Dear friends,

Some weeks, I sit down to write and a whole list of important topics comes to mind. This is one of those weeks, so I’m sharing the list without much fluff:

Our Building Dedication and Ribbon-Cutting event was a beautiful and inspiring celebration! It was truly a community-led day that lifted up the life-changing presence COS and Care for Friends have here in Lincoln Park. If you prayed for, attended, helped prepare for, helped publicize, or helped in that event in any way, thank you. Church of Our Saviour is the grace-filled community it is because you are here.

In a similar vein, last Sunday’s 10am Eucharist and festive coffee hour were joyous expressions of our love for God and one another. Thank you to all who had a part in preparing, praying for, serving in, or cleaning up after the Bishop’s visitation and our Spooktacular coffee hour. Please continue to pray for Tristan Kirvin and Rich and Cindy Trubey, our newest Episcopalians, as they discern how God is weaving their faith stories in with ours.

Sunday morning, we’ll celebrate All Saints Day. Our prayer book has a prayer that says, “God’s saints have been the lights of the world in every generation.” In other words, saints are people through whom the Love of God shines, people who make the world a better place…. They are bringers of God’s grace into places of bleakness, fear, injustice and loss. The communion of saints is a holy, social reality, and you and I are part of it. In Sunday’s celebration of baptism and blessing of the Columbarium, we will remember the truth that we live every moment of our lives in the strong, tender love of God.

Please pray for Elliott Carrol Kim, his parents Sarah and Dave, his brother Wyatt, and their entire circle of family and friends as they prepare for his baptism this Sunday.

Finally, our stewardship and pledge season kicks off this Sunday. Consider attending the 9 am Adult Forum and start prayerfully considering how you are called to participate financially in COS’s ministry.

In Christ,

Pastor Charlotte 

Stewardship Campaign 2025

It has been a remarkable year in the life of COS. After a period of betwixt and between, we now face the open road of possibility: the possibility of how we can utilize our new building, the possibility of engaging positively and proactively in our broken world, the possibility of deepening our own spiritual path and connection to God. Our stewardship campaign encourages all members to make a pledge; in other words, to commit to offering financial backing to the church over the coming year at whatever level is comfortable for them. Some people choose to do that through monthly donations (electronically or through checks), while others do so through gifts from retirement accounts or stocks/securities. Some people choose to use the biblical notion of tithe, donating 10% of their income to the church, but any and every gift is warmly appreciated. We want your spiritual practice of generosity and gratitude to be supported by Church of Our Saviour. 

All Souls Party | Nov 1

Gen Z/Millennial Gathering this Saturday

at the Elfring-Roberts household. 

November 1st 6-9pm

Bring a dish and a story to share.

RSVP to Deacon Jess.

All Saints & Columbarium Blessing | Nov 2

COS will celebrate the Feast of All Saints (transferred) this Sunday, November 2. To honor those saints who have passed on, bring photos of loved ones to be placed near the altar. In addition to this remembrance, please plan to join on following the 10am service as we gather to bless the new columbarium.

Adult Forum Series | Nov 2 - Nov 23

During the month of November, we will be offering adult forums centered on reflecting on who we are and who we want to grow to be. It is a time for renewal and taking stock of how we want to bring the Good News into the world through our very lives. These important conversations will help us to reflect on what we have done and explore what remains still possible. Our four sessions will be:

• November 2 - Money: A few thoughts from Statesville prison, Wall Street, and the book of Ecclesiastes or how to get rich (in several senses) slowly led by Steve Peterson
• November 9 - Exploring New Opportunities for Using the Parish Commons led by Betsy Sharpe
• November 16 - The Personal Impact of Our Current Ministries led by Gregory Peoples
• November 23 - Discerning Together: Which of our neighbors' needs break our heart? Where will we serve as a parish? led by Rev. Charlotte Johnson

We hope that you can use this time to reflect on where you are with God right now and what you feel you have to offer of yourself to the world and the church. 

Baptism Announcements | Nov 2 & 9

Join us at the 10am service this Sunday, November 2 as we baptize Elliott Carroll Kim and next Sunday, November 9 as we baptize Beatrice Florence Calloway! A special coffee hour will follow each Sunday service organized by the families of the candidates.

Memorial for Ted Long | Nov 8

The memorial service for Ted Long, husband of Clare Nolan Long will be held at COS on November 8, at 1pm.



A reception will follow in the Parish Commons. All are welcome.

ReVive Christmas Baskets

It's ReVive Christmas Basket time! COS is sponsoring 17 families and we need your help! There are still opportunities to fully or partially sponsor a family or make a donation. Please reach out to Nissa Cox if you would like to participate in this ministry!

Pizza | Pew | Pie | Nov 26

Join us for our traditional pre-Thanksgiving celebration on Wednesday, November 26. At 6:30pm, we will enjoy a casual pizza dinner, followed by a liturgy of thanksgiving with music, and conclude with desert! Please bring a dessert to share.

Illinois Coalition for Immigrant & Refugee Rights (ICIRR) Trainings

Know Your Rights Upcoming Trainings

Learn how to protect yourself and your community during encounters with immigration or law enforcement. This workshop will cover our fundamental rights, how to assert them safely, and where to find trusted resources and support.

11/3, 6PM Know Your Rights Training: Registration Link

11/10, 6PM Know Your Rights Training: Registration Link

11/17, 6PM Know Your Rights Training: Registration Link

11/24, 6PM Know Your Rights Train the Trainer: Registration Link  

Snapshots: Bishop Visitation & Spooktacular

Episcopal Church Immigration Action Toolkit — Updates and New Materials

For those seeking to support immigrant and refugee neighbors, The Episcopal Church offers advocacy tools, ways to help, and links to multiple resources in the Immigration Action Toolkit. 

Find new resources under “Know your rights” about the CBP (Customs and Border Protection) Home app and rights for green-card holders, as well as a new section under “Additional resources” with materials related to the impact of new H.R.1 legislation. Toolkit resources are available in Spanish where indicated. 

Access the Toolkit here.

Lincoln Park Community Services Taste of Fall 1985 | Nov 13

Brush off those shoulder pads and leg warmers and join Lincoln Park Community Services to party with a purpose! Our annual Taste of Fall will be held on Thursday, November 13 at Ovation Chicago in West Loop. This year we are throwing it all the way back to the year we were formed: 1985. Sample items from your favorite local restaurants, bid on auction packages, and dance the night away to the hits of the 80s, all while helping support our programs! 



A limited amount of Early Bird tickets are on sale now! Get yours before they sell out.

Ravenswood Fellowship UMC Annual Pancake Breakfast

On November 8, Ravenswood Fellowship UMC is having our annual pancake breakfast from 9am-2pm. In addition to the food, we'll have baked goods and crafts available from local vendors. All are invited.

Churches for Middle East Peace

Weekly Briefings

Thursdays from 9-9:30 am Central

Join weekly briefings on the Israel-Hamas war hosted by Churches for Middle East Peace (CMEP). The Episcopal Church is a founding member and active on the board of CMEP, an organization that mobilizes Christians in the United States to advocate for equality, human rights, security, and justice for Israelis, Palestinians, and all people of the Middle East. Learn more and register.

Diocesan Cycle of Prayer for the Week of November 2

Please pray for Diocesan Institutions and Organizations: Brotherhood of St. Andrew; Daughters of the King; Episcopal Church Women And for ministries in our Companion Dioceses of SE Mexico and Renk, Sudan.