Dear Friends in Christ,

I’m delighted to share with you that our vestry has voted unanimously to transition Shannon Page’s role at St. A’s from Curate to Associate Rector. What that means for Shannon—and for the parish—is essentially two-fold. 

You may recall that when Shannon first joined our staff, it was for a one-year position focused on coordinating children’s and youth ministry, while also attending to some core pastoral and administrative duties during my sabbatical in 2025. After a few months of Shannon’s excellent work among us, the vestry voted to extend the position to become a “curacy”, that is, a time-limited role with a strong training element, generally held by a newly-ordained priest. That curacy was set to run through May 2027. 

The shift to Associate Rector at this time is an indication of our continued growth as a parish, as well as a welcome step towards stability in the role, for both Shannon and the church. It acknowledges Shannon’s readiness to continue the great work she’s already doing in significant areas of our shared programmatic and pastoral life, now with less of a training emphasis. And, critically, it lifts any defined time limit on the role. 

I’m grateful to the vestry for taking this strategic step forward in faith at this time. Our reticence in recent years to add a second priest to the church’s staff was largely driven by a commitment to fiscal discipline as stewards of our shared resources. But the growth we’ve experienced in both participation and giving in the past few years makes this, we believe, the right time to invest in our continued flourishing as a parish in this way. Your generous response to the current annual giving campaign Plenty Good Room is vital to our ability to sustain this clergy leadership structure for the long haul. 

Please join me in congratulating Shannon on this step, thanking her for her ongoing dynamic service to St. A’s, and celebrating the shared ministry that lies ahead for us all, in the months and years to come!

In joy & hope, 

Nadia

If you and your family would like to make a wreath to use during the Advent season, please join us in the parish hall as we assemble them together this Sunday, November 8 (the first Sunday of Advent!). We will have candles, greens and decorating accessories for you to construct a new display of candles to add light to your Advent. There will be a free will offering to help cover the cost of supplies.

For generations, the people of St. A's have had the foresight and courage to invest shared treasure to support the parish's mission and ministry. Their vision is bearing fruit among us now; and now it's our turn to invest in the future--where we'll continue to hold Plenty Good Room for all at the table! 

The pledges for 2027 are coming in. Many thanks to all who have already pledged! To date, we've received 27 commitments for a total of $123,268, and of those, 67% have grown! 

How can you submit your pledge?

1. Realm: In your profile, click on the giving tab, and then the “Pledge” button. [* preferred option for the church office] 

2. Our website: staschurch.org/onlinepledge/.

3. In person or by mail: Fill out the Certificate of Giving (found in the pledge packet).

Questions? Please contact any member of our team: Hilary J., Tom H., John W., Theresa C., and Terry H. Thank you for your participation and support!

In Advent, we stand in the tension of the already, and the not-yet — what author Fleming Rutledge calls “the once and future coming of Jesus Christ.” The season invites us to look toward the future, even while preparing to celebrate God’s historic becoming-human at Christmas. 

This year, as we wait and hope for Christ’s coming reign, we will ask: how do we 21st century Christians, made in the image of God, engage with the technological forces actively shaping our future now? In this 5-session series, we will explore the lectionary texts for Advent — many of which are tinged with apocalyptic themes — along with other short readings, articles, and art from contemporary sources, as we seek together a Christian self-understanding and ethical orientation toward our shared digital life. 

A highlight of the series will be the visit of Christian ethicist Dr. Kate Ott to St. A’s on Sunday, December 6. Ott, whose book Christian Ethics for a Digital Society has received broad acclaim, will preach and offer an adult forum on Christian ethical approaches to A.I. 

The midweek sessions will be offered in hybrid format, and will take place on Tuesdays from 12:30-2:00 p.m., throughout our extended advent season. (Tuesdays Nov. 10 & 17, and Dec. 1, 8, & 15.) Each session will start with a central concept (such as wisdom, vocation, comfort, humility) and ask: how is this aspect of our God-given human identity challenged — or sharpened — by encounter with the technologies of this age? 

Come share in the wondering and lend your voice to this exciting conversation! RSVP using this link so we can communicate with you about the series.

For complete information about everything happening during

“Advent at St. Augustine’s” this year, please click here!

You are invited to a discussion of Theo of Golden by Allen Levi next Thursday, November 12, 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 one of our previous meetings. Questions? Please contact Sue Nebel.

Knitters and crocheters of any skill level (and those wanting to learn) are invited to the next gathering of St. A’s Prayer Shawl Guild on Saturday, November 14, from 1:00-3:00 p.m., at Dorothy Dygos’ home (910 Seneca Road, Wilmette). New participants are always welcome; patterns are provided. Please contact Dorothy to let her know if you can attend.

Thank you to everyone from St. Augustine’s and St. Elisabeth’s who have already volunteered to help with our next Family Promise host week. This is a great start! There are still opportunities to help provide fellowship, meals and overnight support that welcome our guest families. Meals needed (partner or solo): Monday, 11/16; Wednesday,11/18; Thursday, 11/19; Friday, 11/20. Overnighters needed: Monday, 11/16; Wednesday, 11/18; Thursday, 11/19. Please check your calendars to find a date that you are available to help. At this time there are two mothers with one child each. Updates on number of guests and other relevant details will be shared closer to the start of host week. If you’d like to support Family Promise but cannot do meals or overnights, please consider a financial donation to cover expenses such as food, supplies and the cost of Family Promise staff as overnight support when we do not have volunteers to cover. Donations can be made to St. Augustine's designating fund 04-2810 Family Promise. To volunteer for host week please click here. If you’d like to know more about our ministry with Family Promise, please contact Kathy Gander or Julia Joehl, coordinators. Thank you!

If you signed up to adopt a family, gifts are due to St. A’s no later than Sunday, November 29. Gifts can be left on or near the pew in the back hallway. Please label the boxes according to the instructions in your family packet. Questions? Contact Theresa Kimball (augustine@staschurch.org; 513-460-9915) or Hilary James (pdjames3317@gmail.com; 847-644-9824). Thank you for your support of this wonderful and vital ministry!

Coffee Hour at St. A's This Sunday: last names beginning E-J

This Sunday's Music Notes; Seasonal Service Music Notes

Donate the Weekly Altar Flowers (bottom of page)

Music & Hymn Request Form

Supporting Our Neighbors (collecting: deodorant, shampoo, bar soap, and toothpaste)