Dear Friends,

This is the season of giving thanks and looking for light. 

It can seem like a cliché to urge one another, ourselves, to “practice gratitude” or to “look on the bright side” of things. It can be unhelpful, even thoughtless, to suggest such things to another when they are in the midst of difficulty. Is there anything worse than having someone say, “Well, at least [fill in platitude here]” after you’ve experienced a loss?

And, yet, this is an amazingly helpful spiritual practice to take up for ourselves: for what are we grateful? Where is the light? Where have I experienced God, the Holy, recently? 

For when we look for the good, the miraculous, the hopeful, well, we become better at finding it, noticing it. When we give thanks, we become thankful. When we look for the good, we soften, become kinder. 

None of that means we pretend things are better than they are, nor do we ignore what is wrong, harmful, painful, or frightening. But it does mean that those are not the ONLY things we see. It does mean that in the midst of hard things, we don’t lose sight of the wonders and joys of this life.

And, so, I give thanks. I give thanks for the joyful, loving, truth-telling community at All Saints. I give thanks for a few days to pause, gather with loved ones, and to eat delicious food. I give thanks that our city has a pause from being besieged. I give thanks that the quiet season of Advent begins this Sunday. I give thanks for the sad, fascinating novel I just read (Flesh by David Szalay) and for being with friends at Thanksgiving and seeing our goddaughters growing up and launching into their own lives. I give thanks for the poetry of Wordsworth and remembering enough to recite fragments to the cat perched on the radiator at our friends’ house. I give thanks for modern medicine and for food pantries like ours. 

I could keep going. I remember that St. Paul opens so many of his letters with thanks for the people to whom he writes, even when he’s writing with hard news or admonition: “I thank my God every time I remember you (Philippians 1:3)” and “First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for all of you”(Romans 1:8) (there are many more examples in his letters). I remember St. Paul’s instruction in his first letter to the church in Thessalonica: “Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you” (5:16-18).

So, Beloved, today I give thanks for YOU.

See you in church!

Faithfully, Suzanne+

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!

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.

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.

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.



Open Call for Advent / Christmas Help

We need extra hands!



With preparations for Advent and Christmas in full swing, we have a number of opportunities coming up where we could use some extra hands for setting things up, greening the church, tidying the church, etc. If you have some time to give, complete the attached form which includes a link to the sign up for helping out. Many thanks for your help!

https://allsaintschicago.breezechms.com/form/AdventChristmasHelp

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!

All Saints Book Club

Thursday, December 11, 7:30 pm – 8:30 pm

The Overstory by Richard Powers

Winner of the Pulitzer Prize in Fiction

Winner of the William Dean Howells Medal

Shortlisted for the Booker Prize

Over One Year on the New York Times Bestseller List

Named One of the Best Books of the 21st Century by the New York Times Book Review

A New York Times Notable Book and a Washington Post, Time, Oprah Magazine, Newsweek, Chicago Tribune, and Kirkus Reviews Best Book of the Year

“The best novel ever written about trees, and really just one of the best novels, period.” ―Ann Patchett

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, December 13, 10:00 am – 12:00 pm

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. 



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

Kermit - Rainbow Connection Movie



The Christmas Pageant is coming!

Sunday, December 14 during the 9 and 11 services

 Rehearsals for the All Saints’ Christmas Pageant are Underway!

 This year’s “vibrant” cast of enthusiastic actors is ready to take on new and challenging roles, including a few surprises. With our slightly non-traditional portrayal of this classic tale of girl meets Holy Spirit, nothing is impossible even in difficult times. We just need to stay connected with the dreamers, and the singers, even the green ones, and each other.

Parents - Emails have been sent with casting and links for the script and rehearsal schedule. If your cast member hasn’t received these messages, please contact Polly Tangora polly@allsaintschicago.org

Caregiver Connections

On Monday, December 15, the group will gather at 7:00 pm at O’Shaughnessy's (corner of Wilson & Ravenswood) for some holiday spirit(s) alongside our regular check-in. All are welcome!

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.

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. 

All Saints is one of the major hosts for the 
Annual Light Up Nights + Holiday Market



We invite you to sign up and volunteer and represent All Saints at this beloved community event and gathering.

Monday, December 1: Raffle Basket & Hot Chocolate Packet Build

Friday, December 5: Set up and Load In Support for the Holiday Market in our Parish Hall

Saturday, December 6: Multiple volunteer opportunities!

Learn more and Sign up HERE

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

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

Including a Tree Lighting Ceremony & Christmas Carols in front of the church at 5:30 pm

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 is closed on Thursday, November 27 and Friday, November 28 for the Thanksgiving holiday.



8:00am

Altar Guild: Sam Love

9:00am

Acolytes: Sam Love & Julie Sweeney

Altar Guild: Erik Swiecki

Chalice: Sam Love, Matthew Sanders, & Erik Swiecki

Intercessor: Mark Sweeney

Lectors: Reader 1) Douglas Matteson; Reader 2) Caroline Moore

Ushers: Josephine Koo

Vestry Announcement: José Sanchez-Perry

Coffee Hour:  Sarah Wain, Laura Hubbard, and Andrew Rohm

11:00am

Acolytes: Ashley Gilmore & John Tyler

Altar Guild: Liz Morris & Alexandra Sandin

Chalice: Rachel Jacobs, Priscilla McGraw, Liz Morris, & Skip Yates

Intercessor: Amy Jacobson

Lectors: Reader 1) Terry DeLisio; Reader 2) Jesse Jardim

Ushers: Amy Jacobson & Ingrid Upchurch

Vestry Announcement: Skip Yates

Sparkling Sunday: N/A

Facebook Livestream Team at the 11:00am Service

Audio: Kuo Tye

Camera: Lelia Fry



For those who suffer in mind, body, or spirit: especially for Anne Gellman, Simon Feldhake-Leow, Tom Stickrod, Larry Cushman, Cyndy Tandy Cushman and family, Anitra Griffin, 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:

11/30 - Ansel Klensch

12/1 - Taylor Arenas, Evan Higgins

12/2 - Terry Culver

12/4 - Craig Maki

12/6 - Tony Swain

For those who celebrate anniversaries this week:

11/30 - Patrick Tucker & Jen Boyle-Tucker

12/6 - Keith Fisher & John Hildebrand

For those who have died: especially Kelly Mulcahy, sister-in-law to Colleen Mulcahy. May her soul 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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