Dear Friends, 

We are living in a disorienting time. I spend a chunk of each day trying to absorb all the news and then a decent amount of time asking “Why?” Why do some people delight in destruction? Why do some allow, even encourage, cruelty?

And then I remember the Bamiyan Buddhas in Afghanistan: giant, ancient statues, dating from the 6th Century C.E. that were beautiful and a pilgrimage spot for Buddhists and designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site. After the Taliban came into power they decided to destroy them as idols. They then proceeded over a few weeks to destroy the statues, shooting at them, using larger weaponry, until nothing was left. Wanton destruction. During that time there was also a report that Taliban fighters were killing animals in the Kabul Zoo, soldiers taking turns at target practice by shooting at the lion’s nose over and over, until his nose was gone and the lion died. I wept at both events because the destruction, the cruelty was the point. 

My brain spins, wondering what inspires people, a group of people, institutions, to behave this way? It just doesn’t compute. Something Annie Dillard wrote has stuck with me since I read it 40 years ago: “Cruelty is a mystery and a waste of pain.” Pain is a part of life, no matter what, so why would we ever increase it? Why would anyone choose cruelty?

Because it is a mystery, I suppose my brain then asks, how are we Christians to respond? Certainly however we respond should not increase pain or be motivated by cruelty. Beyond that, I think our Sunday readings help guide us. All of the readings focus on two big ideas: first, God calls each of us to follow God and God’s ways and second, none of us is perfect or ready or capable on our own to do God’s will, yet we are still called. 

In the Gospel, we hear about the great catch of fish. Some fishermen are out and having a bad day, so Jesus tells them to go out into deep water and lower their nets again, which they do, and, suddenly, an astonishing catch! The fisherman are amazed, Peter falls down before Jesus claiming his unworthiness, and then Jesus call him to be his disciple.

None of us can do what we are called to do on our own, but if we go out into the deep of prayer and silence, if we trust in God rather than ourselves, then we might be strengthened to face the cruelty and destruction around us. We may not succeed in all things, but we will succeed in some. And more importantly, we will have been faithful, we will have held onto the dignity of our humanity, and we will be open to what Dillard says after that first sentence about cruelty: “But if we describe a world to compass these things, a world that is a long, brute game, then we bump against another mystery: the inrush of power and light, the canary that sings on the skull.”

Keep the faith. See you in church!

Faithfully, Suzanne+

Inquirer’s Meeting: Adults Interested in Baptism

Sunday, February 9. 12:30-1:45 pm. Reading Room.

Are you interested in being baptized at the Easter Vigil this year? Are you new to the Christian faith and want to explore what it means to follow Jesus? Join us to discuss how you might grow deeper in faith during the season of Lent, meeting regularly with a group of other inquirers and the program staff to study scripture, learn about the history and faith of the church, and to share your own faith journey. Even if you’re not sure you’re ready for baptism, come learn more on February 9! Please RSVP HERE.

New Member Welcome

Sunday, February 9 at all services

If you've been coming to All Saints and think this is the place where you want to grow in faith through worship, fellowship, and service, consider participating in a New Member Welcome on Sunday, February 9 at any of the services. 

During the service, we'll recognize you and ask if you're willing to commit to All Saints for a time, the congregation will commit to walking with you, and then we’ll say a brief prayer. We will also invite you to enter your name into our parish registry after the service. Though this is not necessary to be a member at All Saints, to participate, or be involved, it's a nice way to mark your next step at All Saints. Also, if you aren’t able to attend on the 9th, but wish to be known as member of All Saints, please reach out to Courtney. 

You can sign up for the New Member Welcome HERE.

Thank you to all who signed up to bake something for our upcoming 2025 All Saints Bake Auction!

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.

For Those Affected by Federal Funding and Employment Changes

A Conversation for Mutual Support

The past few weeks have been hard and frightening in our country and especially so for immigrants, LGBTQ folks, and anyone who works for the federal government or whose job receives federal funding. Many parishioners at All Saints fall into that last category.

We will hold space for All Saints folks to share how they are doing, what’s going on in their workplaces, support one another, and discuss how to remain hopeful and courageous in these times (and how to get help when that just doesn’t feel possible in the moment).

We are suggesting three possible dates for this meeting:



Wednesday, February 19 at 6 pm

Saturday, February 22 at 10 am

Sunday, February 23 at 12:30 pm

Because we want to assure people confidentiality for this meeting, we will not share the final date or location publicly. This meeting is for those who attend All Saints, signed up for the meeting, and are directly affected as federal workers or whose jobs rely on federal funds attend this meeting.

If joining this conversation interests you, e-mail Suzanne (suzanne@allsaintschicago.org) by Monday, February 17 with the date(s) and time(s) that work for you.

Upcoming Gatherings for Newcomers

Sunday, February 16

2 Opportunities: after the 9 & 11 services

Are you new to All Saints? Perhaps you’ve just attended 1 or 2 times and would like to learn a little bit more about our community. Join us Sunday, February 16 at 10:15 AM or 12:15 PM (just after the 9 AM and 11 AM services) in the Reading Room for a 15-20 minute gathering to connect with other newcomers and briefly hear from one of our clergy and vestry members. The reading room is located adjacent to the sanctuary. Join us for some coffee, treats, and conversation. 

Newcomers Lunch

Sunday, March 9 | 12:30 - 2:00 pm

There will be a lunch for Newcomers on Sunday, March 9 from 12:30-2 in the Parish Hall. Join us for a light lunch, conversation, and a chance to learn more about our community. In particular, we will talk about Lent and Holy Week at All Saints and answer questions about this holy season. 

All Saints Bake Auction | Sunday, February 23 at 10:00 am

Over the past 20+ years, and hosted by the All Saints Church School students, this thrilling and delicious event has funded needed projects and services for our friends and partners in South Sudan, Uganda, Kenya, and other East African countries, including education, medical care, agricultural projects, and small businesses.



More info and to sign up to bake, contact Polly: polly@allsaintschicago.org.

All Saints Book Club

Thursday, February 13 at 7:30 pm on Zoom

Evicted: Poverty and Profit in the American City, by Matthew Desmond

One of the most acclaimed books of our time, this modern classic “has set a new standard for reporting on poverty” (Barbara Ehrenreich, The New York Times Book Review).

In Evicted, Princeton sociologist and MacArthur “Genius” Matthew Desmond follows eight families in Milwaukee as they each struggle to keep a roof over their heads. Hailed as “wrenching and revelatory” (The Nation), “vivid and unsettling” (New York Review of Books), Evicted transforms our understanding of poverty and economic exploitation while providing fresh ideas for solving one of twenty-first-century America’s most devastating problems. Its unforgettable scenes of hope and loss remind us of the centrality of home, without which nothing else is possible. 

The All Saint’s Book Club continues to meet 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.

Merci Beau Coup, Danke Shoen, Muchas Gracias, Grazie, Many Thanks

Thank you again to the All Saint’s Church Community for supporting the 6^th annual Midwest Veteran’s Closet with encouragement, kitchen and other“stuff,"responding to God’s call to love one another, and, protect Mother Earth.

This Sunday February 9th is the last day of the donation drive.

 If things come up during the year please feel free to contact us.



Thank you all again for your positive response! 

God’s Peace to all of you!

Katie Nolan & Therese Stasik

573-727-9164 - no text

ktnolan@sbcglobal.net

United Power Leadership Retreat on Saturday

February 22nd, 9 am – 2 pm.  

Interested in learning more about United Power? Meeting community leaders from across Chicago and Cook County? Looking for hope and solidarity in the fight for justice?  

Come be part of the team representing All Saints at the United Power retreat. 

This retreat will bring together top leaders from United Power’s membership to:

• Reflect on the progress of the Reclaiming Chicago campaign and strategize ways to strengthen our efforts this year
• Reconnect and strengthen relationships within our long-standing, Cook county-wide network of diverse member organizations.
• Discuss and decide on actions to deepen the power of our local institutions so we can address both large-scale and community-specific issues.

It is a great opportunity to meet others who are working for justice in their communities. 

It is also a great opportunity to gain a deeper understanding of how United Power works and organizes.  

Location for the retreat has not been announced. 

If you are interested in attending please contact Barbara Manley, barbaramanley1@gmail.com

Broadway Land Use Planning

As part of our ongoing social justice and outreach efforts in our local community, members of All Saints have been involved in the community engagement process to simplify the land use and zoning along the under construction stations of the Red Line and along Broadway Avenue from Devon to Montrose. The three wards affected (46th, 47th, and 48th Wards), represent a good portion of our parishioners here at All Saints. The plan's goals to improve housing affordability support and start local businesses, and create safer, more livable streets close to the new Red Line stops are all in conversation with the continuing affordable housing work All Saints supports throughout Chicago.

If you live in Edgewater or Uptown and want to learn more about the proposed changes, the city's official site for the review process is here.

Upcoming Events and Resources

to Support our Immigrant and Refugee Neighbors

Atlantic Bar, 5062 N. Lincoln

On Saturday, Feb 8 from 1-3 PM, Protecting Our Immigrant Neighbors: Business Outreach Canvas.  Join 40th Ward Dems and Our 40th (IPO) for an important canvassing event focused on empowering our local northside businesses with information on how to handle an ICE encounter. 

Meet-Up: Gather at the Atlantic Bar, 5062 N. Lincoln, where you will receive a brief, informative training session. Lunch can be purchased from the kitchen

Canvassing: Post-training, we'll hit the streets in a local business corridor to distribute crucial Know Your Rights information, ensuring our business community is informed and ready to protect immigrant neighbors. Register Here

Click here for resources from Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights

https://www.icirr.org/fsn

And here for a list of resources published by Blockclub. https://blockclubchicago.org/2025/01/28/chicagos-immigrants-are-being-targeted-by-ice-heres-what-you-can-do-to-help/

Local Ward/Neighborhood Groups

Protect Rogers Park: Community Assembly, February 15, 12-2 PM, New Field School

https://www.facebook.com/groups/RogersParkNeighborhoodNews/posts/9074646615944650/. 

Church-wide Immigration Resources 

New: Episcopal Church Immigration Action Toolkit 

In response to the sweeping policy changes on immigration, The Episcopal Church has created an Immigration Action Toolkit, which includes links to weekly update calls; resources for dioceses, congregations and individuals; and links for "Know Your Rights" trainings and webinar recordings. The online toolkit  will be updated regularly as policies and responses change.

Episcopalians Called to Take Action 

on Behalf of Refugee and Immigrant Neighbors

Following the January 21 Executive Orders signed by President Trump, Episcopal Migration Ministries (EMM), along with the Diocese of Chicago Sanctuary Diocese Committee, have been rapidly responding to the changing landscape for refugees, asylum seekers and immigrants in the U.S. and providing guidance for individuals, congregations and dioceses.

As concerns rise about mass deportations and as we wonder how this will impact vulnerable people in our own city and community, there are a number of resources available for education, information, and advocacy. 

• Episcopal Migration Ministries is a ministry of The Episcopal Church (https://episcopalmigrationministries.org/ministrynetwork/) that is deeply engaged in refugee resettlement and also hosts the Episcopal Migration Response Network. They recently hosted an informative webinar, Family Preparedness: Supporting Newcomer Neighbors, which featured the Sanctuary Ministry program of the Washington National Cathedral, https://cathedral.org/congregation/ministries-outreach/sanctuary-ministry/. A recording of the training along with other resources will be available in the coming week and will be posted in future e-news. 

• The Diocese of Chicago Sanctuary Committee also provides resources and information through its list serve. To receive their periodic updates, email The Rev. Sandra Castillo (sca652@yahoo.com) and asked to be on the distribution list. 

VOLUNTEER AT RAVENSWOOD COMMUNITY SERVICES (RCS)

TUESDAYS:

Click to Volunteer Hub! 

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.

THE COUNTDOWN IS ON!

Chicago's Favorite Neighborhood Race Returns!

The 29th annual Ravenswood Run presented by Fleet Feet + Altra returns to Chicago's historic neighborhood on Sunday, April 27, 2025. 

For over a quarter century, our family-friendly 5K and Kids' Race has given runners and walkers a chance to experience the charms this pocket of the city possesses.

Beyond that, the event is a fundraiser for Ravenswood Community Services.

Sign Up to walk, run, or volunteer!

Access Contemporary Music presents

Meditative Mondays at All Saints

February 10 – Finding Space | 6:00 - 7:00 pm

Musicians pair the meditation goal of relaxation with Brian Eno’s ambient masterpiece Music for Airports, Eve Beglarian’s transcendent piece Until it Blazes and a new work by Casey Nielsen, all performed on solo electric guitar.

Guided Meditation by Hannah Grove of Katie Bellamy & Associates

Casey Nielsen – electric guitar

Learn More & Reserve Your Seat ($20)

AUDIOTREE PRESENTS:

BOMETHIUS

With Sara Geist & Joe Gorka

Tuesday, February 1

6:30PM DOORS | 7PM SHOW

 SCHUBAS (18+)

You’ve seen him accompanying music at All Saints.



Bomethius is the baroque pop project led by parishioner Jonathan Hodges, a multi-instrumentalist singer-songwriter based in Chicago. A dynamic vocalist and capable composer who’s equally skilled on the piano, violin, and guitar, Hodges draws from decades of classical training to craft a mischievous brand of chamber rock that echoes the sounds of Andrew Bird, Randy Newman, and Elliott Smith.

Lear More (The Reader Review)

Get Tickets

All Saints is partnering with the Ravenswood Community Farmers Market!

Next on Saturday, February 15

Every 3rd Saturday of the month through March from 10:00 am – 2:00 pm.

In the Parish Hall – Entrance on Wilson.

Get warm and shop while listening to live music and enjoying a hot drink. Vendors include: Patyk Farms, Tamales Express, Hilary’s Cookies, DFT Designs & the Alchemy Kitchen, Monarch Beauty Farm, EE Mercantile, Pride Coffee Roasters, Nonie’s Bees, Lincoln Ice Cream, Nena’s Sweet Treats, and Cathie’s K9 Treats.

January 30, 2025

Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need. Hebrews 4:16



Dear People of God in the Diocese of Chicago,

I write to you this morning from the D.C. area, one of the places I have been spending my time off with family and friends this past month. I’ve always believed that prioritizing rest, sabbath and vacation time is important — necessary — for all of us. But it felt particularly poignant these past few weeks as we have watched the headlines go from devastating fires in California to harmful Executive Orders, sweeping job cuts and talented individuals being diminished as “DEI hires;” from communities in chaos over immigration enforcement to an inspiring message of mercy from my dear friend, Bishop Mariann Edgar Budde. And this morning, in my beloved D.C., we are praying for the victims of last night’s tragic plane crash, their grieving families and friends.

READ THE FULL LETTER

The next vestry meeting will be on Tuesday, February 18 at 7:00pm. Vestry meetings are open to parishioners. To see the most current Vestry Minutes click here.

Lost & Found

Many water bottles and coffee cups of all varieties have found their way to All Saints and Ravenswood Community Services these past few months. If any of these belong to you, whether you left it here on a Sunday or perhaps a Tuesday evening, please claim before February 23 or they will be given to a new home. 

Facebook Livestream Team at the 11:00am Service

Audio: Dylan Masterson

Camera: Josephine Koo

www.allsaintschicago.org

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