Dear Friends,

This Sunday Jesus’ disciples ask, “Lord, teach us to pray.” We see this in both Matthew and Luke’s Gospel, but in Luke’s they are on their way to Jerusalem, and the pressure must have been in intense. In Luke’s Gospel, too, we see Jesus pray more than in any of the others, so the disciples weren’t just asking for a theory of prayer, they wanted some of what Jesus clearly had. 

Prayer is one of those topics that people are shy about discussing. We wonder, are we doing it right, how does it work, does it even work? I could spend a lot of words and time on prayer, as have many in the church, but Jesus offers instruction in under 40 words: 

• Call God “Father” (or “Abba”). 
• Ask that God’s kingdom come. 
• Ask for what you need for today.
• Ask for forgiveness as we forgive. 
• Ask to be spared trials too hard to bear.

So simple! Talk to God in personal, intimate terms. Incline your heart to God’s ways. Ask for what you need but don’t look too far into the future. Ask to have a forgiving heart and to be forgiven. Ask for mercy and protection. 

I think the main thing in prayer is spending time with God and placing your trust in the One who is closer to us than we are to ourselves. It’s tempting to treat prayer like a vending machine at times, but, really, it’s a conversation, a deepening into relationship and trust.

I pray we each can learn to pray with the trust of Jesus.

See you in church!

Faithfully, Suzanne

P. S. A favorite poem about prayer:

Praying, Mary Oliver

It doesn’t have to be

the blue iris, it could be 

weeds in a vacant lot, or a few 

small stones; just

pay attention, then patch

a few words together and don’t try 

to make them elaborate, this isn’t 

a contest but the doorway

into thanks, and a silence in which 

another voice may speak.

PUBLIC ACTION with ELECTED OFFICIALS

Confirmed elected officials include Mayor Johnson! 

This Sunday, July 27at 4 PM

Back of the Yards Neighborhood: 1054 W 51^st Street

Join with residents from across Chicago to celebrate 5 years of persistent work to build 2000 affordable single family homes across the South and West sides of Chicago. See 28 homes under construction. Push the City to increase its commitment and do more.

REGISTER AND TAKE THE BUS FROM ALL SAINTS

MORE INFO & REGISTER

Download the Flyer (PDF)

Funeral Service for Parishioner Carol Reese

This Saturday, July 26 at 2:00pm at All Saints' Episcopal Church.

Reception to follow in the Parish Hall.

3rd Sunday Evening Service at 6:00 pm

Sunday, August 17

We introduce a 3rd Sunday Evening Service with a Taizé Service



Join us for a contemplative form of worship rooted in the practices of the Taizé Community in France. This service is offered to nurture inner peace, spiritual renewal, and a sense of unity. Taizé worship is characterized by simple repetitive chants with periods of silence for contemplation and readings from scripture.

Back to School Blessing

Sunday, August 17

We will be blessing all those who are starting a new school year (students, teachers, school staff, all ages) at the 9 & 11 services.

Witness Wednesdays has been extended!

Wednesdays at noon through August 27

On Wednesdays, the group meets at Federal Plaza near the Calder sculpture (near the corner of Jackson & Dearborn). The prayer service begins at about 12:15 pm and lasts about 20 minutes. The focus is on communal prayer, so no materials are necessary and no RSVPs are required. Any and all are welcome to show up and join in prayer!

Those who cannot attend in person but still want to join in praying are encouraged to use the attached liturgy to pray from home, work, or school.

Liturgical Ministers Day

Saturday, August 23 | 9:30 am - 1:00 pm



Do you currently serve as a liturgical minister - Reader/Intercessor, Chalice Bearer, Usher, Acolyte, or Altar Guild? Or would you like to learn how to serve in one of these roles? 

Mark your calendar for Liturgical Minister Day on Saturday, August 23 and sign up here. https://allsaintschicago.breezechms.com/form/LMtraining2025 

More details and a final schedule will be sent later this summer.

If you have any questions, please contact Courtney, Suzanne, or Colin.

You are invited to the All Saints Summer Schola Choir

All are welcome and invited to sing in one or all rehearsals!

Joyful voices, open hearts, and a lot of fun — come join the choir! We will focus on learning New Choral Anthems for Worship throughout the Liturgical Year.

For more information, please contact our Director of Music, Colin Collette, via email at Colin@allsaintschicago.org.

Find rehearsal schedule on the Music Page of our website.

All Saints Book Club

Thursday, August 14 at 7:30 pm (On Zoom)

The Ride of Her Life by Elizabeth Letts

NATIONAL BESTSELLER • The #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Perfect Horse and The Eighty-Dollar Champion presents a “heartwarming [and] engaging folk-hero biography” (Kirkus Reviews) of a woman who fulfilled her lifelong wish to see the Pacific Ocean by riding her horse across America.

“[Letts] vividly portrays an audacious woman whose optimism, courage, and good humor are to be marveled at and admired.”—Booklist, starred review

The All Saint’s Book Club meets 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.

SAVE THE DATE

ALL SAINTS | ALL IN

Saturday, September 7

We’re kicking off our return to the program year

with a celebration on Saturday, September 7!

Followed by our annual congregational photoshoot on Sunday!



Get your tickets for this fall event, the Spirits of Ravenswood. 

Early, early bird ticket prices are available through July 31.

Buy now to get the best price!

This event plays a crucial role in funding Ravenswood Community Services’ programs every year, and the funds it generates will be even more important this year. Recent changes and cuts to the SNAP program will have a major impact on families across Illinois. Over 360,000 residents are expected to lose their benefits in the coming months. RCS is preparing for longer lines with new faces and more neighbors to visit the food pantry.

Spiteful Trivia Night

Wednesday, September 10 from 7:00 - 9:00 pm

RCS invites you to participate in a Trivia Night event at Spiteful Brewing. A long-time Spirits of Ravenswood partner, Spiteful Brewing has offered to host this trivia event to help raise awareness about the pantry and the upcoming fall fundraiser.

VOLUNTEER AT RAVENSWOOD COMMUNITY SERVICES (RCS)

TUESDAYS:

Click to Volunteer Hub! 

RCS is looking for volunteers 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.

For two days Wilson street between Hermitage and Ravenswood will be closed!

Saturday, August 23 & Sunday, August 24

Our neighbor, Access Contemporary Music, sponsors the Thirsty Ears Festival, Chicago’s only classical music street festival. Event includes delicious beer and wine, vendor booths, kid-friendly activities and food trucks.

See Event Schedule HERE

Our next vestry meeting: August 19 at 7 pm in the Reading Room. Vestry meetings are open to the public. To see the most current Vestry Minutes click here.

Facebook Livestream Team at the 11:00am Service

Audio: Megan Turnquist

Camera: Mark Piroch

www.allsaintschicago.org

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