Dear Friend of Brent House, |
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As a member of the extended Brent House family, I want to give you an update on all that has been happening here and invite you to make a year-end contribution to support our work on the University of Chicago campus.
As you likely know, our Chaplain Stacy Alan was on a well-earned sabbatical this quarter and we are excited to welcome her back this month. She returns to a ministry that remains a thriving place of spiritual care, witness, and welcome. We are so grateful for everyone who has helped make this such a positive time of renewal and growth.
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During Stacy’s time away, The Rev. Roger Ferlo, president emeritus of Bexley Seabury Theological Seminary, provided excellent pastoral and priestly leadership. We are glad to have deepened our connections with this esteemed preacher, teacher, and church leader—his thoughtful sermons and wise, gentle presence have been so helpful for so many. |
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We are graced with an exceptional student leadership team who have kept the House, worship services, programs, resident community, and all other aspects of our ministry running so well and smoothly. I’d like to especially thank our co-wardens, Jacob Perkins and Sophie Grosserode, and the members of the student vestry for all their time and hard work. And all along they have been supported by our excellent interim office manager, Shaney Swift, who stepped in for maternity leave for Alisha Smith, our beloved wrangler of all things administrative and financial. |
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Together our leaders have ensured that we are sustaining the worship services, Brentsdays, group meals, learning opportunities, and profound sense of supportive fellowship that have always been hallmarks of Brent House. Through staffing a weekly table at the Reynolds Club, our student leaders ensured that new students know about our ministry and programs. Students’ planning of and preaching at weekly Eucharists cultivates a vibrant place to pray and worship. And during a time when the war in Gaza and our nation’s political divisions are often at the top of our minds, Brent House remains a place of support where students can express hopes and fears, discern faithful responses, and find solace and hope in fellowship and prayer.
The students take seriously the call to be witnesses to the Gospel and to seek service and justice in many ways and moments.
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In addition to our mission-based work in all its forms, we are also contending with factors like urgently needed repairs and renovations to the coach house where Stacy and her family live. These represent a very real financial need but vital stretch for our resources.
Meeting all of the needs before us and providing the care, support, and guidance needed from Brent House requires us to ask our friends and supporters for their help. Will you prayerfully consider making a contribution to Brent House and help ensure that we can fulfill our mission and respond to God’s call to us? You can mail us a gift in the enclosed envelope or make a gift online by going to our donation portal here.
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On behalf of all of us here at Brent House, we wish you a most blessed and happy Advent, Christmastide, and New Year! |
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Faithfully and gratefully yours, |
Charlie Hopkins, AB '09
Chair, Board of Directors
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Brent House, the Episcopal Center at the University of Chicago
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See what's happening on our social sites: |
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