Dear Friends, 

Merry Christmas!

This is the second day of Christmas; if I could, I would give you all two Turtle Doves!

As you know, though the world outside of church treats Christmas as a one-day extravaganza, the church in her wisdom celebrates Christmas as a twelve-day season that only ends on the Feast of the Epiphany on January 6. During the Season of Christmas, there are multiple feast days; today is the Feast of St. Stephen, the first martyr of the church (also Boxing Day in England); the Feast of St. John tomorrow; the Feast of the Holy Innocents on Sunday (though we transfer it to Monday when it falls on a Sunday); and the Feast of the Holy Name of Jesus Christ on January 1. 

In other words, we are in a season of celebration, which is entirely appropriate given what we celebrate, not Santa (though we love him), not general goodwill (though we could use more of that), but that God loves us so much that God had to join us, had to become entangled with us, not just in a spiritual way but a bodily, molecular, blood-and-guts kind of way. It takes at least 12 days to celebrate that wild, mad, joyous truth.

So, keep the twinkly lights up, keep singing the carols, keep giving gifts and telling stories and throwing parties. Keep the crèche out, and move the Magi around the house so they end up at the stable on January 6. And come to church where we will “keep the feast” each Sunday—lights, joy, the Eucharistic feast, and Christmas carols to keep the party going.

Merry Christmas, Friends. See you in church!

Faithfully, Suzanne+

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.

Join us to Celebrate Seminarian Sam Love

Sunday, January 18 at Coffee Hour after the 9 am Service

Sam Love will end his field work with us at the end of the year. He’s been with us since September 2024. Come and bid him well.

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 Book Club

Thursday, January 8 at 7:30 pm (on Zoom)

Christmas Crimes at The Mysterious Bookshop by Otto Penzler

Twelve festive crime stories set in New York City’s beloved mystery bookstore

The All Saint’s Book Club meets on the second Thursday of the month at 7:30 PM on Zoom. If you are not a regular attendee, contact Mike Burke mebcat@gmail.com for the meeting invite.

Knit, Purl, Pray

Saturday, January 10 at 10 am - 12 pm

Group meets on the 2nd Saturday of the Month from 10:00 am – 12:00 noon

Calling all knitters, needle pointers, weavers, and crafters of all kinds! Are you interested in crafting while getting to know some of your fellow All Saints community members?

Interested in learning more? Contact Colin at colin@allsaintschicago.org. 

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. 

Sign Up by January 8 HERE

Caregiver Connections

Monday, January 19 at 7:00 pm

Caregiver Connections is a monthly gathering for caregivers to share experiences, listen, vent, get a break, compare notes, and occasionally hear from experts on specific resources. All are welcome! Reach out to Kelly McNees (kellymcnees@gmail.com) with any questions.

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: The Office is closed December 25, 26, 29, and January 1.

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: Louisa McKellaston

9:00am

Acolytes: Jonah Kruse & Isabella Maki

Altar Guild: Margaret Dunn

Chalice: Polly Tangora & Skip Yates

Intercessor: Raquel Flores-Maki

Lectors: Reader 1) Skip Yates; Reader 2) Douglas Matteson

Ushers: Alice Wozniak

Vestry Announcement: José Sanchez-Perry

Coffee Hour: Carla Schemper

11:00am

Acolytes: Ashley Gilmore, Eric Swiecki, & John Tyler

Altar Guild: Liz Morris & Gretchen Schlabach

Chalice: Polly Tangora

Intercessor: Lorraine Langer

Lectors: Reader 1) Eileen Crowley; Reader 2) Eileen Crowley

Ushers: Lorraine Langer

Vestry Announcement: Gretchen Schlabach

Sparkling Sunday: N/A

Facebook Livestream Team at the 11:00am Service

Audio: Megan Turnquist

Camera: Mark Piroch



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, and Clara Maddox.

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:

12/28 - Kate Lewis-Lakin, Sunny Lopez

12/31 - Kellyanne Fitzgerald, Ben Sweeney

1/1 - Mark Powers

For those who celebrate anniversaries this week:

12/29 - Jeff & Lisa Lee

12/30 - Julia & Mike Kurtz

12/31 - Kristin & Ben Egan

For those who have died: especially David Brummer, beloved husband of Mary Fergus and father of Olivia Fergus-Brummer; Mary Lee Fergus, mother of Mary Fergus and grandmother of Olivia Fergus-Brummer; Madge Ginn, mother of Tony Ginn and mother-in-law of M.B. Port-Ginn; and Gwendolyn Graham, friend of Joe Wernette-Harnden. 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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