Dear Friends: Tomorrow at our Christmas Eve services, as we read the familiar lessons and sing the familiar songs, we will proclaim a message that is deeply countercultural: God is with us. God is with us not just on one holy night when the shepherds gather around the manger, or when the Magi follow the…
News
A Health Update From Bishop Clark/Un Mensaje de Salud de la Obispa Clark
Dear Friends in the Diocese of Chicago: I wanted to let you know that during the Hispanic liturgy and confirmation service at St. James Cathedral on Saturday, I felt dizzy and fainted. Thanks to the wonderful assistance of people who were helping lead the liturgy, I was able to resume the service and finish confirming…
Advent Reboot/Adviento de reiniciar: A Message From Bishop Clark
Dear Friends: We are midway through Advent, which is my favorite season of the church year. I love Advent because, as the church year begins anew, we have the opportunity to reboot our identity as Christians. As we await the birth of the infant Jesus, we can look once more for Christ in our lives,…
2023 Vitality Grants Awarded
In November of 2022, the Vitality Grants Committee of the Congregations Commission awarded $275,000 to 18 congregations from across the diocese. Annual vitality grants support congregational health and vitality, with funds coming from the diocesan Bishop and Trustees, which holds title to and oversees the real property used by the missions of the diocese. The…
Sanctuary Task Force Update
From Jack Lloyd and the Rev. Sandra Castillo On November 15, 2022, US District Judge Emmet Sullivan struck down Title 42, which was used by the federal government to expel asylum seekers. The ruling applies to families and single adults. Judge Sullivan granted a stay until December 21, 2022 for the government to prepare to…
From the Sanctuary Task Force: Updates on Asylum Seekers, Volunteering and Donations
The application of the Title 42 policy by the Biden administration to asylum seekers from Venezuela limits entry to the United States to families and individuals who have family members currently living in the country. This policy has severely reduced the number of asylum seekers entering the country and arriving in the City of Chicago….