Dear friends, 

This coming Sunday, the third Sunday of Advent, is Gaudete (Gow-day-tay) Sunday. Gaudete is a Latin word meaning “Rejoice!” On Gaudete Sunday, we soften our posture of waiting and anticipating and let loose (at least a little!) with rejoicing. Sometimes, the presider will wear a rose-colored chasuble and stole. At COS, you’ll see the pink candle is lit on our Advent wreath. When you hear our readings for Sunday, you’ll hear deliverance, mercy, and rejoicing breaking through. Our music, too, will ring with notes of quiet joy. We’re now about halfway through this season of expectant waiting! Even as the days outside grow shorter and the nights longer, we are getting closer to the fulfillment of our hope. In your preparations for celebrating Christ’s coming, may you experience the beauty and joy of Advent anticipation. 

Back in November, I led the 9 am Adult Forum in an exercise aimed at understanding what needs of COS and our neighbors break our hearts. This prompt could help us discern how COS might be called to show up as Christ’s Body in the world. We talked about a lot of different concerns, but there was overwhelming consensus around mental health crises in all age groups. During this season when our world seems to sparkle with happiness and color, many of us may be experiencing the weight of loneliness, grief, or loss and feel unable to express it in celebratory spaces. If this resonates with you, please reach out to one of us here at COS, a close friend, or call NAMI Chicago’s helpline at 833-626-4244. And consider joining us on 12/21 for our Longest Night Prayer Service, where we’ll bring our full selves into prayer together. Finally, if you have a particular interest in exploring how COS can minister in the area of mental health, please let me know. This fall’s grief group was a great beginning, and plans to pick that up again in the spring are in the works.  

As I write this, I am preparing to drive to Michigan to be present as my oldest daughter receives her doctorate in English Literature. I’ll return to the office on Wednesday, 12/17. I’m very grateful that Rev. Richard Wendel has agreed to preach and preside this Sunday.

Warmly, 

Pastor Charlotte 

Year-End Pledges & Gifts

As we near the end of the year, we encourage all who can fulfill their 2025 pledge to do so by December 31. This will help us stay in solid financial shape heading into the new year. If you have any questions about your outstanding balance, please reach out to Br. Will in the office. Please note that the office will be closed for business on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, and New Year’s Day.

COS recently received a generous additional gift from one family who had already fulfilled their 2025 pledge. If you have had a bountiful year or are otherwise in a position to make a gift to Church of Our Saviour beyond your 2025 pledge, we would be grateful for your additional offering at the end of the year. With the final bills for the construction of our new building due and loan payments underway, gifts of any amount are critically important.

Donations can be made in a variety of ways, such as checks, stock transfers, etc., and we will be happy to facilitate what works best for you. Please reach out to either Br. Will or one of the wardens (Peter Civetta and Betsy Sharpe). Thank you for all you do for Church of Our Saviour!

Senior Conversations | Dec 16

Time to gather again for Senior Conversations, this coming Tuesday, December 16 at 7pm, and celebrate the holidays. There will be a white elephant gift exchange (which is bringing something you already own to exchange as a gift). If your house is a lean, mean machine and you have nothing to pass on, just come and take home memories, good conversation, good food, and lots of laughs. Please use the sign up link below, if you can attend.

Link to sign-up.

Monthly Vestry Meeting | Dec 17

The regularly scheduled monthly vestry meeting is this coming Wednesday at 7pm. This meeting is open to all active members of the parish. Visitors are invited to attend using this Zoom link. Please contact the wardens, Peter or Betsy, with any questions.

Adult Forum: Advent Series | Sundays at 9am

On Sundays at 9am in the conference room, over the four weeks of Advent, we will explore Mary’s connection to our Advent journey. We will hear some ancient plainsong honoring Mary, the Mother of Jesus. Our practical musical focus will be learning to chant the Song of Mary in English (The Magnificat, or “My soul magnifies the Lord”).

Pop Up Pageant this Sunday | Dec 14

Be sure to come and enjoy our annual Christmas Pageant at 1:30pm in the church. For those participating, kids eat and gather to rehearse starting at 11:15am, while the adults will gather for a potluck luncheon in the Common Room on the main level. A dessert reception will follow the pageant, as in the past, so bring something sweet to share!

Advent Centering Prayer on Thursdays | Thursdays at 12:15pm

Join us each Thursday in Advent at 12:15pm for centering prayer in the church. This gentle, reflective prayer service is a wonderful way to make space this season to encounter the incarnate Christ. This is a space for all God's people so come just as you are!

A Service for the Longest Night | Dec 21 at 5pm

Join us at 5pm on December 21, the shortest day and longest night of the year, to make room for our sorrow and hope as we bring our whole selves — even our hurting hearts— to the Holy Child of Bethlehem.

This service offers space for grief and sadness during the holiday season through contemplative music, readings, and prayer. We will light candles to remind us of God’s presence, and individual prayer for healing with anointing will also be offered. The Service of the Longest Night gives space for the meaning of Advent: our saving hope promises to come as a light that our bleakest moments cannot conquer. Christ is near. We are not alone.

Christmas Services at COS | Dec 24 & 25

We will offer two Eucharistic services on Christmas Eve, December 24, at 4pm and 8pm, both will include music.

We will offer a simple, spoken Eucharist on Christmas Day, December 25, at 10am.

COS Antiracism Team Updates & Holiday Event

The COS Antiracism Team is launching their 2026 activity calendar by attending the Black Ensemble Theater's Holiday Spectacular on Saturday, December 13 at 7:00pm. All are welcome! Please purchase tickets online by clicking here and notify Rich Trubey if you are coming. They hope to organize a group dinner somewhere nearby.

In January they will host the first Antiracism Educational Activity in an adult forum on January 11. Margie Palmer will use a video about the Unity Walk in Richmond, Virginia, to help participants initiate courageous conversations about racism and antiracism within ourselves, in our country, and here in our community.

Celebration of New Ministry for Pastor Charlotte | Jan 17

Save the date on January 17 at 5pm as we gather at COS to celebrate our (new) rector, The Rev. Charlotte Johnson and her new ministry here at COS! More details to come...

ReVive Christmas Baskets

Over 30 parishioners participated in the ReVive Center for Housing and Healing Christmas Basket program. We sponsored 17 families this year (the most we've ever done!) to provide gifts and grocery gift cards for 56 people. Thank you to everyone who made donations and supported this ministry. Special thanks to the COS Youth Group who helped wrap and get everything ready for pickup. Over thirty boxes are on their way to deliver a little extra Christmas cheer to these families!

Congratulations to The Rev. Shannon Page

Congratulations to The Rev. Shannon Page who was ordained into the order of the priesthood on December 6 and celebrated her first mass the following day. COS continues to hold her in our prayers as she moves into the next phase of her spiritual journey.

Towels & Transit/Grocery Cards Needed for CFF

The Care for Friends Foot Clinic is in need of bath-sized towels. If you have new or gently used towels you can donate please leave them in a bag just inside the stairs across from the elevator of the Parish Commons (leading down to CFF Community Hub Space). They are also in need of $5/$10 CTA transit cards or grocery store gift cards (in any amount) for guests which can be dropped in the offering plate or at the office. Please contact Hope Pavich with any questions.

Final Witness Wednesday's for the Year | Dec 17

The Witness Wednesday's weekly prayer gathering for peace and justice continues through December 17. All are invited to join other Episcopalians at 12:15pm in Federal Plaza for a 'litany of justice' as we lift up those impacted by our government's current migration policies.

Memorial Celebration for Clarice Hearne | Dec 13

A memorial celebration for former parishioner of COS, Clarice Hearne, who died in September of this year, will be hosted on Saturday, December 13, from 11:00am – 1:00pm in The Show Room at The Breakers (5333 N. Sheridan Rd.)

All who knew her are welcome to attend.

For those unable to attend in person, please use this Zoom link, passcode: clarice

Caring for Our Neighbors Affected by ICE Raids in Lake/Northern Cook County

Our communities in Lake County and Northern Cook County have been greatly affected by the immigration raids as families have been torn apart and anxiety has spread. We know of 11 members of Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe who have been detained. Three have been released, but eight were deported. Their families struggle with fear, the loss of loved ones, and lack of income.

A group of parishioners from Church of the Holy Spirit, Lake Forest, led by Angela Bilger, Brooke Tolhurst, and Amanda Wright have organized the Immigrant Neighbor Care Network to serve their neighbors affected by ICE raids. This network, which is open to all, is making efforts to provide food, clothing, transportation, financial, and other support to those in need of these services. They are coordinating with Christ Episcopal Church in Waukegan, Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe, and others connected to the immigrant community.

Please contact Angela Bilger if you would like to join them in their efforts.

Diocesan Cycle of Prayer for the Week of November 23

Please pray for the organizations of Episcopal Charities: Ravenswood Community Services; Shelter Care Ministries; Holy Family School; St. Leonard’s Ministries; Hopeful Beginnings; Waukegan to College; ElderCare Lake County And for organizations of our Companion Dioceses of SE Mexico and Renk