News for the Week of:

January 8, 2023

Dear Friends, 

 

O God, by the leading of a star, you manifested your only Son to the Peoples of the earth: Lead us, who know you now by faith, to your presence, where we may see your glory face to face; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

 

Blessed Feast of the Epiphany! Today, January 6, is the proper day of this feast when we celebrate that God incarnate was made known to the whole world (i.e., we the Gentiles) as represented by three kings (or were they astronomers or magicians?) arriving to give gifts and pay home to the infant Messiah.

 

Our children will learn all about this major feast tomorrow at their Epiphany Camp, and we are all invited to join for their closing liturgy at 4:45pm. See the announcement below and please join us.

 

From now until Ash Wednesday, we will read scripture each Sunday that points to Jesus’ true identity. This Sunday we have the Baptism of Jesus when a dove alights and God’s voice is heard: “This is my Son, the Beloved, with whom I am well pleased!” And of course this is a Sunday when we baptize, and we will welcome into the faith two of our children at the 9:00am service and one at the 11:00am service.

 

And it is during this season that we enter intentionally into the process of walking with those adults who are preparing for baptism at the Easter Vigil, known as Catechumens (see the article below), who will be exploring how God is at work in their lives and whether they are called to be baptized and who will also be for us a manifestation of God’s work in the world. 

 

In this season of Epiphany, of revelation and manifestation, of light and hope, I pray that God in Christ becomes more manifest, dear and close, to each one of you in your own life. See you on Sunday!

 

Faithfully, Suzanne+

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News and Events

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 suzanne@allsaintschicago.org or 773.724.1352.

TOMORROW!

Children's Epiphany Celebration, Saturday, January 7


If you're looking for a quiet and engaging way to bring the Christmas holidays to a close, you're invited to join All Saints' children for a candlelit celebration of Epiphany this Saturday, January 7 at 4:45pm in the Parish Hall. Come listen to some of our favorite church school songs and walk the lighted path representing the journey of the Magi. 

Catechumens Among Us: Adults Preparing for Baptism.

We begin 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 am 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, come to our meeting this Sunday from 12:30-2:00 in the Reading Room and / or contact Suzanne. You can also read more HERE.

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!


If you'd like to find out more about what the Vestry is and how it works, we'll be hosting a Vestry Information Coffee Hour at 10:00am on January 8.

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.

Save the Date: Bagels & Budget: Sunday, January 15 at 10 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.

Basic Christianity:

Wednesdays, January 11, 18, 25, and February 1 at 7:00pm


Following Christ is about trusting in God’s presence in the world and in our lives in amazing ways. This class will look at the basic concepts of Christianity and what they mean for our lives: Creation, Incarnation, Crucifixion, Resurrection, Life in Christ, and the end times. The Body of Christ. $20 for refreshments and materials. Scholarships available; talk to Suzanne.


Sign up HERE.


Read about all of the courses HERE.


Back to Basics is a series of courses that give us a foundation for the faith we live together at All Saints. It’s not indoctrination, but a chance to roll up our sleeves, learn, discuss, and apply the core pieces of who we are as Christians and Episcopalians. Classes are offered Wednesday evenings in the Parish Hall with light refreshments. There is a fee of $20 per person for each course to cover refreshments and materials.


Considering Baptism, Re-affirming your Baptismal Vows, or Confirmation? 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'll offer Basic Christianity in January, Basic Discipleship during Lent, Basic Anglicanism in Eastertide, and Basic Bible in the fall.

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.

 

Contact: Barbara Manley at barbaramanley1@gmail.com 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.

Please consider hosting Coffee Hour!


Coffee Hour has settled into a rhythm again with all the incredible hosts we've had over the past several weeks. Thank you all! 


If you're interested in hosting, we've got a coffee hour guide to make your job easier. For the foreseeable future, we're unable to use the sanitizer, but have kept waste low by bringing tumblers from home and using compostable coffee cups.


Please click here to access the sign-up to host coffee hour during the months of January, February, and March. The clipboard will also be circulated this weekend.


Thank you all for making Coffee Hour more sustainable!

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 mebcat@gmail.com for a meeting invite.


Our current schedule moving forward is:


January 12, 2023:

The Christmas Wedding by James Patterson

 

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.

Thanks to everyone at All Saints! We've collected enough items to get a refugee family settled into a new apartment. The next step? Exodus World Service will assign us to a new family as soon as housing is found. Then we'll move everything in. Stay tuned for more information and more opportunities!

We Pray For

Those who suffer in mind, body, or spirit: especially for Hubert Hawbecker, Janet Morris Jones, Bob Hannah, Berenice Mascorro, Lori Fitzgerald, Michele Rios, Clara Maria, 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 Guide, 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 those who celebrate birthdays this week:

1/8 - Liz Bartels

1/9 - Nina Wilfred, Vincent Wiggins

1/11 - Robert McNees

1/12 - Chris Schilling, David Gee

1/13 - Lydia Mackinnon


For those who have died: for Harry Jensen, friend of Elisabeth Hargrove, and Marzelle Berry, mother of Craig Berry. May their souls and the souls of all the departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace, and may God comfort those who grieve.


Unless otherwise requested,

names remain on our prayer list for four weeks

and on our long term prayer list for six months. 

If you'd like to have someone included in our community prayers, please email: 

prayer@allsaintschicago.org.

Request Prayer
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