St. John’s Concert Series Presents: Motherhood (Instructions Not Included)


Motherhood (Instructions Not Included)
performed by Rachel Sitomer, vocals
Ashlee Mack, piano

Saturday, May 24 at 4 pm

Rachel Sitomer and Ashlee Mack are thrilled to bring “Motherhood (Instructions Not Included)” to St. John’s Concert Series. This program was a winner of the 2022 Mixtape Recital Series in Maryland and has been performed several times since. As part of the premiere performance, Rachel and Ashlee performed the world premiere of What’s for dinner: A guide to managing expectations by Sean Pfluger and Laura Fuentes. This piece, along with Ave Maria by Bach/Gounod, Baby Book* by Lauren Spavelko/Chloe Yelena Miller, and Paper Wings by Jake Heggie/Frederica von Stade will all be performed at St. John’s.

This performance is made possible in part by a grant from the Maryland State Arts Council. This concert is free and open to the public.

*Content warning: This piece deals with miscarriage and parent grief.

Worship with St. John’s

The Fifth Sunday of Easter
Sunday, May 18, 2025

Join us for worship at 8 and 10 am.

8 am: Holy Eucharist, spoken with musical accompaniment.
10 am: Holy Eucharist, accompanied by the Choir.

Download the bulletin for Sunday, May 18, 2025.

For In Person Worship The nursery is open from 8:00 -11:30 a.m. Please join us for coffee hour!

For Online Worship: Join any service via Zoom Meeting ID: 882 2966 1337 Passcode: 3857 By phone: call 312.626.6799. Enter the Meeting ID and #. Enter the Password and #. OR Watch on YouTube (8 am) Facebook live (10 am) on our public page. If we’re not on St John’s Chicago, we’re live on Rector John 

NEW! St. John’s Creative Arts Community

St. John’s Creative Arts Community is a newly formed group of artists and crafters of all skill levels who meet twice a month at St. John’s Episcopal Church, 3857 N. Kostner Avenue, Chicago.

Craft Day: First Wednesday of the month from 1 to 4 pm
Craft Night: Third Wednesday of the month from 6 to 9 pm

We welcome all who need a space to work on art projects, are looking to learn a new skill, or just want to hang out with other talented, creative people. If this sounds like you, please stop by! Attendance is free. Join us in the church hall and bring a project that you want to work on. Children are welcome to join the fun, but please note we do not provide any childcare
Questions or have a skill you want to teach to others? Please contact Debbie at dmaher34@gmail.com.
Open to all in the Irving Park Community!

Why change Columbus Day to Indigenous Peoples’ Day?

Learn about the current movement to change the celebration of Columbus Day to a celebration of Indigenous Peoples’ Day.

Thank you to all who attended our conversation. We discussed this press release calling for the change.

Other suggested reading:
An Indigenous Peoples’ History of the United States by Roxanne Dunbar-Ortiz

This document will give you background and perspective from the American Indian Center.

Columbus and the Quest for Jerusalem: How Religion Drove the Voyages that Led to America by Carol Delaney