Dear Friends,

In the past six months we have had at least three high-profile acts of political violence: arson at the home of Josh Shapiro, Democratic Governor of Pennsylvania; the assassination of Melissa Hortman, Democratic state representative of Minnesota, and her husband Mark and the attempt on John Hoffman, Democratic state senator of Minnesota, and his wife Yvette; and, now, the assassination of Charlie Kirk, founder and Executive Director of the conservative advocacy organization Turning Point USA.

There has been much written, social media shared, and strong emotions expressed in the days since Kirk’s murder, and I don’t expect I have much to add in way of light or wisdom, so I will keep my remarks brief. 

There is no question that we have a gun problem in this country. There is no question that we also have a problem with a hardening of political positions, with various camps believing that the other side is an existential threat to the future of our nation.

I am not a political scientist or strategist. What I am is a pastor called to proclaim “nothing but Christ and Him crucified” as St. Paul wrote to the church in Corinth. 

And the Gospel tells us that we are all made in the image of God—victor and victim, male and female, rich and poor, and everyone on every continuum we can imagine—and are, in fact, “friends” of Jesus when we try to follow him (Genesis 1:26-27; John 15:15).

And what the Gospel tells us is that we are to honor the dignity of everyone who is made in the image of God (James 2:1-4).

And what the Gospel tells us is that we are to have no other gods before God and that the Great Commandment is to love God with all our heart, mind, soul, and strength and our neighbor as ourselves (Mark 12:30-30).

And what the Gospel tells us is that we are to love our enemies. And forgive those who harm us not once or twice but 70 times seven times (see the Sermon on the Mount, Matthew 5-7).

And what the Gospel tells us is that God is especially close to those most of us might not want to hang out with: the least, the lost, the poor, the outcast, the disfigured, the tax collector, the rich man but also the poor man the rich man harms, the thief, the beggar (see all the stories of healing and grace throughout the four Gospels).

And what the Gospel tells us is that God would rather be crucified than harm a hair on our heads. Even the head of Judas. Even the head of Pilate. Even the head of Herod.

And what the Gospel tells us is that we are do justice, love mercy, and walk humbly with God (Micah 6:8).

And, so, whatever anger or terror is pulsing through our veins, buzzing in our brains, we are called to act in just, but never violent, ways: the high calling of love and the high calling of peace. And as I said last Friday and during our All In weekend, the only way to live into that high calling is together, as the Body of Christ. 

Sending you love and peace. 

See you in church.

Mid-Year Financial Roundup

THIS Sunday 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 14th for a casual crunch of the numbers with our Treasurer, John Williams - he and some members of the Finance Committee and Vestry will share updates on the state of our finances mid-year and open the floor for conversation.

All Saints welcomes all of our newly married and engaged couples 

for connection and fellowship. 

This Sunday at 12:30 (after the 11 service)

at Winnemac Park (5100 N Leavitt St)

We have been lucky to celebrate a dozen weddings here in the last three years, and are welcoming new couples all the time. Sounds like the perfect excuse for a picnic and the chance to meet each other--no recurring meetings (unless you really, really connect and want to do so)!

All Saints will provide the picnic lunch; BYO blankets, chairs, and lawn or outdoor games!

Please RSVP through Breeze with this link. 

If you're interested in more information, look for Matthew Sanders and Clarine Stephens at 9 am, or Mark Piroch and Megan Turnquist at 11 am.

Lectio Divina

2nd & last Sundays of the month

10:15 am - 10:50 am (between the 9 & 11 services)

Please join our seminarian, Sam Love, for a new formation offering!



Our focus will be the Gospel lesson for that Sunday. You can access the readings for that day here (www.lectionarypage.net) or bring your bible!

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.



Caregiver Connections | Special Guest

Monday, September 15 at 7:00 pm

Our monthly support group for caregivers welcomes special guest Erica Reid Gerdes, an experienced end-of-life doula. Please come with your questions. All are welcome! Reach out to Kelly McNees (kellymcnees@gmail.com) with any questions.

Newcomer Lunch

Sunday, September 21 at 12:30 pm

Are you new to All Saints? 

Are you interested in meeting other newcomers and learning more about our community? 

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.



Questions, please contact Courtney at courtney@allsaintschicago.org

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.

David Bjorlin, member of All Saints and an ordained minister and liturgy professor is looking for three people who would like to engage in monthly hour-long spiritual direction sessions. He is in his second year of spiritual direction training. Learn more about David here. Since David is still in training, these sessions would be free. 

If you are interested, or know someone who might be, reach out to Dave at dbjorlin@northpark.edu.

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

Hymn Sing & Book Release

Plus Beer

Sunday, October 5 at 6:00 pm at All Saints

Join All Saints parishioner and resident hymn writer David Bjorlin for a traditional hymn sing celebration from his second book of hymns, Hope Will Not Fail.

As you've been singing at All Saints, especially during Advent you might have noticed hymns written by David Bjorlin who All Saints has commissioned to write several hymns for the community. 

You can find out more details and RSVP here. 

Early bird ticket prices available thru September.

Get your tickets for this fall event, the Spirits of Ravenswood. 

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.



Did you know that All Saints accepts stock donations? 

If you are currently making donations of stocks to All Saints, the instructions on how to do that have changed. Please review the attached document with a new set of instructions that you need to share with your brokers. Download the Instructions (PDF) HERE

Want to learn more about giving to All Saints? Contact the church office.

As we head into our annual pledge campaign starting in late September, All Saints encourages your gifts to help sustain the Church’s financial needs, mission, and purposes. We are committed to being a good steward of all gifts and to following a disciplined path in receiving and disposing of gifts with the understanding that they are to be used to glorify God, provide for the future of our community, and further our mission and work towards creating a more just world. 

Thank You to All who updated their info 
on Breeze (our secure directory database).

We had over 100 people update their info in Breeze!



Questions? Contact Courtney: courtney@allsaintschicago.org.

Our next vestry meeting: September 16 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: Isabella Maki & Julie Sweeney

Altar Guild: Nick Hatzis

Chalice: Maggie Cassidy & Sam Love

Intercessor: Raquel Flores-Maki

Lectors: Reader 1) Chad Kruse; Reader 2) Sam Love

Ushers: Lori Sweeney

Vestry Announcement: TBD

11:00am

Acolytes: Owen Fayer, Sam Love, & Skip Yates

Altar Guild: Ashley Gilmore & John Tyler

Chalice: Sam Love, Bill McHugh, & Gretchen Schlabach

Intercessor: Rachel Jacobs

Lectors: Reader 1) Jenni Masterson; Reader 2) John Williams

Ushers: Raven Cullo & Amy Jacobson

Vestry Announcement: Skip Yates

Facebook Livestream Team at the 11:00am Service

Audio: June Coyne

Camera: Josephine Koo

For those who suffer in mind, body, or spirit:  especially for Jen Simokaitis, Carol Griffith, Joe Ferguson, Jeffrey Statler, Terry Alston, Bernie, Nicole, Edward Vertuno, Jr., Emmanuel Carbonell, Tom Grenier, and for those whose hurt, burdens, and fears go unspoken.

For those on our long-term prayer list: especially for Ruth, Sherry, Ron Lee, Becky Jones, 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, and Clara Maddox.

For those around the world: the people of Gaza and Israel, the people of Ukraine, Iran, and all affected by war; and our siblings in Cuernavaca, Mexico; and Renk, South Sudan.

For those who celebrate birthdays this week:

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

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

9/17 - Laila Fawley, Callan Gideon-Shearer

9/18 - Aesha Engeldinger, Lorraine Langer

9/19 - Lucy Jenkins

9/20 - Pam Palmentera, Luke Montzka, Steve Larson, Franki Bialowrucki

For those who celebrate anniversaries this week:

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

9/18 - Jennifer & Peter Moore

9/19 - Eric Sinclair & Anne Zender

9/20 - Kim & Zach Belton, Craig Berry & Maureen Kupstas

For those who have died: especially for Theresa Simko, mother of Jen Simokaitis. May her sould 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, visit our website.

www.allsaintschicago.org

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