Dear Friends,

“Whoever is faithful in a very little is faithful also in much; and whoever is dishonest in a very little is dishonest also in much.”

Those are words from the Gospel this Sunday, and they are words that echo so much of my father’s character and teaching. There were so many ways that he taught me that how we do any little thing is how we do everything. I’ll never forget doing math homework in the fourth grade grade—lined notebook paper, #2 yellow pencil—and struggling to get the answers correct. When I showed my father my work, he checked it and then invited me to go back and make any erasures complete so that my work would be more legible. He regularly offered to shine my shoes—even into adulthood!—whenever he noticed them becoming a little scuffed. Being careful with our possessions, making something easier for a teacher to read, these were small acts of care and consideration that added up to one’s character. 

I used to scoff at such things, thinking that there were bigger fish to fry, more important things in life, that I wanted to do big things (save the world?) and didn’t have time for the little. As I get older, I’m changing my mind. 

I’ve been thinking a lot about character, specifically Christian character, and how we grow in holiness. That sentence sounds old-fashioned, but I think this question matters, especially in an angry, volatile, snarky, mean time. I find myself becoming infected with impatience, allowing fear to bubble up as anger, worry over the world allowing me to be impatient with the person in front of me.

And I wonder if we have failed to be faithful in little things. Things like taking our AirPods out when checking out at the store so we can talk to the person at the cash register. Like waving someone in to merge in traffic. Like putting our phones down and away and looking our friend, our spouse, our child in the eye and really listening to them without fidgeting, without thinking of what to say next. Things like saying “thank you” and stopping to help someone who is struggling. Things like refraining from the angry comment in person or on social media.

These small things add up over a lifetime. If we want to be humble, then we must talk less about ourselves, share credit, point away from ourselves and toward others, review our faults, and ask God to help us become humble. A lifetime of that, we pray, helps us grow into a kind, humble person who thinks more of others than of ourselves. In Christian talk, that’s sanctification, growing in holiness. Choose the virtue you want to cultivate (kindness, patience, prudence, justice) and start small. It’s not splashy or exciting, but when I think about what matters and who I want to be as a person, it’s coming to seem more and more essential.

So in a time of grand gestures and loud, clanging voices, I’m trying focus on being faithful in small, person-to-person ways, praying that if I am faithful in these ways, I might be faithful in large ways, too.

See you in church!

Faithfully, Suzanne+

P. S. There is A LOT going on, here and in the community, everything from social justice action to learning to fun. So, be sure to scroll all the way to the end of the newsletter!

The Season of Creation during Worship Services

5 Sundays: September 7 - October 4

Beginning on Sunday, September 7 and for the following Sundays through to October 4, you’ll hear prayers and music celebrating creation during worship.

Read the full announcement here.

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

All Saints Church School Tour

12:15 - 1:00 pm

Would you like to know more about All Saints Church School?

Our Catechesis of the Good Shepherd (CGS) program serves children 3 to 12 years-old each Sunday morning while our nursery staff provides a welcoming space for our toddlers 6 months to 3 years old. Two Sunday afternoons a month, during most months, All Saints’ Youth Group gathers with 7^th to 12^th graders.

If you are a parent wanting to know more about how to further support your child, or just someone interested in how this program feeds the spiritual needs of our All Saints children, please join Polly Tangora, Youth and Children’s Formation Co-coordinator, and some of our church school leaders for an informal tour and discussion about our church school program, September 21 from 12:15 to 1:00pm

Collect your hazardous household products and bring them to Church!

This Sunday and Next Sunday

All Saints will be collecting household cleaning, lawn care, oil-based paint, solvents and other toxic household liquids that cannot be recycled or disposed of elsewhere. Bins where you can drop them will be provided outside the rector’s office (ask an usher for directions if you are new to our building). Please sure ensure any container is securely closed.

The All Saints Green Team volunteers will be carting them away to the Chicago Household Chemicals Recycling facility where these hazardous substances will be disposed of or reprocessed and reused in an environmentally-responsible manner. For a list of items they will and will not accept, click here. (Please do not bring large propane tanks, latex paint cans, or electronic equipment.)

3rd Sunday Service: Taizé

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.

The next Taizé Service is October 12.

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.



All Saints Annual Pet Blessing

Sunday, October 5 at 9:00 and 11:00am Services

Celebrate the Feast of St. Francis with your Furry, Feathered, or Scaly Bestie!

On Sunday, September 5, we’ll celebrate our beloved companions with special treats for humans and animals at both Coffee Hour and Sparkling Sunday.



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.

All Saints Book Club

Thursday, October 9 at 7:30 pm (on Zoom)

A Day in the Life of Abed Salama, Anatomy of a Jerusalem Tragedy by Nathan Thrall 



WINNER OF THE 2024 PULITZER PRIZE FOR GENERAL NON-FICTION

Named a Best Book of the Year by The New Yorker, The Economist, Time, The New Republic, and the Financial Times.

Immersive and gripping, an intimate story of a deadly accident outside Jerusalem that unravels a tangle of lives, loves, enmities, and histories over the course of one revealing, heartbreaking day.

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.

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. 

Knit, Purl, Pray! 

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 menbers. For more information please email colin@allsaintschicago.org.  Happy crafting!!!

Interfaith Prayer March to the Great Lakes Naval Station

Saturday, September 20

1:00 pm: Gather , North Chicago, register for address

2:00 pm: March

3:00 pm: Arrive & Pray, Great Lakes Naval Station, 901 MLK Drive, North Chicago

REGISTER

Know Your Rights Training (Zoom)

Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights

Sep 22, 2025 03:00 PM

Oct 6, 2025 03:00 PM

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.

Know Your Rights Training: Keeping people safe through KYR Education, English

Register

Celebrate the Season of Creation: Sustainability Market

Sunday, September 28 from 10:00 am - 4:00 pm

in North Center, 4100 N. Damen Ave.

From the eco-curious to the eco-committed-this market is for you! Bring your hard to recycle items (from VHS tapes to bottle tops and MUCH more), learn about home composting, swap out last year's Halloween costume for a new one and connect with local businesses and organizations working to make Chicago more sustainable! 

For more information about acceptable items for reusing/recycling see the Reduce Waste Chicago website.

United Power Collective Leadership Meeting

Monday, September 29 | 6:00 - 7:30 pm

Sinai Community Institute, 2653 W Ogden Ave, 1st Floor Conference Room

United Power members and leaders will gather to share lessons learned about the practice of public action and how we can use those lessons to inform our work together going forward.

Additionally, we will share updates on some of the progress since then and discuss how we can continue to build on the reactions generated that day. (A more detailed report and photos on the action will follow in the forthcoming late summer update)

LEARN MORE HERE

RSVP HERE

THE SPIRITS OF RAVENSWOOD

Friday, October 17 at 7:00 pm

HAVE YOU RESERVED YOUR TICKETS YET?

Early Bird price until September 30



An evening of local beer and spirits tastings to benefit Ravenswood Community Services food pantry and community kitchen.

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. Contact Jane Schaefer: jschaefer606@gmail.com.

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. 

Congregational Photo Collage

Did you take photos during our ALL IN Sunday?

If so, send them to media@allsaintschicago.org to be inclucluded in the Congregational Photo Collage!

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: Steve Larson

9:00am

Acolytes: Chet Kelly, Nolan Kruse, & Sam Love

Altar Guild: Eric Swiecki

Chalice: Sam Love & Chad Kruse

Intercessor: Paula Stevens-Contey

Lectors: Reader 1) Douglas Matteson; Reader 2) David Springer

Ushers: Paul Hoffman & Alice Wozniak

Vestry Announcement: John Dufour

11:00am

Acolytes: Sam Love, Jenni Masterson, & Gretchen Schlabach

Altar Guild: Liz Morris

Chalice: Rachel Jacobs & Liz Morris

Intercessor: Sam Love

Lectors: Reader 1) Eileen Crowley; Reader 2) Raven Cullo

Ushers: Bill McHugh & Jordan Olberding

Vestry Announcement: TBD

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 Jack Cox, Susan Cox, Christina Herceg Tembo, Jeffrey Statler, 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, and all affected by war; and our siblings in Cuernavaca, Mexico; and Renk, South Sudan.

For those who celebrate birthdays this week:

9/21 - Nancy Kaszak

9/22 - Ellie Taylor, Dan Hornung

9/23 - David Hood

9/25 - Kevin Refior

9/26 - Madison Lyleroehr

9/27 - Lesley Rivers

For those who celebrate anniversaries this week:

9/21 - Jenni & John Masterson

9/22 - B.A. Church & Dennis Pabich

9/27 - Lou Contey & Paula Stevens-Contey

For those who have died: Thom Cordell, beloved friend of parishioner Susan Cox. May his 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, visit our website.

www.allsaintschicago.org

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