Night as Bright as Day:

A Summer Solstice Retreat

Saturday, June 15, 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM

Unravel the interplay between darkness and light at St. Luke's upcoming summer solstice retreat. This half-day event invites attendees to dive into the theological concepts surrounding these forces and understand their significance in our lives and faith.

Led by the Rev. Phil Hooper, the retreat offers a unique opportunity to explore how darkness and light shape our world, transcending the binary notions that often hinder our understanding. Using Psalms and other Scripture alongside reflection/meditative practices, participants will gain insight into the complex relationship between these natural phenomena.

The Rev. Phil Hooper serves as Rector of St. Anne Episcopal Church in West Chester, Ohio. He is a board member of the Center for Deep Green Faith, which provides formation programs at the intersection of Christian theology, contemplation, and ecology. He has led numerous retreats in parish settings and is a contributing author to several publications in The Episcopal Church, including Earth & Altar and Sermons that Work. His sermons and other writings can be found at www.byanotherroad.com. 

The retreat requires a minimum number of participants. Please register promptly to secure your spot and avoid cancellation due to low registration. 

Sacred Ground Series:

Seeking Your Feedback

St. Luke's hopes to offer this faith-based curriculum about race and faith again this fall if there is enough interest. Sacred Ground is an eleven-session film- and readings-based dialogue series on race, grounded in faith. Small groups are invited to walk through chapters of America’s history of race and racism while incorporating threads of family story, economic class, and regional identity. These in-person sessions operate using a small group process called "dialogue circles." There will be as many circles set up as there are interested participants.

If you have any questions, contact Kathleen Murphy at kmurphy1952@outlook.com. 

If you are interested in participating, please enter your information on this survey. This is not a final commitment, just an initial survey to gauge how many people are interested and what days and times are preferred.

Friday Noon Discussion Group

Discussing Christ the Center by Dietrich Bonhoeffer

June 21 & 28

The Friday noon book group will discuss Christ the Center by Dietrich Bonhoeffer on June 21 & 28. The group will then take the rest of the summer off before reconvening in the fall. The book is available through local bookstores and on Amazon in Kindle or print version. This book group is facilitated by Pastor Michael Wonderlich. People can participate in person or by Zoom.

Women’s Book Group & Breakfast

Sunday, July 14, 8:30 AM

Discussing Followed by the Lark by Helen Humphreys

Mark your calendars for Sunday, July 14th, for the next Women's Book Group & Breakfast. We will be discussing Followed by the Lark by Helen Humphreys. Please note an important update: the fall meeting has been rescheduled from September to October (date TBD). We will explore The Last Report on the Miracles at Little No Horse by Louise Erdrich at this gathering. All are welcome for great books and conversations!

Interfaith Family Pride Festival 

Sunday, June 2, 2:00 - 5:00 PM, Raymond Park

The Interfaith Family Pride Festival is this Sunday! St. Luke's has joined with fifteen diverse faith communities to organize this event honoring LGBTQ+ families and recognizing the importance of repairing relationships and building bridges between faith communities and the LGBTQ+ community.

Fabulous performers are lined up for the mainstage and the storytelling stage, including Flamy Grant, Artemis Singers, and the Chicago Gay Men's Chorus. Don't miss the inspiring Youth Showcase, where talented young individuals share their artistic abilities. Enjoy all-ages activities presented by The Actors Gymnasium Circus School and Theater Company, free ice cream, and more! 

Ricky Byrdsong Memorial Race Against Hate 2024:

Episcopalians United Against Hate

Sunday, June 16, 7:30 AM

Now in its 25th year, the Ricky Byrdsong Memorial Race Against Hate was launched to honor the legacy of Ricky Byrdsong. This race brings together thousands of people from all over the Chicago area on Father's Day to run and walk in unity against racial hatred and violence.

Come by the St. Matthew's tent at Long Field for a quick pre-race blessing. Reenie Ruckdaeschel and the Rev. Nadia Stefko (St. Augustine's) will do a blessing at 7:35 before the 5k race, and the Rev. Kat Banakis will do a blessing at 8:45 before the youth fun runs.

You can donate to or sign up to join Episcopalians United Against Hate, the team we share with St. Matthew's and St. Marks.

YAP! Update: Special Collection of Recyclable Plastics Paused

The Youth Action Project (YAP!) has had a remarkable year dedicated to improving the recycling movement within our community. Through their efforts, YAP! has fostered environmental awareness and inspired our church to further embrace sustainable practices.

This year, YAP! focused on gathering #2 and #5 recyclable materials to be transformed into durable items using advanced 3D printing technology. This pioneering venture, in partnership with parishioner Jim Orrico of the Dream to Product engineering company, has generated overwhelming success. So overwhelming, in fact, that collection of #2 and #5 plastics has been paused.

Please note that regular recycling of all plastics will continue as usual; we just kindly request that you refrain from bringing additional materials from home for the time being.

Stay tuned for updates on the YAP! and Dream to Product collaboration. We eagerly anticipate showcasing the innovative products resulting from this partnership!

Compost Volunteers Needed!

As we scale back on plastic collections, it's time to reaffirm our dedication to composting! To keep our green initiatives thriving during the summer, we urgently need volunteers to oversee the compost station during coffee hour while our diligent youth leaders are away on vacation and at camp.

As a compost volunteer, you'll play a pivotal role in encouraging the congregation to sort their waste correctly by providing gentle reminders. Worry not - all necessary instructions will be available at the station, and Heather or Reenie are more than happy to offer hands-on training sessions as needed.

Please consider becoming part of this crucial ministry that impacts both our church community and the environment. Contact Reenie Ruckdaeschel at reenieruck@stlukesevanston.org

St. Luke's Cornhole Tournament Coming this Summer!

Be part of the most exciting event in Evanston this summer -- the St. Luke’s Summer Cornhole (aka "Bags") Tournament! No experience or athleticism is necessary. Just form your teams and prepare for friendly competition on the church lawn every Sunday.

Teams: Form Your Unstoppable Duo (or More)

Gather your friends or entire ministries (e.g., Men's Bible Study, Altos) to form teams of at least two people. We will happily group or match individuals, so don't hesitate to sign up solo!

Physical Set-up: Cornhole on the Lawn

Cornhole sets will be available on St. Luke's lawn (weather permitting) on 6/9, 6/16, 6/23, 6/30, 7/14, 7/21, 8/4, 8/11, 8/18, and 9/1. On 7/7, sets will be at the beach for Beach Service. For community dinners on 7/28 and 8/25, sets will be available from 9 AM to 6 PM.

Flexibility for All

Teams can schedule matches at their convenience during each week and designate substitutes if needed for travel or other commitments.

Bracketed Double-Elimination Tournament

Experience the thrill of a bracketed double-elimination tournament, ensuring each team plays at least twice.

Don't miss this chance to bond with your St. Luke's community over cornhole this summer! Sign up today!

Summer Hiatus for Thursday Night Suppers Begins in June

Sunday Summer Suppers Planned for July 28 & August 25

As the summer season approaches, our regular Thursday Community Suppers will be taking a hiatus. Song & Story with Ms. Reenie will also be on hiatus. It has been a remarkable year filled with comforting food, warm community, and cherished connections. A special thank-you goes out to Hospitality Coordinator Heather Kezdy, whose culinary skills have been a highlight of these gatherings.

Regular Thursday suppers will resume in September, but please mark your calendars for two special community supper events this summer. Join us on Sunday evenings, July 28 and August 25, for more opportunities to enjoy great food and great company. Keep an eye out for further details as these dates approach. We look forward to seeing you there!

Seeking Your Feedback:

Help Shape the Future of Adult Formation & Education at St. Luke’s

As we approach the end of a dynamic year in adult formation and education at St. Luke's, we invite you to pause and reflect. This year offered a rich variety of programs, including, among many, a year-long series on Dismantling the Doctrine of Discovery, the recent Health and Healing series, and an Advent program focused on the wonder of birds. Each program was designed to broaden our perspectives and deepen our spiritual lives.

As we prepare for the upcoming program years, your input is invaluable. Which programs have inspired you? What topics have enriched your spiritual and intellectual growth? What would you like to see more or less of in the future? Your feedback is crucial in guiding our decisions and ensuring our offerings continue to meet the evolving needs and interests of our congregation.

The Formation Committee has crafted a survey to gather your thoughts and suggestions. Reflecting on what has resonated with you will assist us in offering meaningful and engaging programs that support the lifelong growth and enlightenment of our community.

Please take a moment to complete the survey and share your thoughts with us. Your involvement is vital to the continued success and relevance of our adult formation and education programs.

Summer Offerings Brochure Now Available!

Our latest mailer detailing all our summer offerings has been sent out! You can view the exciting opportunities online or by picking up a copy at the welcome table in the back of the nave.

Didn't receive the brochure or wish to be added to our mailing list? Please contact the office to ensure you stay informed about all our upcoming activities and events.

Sunday Morning Children's Programs Begin Hiatus June 9

Please note that after this week, our Sunday morning children’s programs will be taking a summer hiatus. We will be pausing these sessions during the warmer months but look forward to resuming on Rally Sunday, September 8. Keep an eye on the newsletter for special summer opportunities and activities designed for our young ones. Enjoy the summer break and stay tuned for more updates!

Drop-in Baby Yoga at Snyder Park

Thursday, June 6, 9:00 - 10:00 AM

Snyder Park, Judson & Kedzie in Evanston

Join Reenie for joyful stories, movement, and song celebrating butterflies and flight, birds and babies, bees, bubbles and beetles, and the Mother Goose Olympics! For ages 0-3 and caregivers.

For more information, contact Reenie Ruckdaeschel at reenieruck@stlukesevanston.org

Recital with Christopher Chroniak

Sunday, June 9, 4:00 PM 

Countertenor Christopher Chroniak will present a recital of works by Ralph Vaughan Williams on Sunday, June 9th. The program will span the composing career of Vaughan Williams, and include selections from Five Mystical Songs, Songs of Travel, Songs from Shakespeare, Four Last Songs, and others. Mr. Chroniak will be accompanied by pianist Mr. Cody Michael Bradley. This recital is free and open to the public.

St. Luke's Seeks Summer Musicians

St. Luke's invites musicians of all types to participate in our summer worship services. As our dedicated choir takes a well-deserved break, we're inviting musicians from the community to share their musical gifts during services held between June 9 and September 1.

During the pandemic, we experienced the power of music in fostering connection and healing as we featured a variety of musicians in our online services. We are excited to continue this tradition and embrace the beauty of inclusivity through music.

Musicians of all kinds are invited! To be considered for this opportunity to share your talent with our St. Luke's congregation, simply fill out a brief form to express your interest. Don't miss this chance to showcase your musical talents!

Warning About E-mail Scammers

When you receive an e-mail from a St. Luke's staff member, please note if the sender has 'stlukesevanston.org' at the end of their e-mail address. If not, it is likely not us writing to you. Sadly, there are people out there trying to scam congregation members in multiple churches by posing as clergy and asking them to send them gift cards. We will never ask you for money that way. If someone writes to you posing as Kat or another member of staff, please let us know, report the problem to Google (if it is a Gmail address), block the sender and delete the message.

Now Hiring! Organist



St. Luke's seeks its next organist. Learn more about the position here.

Photography at St. Luke's

Those attending a St. Luke's worship service or event in person are entering an area where photography, video, and audio recording may occur on behalf of St. Luke’s. Please be aware that these images may be used for promotional purposes, including on our website, without obtaining express written permission. If you do not wish for your image to be used, please reach out to our communications team at communications@stlukesevanston.org.

Share your photos!

We also encourage you to share your photographs of life around St. Luke's! If you have photographs to share, please send them via e-mail to communications@stlukesevanston.org in .JPG or .PNG formats. 

If you see something, say something!

Our facilities team has put together a ticketing system for issues with the building. If you notice something in need of repair, email: operations@stlukesepiscopalchurch.zohodesk.com

Your request will be entered into the repair queue.