Dear Friends,

When I was a teacher, the president of the school would say every August that the start of school is like getting an elephant up on its hind legs. Well, starting the program year at church also feels that way as we return from summer vacations, church school begins again, old ministries are renewed, new ministries begin, people who’ve been gone a long time from church and those looking for a church come hoping for a community that welcomes them in. There’s excitement in the air as we start singing the psalm again, the choir takes on some harder music, we see old friends, and we regather with a party for All Saints / All In and to take our annual parish photo!

I hope everyone, everyone, everyone will come by the party on Saturday (PLEASE RSVP, though—Courtney needs to order the pizza this afternoon!) and attend church on Sunday, gathering for sure at 10:45 in front of the church for our parish photo. Wear white with a bright accent color, using our stained glass windows for inspiration, though if you can’t manage that, no matter! We just want EVERYONE in the photo! (Read more about all of this below.)

Often on this “All In” Weekend, though, the Sunday Gospel is . . . rough. Some years it’s Jesus telling his disciples to “take up their cross.” Some years we hear Jesus teaching that anyone who does not “hate mother and father, wife and children, brothers and sisters, even life itself” cannot follow him (that is even too punk rock for me!). One year we heard last week’s Gospel about how to deal with conflict in community. This year we hear the second half of the section in Matthew that focuses on “life in community,” and it continues on the theme of forgiveness when Peter asks Jesus how many times he must forgive a brother who has wronged him—maybe seven times? You can practically hear Jesus laughing: “Seven!?! How about 70 x 7 times!” he responds.

People can get worked up about this passage since it seems to insist on endless forgiveness and on the “victim” of a wrong being a kind of “doormat” to a bad actor. That is a legitimate criticism, and the Church has sometimes used it to insist women remain in abusive marriages or that parishioners should be patient and forgiving towards pastors who have violated their obligation to care for the sheep. But that’s not what Jesus is talking about; he is not advocating for us to be doormats or to be abused but to live in the radical hope of reconciliation. He’s talking about how in true Christian community we are to bear with one another, care for one another, forgive one another, show mercy to one another, ask forgiveness of one another (Matthew 5:23-24). In other words, we are to be “all in” with one another, not leaving in a huff when we don’t get our way or someone screws up, apologizing when we act like jerks, forgiving when someone else does. These aren’t necessarily rules for everyone and every community in your life; these are the rules for life in community with folks who are trying (and stumbling and failing and trying) to follow Jesus. 

And, for that, I am ALL IN!

See you in church!

Faithfully, Suzanne+

Our church school is ready to welcome students back this Sunday for the 2026-27 year!

Whether your child is returning or joining us for the first time, the church school is returning this Sunday with the following:

Sunday, September 13

First day in the Atrium for the following children:

- Returning Atrium I students (ages 4–6), at 9 a.m. and 10 a.m.

- New and returning students in Atrium II (6–9) and Atrium III (9–12), at 10 a.m.

See the Formation section below for more important church school opening dates.



Saturday & Sunday!!!

Hey All Saints! Are you ALL IN?

All Saints Annual ALL SAINTS | ALL IN Weekend

Saturday, September 12: a day of events for everyone

Games and Events begin at 4:00PM

Pizza Dinner and Music at 6:00PM

We're kicking off our return to the program year with a Saturday celebration. There will be Games, Pizza, PhotoBooth, Music, Crafts, Tie-Dye (supplies and t-shirts provided), and more!

Register below for Saturday so we know you’re coming.

Sunday, September 13: All Parish photo between the services

We’ll gather at 10:45am in front of the church for our annual Parish Photo

The Pantone Color of the Year is Cloud Dancer, a soft off-white that has garnered its share of controversy as being uninspired and tone-deaf to current political tensions regarding race, the economy, and whether white is even a color. So, we’re inviting you to wear white with accents of colors from our stained glass windows to illustrate the beauty of faith, connection, and the diverse ways we come together to create God’s Beloved Community at All Saints.

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.

SEASON OF CREATION WEDNESDAY EVENING SERVICE

September 9, 16, 23, & 30 at 6:00 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

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!

Season of Creation at All Saints

Wednesday Services at 6:00 pm

September 9, 16, 23, & 30

As we approach the Season of Creation, the first Sunday in September to our annual Pet Blessing, the Feast of St. Francis, on Sunday, October 4, we invite you to a mid-week, quiet reflective eucharist.  

On the Wednesdays of the Season of Creation, we will gather at 6 pm in the church for eucharist straight from The Book of Common Prayer. In the place of a sermon, we will have a brief guided meditation on the theme of the season this year, “Living Water.”  

We would also invite you to consider staying for our Centering Prayer that will follow the eucharist at 7 pm.  

Season of Creation: Changes to Our Sanctuary (Worship Space)

To celebrate the Season of Creation, we have made some changes to our liturgy and to our space. The theme this year is “Living Water,” so one big change to our sanctuary is moving our new baptismal font near the front doors. It is ideal to have the baptismal font at the entryway of a church to remind us of our baptism as we enter and in line with the altar, where the Eucharist, our other major sacrament, takes place. 

Placing the font in this location means we removed the two short pews closest to the doors and have moved the tables that are behind the pews (two are now in the entryway and one of each is in front of the windows). We will be putting out extra chairs but place them in away that allows space around the front.

This is another experiment as we think about our space and look towards a Capital Campaign, but, mainly, it is about placing baptism front and center in our liturgy. This particular experiment runs during the Season of Creation, which began on September 1 and ends on October 4, the Feast of St. Francis and our pet blessing!

If you’re curious about this, please contact any of the clergy.

What is the Season of Creation? Why and How to Celebrate it?

The Season of Creation is a global ecumenical expression of the recognition that it is the biblical, theological, spiritual, and missional calling of the Christian churches to respond to the ecological challenges facing the planet and its inhabitants. The season is a time set aside for focusing on and giving thanks and praise to God the Creator for the gift of creation. It is a time for liturgical celebration, reflection, conversion, and creation-caring action. 

To learn more about the Season of Creation at All Saints with suggestions for action, reading, and contemplation, download this PDF written by parishioner Terry DeLisio.

Interested in Baptism for your Child or Yourself?



Traditionally, we baptize four times a year: The Feast of the Baptism of our Lord in January, The Easter Vigil, The Feast of Pentecost in late Spring, and the Feast of All Saints in November. Our next baptismal date is All Saints Day on November 1; if you are interested in having your child baptized then or any other dates, contact Suzanne at suzanne@allsaintschicago.org. 

If you are an adult interested in baptism, please see the article about the Catechumenate and contact Suzanne.

Wade in the Water

Deepening Faith and Connection

We invite you this Fall to “Wade in the Water,” to go deeper in your relationship with God and one another. For us, water is an image that beckons refreshment, cleansing, baptism, and can be at times challenging - to discover the depth of our connections in community and beyond.

There will be many ways to Wade in the Water this Fall by joining a small group (see the announcement and sign up links below), participating in worship focused on creation, renewal, and baptism, joining a group on Sunday mornings to learn more about our faith, by continuing your friendships here, in prayer alone and with others, conversations at coffee hour, and in singing hymns.

How will you Wade in the Water?

EfM: Catechumenate - Begins in October 

Ready to go deeper in faith? Thinking about baptism or confirmation?

Sign up below to receive more info.

Education for Ministry (EfM) is a program of study, prayer, and reflection using trained mentors to facilitate small group discussions and guide participants to examine life through an increasingly informed and inspired theological lens. 

This year they are piloting a new program EfM: Catechumenate, and we are one of the “test sites.” In fact, Colin, Courtney, and Suzanne were part of a group that reflected on this curriculum with the creators, Jim Turrell, Dean of The School of Theology at Sewanee, and Jeff Lee, former Bishop of Chicago and All Saints parishioner!

This fall, we are inviting ALL members at All Saints who want to learn more about and discuss their faith to join this group, which will meet Sundays between the 9 and 11 am services. There is reading or other “homework" between weekly meetings, and participants should plan to attend most weeks. 

In January, we will turn our attention to what it means to make a mature decision to partake in the Sacraments of Initiation (baptism, confirmation, reception into the church, and reaffirmation of baptismal vows) as we move towards the Easter Vigil, when adults are traditionally baptized. 

Questions? Contact Colin (colin@allsaintschicago.org) or Suzanne (suzanne@allsaintschicago.org).

Read to sign up and dip your toes in the water?

Sign up. HERE.

Knit, Purl, Pray!

Saturday, September 12 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

Newcomers Lunch

Sunday, September 20 at 12:15 pm

Are you new to All Saints? Are you interested in meeting other newcomers and learning more about our community? Have you been attending a few months and are looking for ways to connect with our ministries? If yes, please join us for our next Newcomers lunch. We’ll gather in the parish hall for a casual luncheon, conversation, and a chance to learn more about All Saints and ways to continue connecting with our community. 

Please RSVP so we can plan food accordingly.

If you have any questions, please contact Courtney at courtney@allsaintschicago.org

RSVP here

Caregiver Connections

Monday, September 21 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.

Open House Chicago Volunteers Needed

Check out this fun and informative video with some architectural history.

If you are interested in learning the history and architecture of All Saints and educating visitors, then we need you to help on October 17 or 18th. Open House Chicago is a city-wide event that opens interesting buildings to the public. During last year’s Open House Chicago, All Saints had over 1200 visitors! Volunteers do NOT need prior knowledge or experience. We will provide all the history and architecture information you will need to know. And it is fascinating. Did you know:

• Our wooden altar is original from All Saints’ founding in 1883.
• The pews are original, but we did not always hold services “in the round.”
• Our architect John Crombie Cochrane also designed the Illinois State Capital building.
• All Saints’ bell was used as a fire alarm for the Ravenswood area.
• The famous poet Carl Sandburg attended All Saints, and even wrote a poem about its parishioners.
• Our renovation during 2014-17 won the Driehaus Preservation Award. 

Greeting and sharing the church with inquisitive visitors is always fun. Please sign up here for a two hour shift.  

Volunteer Sign-UP

Saturday, October 17 & Sunday, October 18



Open House Chicago (OHC), one of the largest architecture and urban exploration festivals in the world, is back for its 16th year of celebrating architecture, culture and community. This free public festival offers behind-the-scenes access to 200+ sites, including many not normally open to the public.

Our church school is ready to welcome students back this Sunday for the 2026-27 year!

Whether your child is returning or joining us for the first time, here are the dates and details you need to know:

Sunday, September 13

First day in the Atrium for the following children:

- Returning Atrium I students (ages 4–6), at 9 a.m. and 10 a.m.

- New and returning students in Atrium II (6–9) and Atrium III (9–12), at 10 a.m.

Saturday, September 19

Children ages 3–6 who are new to Atrium I this year and their families are invited to a gentle orientation just before their first day. Please join us for this Saturday introduction to the Atrium from 9:30 to 11 a.m.

Sunday, September 20

First day in Atrium I for new students.

If you have a child between the ages of 3 and 12 who would like to join the All Saints' church school for the first time, you can register for our free program and learn more by emailing Children’s Formation Coordinator Polly Tangora: polly@allsaintschicago.org 

The Spirits of Ravenswood

Friday, October 16 at 7:00PM

Join Ravenswood Community Services for a spirited evening of Halloween themed fun featuring a costume contest, local beer and spirits, games and prizes, tarot readings, and more! Come raise a glass and help raise essential funds for RCS' Food Pantry and Community Kitchen.

This is a neighborhood Halloween party where all levels of costume appetites are welcomed and encouraged. From over-the-top to not-your-thing, come in something festive and fun!

The Spirits of Ravenswood is a fundraiser to feed our neighbors. This year we invite you to raise

more than just the dead at this spirited evening of Halloween fun! Costumes welcome and encouraged but not required (but like…it's Halloween).

Tickets and Info HERE

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.



Access Contemporary Music presents

Meditative Mondays at All Saints

Monday, September 14 at 6:00 pm

Title: Color

The meditation goal is emotional acceptance with a program of colorful contemporary piano works that explore the many shades of feeling, sensation, and experience.

More info here. Ticket suggestion is $20.

Our next vestry meeting: September 15 at 7 pm in the Reading Room. Vestry meetings are open to the public. To see the most current Vestry Minutes click here.

Mid-Year Financial Roundup

Sunday, September 20 at 10:15 am

Ever wonder how All Saints manages to put on the amazing worship, formation, and fellowship activities we do, support our fantastic staff, and plan for our future, all while maintaining our beautiful 140+ year old campus?!? 



Come to coffee hour on September 20th for a casual crunch of the numbers with our Treasurer, John Williams who will share updates on the state of our finances mid-year, share some budget revisions, and open the floor for conversation.

It’s time for our fourth annual Breeze (our secure directory database) update. 

Please complete the update by Sunday, September 20

UPDATE Link Here

We want to know and connect with you and your family! 

When we know more about our All Saints community, we can better connect folks to one another and to various programs, events, and ministries. In that spirit, we invite you to complete the demographic section of the update so that we can continue to learn more about our demographics, particularly race and age. 

You can check your own Breeze profile to make sure it is up to date by clicking the Member Login button. And we ask that you fill out the form whether you’re new to the directory or already have info there.

How to ddd a current photo of yourself, your family:

Log into Breeze and update or add photos. 

You can click here to see how to do this. 

MORE INFO HERE

Thank you for helping us to update our database. 

Questions? Contact Courtney: courtney@allsaintschicago.org.

8:00am

Altar Guild: Steve Larson

9:00am

Acolytes: Isabella Maki & Julie Sweeney

Altar Guild: Matthew Sanders & Clarine Stephens

Chalice: Michael Mattson, Matthew Sanders, Paula Stevens-Contey, & Skip Yates

Intercessor: Douglas Matteson

Lectors: Reader 1) TBD; 2) Paula Stevens-Contey

Ushers: TBD

Vestry Announcement: Matthew Sanders



Coffee Hour: Naomi Mayes &. Lynn Slawsky

11:00am

Acolytes: Owen Fayer & Skip Yates

Altar Guild: Ashley Gilmore & John Tyler

Chalice: Ashley Gilmore, Gretchen Schlabach, John Tyler, & Skip Yates

Intercessor: Lelia Fry

Lectors: Reader 1) John Williams; Reader 2) Barbara Manley

Ushers: Nancy Kipnis

Vestry Announcement: Tobias Lohse

2nd Sunday Sparkling Sunday: John Masterson



4th Sunday Coffee Hour:

Facebook Livestream Team at the 11:00am Service

Audio: Dylan Masterson

Camera: June Coyne

Those who suffer in mind, body, or spirit: especially for Joan VanDiver, Marty, Katherine, D.L., Farley Sirockman, Pete, and for those whose hurt, burdens, and fears go unspoken.

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

9/13 - Ken Jones, Bill McHugh

9/15 - Lelia Fry, Jim Hanna, Jennifer Reft

9/16 - Connor Eddy, Danny Ellis, Lorraine Painter, Mark Sweeney, Ingrid Upchurch

9/17 - Laila Fawley, Anders Lind

9/18 - Aesha Engeldinger, Lorraine Langer

For those who celebrate anniversaries this week:

9/13 - Margaret & Douglas Ferguson, Jim & Laura Hanna

9/17 - Chad & Lacey Kruse, Dennis & Sally Smith

9/19 - Eric Sinclair & Anne Zender

For those who have died: especially for Penny Lumsden, beloved mother of Rick Lumsden, mother-in-law of Angie Schlater, and grandmother of Clara and Nora; and for Ryan Ward, friend of parishioner Naomi Mayes.

And for those who died due to terrorist attacks on this day in 2001 at the World Trade Center in Manhattan, the Pentagon just outside Washington D.C., and a field in Shanksville, PA.

May their souls and the souls of all the departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace.

www.allsaintschicago.org

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