Events & News

Vestry Update
The vestry met via Zoom on Wednesday and approved Kenji Kuramitsu’s application for ordination. We are very proud to support Kenji through this process!
The interim rector search committee (Josh Daniel, Julia McMillan, and Fran Spaltro) interviewed two candidates this week via Zoom. The next steps include calling references and scheduling in-person interviews with the entire vestry.

Celebrating Rogation Sunday in the Garden
Directly following the 10:00AM worship this Sunday, May 5, everyone is invited to process with the youth into the garden. There, the garden will be blessed, and we will participate in weeding and tilling the soil in preparation for the summer growing season. Tools and gloves provided.

Thank You to Our Building & Grounds Volunteers
A special thank you to Andrew Chipman, Patrick Jonker, Amanda Ruch, and others for volunteering this week to clean bathrooms, sweep common spaces, and set-up Coffee Hour! The radical hospitality offered in our space depends on 15+ volunteer hours each week. The vestry invites parishioners to volunteer on occasion to care for our communal space. Opportunities include sweeping floors, setting up tables for Coffee Hour, and taking out the trash. Details and sign-up form here.

Lectors for Pentecost Sunday
Do you speak a language other than English? We are looking for volunteer lectors on Pentecost (Sunday, May 19) to read portions of the liturgy in different languages. If you are interested in participating, please notify Barnabas Pusnur by May 10. We would love to have you join this special celebration.

The Black Church in Chicago: Past, Present, & Future
On Friday, May 10, 6:00 PM, The University of Chicago Divinity School is hosting a panel conversation with Marshall Hatch, Jr., Rev. Dr. Marshall Hatch, Sr., and Rev. Dr. Otis Moss III, moderated by Christian Mitchell, at the DuSable Black History Museum and Education Center Theater. Learn more here. To connect with other SPR members who are attending, contact Sara Bigger.

Love in a Dish for the Paris-McAuley Family
Drop off a meal for the Paris-McAuley family (Dorchester & Hyde Park Blvd, down the block from SPR) as they welcome new baby Quinns! Click here to sign up.

Coalition for Equitable Community Development Event
CECD (Coalition for Equitable Community Development) is hosting a meeting at SPR on Saturday, May11, from 10:30 a.m. to noon to discuss the affordable housing crisis in Chicago. The speakers will be Kemena Brooks, The Community Builders, talking about the potential for an affordable senior building in Hyde Park; Dixon Romeo, Executive Director of Not Me We, talking about the proposed South Shore Community Benefits Agreement, and Commissioner Lissette Castaneda, Department of Housing, talking about how the recently approved $1.25B bond issue will address the affordable housing crisis. For more information contact SPR parishioners and CECD board members: Linda Thisted, Rahsaan Morris, John Mulholland.

Adult Formation: Artists of SPR’s Spring Show 
Curious about the epiphanies of the artists and poet currently on display in the Parish Hall? Learn more about their work and come away with some new insights after the service on Sunday, May 12 after the 10:00AM worship, while sipping and snacking.

Vacation Bible Camp: Registration Open!
Registration is open for Vacation Bible Camp, Monday, August 5 to Friday, August 9, 2024 (9:00 AM to 12:00 PM). Click here to register. VBC at SPR is focused on helping kids develop a progressive and joyful sense of faith. Children are invited to attend (ages 4-10) or volunteer (ages 11 and up). Sliding scale of $50 to $250 per child, with scholarships available. For more information contact Lindsey Strieter.

Youth Group Mission Trip 
The youth group would like to thank everyone who supported us through our basket raffle!  The winning tickets will be pulled at the end of coffee hour this Sunday May 5th and winning ticket numbers will be listed in the bulletin the following week.  On our trip, we are looking forward to working with the individuals from Mosaic, a non-profit organization that provides services to adults with IDD. Your contributions are making this trip possible! For questions, please contact Jen Jackson.

Haiti Ministry Thank you!  
On behalf of the Haiti Ministry, we would like to thank everyone for their generous donations during Lent for our sister parish, St. Patrick, Belloc, Haiti. We raised $8580 to support the St Patrick teachers’ salaries. With this money and the money we raised in the fall, we can continue to pay the teachers’ salaries, support the school lunch program, and cover various other expenses, as they arise- Linda Thisted, Gail Williams, and Kim Hart.

Crash Catechesis: Episcopal Confirmation and the Modern Adolescent
Join SPR parishioner, Sophie Grosserode, as she presents her Masters’ thesis at the Divinity School, exploring the theology of and best practices for confirmation in an increasingly post-Christian world, focusing specifically on teenagers lacking significant exposure to church. The presentation is on Tuesday, May 14 at 6:30 PM in the Common Room at Swift Hall.

Chinese American Museum of Chicago Tour
On Sunday, May 19 at 1:00PM, join the Anti-Racism Working Group in Chinatown to celebrate and learn about Chinese American history during Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month! The cost of admission and a guided tour is $10/person. A group of us will meet in the SPR parking lot at 12:15, and likely return by 3:15pm. There are a maximum of 30 spots for our tour group, so sign up as soon as possible in the narthex or by emailing Bri Kuramitsu.

Migrant Family Donations & Volunteers Needed
The SPR-sponsored family recently arrived from Venezuela requests Pampers (now size 5) and baby food, and Enfamil Infant formula for their 7-month-old infant. Donations may be left in the church office. Volunteers are needed to pick up food from the SPR food pantry on Wednesdays (3:30-5:30) and deliver within a mile of SPR. Spanish-speakers who can help teach English are also welcome. Contact: Sheila Bator.

Ride Your Bike to Church Day
On Sunday, May 26, you are invited to ride your bike to church! A brief service of blessing, with prayers for cyclists, will take place in the parking lot after the 10:00 service.

20s/30s & Fiber Arts Joint Event
It's the most ambitious crossover event in Sunday afternoon history: Come join the 20s-30s Adults group and the Fiber Arts Ministry on Sunday, June 2 from 1-4:30pm for an afternoon of crochet, knitting, or really any other project you want to bring along! All skill levels are welcome; we're hoping more experienced crafters can help newbies troubleshoot their projects.

Celebrating the Class of 2024
We celebrate all those from SPR who are graduating with the class of 2024! If you (or your child) would like to be included among our honored graduates, please send the graduate's name, school, and degree (where applicable) to Mark Bilyeu by Sunday, June 2 for recognition in worship on June 9.

Calling all Youth Musicians
Sunday, June 9 will be the conclusion of our program year, and we will celebrate with a Youth Music Sunday. Alongside our choirs, we are asking all musicians 18 years old and younger to consider contributing to our worship. This can be a short work that will be part of our prelude, offertory, or postlude. All instruments, genres, and experience levels are welcome! Reach out to Mark Bilyeu by Sunday, June 2.

SPR Strides for Peace, June 6
Join the Hyde Park Kenwood Interfaith Council's (HPKIFC) team to run, walk, or fundraise for gun violence prevention. The "Race Against Gun Violence" is on Thursday, June 6 at 6:30 PM in Grant Park. 
1. Register for the race here. Sign up for the HPKIFC team and donate to support the HPKIFC Anti-Violence Task Force. (If you need financial assistance to cover the $40 registration fee, email Amanda Ruch)
2. Fill out this Google Form to tell us that you are coming so we can coordinate rides and run/walk as an SPR group(s).
For more information, visit: www.stridesforpeace.org or contact Amanda Ruch.

Donations for Migrant Support
Coppin Community Center, (5627 South Michigan), is accepting donations of spring and fall clothing, household items in very good condition and new hygiene products (Mondays 4pm to 6pm and Saturdays 10-1pm).
Maureen Graves, a volunteer at the SPR food pantry, who lives in Madison Park is also accepting donations, along with furniture for migrants. She is also seeking financial contributions to cover rental costs for migrants directly or via arrangement with First Presbyterian Church in Woodlawn which will accept tax-deductible contributions. Contact: Maureen Graves. 
Pick up a handout in the narthex or speak to committee members to learn more about the SPR’s Migrant Support Program and how you can help.