Dear people of SPR,

I am writing these words just after returning from the annual SPR trip to Tom Gateau, Haiti. It was wonderful to meet the people of St. Patrick's, our partner church and school there, and see how one of our fellow Episcopal churches is thriving in a context very different from our own. I felt such gratitude for SPR's ongoing commitment to St. Patrick's, which is transforming lives in such tangible ways: Because of the efforts of our parish, children in Tom Gateau are able to play musical instruments and rely on being fed lunch at school; women can secure loans to start small businesses; and parishioners now have a beautiful church building in which to worship. Thank you to all those of you who have supported St. Patrick's over the years -- your generosity truly makes a difference. Come to adult formation (10:20 to 11:05am) this Sunday to see photos and hear a more complete report!

I am also getting very excited about my celebration of new ministry next Thursday, May 9, with dinner at 5:30pm and worship at 7pm. Bishop Jeffrey Lee will preside and preach at the service. If you would like to come for dinner, please click here to RSVP.

Yours,
Catherine

The youth of SPR are raising money to go to St. Paul, MN this August to learn about reparations and reconciliation with native folks in different Minnesota communities. We seek to gain some concrete tools to return to do that work in our community here in Chicago.
Wanna help us get there? Tip us! ALL TIPS GO TOWARD THE MISSION TRIP!

SPR’s annual group show is opening in the chapel this Sunday, May 5. The theme for the show is “Sacred Spaces.” The art displays places of worship and places where we encounter God. There will be an opening reception in the Byllesby Room after the 11:15 am service on Sunday. Please join us for the reception and then visit the chapel to see the exhibit.

Join us for The Rev. Catherine's installation as rector of SPR on Thursday, May 9, with dinner at 5:30pm followed by a 7pm service. Bishop Jeff Lee will preside and preach at this joyous celebration of SPR's new chapter. Click here to RSVP for the dinner.

Come to adult formation this Sunday, May 5, to hear a report from the SPR members who recently visited our partner parish in Tom Gateau, Haiti. There will be updates on the building project at St. Patrick's Church, the music and school lunch programs at St. Patrick's School, the microfinance program in Tom Gateau, and more!

SPR's Letter Writing Ministry will meet this Sunday, May 5 (12:30-1:30p, Byllesby Room) to write letters of resistance (to our elected and/or church officials) and letters of encouragement (to those affected) around the theme of public education, facilitated by Lisa Rademacher. We hope to see you there!

Coming up:  June 2 - Ending Money Bond and Pre-trial Incarceration; July 7 - Climate Change; August 4 - Need Theme and Facilitator!; September 8 - IL Fair Tax Now via Responsible Budget Coalition (RBC)

Contact Addie Domske to join as a participant, or to volunteer to facilitate an upcoming month.

Thank you to all those who donated LEGOs for the children at St. Patrick’s School in Tom Gateau, Haiti!

Join the Garden Team on May 18 at 9 am in the SPR garden to help plant the new crops for the season. Breakfast pastries and beverages will be provided. No gardening experience necessary, just a willingness to get slightly dirty! For questions or to RSVP email Julia at mcmillan013@gmail.com.

St. Paul, Minnesota! We are headed to the twin cities to learn about the terms reconciliation and reparation, and how first nations and native folks in North America have worked together with white settlers to repair that relationship after colonialism terrorized much of native life. We will center native voices in conversations on reconciliation and critique the role of the church in conversations around colonialism. We'll visit native community organizations, study restorative justice as a model, and spend our final night camping outdoors for reflection. 
We hope to return with concrete tools to honor the land of the Potawatomi, Peoria, and Miami peoples that we inhabit here in our own Chicago community.

SPR parishioners are invited to learn along with the young folks of SPR as we prepare for our trip!

FUNDRAISING OPPORTUNITIES:

CAR WASH | SAT, MAY 4, 3-6 PM
Come get your car washed for free to raise awareness about our trip this summer! The car wash is free, all tips go to the trip.

WINE & CHEESE & DOCUMENTARIES | SAT, JUNE 1, 5-8 PM
Come to this adults-only fundraiser for wine, cheese, fresh-baked bread, and a screening of Dawnland. $20 suggested donation; childcare plus GF and non-alcoholic options provided. RSVP here.

PICNIC SUNDAY | SUN, JUNE 9 AFTER COMBINED LITURGY
Enjoy games for children, raffles for families and adults, and our annual end-of-year picnic!

Want to become a prayer partner for a mission trip participant? Contact Addie.

Please note that there are two small groups available for the 20s & 30s friends to meet with the Rev. Catherine Healy. These are on June 18 & June 30 respectively. Please sign up here if you'd like to attend.

For youth group NEXT week, we're finishing off our year-wide Experience SPR series (where we visit SPR ministries for youth group) in the food garden, with some extra flair. In honor of Mother's Day next Sunday, we're asking that you bring your mom to youth group next Saturday to work in the food garden. We'll meet on Saturday morning, May 11, from 9a-11a. Come to learn about this important ministry at SPR, spend some time in community with your mom, and remember the importance of nourishing, nurturing forces in our lives. No supplies or experience necessary; we hope to see you there!

So far, 10 SPR adults and 3 children have worked with a Syrian refugee family in their Rogers Park family. Five more adults will visit in the coming months. The weather is now making it possible to go for walks with the four children. Next opening for the Saturday visits: May 25. All Saturdays in June and July could use additional volunteers. You can sign up in the narthex or by email to Robert and Sheila Bator (rbator@aol.com). 

The Rev. Catherine Healy is eager to get to know all of us!  She will be meeting with parishioners in small groups of up to 8 people over the course of her first few months.

HOST A SMALL GROUP: We are looking for individuals to host these gatherings. You can host at the church, in your home, or some other location that would be meaningful, fun, or simply convenient.  If you are interested in hosting, please contact us at welcomecatherine@sprchicago.org

JOIN A SMALL GROUP: To join one of the small groups please sign up in the narthex or online at sprchicago.org/small-groups. Please note that there are two small groups available for the 20s & 30s friends on June 18 & June 30 respectively. 

It’s that time of the year! Yes, VBC season is almost here and we want your children to have the opportunity to attend/volunteer. Please save July 29 through August  2 for a week filled with fun (and God)! If there are any questions, you may contact Cynthia Bagrowski at bagrowski@sprchicago.org. Thanks!

Please contribute to the SPR Music and Flower Fund to support beautiful music and flowers through Eastertide. Envelopes are available in the seatbacks and in the Narthex to make memorial or thanksgiving contributions. Thank you for your generosity!