Dear Friends, 

We have a whale of a Gospel (John 1:29-42) this Sunday, another epiphany or theophany, a revelation of God in Christ, of Jesus as Messiah. But this Gospel is so complex and intricate that it can be read over and over, each reading yielding a new insight. 

Here John the Baptist declares Jesus as the “Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.” 

Two disciples, convinced by John’s testimony, decide to follow Jesus to see where he’s going and what he’s up to. Jesus finally turns and asks, “What are you looking for?” They respond with a non sequitur, “Where are you staying?” Jesus gently invites them to “Come and see.”

And that’s not all: one of the disciples tells his brother Simon that they have found the Messiah and brings him to meet Jesus. Jesus announces that from now on Simon will be called Cephas, which means “Rock” and is translated as Peter. 

That’s a lot packed into 13 verses!

• Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.
• What are you looking for?
• Come and see.
• We have found the Messiah.
• A man given a new identity.

Which part of this story speaks to you: the search for meaning; a call to explore your faith more deeply; an invitation to trust the testimony of others, even in the face of your own doubts; or being truly seen and known, promised all is forgiven?

This is a Gospel that reads US as much as we read it. I invite you to read it a few times before Sunday, then Come and See.

See you in Church!

Faithfully, Suzanne+

Masks Strongly Encouraged

As people return from traveling during the Christmas holiday and a number of viruses are circulating, we know masking is an effective way to protect one another from contagion and illness. We strongly encourage the wearing of masks when in large groups at church. If you have forgotten your mask and would like one, there are masks near the front doors of the church; ask an usher. 

As we continue to care for one another and stay healthy in this time,

• Please do not come to church if you or your child has any cold or flu symptoms (cough, sniffles, congestion, fever, etc.); instead, worship with us online at 11:00am!
• Choose an effective mask; N95 and KN95 masks are best.
• Ensure that you and your children are fully vaccinated.

If you have questions or desire a conversation, please contact Suzanne at [email protected] or 773.724.1352.

Catechumens Among Us: Adults Preparing for Baptism.

We admit Catechumens this Sunday!

One of the ancient orders of the Church is that of the “Catechumen”—an adult preparing for baptism. During the first four centuries of the church, when Christianity was suspect and following Jesus invited persecution from the Roman government, initiating people into the life of the Church required careful intention and some stealth as the community determined whether someone was truly ready for this life-changing Way. Once Christianity became accepted as the public religion and infant baptism became the norm, the Catechumenate faded from church practice. It was revived, however, during the liturgical renewal movement and is present in The Episcopal Church, most mainline Protestant denominations, and the Roman Catholic Church. 

This year, we learned that there are adults who wish to be baptized, which will occur at the Easter Vigil. This is a big deal for us as a community and for these parishioners. Stay tuned to special events as we admit and enroll people to the Catechumenate and have special moments of prayer and blessing during the 11:00am services from now until Easter for our Catechumens.

If you would like to join the Catechumenate and prepare for baptism or want to know more, contact Suzanne. You can also read more HERE.

TODAY! If you're interested in serving All Saints as a member of our vestry or a diocesan representative, please apply online by January 15, 2023!

Annual Meeting:

January 29 at 10 am.

In Person and Online!

This year, we'll have a hybrid Annual Meeting: you can join the meeting in person in the parish hall or online. Whether you are in the house or online, you can comment, vote, and stand for election. 

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, competing for that elusive “seconds” prize, and dreaming about the upcoming year. It’s sort of like the State of the Union but without partisan drama. And this year, it’s going to be SPICY! 

Stay tuned for more, but plan to be there at 10 am!

On Annual Meeting Sunday, we have an 8 am and a 9 am service, but no 11 am service.

All Saints’ Episcopal Church, Chicago

Notice of Resolution to be considered at the 

Annual Meeting, January 29, 2023

Subject: Amend Section 9. Treasurer.  Article 9.1 of All Saints’ Bylaws

RESOLUTION

Resolved, that Section 9. Treasurer. Article 9.1 of the Bylaws of All Saints’ Episcopal Church be amended as follows.

Section 9.1 Eligibility.  The Treasurer shall be a Parish Member and of 21 or more years of age.  The Treasurer shall be appointed by the Vestry or Rector for a term of one two years.  A person may not serve more than two consecutive terms.  The Treasurer may be reappointed after the first two-year term for a one-year term.  A person may not serve more than four consecutive years.  However, that person may be reappointed after 12 months has elapsed since their last term.

EXPLANATION

The role of Treasurer is complex, and a one-year term is insufficient to become familiar with the finances of the church. By currently limiting the Treasurer to two consecutive one-year terms, the church loses a Treasurer just as that person has become competent in the role. An initial two-year term guarantees the Treasurer time to learn the role and complete the associated tasks with confidence. If the person desires and the Vestry or Rector agree, the Treasurer can be appointed for up to two additional one-year terms.

NOTE: According to Section 16 of the Bylaws of All Saints’ Episcopal Church, the Bylaws may be amended by 2/3’s majority vote at any annual meeting or at a special meeting called for the purpose pursuant to the applicable Canon.  No such amendment shall be valid unless public notice shall have been given of the proposed amendment at all regular services on the two Sundays preceding the date of such meeting.

THIS SUNDAY: Bagels & Budget: Sunday, January 15 at 10:00 am

Join us for nosh and numbers as our treasurer Margaret Ferguson gives an overview of the proposed 2023 budget. Ask questions, offer suggestions, and get informed for the Annual Meeting when we will receive the final budget passed by Vestry.

All Saints Youth Group

The All Saints Youth Group (ASYG) will continue to meet in the Parish Hall on the second and fourth Sundays of the month from 3:30-5:30pm. All youth (7th Grade and older) are welcome. Please email Liz Bartels with any questions. 

ASYG Meeting Dates, Spring 2023:

January 15 and 29

(Note that this month we meet on the 3rd and 5th Sundays of the month.)

February 12 and 26

March 12 and 26

April 9

(Easter Sunday, no meeting)

April 23

May 7 and 21

(End of Year Celebration)

United Power: Come Make Good Trouble in 2023!

January 22: North Lawndale Update

Come hear an update on our efforts to build 2,000 homes. We've made a lot of progress in 2022, but there's so much more we want to accomplish! 

Richard Townsell from North Lawndale will be joining us in the Parish Hall on Sunday, January 22 at 10:00am. Join us and get inspired to continue making Good Trouble in 2023!

February 18-20: Community Organizing Leadership Training 

Offered by United Power: this training will provide an overview of key concepts and critical components essential to building strong community groups and connecting those groups into a broad based organization necessary to create power.

TO REGISTER AND RESERVE YOUR SPOT: 

https://forms.gle/pefdwGqBJMR2n4CN6

Cost: $85.00. Scholarships available, speak to Courtney.

2022 Year-End Report

United Power’s work is tackling pressing issues in our communities—housing, mental health reform, gun violence—and holding the public and private sectors accountable for doing their part to address those issues. Learn more, check out the United Power year end report.

Curious? Want to Make an Impact? 

United Power’s next Collective Leadership Meeting will be on Thursday, January 26 from 7 – 8:30pm. Leaders from member organizations across Chicago will join this meeting to plan our work for social justice, including how to engage with the mayoral candidates this spring. If you're interested in learning more or getting more involved in our social justice work, you're invited to join us in representing All Saints at this meeting. 

Contact: Barbara Manley at [email protected] or 312-953–8802.

Food donation needed for RCS After School Pantries

On the first and second Thursdays of each month, Ravenswood Community Services distributes a variety of grocery items from the dismissal doors of Goudy, McCutcheon, and Brenneman Elementary Schools. 

The program is seeking donations of food items to stock the pantry for the upcoming months.  Specific items are needed - 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.

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 reading plan starting in 2023. 

The All Saints 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, email Mike Burke at [email protected] for a meeting invite.

Our current schedule moving forward is:

February 9, 2023:

A Sand County Almanac by Aldo Leopold

March 9, 2023:

If Beale Street Could Talk by James Baldwin

April 13, 2023:

Splendid & the Vile by Eric Larson

May 11, 2023:

The Absolutely True Diary of A Part-time Indian by Sherman Alexie (a banned book)

June 8, 2023:

The Lincoln Highway by Amor Towles

Seeking Adult Acolytes

Have you been wanting to become more involved in our liturgy? Are you intrigued by the idea of leading the procession into church by carrying a cross? Would you like to help set the table and making sure the presiders have all they need? 

If you answered yes to any of these questions, then perhaps you’d like to serve as an Adult Acolyte for the 11:00am service. There will be a training on Sunday, January 22 from 12:30-1:30pm for anyone interested in learning more. 

Please email Courtney if you have any questions.

All Saints Office closed January 16

Please note that the All Saints office will be closed this Monday in observance of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day. If you have a pastoral emergency, such as a death or hospitalization, you can contact Suzanne at 773-724-1352.