News for the Week of December 29, 2024 | |
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Dear Friends,
Merry Christmas!
This is the third day of Christmas; if I could, I would give you all three French hens!
As you know, though the world outside of church treats Christmas as a one-day extravaganza, the church in her wisdom celebrates Christmas as a twelve-day season that only ends on the Feast of the Epiphany on January 6. During the Season of Christmas, there are multiple feast days; yesterday, we celebrated the Feast of St. Stephen, the first martyr of the church (also Boxing Day in England); the Feast of St. John today; the Feast of the Holy Innocents tomorrow; and the Feast of the Holy Name of Jesus Christ on January 1.
In other words, we are in a season of celebration, which is entirely appropriate given what we celebrate, not Santa (though we love him), not general goodwill (though we could use more of that), but that God loves us so much that God had to join us, had to become entangled with us, not just in a spiritual way but a bodily, molecular, blood-and-guts kind of way. It takes at least 12 days to celebrate that wild, mad, joyous truth.
So, keep the twinkly lights up, keep singing the carols, keep giving gifts and telling stories and throwing parties. Keep the creche out, and move the Magi around the house so they end up at the stable on January 6. And come to church where we will “keep the feast” each Sunday—lights, joy, the Eucharistic feast, and Christmas carols to keep the party going.
Merry Christmas, Friends. See you in church!
Faithfully, Suzanne+
P. S. John Betjeman’s poem Christmas captures the wonder of it all in a way that resonates even for the world weary.
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Sunday, December 29 - Christmas 1
Christmas 1 | 8:00, 9:00, 11:00 am Services with Christmas Carols
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A LOOK BACK AT
LIGHT UP NIGHTS & HOLIDAY MARKET
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It has been a Season of Neighborhood Love | |
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Nearly $1,700 was raised from the Ravenswood Light Up Nights & Holiday Market celebrations in support of Ravenswood Community Services (RCS).
Pictured left to right: Rev’d Suzanne Wille (All Saints’ Church), Melanie Huntington Weeks (Events Chair of RNA), Michael Sewall (President of RNA), Lori Gee (Executive Director of RCS).
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Sunday, December 29 - Christmas 1
Christmas 1 | 8:00, 9:00, 11:00 am Services with Christmas Carols
Sunday, January 5 - Christmas 2
Christmas 2 | 8:00, 9:00, 11:00 am Services with Christmas Carols
Sunday, January 5 - Vigil for Epiphany / Twelfth Night
4:00 pm Celebrate the Feast of the Epiphany with Communion and Hymns
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We’re baptizing babies and children!
On Sunday, January 12
Are you Interested in baptizing a child? Fill out this pre-baptismal FORM by January 2.
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. Adults are usually baptized at the Easter Vigil (the night before Easter Sunday).
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All Saints "Epiphany Camp”
Children 6 to 12 years old
Saturday January 11 from 2:30 to 5:30pm
This is a lovely quiet afternoon to celebrate the Christmas season and Epiphany, the 12th day after Christmas, when we remember the arrival of the Magi in Bethlehem.
As the excitement and celebration of Christmas begin to fade, we take a quiet moment to reflect on what Christmastide means: the prophecies of the coming Messiah and Gospel readings telling of the birth of Christ.
With candle decorating, singing, and simple crafts, our younger children (6-8 year olds) spend time reflecting on what the scripture tells us of Jesus’ birth; while our older children (in the 9 to 12 group) plan a celebration that includes preparing a candle lit labyrinth of greenery on the parish hall floor to represent the journey of the Magi to Bethlehem.
Then, around 4:45 pm, parents, and any others interested, are invited to join in the celebration that the children have prepared and walk the candlelit path to the manger scene while we all sing lots of atrium songs.
If your child would like to join us for this afternoon, please email Polly Tangora polly@allsaintschicago.org by Monday, January 6th so we can plan staffing and materials.
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NEWCOMER LUNCH
Sunday, January 12 at 12:30 pm
Join us for a casual luncheon, conversation, and a chance to learn more about All Saints and ways to continue connecting with our community.
Are you new to All Saints? Are you interested in meeting other newcomers and learning more about our community? Join us for our next Newcomers lunch.
Please RSVP so we can plan food accordingly.
Questions? Contact Courtney at courtney@allsaintschicago.org
RSVP HERE
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SOCIAL JUSTICE & OUTREACH | |
VOLUNTEER AT RAVENSWOOD COMMUNITY SERVICES (RCS) | |
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RCS & Tuesday Volunteers
RCS is currently experiencing an historic increase in neighbors seeking assistance. If you've been thinking you might like to give volunteering with RCS a try, now would be a really great time.
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RCS is also looking for volunteers who would like 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.
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All Saints is partnering with the Ravenswood Community Farmers Market!
Begins Saturday, January 18
Every 3rd Saturday of the month from 10:00 am - 2:00 pm
In the Parish Hall - Entrance on Wilson
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2024 Pledges and Giving
Thank you for your generosity to All Saints for 2024!
In order for a gift to be credited to 2024, we need to receive it no later than end of day on Tuesday, December 31.
Questions? Contact Edward.
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The next vestry meeting will be on Tuesday, January 21 at 7:00pm. Vestry meetings are open to parishioners. To see the most current Vestry Minutes click here. | |
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Office Holiday Hours
Please note that the All Saints office will be closed for Christmas December 25 - 27 and will close early on December 31 at 2 pm and be closed on January 1 to celebrate the new year.
If you have a pastoral emergency, such as a death or hospitalization, contact Courtney or Suzanne directly (phone numbers available in Breeze).
If you have an administrative need, such as about your 2024 giving, contact Edward at edward@allsaintschicago.org.
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A Call to Serve: Vestry Members and Delegates to Convention
If you're interested in serving All Saints as a member of our vestry or a diocesan representative, please apply online by January 5, 2025!
As a member of the All Saints Vestry, you'll participate in the oversight of the financial and spiritual health of the church. Fiscal responsibilities include reviewing and approving financial statements as prepared by the Treasurer; approving and institutionalizing recommendations from the Finance Committee concerning budget, loan, and investment activities; and managing our physical plant resources. You'll engage in the spiritual health of the church by supporting our mission and our ministries, offering time and energy to members of the congregation through both group and one-on-one interactions. Each Vestry member is expected to attend monthly meetings and to participate in the preparation and realization of the Annual Meeting at which Vestry and Warden elections are held. Any pledge-paying member of the church, sixteen years or older, is eligible.
If you'd like to find out more about how the Vestry works, we'll be hosting a Vestry Information Coffee Hour at some point in the near future. Stay tuned for further details!
As a Delegate to Diocesan Convention, you will attend a Deanery meeting to learn more about the way that the diocese governs itself and to meet other delegates; review resolutions, budget, and ministry reports from the diocese before convention; and attend our online convention on November 22, 2025 which includes voting to elect candidates to varies governing bodies and on resolutions. This is a great way to get to know people around the diocese and to influence the future of the larger church!
VESTRY APPLICATION
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The results of the 2025 VOTE FOR ALL SAINTS Pledge Campaign are in!
We are so grateful for everyone’s generosity and for voting for all we do here.
Number of pledges: 181
Total pledge amount: $587,157
Number of new pledges: 43
Total amount if everyone renews who pledged last year: $626,769
Total amount we need to do all we hoped in 2025: $632,000
Your pledge supports our neighbors in need, help us build our community and faith lives so that they can be shared with all we encounter, and fuel the fight for justice in our city, country, and beyond. Thank you again for sharing your gifts!
And If you haven’t pledged yet, you still can!
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8:00am
Altar Guild: Pam Palmentera
9:00am
Acolytes: Owen Kasten & Julie Sweeney
Altar Guild: Eric Swiecki
Chalice:
Intercessor:
Lector: Reader 1) C.J. Rivers; and Reader 2)
Ushers: Josephine Koo
Vestry Announcement: John Dufour
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11:00am Service
Acolytes: Sam Love, Gretchen Schlabach, & Skip Yates
Altar Guild: Margaret Dunn
Chalice: Liz Morris & Skip Yates
Intercessor: Amy Healey
Lector: Reader 1) Eileen Crowley; and Reader 2) Zain Jamshaid
Ushers: Bill McHugh
Vestry Announcement: Skip Yates
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Facebook Livestream Team at the 11:00am Service
Audio: Dylan Masterson
Camera: Josephine Koo
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Those who suffer in mind, body, or spirit: especially for Georgia Bergman, Maria Sobel, LouAnne Severson, Diane Kavanaugh-Black, Tom G., Anitra Griffin, Jennifer Christy, and for those whose hurt, burdens, and fears go unspoken.
For those on our long-term prayer list: especially for Anna K., Meg Safranek, Sarah Booten, Bobby Lentell, Neal, Steve Burns, Ashton Christy, Carl Youngberg, Eugene Washington, Helen LoRusso, Peg Deppe, James Guite, Nina Chinn, Jim Crandall, Lionel Edes, Clara Maddox, Kamila, Kathy, and Walter Grabowski.
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; Renk, South Sudan; and throughout Latin America and East Africa.
For those who celebrate birthdays this week:
12/31 - Cecelia Downs, Kellyanne Fitzgerald, Ben Sweeney
1/1 - Mark Powers, Charlie Tangora
1/4 - Jim Russell, John Wischnewsky
For those who celebrate anniversaries this week:
12/29 - Jeff & Lisa Lee
12/30 - Julia & Mike Kurtz
12/31 - Kristin & Ben Egan
For those who have died: especially for Meg Safranek, niece of parishioner Jim Statler and the late Mickey Safranek; and for Greg Stasik, cousin of Therese Stasik. May their souls 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.
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