Dear Friends,

Few of us love the idea of authority, of bowing to authority, though many of us wish others would respect our authority! Well, authority is the topic on hand in this Sunday’s Gospel, just as it appeared last Sunday and will appear again the following Sunday, though less directly. The Gospel readings for these Sunday come from Matthew, chapters 20 and 21, with parables about landowners. Last week the parable was about a generous landowner who pays all his day laborers the same amount, whether they showed up at 6 am or 6 pm (my favorite line: “Or are you envious because I am generous?”), but this is also about the authority the landowner has to do what he thinks is right. Next Sunday we hear about wicked tenants who try to steal the landowner’s earning and how he deals with them. 

This Sunday, the parable takes on authority directly with the religious leaders confronting Jesus after his triumphant entry into Jerusalem, celebrated by the crowds, after which he headed to the holiest place, the temple, cleansed it of the moneychangers, then healed the blind and lame who came seeking hope. It is after this that the religious leaders ask Jesus, “Who gave YOU the authority to do these things!?!” In this dialogue, Jesus turns the question back on them, showing them to be hypocrites who will neither publicly oppose him nor accept him, even though they know the truth. Jesus then tells another parable about a landowner.

There’s a lot to unpack in this passage and the parable (come to church to hear more!), but I find the question of authority compelling. When I first read all four Gospels straight through, I had an overwhelming conversion experience, realizing that Jesus was one who speaks with authority, and I had better rearrange my life. Some people chafe at God’s authority (see Prometheus, any telling of the legend of Faust, Captain Ahab in Moby Dick, Satan in Paradise Lost, and a thousand other examples in literature and movies), but I find God’s authority a comfort. I CAN think for myself of course, I CAN make ethical decisions using many different schools of thoughts and systems, but I know that the right way to live and make decisions is by following the One who has authority. I hope my faith shapes my beliefs and actions rather than my personal predilections shaping my image of God. Of course, I don’t always live out my faith, and it is true that what I want to be true will color my interpretation of Scripture, but that is a failure, a falling short. 

We all know people who allow what they already believe to shape their faith (Christian Nationalism is a current example). We know folks whose faith allows them to neatly align with either political party. We know people who reject the authority of God. But we who seek to follow Jesus, the Way, the Truth, and the Life, the one who is searingly honest and infinitely merciful, well, we should confuse people, heck, we should sometimes confuse ourselves. For we follow not the authority of our amazing but limited minds but the authority of the One who created all that is.

See you in church!

Faithfully, Suzanne

P.S. Former parishioner, good friend of All Saints, and organizer of our Greenlining Campaign will be ordained priest on Saturday, October 3. You can see the invitation below, along with a link to view the ordination!

Choral Sunday!!

Sunday September 27th will be our very first Choral Sunday. The choir has been working very hard to prepare two special anthems for the day and our combined choir will sing at both the 9 and 11 o'clock services. This would be a great Sunday to invite a friend to join you for service and show off our amazing music ministry!!

All Saints Youth Group (ASYG)

The Hour: 10:00 to 11:00 AM in Courtney’s office. We’ll use the Journey 2 Adulthood Curriculum, start with tasty snacks, and try the daily Bibdle (Wordle, but for Bible verses)..

All Saints: Light is at Work

The All Saints annual pledge drive for 2027 kicks off this Sunday! Please keep an eye out for details on how to pledge and why pledging is so vital to our community.

Last year, we asked a lot—and you delivered! More families pledged more support than ever before. We want to keep that momentum going. Over the coming weeks, we’ll share information regarding All Saints’ needs, our financial goals, and how your commitment allows us to craft a budget. We’ll have some fun, too!

Thank you in advance for your continued support. Whether you’ve pledged for years, are considering pledging for the first time, or are unable to pledge right now, please know All Saints wouldn’t be the same vibrant, faithful, and inclusive community without you.

More info and conversation to come!

Pledge Committee Members:

John Breffeilh, Stina Dufour, 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.

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

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!

Feast of St. Francis - Pet Blessing

Sunday, October 4 at 9 & 11 am



Celebrate the Feast of St. Francis with your Furry, Feathered, or Scaly Bestie! On this Sunday we’ll celebrate our beloved companions with special treats for humans and animals at both Coffee Hour and Sparkling Sunday.

Outdoor blessing at 10:30 AM for pets who may find coming to church a little too much.

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 on October 4

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

Sign up below to receive more info.

Sign up by Monday, September 28.

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.

All Saints Youth Group (ASYG)

Teen Cafe: Tuesday, September 29th, 6:00–7:30 PM. Meeting in Courtney's Office, bring homework, a book, a puzzle, or a board game. Join us for casual unstructured fellowship.

Please contact youthgroup@allsaintschicago.org to RSVP or get additional information

All Saints Book Club

Thursday, October 8 at 7:30 pm (on Zoom)

The Small and the Mighty: Twelve Unsung Americans Who Changed the Course of History, from the Founding to the Civil Rights Movement by Sharon McMahon

In The Small and the Mighty, “America’s Government Teacher” Sharon McMahon brings her signature clarity, warmth, and humor to bear on a cast of twelve improbable champions who will challenge everything you thought you knew about who makes America great. You’ll meet a woman astride a white horse riding down Pennsylvania Avenue, a young boy detained at a Japanese incarceration camp, a formerly enslaved woman on a mission to reunite with her daughter, a poet on a train, and a teacher who learns to work with her enemies.



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, October 10 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

A Note of Gratitude for the “Back to School Drive” for Ravenswood Elementary School

Many heartfelt thanks to all who contributed to the recent “Back to School Drive” for our neighborhood Ravenswood Elementary School. Once again, it was quite a success!

Along with backpacks and supplies, donations for copy paper provided countless reams. The nearly $1,800 donated for paper provided 151,250 sheets of paper; when stacked on top of one another, the height would be equivalent to the height of a 5 story building! The generosity of All Saints is immensely appreciated by the teachers and staff.

These contributions for our friends at Ravenswood Elementary support a great start to the new school year.

Say “YES” to Mental Health

Wednesday, October 7 from 6:00 - 7:00pm, at All Saints

Please join us at the next Community Action Team Meeting. We will update our progress and then discuss the ways we can together educate and empower our neighbors to vote YES for the Mid-Northside Expanded Mental Health Services Program!

On November 3, 2026, our community will vote on a binding referendum to decide whether to expand mental health services in Edgewater, Lincoln Square, and Uptown through a 0.025% property tax increase.

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.



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.

We still need a few volunteers for Saturday & Sunday.

SIGN-UP HERE

Check out this new video about our bell tower!

Zoom Link to watch ONLINE

Our next vestry meeting: October 13 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: Brian Kozlowski & Louisa McKellaston

9:00am

Acolytes: Ben Garbarek

Altar Guild: Eric Swiecki

Chalice: Paula Stevens-Contey & Eric Swiecki

Intercessor: Paula Stevens-Contey

Lectors: Reader 1) Douglas Matteson; 2) Caroline Moore

Ushers: Jack Ryan & David Ward

Vestry Announcement: Chet Kelly



Coffee Hour: Tom Edstrom

11:00am

Acolytes: Bruce Harris & Joshua Harris

Altar Guild: Liz Morris & Gretchen Schlabach

Chalice: Rachel Jacobs,Priscilla McGraw, Liz Morris, & Gretchen Schlabach

Intercessor: TBD

Lectors: Reader 1) Steve Pike; Reader 2) Jesse Jardim

Ushers: TBD

Vestry Announcement: Gretchen Schlabach

2nd Sunday Sparkling Sunday:



4th Sunday Coffee Hour: Nancy Kipnis

Facebook Livestream Team at the 11:00am Service

Audio: Dylan Masterson

Camera: Mark Piroch

Those who suffer in mind, body, or spirit: especially for Peter J. McInerney, Joan VanDiver, Marty, Katherine, 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, 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:

9/27 - Lesley Rivers

9/30 - Scottie Caldwell, Keith Fisher

10/2 - John Dufour, Allison Loecke, Maren Witherspoon

10/3 - Tommy Elliff

For those who celebrate anniversaries this week:

9/27 - Lou Contey & Paula Stevens-Contey

9/30 - Patrick Leow & Emily Feldhake, Sunny & Frank Lopez

10/1 - Peg & Martin Deppe

10/2 - Ahn Gallagher & Erin Marshall, Rik Lantz & Ann Logue



For those who have died: especially for Jim Crandall, beloved parishioner; Ed Zender, beloved father of Anne Zender; and for Penny Lumsden, beloved mother of Rick Lumsden, mother-in-law of Angie Schlater, and grandmother of Clara and Nora. 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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