A Lenten Reflection

One year I was reflecting on what I wanted to do as a Lenten practice. I wanted something that would remind me to focus on God, that would help me to peep out behind the repetitions of daily life to know that God is always with me. My brilliant idea was eat the exact same lunch every day for Lent. The problem was that I was eating a bologna sandwich that day! Rather than starting fresh with a better alternative the next day, I persevered with 40 days on bologna sandwiches. I can honestly say that I have never eaten another one again (and that was over 25 years ago). While absurd, the practice did actually achieve my goal – I certainly thought about God (and my choices) every day!

So much of the religious culture around Lenten practices can be about denial. Now, there is certainly value in that, but I feel that the primary goal of Lent is to get us re-centered on God. So, whatever may help you to do that is what you should pick up or put down (or a combo platter of the two!) for the next 40 days. I don’t think God cares about the specifics of what we do. God cares that we are being intentional about this relationship. Be attentive to God in new ways this Lent, and see how God may be speaking to/with you.

Anything will do – even bologna!

All the best,

Peter Civetta, Warden

An Invitation to a Holy Lent

This Lent, Bishop Paula Clark invites the Episcopal Diocese of Chicago to look both inward and outward, finding ways to share our many blessings and talents with neighbors in need.

Watch the video message here.

Lenten Programming | Starting March 10

Lent isn't just about "giving something up" — we can also choose to take on something new. Join us weekly as we explores contemplative Christian spiritual disciplines, on Mondays beginning March 10, at 7pm. 

March 10 Centering Prayer (Zoom Only) with Alan Krema of Contemplative Outreach Chicago. Alan will present the history of Centering Prayer as the invitation by Jesus to pray as he prayed. We will explore the psychological basis and the method of the prayer, as developed by Fr. Thomas Keating, and the invitation to enter our inner room and consent to the Divine Presence within us. We will practice the meditation of Centering Prayer, observing our internal experience. Click here to download the handouts for Alan's presentation. (Zoom Link)

March 17 Lectio Divina (Zoom Only) with Stephen Wetmore, CMJ, from The Community of the Mother of Jesus. "Lectio divina" or "divine reading" was established much as we know it in the 6th century as part of Benedictine Spirituality. It is a way of directly engaging with scriptural selections in ever-deepening contemplation of the varieties of ways that God, through our Biblical tradition, expresses God's love for us. (Zoom Link)

March 23 The Examen Prayer (Zoom Only) with Gregory Peebles. Ignatius of Loyola (popularized the practice of "The Examen" (or "Examination of Conscience"). More than simply a review of one's day, practice of The Examen opens a space between God and us for radical honesty and compassion as often as we would practice it. Even sporadic practice is fruitful, but regular practice is utterly transformative. (Zoom Link)

March 31 Bibliodrama (In Person & Zoom) with Rabbi Anita Silvert. **While there will be a Zoom option for this session, it is advised that anyone who is able attend in-person.** Using a portion of the sacred scripture as the basis, Rabbi Silvert's approach to Bibliodrama combines theater "improv" techniques with the Jewish style of interpretative storytelling called midrash (literally, "exposition") to place participants directly within the Biblical narrative as a participant or onlooker. (Zoom Link)

Midweek Rosary During Lent

Starting this Tuesday, March 11, at noon, we will be praying the rosary at our Midweek Prayer Service each week in the rectory chapel. Even if you've never prayed the rosary before, you are welcome and we have rosary's you can use and scripts you can follow. Join us for this contemplative practice each week in Lent followed by some fellowship.

Monthly Evening Eucharist | March 11

This coming Tuesday, March 11, we will be offering our Monthly Evening Eucharist with healing prayers. This will be held in the chapel at 6:30pm and is open to all.

Book Club | March 11

Next Tuesday, March 11th, the Book Club will be meeting at 7pm, following the 6:30pm Eucharist in the chapel. We will be discussing A Woman of No Importance, by Sonia Purnell. Use this link to join by Zoom if you cannot attend in person. All are invited, even if you have not read the book.

For April, the Book Club will be read Dancing Standing Still, by Richard Rohr, and in May they will read The Alchemist, by Paulo Coelho.

What's Happening in the Atrium?

This week in the atrium we talked about the words Hallelujah and Alleluia. The first is from the Hebrew, the later from the Greek, both mean Praise the Lord. We all hand wrote Hallelujahs, some in English, some in Hebrew. These were placed in a wooden box with a brass latch. Outside, the children dug a deep hole and buried the Hallelujahs.

We will neither sing nor say Hallelujah until Easter, we can say, "Christ is Risen! He is Risen indeed, Alleluia! Alleluia!"

Final Confirmation Class | March 16

Sunday, March 16, will be the final meeting for those in Confirmation Class, led by Deacon Jess. This meeting will be held in the rectory at noon. Please contact Dcn. Jess with any questions.

Building Project Update

Stairs have been added and all three floors now have concrete and the workers are continuing with the next steps! Here are some recent pictures as the concrete was being poured on the main level.

Thanks be to God!

Chicago Chamber Choir - This Weekend

Come and support COS musicians in the Chicago Chamber Choir concert this weekend!

Saturday, March 8, 2025 • 7:30pm

St. James Cathedral

65 E Huron St, Chicago

Sunday, March 9, 2025 • 3:00pm

St. Paul’s UCC

2335 N Orchard St. Chicago

Featuring J.S. Bach’s glorious motet Jesu Meine Freude, the Chicago Chamber Choir explores themes of hope in the face of fear, doubt, and danger. We open with works by Reena Esmail, Jake Runestad, and Moira Smiley that all explore different facets of finding stillness in a complex world. 

This stillness might be peace, but might also be stasis. We look for stillness in the earth, in wild things. 

And then we are propelled forward by the beauty of the night and our own inner-strength. Bach’s magnificent motet ends the program, exploring strength and hope, through renewal and redemption.

Buy your tickets here!

Lenten Resources

The Episcopal Church offers a variety of new and updated free Lent resources for individuals, small groups, and congregations, including:

• Lent curricula, bulletin inserts, and sermons that work
• 40 Days of Welcome and Gratitude resources from United Thank Offering and Episcopal Migration Ministries
• Lesson Plans That Work, designed to follow the Revised Common Lectionary and meet the needs of volunteer teachers
• Episcopal Relief & Development Lenten Meditations

Youth Advisory Council

On Saturday, February 22, Bishop Paula Clark met with members of the newly appointed Youth Advisory Council to commission their work in the diocese. The council has been tasked with advising Bishop Clark and her staff on what young people need from their diocese, their church and their bishop. The council will meet with the bishop regularly to share their insights and ensure that the voices and the needs of young people remain at the forefront of all diocesan ministry. Read more.

Immigration Resources & News

The Episcopal Church launched an Immigration Action Toolkit, which includes links to weekly EMM update calls; resources for dioceses, congregations and individuals; and links for "Know Your Rights" trainings.

The online toolkit is updated regularly as policies and responses change.

T-Shirt Sales Support the Work of EMM

Show support for the work of Episcopal Migration Ministries with the purchase of a t-shirt proclaiming your commitment to loving your neighbor and welcoming the stranger.