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weekly news & updates
Friday, May 3, 2024
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From the Interim Rector
Administration
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Dear Friends,
We have wonderful news to celebrate. We offer our prayers of thanksgiving for Katie Spero as she completes her seminary formation, prepares for her ordination, and begins her ministry as a school chaplain.
Katie will receive her Master of Divinity Degree from Virginia Seminary on May 9. The graduation ceremony begins at 9am CDT and will be live streamed on Facebook and Youtube (for more information: click here). Then on May 11, the Rt. Rev. Paula Clark, Bishop of Chicago, will ordain Katie as a deacon (transitional) at a service at St. Timothy’s Episcopal Church in Washington DC. Following ordination Katie will serve as the lower school chaplain at St. Andrew’s School in Potomac, Maryland.
For Katie, this is not a conclusion but a next step, a moment of transition on a much longer journey. While she has worked hard in many ways to reach this moment, it has not been a solitary journey. Many, including many of you, have been supportive and instrumental in her formation and preparation for ordained ministry. This is a charism of this congregation. Many individuals have discerned a call to ordained ministry as priests and deacons through their time within this community of faith. You are to be commended for that. Thank you.
Please keep Katie in your prayers as she prepares to start this new chapter.
Faithfully yours,
Alan
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A Note of Gratitude from Katie
Administration
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As I share the news about my ordination and first call I do so with gratitude for the gift of our COS community. It was the love, grace, and presence of the Holy Spirit in our parish that has helped me to follow Jesus where He would send me. While my heart is in Chicago, and I look forward to the day when God calls me back to the city that is my home, I am strengthened by the knowledge that "once you're a COSer you're always a COSer," and that we are always united through prayer in the Body of Christ. Thank you for your prayers that have brought me through many difficult trials to this moment where the news I get to share is filled with joy.
With love,
Katie
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Rector Search Committee: Small Group Conversations
Administration
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The Rector Search Committee thanks the 94 individuals who completed the Church Assessment Tool (CAT) Survey.
The next opportunity to share your perspective is in small group conversations to be held at the rectory on the following dates:
- Tuesday, May 7th
- Thursday, May 16th
- Sunday, May 19th
- Sunday, June 2nd
We will explore more deeply what is important to you for the future of this parish and our rector. Sign up here to participate, or to request a virtual gathering.
Your input is essential! We hope that you will take advantage of this opportunity to contribute to the rector search.
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Senior Conversations
Gather Together
| Join the monthly potluck centered around new or planning to retire individuals to get together! The next meeting is May 7th at 7:00 pm in the Rectory. This month we will learn about Poland and Road Scholar travel. Please contact Joyce Poole (224-595-5321) or Joan Roberts (773-507-0328) if you would like to attend. | |
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Looking for Folks Who "Speak in Tongues"
Worship
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"And at this sound the crowd gathered and was bewildered, because each one heard them speaking in the native language of each." (Acts 2:6)
This year, COS is planning to commemorate the Pentecost event with a special moment during the reading of the story in Acts. If you can pronounce a language that is not English (fluency encouraged, but not required), and you are willing to add your voice to a throng of languages, please reach out to ministries@chicagocos.org. We would like as many languages as possible represented at both services, so please consider exercising your language "chops" with us on Sunday, May 19, 2024, at both 9 AM and 10:45 AM. From Spanish to Klingon, Tagalog to Elvish, let's celebrate Pentecost proclaiming the Word in as many tongues as we can!
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Living Like a Christian Series
Growing as Christians
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Christians are an “Easter people”, called to abundant life. But how?
“Living like a Christian.” What does that really mean? Is a 4-week formation opportunity to explore how we can live a more abundant life. Each week is a self-contained offering. You are invited and encouraged to attend even if you have not participated in earlier sessions.
The final session, 6 PM on May 9, will be about stewardship of our natural gifts and experiences. The evening will have food and a special “all-ages” presentation led by Betsy Peterson. This event will be held in the rectory, after which, a brief, modified, candle-lit compline liturgy in the chapel will conclude the series.
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Baptism Announcement: Augusta Page
Growing as Christians
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Save the date for the upcoming Baptism of Augusta Jane Page at the 10:45am service on Sunday, May 12th. We hope to see you there!
Following the 10:45am service, join Andrew & Shannon in celebrating Augusta with light lunch fare and refreshments at Gaslight (2450 N Clark St).
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Sunday School Picnic
Growing as Christians
| Parents and children are invited to celebrate the last day of Sunday School with a picnic on May 19th at 11:45am. We will meet on the front lawn of the church. Please bring a blanket to sit on and, if you can - a dessert. | |
Milestones this Coming Week | |
Birthdays:
Joyce Poole, Sebastian Kim, Grace Watson, Penny Bokhof, & Fiona Mack
Anniversaries:
Jennifer & John Talarico; and Deborah & William Vonderhaar
| Need to update your information? Email us to let us know! | |
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Happy Birthday Fr. Alan!
Gather Together
| Thanks to everyone who helped to celebrate Fr. Alan's birthday at last week's coffee hour! | |
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The Black Church in Chicago: Past, Present, and Future | |
May 10 at the DuSable Museum for African American History
On May 10 at 6 pm, the University of Chicago Divinity School and the Baptist Theological Union will host a panel conversation titled The Black Church in Chicago: Past, Present, and Future. Speakers include Marshall Hatch, Jr. (executive director of MAAFA Redemption Project), the Rev. Dr. Marshall Hatch, Sr. (senior pastor of the New Mount Pilgrim Missionary Baptist Church), and the Rev. Dr. Otis Moss, III (senior pastor of Trinity United Church of Christ).
Attendees are welcome to explore the DuSable Museum collection from 5 to 6 pm in self-guided tours. Learn more and RSVP to attend.
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Future of the Episcopal Church Panel Discussion | |
May 16 with Lifelong Learning at VTS
On May 16 from 2 to 4 pm, Lifelong Learning at Virginia Theological Seminary will host an online panel discussion titled Future of The Episcopal Church.
Panelists include the Rev. Jess Elfring-Roberts from the Diocese of Chicago; the Rev. Nancy Frausto; the Rev. Scott Gunn; and Ryan Kusumoto.
Learn more and purchase tickets.
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Province V Migration Ministries Network | |
May 21 on Zoom
The Province V Migration Ministries Network will meet on May 21 at 7 pm on Zoom to discuss how Episcopalians are responding to the asylum emergency in Chicago. The webinar will be presented by Jack Lloyd, co-coordinator of the Province V Migration Ministry Network, and the Rev. Jaime Briceño, whose church has converted its rectory to provide emergency housing for migrant families.
Visit the Province V Migration Ministries website page for the Zoom link and password.
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Click here to the read the bi-monthly newsletter from the Diocese in Chiapas. | |
Executive Council Adopts Statement on War in Holy Land at April Meeting | |
At its meeting last week, the Executive Council of The Episcopal Church voted in support of a resolution lamenting the ongoing deadly violence in the Holy Land, and calling for “the speedy distribution of humanitarian aid; the release of all captives; the unimpeded access of fully-equipped doctors and medical staff to tend to the sick and injured; and the opening of internationally facilitated negotiations aimed at ending and moving beyond the present cycle of violence."
Executive Council, the church’s governing body between the triennial meetings of General Convention, met April 18-20 in Raleigh, North Carolina. This was the council's last scheduled meeting before the 81st General Convention. Read more from Episcopal News Service.
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Saturday, May 4 at 7:30pm
William Ferris Chorale has created a special code for COSers to use for their upcoming concert, Path of Miracles at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Church. Use code COSWFC30 to save 30% on your tickets! Visit https://www.williamferrischorale.org/ for tickets and information.
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