This Sunday brings the Chicago Marathon to town (please note that we are holding services and formation offerings as usual!) It is also the final week of preparations for the launch of the Cathedral's Annual Pledge Drive. On Sunday, October 18th, we will mark the close of our Sesquicentennial year of celebrations, and turn our attention toward our present and future. We will hear from annual pledge drive chair Brandon Blazo, as he invites us to consider our own participation in supporting God’s mission through our St. James Cathedral community. 

Because we are in the midst of such a busy time, I want to take a moment to encourage us all to be on the lookout for materials from the upcoming annual pledge drive team. I also want to offer an update on the ongoing capital campaign – and to help folks to distinguish between the two. In brief the annual pledge drive is the bread and butter of our common life. The annual pledge drive funds our day to day operations. The cathedral’s administrative, personnel, and program costs are funded by us – by our financial gifts received in the form of one-time donations and the fulfillment of pledges made during the annual pledge drive. The time horizon for this kind of giving is the year ahead 2027.

By contrast, capital campaigns typically fund longer term projects to fund generational investments in infrastructure or special projects, such as an organ replacement or the purchase of a building. Commitments for this sort of campaign are often taken as installments over 3 - 5 years and will often (though not always) be funded from investments that individuals hold.Those who have been following along with the Cathedral’s progress since the pandemic will know that we are in the middle of a multi-phased capital campaign that includes the building and installation of our new Walker organ, the refurbishment of our stone exterior stone wall, and the acquisition of our attached modern building 65 E.Huron. We are making excellent progress on our capital campaign and I will share a more in-depth debrief on this soon.

At our 2026 Annual meeting, Bishop Paula Clark shared with us that the Bishop & Trustees of the Episcopal Diocese of Chicago are committed to transferring ownership of the cathedral campus to St. James, and their real estate team is currently working to finalize the purchase agreement. Once this is signed, we will move on from the quiet/early phase of the capital campaign, and all members of St. James will be invited to contribute to this once in a generation opportunity to secure this cathedral’s future. At this time, it looks like we can reasonably anticipate this happening in the first quarter of the coming year. 

In the meantime, our 2027 annual campaign is the most essential engine for sustaining the extraordinary growth that our church community is undergoing.  If you are concerned about “Which campaign should I focus on?” If you must choose, it is the annual campaign - hands down! None of the rest of our endeavors will mean anything if we do not sustain a thriving congregation that is showing forth God’s love, grace, and hope in our world!

Please keep an eye out for Brandon’s letter and plan to support our life and work together in the coming year.

Faithfully, 

Lisa+

Opposing Saints in Coversation

Today we recognize not one but two figures, the Rev. William Porter Bliss and Richard Theodore Ely. Bliss was a Chrisitian Socialist. Ely was an Economist who cautioned against Socialism. In this #SermonOfTheDay, the Rev. Canon Steven Balke explains how these leaders in conversation can help us build a stronger church and a stronger society together.


Bible Reading: Acts 2:41-47

Twentieth Sunday after Pentecost - October 11, 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.

All past Forums are recorded and available online. Don't miss Chancellor Emeritus Richard Hoskins and Bexley Seabury Seminary professor Eileen Shanley-Roberts on Persevering in Faith through Dark Times this Sunday, October 11, at 10:00 a.m. in Kyle’s Place!

While traffic patterns will be disrupted, most routes to St. James will be open, though some extra planning and time will be required. Sunday activities will proceed as usual.

On Saturday, our scripture study group traveled to the monastery for a time of quiet prayer, reflection, and spiritual renewal. That same day, our cathedral proudly hosted faithful from across the diocese for the spirit-filled Diocesan Hispanic Confirmation Service. We closed the weekend on Sunday evening with a joyful Pet Blessing Evensong, giving thanks for God's creation and blessing our animal companions.

Young Adults

The Cathedral Young Adults & Friends are gathering on Sunday, October 11, from 12:30 to 3:00 p.m. for lunch and the kickoff of our Autumn 2026 Prayer Workshop Series. Led by The Rev. Stacy Alan, this session will explore Imaginative Contemplation—an Ignatian practice of praying with Scripture that uses your intellect, emotion, and imagination to draw closer to Jesus. Join us to discover this rich, experiential way to pray beyond traditional liturgy.

St. James Pride


Spread Holiday Cheer with the Pinta Pride Project!

St. James Pride gathers on Saturday mornings from October 3 through November 28, from 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. in Room 212 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. Our first gathering is Saturday, October 3.

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.

St. James Arts Council

Arts Council will meet next Sunday, 10/18at 12:30 p.m. in the library. Please join us as we continue to discuss the importance of the Arts in our worship experiences and outreach ministries.

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) 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.

All Souls’ Day, November 1 at 4 p.m.

Each year at All Souls’ Day, we gather to remember those we love through prayer, Holy Communion, and Herbert Howells’s deeply moving Requiem, performed by the Cathedral Choir. At this service, clergy read aloud from each corner of the Cathedral the names of those who have died, offering comfort through prayer and Howells's luminous, consoling music. If you have lost someone dear—whether recently or long ago—please submit their name, including a phonetic pronunciation guide for our clergy.

Find Your Place in Worship

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.

Open House Chicago

Represent St. James as a greeting volunteer during Open House Chicago on Saturday, October 17, and Sunday, October 18, at St. James Cathedral and St. Andrew's Chapel! A shift lasts just a couple of hours, and every volunteer earns a Priority Access Pass to skip lines at OHC sites all weekend long. Bring your friendly nature and help us extend a warm welcome to hundreds of neighborhood guests.

Reach out to Laura Jenkins to claim your spot!

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!

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, Jack, Christopher, Arba, Bob, Kaye, Marcy, and Katherine

Those who have died and have been commended to the prayers of the cathedral community:  Florence Murphy, Cynthia Hackney

All those who have died by gun violence in the city of Chicago: Damien, Whitney, Deangelo, Angela, Naseem, Mark, Dorothy, Mohammed, Steven, Carlos, Aubrey, Fernando, Eddimar

Diocesan Cycle of Prayer: Our bishop, Paula, and our Presiding Bishop, Sean; Diocesan Task Forces, Committees, and Ministries And for our Companion Dioceses of SE Mexico and the Diocese of 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.