Dear Friends,

Last Friday, Tracey and I spent much the day at the Art Institute exploring two stunning exhibits: Gustave Caillebotte, French Impressionist who often focused on sporting and working men, and Elizabeth Catlett, printmaker and sculptor who represented the experience of the Black struggle and promoted the cause of justice for the poor. Artists separated by years and styles, yet both capture the beauty, the dignity, the importance of each human in their art. 

As we were leaving the museum, I received this text from parishioner John Dufour, social worker at Mozart Elementary School: “ICE is all over my school’s neighborhood. They tear gassed a grocery store to get people out, other schools nearby are going into soft lockdowns to keep kids safe. This is insanity!” 

Since some of us at All Saints have undergone rapid response training, I asked if we should mobilize folks. Then I posted on a Signal chat for Northside clergy and texted Courtney, who responded that she was on her way to McPherson Elementary near All Saints, which was also rallying folks due to ICE presence. So, Tracey and I decided to drive to Logan Square to be present at school dismissal. During that 30-minute drive, we caught up on the drama unfolding, as I read aloud news reports of tear gas use in a grocery store and neighborhood street and an Alderperson being handcuffed by ICE and texts with John and All Saints’ parishioners who live in Logan Square.

I could feel my anxiety and anger rising even as we drove through our beautiful city on a crisp, warm, gloriously sunny and blue-skyed fall day. When we got to Mozart, we drove all the way around the block-large campus, and what we saw brought tears to our eyes: every few feet stood rapid responders on alert, “Know Your Rights” pamphlets in hand. The entire school was rung with community members—20 and 30 somethings who must work from home, retirees, young dads and moms pushing strollers getting ready to pick up kids, school staff, and many more—and as we drove south on Hamlin towards the front of the school, there was John Dufour, alert but smiling as always. “Seems like you’re well protected,” I said. “Yep, we’re good,” John replied.

So Tracey and I went to Funston Elementary nearby where we found the same thing: community members ringing the building, some standing a block away on the lookout. We went to Humboldt Park Health Clinic and, again, there were the brave, no-nonsense Chicagoans, out to make clear that we will protect the vulnerable and stand against fear. Courtney found the same at McPherson. Though angered and saddened by the need of it, we both were bolstered and touched by the bravery and kindness on display.

This is a hard time, but there are some concrete, simple things we can do: stand together, get trained to be an effective witness, show up when we can. If masses of people are trained as Rapid Responders, every incidence of fear mongering and violence could be met with non-violent, courageous witness. If you’re wondering how we as people of faith, how you, might show up, please read below. There are some simple ways to be trained and to get involved; we can all play a part in keep our city, our country, brave and free. And in the doing so, we keep our hearts soft and courageous, too.

That’s a lot to share in a “Dear Friends” letter! Another way to keep our hearts soft and open, loving and courageous, and, yes, joyful is to keep gathering together, growing deeper in our connections to God and one another. So, please join a small group this fall (sign up extended)! Join in worship on Sunday morning and / or Taizé this Sunday or Evensong next Sunday! Join a community conversation about these times on Tuesday, October 14! Come to Episcopal 101! You can learn about all of that and more below in the newsletter. 

Grateful for each and every one of you good, faithful, brave, and courageous people.

See you in church!

Faithfully, Suzanne+

Sunday, September 28: Pledge Campaign Kickoff

THRU

Sunday, October 26: Ingathering & Celebration

Tomorrow, Saturday, October 11, you’ll receive a special Pledge Campaign email with a note of gratitude and a link to make your pledge for 2026!

In the meantime listen to a short message about pledging from Halley Hoffman, member of the Pledge Committee. HERE

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 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. 

Taizé 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.

Prepare to Celebrate our Feast of Title - All Saints Sunday!

All The Saints

SUNDAY NOVEMBER 2



All Saints’ Day is celebrated with Day of the Dead traditions, a New Orleans style brass band, and a sanctuary full of prayer flags inscribed with names and remembrances of those loved and lost by members of our community. It is one of the principal feasts of the Episcopal Church, when the church remembers the saints, known and unknown. 

We invite everyone to fill out prayer flags for their beloved departed. Be watchful! Flags will soon be available near the entrance to the church for you to add the names of your beloved departed.

Baptism at All Saints!

Are you curious about baptism for yourself or for your child? 

For Infants & Children

Sunday, November 2 | All Saints Sunday

Our NEXT baptism date is when we celebrate All Saints Day--a great party!

For Children: To sign up for baptism and the baptismal preparation class, go to our website. You can also reach out directly to Suzanne at suzanne@allsaintschicago.org.

Traditionally, we baptize children in January on the Feast of the Baptism of Our Lord, in late spring on the Feast of Pentecost, and in the fall on the Feast of All Saints.

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.



Small Groups are forming Now!

Deadline Extended!

Sign up by Wednesday, October 15

8 persons per group

For almost two years, we’ve been talking about All Saints as a refugia, a place of thriving during a crisis--ecological, political, social--that can endure and expand to nurture new life around it. Small groups provide a refugia to help us connect to God, one another, and our neighborhood.

We are offering small groups that will meet for six weeks this fall, from the week of October 12 through the week of November 16.

Learn More & Sign Up HERE

Please Note: there is only ONE spot left in each of the Thursday groups!

Spiritual Care Visitor Training

Saturday, November 15

9:00 am - 3:00 pm at All Saints

$100 registration (free for All Saints parishioners)

Bishop Anderson House, in partnership with All Saints Church in Chicago, is hosting a one-day workshop to help lay leaders explore their spirituality, develop active listening skills, and learn how to support others through the process of grief. 

Led by the Rev. Thomas S. Rogers, III and the Rev. Dr. Ebony D. Only, this workshop is ideal for congregations seeking to start a spiritual care team where there aren’t enough clergy to cover the pastoral care needs. The $100 cost includes continental breakfast, light lunch and membership in the Spiritual Care Visitors Alumni Group.

For more information contact Suzanne (suzanne@allsaintschicago.org) or Colin (Colin@allsaintschicago.org).

Sign Up for

Episcopal 101

Three Wednesdays: October 15, 22, & 29 | 7:00 - 9:00 pm

Are you new here at All Saints? Been coming for a while, but still have lots of questions about what the Episcopal church is all about? Would you like a deeper understanding of our worship and why we do what we do? Episcopal 101 provides an introduction to the history and culture of All Saints, the Episcopal Church, and Anglican Communion; how we worship and why; and our approach to scripture, theology, sacraments, and social issues.

This is also a way to prepare for confirmation and reception in the Episcopal Church; if that interests you, please join us! Reach out to Suzanne or Courtney with any questions.

Caregiver Connections

Monday, October 20 at 7:00 pm

The next meeting of Caregiver Connections, our monthly support group for caregivers, will be held on Monday, October 20 in the Reading Room. 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.

Spiritual Direction

Are you looking to explore new ways of experiencing God or going deeper in your relationship to the Divine? One ancient practice is to be accompanied by a spiritual director, a person called and trained to help you notice and name the ways in which God is present and active in your life.

If trying spiritual direction interests you, contact Suzanne (suzanne@allsaintschicago.org) who can connect you with trained spiritual companions at All Saints or in the larger diocese.

Pray. Hang Flags. Drop off Flags. Eat Pizza. 

Saturday, November 1 at 6:00 pm

Join us as we gather to hang the flags that commemorate our beloved departed. You can drop in and write the names of your departed as well, just in time to be hung above the pews!

Make Candle Ofrendas.

Bring photos / images of your dearly departed to make candle ofrendas to take home.

We’ll have all the supplies!

We will begin with a brief prayer service at 6 pm and then get to the work of hanging flags and making ofrendas. Pizza arrives around 7 pm!

All Saints Community Reflection and Conversation

Tuesday, October 14 from 7:00-8:30 pm (on Zoom)

The All Saints Justice team invites you to join in a community reflection and conversation.

Given the increased and escalating presence of ICE in our city and neighborhoods, the arrival of troops from the Texas National Guard, and the continued vulnerability of so many people, especially our immigrant and refugee neighbors and people of color, we want to gather to hear from you.

How are you doing? Where are you feeling hopeless or finding hope? Have you found meaningful ways to respond or engage? How do we support each other individually and as a community? We will have time for both small group and large group conversations.

Join us here

All Saints is moving from prayer to action in this post-Season of Creation.

We are thrilled to announce that Episcopal Charities, an arm of the Diocese of Chicago that funds social (and now creation care) projects has awarded All Saints a grant to cover the full cost of an in-depth “Level II” energy audit that will be conducted later this month. All Saints is one of five parishes that partnered together to apply for this grant.

This type of energy audit will provide a detailed inspection and analysis of all of our facilities and energy systems to identify and evaluate potential energy efficiency and cost-saving improvements.

The audit report and follow-up consultation with the audit company, Energy for Purpose, promises to help us to reduce our energy consumption, lower our carbon footprint, save on energy costs, and increase our financial resources for the purpose of “stewarding energy use and impacting the most vulnerable” through our ministries.

All Saints has supported our neighbors in need on the west side of Chicago through the Christmas Basket ministry at ReVive Center for Housing and Healing for many years. This year we have been initially assigned 30 families ranging from 1-8 individuals. If initial interest is very high, ReVive has a waiting list of families, but our first priority is supporting our assigned families.

Each family receives wrapped gifts for each person and a Jewel gift card for food. There are many ways to participate depending on your interest and budget.

LEARN MORE & SIGN UP HERE

If you have questions or want to talk more about the program, contact Katy Kelsey-Morgan at katy.kelsey@gmail.com

Rapid Response Trainings

ICIRR offers Rapid Response Trainings every Tuesday at 4 PM. These trainings help individuals connect with Rapid Response Teams in their neighborhoods and provide valuable tools for responding and document when ICE is present.

Tuesday Training Registration Link

Can you volunteer a few hours a month to stand with detained immigrants?

Court Watch volunteers attend as many of these hearings as possible (most hearings are currently conducted online via Webex). We partner with legal organizations and pro bono attorneys, highlighting problems we observe and cases where unrepresented detainees are in need of legal help.  If you'd like to volunteer, please email icirrcourtwatch@gmail.com.

Know Your Rights Training (Zoom)

Oct 20, 2025 03:00 PM

The Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights is one of the key training and convening organizations defending and advocating for the rights of our immigrant and refugee neighbors. During this time of increased ICE enforcement in our city, there are a number of actions you can take. Register

The Sanctuary Working Group is a solidarity organization that supports and accompanies vulnerable migrants in their journey towards sustainable independence.

They are looking for help.

Their Emergency Fund is getting dangerously low with the increasingly overwhelming needs being brought each week. From families who are stuck inside due to federal threats in their neighborhood, to families who have had the primary breadwinner of their household forcibly taken away, to individuals who were detained without a warrant, people are struggling. They are getting requests weekly from organizations like National Immigrant Justice Center, RefugeeOne, and Organized Communities against Deportation who are unable to cover the needs of their clients. Here are just some examples:

• $5 is the amount that many detention centers charge for someone to make just a 15 minute phone call
• $75 is the difference between being able to take the bus or train vs having to walk or bike
• $100 is the unwaivable fee charged by USCIS for asylum seekers that they must pay each year while they wait for their case to be processed
• $200 is the average request we receive to help cover the cost of monthly necessities for a struggling family
• $275 is the amount immigrants have to pay just to renew their work permit
• $550 is the amount immigrants must pay if they are applying for a work permit for the first time
• $900 must be paid if an immigrant wishes to appeal a decision by an Immigration Judge or DHS officials
• $1400 is the average cost for a month of rent which most families directly impacted by current events are unable to pay.
• $5000 is the unwaivable fine being charged to anyone who has either missed a court date, or has entered the US not at an official Port of Entry.

The group has asked All Saints to publicize their upcoming Fall Fundraiser. As well they are looking for sponsors for the event. See the attached flyers or visit this site for more info.

Fall Fundraiser Promo Flyer

Sponsor Request Flyer

Standing in Solidarity with Immigrants and Asylum Seekers

A Joint Statement from the Episcopal Diocese of Chicago’s Peace and Justice, Sanctuary, and Hispanic Affairs Committees, the Antiracism Commission, and Episcopal Charities

As people directly involved in carrying out the social justice commitments of our diocese, we have come together to issue this emergency call to action and to support wholeheartedly Bishop Paula Clark’s courageous pastoral letter from August 1 advocating for our immigrant siblings.

We urge all diocesan churches, clergy, and laity to get involved as we redouble our efforts to welcome the stranger, protect the vulnerable and respect the dignity of every human being.

We invite you to join us in this important work. Let us practice solidarity and build a movement of support. And let’s organize – we need each other!

Here are a few of the concrete ways that you can help (LINK)

THE SPIRITS OF RAVENSWOOD IS THIS FRIDAY!!!

Friday, October 17 at 7:00 pm

HAVE YOU RESERVED YOUR TICKETS YET?

The Spirits of Ravenswood is RCS’s biggest fundraiser of the year!



GET YOUR TICKETS!!

Ravenswood Neighborhood Association is excited to launch First Fridays Food Drive in support of Ravenswood Community Services After School Pantry Program, which provides food distribution at three schools during dismissal.

Food insecurity affects many families in our community, and this pantry provides vital support. We're proud to partner with RCS to make a difference.

📍 Donate at one of our drop-off locations:

• 4639 N Wolcott – Parkway near Little Free Library

• 4404 N Paulina – Front porch

• 4837 N Hermitage – Front porch

• 4730 N Winchester – Front porch

• 1620 W Sunnyside – Front porch

• 4450 N Wolcott – Front porch

VOLUNTEER AT RAVENSWOOD COMMUNITY SERVICES (RCS)

RCS & Tuesday 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.



All Saints is once again a site for the 

Chicago Architecture Center's Open House Chicago.

Saturday, October 18 from 10:00am to 5:00pm

Sunday, October 19 from 12:30 to 5:00pm

Come find out why All Saints Chicago is designated as a Chicago Historical Landmark! This is a really fun event that draws folks from all over the city to admire our historically significant church. 

Volunteer your time as a greeter or guide. No special architecture knowledge required. 

SIGN UP HERE TO VOLUNTEER

Our next vestry meeting: October 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: Sam Love

9:00am

Acolytes: Sam Love, Isabella Maki, & Julie Sweeney

Altar Guild: Matthew Sanders & Clarine Stevens

Chalice: Sam Love, Michael Mattson, & Skip Yates

Intercessor: Jacob Priyanka

Lectors: Reader 1) Mathew Sanders; Reader 2) Douglas Matteson

Ushers: Paul Hoffman & Alice Wozniak

Vestry Announcement: John Dufour

11:00am

Acolytes: Owen Fayer, Sam Love, & Skip Yates

Altar Guild: Ashley Gilmore & John Tyler

Chalice: Priscilla McGraw, Liz Morris, Gretchen Schlabach, & Skip Yates

Intercessor: Barbara Manley

Lectors: Reader 1) Jenni Masterson; Reader 2) Terry DeLisio

Ushers: Amy Jacobson & Lorraine Langer

Vestry Announcement: TBD

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 Doug Jones and his children Isabelle and Theodore, Dolly Parton, Nick Campanile, the Jones family, Claudia Dunn, Christina Herceg Tembo, Dave & Peggy Schaeffer, Jack Cox, Susan Cox, and for those whose hurt, burdens, and fears go unspoken.

For those on our long-term prayer list: especially for 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:

10/12 - Annie Davis, Michelle Mayes, Liz Morris

10/13 - Anjali Mathew, Harlan Shropshire

10/14 - Annie Thomas Gilmore

10/15 - Tommy Dunn, Seth Joseph, Joshua Robinson

10/16 - Paul Hoffman, Bruce Walters

10/17 - Ella Stevens

10/18 - Stella Grafe

For those who celebrate anniversaries this week:

10/12 - Tony Ginn & M.B. Port Ginn

10/14 - Bart & Kirsten Hanson, Kelly & Robert McNees, Kevin Refior & Jacqueline Saldaña-Refior

10/15 - Kate Lewis-Lakin & C.C. Huang

10/16 - Owen & Kristin Fayer

10/17 - Skip & Mamie Yates, Bob & Joanne Gannett

For those who have died: especially for Becky Jones, sister-in-law of Ken Jones, and Gustavo Gonzalez, friend of Caleb Ingegneri. 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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