Sunday Experience Discernment Season of Exploration

What might it be like to gather for two services on Sunday instead of three:



What might the music and worship be like?

What would it be like to have time for meaningful adult Christian Education on Sunday morning?

How might we strengthen our personal relationships and congregational identity?

How might we strengthen our welcome to visitors and individuals looking for a church home?

For six weeks this fall (Sept 8 – Oct 13) we will be able to learn firsthand answers to these questions. It will not be the same as being in the sanctuary, but it will give us a concrete experience of some of the opportunities, gains, and losses we might encounter if we change our Sunday worship and programming schedule. During this season of exploration, our schedule will be:

• 7:45 Holy Eucharist at the rectory chapel
• 9:00 Christian formation for all ages
• Catechesis of the Good Shepherd – 9:00-10:30
• Rector’s Forum – 9:00-9:45
• 10:00 Holy Eucharist at Salvatore’s (children will join service for Eucharist)

During and following this six-week trial, the Sunday Experience Discernment Team will create written and in-person opportunities for parishioners to share their experience, questions, and reflections.

Following this feedback process, the Discernment Team will recommend to the Vestry what, if any, changes should be considered for adoption. Please contact Betsy Peterson or Michael Shoenberger (discernment team co-chairs), or Fr. Alan if you have any questions.

Search Committee Update

Thank you to the 75 members who participated in small groups over the past month, providing valuable input and feedback for the rector search process. The Search Committee is now focused on taking your comments and the data from the CAT survey and using it to prepare our parish profile. When this document is completed later this summer it will be made available to the congregation and the wider church to help inform and attract quality candidates to the position. The Search Committee appreciates your continued prayers during this time. 

Summer Outing with COS | Save the Date!

On August 25th, COSers will gather to enjoy "Sunday in the Park with Lyric" at Millennium Park. The concert begins at 7 PM, but arrive early, bring your basket and blanket (or lawn chair), and enjoy a picnic social. More details to come but be sure to put it in your calendar so you don't miss out!

A Special Thank You

A huge thank you to everyone who helped make church 'happen' the week before last (June 23). We were able to shift church from Salvatore's to the rectory, and it was beautiful! A special thank you to the musicians for being so flexible. What an awesome church family we are!

Updates from the Building Site

New footings to support the altar/sanctuary space are being poured. You can see the size of these new supports with Willie Cade as a reference. The work continues!

Live Stream Volunteers Needed

We are looking to train a couple of COSers to run the live stream on Sundays in the event our regularly scheduled AV technician is unavailable. Anyone is eligible to volunteer and will receive training. Please help us with this important ministry which allows individuals to worship with us from their location when they are not able to be with us in person. Please contact Br Will if you are interested in learning more.

Chiapas Newsletter

Click here to the read the bi-monthly newsletter from the Diocese in Chiapas.

Weekly Milestones at COS

Birthdays:

Deb Vonderhaar, Samuel Quin Cacayuran, Keith Olsen, Donald Swanton, Margie Palmer, Sharon White, Molly Malek, & John Talarico

Anniversaries:

Betsy & Bill Sharpe

Need to update your information? Email us 

Weekly at COS

Tuesday Morning Prayer

Tuesdays at 10:00am

(in-person or on Zoom)

Morning Prayer Zoom Link

Morning Prayer Bulletin

Compline

Sundays at 9pm

Mondays & Thursdays at 8:30pm

Join on Zoom

Passcode: gTyM79

81st General Convention Wraps Up in Louisville

General Convention, as the church’s primary governing body, splits its authority between the House of Bishops and House of Deputies. The two houses handled 390 resolutions, many passing via daily, sometimes massive, consent calendars.

While in Louisville, the convention elected the Rt. Rev. Sean Rowe to be its the 28th presiding bishop, reelected Julia Ayala Harris as House of Deputies president, elected the Rev. Steve Pankey as deputies’ vice president, passed a $143 million budget for the next triennium, approved a constitutional change to clearly define the Book of Common Prayer, reexamined its clergy disciplinary canons while agreeing to consider how lay leaders might be disciplined for wrongdoing, and supported changes in the structures of seven of its dioceses. Click here for a full summary of GC81 news or access the GC81 Media Hub, the one-stop website for links to livestreams in the House of Bishops and House of Deputies, including recordings of the June 22 Episcopal Revival and convention worship.

Help Provide Urgent Humanitarian Care for Gaza's Children

Amidst the unfolding crisis in Gaza, the Palestine Children's Relief Fund (PCRF) is the primary humanitarian organization in Palestine, delivering crucial and life-saving medical relief and humanitarian aid where it is needed most. Donations to the PCRF "Gaza Relief and Recovery" campaign aims to address urgent humanitarian needs and support long-term recovery efforts in Gaza. The funds raised will primarily focus on immediate relief, including providing essential medical supplies, food, medical treatment, clean water, and other necessities for families affected by the conflict.

Contribute Today

Save the Date: Episcopal Charities Autumn Soiree

September 27

Episcopal Charities invites members of the diocese to mark their calendars for their Autumn Soiree, an evening of spiritual inspiration and celebration, on September 27. The event will be held at Epiphany Center for the Arts in Chicago.Learn more and reserve tickets.

Invitation to Celebrate Bishop-Elect Kara Wagner Sherer

God willing and the people of God consenting, the Rev. Kara Wagner Scherer will be ordained and consecrated bishop of Rochester on July 13. Visit the Diocese of Rochester website for service details, links to RSVP, and the livestream.

In keeping with diocesan tradition, the diocese is collecting funds to give Wagner Sherer a rochet and chimere, which are two vestments worn by bishops. Contributions may be made online or checks may be made payable to the Diocese of Chicago, with the memo "Bishop Kara."

Survey Seeks Feedback From and About Generation Z

Survey available in English and Spanish

Seeking to grow and strengthen The Episcopal Church’s ministries that support members of Generation Z, the Department of Faith Formation has launched a churchwide survey geared toward young people and those who serve them. Learn more.