News for the Week of:

February 26, 2023

Dear Friends, 

 

Here we are again in Lent. Some years I dread it, but this year I find myself eager for the solemnity of Lent. Or perhaps it is the focus of it that I desire. I find it easy to be overwhelmed by the urgent and persistent (is there no end of email?) along with those distractions that lure and numb us in a too-busy world (looking at you, Instagram and Netflix).

 

Lent provides a pared-down schedule, offers clarity: devote some time each day to prayer, give away some money to someone who needs it, give up something in order to have that extra time and money. In other words, the classic triple disciplines of prayer, fasting, and almsgiving.

 

Some years that formula seems, well, formulaic or arcane or overly simplistic.

 

This year it seems just right and, frankly, about all I can handle.

 

But imagine if we all did this, not as a way to “discipline” or punish ourselves but so that we grow closer to God, have space for quiet and prayer, let our anxieties and desires rest for a few weeks, and turn our focus out from ourselves toward others.

 

None of that will end the war in Ukraine, nor will it stop the climate catastrophe, nor will it dismantle systemic racism, and . . . well, you get the idea.

 

But wouldn’t the world feel and be a bit different? Wouldn’t you? 

 

We would be returning to God and to God’s dream of Shalom and in that return, that rest in God, we might be nourished to live that dream in the world.

 

Faithfully, Suzanne+

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Lent at All Saints

Wednesdays in March (March 1, 8, 15, 22, and 29)

12:00pm - Bible Study on Zoom

7:00pm - Basic Discipleship


Wednesdays in Lent

Not the Last Supper Lenten Supper Groups


Sunday, March 5

10:00am - All Saints Bake Auction


Saturday, March 18

3:00pm - Solemn Communion Service

What does it mean to "walk the talk” as a Christian? How do we follow the way of Christ in our everyday lives? Each week, we'll examine the holy habits of discipleship: Prayer and Worship, Serving and Giving, Learning and Discerning. Participants will be linked as prayer partners, and much of the class is small group work of support and accountability in following Jesus in our daily lives. At the end of the class, all will be invited to join discipleship groups to continue the journey. 

 

Wednesdays, March 1, 8, 15, 22, and 29 at 7:00pm


$20 for refreshments and materials.

Scholarships available; talk to Suzanne.

 

Sign up HERE by February 27.

 

Read about all of the courses HERE.

 

Considering Baptism, Re-affirming your Baptismal Vows, Confirmation, or being Received into the Episcopal Church? These classes are for you!

 

These classes are important and as such we ask that you commit to attend all the sessions offered within each module. If you are unable to attend, you’ll have a chance again, as the courses will be offered in an ongoing rotation. 

 

We offered Basic Christianity in January and will offer Basic Discipleship during Lent, Basic Anglicanism in Eastertide, and Basic Bible in the fall.

Not the Last Supper

Lenten Supper Groups

Sign up by this Monday, February 27


Once again, All Saints is organizing weekly Lenten suppers - opportunities for fellowship during the Lenten season, and a great way to get to know people in an intimate setting beyond Sunday morning Coffee Hour.


In the past, groups have gathered one night a week for potluck meals at parishioners’ homes or at neighborhood restaurants. We will meet for four weeks: the weeks of March 6, 13, 20, and 27


If you're interested, go here to sign up. You'll be contacted around March 3 with your group information. 


Questions? Contact Suzanne or Ann McKenzie.

Lenten Bible Study on Zoom -

Every Wednesday in March at 12:00pm

Join the Zoom meeting

Join us on Wednesdays in Lent to reflect on the Gospel reading for the upcoming Sunday. We'll meet from 12:00-12:45pm beginning March 1. You can find the readings here. We'll meet on zoom so that you can join us from home or work. You can join for any or all of the Wednesdays. 


Meeting ID: 827 0590 9340

Passcode: 059063

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Meeting ID: 827 0590 9340

Passcode: 059063

Worship and Service at All Saints

Calling all singers

and musicians!


If you’ve ever thought about becoming a part of the music ministry at All Saints, we invite you join us for Lent and Easter. No auditions necessary; the only requirement is a willing heart! This Lent and Easter, we’re also looking for instrumentalists, so if you play a string, woodwind, or brass instrument, we need you!


Rehearsals dates are limited, but lots of fun. For more information or to sign up, you can see Colin after services or email him at colin@allsaintschicago.org.


And remember what St. Augustine once said: “The one who sings, prays twice!”

Like to cook? Volunteer for Love on a Plate! 


Cooking and delivering a meal to a parishioner in need is a great way to connect with other members of the congregation. It also helps make some of life’s challenging chapters — illness, grief, welcoming a new baby — a little easier and less lonely. No minimum commitment required.


Email Kelly McNees to add your name to our volunteer email list and receive a message when care opportunities arise. Participate when you can and help lighten someone’s load! 

Formation and Fellowship

All Saints Youth Group


The All Saints Youth Group (ASYG) continues to meet in the Parish Hall on the second and fourth Sundays of each month from 3:30-5:30pm. All youth (7th Grade and older) are welcome.


Please email Liz Bartels with any questions. Our next meeting will be held this Sunday, February 26.

Solemn Communion


Eight All Saints children continue their preparation for the Solemn Communion Celebration to be held on Saturday, March 18. The Solemn Communion program offers children the opportunity to consider what it means to receive the Eucharist in a more thoughtful way.


Although children in the Episcopal Church receive bread and wine from the time of baptism, they're able to examine the meaning of this gift more deeply as they grow older. To do this, the group meets at a special time and place apart from regular Sunday School classes - five two-hour Saturday sessions finished with a day-long retreat that ends with a celebratory Eucharist.


This year, children will be meeting on February 25, March 4 and March 11 from 9:00-11:00am. They'll meet again on Friday, March 17 from 5:00-7:00pm and on Saturday, March 18 from 9:00am-4:00pm.


The children participating this year are: Ada Medill, Bridget McDonald, Edvin Glessner, Isabella Maki, Joshua Harris, Sadie Landis, Willem Kapteyn-Dekkinga, and Stanley Housten. Please keep them and their leaders in your prayers during this time of preparation.

All Saints Book Club


The All Saints Book Club is now supporting the book sanctuary initiative. We plan to include at least one banned book each year in our 2023 reading plan. 


The All Saints Book Club meets on the second Thursday of the month at 7:30pm on Zoom. If you are not a regular attendee, email Mike Burke at mebcat@gmail.com for a meeting invite and our spring schedule.


Our next scheduled meeting will be on March 9, 2023 during which we'll discuss If Beale Street Could Talk by James Baldwin

One Book, One Diocese: Resurrection Hope

An invitation from the Peace and Justice Committee


In 2023, the Peace and Justice Committee invites the diocese to participate in its inaugural "One Book, One Diocese" discussion of Resurrection Hope: A Future Where Black Lives Matter by the Very Rev. Dr. Kelly Brown Douglas.


If enough of us from All Saints participate, we'll host our own book discussion after Easter. The Diocesan Peace and Justice Committee will also offer online discussions on Zoom on April 13 and April 25 at 7 pm.

Outreach and Justice

All Saints Bake Auction

Supporting our Friends and Partners in Africa:

Sunday, March 5, 10:00-11:00am

IN-PERSON and/or ON-LINE

Hosted by the students of our church school, this raucous and thrilling annual auction raises funds to support our friends and partners in South Sudan, Uganda, Kenya, and other Eastern African countries.


Mark your calendar for March 5 as we return to an in-person auction, as well as online bidding using 32Auctions.com. Last year we raised over $30,000 in one short hour! Can we do it again!? Yes, we can!


You can still contribute your baked treats to the auction. PLEASE! SIGN UP to contribute cakes, pies, cookies, and any other fabulous treats you can dream up by emailing Polly Tangora (polly@tangoras.com).


Cakes will be auctioned in-person in the Parish Hall and silent auction items will be available for viewing on 32Auctions. Bring your phone so you can keep an eye on the silent auction while you bid at the live! Here are the details about what will happen on March 5.

Help a refugee family: Volunteers needed March 7 and 8


Exodus World Service has matched us with a refugee family! A family of three is arriving from Iraq on March 8. The next step is using the items we collected in November and December to set up their household.


Are you available on the evening of Tuesday, March 7 to collect some groceries from Ravenswood Community Services? Are you available during the day on March 8 to buy the rest of the groceries (including a stop at a Halal butcher?) Or late afternoon/early evening to move items from Annie Logue's house to our new neighbors' place?


Check Sign-Up Genius here!

Saint Leonard's at Coffee Hour


Join us on Sunday, March 19 during the 10:00am coffee hour to learn more about the work of Saint Leonard’s Ministries, an Episcopal agency located on the Near West side of Chicago.


Saint Leonard’s empowers formerly incarcerated persons to lead whole and productive lives through access to an array of services such as housing, life skills, behavioral health, and workforce development all on one campus. The Rev. Wes Smedley, Mission & Strategic Advancement Manager and Chaplain, along with other staff and residents will join us for conversation. It promises to be an engaging and inspiring event. 


For more information, visit their website.

Support Relief Efforts in Syria and Turkey


Episcopal Relief & Development is working with Action by Churches Together Alliance (ACT Alliance) to provide supplies, hot meals, and other emergency support in the aftermath of the 7.8-magnitude earthquake in Turkey and Syria on February 6. The earthquake killed more than 35,000 people and caused widespread damage across the region. 


Donations to the Turkey and Syria Earthquake Response Fund will help Episcopal Relief & Development continue responding.


Please pray for those who have been affected by the earthquake. 

Food donation needed for RCS After School Pantries


Ravenswood Community Services is seeking donations of food items for its after school pantry program. Specific items are needed and include - canned pasta sauce, plastic jars of peanut butter, kid friendly cereal, and cans of chicken noodle soup.  Any brand of these items is acceptable, however, please do not donate any item in a glass jar. 


How to help:


● You may purchase any of these items and bring them to church where we will have collection boxes just inside the front doors.  

● You can purchase any of the items using the links below and ship them directly to Ravenswood Community Services, 4550 N. Hermitage Ave, Chicago, IL 60640.

 

Canned pasta sauce


Plastic jars of peanut butter

 

Kid friendly cereal

 

Cans of chicken noodle soup

 

● Or you can donate directly to RCS here.

 

Any way that you choose to give will make a difference for the families we serve. And if you are interested in getting involved as a volunteer, you can learn more here or email Parker Callahan.

Early voting in all 50 Wards began Monday, February 13!


Early voting in downtown Chicago for the February 28, 2023 Municipal Election has started at two vote centers: the Voter Supersite at 191 N. Clark and Board Offices at 69 W. Washington, 6th Floor. Super Sites remain open through Tuesday, February 28. Click here to see all Early Voting locations, times and addresses. 


Any voter in Chicago can vote at any Early Voting site, no matter where they live in the city. Voters can choose whatever voting site is most convenient for them, including on Election Day.


Voter registration services (new voters, name changes and address updates) will be provided at all Early Voting sites. Two forms of ID, one of which shows the voter's current address, are needed to register for the first time or to file a name change or an address update. Voters with questions may contact 312.269.7900 or email cboe@chicagoelections.gov.

Get your voter information here
Serve as an election judge
Vote by mail
We Pray For

Those who suffer in mind, body, or spirit: especially for Phyllis Elaine Bettison, Sarah Booten, Marianna Reid, Ken Reid, Ora Washington and the Washington family, Bruce Ente, Peg Deppe, Susan Reid, Lupe Wilson, Richard Johnson, Scott and Ann, Kathryn Colina, Mary K. Williams, and for those whose hurt, burdens, and fears go unspoken.


For those on our long-term prayer list: Ashton Christy, Kirsten Rehnberg, Debi Armstrong, Mickey Safranek, Suzanne Shear, Ann J, Clyde Propst, Peter Donalek, James Guite, Nina Chinn, Jim Crandall, Juleigh Ruby, Lionel Edes, Clara Maddox, Kamila and Kathy, Paul, Mary Logue


For those around the world: the people of Ukraine and all affected by war; all affected by the pandemic; and our brothers and sisters in Cuernavaca, Mexico; Renk, Sudan; and throughout Latin America and East Africa


For our children preparing for their solemn communion: Ada Medill, Bridget McDonald, Edvin Glessner, Isabella Maki, Joshua Harris, Sadie Landis, Willem Kapteyn-Dekkinga, and Stanley Housten


For those who celebrate birthdays this week:

2/26 - Jonathan Walters

2/27 - Julia Ferguson

2/28 - Suneer Maheshwary, Sandra DeAngelus

3/1 - Simon Crow, Juliette Futrell, Dylan Masterson, Sloan Hoffman

3/2 - Olivia Fergus-Brummer, Betty Fraga

3/3 - Kirsten Hanson, Steven Fraga, Alex Gee

3/4 - Ruth Nagaro


For those who celebrate anniversaries this week:

2/29 - Bryan Thompson & David Sugitpibul


For those who have died: especially for Janet Morris Jones, friend of Elisabeth Hargrove. May her soul and the souls of all the departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace, and may God comfort those who grieve.


If you'd like to have someone included in our community prayers, please email: prayer@allsaintschicago.org.

Request Prayer

www.allsaintschicago.org

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