One of the great joys of belonging to a cathedral congregation is the opportunity to hear from a wide range of voices and perspectives. Thanks to our diverse and endlessly fascinating cathedral members, we all inhabit a world that is texturally richer and more fulfilling than the one we could ever construct on our own. Likewise, it is a particular gift to regularly hear from a team of gifted clergy whose diversity of perspectives draws us more deeply into the proclamation of the Gospel. 

And now adding to that team, I am thrilled to share the news that beginning this Sunday, the Rev. Craig Mueller will join us on cathedral staff as Priest Associate. Having just recently retired from his lengthy and productive tenure leading a local Lutheran congregation, Craig will join us in a part time and non-stipendiary capacity. He will join Canon Vicar Steven, and our Canon for Community Partnerships Fr. Chris, in the regular preaching rotation and will take on special assignments to support our common life. You can read more about Craig in his bio, and will have the chance to greet him this Sunday when he will preach at all services. We also look forward to welcoming his husband Ernest to our St. James cathedral congregation!

We will have the opportunity to hear directly from Craig at the 10:00am Forum in Kyle’s Place. He will share a bit of his story, and share some of the history of Called to Common Mission, the ecumenical agreement that was adopted in 2000 and established full communion between the Episcopal and ELCA churches.

I look forward to worshipping together this Sunday and hope that you will join me in providing a warm cathedral welcome to the newest member of our clergy team!

Faithfully,

Lisa+

James, the Brother of Jesus

In Matthew's Gospel, Jesus brings his teaching and healing ministry to his home community only to find that the people there are not prepared to credit his authority, mainly because they all know him and his family. That's a helpful context for celebrating Jesus' brother James who isn't listed among Jesus's followers during his lifetime but who became a respected church leader in Jerusalem after the crucifixion. In this Sermon of the Day, Deacon Rick reflects on James's epistle, the teachings that marked James's ministry, and the ways his message might keep us grounded in the core tenants of our tradition.

Bible Reading: Matthew 13:54-58

Twenty-Second Sunday after Pentecost - October 25, 2026

8:00 a.m. - Spoken Eucharist in St. Andrew’s Chapel

9:00 a.m. - Family Eucharist in the cathedral

10:00 a.m. - The Forum in Kyle’s Place 

10:00 a.m. - Sunday School and Youth Group

11:00 a.m. - Choral Eucharist in the cathedral and Live-Streamed

12:15 p.m. - Coffee Hour in Kyle’s Place

12:15 p.m. - Meals Among Us Food Prep on the Second Floor of St. James Commons

For those who are unable to be present, the 11 a.m. Eucharist will be live-streamed on our streaming webpage or YouTube.

The Advisory Committee met October 6th to review its charge from Dean Lisa Hackney-James to develop and conduct the search process for the next Director of Music at St. James Cathedral. To that end, the committee will be holding virtual and in-person listening sessions to provide parishioners an opportunity to share what the music ministries at St. James have meant to them.

The listening sessions will be:

- In-person, Sunday, October 25, 2026, 12:45 PM, in the Great Hall

Separate listening sessions will be conducted for the adult choir and chorister program participants as follows:

- Adult Choir, Today, October 22, 2026, 8:00 PM – 9:00 PM

All parishioners are invited to participate in both a listening session and the online survey. If it is not possible for someone to participate in a listening session, please consider participating in the online survey. The online survey is open and closes on Sunday, November 1, 2026, at 5:00 PM. The link to the survey is located here: https://luc.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_8dJM6GvZgPoG6pM. A laptop or desktop computer are the preferred modes for taking the survey however, it is also possible to complete it on a mobile device. Should anyone encounter a technical problem completing the survey, please contact Kevin Hampton or Liz Wakefield.

The results of the parish-wide survey and the listening sessions will be compiled and shared with the Advisory Committee and our Dean to assist in crafting a position description.

The committee is working with an ambitious timeline that takes into account the worship needs of St. James Cathedral, its liturgical seasons, and its programming. To that end, the committee anticipates posting the position publicly for applications on December 1, 2026. It will then review applications beginning in mid-January 2027 and in consultation with our Dean, select semi-finalists for Zoom interviews in February. Because the Lenten and Eastertide seasons fall early on the calendar, the committee anticipates that the Dean will invite three finalists for in-person interviews, beginning in mid-April 2027. The parish will be given regular updates throughout the search process via the electronic newsletter.

October 25 - Sharing a Common Mission with the Rev. Craig Mueller

Welcome the Rev. Craig Mueller at the Forum as he shares his ministry and thoughts on the Episcopal-Lutheran agreement, Called to Common Mission. Next week, Darrell Miller and John Palfrey will explore why the Rule of Law matters, what hangs in the balance, and how it connects to our daily lives and church practice in an open discussion for all.

All Souls’ Day, November 1 at 4 p.m.

Each year at All Souls’ Day, we gather to remember our departed loved ones through prayer, Holy Communion, and Herbert Howells’s moving Requiem performed by the Cathedral Choir. If you would like a loved one’s name included in the bulletin, please submit their name (with a phonetic pronunciation guide) by Wednesday, October 29 at 5:00 p.m. Names submitted after that deadline will be read aloud during the service and can be submitted up until Sunday, November 1 at 1:00 p.m. Sign-up sheets will also be available at the Welcome Center desk and in the narthex. Thank you!

The Gesualdo Six November 20 at 7:30 p.m.

On Friday, November 20 at 7:30 pm, experience the internationally acclaimed voices of The Gesualdo Six live at St. James Cathedral as they present *Fading*, an atmospheric a cappella journey from darkness to light. Tickets are selling fast, so get yours today to secure your place for an unforgettable evening.

Hello Friends,

Thank you to everyone who has helped launch our 2027 Pledge Campaign, Rooted in Faith, Growing in Ministry. I am especially grateful for the warm reception and work of the Stewardship Committee.

Throughout the coming weeks at the Sunday services, you'll hear from fellow members of St. James as they share what this Cathedral community means to them and why they choose to support its ministries through their financial commitments. These personal stories remind us that stewardship is about much more than dollars and cents. It is about gratitude, belonging, and investing in the ministries that shape our lives and help us share God's love with others.

As you prayerfully consider your own pledge for 2027, I invite you to reflect on the ways St. James has nourished your faith through worship, music, formation, fellowship, and outreach. Every gift, regardless of size, strengthens our ability to serve our congregation, our city, and the wider community.

Thank you for your continued generosity and for being part of all that God is doing through St. James Cathedral.

--Brandon Blazo

Stewardship Committee Chair

Member Since 2023

This past weekend, we were thrilled to participate in Open House Chicago and welcome over 1,800 visitors through our doors! A huge thank you goes out to our incredible team of 21 volunteers—including 16 greeters and 5 trained docents—whose dedication and warmth made the event a huge success. We truly couldn't have done it without your support!

Dean Hackney-James invites you to join her in summer of 2027 on a pilgrimage through England. We will begin in the North wth a visit to York Minster, which is celebrating 1400 years of mission and ministry, and will feature a rather senior level tour guide well known to many of us! From there we will head south, arriving and staying inside the walls of Canterbury, the seat of the Anglican Communion. Along the way we will visit iconic cathedrals, ancient ruins, and cultural landmarks that will help us draw inspiration from the cathedral and cultural terrain where the church and the world have met so powerfully through the centuries. Co-led by retired Bishop of Oxford and friend of St. James Cathedral, Bishop John Pritchard, this spiritually rich journey promises to enrich our understanding of our own growing mission to stand at the intersection of civic, cultural, and spiritual life. 

First Sunday Book Group

Join the First Sundays Book Group on November 1 at 1:00 PM in the 2nd floor library to discuss the first five chapters of N.T. Wright's "Into the Heart of Romans." Whether you have finished the reading or are just getting started, everyone is welcome to join the conversation.

St. James Pride


Spread Holiday Cheer with the Pinta Pride Project!

St. James Pride gathers on Saturday mornings through November 28, from 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. in Room 210 to write holiday notes of support to LGBTQ+ community members feeling alienated from family and friends. We provide all cards, addresses, and writing templates—just bring your care and support.

St. James First Tuesday Book Group

The First Tuesday Book Group will gather on Tuesday, November 3, at 6:30 p.m. in the Second Floor Meeting Room at 65 East Huron. Discussion begins promptly at 6:45 p.m., and November’s featured selection is Absalom, Absalom! by William Faulkner. All are welcome to join; please contact Marcy Backhus with any questions.

Young Adults

Join the Cathedral Young Adults on Sunday, November 8 at 12:30 PM for our monthly prayer workshop series and lunch, featuring guest expert Lilia Ellis, M.Div., on how to make and pray Anglican and Marian rosaries. Every participant will take home a set of handmade prayer beads, so please RSVP below so we can order enough food.

2027 Parish Retreat at DeKoven Center

Save the date for the 2027 Parish Retreat at the DeKoven Center from January 15–17! Gather with fellow parishioners from St. James to explore "Why Pray? Life as Prayer," deepening your understanding of prayer and discovering creative ways to live prayerfully through spiritual renewal, social connection, and personal reflection. More details and registration will be forthcoming.

Centering Prayer Wednesdays at 6:45 p.m.

Reconnecting with our inner quiet can transform everything, and after our summer recess, we are gathering once again on Wednesday evenings at 6:45 p.m. CT for Centering Prayer. Joining our nationwide circle by phone offers a simple, powerful way to sit in silence, let go of what you do not need, and ground yourself in the presence of your Higher Power. Whether Centering Prayer is a long-standing practice for you or something you are curious to try for the first time, there is a warm space waiting for you.

60s & 70s Group

Looking to deepen your faith and connection at St. James Cathedral? The 60s & 70s Group meets twice a month—on the 2nd Tuesday in the 2nd-floor library (65 E. Huron), 6:30 pm - 8:30 pm for spiritual discussions, and on the 4th Tuesday for fun social outings like museum visits, walking tours, and dinners. We are committed to spiritual growth, lifelong learning, and supportive fellowship.

Scripture Reflection group


Join the Scripture Reflection Group every Monday night from 6:00 to 7:30 p.m. in Room 212 (library) to read, reflect, and discuss today's lectionary readings. Optional Evening Prayer at 5:30.

For more information or to sign up, please contact Jacob Perkins.

Calling All Lovers of Baked Goods

Express your hospitality to the St. James community by contributing baked goods for Sunday coffee hour at Kyle’s place in the Welcome Center. Whether store-bought or homemade, your delicious contributions are always welcome—simply sign up for a Sunday at the Welcome Center table.

To better support our parish ministries, groups, staff, and lay leaders, we have created a new Cathedral Communications Submission Form. This streamlined process allows you to submit e-news announcements, bulletin blurbs, event promotions, and website updates—and helps our communications team review and publish your items efficiently.

Whether you are promoting an upcoming ministry event, sharing news, updating group information, or sending in photos from a recent gathering, we want to hear from you! Please note that all submissions are due Wednesdays by 4:00 PM for inclusion in that week's communications.

We look forward to making communications simpler and more organized for our entire cathedral community!

In our Prayers at St. James

Commended to the prayers of the cathedral community: Ginger, Loya, Andronica, Ibukun, Ted, Lois, Mary, Yvonne, Lee, Rachael, Jonah, Richard, Cleo, Frank, Joshua, Nicole, Pamela, Sue, Wei Wei, James, Eoin, Bill, Gina, Dominic, Michael, Gary, Carolyn, Donna, Amanda, Ann, Robert, Thomas, Christopher, Marcy, and Katherine

Those who have died and have been commended to the prayers of the cathedral community:  Florence Murphy, Andrea Cassandra Bialen So, Henrietta Olawanle Olopade, Andrew Brokes

All those who have died by gun violence in the city of Chicago: Derrianna, Quentist, Terron, Marcus, Keri, Jamontay, Jermaine

Diocesan Cycle of Prayer: Our bishop, Paula, and our Presiding Bishop, Sean; For the growth and vitality of our congregations And for ministries in our Companion Dioceses of SE Mexico and Renk

St. James Capital Campaign Prayer

Faithful God, you call us to be living stones in a spiritual temple.

Bless the mission and outreach of this cathedral church.

By the power of your Holy Spirit, enable us confidently to restore its fabric, trustfully to reimagine our vocation, and boldly to renew our ministries in your name.

Make this place a house in which your love dwells and in which all your people find welcome.

Grant this, we pray, through the One who leads us ever onwards in your service, Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.