St James Cathedral, located in the heart of Chicago, has a long history of convening conversations for the greater good. This charism anchors the character of our community, and from the time of its founding in 1834, the people of St. James have demonstrated a deep heart for the city. From the earliest days of both this church and the wider community, the people of St. James were responding to the needs of our society’s most vulnerable populations and promoting both an awareness of civic architecture and a deep culture of care.

For almost a year now we have celebrated the families who rebuilt in place – not fleeing the city – but rather recommitting to God’s mission here in the ashes left behind by the Great Chicago Fire. In 1875, as our soaring worship space rose again, so did our intentional connections to our neighbors beyond the church, and our commitment to a common life that held together a diverse set of human conditions and concerns. Roughly 75 years later, in the midst of the American Civil Rights movement of the mid - 20th century, St James was literally the space in which the church and wider culture convened a city-wide conversation, hosted by Martin Luther King Jr. and Chicago’s political and religious leadership. St. James’ circles of both immediate concern and cultural influence, once again, expanded.

And today, nearly 70 years on from that landmark moment, we find ourselves looking forward into the future to which God is calling our church and this generation. As we come to the close of our Sesquicentennial year, it is clear that we are being asked to continue in our vocation of care for, and connection to, our wider community through acts of direct service and convening conversations for the greater good. Against a backdrop of uncertainty, St. James is once again choosing a courageous path, one of fidelity to people and place, and an unshakeable commitment to the core values of both our nation’s highest ideals and the Gospel’s core message of love for all.

Beginning on Sunday, September 27, the Cathedral will convene Voices on the Commons, an eight week series of conversations held during the 10:00 a.m. Sunday morning forum. We will hear from fellow parishioners and cultural stakeholders who will share their perspectives from the borderland wherein the church and the wider culture meet. We will begin with journalist, author, and active Episcopalian, Ray Suarez and MacArthur Fellow, Dr. Funmi Olopade discussing Suarez’s recent book: We are Home: Becoming American in the 21st century, an oral history of immigration in the U.S. in which Dr. Olopade’s story was featured. 

I look forward to this powerful series of reflections on our life together and the places where our Christian commitments touch our common life. And I remain grateful for the bastion of courage and commitment to Christ’s love and teachings that flows powerfully from this cathedral community.

Faithfully, 

Lisa+

Hildegard von Bingen

In our #SermonOfTheDay Dean Lisa Hackney-James touches on the multiple ways that mystic, poet, and 12th century abbess, Hildegard glorified God in her day, and shares the impact that she continues to have through her writings and her chants, popularized in comtemporary times.

Bible Reading: John 3:16-21

Seventeenth Sunday after Pentecost - September 20, 2026

We're back in the Cathedral!

We are thrilled to be back in the Cathedral this Sunday. Please note that our 12:10 p.m. weekday services will continue in the Chapel.

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. - 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.

Join us on Sunday, September 20, at 10:00 AM in Kyle’s Place to learn more about the activities and future plans for St. James Social Justice Committee, St. James Pride, and Creation Care groups from the leaders themselves. Come with learn more about what they do on behalf of the St. James community and how you can become involved.

Starting September 27, the Voices on the Commons series will begin!

Season Opener Concert



Join the Cathedral Choir in their first concert of the season with Conductor-in-Residence, Andrew Megill!

Scripture Reading Group

Join us for the Scripture Reading Group meeting every Monday at 6:00 p.m. in Room 212. Whether you are a long-time member or looking to join the conversation for the first time, all are welcome to come together for community and discussion. For more information or to sign up, please contact Jacob Perkins.

Centering Prayer Wednesday's 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. Central 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.

First Sunday Book Group

Help choose our next Fall reading selection for the First Sundays Book Group! Click below to Vote for your top choice before our next gathering on Sunday, October 4, at 1:00 PM in the 2nd Floor Library.

This season's contenders include Feasting on Hope: How God Sets a Table in the Wilderness by Hannah Miller King, Into the Heart of Romans: A Deep Dive into Paul's Greatest Letter by N. T. Wright, and The Return of the Prodigal Son: A Story of Homecoming by Henri J. M. Nouwen. Future fall meetings will follow on November 1 and December 6.

St. James Pride

Join us for the monthly St. James Pride meeting on Sunday, September 20, at 12:30 PM. We gather on the 3rd Sunday of every month to plan upcoming events and enjoy fellowship with one another. All are welcome to attend!

St. James First Tuesday Book Group

Everyone is welcome to join!

Join us as we discuss Hill by Harriet Clark! Our next meeting will be on Tuesday, October 6 in the second-floor meeting room.

Please send any questions to Marcy Backhus

Are you new or newish to St. James? We would love to get to know you, so please join us for lunch and conversation on Sunday, September 27, from 12:30 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. in the Great Hall, located on the lower level of St. James Commons (65 E. Huron). Look for an Evite in your inbox!

Click the button below if you have questions or do not receive an invitation.

We need volunteers to assist with St. James's annual Blessing of the Pets and Choral Evensong on October 4 at 4:00 PM on the plaza. You'll help us welcome our neighbors and their beloved pets by handing out treats and St. Francis medals during the event. Click below to sign up today and lend a hand!

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.

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

Those who have died and have been commended to the prayers of the cathedral community:  Paula Walters

All those who have died by gun violence in the city of Chicago: Dorian, Natalia, Davion, Michael, Mikquale

Diocesan Cycle of Prayer: Our bishop, Paula, and our Presiding Bishop, Sean; Diocesan Agencies: Bishop & Trustees; Diocesan Council, Diocesan Foundation, Trustees of the Endowment Fund; Episcopal Charities; and Standing Committee

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.