Dear Friends,

We’ve got another doozy of a Gospel this Sunday: Lazarus and the Rich Man. In life, the Rich Man failed to pay attention to, much less cared for, the poor man Lazarus. After death, Lazarus is immediately welcomed into the nearness of God, next to Abraham, while the Rich Man is sent into torment. From there, the Rich Man cries out to Abraham, begging him to ask Lazarus to help him; when Abraham declines, the Rich man asks Abraham to ask Lazarus to at least warn his still-living family to amend their ways so they don’t end up in torment with him. Abraham replies that they have scripture to tell them how to behave. If they can’t listen to that, why would they listen to “someone who rises from the dead”?

Our ears should prick up at that ending, for we follow one who “rises from the dead,” yet we know enough from all of the scriptures and his life to shape our lives in the right way. If we do not care for the poor, the sick, the imprisoned, the stranger now, no miracle, no warning will change us. 

Last week, I wrote in this space about the call to grow in holiness, to allow God to shape us into who God calls us to be. On Sunday, Colin preached about acting while we have time, to “eat the radish” when it is before us. One of our most cherished blessings at All Saints begins “Dear Friends, life is short and we do not have much time to gladden the hearts of those who journey the way with us, so be swift to love and make haste to be kind.”

Recently we have witnessed a very odd understanding of faith, one that focuses on filling stadiums and displays of fireworks, one that allows expressions of both love and forgiveness and of hate and vengeance. It can seem that the Jesus our country wants resembles Rambo more than the “Man of sorrows, acquainted with grief.” But our God, while awesome, came among as one who tends to the little and the lost, the one in front of him.

It is a grace to be loved and forgiven by that One, a grace to be called to follow in His ways, but those ways are not about being overwhelmed by miracles and then acting out of fear and amazement; rather, we are called to respond to God’s love and mercy for us, by acting with compassion towards others, and then be amazed at the grace, mercy, and love that flow forth from there. 

See you in church!

Faithfully, Suzanne+

ANNUAL PLEDGE CAMPAIGN KICK-OFF

All Saints!

Good in Good Times, Good in Tough Times, Good in ALL Times

The All Saints annual pledge campaign for 2026 is kicking off this Sunday! Be on the lookout for more information about how to pledge, but also why committing to a pledge is so important to our community here at All Saints.

Usually during our fall pledge kick-off Sunday, we offer a link and resources for you to make your pledge. This year we're doing things a little differently. We'll start with a week of information and education to illustrate how and why your financial contribution matters to the ongoing mission and ministry of All Saints. As well, we want to thank you for making this community vibrant and important, especially during these turbulent times.

Simply, while we encourage and accept your gifts all year round, we hold an annual pledge campaign so we can provide a budget for the upcoming year.

More info and conversation to come!



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.

Collect your hazardous household products and bring them to Church!

All Saints will be collecting household cleaning, lawn care, solvents and other toxic household liquids that cannot be recycled or disposed of elsewhere. We are not accepting any paint cans this Sunday.

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, paint cans, or electronic equipment.

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.

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

NEXT SUNDAY | ALL SAINTS ANNUAL PET BLESSING

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



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.

Baptism for Adults

Adults are usually baptized at the Easter Vigil (the night before Easter Sunday).

When adults desire to be baptized, they usually enter a process of learning and formation, which takes place primarily during the season of Lent. If you are interested in being baptized, please plan to attend an Inquirer's Meeting on Sunday January 11, 2026 and let Suzanne know of your interest at suzanne@allsaintschicago.org.

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.



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.

All Saints Gardening Group

On Saturday, October 4 at 9:00 am the All Saints Gardening Group will be in the All Saints gardens to weed, prune and rabbit-proof the fences. All are welcome to pitch in. 

Please let Mark Ortlieb (mro25@aol.com) know if you plan to join us for this fun project.

All Saints Nursery Family Gatherings

Next gathering on Saturday, October 4 from 9:30 - 11:30 am

Nursery (and Parish Hall if needed)

We're holding monthly meet-ups for families with children in our Nursery (generally ages 3 and under) as well as parents-to-be. These gatherings are a chance to connect, have fun times with our kids, and offer support to each other as parents.

Come spend time with us and meet other families of our littlest ones!

Reach out to Phil Garland (phillipdgarland@gmail.com) to be included in future communications.

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 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!!!

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

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

Know Your Rights Training (Zoom)

Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights

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

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.

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: Sam Love

9:00am

Acolytes: Anderson Bergman & Jonah Kruse

Altar Guild: Margaret Dunn

Chalice: Sam Love & Skip Yates

Intercessor: Skip Yates

Lectors: Reader 1) Celia Bergman; Reader 2) Mark Sweeney

Ushers: Zachary Linnert, Michael Mattson, Lori Sweeney

Vestry Announcement: TBD

11:00am

Acolytes: Ashley Gilmore, Eric Swiecki, & John Tyler

Altar Guild: Sarah Hallett & Gretchen Schlabach

Chalice: Ashley Gilmore, Sam Love, Liz Morris, & John Tyler

Intercessor: Terry DeLisio

Lectors: Reader 1) Bill McHugh; Reader 2) Barbara Manley

Ushers: Nancy Kipnis & Raven Cullo

Vestry Announcement: TBD

Facebook Livestream Team at the 11:00am Service

Audio: Jacob Farmer

Camera: June Coyne



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:

9/30 - Scottie Caldwell, Keith Fisher

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

10/3 - Tommy Elliff

10/4 - Jacob Farmer, Benjamin Garbarek

For those who celebrate anniversaries this week:

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

10/1 - Martin & Peg Deppe

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

10/3 - Mark Ortlieb & Jennifer Keller

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:

www.allsaintschicago.org

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