Dear Friends, 

This Sunday, the last before Palm Sunday, we come to the final reading of three from the Gospel of John that make up the heart of the Lenten readings this year—the woman at the well, the man born blind, and the raising of Lazarus. This Sunday we see Jesus raise Lazarus from the dead and, even more important and before the miracle, Jesus meets with his friends Mary and Martha, Lazarus’s sisters. In those meetings, Jesus is confronted by their grief and, even reproach. Both say to him, “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died.” 

In his conversation with Martha, Jesus reveals himself: “I am the resurrection and the life. Those who believe in me, even though they die, will live, and everyone who lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?” In a true act of faith, Martha responds, “Yes, Lord, I believe that you are the Messiah, the Son of God, the one coming into the world.” 

Like Peter, Martha confesses faith in Jesus even before he has done what she wants, even before the miracle occurs. This in itself is miraculous. 

Still, the miraculous does not erase grief. Jesus knows what he has come to do and, yet, when he faces the tomb, faces death itself, we are told starkly: “Jesus wept” (the NRSV version offers a clunkier translation: “Jesus began to weep”). 

This is a reminder that even if we know, trust, that death is not the end, that sin and death have been defeated, grief is not unfaithful. Sorrow and mourning are the right response to death. Hope in the future does not mean we must be stoic and unfeeling or unbothered in the face of present sorrows. And it is a reminder that we follow the One who is with us in grief, who knows all our human concerns and worries and sorrows. Our God is not remote, unconcerned with us, but loving and present, compassionate and merciful. 

Come, meet that One again this Sunday.

And, then, be open to say, in joy, in sorrow, “Yes, Lord, I believe.”

See you in church!

Faithfully, Suzanne+

P. S. We are offering childcare in Holy Week. If you would like to make use of this, please fill out this form and read more below.

Coffee & Connection

After the 11 service for coffee and a light snack.

Coffee will be brewing in the reading room, so come and grab a cup. Stay awhile and connect with friends—old and new. All are welcome! Our plan is to host a fourth Sunday coffee after the 11 am for the next several months. A sign up sheet to help host or bring some simple treats will be on clip boards by the front door beginning this Sunday.

All Saints is hosting Singing Resistance

2:00 - 3:30 pm in the Sanctuary

Singing Resistance is a movement across the US bringing people together to sing grounded in love, nonviolence, and solidarity. We sing because song is an antidote to fear, song helps us connect to each other, and through song we can name and protect what we hold sacred.

SUNDAY MORNING WORSHIP

Join us for worship on Sunday mornings at 8:00AM, 9:00AM, and 11:00AM. Free childcare is available on Sundays for children 6 months – 3 years old, from 8:45am – 12:15pm.

THIRD SUNDAY EVENING SERVICE

Every 3rd Sunday of the month we offer Taizé at 6:00 pm.

WEDNESDAY EVENING CENTERING PRAYER

We offer Centering Prayer on Wednesdays at 7:00 pm.



WEEKDAY MORNING PRAYER

We offer daily morning prayer (Monday – Friday) from 8:30 am – 9:00 am on Zoom.

Learn more about Worship at All Saints on our website.

Where do we get the water for baptisms?

Whenever we have baptisms at All Saints, we advertise the sources of that water. Many have asked how we get that water. The answer is: from YOU!

If you are traveling, please consider capturing some water from the lake, river, ocean, or pond you visit. Bring it in a tightly sealed bottle or other container clearly labeled with the name of the body of water if you know and the location. Don’t worry, we thoroughly boil all water before we use it and add some of our own Lake Michigan water (aka, Chicago’s finest tap water). This is a lovely sign of unity, bringing together our various experiences and travels and waters from all over to become the one, living water of baptism.

Lent 2026

Try one of our weekly services during Lent

Weekday Morning Prayer | 8:30am on Zoom 

Give this Small Group a try during Lent. Cross-section of All Saints folks, near and far, who attend daily or once a week, before they start work or when they wake up. Resources

Wednesday Evening Centering Prayer | 7:00pm

Join this small prayerful group on Wednesdays in the Reading Room for 20 minutes of centering prayer, followed by an optional time of discussion. Interested in learning more? Doors open at 6:45 for those who would like instruction in and more information about silent prayer.

Palm Sunday & Holy Week are coming!

Sunday, March 29: Palm Sunday

Services at 8:00, 9:00, and 11:00am

Drummers & Procession with Palms at the 9 & 11 services

Wednesday, April 1: Holy Wednesday

7:00pm Taizé Service with Healing Prayer and Anointing

Thursday, April 2: Maundy Thursday

7:00pm Eucharist with Foot Washing and Stripping of the Altar

Friday, April 3: Good Friday

12:00pm Stations of the Cross with Communion Service

7:00pm Service of the Day with Veneration on the Cross

Saturday, April 4: The Great Vigil of Easter

10:00am Service of the Day

8:00pm Eucharist with the lighting of the new fire, salvation history, adult baptism and renewal of baptism vows, and first Eucharist of Easter.

Sunday, April 5: Easter Sunday

8:00am Quiet, said Eucharist

9:00 and 11:00am Sung, celebratory Eucharist

Easter Egg Hunt

Saturday, April 4 at 10:00 (Parish Hall)

All children between 0 and 8 are invited to hunt for eggs. Rumor has it the Easter Bunny will be stopping by. Please let the bunny know you plan to attend so that there will be plenty of eggs for all. Email Polly@allsaintschicago.org and she’ll pass the word to the bunny.

Church Clean-Up Saturday

Saturday, April 4 immediately following the 10am Service of the Day

Join us to make the church sparkle for Easter! Meet in the sanctuary.

Confession in Holy Week

There are three set times scheduled for Holy Week. Just show up and a priest will see you as you arrive, in Courtney’s office down the school hallway. Enter through the courtyard doors.

Monday, March 30 at 12 Noon

Tuesday, March 31 at 6:00 pm

Wednesday, April 1 at 5:00 pm

In the Episcopal Church, confession (known as “reconciliation of a penitent”) is a sacramental rite available to all but required by none. Most Sundays we participate in a General Confession, but there are times when participating in individual Confession makes sense, such as when a particular sin weighs heavily on us, we seek counsel, or we are in a time of penitence like Lent. Confession differs from pastoral care in that it is brief, focuses on where we have “erred and gone astray like lost sheep,” and offers absolution and God’s forgiveness. 

Preparing for Confession

The rite of Confession is a matter of a few minutes but truly begins as one prepares for it through reflection. There are many ways to prepare for Confession. Some might reflect on the Ten Commandments (Exodus 20:2-17) or the Great Commandment, "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment. And a second is like it, You shall love your neighbor as yourself. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets” (Matthew 22:37-40), and where and how one has fallen short of them. Brother Curtis Almquist, SSJE offers a reflection on confession and ways to prepare in this article. Some people bring in notes to help jog their memories during confession.

Confession is Relief not Judgment

The Sacrament of Reconciliation of a penitent is not a time to heap coals upon one’s head or to “face the music” of one’s faults or to wallow in guilt. The confessor does not sit in judgment of the penitent. Confession, like Lent, is an opportunity to reflect on one’s direction, to turn back to God, and to receive the Good News of God’s grace and forgiveness. Having a priest as your witness and confessor provides human assurance of that divine grace. 

To learn more about the rite, see pages 446 - 452 of The Book of Common Prayer, where there is a description and two forms of the Rite of Reconciliation. The priest you meet with will guide you through the rite. As the prayer book reminds us, "The content of a confession is not normally a matter of subsequent discussion. The secrecy of a confession is morally absolute for the confessor, and must under no circumstances be broken."

If you want confession but are unable to make the set times listed in this note, a priest is always available by appointment; contact Colin, Courtney, or Suzanne to arrange for private confession. 

Faithfully, Suzanne+

We’re doing a survey about Childcare in Holy Week

Are you interested in child-care during the Maundy Thursday and/or Good Friday services?

We plan to offer childcare on Maundy Thursday and Good Friday from 6 - 8:30 pm for children ages 6 months through 5 years of age in the nursery. We can also connect parents to a list of babysitters for the Easter Vigil.

Please complete this form so we know how many children to expect and if you would like a list of babysitters.

Become a Quadrant Buddy (QB)!

Are you interested in being part of our welcoming initiative for newcomers and visitors to All Saints? 

Quadrant Buddies commit to being attentive for new/newish folks sitting in their particular quadrant offering a welcome to people they don’t recognize, inviting them to coffee hour or sparkling Sunday, asking if they have any questions, or if they would like to sign the red book. 

QB’s provide a welcome touch, an invitation, and no-pressure conversation to those who are new or newish. Even if you’re fairly new yourself, anyone who attends fairly regularly can be a QB!

Sign up here to become a Quadrant Buddy. 

If you are interested, please fill out the form and select which dates work for you.You will receive a reminder several days before you are scheduled to serve. And if you have any questions, feel free to email Courtney.

PLEASE NOTE PALM SUNDAY CAMP HAS BEEN CANCELLED.

Palm Saturday Camp for children ages 5 - 12

Saturday, March 28 | 10:00 am – 2:30 pm

Witness Wednesdays at 12:00 Noon | Federal Plaza (Jackson & Dearborn)

We gather weekly as a public sign of Christ's love in a time of great hardship. Episcopalians and friends will meet near the big red Calder sculpture at noon to pray for justice, mercy, and the dignity of all people. We pray especially for immigrants, refugees, and all those who are being detained or deported. And we remember all those impacted by unjust policies and actions. Being communal prayer, no signs or other materials are necessary, just a willingness to stand in solidarity with those who are hurting. All are welcome.

No Kings Rally and March

Saturday, March 28

Are you planning to attend the No Kings rally and march on March 28? Would you like to be part of an All Saints contingent going to the march together?

The first No Kings March and rally of 2026 falls on the eve of Palm Sunday, a day we remember as a rally and march in Jerusalem as Jesus entered to shouts of Hosanna while at the same time the Roman troops entered the city via another gate. 

On March 28, we will meet at All Saints at 11:00 AM to make signs. Poster board and markers will be provided. We will have lunch then head downtown on public transportation for the rally start at Butler Field in Grant Park. 

If you’d like to be part of our group, please email Courtney (courtney@allsaintschicago.org)

All Saints Ravenswood Run Team

Ravenswood Run - 30 Years Running

We have Co-Chairs for the All Saints Running Team! Sign up HERE to let us know you are interested, and our co-chairs will be in touch!

Learn more about this beloved 5K run in our neighborhood and register HERE.

Interested in volunteering? Learn More HERE

The Ravenswood Run was started by All Saints parishioners in 1996 and is now organized by and is a fundraiser for Ravenswood Community Services.

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.



Save the DATE!

Mexico Outreach: Padré Bayron will be at All Saints on Sunday, May 3

The Mexico Outreach Team is pleased to report that Padré Bayron will be able to join us for our annual celebration of the ongoing relationship between All Saints and his ministries in Cuernavaca, Mexico. Please join us to welcome this longtime friend of our church May 3

.

For the past (can it be?!) fifteen years, All Saints has supported his works through a line item in our annual budget. We also supplement a small stipend for his ministry and family through a fundraiser known as El Efecto Mariposa, the Butterfly Effect, symbolizing how a small change in one location can result in far greater change elsewhere.

In past years, members of our congregation have visited his ministries in Mexico. Our similarities are far greater than our differences. When we take these trips we make hew friends and insight into the local culture and faith, including extra pounds as a result of the hospitality displayed by welcoming people.

Please join us to meet a remarkable faith leader and big fan of Chicago barbecue. Coffee Hour will include treats and the likely demise of a pinata.

Waycross Camp and Conference Center Camp Creative Arts Camp

June 21–27

Creative Arts Camp is for campers who have completed 2nd–11th grade. It’s a classic summer camp experience with an added focus on the arts. Campers can expect: Traditional arts & crafts,

Music, Drama, Culinary arts, Archery, Canoeing, Hiking & ropes course, Swimming, and so much more!

During the same week, Waycross also hosts a Middle School Canoe Camp for those who want a more adventure-focused experience. For older youth (completed 9th–11th grade), there are leadership development opportunities through:

• Leaders in Community
• Leaders at Camp

These programs are fantastic for teens who are ready to grow their leadership skills, build confidence, and deepen their faith in community. Multiple churches are organizing and planning to send groups. Church of Our Saviour and St. John’s are exploring the possibility to rent a van or bus if there is enough interest.

If you’d like more information, or if you’d like to set up a Zoom to talk it through, I’d be happy to connect!

Grace and peace,

The Rev. Jess Elfring-Roberts

Deacon, Church of Our Saviour

jesselfring@gmail.com

Our next vestry meeting: April 21 at 7 pm in the Reading Room. Vestry meetings are open to the public. To see the most current Vestry Minutes click here.

8:00am

Altar Guild: Louisa McKellaston

9:00am

Acolytes: Gretchen Schlabach & Julie Sweeney

Altar Guild: Margaret Dunn

Chalice: Gretchen Schlabach

Intercessor: Kristen Schenk

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

Ushers: Skip Yates

Vestry Announcement: John Dufour

Coffee Hour: Leslie Thomas

11:00am

Acolytes: Owen Fayer & Skip Yates

Altar Guild: Ashley Gilmore & John Tyler

Chalice: Ashley Gilmore, Priscilla McGraw, John Tyler, & Skip Yates

Intercessor: Zain Jamshaid

Lectors: Reader 1) Bill McHugh; Reader 2) Jesse Jardim

Ushers: Nancy Kipnis

Vestry Announcement: Skip Yates

Sparkling Sunday: Every 2nd Sunday

4th Sunday Coffee Hour: Nancy Kipnis & Gretchen Schlabach

Facebook Livestream Team at the 11:00am Service

Audio: Jacob Farmer

Camera: June Coyne

For those who suffer in mind, body, or spirit:  especially for Bryan Bergman, Chad Bergman, Susie Griffith and Scott Porterfield, Carrie Griffith and Tom Griffith and their families, Chet Kelly, Dale Patton, Jude Flores, Nancy Guthrie, and for those whose hurt, burdens, and fears go unspoken.

For those on our long-term prayer list: especially for Trisha Diamond, Bob McCamant & family, Noel McGraw, Allen Masterson, Ruth, Sherry, Ron Lee, Robert Winslow, LouAnne Severson, Anna K., Neal, Steve Burns, Ashton Christy, Eugene Washington, Helen LoRusso, Peg Deppe, Nina Chinn, Jim Crandall, Lionel Edes, and Clara Maddox.

For those around the world: especially those affected by war; and our siblings in Cuernavaca, Mexico; and Renk, South Sudan.

For those who celebrate birthdays this week:

3/22 - Dan Hornung

3/24 - Raina Gilmore, Allison Mankowski

3/25 - Angie Schlater

3/26 - Thomas Wolff

3/27 - Chad Eric Bergman, Alex Eddy, José Sanchez-Perry

3/28 - Brede Eschliman, Cynthia Gu

For those who celebrate anniversaries this week:

3/22 - Ann McKenzie & John Wischnewsky

For those who have died: especially for Jeanne McCauley, aunt and godmother of Lina Benich; and Carol Griffith, mother of Susie Griffith and mother-in-law of Scott Porterfield. 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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