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The Vestry of Church of the Redeemer is a lay leadership team that partners with our rector, Fr. Paul, in oversight of the church. Each year, new members are needed to serve on the vestry as current members transition out. In keeping with our bylaws, a nominating team has been formed to identify potential new vestry members.  As part of this process, we welcome your written recommendations for new vestry members. We will consider all recommendations made to the committee, and from those recommendations will formally nominate new members for the vestry. Those nominees will then be…

Dear Church of the Redeemer,  On Saturday evening, the Bishop’s Council informed the Diocese of allegations of serious sexual misconduct and abuse involving former Greenhouse Movement staff member Joel Girard during his time serving on the Cornerstone Anglican Church staff (Chicago, IL).  These allegations are unrelated to the investigation into those at Big Rock, IL being overseen by the Province of the Anglican Church in North America. At her invitation, parish and diocesan leaders are working closely with the woman who…

Written by: Audrey Assad / Matt MaherRecorded by: Lydia Wildes In the beginning, you hovered over the waterYou broke an unbroken silenceYou spoke light into darknessAnd there was lightIn the beginning, we were made in your imageAnd we were naked without shameTill we fell for the darknessAnd there was night Your mercies are newYour mercies are newNew every morning In the beginning, there was the Word and he was GodAnd the Word was with GodAnd he dwelt among usAnd there…

By Theresa Garnett …Bless the dying… Because my family has had symptoms of Covid-19, we have been quarantined for the past few weeks. We have been blessed by so many of you who have checked in on us (by text), brought us groceries (and dropped them off on the porch), and participated in Church of the Redeemer’s services and meetings (by Zoom chat). But I have not been able to shake my disappointment that I am not helping others during…

Words and Music by Will Keillor I’ve been travelling down this wayward roadfor so long that I can’t find my way homein the distance I hear my Shepherd’s voiceand I know he is calling his own Chorus: So fly me to my Shepherd’s sideHe’s preparing a place there for meJust lay my head in the crook of His armAnd I know I will want no moreHigher ground do I seek for this poor sinner’s feetand place on my back wings…

In difficult times such as these, it is important to remind ourselves that we are not the first Christians to walk the grim road through a devastating pandemic. Fellow believers throughout history, from diverse nations and cultures, have walked in this path before us.

Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. The consequences of postponing public worship are weighty, but we can be confident that God is sending us out for His glory.  As David Stewart encouraged us last Sunday: God initiates and we follow, and the path of obedience is one which leads us to a place where Jesus is lifted up.  I believe that the sacrifices of the present time are mile markers on that path.…

Long time member, John Lundgren, shared this narrative of Church of the Redeemer’s first ten years at our annual meeting on Saturday. Enjoy! Paul+ Church of the Redeemer’s Ten Year Coracle Journey By John Lundgren Our tiny boat set out from Cross They knew we would prevail. They said, “Good-by” and grieved their loss. The Spirit blew our sail. Our Mother Church had sent us out, With Blessing and Provision. We were small, but hearts were stout With clarity of…

Over the past few years, our non-stipendiary minister, Rev. Dr. Edward Combe, has been studying and reflecting upon the sermons of the 19th century Anglican preacher, Rev. Charles Simeon. As a result of his study and reflection, Edward has published a series of books, one of which: 40 Meditations on the Litany in Words Selected from the Sermons of Charles Simeon, is a timely resource as we observe the season of Lent. Included below is an explanation of Edward’s work…