Dear Friends, 

In a few days, on December 21, this year the fourth and last Sunday of Advent, we will enter the shortest, the darkest day of the year, the winter solstice, the day when light is most needed and celebrated. This past week we have witnessed the need for light in the gloom, the aridity, the darkness of sin as we move towards the darkest day.

The shootings at Brown University during finals as students looked forward to winter break and reuniting with friends and family. The mass killing of Jews in Australia on the first night of Chanukah, the season of welcoming and celebrating the light. The murder of Rob and Michele Reiner, allegedly by their own son; then, the ugly response by the president, which sought to divide and blame rather than unite after tragedy. The return of government forces to Chicago to frighten our city and harass and arrest our neighbors and friends.

Yes, as we spin, literally, into the darkest day of the year, which can be a lovely, thoughtful day for stillness and quiet, we seem also to be spinning into the dark recesses of the human heart. 

While it is normal and human to be angry and shocked about all of the above, to line up on “sides,” to point fingers, I have been thinking lately about the importance of sorrow and grief. Death and division are cause for deep sorrow, sin is cause for deep sorrow, feeling helpless is cause for deep sorrow. 

Then I remember this poetry from Isaiah that we hear every Christmas Eve and Day:

The people who walked in darkness

    have seen a great light;

those who lived in a land of deep darkness—

    on them light has shined. (9:2)

Then I remember this poem from Anglican priest R. S. Thomas that captures how our God responds to our gloom and sin:

The Coming

And God held in his hand

A small globe. Look he said.

The son looked. Far off,

As through water, he saw

A scorched land of fierce

Colour. The light burned

There; crusted buildings

Cast their shadows: a bright

Serpent, A river

Uncoiled itself, radiant

With slime.

On a bare

Hill a bare tree saddened

The sky. many People

Held out their thin arms

To it, as though waiting

For a vanished April

To return to its crossed

Boughs. The son watched

Them. Let me go there, he said.

Even in the darkest night, a light shines. Look for it. Trust in it.

See you in Church.

Faithfully, Suzanne+

Changes in Church Staff and Titles

As Colin is ordained a priest, his role and title will change, as will Courtney’s.

Colin will be Associate Rector overseeing liturgy and pastoral care. Courtney will be Vicar, which is a “churchy” word that refers to a clergy person who can stand in for their “superior,” in this case for the Rector. Courtney will continue to oversee outreach and welcome. Suzanne continues as Rector, overseeing the whole church, focused especially on administration and finances, spiritual life, and adult formation. And, of course, all three work together for the good of All Saints and all our good people!

3rd Sunday Evening Service

Taizé for Advent

Sunday, December 21 at 6:00 pm

Join us for a contemplative form of worship rooted in the practices of the Taizé Community in France. This service is offered to nurture inner peace, spiritual renewal, and a sense of unity. Taizé worship is characterized by simple repetitive chants with periods of silence for contemplation and readings from scripture.

Epiphany Vigil

Monday, January 5, 2025 at 7:00 pm

Join us Monday, January 5, 2026 at 7:00 pm for communion and hymns as we celebrate the Epiphany. On this night we ask ourselves how are we bearing light? Where can we be signs of hope, peace, and love for those who are struggling, in jeopardy, or feeling bleak?

Epiphany celebrates the manifestation of Jesus to the world and is an invitation for Jesus to be a daily guest in our home, our comings and goings, our conversations, our work and play, our joys and sorrows. A traditional way of doing this is to use chalk blessed during the liturgy and write the following above your home’s entryway: 20 + C + M + B + 26

The letters C, M, B have two meanings. They are the initials of the traditional names of the three magi: Caspar, Melchior, and Balthazar. They also abbreviate the Latin words Christus mansionem benedicat, “May Christ bless the house.” The “+” signs represent the cross and 2026 is the year. We will provide chalk for you to take home.

About Epiphany

The feast of the Epiphany is January 6th, twelve days after Christmas. In the Western churches (including the Episcopal Church), Epiphany celebrates the arrival of the Wise Men from the East to the Christ child in Bethlehem. At All Saints this year we are celebrating Epiphany with a vigil on the eve of the feast.

Newcomer Conversations

Sunday, January 4

Brief Gathering after the 9 & 11 am Services

Coffee, Donuts, and Conversation.



Are you new to All Saints? Perhaps you’ve just attended one or two times and would like to learn a little bit more about our community. 

Join us in the Reading Room for a 20-minute gathering to connect with other newcomers and briefly hear from one of our clergy and vestry members. 

All Saints "Epiphany Camp” 

Children 6 to 12 years old

Saturday January 10 from 2:30 to 5:30pm 

If your child would like to join us for this afternoon, please email Polly Tangora. polly@allsaintschicago.org no later than Tuesday, January 6th so we can plan staffing and materials.

This is a lovely quiet afternoon to celebrate the Christmas season and Epiphany, the 12th day after Christmas, when we remember the arrival of the Magi in Bethlehem.

As the excitement and celebration of Christmas begin to fade, we take a quiet moment to reflect on what Christmastide means: the prophecies of the coming Messiah and Gospel readings telling of the birth of Christ. 

With candle decorating, singing, and simple crafts, our younger children (6-8 year olds) spend time reflecting on what the scripture tells us of Jesus’ birth; while our older children (in the 9 to 12 group) plan a celebration that includes preparing a candle lit labyrinth of greenery on the parish hall floor to represent the journey of the Magi to Bethlehem.   

Then, around 4:45 pm, parents, and any others interested, are invited to join in the celebration that the children have prepared and walk the candlelit path to the manger scene while we all sing lots of atrium songs.

Inquirer’s Meeting

Sunday, January 11 at 12:30 pm

Are you an Adult Interested in being baptized, confirmed, received into the church, or in reaffirming your baptismal vows? Save the date for this upcoming meeting in January. 

8AM-ers Breakfast Club

JOIN US! (Because pancakes are practically a spiritual practice)

Formally starting Sunday, December 21, 2025, all 8am attendees are warmly invited to gather for breakfast right after worship at The Golden Nugget (Lawrence and Ravenswood).

(And truly, ANYONE is welcome to join! Even if you didn't wake up for the 8am... we won't tell.)

Why rush home when you can linger over coffee, swap stories, and enjoy the holy sacrament of bacon? Beginning January, we will keep the tradition going on the 3rd Sunday of every month. Come for the food, stay for the laughter, and leave feeling spiritually and nutritionally full. 

Note, breakfast is a pay-your-own-way, but the company is priceless.

2026 Breakfast Club Dates (3rd Sunday of every month) so mark your calendars

• January 18
• February 15
• March 15
• April 19
• May 17
• June 21
• July 19
• August 16
• September 20
• October 18
• November 15
• December 20

Pull up a chair; we'll save you a seat.

An Evening of Light, Love and Solidarity

Based on the Tradition of the Posada

Reclaiming Chicago and Reclaiming Our Communities

Friday December 19, 2025 6-8pm

Chicago Lawn – SWOP and St. Rita of Cascia Catholic Church (2558 W 63^rd Street)

We will gather together on Friday night December 19 at 6pm with our brothers and sisters from SWOP (Southwest Organizing Project), from St. Rita’s to process through the community with light, re-enacting the holy family’s search for safety and shelter in the Christmas season. The homes that we will visit will be “Reclaiming Homes” – formerly vacant buildings rehabbed by SWOP with the support of United Power and now owned by hard-working families. We will deliver gifts, receive gifts, and celebrate together. 

Please respond and let me know as soon as you can if you can join me for this special event on Friday night December 19 – it would be great to have you there.

Barbara Manley: barbaramanley1@gmail.com

Congratulations to the All Saints United Power Team and all those working for affordable home ownership in Chicago!

Chicago Prize 2025 announces a significant investment in Reclaiming Chicago, supporting affordable homeownership efforts in the Chicago Lawn neighborhood and beyond that will build wealth for residents, activate vacant lots, and add density — all contributing to healthier, more vibrant neighborhoods.



The recipient, Reclaiming Chicago, is a coalition of community leaders, developers, and organizers convened through United Power for Action and Justice.

LEARN MORE HERE

Ravenswood Community Services (RCS) is thrilled to announce that an anonymous donor has offered to match every dollar donated to RCS this December, up to $10,000!

The timing of this couldn’t be better. Not only is RCS gearing up to meet the challenges that 2026 will bring, it also marks the launch of their newest After School Pantry in partnership with McPherson Elementary. McPherson Elementary joins Goudy, McCutcheon, and Brenneman Elementary schools currently in partnership with RCS, now entering its fourth year of providing kid-friendly food on site at dismissal times, every week these pantries matter. As kids - sometimes with adults and sometimes not - fill bags with peanut butter, mac and cheese, oatmeal, pasta, oranges, and apples, moments of giggles and companionship gently mask the realities of food insecurity. These pantries meet busy families where they are, offering food to cover weekend meals that is both easy to carry home and simple to prepare.

Despite its many challenges, 2025 has also been marked by an overwhelming display of kindness and generosity from RCS family of volunteers and donors. Folks showed up in ALL the ways, big, small, and in-between.

Thank you for your consideration to donate to RCS this December!

VOLUNTEER AT RAVENSWOOD COMMUNITY SERVICES (RCS)

RCS & Tuesday Pantry Volunteers

RCS is always on the lookout for new volunteers. If you've been thinking you might like to give volunteering with RCS a try, now would be a really great time. 



Click to Volunteer Hub! 

RCS is looking for volunteers to join 

the Tuesday Delivery Crew. 

Every Tuesday between 12:30-2pm volunteers unload A LOT OF FOOD from pallets on the sidewalk to the Parish Hall for distribution. You should feel comfortable lifting 30-50 lbs and going up and down stairs. Those interested should reach out to Parker at parker@ravenswoodcommunityservices.org.



The Ravenswood Community Winter Market at All Saints

Saturday, January 17 from 10 am - 2 pm.

Mark your calendars. The Ravenswood Community Farmers Market is moving indoors in the All Saints Parish Hall (enter at the Wilson address). Local produce from Patyk Farms, baked goods from Hillary’s Cookies, Tamales Express, sourdough bread and bagels from Irene’s, and more.Please show your local vendors some love during the winter season and come shop indoors!

Our next vestry meeting: January 20 at 7 pm in the Reading Room. Vestry meetings are open to the public. To see the most current Vestry Minutes click here.

The Church Office Holiday Hours: December 24 office closes at 3PM. The Office is closed on December 25 and December 26.

SAVE THE DATE!

The All Saints Annual Meeting is coming!

Sunday, January 25 at 10:00am

Annual Meetings at All Saints are joyous, festive affairs. Yes, we handle the business of the church—reviewing the past year, examining past financials, receiving the budget passed by vestry for the current year, electing members to the vestry and delegates to diocesan convention—but we also have fun sharing food and stories, and dreaming about the upcoming year. It’s sort of like the State of the Union but without partisan drama. Stay tuned for more, but plan to be there at 10:00am!

Please note: on Annual Meeting Sunday, we'll conduct services at 8:00 and 9:00am, but not at 11:00.

A Call to Serve: Vestry Members and Delegates to Convention

If you're interested in serving All Saints as a member of our vestry or a diocesan representative, please apply online by January 5, 2025!

As a member of the All Saints Vestry, you'll participate in the oversight of the financial and spiritual health of the church. Fiscal responsibilities include reviewing and approving financial statements as prepared by the Treasurer; approving and institutionalizing recommendations from the Finance Committee concerning budget, loan, and investment activities; and managing our physical plant resources. You'll engage in the spiritual health of the church by supporting our mission and our ministries, offering time and energy to members of the congregation through both group and one-on-one interactions. Each Vestry member is expected to attend monthly meetings and an annual retreat and to participate in the preparation and realization of the Annual Meeting at which Vestry and Warden elections are held. Any pledge-paying member of the church, sixteen years or older, is eligible. 

If you'd like to find out more about how the Vestry works, contact our Co-Wardens Ann McKenzie and John Dufour (use Breeze or contact the office for their contact information).

As a Delegate to Diocesan Convention, you will attend a Deanery meeting to learn more about the way that the diocese governs itself and to meet other delegates; review resolutions, budget, and ministry reports from the diocese before convention; and attend our convention in November (date TBD), which includes voting to elect candidates to varies governing bodies and on resolutions. This is a great way to get to know people around the diocese and to influence the future of the larger church!

Vestry and Delegate Application

8:00am

Altar Guild: Brian Kozlowski

9:00am

Acolytes: Nolan Kruse & Sam Love

Altar Guild: Eric Swiecki

Chalice: Chad Kruse, Sam Love, & Eric Swiecki

Intercessor: Douglas Matteson

Lectors: Reader 1) Skip Yates; Reader 2) Paula Stevens-Contey

Ushers: Lacey Kruse & Skip Yates

Vestry Announcement: John Dufour

Coffee Hour: Joe and David Wernette-Harnden & Matt Davis

11:00am

Acolytes: Gretchen Schlabach & Skip Yates

Altar Guild: Sarah Hallett

Chalice: Rachel Jacobs, Liz Morris, Gretchen Schlabach, & Skip Yates

Intercessor: Lorraine Langer

Lectors: Reader 1) Bill McHugh; Reader 2) Terry DeLisio

Ushers: Amy Jacobson & Ingrid Upchurch

Vestry Announcement: Ann McKenzie

Sparkling Sunday: Ann McKenzie

Facebook Livestream Team at the 11:00am Service

Audio: Megan Turnquist

Camera: Lelia Fry



Christmas Eve Service: 4PM

Acolytes: Gretchen Schlabach

Altar Guild: Ashley Gilmore & John Tyler

Chalice: Andrea Garland, Ashley Gilmore, Polly Tangora, & John Tyler

Intercessor: Polly Tangora

Lector: David Springer

Light Dimmer: Amy Jacobson

Ushers: Amy Jacobson, Ann Mckenzie, & Alice Wozniak

Christmas Eve Service: 6PM

Acolytes: Gretchen Schlabach

Altar Guild: Matthew Sanders & Clarine Stephens

Chalice: Andrea Garland, Clarine Stephens, Paula Stevens-Contey, & Polly Tangora

Intercessor: Polly Tangora

Lector: Matthew Sanders

Light Dimmer: Eli Garland & Jack Garland

Ushers: Eli Garland, Jack Garland, & Josephine Koo

Christmas Eve Service: 10:30PM

Acolytes: Jenni Masterson & Gretchen Schlabach

Altar Guild: Louisa McKellaston & Eric Swiecki

Chalice: Mike Burke, Jenni Masterson, Gretchen Schlabach, & Eric Swiecki

Intercessor: Lelia Fry

Lector: Reader 1) Terry DeLisio; Reader 2) Eileen Crowley

Light Dimmer: Michael Mattson

Ushers: Raven Cullo & Michael Mattson

Facebook Livestream Team at the 11:00pm Service

Audio: Kuo Tye

Camera: Lelia Fry



Christmas Day Service: 10:00AM

Acolytes: Owen Fayer & Jenni Masterson

Altar Guild: Liz Morris & Gretchen Schlabach

Chalice: Liz Morris, Gretchen Schlabach, Paula Stevens-Contey, & Skip Yates

Intercessor: Skip Yates

Lector: Reader 1) Adam Phillips; Reader 2) Amy Healey

Ushers: Chet Kelly & Dale Patton

Facebook Livestream Team at the 11:00pm Service

Audio: Kuo Tye

Camera: Dylan Masterson



For those who suffer in mind, body, or spirit: especially for Therese, Jeff Hunter, Carrie & Jim Schmidt, Anne Gellman, and for those whose hurt, burdens, and fears go unspoken.

For those on our long-term prayer list:  especially for Noel McGraw, Allen Masterson, Ruth, Sherry, Ron Lee, Robert Winslow, LouAnne Severson, Jennifer Christy, Anna K., Sarah Booten, Neal, Steve Burns, Ashton Christy, Carl Youngberg, Eugene Washington, Helen LoRusso, Peg Deppe, Nina Chinn, Jim Crandall, Lionel Edes, Clara Maddox, David Brummer, and Mary Lee Fergus.

For those around the world: the people of Gaza and Israel, the people of Ukraine, and all affected by war; and our siblings in Cuernavaca, Mexico; and Renk, South Sudan.

For those who celebrate birthdays this week:

12/21 - Morgan Kingsley, Lugene Schemper

12/22 - Aimee Fawley, Jean Linsner

12/23 - Cay Allan, Rohan Mascarenhas

12/25 - Tracey Lemon

12/26 - David Brummer, Jesse Jardim

For those who celebrate anniversaries this week:

12/22 - Lelia Fry & Kuo-Lun Tye

12/23 - Liz Bartels & Michael O’Neil

For those who have died: especially Madge Ginn, mother of Tony Ginn; Steven Staurseth, father of Phil Staurseth and father-in-law of Kerry Staurseth; and Brant Dykehouse, friend of Jim Statler. May their souls and the souls of all the departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace.

If you'd like to have someone included in our community prayers:

www.allsaintschicago.org

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