.
TIPS: If anyone needs a directory, ask Anita directly (anita@stgregoryschurch.org). When in doubt, refer all requests for a directory to Anita. Directories enable scammers to do attacks like this, so we all need to help safeguard this information. PAUSE before you act: scammers will say things like “I need this right away.” Real church folks will understand if you want to take time to verify. Check the sender carefully: look closely at the email address itself, not just the first and last name or signature. Check this against the email addresses listed in the bulletin. Be suspicious of gift card or $$ requests. Verify through a second channel: Send a separate email to the email address you KNOW belongs to the person contacting you. Better yet, call the person at the number you have for them. Scammers will say things like “we have to do this over email.” Never open links or attachments you weren’t expecting. If it feels “off,” DON’T RESPOND. Trust your gut. Never feel bad about ignoring an email if you are in doubt. Real church leaders will know how to get in touch if we don’t hear from you.
Thank you! |
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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 ClubThurs, February 19 | 7:00pm *due to Lent, in February and March we’ll be meeting on the 3rd Thursday of the month!
February 19:
The Correspondent by Virginia Evans
The Correspondent by Virginia Evans is a critically acclaimed epistolary novel about a septuagenarian retired law clerk, Sybil Van Antwerp, whose life is revealed through her letters and emails to friends, family, and even strangers, uncovering a past filled with grief, regret, and a journey toward forgiveness and self-discovery. The book is praised for its witty and poignant portrayal of an unforgettable character and its exploration of themes like connection, aging, and the power of the written word. |
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| | Meeting ID: 817 1184 3180
Passcode: 893734 |
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| | | | | For healing in mind, body, or spirit: Esther Rose, Mary Q, Arlene, Jacob Gramer, Nita Abbott
In thanksgiving for… Sybil & Lyle Ten Eyck’s 65th wedding anniversary!
For the departed…
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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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