Dear Friends

Is it just me or does it feel like life has sped up lately, that people are more overwhelmed, that even the most efficient and capable people in your life (maybe YOU?) are no longer responding to emails and texts, are behind on, well, everything?

I’ve been feeling this way this Fall and hearing this from others as well. I am barely staying on top of all that needs to be done at work and at home. Okay, true confession: I am NOT staying on top of many things. I keep trying to identify the cause of this overwhelm, and there are many candidates. The constant reports of ICE attacks in our city and the endless shocking news from the federal government exhaust and demoralize us. The endless nature of work, relentless e-mails, Slack messages, and Teams and Zoom meetings means we’re never truly at rest. The constant pressure of phones and screens prevents reflection. The drumbeat to do more, prepare for the future, engage one more enrichment activity keep parents and children on the go.

I worry that I, we, are all so drenched in stress and busyness and cortisol that pausing, resting, seem impossible, laughable, even undesirable.

This Sunday’s Gospel is a shocking one as Jesus warns of the destruction of the Temple, just as he is about to warn his friends, again, that he, too, will face destruction. He warns that they will also suffer persecutions, betrayal, and war. And his advice, his consolation: do not make plans in advance, do not worry, endure. 

And how do we do that, Beloved, in this fraught time (perhaps the only time of kind we humans ever live in)? There must be some small space in our lives for prayer and silence and reflection; there must be time for connection with God, ourselves, our loved ones. When I lack steps for connection, I pray to God to give me the grace to pause, to stop, to silence the phone, shut the laptop, give up on getting everything done, and to stare out the window, be quiet with God, breathe deeply in the presence of a friend, say “no” to one more thing so that I give more time for togetherness with loved ones.



Perhaps you would like to pray for such things, too? For there will never be an end to injustice, to work, to our To Do lists and obligations. We do not want to be careless, so we will not abandon these things; however, we do not want to become robots, mere productivity machines, so we might have to say “no” to some things, press pause on others, try on quiet and patience and equanimity, even if that means we are not perfect and some things do not get done. 

What if, right now, you paused for five minutes, closed your eyes, did not worry, made no plans, and just . . . endured?

See you in church.

3rd Sunday Evening Service 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.



Thank you to all who have so generously pledged for 2026!

Number of pledges: 200

Total pledge amount: $664,850

Number of new pledges: 47

Your pledge supports our neighbors in need and helps us build our community and grow in faith so that we can share our joy and compassion with all we encounter and fuel the fight for justice in our city, country, and beyond. Thank you again for sharing your gifts!

And If you haven’t pledged yet, you still can!

In December, Deacons Bryan Matias and Deacon Colin Collette will be ordained to the priesthood. Bryan and Colin are both sponsored for ordination by All Saints, and we want to celebrate them!

We will celebrate them and share gifts at their ordinations (Shhhh, we're keeping quiet about what those gifts are!), and you will get to see some of them when Colin presides at his first Mass at All Saints on Sunday, December 21!

If you can, please contribute to these ordination gifts. Choose "Ordination Gifts" from the dropdown menu on the Give page.

Any money leftover will be given to the discretionary funds that Bryan and Colin will use to help the poor at their own parishes.

More info about the upcoming ordinations for Deacons Colin Collette and Bryan Matias below in Episcopal Church section.

We’re finalizing the 2025 Congregational Photo Collage!

If you don’t see yourself in the collage and would like to be included

or if you took photos of folks and haven’t sent them to us . . .

You can send photos to media@allsaintschicago.org. Deadline Friday, November 21.

Thank you to those who submitted your pics so far!!

Download PDF here to view in a larger format.

Advent Prayers of the People

Where do you see the light of Christ in your family, friends, and church?

As we prepare for the Season of Advent and long for the coming of the light, we invite you to share with us examples of where you see the light of Christ embodied.

As the seasons change and our days grow shorter and colder, we acknowledge that troubled times have reached our city, our world, and our nation. For the three weeks before Advent, we will gather our community's inspirations, which will be incorporated into the Prayers of the People.

For this Sunday, November 16th, please share where you find light in your family and friends, and in our church.

Use this link or email your “light” sightings to colin@allsaintschicago.org 

Make some Joyful Noise and Sing with the Choir



We’re looking for singers and musicians for Advent Lessons & Carols!

No audition required; just an open heart and a joyful spirit!

Consider joining the All Saints choir for Advent Lessons and Carols which will be held on Sunday, December 14. For more information, you can either write our Music Director Colin Collette or talk to him after a service on Sunday.

Requesting Scrap Paper

Do you have extra scrap paper for kids to doodle on during church services? If so, you can place the scrap paper in the paper tray on the bookshelf behind the southeast pews. Thanks so much!

Witness Wednesdays at Noon

On Wednesdays, the group meets at Federal Plaza near the Calder sculpture (near the corner of Jackson & Dearborn). The prayer service begins at about 12:15 pm and lasts about 20 minutes. The focus is on communal prayer, so no materials are necessary and no RSVPs are required. Any and all are welcome to show up and join in prayer!

Those who cannot attend in person but still want to join in praying are encouraged to use the attached liturgy to pray from home, work, or school.

Centering Prayer at All Saints

Wednesdays at 7:00 pm in the Reading Room

Silence is God's first language" (St. John of the Cross)

Join practitioners of centering prayer on Wednesdays in the Reading Room at 7 pm 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.



Are you in a caregiving season?

Please join us for Caregiver Connections and Special Guest Christina Kapteyn.

Monday November 17 at 7:00 pm

On Monday, November 17 the Caregivers Connections will welcome All Saints parishioner Christina Kapteyn. Christina who has visited the group in the past has decades of experience as an RN Care Manager in Home Based Primary Care at Hines VA Hospital.

Home Based Primary Care uses a multidisciplinary primary care model to meet the primary care needs of veterans with complex medical issues in the home setting with the goal of preventing emergency room visits, hospital admissions, or institutionalization in nursing homes. Christina now works as Clinical Coordinator, responsible for coordinating veteran intake into the program and training nurses to meet the care needs of veterans. All of this makes her an excellent resource for questions around home-based care for elders, and making decisions about when it is time to change a care situation. Please join us and bring your questions!

Monday, December 15, we will gather at 7:00 pm. at O'Shaughnessy's for some holiday spirit(s) alongside our regular check-in. All are welcome!

Newcomer Conversations

Sunday, December 7

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. 

Beer & Carols at the Annex

Sunday, December 7 at 6:30 pm

Join members of the All Saints community as we descend upon O’Shaughnessy’s Public House (the corner of N. Ravenswood and W. Wilson) to belt out Christmas carols while drinking beer or other yummy beverages! Invite your friends!

Coming Soon – The 2025 All Saints Christmas Pageant!

on Sunday, December 14

The excitement is building – appearances by Seraphs, Archangels, AND the SON OF GOD

Now WE NEED PLAYERS – parts are beginning to be assigned this week for those between 0 and 18 years old.

 If you (or your child) want a good part please SIGN UP NOW by sending an email to Polly Tangora: polly@allsaintschicago.org.

Knit, Purl, Pray! 

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

Next Meeting: Saturday, December 13

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? Join us this Saturday for the inaugural meeting! Interested in learning more? Contact Colin at colin@allsaintschicago.org. 

Christ the King & Advent Setup

Sunday, November 23 at 12:30pm

Make an Advent Wreath

Sunday, November 30 after the 9 & 11 services

We invite you to make an Advent Wreath. We’ll supply all the materials.

Materials for the Advent wreaths cost about $10; donations welcome!

SAVE THE DATE

Inquirer’s Meeting!

Sunday, January 11 at 12:30pm

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.

More details to come.

REVIVE Christmas Basket Drop-Off

Sunday, November 30



Please review the instructions received when you signed up about the way to pack up and label your boxes. Drop off will be in the reading room.

ONE Northside Town Hall 2025 - Join the Fight!

Sunday, November 16, 1:30pm-3:30pm

Senn High School, 5900 N Glenwood

We will come together as a North Side community, build a vision for the city and country we deserve, and learn what it takes to win it. We're moving from defense to offense against the forces attacking our communities.

ONS has been at the forefront of organizing trainings, ICE watches, and neighbor-to-neighbor solidarity groups. They also partnered with Alderman Matt Martin’s office to plan and execute the rally at North Center town square on Wednesday night. If you’d like to ride with other All Saints folks, we will leave from in front of church at 1:00 PM. 

REGISTER HERE

The Town Hall will be followed by a peaceful protest against AT&T from 4-5pm,

Organized by our sister organization ONE People's Campaign

.AT&T’s partnership with ICE isn’t just a $146 million contract—it’s complicity in violence. We will not stand by quietly and let corporations rake in massive profits while our communities suffer. 



We will meet on Sunday, November 16 at 3:45pm at the North Center Town Square, 4100 N Damen, to move to the AT&T location. If you can only attend this event (and not the Town Hall beforehand), register here.

GET INVOLVED WITH RAPID RESPONSE 



Are you ready to stand up and get active to protect their vulnerable neighbors? Find the lane that is right for you and get plugged into rapid response work below. (Please note that it may take a few days to hear back from someone when you sign up to volunteer.)

For Neighbor-to-Neighbor Solidarity (eg: running errands, picking up groceries)

Organize your own in your school/church etc

Join our network if you don't have a community to join

All other resources are at our Rapid Response page here - including Know Your Rights Training schedule (citywide), printable resources you can distribute, and lots more.

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.



Ordinations for All Saints: Bryan Matias and Colin Collette

On Saturday, December 6 at 11:00 am, Deacon Bryan Matias will be ordained to the priesthood at St. Paul’s, Peoria, along with three other transitional deacons in the diocese.

On Saturday, December 20 at 11:00 am, Deacon Colin Collette will be ordained to the priesthood at St. James Cathedral, along with another transition deacon. 

Colin will remain as half-time Associate Rector at All Saints, and we will celebrate his ordination and first Mass on Sunday, December 21!

If you can, please plan to attend one or both of these ordinations; there will be more information about car pooling to come.

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. 

Bomethius Unplugged — with Ben Pavlik

At All Saints on Sunday, November 23 at 7:30 pm

Door open at 7:00 pm

Join us for an intimate evening of music performing in the round and joined by Chris Wilson on piano, Taylor Vos on electric guitar, Dan Kristan on bass, and Jeremiah de la Peña on drums, Bomethius will fill out the night with songs from previous and future releases.

Ben Pavlik will open.

Tickets can be purchased ahead of time at the link below, or at the door.

General Admission: $10/person 

6th Annual Ravenswood Light Up Nights Festival & Holiday Market is coming!

Saturday, December 6 | 3:00 - 7:00 pm

Including a Tree Lighting Ceremony with Christmas Carols at All Saints

The festivities happen along Wilson Avenue (between Ravenswood & Hermitage) for one night only! This free event will include live music, an indoor holiday market, food and drink vendors, restaurant specials, a kids’ scavenger hunt, photo stations, a tree lighting ceremony at All Saints, free hot cocoa, caroling, and more.

We hope you can join us for this kickoff to the holiday season!

Ravenswood Light Up Nights Holiday Market in All Saints Parish Hall

More info about vendors here!



Our next vestry meeting: December 16 at 7 pm in the Reading Room. Vestry meetings are open to the public. To see the most current Vestry Minutes click here.

PLEASE NOTE: The church office will be closed on Thursday, November 27 and Friday, November 28 for the Thanksgiving holiday.



8:00am

Altar Guild: Sam Love

9:00am

Acolytes: Kruse Nolan & Sam Love

Altar Guild: Eric Swiecki

Chalice: Chad Kruse, Michael Mattson, Nina Wilfred, & Skip Yates

Intercessor: Sam Love

Lectors: Reader 1) Nina Wilfred; Reader 2) Skip Yates

Ushers: Josephine Koo & Katie Nolan

Vestry Announcement: Chet Kelly

Coffee Hour:  Julie and Rebecca Jungle & Chad Kruse

11:00am

Acolytes: Jenni Masterson, Gretchen Schlabach, & Ella Stevens

Altar Guild: Liz Morris

Chalice: Rachel Jacobs, Sam Love, Jenni Masterson, & Gretchen Schlabach

Intercessor: Jesse Jardim

Lectors: Reader 1) Richard Havard; Reader 2) Raven Cullo

Ushers: Nancy Kipnis & Bill McHugh

Vestry Announcement: Gretchen Schlabach

Sparkling Sunday: Grace Pedersen, Laura Youngberg, & Sam Arias

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 Simon Feldhake-Leow, Tom and Nancy Stickrod, Larry Cushman, Cyndy Tandy Cushman and family, Anitra Griffin, Victoria Sheridan, Dan & Karen Reinhardt, Genevieve Sheehan, 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:

11/16 - Mike Kurtz

11/17 - Tom Edstrom, Thomas Harris

11/19 - Anderson Bergman

11/20 - Ed DuBose, Arturo Salazar, Samuel Young

11/21 - Michael O’Neill, Calvin Thomas

11/22 - Tom Heaney

For those who have died:especially Jeffrey Raleigh, parishioner and partner of Jacob Karaca; Nancy Stickrod, mother of Dwight Stickrod; and Ramón Reynoso, nephew of Rachel Jacobs. 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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