This Sunday marks our return to the Cathedral nave for our 9:00 a.m. & 11:00 a.m. services! After a summer of worshiping together in the Great Hall, we are excited to return to our beautiful and historic worship space. From late April when the great Johnson organ screen came down, to this week when craftsmen and technicians have been working overtime on finishing touches, our Nave has been undergoing an exciting transformation. Architects, structural engineers, acousticians, and organ builders have been laying the foundation for the installation of the Walker organ which is currently being restored and assembled off site in Champaign, Illinois.

As the retired organ and old plaster were removed from the South transept, historical treasures were revealed – plaster walls still bearing traces of the original 1870’s stencilling, the bare surfaces of the old stone walls, and stained glass windows that have not been seen from the inside the cathedral since the installation of the post-fire organ. This restoration and rebuilding project has been a powerful manifestation of St. James’s sesquicentennial year: peering back into the very first days of the cathedral's rebuilt structure, and building and strengthening our infrastructure for what is new and yet to come in the life of our cathedral congregation. 

When we reenter the cathedral space this Sunday, we will be able to walk through an expanded entryway between our historic cathedral and modern building. The doorway will be fully functional, with final finishing touches to be completed by next month, when we will bless the expanded entryway as we mark the close of the Sesquicentennial year of celebrations. When we look to the organ chamber this Sunday we will see a rough-finished space ready for the installation of our new, expanded organ. The simple appearance belies the months of careful planning, consultation, and collaboration needed to strengthen the space both structurally and acoustically. The floor has been rebuilt and reinforced in order to bear the weight of the new larger and heavier instrument, and the opened transept allowed our engineers to address the factors affecting temperature regulation within the organ chamber, replacing old cracked plaster walls with acoustically superior surfaces.

As the new Walker organ continues to be restored and assembled in our organ builder’s Champaign, Illinois facility, our congregational singing will continue to be supported by the existing organ located in our choir loft. Once we are through final Christmas services, the installation of the new instrument in the cathedral will begin!

St. James parishioner Craig Backhus has been pivotal in managing the intersection of the complex range of professionals who keep our project moving forward. Craig’s expertise has been invaluable and he is happy to answer any questions regarding the project to date.

I look forward this Sunday to once again gathering for worship as we continue to expand our welcome and strengthen our foundations.

Faithfully,

Lisa+

Alexander Crummell

In today's #SermonOfTheDay, we examine the ministry of Alexander Crummell, ordained in The Episcopal Church, spending much of his ministry trying relentlessly for the rights of black people and their right to be integrated in the church. Although the work of full inclusion for all people is not complete, we are called to continue in his work to strive for all people to been seen as made in the Image of God.

Bible Reading: Mark 4:21-25

Sixteenth Sunday after Pentecost - September 13, 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

4:00 p.m. - Choral Evensong in the Cathedral

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

Sunday, September 13 - Richard Hoskins on the Supreme Court

Chancellor Emeritus Richard Hoskins is leading this Forum on the Supreme Court, following up on last season's discussion about the US Constitution and where it affects us

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.

To learn more or get involved, please contact Anne Driscoll.

First Sunday Book Group

The First Sundays Book Group will meet on Sunday, September 13, at 1:00 PM in the 2nd Floor Library to discuss Desmond Tutu: A Spiritual Biography of South Africa's Confessor. Please note that this meeting is taking place on the second Sunday of the month to accommodate the Labor Day holiday weekend. Everyone is welcome to attend, even if you haven't read the book.

Young Adults Group program kickoff on Sunday, September 13

All St. James Cathedral Young Adults (20s-30s) are invited to kick off the 2026-27 program year on Sunday, September 13, beginning at 12:30 PM in Room 307 for a time of formation and shared lunch! In honor of Holy Cross Day, we will share reflections on why we celebrate the cross, an infamous instrument of pain, and explore what this feast seeks to teach us. Following lunch, there is an optional field trip to the Monastery of the Holy Cross in Bridgeport to join their Contemplative Benedictine community for First Vespers at 5:15 p.m.

St. James First Tuesday Book Group

Everyone is welcome to join!

Our next book is The Gilded Age; we will discuss it on September 1.

We’ll meet on Tuesday, September 1, at 6:30 pm, in the second-floor meeting room.

The book discussion will begin promptly at 6:45 pm.

Please send any questions to Marcy Backhus

Arts Council

Interested in the Arts at St. James? Join the Arts Council on Sunday, September 13th, right after the 11:00 AM service in the 2nd-floor library. We’ll explore ways the arts can enrich our worship and parish ministries.



To learn more or share your ideas, contact Michael Stauffer

Season Opener Concert

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

Our Altar Guild, Acolyte, and Usher teams are looking for new volunteers! By offering your time and talents to these ministries, you help shape our common worship and bring glory to God. Reach out to Rev. Canon Steven Balke below if you feel called to serve.

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.

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:  Mark Weddle

All those who have died by gun violence in the city of Chicago: Charles, Dante, Ryan, Candace, Josh, Enderson, Crystal, Jerome, Amadeus, Kyle, Reginald, Angelo, Daje

Diocesan Cycle of Prayer: Our bishop, Paula, and our Presiding Bishop, Sean; The following bodies of the Episcopal Church: The General Convention; The House of Bishops; The House of Lay & Clerical Deputies; The Executive Council

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.