Dear Friends,

The 24-7 Christmas music station stopped playing its holiday tunes on December 26. Bare and dry Christmas trees are starting to populate the alleys. And some of the neighborhood’s glittering lights and displays are starting to come down.

Yet in our church calendar, we are only half way through the 12 days of Christmas that lead us to the Feast of the Epiphany. And we will still be singing Christmas carols this Sunday. The first known carol was the Angels Hymn written in 129 CE by the Bishop of Rome. However, it’s believed that Christians adapted pagan songs to fit the Christmas story earlier than that. All during this week, I’ve been listening to a delightful podcast produced by America magazine that Suzanne shared with me called “Hark: The stories behind our favorite Christmas carols.” It’s worth a listen and full of interesting stories. Whether it’s standing outside the church during Ravenswood Light Up, joyfully proclaiming O Come All Ye Faithful at the start of our Christmas liturgies, or quietly singing Silent Night as the lighting of candles pierces the darkness, the sound of voices lifted in unison gladdens my heart and brings me closer to God. Reformed theologian Karl Barth wrote “the praise of God which finds its concrete culmination in the singing of the community is one of the indispensable forms of the ministry of the church.”

During the sermon this Sunday at our 9:00 and 11:00am services, we will take your requests for favorite carols from either of our hymnals and I’ll share some stories about the origins of these songs. And while our 8:00am will still be a spoken service with no singing, we will still share stories about our favorite carols!

As we move through the rest of the Christmas season and celebrate the end of 2023, I wish you all a blessed and joyous New Year. I look forward to discovering what 2024 has in store for our community of faith. 

Peace,

Courtney+

Epiphany Bread, Wine, and Word

Saturday, January 6, 6:00-8:30pm



Share your gift of a story over dinner in the sanctuary. In this season when we recognize God in our midst, where have you experienced the Holy or the miraculous in your life? When have you been hoping for everything to change… and it has? Or tell another story that would be a gift to share!

The point of gathering is to connect with one another, so your story should be real, your own, and focus on events and feelings rather than proving a point or teaching a lesson.

No pressure if you don’t want to tell a story, but if you do, stay within the 3-5 minute range and consider taking a risk. If you are new to storytelling, The Moth offers these great GUIDELINES. 

Interested? Sign up here! Bring your favorite beverages and desserts to enjoy and share. Questions? Contact Colin Collette at colin@allsaintschicago.org.

Worship and Service

De-Greening the Church

Sunday, January 7 (following our 11:00am service)

Stick around after our 11:00am service on Sunday, January 7 or just come over at 12:30pm as we mark the end of yet another Christmas season by "de-greening" the church. A light lunch will be provided.

Children's Epiphany Celebration

“People were wondering, so it just seemed right to make this.”

-- Beth, age 6.

On Saturday, January 13 from 2:30-5:30pm, children ages 6 to 12 are invited to celebrate the season of Epiphany, the time when the Church recalls the arrival of the Magi in Bethlehem.

Beginning in the All Saints’ Parish Hall, the afternoon will include reflections on prophecies of the coming Messiah and Gospel readings re-telling the birth of Christ, with candle decorating, singing, and simple crafts to reflect on the season. Older children (in the 9-12 group) will spend time in a candle lit labyrinth of greenery on the parish hall floor to represent the journey of the Magi. Parents and others interested are invited to join the children at 4:45 pm for a short celebration of Epiphany and the end of the Christmas season.

If your child would like to attend or assist, please RSVP by Sunday, January 7 to Polly Tangora (polly@allsaintschicago.org) so that we can plan for materials. This celebration is a project that requires more than just a few children, so knowing we have a sufficient number to make it work is important. Friends and neighbors 6-12 are also very welcome to join.

Formation and Fellowship

Episcopal 101 & 102: 

Belonging, Becoming, and Believing

Wednesday, January 10

Are you new here at All Saints? Been coming for a while, but still have lots of questions about what this “Episcopal” church is all about? Would you like a deeper understanding of our worship and why we do what we do? If so, then Episcopal 101 is for you! If you've already participated in Episcopal 101 but want to go deeper, please join Episcopal 102; if you want a review, then take 101 again!

Our next Episcopal 101 and 102 will meet on Wednesday, January 10 from 7:00-9:00pm. Both groups will start in the parish hall and center their conversation on the topic of becoming. How do the Episcopal traditions of prayer and spirituality inform our understanding of becoming. What does it mean to “become” Episcopalian? We will gather as one group at the start of the evening then separate into 101 and 102 groups for more reflection and learning. We will end our time with prayer. 

Sign up here. The sign-up form includes a place to note topics or questions you want to make sure we cover in the class. 

Please note: if you've already signed up for Episcopal 101 or 102 last fall, there's no need to sign up again.

Small Group for Educators

Are you an educator? Being an educator hasn't been easy lately, and it can often feel like you're living on an island.

A number of your fellow educators at All Saints have expressed an interest in getting together for a little social time with someone else who "gets it." The holidays are always super busy, but a social event before returning from winter break might just be a great way to start this group off. This could be an opportunity to commiserate, debrief, and mentally prepare yourself for the months ahead.

All educators are welcome to join, including school leaders, teachers, tutors, support aides, psychologists, speech therapists, etc. - essentially anyone who works in the PK-12 realm.

Please share your interest by contacting Joe Wernette-Harnden at jcharnden@gmail.com. 

Marques Garrett at

St. Paul and the Redeemer:

January 13

The Church of St. Paul & the Redeemer in Hyde Park is hosting a free, day-long workshop with Marques Garrett, editor of the new, indispensable Oxford Anthology of Music by Black Composers, a 2023 publication which centers the non-idiomatic music of Black composers. All are invited to join this day-long event on Saturday, January 13 to learn about the composers featured in this anthology.

More info: www.sprchicago.org/garrett.

Outreach and Justice

Volunteers Needed for January: RCS After School Pantry 

RCS' After School Pantry is back for the 2023-24 school year and we are looking for additional volunteer help! Partnering with Brennemann, Goudy, and McCutcheon elementary schools in Uptown, these Thursday afternoon pantries are designed to provide families with kid-friendly staples over the weekend when school meals are not available. This school year, we've seen an overwhelming increase in participation, which means we need more help! If you have a flexible schedule and can be available for 60-90 minutes on a Thursday afternoon, sign up here for one or more of the available volunteer spots. Thank you!

Church Business

Pledges and giving

Thank you for your generosity to All Saints this year! In order for a gift to be credited to 2023, we need to receive it no later than end of day on Sunday, December 31. 

Questions? Contact Edward.

Did you know you can listen to All Saints sermons on Apple Podcasts?

www.allsaintschicago.org

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