When I was working on the final draft of the 1 Corinthians small group guide, I couldn't resist including the text of the Immaculate Heart College Art Department Rules, lettered by David Mekelburg and authored by Sr. Corita Kent. I have always loved Kent, a 20th-century artist and Catholic nun who rewrote all the rules for religious art. Sasha Carrera writes that in the mid-1950s, the cardinal of Los Angeles "requested that Corita discontinue depicting the Holy Family" in her art because he was so unsettled by her abstract representations. Kent ignored this demand and continued to teach, create, and inspire a generation with her vibrant imagery and her profound reverence for the mystery of God.
In the small groups I've attended this week, there has been quite a bit of conversation about one of Kent's rules: "Don't try to create and analyze at the same time." I am terrible at following this rule myself, but am trying to embrace it. What might it look like for each of us to take a break from analyzing and allow ourselves to create without fear?
I hope you will join us this Sunday as we welcome the Rev. Stacy Alan, chaplain of Brent House (the Episcopal campus ministry at the University of Chicago), into the pulpit, and enjoy an adult formation lecture on Paul's foolishness with the Rev. Roger Ferlo. Don't forget to return at 4pm for the blessing of the animals!
Yours,
Catherine
Blessing of the Animals
Join us Sunday, October 6, at 4pm in the SPR garden for a blessing of the animals, in honor of the feast of St. Francis of Assisi. Creatures of every species are welcome to come to this 30-minute service for a blessing! Contact Rev. Catherine Healy.
Youth Group: God at the Movies
Youth group will be meeting on Sunday, October 6 at 1:15pm to travel to the American Islamic College to see the movie Same God. This is a documentary film, with discussion to follow. The movie begins at 2pm, and the event should be over by 5pm. Youth may carpool from SPR or join the group at the event. For details, contact Liz Koerner.
Cereal Sunday
Support the SPR food pantry by bringing a box (or several) of cereal to church on Sunday, October 6. Donations may be left outside the food pantry closet in the narthex. You may also donate to the food pantry by writing a check to St. Paul & the Redeemer with “Food Pantry” in the memo line. For details, contact Shirley Knight.
Brent House Vision Gathering
Brent House, the Episcopal campus ministry at the University of Chicago and a long-time partner with SPR, would like to invite anyone who has had a relationship with Brent House or the University of Chicago to join us for a conversation on Sunday, October 6 at 12:30 pm in the Byllesby Room to gather ideas on how our ministry can best support our our campus community and alumni. If you can’t attend on the 6th, we encourage you to fill out the feedback form on the site. For details, visit www.thecampaignforbrenthouse.com or contact the Rev. Stacy Alan.
New Usher Training
New Usher Training will be held this Sunday, October 6, 2019 after the 11:15 service in the sanctuary. If you recently volunteered, this training is for you! We are excited to have you join our ministry. Please email Romonda McKinney Bumpus for questions or text 312.813.5333.
Final Dates of Food Gardening Season Saturday, October 19 will be last work day for the 2019 gardening season. A lot of work needs to be completed to put the garden to bed for the winter. Please join us in the garden between 9-11am on October 5, 12, and 19 to help finish a successful season. Coffee and doughnuts will be provided.
1 Corinthians Adult Formation Series: Sundays, 10:20am Take a deeper dive into 1 Corinthians by attending Sunday morning adult formation. During our fall small group series, we'll have a lecture on a different aspect of the text each week:
October 6: Paul's Foolishness (Roger Ferlo)
October 13: Reading 1 Corinthians in Greek (Fran Spaltro)
October 20: Social Ethics in 1 Corinthians (Joshua Daniel)
20’s/30’s Apple Picking
On Sunday October 13, members in their 20’s/30’s will go apple picking! We will leave from SPR at 12:30 and drive to County Line Orchard in Indiana (a 45 minutes trip). Please RSVP to Julia McMillan by October 9 so carpooling can be arranged.
Hyde Park Racial Justice History Walking Tour
Join the Anti-Racism Working Group on Saturday, October 19 from 10-11:30am for a walking tour led by SPR parishioner Kenji Kuramitsu. This tour was developed to connect residents with our neighborhood’s stories of black resilience, white supremacy, and racial struggle that have shaped national and global movements. Youth are welcome! Space is limited. Sign up in the narthex or email antiracism@sprchicago.org.
Bishop Search Survey
All church members in the Episcopal Diocese of Chicago are invited to take a brief survey on priorities for the diocese and desired qualities in our next bishop. Click here to take the survey by Sunday, October 13.
Join the SPR Choirs
St. Nicholas Choir: Grades K-2. Rehearses Thursdays, 6-6:30p; performs once monthly during 9:15 worship. Contact: Gretchen Eng.
SPR Choristers: Grades 3-8. Rehearses Thursdays, 6-7:30p; performs weekly during 9:15 worship. Contact: Christian Clough.
SPR Choirs: Teens and adults. Rehearses Thursdays, 7-9p; performs weekly during 9:15 or 11:15 worship. Contact: Christian Clough.
Illness and Off-Hour Emergencies
The clergy are always available to assist you. Please email Rev. Catherine or call or text her at 312-719-0925 if you or a family member expects to be in the hospital and wishes to be visited. Email Barnabas to add names to our prayer list. Our prayers are with all those in need.
Bulletin Announcements
Announcements for printing in the weekly bulletin and e-News are due to Barnabas by Tuesday at noon each week. Please limit your announcement to 50-100 words.
