*|MC:SUBJECT|*
August 10, 2018

This Week at SPR

Next week, our youth group heads to Tucson, Arizona for their summer mission trip. We have twelve people going (including adult chaperones). Seven participants are attending the trip thanks to partial scholarship from SPR, and each participant has been assigned their own prayer partner. We will commission the whole group, prayer partners and trip participants, this Sunday at the 10am service. Show up this weekend to wish the youth group well on their trip!
(The small, grassroots organization we're partnering with, Borderlinks, is always having sheets and towels walk off after delegations; have extra towels or twin sheets? Donate them this Sunday to be packed in the leader bag on the plane. We're only taking donations this Sunday, so bring them in before then if you can't make it to the liturgy!)

Parents and prayer partners, don't miss the "Last Minute Details Meeting" in the Sanctuary right after the 10a liturgy this Sunday.
The ARWG is seeking new members. Bound by a common goal to dismantle systemic racism, this group aims to create change through self-reflection, candid dialogue about race, relationship building, and mission-driven actions. Those involved should be deeply committed to racial justice, prayerful, collaborative, and empathetic. Members must commit to monthly meetings; attend a 2.5 day anti-racism training; facilitate at least one parish-wide activity; and promote anti-racism efforts within the church and broader community.   Those interested should visit sprchicago.org/arwg please read the ARWG mission and vision statements and respond to three brief questions. Alternatively, you may pick up a paper copy in the Narthex and return it to the main office. The deadline to submit responses to the questions is August 23rd.  The current ARWG will review the responses received and select the new members no later than the end of September. Questions? Email antiracism@sprchicago.org.

Join a group of committed volunteers
Still want to get involved but can’t commit to the ARWG? Join a team of volunteers who will help with a variety of anti-racism initiatives at SPR. Email antiracism@sprchicago.org to add your name to the list.
Please visit the chapel to see the new exhibit on Birds. On display are photos by parishioner Tom Irving. There are ten photos, nine of which were shot in Chicago. 

Rector Transition

The Rector position for SPR has been posted nationally! All interested candidates are directed to a national website where they will formally apply through our Diocesan Office of Transitional Ministry (OTM). After the 45-day posting is completed, mid-August, the Diocese shares the materials of qualified candidates with the Search Committee. At that time, the committee will review the materials and begin scheduling interviews. This is truly a time of discernment for both the candidates and the Search Committee. Finding the best fit for SPR is our commitment and putting a specific timeline on such an endeavor would be unfair to all. We hope and pray that the needs of both the pastor seeking and our parish inviting will coincide. If you know of anyone who might be interested, please direct them to our website, sprchicago.org and click on the “Rector Transition” tab where you will find links to our Parish Profile and the Diocesan posting. Thank you for your patience. Any questions, please email us at search@sprchicago.org or speak to any of the Search Committee members:
Gail Williams, Ellen Wiggins, Alicia Chipman, Bruce Plummer, Eva Nielsen, Hank Underwood, Jane McCamant, Kenji Kuramitsu, or Sem Sutter.

Serve Neighbors

The 2018 Hunger Walk will take place on Saturday, September, 8th in Jackson Park. For each walker that goes through the entrance gate, The SPR Food Pantry receives $12.00. The Deadline for registration is Sunday August 19th. Tee Shirts and Bibs will be distributed on Sunday, September, 2nd in the office,  before and after the 10:00 Service. Sign up in the Narthex or contact Shirley Knight.. Thank you for your support! 

Nurture Faith

The Pathway to Reconciliation is a congregational study guide of the Legacy of Slavery Taskforce Report sponsored by the Episcopal Diocese of Chicago’s Anti-Racism Commission.  Facilitators will be trained in using the study guide to lead your congregation’s work to generate informative, meaningful, faithful and redemptive transformations on the Pathway to Reconciliation. Date: Saturday, August 25, 2018 Time: Saturday: 9 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. Location: Saint Paul and the Redeemer Requirement: Facilitators need to have attended a Crossroads “Understanding and Analyzing Systemic Racism Workshop” prior to the facilitator training within the last five years. Registration: Registration deadline is Wednesday, August 22, 2018. Please register online here.

If you are interested in working with Pre-K to Grade 5 children at SPR, your chance to get involved in Godly Play is coming up.  On August 18th , from 9:00am to 12:00noon, there will be a training for new Godly Play storytellers and doorpersons in the Godly Play Grade 3-5 classroom at SPR. A pizza lunch will be served afterwards. Those interested should contact Children's Formation Director Monte Tugwete for registration. Current team members of SPR Godly Play, please remember to join in this training from 11:00am to 12:00 noon.

Summer registration is going strong, and our capacity is now filled to the half-way point. Register now to reserve your spot for the retreat! Our theme for the weekend at Loyola University Retreat and Ecology Center, Woodstock, Illinois is Junia: The First Woman Apostle, and we will explore the historical roots of women in power in the church. Join a multigenerational group of SPR women for a balance of planned programming and free time where you can be refreshed, encouraged, and challenged in a peaceful setting an hour from the city.  
Registration is $100/person for a double room and $130/person for a single room and will include 4 meals. Ride sharing and scholarship assistance is available. More information can be found in the narthex and on-line at sprchicago.org/womens-group. Remember: registration is complete when payment is received, and the deadline is  Sept. 23. If you have any questions, please contact Richelle Stackert and the Leadership Team at sprwomensretreat@gmail.com.

For information about our regular events and other activities please visit our website sprchicago.org. Some of our ongoing events are:

Food Garden- Every Saturday | 9-11AM 
Thursday Bible Study- Every Thursday, 10-11am
Open Kitchen - August 19 | 11:30 AM
SPR Yoga - (Mon and Fri, 9 AM to 10 AM)
Arts Committee - (Second Sunday of the month)
Food Pantry (Wednesdays, 3:30-5:30 PM)
SPR on Tap - 1st Tuesday of month, 7:30 PM.   
Morning Prayer - Tuesdays & Thursdays, 8:00 AM in the Chapel. 
SPR Choirs (Tuesdays & Thursdays)