|
This Sunday, September 7, kicks off a vibrant new season of worship, fellowship, and growth at CHS!
After the 9:30 AM service, head to a festive coffee hour complete with cotton candy and face painting—fun for all ages.
In the Parish Hall, get a sneak peek at the MSI Building Together capital project. Bill Bickford of Northworks Architects will be on hand to share insights, updated renderings, and answer your questions.
Meanwhile, families with school-aged children are invited upstairs for an open house and scavenger hunt—a playful way to explore and connect.
| | Update from Garry and Erin Sloan | | |
August was a whirlwind month! After departing Illinois, Erin and I traveled first to Missouri for a visit with my family, then to Oklahoma for a visit with Erin’s family. From Oklahoma, we drove to Virginia, arriving at Virgina Theological Seminary on August 2. The moving truck arrived on August 3, and we had only a few days to settle in before I began orientation and August term on August 6.…Erin did a masterful job over the next week turning the apartment into our home for the next three years.
My incoming cohort consists of approximately 40 individuals from around the world…You should feel assured that the church is raising up faithful, dedicated individuals into positions of leaderships for Christ’s church.
September 2 was the first day of classes for the fall term…The day began, as does every academic day, with Morning Prayer, followed by Holy Eucharist…
Erin and I are so grateful to be here and are so very impressed with the faculty and the facilities, but even more by the presence of the Holy Spirit throughout the campus. They call the campus ‘the Holy Hill,’ as VTS has a beautiful location on a high point in Alexandria, but the name is apt for multiple reasons.
Erin and I thank you all for your prayers… We look forward to visiting you soon.
Peace and blessings,
Garry
| | The regular 5 PM Eucharist will not be held this Saturday, September 6, as we join in celebrating the wedding of Deemer Class & Maddie Lipp. | | |
Sunday, September 7
Preacher: The Rev. Luke Back
| | Children are invited to participate in worship and other activities. | | |
Sunday, September 14: First day of Sunday Faith Formation for all ages Wednesday, September 24: Stewardship Dinner
Sunday, September 28: Celebrate Mtr. Jihan’s 10-Year Ordination Anniversary at Her Home Parish, Messiah St. Bartholomew Church, Chicago, 10 AM
Saturday, October 4: St. Francis Animal Blessing at 11 AM
Sunday, October 5: Stewardship Kickoff; Crop Walk for the Confirmands at 2 PM
Saturday, October 18: BBC Event Incognito at Christ Church Winnetka
Sunday, October 19: Evensong at 5 PM, Followed by Fundraising Dinner
Thursday, October 23: 6 PM Reception at the LF/LB Historical Society: Celebrating Centennial Churches in Our Midst,
Sunday, October 26: ICA Concert at 4 PM
Wednesday, October 29: Day of the Dead Dinner and Service
Sunday, November 16: Evensong at 5 PM, Followed by Fundraising Dinner
Wednesday, November 19: Friendsgiving Meal
Thursday, November 27: 2025 Community Thanksgiving at First Presbyterian
| | We’d love to see photos from the CHS events and ministry programs you've attended. Please send them to Debbie Stockert so we can share them on social media and in the newsletter. | | | | |
Nurture: Register for CHS Church School
Children’s Ministries is ready to make a splash with our Waves of Wonder theme—exploring Bible stories filled with water, wonder, and life!
Even if you’ve registered in the past, a new form is required this year to keep our records accurate and communication clear.
| | | | |
Nurture: Walking in the Light – A Study of 1 John
Beginning Sunday, September 14 after the 9:30 AM Service
Join us this fall as Chris Donato leads a study of 1 John, written to early churches wrestling with false teaching and division.
We’ll explore its call to trust the incarnate Christ, walk in the light, and live God’s love.
| | | | |
Invite: High School Youth Group Fiesta
Sunday, September 14 at 5 PMP
CHS Youth are invited to kick off the new program year with a fiesta of tacos, games, laughter, and fellowship!
Come connect with friends old and new at CHS, 5–7 PM.
| | | | |
Invite: Stitch-in
Saturday, September 20, 9 AM–1 PM
Looking for a welcoming space to craft, connect, and unwind? Join the Holy Spirit Stitchers for a fun, relaxed morning filled with creativity and fellowship.
Feel free to bring a snack to enjoy while you work and take advantage of this warm, friendly atmosphere, where you can learn from others, share your skills, and build lasting connections
| | |
Please lift these souls in prayer . . .
Jenny, Hilary, Elizabeth, William, Austin, Andrew, Cedar, CHS Prison Pen Pals, Marion, Zak, Nikolai, Donald, Julia, Mary, David, Denise, Larry, Dennis, Joe, Jody, John, John, Everett, Caileb, Mtr. Claire, Cameron, Livingston, Nick, Tom and family, Claudia, Freddie, Barbara, Adam, William, Victor, Celia, Donald, Bruce, Adam, Barbara, Denise, Henry, Polly, Helen, Hannah, Peter, Phillip, Christine and for peace in the Ukraine, Middle East, and around the world.
If you wish to add names to the prayer list,
please email the parish office HERE.
| | |
We Are Here for You
If you are in the hospital and want a visit and/or
desire a lay eucharistic visitor to bring you communion,
please email our parish office HERE.
If you'd like pastoral care, we encourage you to email our clergy:
Rev. Luke Back, lback@chslf.org
Rev. Claire Makins, cmakins@chslf.org
Rev. Jihan Murray-Smith, jihan@chslf.org
Rev. Max Smith, msmith@chslf.org
The Rev. Robert K. Myers, PhD, bmyers@chslf.org
• • • • •
You may also call the Parish Office (847) 234-7633
We will return your call promptly.
Parish Office Hours are Mon., Tues., Thurs., and Fri. 9 AM–Noon and
Wed. 9 AM–4:30 PM
| | | | |
