Democracy and the Soul of America: A Spiritual Walk with Howard Thurman - October 6, October 13, and October 20-- from 9:00 am-9:45 am

You are invited to take a spiritual walk with Howard Thurman. One of the 20th century’s great theologians and preachers, Howard Thurman is best known as the spiritual mentor to the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. In 1951, Thurman gave several sermons at Fellowship Church in San Francisco on the intersection of what he calls “the religion of Jesus” and The Declaration of Independence. These sermons are collected in a book called “Democracy and The Soul of America” (Orbis Books, 2022). Books are available on Amazon. These conversations are designed to help you prayerfully keep yourself grounded in God and pursue a "real world faith" during this national election season. Those wanting to go deeper are encouraged to engage Lerita Coleman Brown’s new book, “What Makes You Come Alive: A Spiritual Walk with Howard Thurman” (Broadleaf Books, 2023).  

No need to register, just come as you can and come as you are! 

10/6 – “The Declaration of Independence II: Life—An Inalienable Right” 

10/13 – “The Declaration of Independence III: Liberty” 

10/20 – “The Declaration of Independence IV: The Pursuit of Happiness” 

SPR Migrants Support Program Team Updates

Adult Formation - Come on down to the parish hall after the 10:00 am service on October 6! Team members of the Migrant Support Program will fill you in on how this new ministry is using your generous donations to create a contingency fund to help meet the immediate needs of new arrivals. You’ll also learn more about the individuals and families we helped move from shelters to an apartment in Hyde Park.

Feeling Encumbered? - Handmade items, pottery, art, household items, collectibles, tableware, etc. in new or very good condition are needed for the second annual Holiday Gift Sale, a fundraiser for the Migrant Support Program, November 23, 11:15 am to 3:00 pm, and November 24, 11:15 am to 2:00 pm in our parish hall. You can bring your donations to SPR starting next Sunday (October 6) and any day and time the church is open up to November 17. They can be dropped off in a section of the room downstairs near the parish hall where canned goods for the food pantry are stored. Questions? Please contact Sheila Bator.

You can also make a financial contribution to the SPR Migrant Support Program by check or online with the memo: ‘Migrant Program’.

Blessing of the Animals

Join us on October 6 at 2:00 pm in the SPR garden for a blessing of the animals, in honor of the feast of St. Francis of Assisi. Creatures of every species and people of all ages are invited to come to this 30-minute service for a blessing! 

Art Committee Nature Walk event scheduled for Sunday, October 6, is POSTPONED – TO BE RESCHEDULED. Contact Lori Petrie with questions.

Fall Church Clean Up Sunday

Join the Buildings and Grounds Committee for a Fall Church Clean up Day. October 13, 12:00 pm-2:00 pm. Ever wanted to polish some brass fixtures? Learn the secret to getting candle wax off the floor? Aching to do some raking? All those opportunities and more await! And pizza! Contact Julia McMillan for questions or project suggestions.

Haiti Partnership Ministry

Mèsi or Thank You to the SPR parishioners who have generously donated to the Haiti Partnership Ministry to support our partner, St. Patrick’s Church and School in Beloc, Haiti. Because of your generosity, we are providing students with a nutritious and filling lunch that gives them the opportunity to focus and learn; and we are giving young people the opportunity to grow by learning a musical instrument skillset, as well as offering the gift of live music to the community during each Sunday's worship service!   

Please note, donations to the SPR "Haiti Partnership Ministry" can be made now and throughout the year. You can make a donation by:

1.  Giving online via the SPR website by credit card or PayPal: https://www.sprchicago.org/partnership-in-haiti

2.  Writing a check to St Paul & the Redeemer with “Haiti” noted in the memo line.

Secondly, if you are are interested in finding ways to integrate activities between the Haiti Partnership Ministry and all SPR Ministries in the upcoming year, we invite all SPR ministry heads, ministry members, and all interested parishioners to join us for the:  

HAITI MINISTRY PLANNING MEETING

"Setting the Agenda 2024/2025"

Wednesday, October 23, 2024

7:00 pm - 8:30 pm at 5729 S. Woodlawn Avenue. RSVP to Linda Thisted.

Garden Fall Clean Up 

With Autumn quickly approaching, we're organizing a team of folks who are able to help clean up our garden and put it to rest for the 2024 season. Tasks will consist of removing weeds and other undesirable items we may find. Tools and fun conversation will be provided. If you're interested, please contact Mel Parks.

Tell Me the Truth About Racism - Children's Formation!  

TMTAR is a Godly-Play inspired story series to help kids dismantle racism through the lens of Christian faith. Children preK-youth group will engage with these powerful stories the second Sunday of each month during children's formation (10/13, 11/10, 12/15). Adults can preview stories the first Sunday of the month at 9:30 am in the large Godly Play classroom (10/6, 11/3, 12/8). Contact storytellers Celia Paris and Amanda Ruch for more information.

Livestream Volunteers 

We are looking for volunteers to help run the SPR livestream. This entails setting up the cameras before the 10:00 am service, setting up the livestream itself on YouTube, and then taking the actual footage of the service. If you are interested in helping, contact Patrick Jonker to learn more.

Office Hours 

The SPR Parish Office will be closed on Mondays. However, staff will be available via email and by appointment. The office will be open Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm, and Friday from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm. If you need assistance outside of those hours, please contact Ida Butler, Director of Parish Operations, to schedule an appointment.

Due Date for Bulletin & e-News Announcements 

Announcements for inclusion in the Sunday bulletin and weekly e-News are due in the office by noon on Wednesdays and can be emailed to church@sprchicago.org.