Dear Friends,

The newsletter is later than usual because I just got home from Federal Plaza where about a hundred faith leaders gathered to say “No!” to federal troops in our city.

Concerned Clergy of Chicago hosted “Resist the Trump Takeover” and delivered brief but fiery speeches and prayers that made clear we are a people who trust in God for justice, not dictators. Clergy of all backgrounds—all races and genders, Muslims and Methodists, Episcopalians and Baptists, Lutherans and Jews—spoke with one voice: we want a government that shares resources that enable citizens to thrive, not a government that sends military that makes us shrink in fear. 

After speeches and prayers, we linked arms, singing together (“This Little Light of Mine” is a perennial favorite) as we crossed Dearborn, stopping in the street to raise our hands in blessing over the Federal Building, asking God to make all within passionate for justice and compassion, and then we arrived at the front doors of the Federal building, where a handful of clergy planned to deliver a letter sharing our concerns and demands to the U. S. Attorney’s office. 

Friends, they locked the doors to the federal building. 

We kept singing and praying and walking until, finally, they unlocked one door to let our representatives in.

This is a small step, but it gave me great hope. Joining with others, raising our voices, speaking for mercy and justice: that's what people of faith do.

Last year we talked a lot about how we could prepare for this unprecedented time: strengthen our community, focus on one or two things to do in this time, and be prepared to act swiftly when those in power overstep. 

Stay connected: come and joyfully celebrate at our All In weekend September 6 and 7!

Focus one or two things you can do: At All Saints, we focus on building strength, friends, and neighborhoods through United Power and serving and protecting those who come to our Food Pantry.

Be ready for the urgent: This week there will be two “Prophetic Resistance Trainings”: one on Tuesday at Lincoln Park Presbyterian from 10 am - Noon and one at New Covenant Baptist Church on the Southside from 5:30 - 7:30 pm. You can bet your clergy will be at one of those trainings. We’d love for you to join us. You can sign up HERE.

Friends, we don’t know what comes next, but if we keep walking, keep singing, keep praying, a door will open.

See you in church!

Faithfully, Suzanne+

Lectio Divina

2nd & last Sundays of the month

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

Please Note: the Church Office is closed Monday, September 1 for Labor Day.

Introducing the Season of Creation

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.

Did you know that the Episcopal Church has joined the international and ecumenical

world in celebrating a Season of Creation from September 1st to October 4th, the Feast

of St Francis? The observance of the Season of Creation is intended to help us “celebrate in prayer and action our Gospel calling to protect the Earth that God entrusted to our care.”

Read the full announcement here.

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.



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 RSVP form.  

Wear the Pantone Color of the Year - Mocha Mousse

OR a Calming Complementary Color

CONGREGATIONAL PHOTO COLLAGE

Sunday, September 7

Parish Photographers will take group or solo photos

after each service.

We ask that you take photos as well, if so inclined!

Send your photos to: media@allsaintschicago.org

If you know you won’t be able to attend church during the All IN weekend, please take photos and send to: media@allsaintschicago.org

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!

Church School Atrium I Introduction

Saturday, September 6

Children ages 3–6 who are new to Atrium I this year are invited (with their grown-ups) to an introduction Saturday, September 6 from 9:30–11 a.m., before starting church school the next day, Sunday, September 7. 

Registration Information

Grown-ups of any child age 3 to 12 who would like to join the All Saints' church school for the first time can register for our free program and learn more by emailing Children’s Formation Coordinator Polly Tangora.

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.



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.



Early bird ticket prices available thru September!!

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.

Access Contemporary Music presents

Meditative Monday at All Saints

Monday, September 8 at 6:00 PM

Devotion



The program pairs the meditation goal of mindfulness and compassion with a performance of works for cello and piano that center around the theme of care-giving and devotion. 

All in the Waiting by Josh Rodriguez

The Two-Headed Calf by Trevor Patricia Watkin

Her Memory is Liquid by Amy Wurtz

Peregrine by Cristina Spinei 

Guided Meditation by Katie Bellamy Katie Bellamy & Associates

Alyson Berger – cello

Amy Wurtz- piano

MORE INFO & PURCHASE $20 TICKET

Grace Church in New Lenox is sponsoring an Education for Ministry (EfM) group that meets online on Tuesday evenings at 7-9pm over a period of 36 weeks, starting September 16th. 

The cost of the program is $340 per year plus books ($50-$100). 

If you are interested in joining, please contact Karen Ziech at karen.ziech@gmail.com

MORE INFO (PDF)

EfM is a small-group adult formation experience, developed 50 years ago by the Episcopal seminary at the University of the South in Sewanee, TN. Patterned on seminary courses, over a 4-year curriculum, students study The Old Testament,The New Testament, Christian and Episcopal Church history, and Christian ethics and spirituality. The heart of the program is the regular practice of theological reflection, giving the 6-12 group members opportunities to connect their faith with lived experience and discern how to live out their personal calls, whether to lay or ordained ministry.

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. 

It’s time for our third annual Breeze (our secure directory database) update. 

Please complete the UPDATE survey by Tuesday, September 9.

SURVEY UPDATE

Thank you for helping us to update our database. 

Questions? Contact Courtney: courtney@allsaintschicago.org.

We want to know and serve you and your family better! 

When we know more about our All Saints community, we can serve you better. In that spirit, we invite you to complete the demographic section of the update so that we can continue to learn more about our demographics, particularly race and age. 

You can check your own Breeze profile to make sure it is up to date by clicking the Member Login button.  And we ask that you fill out the form whether you’re new to the directory or already have info there.

Add a current photo of yourself, your family.

Log into Breeze and update or add photos. 

You can click here to see how to do this. 

MORE INFO HERE

COMING SOON!

Weekly Newsletter re-design!

It’s time for a little refresh. 

We hope you like what you see!

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.

Facebook Livestream Team at the 11:00am Service

Audio: Jacob Farmer

Camera: Josephine Koo

www.allsaintschicago.org

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