Dear Friends,

Fear not, little flock, for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom.

Those might be my favorite words from Jesus. They appear in the Gospel of Luke (chapter 12), and we will hear them this Sunday. Though I like the notion of being given the kingdom, what grabs me is being told not to fear and that I am part of God’s “little flock.”

These words follow a beautiful, comforting, and spine stiffening passage that for some reason is not included in the Sunday readings:

• Can any of you by worrying add a single hour to your span of life? If then you are not able to do so small a thing as that, why do you worry about the rest?
• Consider the ravens: they neither sow nor reap, they have neither storehouse nor barn, and yet God feeds them. Of how much more value are you than the birds!
• Consider the lilies, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin; yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not clothed like one of these.

Here Jesus commands us not to worry and to trust God.

Easier said than done! Many of us are afraid and feel we should be DOING something (but what?). 

It may be impossible not to worry, but I wonder if there is something to be said for accepting that humans and the world are always a mess. Sometimes things are better, sometimes worse, but perfection is out of reach in our time. That acceptance doesn’t mean compliance or passivity; it means being realistic about the state of the world and then putting our shoulders to the wheel, worrying less about outcome and more about following God in mercy and love.

Trusting God doesn’t mean we assume God will reach down and fix things but acknowledging that, somehow, ultimately, we just aren’t in charge and that we have to trust God’s providence. That doesn’t mean we don’t get angry at and question God’s purposes and will at times! But sometimes, like an exhausted toddler, it helps to go limp, give up, and let our loving Parent take over.

These are imperfect answers; I reserve the right to change my mind! But here’s the little I know: I just have to hear the words “Fear not, little flock” or “Consider the lilies,” and my shoulders un-hunch, my spirit stills, my heart opens, and am ready to approach the world in love rather than rage.

See you in church!

Faithfully, Suzanne+

3rd Sunday Evening Service at 6:00 pm

Sunday, August 17

We introduce a 3rd Sunday Evening Service with a Taizé Service



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.

Back to School Blessing

Sunday, August 17

We will be blessing all those who are starting a new school year (students, teachers, school staff, all ages) at the 9 & 11 services. Bring your backpacks to be blessed!

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.

Liturgical Ministers Day

Saturday, August 23 | 9:30 am - 1:00 pm



Do you currently serve as a liturgical minister - Reader/Intercessor, Chalice Bearer, Usher, Acolyte, or Altar Guild? Or would you like to learn how to serve in one of these roles? 

Mark your calendar for Liturgical Minister Day on Saturday, August 23 and sign up here. https://allsaintschicago.breezechms.com/form/LMtraining2025 

More details and a final schedule will be sent later this summer.

If you have any questions, please contact Courtney, Suzanne, or Colin.

You are invited to the All Saints Summer Schola Choir

All are welcome and invited to sing in one or all rehearsals!

Joyful voices, open hearts, and a lot of fun — come join the choir! We will focus on learning New Choral Anthems for Worship throughout the Liturgical Year.

For more information, please contact our Director of Music, Colin Collette, via email at Colin@allsaintschicago.org.

Find rehearsal schedule on the Music Page of our website.

Lectio Divina

2nd & last Sundays of the month

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

in the Reading Room

Beginning Sunday, August 17 thru October

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!

You are invited to join us as you’re able, but we hope to see you regularly.

All Saints Book Club

Thursday, August 14 at 7:30 pm (On Zoom)

The Ride of Her Life by Elizabeth Letts

NATIONAL BESTSELLER • The #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Perfect Horse and The Eighty-Dollar Champion presents a “heartwarming [and] engaging folk-hero biography” (Kirkus Reviews) of a woman who fulfilled her lifelong wish to see the Pacific Ocean by riding her horse across America.

“[Letts] vividly portrays an audacious woman whose optimism, courage, and good humor are to be marveled at and admired.”—Booklist, starred review

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.

Caregiver Connections

Monday, August 18 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.

Newcomer Conversations

Sunday, August 24 after the 9 & 11 Services

Are you new to All Saints? Perhaps you’ve just attended once or twice and would like to learn a little bit more about our community. 

Join us after the 9 AM and 11 AM services on Sunday, August 24 for a 15-20 minute gathering to connect with other newcomers and briefly hear from one of our clergy and vestry members. We will meet in the reading room adjacent to the sanctuary for coffee, treats, and conversation. 

ATTENTION ALL SAINTS PARENTS

Sunday, September 7 at 12:30 pm

If you have a child currently in Middle and/or High School, we need your input!

Join the All Saints Youth Group Leadership Team on Sunday, September 7th, for a special Parents Meeting. The meeting will take place in the Parish Hall at 12:30 PM.

If you have any questions or are planning to attend, please let us know by sending an email to youthgroup@allsaintschicago.org

All Saints welcomes all of our newly married and engaged couples

for connection and fellowship.

Sunday, September 14

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.

Mark your calendars for the 2nd annual

ALL SAINTS | ALL IN

PARTY on Saturday, September 6

The party starts at 4:00 pm with games and activities for the kids and refreshing beverages for all. 

At 6:00 pm we’ll share pizza and start dancing to the lively tunes of The All Saints All In Band. 

All you need to do is RSVP! We need to know how many pizzas to order and glasses to fill.

RSVP HERE

We also need lots of volunteers to help set up, clean up, and assist with games. You can sign up on the registration form.  

Congregational Photo(s)

Sunday, September 7

Wear the Pantone Color of the Year - Mocha Mousse

OR a Calming Complementary Color

And get ready to take photo(s) of your fellow parishioners for a Congregational Photo Collage!

More Info Coming

THANK YOU!

To all the Troublemakers who came with us to Back of the Yards on Sunday, July 27.

Close to 60 people from the All Saints community joined the Public Action. 

We’re equally grateful for the many of you who couldn’t make it in person but sent their prayers and good wishes with us. 

We made some Good Trouble!

Mayor Johnson, Rep. Mike Quigley, Rep. Chuy Garcia all showed up.

We celebrated the completion of 75 homes, the construction starting on another 70 and a commitment from the city to turn over an additional 125 lots this fall.

Back to School Drive for Ravenswood Elementary School

Our friends at Ravenswood Elementary have asked us to collect paper and supplies to get the school year off to a great start. Anything we are able to give will be welcomed by the staff and students at Ravenswood. 

Please bring supplies to church on August 17 for our back to school blessing and no later than August 24 so that we can get everything delivered to the school. Below is a list of what they’ve requested.

Copy Paper Drive: Rather than donating paper to the school, we are collecting money and will order paper to be delivered right to the school’s loading dock.

Contribute to the Paper Drive HERE

(Choose Ravenswood School Outreach)

Backpacks: We need 10-12 backpacks for students who are enrolling in school for the first time.  

School Supplies: Pencils, erasers, markers, notebooks, etc (All the things you can find in the “Back to School” aisle) to fill up the backpacks. Here is a link to the list of school supplies for Ravenswood to help you choose some of the items. https://www.ravenswoodelementary.org/school-supplies

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

Early bird ticket prices available!!

This event plays a crucial role in funding Ravenswood Community Services’ programs every year, and the funds it generates will be even more important this year.

Recent changes and cuts to the SNAP program will have a major impact on families across Illinois. Over 360,000 residents are expected to lose their benefits in the coming months. RCS is preparing for longer lines with new faces and more neighbors to visit the food pantry.

VOLUNTEER AT RAVENSWOOD COMMUNITY SERVICES (RCS)

TUESDAYS:

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.

For two days Wilson street between Hermitage and Ravenswood will be closed!

Saturday, August 23 & Sunday, August 24

Our neighbor, Access Contemporary Music, sponsors the Thirsty Ears Festival, Chicago’s only classical music street festival. Event includes delicious beer and wine, vendor booths, kid-friendly activities and food trucks.

See Event Schedule HERE

Our next vestry meeting: August 19 at 7 pm in the Reading Room. Vestry meetings are open to the public. To see the most current Vestry Minutes click here.

Facebook Livestream Team at the 11:00am Service

Audio: Kuo Tye

Camera: Lelia Fry

www.allsaintschicago.org

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