In Harmony and Peace
Exploring Multicultural Community
Peaceable Kingdom by John August Swanson (1969)
St. Paul’s – and each one of us – is blessed to be part of a community rich in diversity.
The most recent demographic numbers that I’ve seen say that Waukegan is 57 percent Hispanic, 16 percent Black, 18 percent White and 6 percent Asian.
You might say that’s a glimpse of the “Peaceful Kingdom” to come envisioned by the prophet Isaiah (Isaiah Chapter 11). It’s also a challenge. Intercultural understanding is not something we come by easily.
That’s why we’re offering a community reading of The Wolf Shall Dwell with the Lamb by the Rev. Dr. Eric Law. We’ll discuss it across several weeks in a series called In Harmony and Peace: Exploring Multicultural Community.
The goal is to begin to understand the role of culture as a challenge – and an opportunity – to bring together people from diverse backgrounds.
We will become aware of the learned or cultural behaviors of ourselves and others.
We will learn how the elements of culture – ethnicity, race, religion, economic status, language, age, gender identity and other factors – can interfere with understanding each other and hinder creating an authentic and loving multicultural community.
We will listen to each other. We will not argue about politics. We will not dwell in the past or look to the future but instead seek to understand how to improve intercultural understanding now.
You do not have to be a member of St. Paul’s or be a Lutheran or a Christian to participate. Just bring your curiosity and a desire to understand what divides us so that we may come together in harmony and peace.
The hourlong discussion sessions will be offered Tuesday mornings at 10:00am (in the church library and online); Wednesday evenings at 7:00pm on Zoom and at 8:00am Thursday mornings at the Sunset House restaurant in Waukegan.
Because of some scheduling issues, the series will begin the week of September 14 with an introduction and distribution of books. Participants will have the next three weeks to read the book on their own and then the weekly discussion sessions will begin the week of October 12. We'll complete the series the week of November 23 just before Advent begins.
Please sign up here to participate. We will order a copy of the book for you or you can obtain one from your favorite bookseller. If you can and would like to, you may contribute $20 to cover the cost.
Yours in Christ,
Pastor Mark
Clothes to You
The next clothing giveaway is Nov. 1 at 9:00am.
La próxima entrega de ropa es el 1 de noviembre a las 9:00am.
Our free clothing closet “Clothes to You” is open the first Saturday of the month for all in need. Donations for the closet can be brought during posted church office hours.
Nuestro armario de ropa gratis «Clothes to You» está abierto el primer sábado de cada mes para todos que lo necesita.
All Saints Remembrances
All Saints Sunday is on November 2, 2025. It is a time to remember the saints who have gone before us and honor those who have died within the past year. If you would like to have a loved one remembered in our slide show, please submit a digital photo to the office. You may also bring an actual photo during office hours (Monday - Friday from 9am - Noon or on Sunday after worship). Your photo will be scanned and returned to you. Please include the name of your loved one as well as the date of birth and date of death and your relationship.
The deadline for photos is Noon, Wednesday, October 29, 2025.
Plant a Tree
Help the Earth and help our neighborhood.
Saturday, Oct. 18, 9am - 1pm
We've been blessed with a wonderful opportunity to heed our calling to care for God's good creation by adding more than 30 trees to our neighborhood thanks to a Tree Planters Grant from Openlands.
The conservation group will provide the trees and expertise while we work with families from Whittier Elementary School to plant the trees on Saturday, October 18.
How can you help? Sign up here to be part of the planting effort.
Gurnee Troop 677 Holiday Wreath Sales
Gurnee Troop 677 will once again be selling Holiday Wreaths. The Scouts will be in the Gathering Room on Sunday, October 19, October 26 and November 2 at 10:30am to take your order after worship. Wreaths are usually delivered and ready for pick-up the Sunday before Thanksgiving. Please make your check payable to Gurnee Troop 677.