This past Sunday, we were blessed to be able to greet one another in worship, and relished the return to the familiar patterns of our program year. Exciting and consequential times lie ahead for the cathedral, and I have much to communicate this Fall as we move forward with our strategic level initiatives, including the introduction of our newer staff members.

I am delighted to share news of my appointment of Robert Grisbrook as Director of Development for St. James Cathedral. He will already be known to some as he began his work with us last Spring in the lead up to our Sesquicentennial Gala at the Driehaus Museum, and he continues to provide dedicated staff support for all facets of our capital campaign and congregational stewardship efforts. 

As St. James continues to embrace an expanding vision of our mission and impact within the wider community, we are also cultivating the organizational structure that will enable us to sustain it. Robert joins St. James at a critical and exciting time in the Cathedral's history with close to ten years' experience in non-profit organizations. He previously served as Head of Philanthropy for Sinfonia Smith Square - an orchestra and church-based arts venue based in Westminster, London - for whom he led donor engagement strategies, annual and special campaigns, and partnered in the development and implementation of strategic organizational changes and systems. 

He is an energetic and authentic relationship-builder and fundraiser driven to help communities realize their vision and potential. As a trained singer, he has a particular passion for the promotion and development of the arts, which harks back to his upbringing as a chorister and his studies at the University of Illinois for a Master's Degree in Vocal Performance.

Off duty, Robert enjoys exploration, tennis, running along the lakefront, and taking in as much culture as possible with his wife, Katie.

Robert says, “It is a privilege to serve St. James at this important time in its history, sustaining its growth, and inspiring support for its future. As a newcomer to the city and the Cathedral, I have felt the warmth and impact of St. James' unshakeable welcome and how this gesture is rooted in a spiritual call to action. In the months ahead, I look forward to getting to know our diverse Cathedral community more deeply and, in partnership, realizing St James' vision as a place of prayer, faith formation, outreach, community action, and artistic expression.”

Peace,

Lisa

I am writing to make members of the St, James community aware that the Rev. Chris Griffin, our Canon for Community Partnerships will be away from his duties for a period of short-term medical leave. Fr. Chris is engaged in a challenging course of medical treatment to address an autoimmune response that is affecting his muscular structure.

I hope that you will join me in offering prayers for Chris's recovery during this course of arduous treatment and time of healing. Cards and letters received at St. James Cathedral (65 E. Huron, Chicago 60611) will be forwarded to his home address. You may also send him a message here.

Deacon Phoebe

Today's Gospel reading from Luke empasizes the value of service, and that's a fitting theme for a feast day recognizing Deacon Phoebe. Deacon Rick considers what is known about Phoebe from Paul's reference to her at the close of his letter to the Romans and reflects on the significance of her example in light of Luke's Gospel.

Bible Reading: Luke 22:24-27

Fifteenth Sunday after Pentecost - September 6, 2026

8:00 a.m. - Spoken Eucharist in St. Andrew’s Chapel, Reserve your seat starting Thursdays at 1:00 p.m.

9:00 a.m. - Family Eucharist in St. James Commons

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

11:00 a.m. - Choral Eucharist in St. James Commons 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.

Summer Worship Continues in the Great Hall


This summer, our worship services will move to temporary locations for the organ installation to successfully happen in our beautiful sanctuary. For our new schedule, click here or read below!


Sundays

   8:00 a.m.   Spoken Eucharist in St. Andrew’s Chapel (Click here to Reserve your spot!)

   9:00 a.m.   Family Eucharist in the Great Hall of St. James Commons

  11:00 a.m.  Choral Eucharist in the Great Hall of St. James Commons Live Stream Here


Weekdays 

     12:10 p.m.  Daily Eucharist in St. Andrew’s Chapel

Note: We will continue to livestream our 11:00 a.m. service. If we experience any technical difficulties, a full recording will be uploaded to YouTube shortly afterward.

Join us this Sunday, September 6, at 10:00 AM for an informative Forum on our Music Leadership Transition Process. Transitions in music leadership are a regular part of church life, and as we undergo this process, Dean Lisa will share the steps of the process. This session offers a welcoming space to ask questions and learn more about how our well-practiced approach to interims, searches, and leader selection works. We hope to see you there! For more information on Forum, click here!

This Sunday, Chicago hosts its annual Bike the Drive! While the main biking route is strictly on DuSable Lake Shore Drive, keep in mind that nearby feeder streets, ramps, and lakefront access roads may experience detours and traffic shifts.

We want your morning journey to be peaceful and stress-free, so we recommend giving yourself a few extra minutes to navigate, find parking, and settle into worship. Please take a look at the attached route map so you can spot the closed sections of Lake Shore Drive and pick the clearest path to our doors. Whether you drive, take transit, or walk, we are thrilled to gather together and can't wait to see you Sunday!

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.

For more information, please contact 1stSundays@SaintJamesCathedral.org.

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 PM.

St. James First Tuesday Book Group Summer Read

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

The Forum on Sundays

Regularly scheduled 10 a.m. Sunday Forums will resume August 30. All are invited to attend. Stay tuned for announcements about topics and speakers.

The Choir School at St James Cathedral

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

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!

Click Here to Submit a Communications Request

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

In observance of Labor Day, our offices will be closed and the 12:10 p.m. service will not be held.

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:  

All those who have died by gun violence in the city of Chicago: Antonio, Rontonio, Kyren

Diocesan Cycle of Prayer: Our bishop, Paula, and our Presiding Bishop, Sean; The Dioceses of Province Five: Indianapolis; Northern Indiana; Northern Michigan; Great Lakes; Chicago; and 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.