Dear Friends in Christ, 

Like many of you, I continue to watch, with heavy heart, the apocalyptic images coming out of Southern California, where wildfires have visited deep devastation upon so many landscapes and livelihoods. Our prayers accompany all who have lost, who have fled, and who are fighting and serving in the area. Episcopal Relief & Development—the “compassionate response of The Episcopal Church to human suffering in the world”—is working on the ground with local partners to assess need and provide relief. You can learn more about their work amidst the wildfires here, and find resources for prayer, as well as an opportunity to give what you can to support their relief efforts. 

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From the Nominating Committee

In raising up new leadership for the church, the 2025 parish Nominating Committee is pleased to present the following slate of candidates for vote by affirmation at the annual parish meeting. Candidate bios will be shared in the Annual Report, which will be published electronically in the coming weeks, prior to the February 2 meeting.

• Vestry Co-Warden (2-year term) - Hilary James.
• Vestry Member - (3-year terms) Verlin Fraser, Kathleen Todd, John Whiteley. 
• Diocesan Convention Lay Delegate - (3-year term) Tom Denman. 

We are still in need of an alternate delegate to attend the diocesan convention (held virtually, on November 22, 2025) and step into a voting role if one of our three lay delegates is unable to serve. This is a one-year term, with option to become a voting delegate thereafter. Please email Nadia if you are interested in serving in this role. 

Many thanks to all of these candidates for their willingness to serve, and to our outgoing vestry members and convention delegates who have paved the way!

In Christ's Peace,

Nadia

The Columbarium Guild would like to call your attention to the beautiful new sculpture (thank you Linda Laatsch!) in the niche above the exterior chapel door on the outside of the building. We, too, are aware there is a sharp contrast between it and the condition of the door beneath. The continuing deterioration of the door attracted the Guild's attention, interest and energy in mid-2022 when several memorial services required its use. Shortly afterwards, friends of beloved parishioner, Gwen Johnson (d. 2018) suggested that a new door would make a suitable memorial. Design, bids, and funds have since been collected, but we are just shy of meeting the necessary monetary goal in order to place the order. This is an open invitation to the parish to make a one-time contribution in any amount to this project in Gwen's memory, in someone else's memory, or just because you're in favor of a new chapel door. Checks may be written payable to St. Augustine’s Episcopal Church (1140 Wilmette Ave. Wilmette, IL 60091) with “Memorial Chapel Door” in the memo line, or through Realm (Giving, +Give, select Memorial Chapel Door from the fund drop down menu). Regardless of your contribution level, you will be cordially invited to the Celebration of Installation hosted by a very grateful Columbarium Guild.

Back for January, by popular demand! Please join members of the Adult Formation Team for an informal Sunday sermon discussion from 10:45 to 11:30 in the Chapel. Grab some coffee after the service and drop in!

A memorial service for Christine Sammel, who passed away on November 16, will be held at St. Augustine's on Saturday, January 25, at 11:00 a.m. A reception will follow in Puhlman Hall. All are welcome to attend.

St. Augustine's Annual Meeting will be held on Sunday, February 2, in Puhlman Hall immediately following the worship service. There is a sign-up sheet on the church bulletin board for those interested in joining the 2025 "Soup Brigade" and volunteering to support our 2025 Annual Meeting diners. We need cooks (soup, salad, bread, dessert), servers, set-up and clean-up crew. Please contact Henry Eckstein (chicagostrider@gmail.com) for further details.

Family Promise Chicago North Shore has been helping families facing homeless situations regain stability since 2010. Guest families are supported to prevent homelessness or supported in our shelter program if they become homeless. St. Augustine’s has been a host congregation and strong supporter since 2010.

Dinners are needed the next two weeks while families are staying at the Day Center. If you are able to provide a meal please click here to sign up. Currently there are two families (a mother with 6 children and a father with 1 child). Meals should be taken to the Day Center, 1417 Hinman Ave, Evanston, between 5:30-6:00 p.m.

Save the Date! Please join us, spread the word, tell your friends and support Family Promise at our fundraiser, Brew for Good, Saturday, February 22, 7:00-10:00 p.m. at Sketchbook Brewing Company. More details coming soon.

Thank you for your strong support of our ministry with Family Promise! For more information please contact Kathy Gander or Julia Joehl.

Thank you to everyone who participated in St. A's ReVive Christmas Basket program! We have received thank you notes from the recipient families. They are located on the credenza in Puhlman Hall. Please stop by to pick yours up, or contact Theresa if you would like your thank you note mailed to you.

Our January collection will be delivered to New Trier Township Food Pantry. At this time, some of their specific needs include:

canned chicken and fish; rice and beans; cooking oils; pasta; toothpaste; mouthwash; cleaning supplies; and ziploc bags. Your donations can be left in the hallway by the Community Events bulletin board on Sunday mornings or during regular office hours. Donations must be in sturdy bags and contain no glass. Thank you for your generosity! Questions? Please contact Jim Bonamici.

St. A's is offering CPR/AED training at the Wilmette Fire Station (1304 Lake Ave) on either Wednesday, February 5, or Saturday, February 8; the sessions are from 9:00 a.m. - 12 noon. All parishioners are invited and encouraged to attend one of the trainings.

The Red Cross fee for certification is $25pp, which the church will pay. If you would like to attend, please email Theresa. Class size is limited to 10 participants.

If you already have a current Red Cross CPR/AED certification, please let Theresa know for our records. Typically, Red Cross CPR certification is valid for two years.

You are invited to a discussion of the Pulitzer Prize winning novel March by Geraldine Brooks on Thursday, February 6, at 7:15 p.m. The meeting will be held both in Puhlman Hall and on Zoom (pw: lacroix). Everyone is welcome, even if you haven’t participated in any previous book group meetings. Questions? Please contact Sue Nebel.

Save the date for the next gathering of St. A’s Prayer Shawl Guild on Saturday, February 15, from 1:00-3:00 p.m., hosted by Edie Stewart and held at Tina Haight's home.

Support Newly Arrived / Migrant Donations Ministry (new kitchen items needed!)

Coffee Hour at St. A's - This Sunday: last names beginning K-R



St. A's Families with Children Monthly Newsletter

This Sunday's Music Notes

Season of Epiphany Service Music Notes

Sign Up to Donate the Weekly Altar Flowers (scroll to bottom of webpage)