Dear Friends,

We’ve had a glorious fall with picture-perfect weather, Halloween on a Saturday so all the vampires and witches and superheroes could maximize trick or treating, and then All Saints’ Day fell on Sunday itself and we celebrated with six baptisms, great music, and so many flags flying overhead. Then we had a very exciting election day; watching the returns, pundits of all political stripes were a little giddy with what feels like a big change.

In the midst of all of that, it’s surprising to find we are in the final stretch of the liturgical year, which ends on the Feast of Christ the King on November 22 (the new year begins on the first Sunday of Advent the next week). Each year, the final weeks point towards, well, not just the end, but The End, final things, awaiting judgment and the—fancy word alert—Parousia (the second coming of Christ). In Advent, that waiting continues with a double vision—waiting for the coming of Christ as an infant and for Christ in glory. 

Now, this is also an exciting time, but be prepared: the Gospels are . . . shocking. They warn of judgment and caution us to be prepared for that judgment. Each of the next three Sundays, we hear a parable about judgment. This Sunday, we hear the Parable of the Ten Bridesmaids awaiting the bridegroom; they are meant to light his way with oil lamps. The bridegroom is delayed, so the lamps burn out. Five “wise” bridesmaids brought extra oil, five “foolish” did not. In other words, be prepared! And, yet, why do the “wise” ones refuse to share? Why is the bridegroom delayed and why does he need so much light to enter the party? 

The following Sunday we hear the Parable of the Talents, where a master gives a huge amount of money to each of three slaves. Two of them double what they were given, while one of them, fearing the master he “knows” is harsh, buries the money and has only the original amount when the master returns. The master praises the first two slaves but condemns the third, taking away the money he has and giving it to the slave with the most. Why would a Master entrust his slaves with huge amounts of money while he’s gone? It appears he allows them to keep these riches—why?

Finally, on the last Sunday of the liturgical year, we hear The Judgment of Nations. The Son of Man returns in glory and divides the sheep from the goats. The difference between those who are “blessed” and those who are “accursed” is in how they treated the hungry and thirsty, the naked and the stranger, the sick and the imprisoned during their lifetimes. Both groups appear surprised by this standard, unclear that they were doing (or not doing) the will of God. Is this the primary standard of judgment?

These three parables are doing a lot, but I’m not clear that they are painting one picture. Taken together, they give us much to ponder, making judgment and the ways of God seems harsh and mysterious and wonderful. I look forward to us pondering them together.

See you in church!

Faithfully, Suzanne+

P. S. The flags for All Saints will remain up through this Sunday as well, so come to church and remember all those who have gone before. 

Newcomer Conversations

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 for a 20-minute gathering to connect with other newcomers and briefly hear from one of our clergy and vestry members. 

All Saints Youth Group (ASYG) invites teens this Sunday

All Saints teens are invited to join us for The Hour this Sunday at 10:00 AM. We will meet in Courtney’s office for a great time of connection and discussion.

For more information, send us an email at youthgroup@allsaintschicago.org.

All Saints: Light is at Work

Thank you to all who have so generously pledged for 2027!

Current Status

Number of pledges: 183

Total pledge amount: $669,233

Number of new pledges: 33

Goals for campaign:

Number of pledges: 210+

Pledge Amount: $750,000

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!

Pledge Committee Members:

John Breffeilh, Stina Dufour, Ken Jones, Katrina Kasten, Patrick Leow, and Suzanne Wille

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.

Witness Wednesdays at Noon

Witness Wednesday will take place on the sidewalk by 55 E Monroe the building that houses Immigration Court. Look for the Witness Wednesday sign!

On Wednesdays, a group made up of participants across the Diocese 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!

Advent is Coming!

Open Call for Advent / Christmas Help

We need extra hands!



As we turn towards Advent and Christmas, we have a number of opportunities 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!

Click here to sign up and view all the upcoming opportunities.

Make an Advent Wreath

Sunday, November 29 after each service

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

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

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 13. For more information, you can either write our Colin (colin@allsaintschicago.org) or talk to him after a service on Sunday.

All Saints Book Club

Thursday, November 12 at 7:30 pm (on Zoom)

Cemetery of Untold Stories, by Julia Alvarez (Halloween)

Literary icon and great American novelist Julia Alvarez, bestselling author of In the Time of the Butterflies and How the García Girls Lost Their Accents, returns with a luminescent novel about storytelling that reads like an instant classic.

The All Saints 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, November 14 at 10:00 am

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. 

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

Caregiver Connections

Monday, November 16 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.

If you've thought about attending this group but haven't yet been able to make it, please join us. All are welcome! Reach out to Kelly McNees (kellymcnees@gmail.com) with any questions.

Say “YES” to Mental Health

On November 3, 2026 voters in the Mid-Northside (Edgewater, Lincoln Square, and Uptown) communities and the Far Southwests Side (Mount Greenwood, Morgan Park, Beverly, Washington Heights, Roseland, and West Pullman) communities had the opportunity to vote on a binding referendum question asking if residents are willing to expand mental health services for their communities by approving a .025% increase in property taxes.

All Saints parishioners have been learning about and donating time to assist the effort to get out the vote to expand mental health services on Mid-Northside.

We are happy to announce that both program areas have approved the creation of an Expanded Mental Health Services Program (EMHSP) We look forward to a new mental health center coming to our community. The Mid-Northside was approved with over 85% of the vote and the Far Southwest Side was approved with over 82% of the vote!

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.



Run-On

a novel by parishioner Phillip Garland

Signed preorders now available

Chicago-based writer and All Saints parishioner Phillip Garland's debut novel, Run-On, will be published by Tortoise Books on November 17. Written in one long stream-of-conscious sentence, Run-On explores fatherhood, faith, and family through the anxieties of a new father caught between the demands of love and the very human desire to get away from it all, if only for a little while. The novel even features a brief visit to All Saints.

Follow along for book updates and upcoming events here.

Access Contemporary Music presents

Meditative Mondays at All Saints

Monday, November 9 at 6:00 pm

Reflection and Remembrance

They will pair the meditation goal of reflection and remembrance with beautiful contemplative music for solo cello performed by Alyson Berger. Featuring works inspired by memory, beauty, and the search for stillness, this program explores how music can help us reconnect with the past, honor cherished memories, and find peace in the present moment.

Suggested Donation: $20

Meditative Mondays combines a guided meditation with a live performance of music by some of the most important composers of the 20th and 21st centuries.

Bomethius in the Round at All Saints

Saturday, November 14

Doors open at 6:30 pm / Music at 7 pm

Tickets online: $15

At the door: $20

Please join parishioner Jonathan Hodges and his band Bomethius as they celebrate the release of their 8th studio album, Tropopause. Stories, unreleased songs, guest appearances, and silly little jokes will abound, and the talented Adela Skowronski will open. It's sure to be an outstanding evening!

Our next vestry meeting: November 17 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: Steve Larson

9:00am

Acolytes: Isabella Maki & Julie Sweeney

Altar Guild: Matthew Sanders & Clarine Stephens

Chalice: Matthew Sanders

Intercessor: Mark Sweeney

Lectors: Reader 1) Paula Stevens-Contey; 2) Maggie Cassidy

Ushers: Michael Mattson

Vestry Announcement: John Dufour



Coffee Hour: TBD

11:00am

Acolytes: Owen Fayer & Skip Yates

Altar Guild: Liz Morris & Gretchen Schlabach

Chalice: Priscilla McGraw, Gretchen Schlabach, Charlotte Walker, & Skip Yates

Intercessor: Lorraine Langer

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

Ushers: Lorraine Langer & David Ward

Vestry Announcement: Skip Yates

2nd Sunday Sparkling Sunday: John Masterson



4th Sunday Coffee Hour:

Facebook Livestream Team at the 11:00am Service

Audio: Dylan Masterson

Camera: Jack Ryan

Those who suffer in mind, body, or spirit: especially for Lis Hilken and family, Patricia Taylor, Brent Matteson, Patrice Vossler, DJ, Julie Shilov, Renee, Rebecca Jungel, Elizabeth, Patty Disbrow, Jim Pedersen, Nancy Jones, and for those whose hurt, burdens, and fears go unspoken.

For those on our long-term prayer list: especially for Margot Marie Jungel, Andrea K., Judy Palapala, Ashley D., Bryan Bergman, 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, 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:

11/8 - David Springer

11/9 - Demah Baird

11/11 - Elizabeth Vann, Jacob Karaca

11/12 - Johann Juan

11/13 - Colin Collette, Natalie Nichols

11/14 - Will Nifong, Maggie Cassidy

For those who celebrate anniversaries this week:

11/11 - Nancy & Jeffrey Kipnis

For those who have died: especially for Marita Thom, friend of Tom Edstrom and family; and Martin Deppe, long-time member of All Saints, beloved husband of Margaret (Peg) and beloved father of Andrew, Beth, and Frederick. May their souls and the souls of all the departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace.

Obituary for Martin Deppe: time for funeral forthcoming.

Saturday, November 21, 2026 

First United Methodist Church of Evanston 

516 Church St 

Evanston , IL 60201

www.allsaintschicago.org

Listen to Sermons
 on Soundcloud

Having trouble viewing? Open newsletter in web browser