Dear friends,

I have a precious photo of my great-grandmother and me sitting on the front steps of a house. I don't know how old she was, but her hair still had streaks of brown in it and her face was far less wrinkled than it is in my memory of her. I must have been about two years old, with a full head of curly hair and a terrycloth drool bib tied around my neck. The photo centers on our faces and hands. Nanny sits turned towards me with her fingers gently cradling my tiny hand. We're both smiling at the tiny bug I'm holding between my thumb and pointer finger. I look so curious, Nanny looks so delighted. The photo leaves me feeling loved and cherished by a woman I hold few memories of.

In our current Prayers of the People we pray, "God of the small and holy things." I had never heard that phrase before I came here, and each time I say it, awe wells up in me– awe at an immense God's tenderness towards us and attention to even the tiniest of particles in creation. So I wonder, when has a small and holy thing in nature caught your attention recently? It doesn't have to be an insect, though it is August in the Midwest, so…. Did you take time to really observe it, receive it as itself without categorizing or analyzing? Did you share your discovery with someone who loves you? Did you share it with God? How does the memory make you feel? I really wanted to put the photo in this e-news, but that didn't seem wise. So, if you want to see it, I'm happy to show you a photo of it in person. But for now, enjoy this poem about receiving small and holy things:

Praying

It doesn’t have to be

the blue iris, it could be

weeds in a vacant lot, or a few

small stones; just

pay attention, then patch

a few words together and don’t try

to make them elaborate, this isn’t

a contest but the doorway

into thanks, and a silence in which

another voice may speak.

— Mary Oliver, from Thirst (2006)

Warmly,

Pastor Charlotte

Mass on the Grass This Sunday

August 9

Join us for outdoor worship as we gather on our beautiful front lawn this Sunday, August 9, for the 10am service. This is a great chance to enjoy the weather and invite neighbors to see who we are! Don't miss this fun, summer experience. This service will not be live streamed.

In the event of rain, the service will be in the church as usual.

The 8am service will be held in the church as usual.

Back to School Clothing Swap

August 15 | Drop off items through August 15

Get ready for the new school year with a free pre-loved wardrobe. From 2pm to 5pm on August 15th, Church of Our Saviour is hosting a family-friendly clothing swap for our Chicago neighbors!

Simply drop off any gently used items you no longer need starting this Sunday, August 9, in the basket in the narthex or by coordinating with Campbell Sharpe. We're also looking for a few volunteers to help sort and facilitate the swap.

During the event, participants will be able to take what they would like for free! There is no item limit, though we ask that participants are considerate of others. Any leftover items will be donated. The more participants, the more sizes and options will be available, so please encourage others to join as well! You can help us by sharing this event info with school groups, camp groups, friends, etc.

Please do not bring items with holes or major stains, underwear, socks, or swimwear.

Backpack Blessing

August 23

Join us at the 10am service on Sunday, August 23, as we bless backpacks and other bags belonging to people of all ages ahead of the start to the school year! This festive annual event is a chance to send off our students (and others) with a blessing as they begin the new school/work year.

Help Care for Our Church Campus

Our church buildings and grounds are an important part of our ministry and hospitality. If you have an interest in facilities, architecture, project management, organization, or simply enjoy helping think through how we care for our campus, we'd love to welcome you to the Building & Grounds Committee which will begin later this year. This committee helps identify, prioritize, and plan capital improvements—it does not involve doing the physical work yourself. Please reach out to Greg Gleason with your interest or questions.

Do you enjoy gardening or working outdoors? Consider becoming a Garden Guardian! Garden Guardians help keep our grounds beautiful through seasonal planting, weeding, watering, and caring for our flower beds throughout the year. Whether you have a green thumb or are just willing to lend a hand, your help makes a visible difference. Pleas reach out to Br. Will if interested.

Labor Day Weekend Schedule

On Sunday, September 6, (Labor Day weekend) there will be one service at 10am.

The parish office will be closed on Monday, September 7, in observance of the Labor Day holiday.

Witness Wednesdays

Gather weekly as a public sign of Christ's love in a time of great hardship. Episcopalians and friends will meet each Wednesday at noon in Federal Plaza on Dearborn, between Jackson and Adams (near the big red Calder sculpture), to pray for justice, mercy, and the dignity of all people. Being communal prayer, no signs or other materials are necessary, just a willingness to stand in solidarity with those who are hurting. All are welcome. 

Got Some News to Share?

If you have some COS ministry news to share in the weekly eNews, please complete the Communications & Promotions Request by end of day Wednesday to make it in the Friday publication. For privacy reasons we do not include phone numbers only links to email addresses. Contact the office with any questions.

Volunteer Opportunities at CFF

Hello from Care for Friends!

We have settled into the new CFF Community Hub space, are enjoying our wonderful chef’s kitchen, and have been providing guests with many services since returning to the COS Parish Commons building last October. 

We would like to connect with anyone at Church of Our Saviour who is interested in volunteering with CFF, or just learning more about the program.

We are especially looking for people who love to cook to lead or help cook for our Monday meal service. If you have interest or any questions, please reach out to Eden and Helen.

Episcopal Creation Care Gathering

September 23–26 at the Procter Center in London, Ohio 

Join lay and clergy leaders and activists engaged in creation care to explore spirituality, justice, ecology, discipleship, and evangelism through workshops, plenaries, outdoor experiences, and intentional conversation. The keynote presenter will be the Rt. Rev. Cathleen Chittenden Bascom, founder of the Episcopal Grasslands Network.

Participants may choose from a variety of lodging options, from tent camping to hotel-style rooms at the Procter Center. Scholarships, and discounted rates are available. For more information, contact Jerusalem Greer.

Register by Sept. 1