Jesus, having performed a sign pointing to the abundance found in God’s household, tells his disciples that hunger and thirst are unknown to those who come to him. “Whoever comes to me will never be hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.” This nourishment, says Jesus, “comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.”

This Sunday, we at St. James will celebrate the ways that God has nourished a newly formed community of campers, counselors, families and volunteers over the two weeks of our Summer in the City camp, and through this fellowship has generated a bit more life and love in this world. My colleagues, Canon Christopher Griffin and Canon Steven Balke, and Briana Calhoun have strengthened the collaboration between St. James Cathedral and St. Martin’s, Chicago, caring for, strengthening, and loving the young people entrusted to our care, building common cause and working relationships among our parishioners and community partners, and helping to feed the bodies and souls of all those involved.

Christ’s presence in our midst, the bread of life, is abundant and without limit, without price. We come to be fed ourselves, and having experienced this grace, we cannot help but want to share it, to pass it along to our sisters and our brothers. Having tasted love immeasurable, we join the disciples in their response to Jesus, “give us this bread always!”

I hope that you will join in this Sunday’s regular services and the opportunity to welcome Summer in the City campers and their families to join in our 11:00 worship service.

Peace,

Lisa+

The Philadelphia Eleven

Documentary Screening & Discussion

Last Saturday we welcomed over 100 guests from around the diocese to the Cathedral for a day of discussions and a screening of the documentary The Philadelphia Eleven. The day featured a panel discussion, lunch, the screening, and roundtable discussions with dessert! It was the perfect celebration in honor of the 50th anniversary of the ordination of women.

The Lamb

by Paul Klee

The Eleventh Sunday after Pentecost

Sunday, August 4

8 a.m. - Spoken Eucharist

9 a.m. - Family Eucharist

11 a.m. - Choral Eucharist (live-streamed)

12:15 p.m. - SITC Picnic (all are invited)

SITC Sunday

This Sunday, August 4

In our holy scriptures appointed for this Sunday we hear Ephesians 4:11-12, as St. Paul teaches that "the gifts God gave were that some would be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, some pastors and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ." That vision for the Church has been exemplified in our 25 years of Summer In The City. Every year we bring together our varied gifts--donating money to make our camp free and accessible to those in need, cooking and serving meals for our campers, helping with art and sports and team building activities, spreading the word to families and schools, lifting our camp up in daily prayer, and more--and all these gifts knit together to form the Body of Christ at work through SITC. With your contributions we make a difference in the world around us.

We are not alone in this effort. As the Rev. Canon Chris Griffin, our Canon for Community Partnerships attests:

This has been a year of transition for Summer In The City. In an exciting development, St. Martin's Episcopal Church, our parish partner in the Austin community on Chicago's West Side, joined the SITC team. We added Minister Arlicia Corley from St. Martin's to our leadership and we thank her for helping recruit families and volunteers and for facilitating our activities at St. Martin's. We are already looking forward to SITC2025 and excited for St. Martin's to be a part of our growing SITC family!

As always, we thank our Director, Briana Calhoun, for her ongoing leadership, vision, energy and her ability to hold it all together. Our campers have had an amazing time being together, exploring the city, and trying new experiences.

Please join us this Sunday, August 4, for a special SITC Sunday celebration. The campers will be joining us for the 11:00 a.m. service and a community picnic at 12:30 p.m. All are welcome to meet the campers and hear their stories and gratitude for the camp experience.

Thank you all for being a part of the Body of Christ at work in the world. We hope to see you at SITC Sunday!

Cathedral Choir School

Now enrolling for the 2024-2025 season

The Cathedral Choir School at St. James offers children a free, world-class musical education. Choristers sing together twice a week, building skills, values, and friendships to last a lifetime.

We are now enrolling new choristers for the 2024-25 season! Space is limited so email Canon Director of Music, Stephen Buzard today to express your interest!

Larry Nance Memorial Service

Saturday, August 3 @ 1 p.m.

We are deeply saddened to announce that the sun has set for our dear brother and friend, Larry Nance. Larry was a monumental member of Saint Martin's in Austin. Larry passed away surrounded by family on Thursday, July 11.

All are invited to celebrate Larry's life with a memorial service at St. Martin's on Saturday, August 3 at 1 p.m.

Free Concert!

Collegium Musicum

Saturday, August 10 @ 4 p.m.

Restore Reimagine Rebuild

St. James Capital Campaign Prayer