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This Sunday, September 12, is Kick-off Sunday!
Join us this Sunday at 8:00, 9:30, or 10:30 for worship and fellowship!
It is Kick-off Sunday and Sunday formation will be outside as long as weather permits. Youth Group will meet at 9AM. We’ll ring the bell as a signal to transition from WW coffee hour to Sunday school. Parents will be directed to a space for continued fellowship.
*Kids 3 & up welcome in Sunday School, nursery care will be available
*Masks required
Adult Formation class continues this Sunday, September 12
Making Decisions on the Go: Ignatian Discernment for Busy People
Ignatian spirituality is often called "Contemplation in Action." It is a practical spirituality focused on knowing oneself and one's true desires then discerning decisions freely - without the constraints of compulsions and addictions that distract one from becoming one's true self in unity with God and neighbor.
Over these sessions we will learn and practice basics of Ignatian decision-making, using examples of good and bad decisions from the instructor's own experience and participants willing to share. All sessions are confidential. Sessions will begin at noon. Sunday, September 19, will be the last session.
SOLES 4 SOULS
Bring your old shoes (any condition)! The big blue box will be near the red doors all month. Please tie laces together, or rubberband shoes together. More info on the organization here.
Where We Worship: Friends, the state of Illinois has entered Phase 5 of its reopening plan and the diocese has released congregations from almost all required mitigations, giving each congregation authority to make the decisions most appropriate for its context. The vestry has consulted with a team of physician-parishioners and voted to:
Basically, everyone must wear masks (again). Otherwise, most of our life will be less restricted than it has been. The diocese has continued the requirement to forgo the common cup and shared loaf at communion, and so our current practices for the distribution of communion will continue. When our technology allows, we will return to the pulpit, lectern, and altar. The makeshift lectern and altar currently continue to be necessary for streaming the service to those who otherwise cannot join us.
Our siblings in Christ, just like everyone else, are going to be all over the place in terms of comfort level and anxiety for a while yet. We will all be gracious, patient, and quick to forgive as everyone figures out what life and worship look like now. Perhaps you've noticed that these virtues seem especially short of supply in our culture these days. We can practice them together, and then extend them to a world in desperate need of them. If you are fully vaccinated, but prefer to continue to mask, please do. If you need a little more space in the pew and someone sits too close, we won't get offended if you slide over or even stand up and move. If you don't want to shake hands or hug at the Peace, for any reason, that's cool: just lead with an elbow bump or fold your arms and bow. We'll respect your needs and respond in kind.
Pastoral Care Ministry Food Team—Volunteers Needed
Eric has asked Pastoral Care Ministry members to lead a group of volunteers able to prepare and deliver meals for Parishioners in need. Alexandra (Alex) Baig, Kathie Gillies and Jackie Pingel have agreed to lead the effort. They plan to use an on-line sign-up sheet to quickly inform everyone whenever meals are needed. With this system, we hope to expand involvement in Pastoral Care and lighten the burden of clergy and others, now shouldering so much of the work. This Ministry is a great opportunity to stay involved with St. Christopher’s.
To add your name to our list of volunteers, please contact:
Kathie Gillies at (708) 613-1106 or katharinegillies@gmail.com
Just as important, if you or someone you know needs meals, do not hesitate to contact Kathie. We do not want to overlook anyone.
Invitation from St. Martin's
Zoom worship makes enjoying the company of our near neighbors even easier. St Martin's, our partner church, welcomes visitors and would especially love to have St Christopher's folks join them any Sunday at 10:00. For a Zoom link, just contact St Martins.
Give Online
No offering in person? No problem! You can give online and set up a recurring gift here. Help keep our doors open, even while they're "opened" unconventionally during this time. Don't worry if you can't give online. We are continuing to check the mail, and a mailed check will work just fine.
Sunday School and Formation
The Formation reboot team is imagining how St. Christopher’s can be the hands and feet of God in our community. We are breaking up formation ministry spots into monthly commitments. Please let Jen know if you can lead Sunday school lessons or a service project for one month. You will not be on your own, you can plan as much or as little as you like!
We'll celebrate our first real “1st day of school” in two years on August 22 with a blessing of our backpacks. Students AND teachers should bring their backpacks!
Get ready to return to weekly formation on KICKOFF SUNDAY September 12, 2021
This Sunday, September 12, is Kick-off Sunday!
Join us this Sunday at 8:00, 9:30, or 10:30 for worship and fellowship!
It is Kick-off Sunday and Sunday formation will be outside as long as weather permits. Youth Group will meet at 9AM. We’ll ring the bell as a signal to transition from WW coffee hour to Sunday school. Parents will be directed to a space for continued fellowship.
*Kids 3 & up welcome in Sunday School, nursery care will be available
*Masks required
Adult Formation class continues this Sunday, September 12
Making Decisions on the Go: Ignatian Discernment for Busy People
Ignatian spirituality is often called "Contemplation in Action." It is a practical spirituality focused on knowing oneself and one's true desires then discerning decisions freely - without the constraints of compulsions and addictions that distract one from becoming one's true self in unity with God and neighbor.
Over these sessions we will learn and practice basics of Ignatian decision-making, using examples of good and bad decisions from the instructor's own experience and participants willing to share. All sessions are confidential. Sessions will begin at noon. Sunday, September 19, will be the last session.
SOLES 4 SOULS
Bring your old shoes (any condition)! The big blue box will be near the red doors all month. Please tie laces together, or rubberband shoes together. More info on the organization here.
Where We Worship: Friends, the state of Illinois has entered Phase 5 of its reopening plan and the diocese has released congregations from almost all required mitigations, giving each congregation authority to make the decisions most appropriate for its context. The vestry has consulted with a team of physician-parishioners and voted to:
- Everyone must wear masks. More info here.
- Eliminate advance sign up and mandatory physical distancing.
- Monitor attendance at 10:30 in the coming weeks, to see if it will become appropriate to designate a section of pews that will be reserved for more physical distance.
- Keep Wiggle Worship on the lawn when weather allows, with the parish hall as a backup. As long as unvaccinated members (including children) are appropriately masked, wiggle worship congregational singing will be permitted in the parish hall.
- Allow the return of indoor coffee hour.
Basically, everyone must wear masks (again). Otherwise, most of our life will be less restricted than it has been. The diocese has continued the requirement to forgo the common cup and shared loaf at communion, and so our current practices for the distribution of communion will continue. When our technology allows, we will return to the pulpit, lectern, and altar. The makeshift lectern and altar currently continue to be necessary for streaming the service to those who otherwise cannot join us.
Our siblings in Christ, just like everyone else, are going to be all over the place in terms of comfort level and anxiety for a while yet. We will all be gracious, patient, and quick to forgive as everyone figures out what life and worship look like now. Perhaps you've noticed that these virtues seem especially short of supply in our culture these days. We can practice them together, and then extend them to a world in desperate need of them. If you are fully vaccinated, but prefer to continue to mask, please do. If you need a little more space in the pew and someone sits too close, we won't get offended if you slide over or even stand up and move. If you don't want to shake hands or hug at the Peace, for any reason, that's cool: just lead with an elbow bump or fold your arms and bow. We'll respect your needs and respond in kind.
Pastoral Care Ministry Food Team—Volunteers Needed
Eric has asked Pastoral Care Ministry members to lead a group of volunteers able to prepare and deliver meals for Parishioners in need. Alexandra (Alex) Baig, Kathie Gillies and Jackie Pingel have agreed to lead the effort. They plan to use an on-line sign-up sheet to quickly inform everyone whenever meals are needed. With this system, we hope to expand involvement in Pastoral Care and lighten the burden of clergy and others, now shouldering so much of the work. This Ministry is a great opportunity to stay involved with St. Christopher’s.
To add your name to our list of volunteers, please contact:
Kathie Gillies at (708) 613-1106 or katharinegillies@gmail.com
Just as important, if you or someone you know needs meals, do not hesitate to contact Kathie. We do not want to overlook anyone.
Invitation from St. Martin's
Zoom worship makes enjoying the company of our near neighbors even easier. St Martin's, our partner church, welcomes visitors and would especially love to have St Christopher's folks join them any Sunday at 10:00. For a Zoom link, just contact St Martins.
Give Online
No offering in person? No problem! You can give online and set up a recurring gift here. Help keep our doors open, even while they're "opened" unconventionally during this time. Don't worry if you can't give online. We are continuing to check the mail, and a mailed check will work just fine.
Sunday School and Formation
The Formation reboot team is imagining how St. Christopher’s can be the hands and feet of God in our community. We are breaking up formation ministry spots into monthly commitments. Please let Jen know if you can lead Sunday school lessons or a service project for one month. You will not be on your own, you can plan as much or as little as you like!
We'll celebrate our first real “1st day of school” in two years on August 22 with a blessing of our backpacks. Students AND teachers should bring their backpacks!
Get ready to return to weekly formation on KICKOFF SUNDAY September 12, 2021
News outlets for St. Christopher’s
Communication happens in a variety of ways at St. C's and we are always delighted to hear from parishioners who have skills they want to put to use in the following areas of ministry:
Communication happens in a variety of ways at St. C's and we are always delighted to hear from parishioners who have skills they want to put to use in the following areas of ministry:
- Weekly email updates - usually sent out on Thursdays - let people know what's going on in the coming week
- Visit our presence on Facebook at St. Christopher's Episcopal Church
- Peruse our annual report.
- Update your Online Donation information
- Read our Parish Profile.
- Read about our first 100 years.
- Read a recent Service Leaflet
