Dear Friends, 

What a week this has been. I don’t know about you, but I feel a bit whipsawed by all that is happening in our country and our lives. 

This past Sunday we celebrated the Epiphany with an evening service after a glorious morning packed with folks ready to start the new year at church! At our service, we blessed chalk to be used in our homes to chalk the lintels of our front doors (you can get yours this Sunday!). Courtney chanted the Epiphany Proclamation, an ancient tradition to announce the “moveable feasts” of the year, such as Easter, Pentecost, and the beginning of Advent. We included the moveable feasts of All Saints, too: the Bake Auction, the Ravenswood Run, the Pet Blessing . . . 

Epiphany, taken from the Greek word for “to reveal," is one of the major feasts of the church and for good reason: it commemorates the revelation of Jesus as the Messiah, not just for one people but for the whole world.

And as a person of faith who looks forward each year to January 6th, to celebrating with worship and blessed chalk and king cakes and Magi, I find it repugnant that what we remember now on January 6th in our civic life is a violent insurrection. 

So, this week has been a hard one as well as a holy one: a day doubled in joy and sorrow; a week watching Los Angeles burn in a fury of climate agony, fearing for our friends, families, and future; the funeral of a President who was a model of integrity for a century, who called us to our best selves, a celebration of his life that also feels like the passing of an era in our national life.

I wonder if you are also feeling a little whipsawed, a bit weighed down?

One of our practices in small groups at All Saints and in our weekly staff meetings is to share “God sightings.” Where have we experienced the Holy recently? I’ve been thinking about how in answering that question I often reach for the moments of joy and beauty, which, of course, are essential to our understanding of God. I am now also working to be alert to God’s presence even in the sorrow, the anger, the tragedy, for surely, God is manifest, revealed, even there, too.

This Sunday is the Baptism of our Lord, when we celebrate Jesus’ baptism and recognition as God’s “Beloved,” which means we are beloved, too. See you in church!

Faithfully, Suzanne+

P. S. Mark your calendars! Our Annual Meeting is January 26 and will be "wicked" fun!

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

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.

De-Greening the Church 

Saturday, January 11 at 11:00 am

Please join us as we mark the end of yet another Christmas season by "de-greening" the church. A light lunch will be provided.

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.

As concerns rise about when and if mass deportations will occur after Inauguration Day 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. 

• Also next Friday, January 17 at 11 AM CT, ELCA AMMPARO and Episcopal Migration Ministries are co-sponsoring a webinar entitled “Walking With: Migrant Accompaniment for Ministry Leaders in 2025 and Beyond.” This webinar, designed for ordained and lay ministry leaders, will offer some basics on the US immigration system, “Know Your Rights” information, and practical suggestions for ministry leaders when an undocumented person or recent migrant comes seeking their accompaniment in navigating next steps to address their immigration status, as well as how to handle a situation if ICE comes to their church or ministry. Presenters will be lawyers from the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA). Register here.

• 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. 

Donations for Midwest Veterans

Looking for a way to keep your New Year’s resolution to declutter, reduce landfill waste, and help veterans make their homes complete?

Look no farther. The annual Midwest Veteran’s Closet collection is here! The Midwest Veteran’s Closet in North Chicago helps Veterans and active Military to transition from homeless to housed by providing them with donated goods, focusing on kitchen goods but also a variety of needs listed here: Military Need/Wish List.

A bin will be placed at the back of the Church starting January 19th until the last date, February 9th. Place items in the bin, arrange for a car to car transfer at Church, or call for a pickup.

Any questions you have about this endeavor please contact us a ktnolan@sbc.global.net or 573-727-9164 (no texts).

Thanks for any and all help.

RAVENSWOOD RUN - APRIL 27, 2025

The early bird gets the worm, current pricing expires at 11:59PM this Sunday! 

From the spirited 5K to the Kids’ Race*, there are plenty of ways to get involved and enjoy the vibrant atmosphere of our neighborhood.

Don't miss out on the chance to be part of this beloved community tradition! Register now to secure your spot while taking advantage of early season pricing and join us for a day of fitness, camaraderie, and fun.

*PARENTS - The Kids Race will sell out - Register early to secure your little one's spot.

Beyond the thrill of the run, the Ravenswood Run holds a deeper significance as a fundraiser for Ravenswood Community Services Kitchen and Pantry. This essential organization serves our community by providing nutritious meals, groceries, and vital support services to those in need.



REGISTER HERE

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.

Access Contemporary Music presents 

Meditative Mondays at All Saints

Monday, January 13 – 6:00 – 7:00pm

Meditation to two iconic pieces by “mystical minimalist” composer Arvo Pärt, Spiegel Im Spiegel, which means Mirror In Mirror and Fratres. Both works are in Pärt’s “tintinnabular” style consisting of a lyrical melody and spare, “bell-like” accompaniment.

Guided Meditation by Hannah Grove

Seth Boustead – piano

David Keller – cello

$20 Tickets

Meditative Mondays is a unique experience combining a guided meditation with a live performance of music by some of the most important composers of the 20th and 21st centuries. Each meditation has a specific goal, with music selected to reinforce that goal. Learn more about contemporary classical music masterpieces while advancing your health and wellness through meditation.

All Saints is partnering with the Ravenswood Community Farmers Market!

Begins Saturday, January 18

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.

SAVE THE DATE!

The All Saints Annual Meeting is coming!

Sunday, January 26 at 10:00am

Annual Meetings at All Saints are joyous, festive affairs. Yes, we handle the business of the church—reviewing the past year, examining past financials, receiving the budget passed by vestry for the current year, electing members to the vestry and delegates to diocesan convention—but we also have fun sharing food and stories, and dreaming about the upcoming year. It’s sort of like the State of the Union but without partisan drama. Stay tuned for more, but plan to be there at 10:00am!

Please note: on Annual Meeting Sunday, we'll conduct services at 8:00 and 9:00am, but not at 11:00.

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.

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: 182

Total pledge amount: $590,157

Number of new pledges: 43

Total amount if everyone renews who pledged last year: $627,269

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!

Facebook Livestream Team at the 11:00am Service

Audio: Jacob Farmer

Camera: June Coyne

www.allsaintschicago.org

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