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Dear people of SPR,

Advent is in full swing around here! I am so looking forward to the children's cookie exchange party tomorrow, Godly Play for All on Sunday, and the caroling festivities, bake sale, and ornament sale coming our way next week. This is a season when many people start thinking about Christmas Eve worship and wishing they belonged to a church community, so if you've been wanting to invite friends to church -- or maybe to a special event like Christmas caroling or our Longest Night service -- this is the perfect time.

I am so pleased to report that we have now received 89 pledges for our 2020 stewardship campaign, Imagining Our Future. This means that participation has more than doubled in our second week, and we are 45% of the way toward our goal of reaching 200 pledges this year. Will you be the 90th to claim your right to imagine the future at SPR? I encourage you to pledge by Commitment Sunday, December 22. Click here to make your 2020 pledge.

Yours,
Catherine

P.S. The entire church is invited to attend the ordinations of Jaime Brice
ño, Shawn Evelyn, and Brenda Kilpatrick downtown next Saturday! See details below.

Kids' Cookie Exchange Party
Parents with small kids, come join us for a cookie exchange on Saturday, December 7 at 2-4pm, at the Hoover-Daniel house. Bring a batch of cookies to share. Contact: Megg Hoover.

Intergenerational Formation: Godly Play for All
Please join us this Sunday, December 8 at 10:20am for an inter-generational formation on Advent with director of children’s formation Cynthia Bagrowski. Advent wreath supplies will be available. Children and adults are invited to attend together.

Youth Formation & Youth Group
This Sunday, December 8, youth in middle and high school are invited to youth formation (10:20-11:05am) to explore Mary and the Magnificat, and to youth group (5-7pm) to do some crafting and make ornaments for next week's youth group Christmas party! For details, contact Liz Koerner.

Fiber Arts Group
Anyone interested in knitting and related needle arts is invited to be part of
this monthly gathering to share projects and skills — and also to share each
other’s company. We will meet this Sunday, December 8 at 12:30pm in the Byllesby Room.

December Ordinations
Jaime Briceño and Brenda Kilpatrick will be ordained to the Sacred Order of Deacons and Shawn Evelyn will be ordained to the Sacred Order of Priests on Saturday, December 14, at 11:00am at St. James Cathedral (65 E. Huron). All are invited to attend.

Memorial Service for Oswald Mowatt
A memorial service for Oswald Mowatt, a former SPR member and father of parishioner Cecilia Mowatt, will take place at St. Paul & the Redeemer on Saturday, December 14, at 4:00pm. Cecilia and her family would like to extend a warm invitation to all members of the church to attend the service.

SPR Caroling
You are invited to join SPR caroling on Thursday, December 12 at 5:30pm. Kids and parents head out into the neighborhood to bring Christmas cheer to our neighbors. They’ll come back to the church for pizza and cookies. For more information, please contact Gretchen Eng.

Children's Christmas Pageant Schedule
Thursday, December 12, 5:30pm: Chat about pageant roles during fellowship after Christmas caroling
Sunday, December 15, after 9:15am service/Godly Play: Pageant script hand-out/roles finalized (Byllesby Room)
Thursday, December 19, from 5:30-7pm: Pageant dress rehearsal (Sanctuary)
Sunday, December 22, after 9:15am service: Optional brush-up rehearsal (only kids with lines, who would like help)
Tuesday, December 24, 4pm: Call time for the Christmas Eve pageant

Any questions, volunteering, or requests should be directed to Gretchen Eng. Please write her with your child/ren’s age(s) and name(s) if you would like to participate!

Advent Bake Sale
The SPR Advent bake sale will be on Sunday, December 15. Everyone is invited to contribute homemade baked treats. If you don't bake, consider helping with pricing, wrapping, or staffing the table. All proceeds will go to support the arts at Shoesmith Elementary School. Sign up in the narthex or by clicking here.

Christmas Ornaments from Haiti on Sale
Jwaye Nwel (Merry Christmas)! On Sunday, December 15, after each service, you are invited to shop for Christmas ornaments hand-beaded by women artisans from St. Patrick’s, our partner church in Haiti. By purchasing these beautiful items, you will support the artists in their efforts to develop sustainable employment and empower them to invest in their communities.

Youth Group Christmas Party
On Sunday, December 15, from 5 to 7pm youth in grades 6-12 are invited to join us for a white elephant gift exchange party.

Imagining Our Future: 2020 Stewardship Campaign
Every household at SPR is encouraged to make a financial pledge to the church for 2020. Help imagine our future and ensure the long-term health of the parish! Pick up a pledge card in the narthex (foyer), or pledge online at sprchicago.org/giving

Bird Photo Purchase
The current art show in the chapel will end on December 15 so that people who buy the artwork can have it before Christmas. The bird photos can be bought for $50 each, with proceeds going to the SPR Food Pantry. If you would like to buy one of the remaining photos, please see Tom Irving or Jim Wright, and  pick it up from the chapel on December 15. For more information, contact Jim Wright.

Longest Night Service with 'The Many'
The holidays are not always joyful. On Friday, December 20 at 7pm in the sanctuary, join us for a Christmas service featuring music by indie-folk-gospel band The Many. This service will provide space for grief, lament and hope.

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.

Ongoing Events at SPR

Formation: Sundays | 10:20-11:05 AM
Bible Study: Thursdays | 10:00-11:00 AM
Open Kitchen: Sunday before third Monday | 12:30 PM
Arts Committee: Second Sundays | 12:30 PM
Food Pantry: Wednesdays | 3:30-5:30 PM   
SPR Choirs: Thursdays | 7:00-9:00 PM
Fiber Arts: Second Sundays | 12:30 PM
Copyright © 2019 Church of St. Paul & the Redeemer, All rights reserved.


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