Dear Friends,

Last week, we had so much fun at Theology at the Annex! Two dozen people of all ages shared our questions and thoughts about all kinds of topics related to our faith: How does prayer work? How can we explain a suffering world when we have a good God? What are the edges of Christian belief? Each person brought a great question or topic, and we only got to a few of them. Here was perhaps the most provocative and conversation-inspiring question: Can vegans partake in Communion since they are the Body and Blood of Christ? That question opened up many other theological questions, answers, and avenues!

Though the conversation was truly thought provoking, faith confirming and challenging, and just plain fun, I think the most important thing was that we gathered together for conversation in our faith community to discuss things that really matter. We didn’t agree on everything but we DID have a great time and deepen friendships and faith. You can be sure we’ll do it again!

If you’re longing to connect in low-key ways this summer, then mark your calendar for Hymns in the Courtyard! We’ll gather on Wednesday, August 23 at 7:00pm for one of our most-beloved annual traditions—belting out the hymns we love. We’ll have snacks and drinks and hymnals, and you get to call out the tunes. If that sounds good, we’ll have a show tunes version in September. 

There’s so much to be done in this tired old world to try to make life better, and each one of us has our own battles, but, Friends, it’s good to be together, to laugh and wrangle and think and sing. Sojourner Truth said so years ago: “Life is a hard battle anyway. If we laugh and sing a little as we fight the good fight of freedom, it makes it all go easier. I will not allow my life’s light to be determined by the darkness around me.”

Being with you, being together, makes all the battles easier. See you in Church!

Faithfully, Suzanne+

Worship and Service at All Saints

Back to School Blessing for all Teachers, Students, and Back Packs!

Sunday, August 20 at ALL services and

Celebratory Coffee Hour at 10:00am

As students and teachers prepare a return to school, and as we collect school supplies for the children of the women who live at Grace House, we will offer a blessing for all students and teachers preparing for the school year. And we particularly want to bless our parishioners who are heading away to school or other adventures this fall—college, boarding school, military, or something else! 

We'll bless all backpacks—so bring your backpacks, tote bags, or briefcases!

THIS SUNDAY:

Back to School Collection starts!

Next month, the women of Grace House at Saint Leonard's Ministries will be holding an event to support their children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren who are returning to school. To help them out, All Saints is collecting new backpacks and school supplies for kids K-12. Starting this Sunday, July 30 through Sunday, August 13, you can leave donations in collection boxes in the Reading Room. If you have any questions, feel free to email Nancy Kipnis.

Not sure what the kids may need? Here's a list of things they could use:

- Backpacks

- Colored pencils

- Composition notebooks

- Spiral notebooks

- Washable markers

- Loose leaf paper

- Regular calculators

- Scientific calculators

- USB drives

- Protractors

- Crayons

- Glue

- Pencils

- Binders

- Rulers

- Pens

- Folders

- Pencil cases

Formation and Fellowship

Save the date: Hymns in the Courtyard, August 23!

Wednesday night summer socials at All Saints are back! Join us on Wednesday, August 23 at 7:00pm for - drum roll, please - Hymns in the Courtyard. We'll provide the hymnals, you provide the hymn requests! We'll have a few light snacks and beverages on hand, but feel free to bring your own snacks to share or beverages of choice.

And don't forget to save the date for the following Wednesday night summer social: Showtunes in the Courtyard, Wednesday, September 27.

All Saints Book Club

Summer 2023

The All Saints Book Club meets on the second Thursday of the month at 7:30pm on Zoom. If you're not a regular attendee, email Mike Burke at [email protected] for a meeting invite.

Our next meeting will be on August 10 to discuss the second of three books tied to the "Black Lives Matter" initiative: Deacon King Kong by James McBride.

The All Saints Book Club supports the book sanctuary initiative. We plan to include at least one banned book each year in our 2023 reading plan. 

Spanish Discussion Group

beginning August 28

Beginning August 28, All Saints is starting a Spanish Discussion group for people at all levels of learning the language. The group will meet at O’Shaughnessy's every other Monday starting at 7:00pm, and is open to anyone interested in developing or practicing their Spanish. RSVP for the first gathering is helpful, but not essential. You can direct questions and RSVP's to Liz Bartels at [email protected]. 

Outreach and Justice

News from our Mexico Outreach ministry…

Thanks to the generosity of the All Saints community, our Mexico Outreach Ministry, also known as the Mariposa Campaign, has been able to provide support for Padre Bayron Chanchavac and his congregations in Cuernavaca, Mexico. With your help, he's been able to make necessary improvements in his places of worship and has continued to take God's Word to wherever it is needed in his community.

We have received 25 copies of El Libro de Oración Común, the Spanish language version of the Book of Common Prayer, which we'd like to send his parishioners. You can find them on and under the table in front of Suzanne's office. It would be much appreciated if you'd take a few moments to sign a few of these, with a short note if you wish. Break out your Google Translate and perhaps spend a few minutes during coffee hour connecting with our sisters and brothers in Mexico. ¡Muchas gracias, mis amigos!

Thirsty Ears Festival:

August 5 & 6, 2:00-10:00pm

Access Contemporary Music’s Thirsty Ears Festival is Chicago’s only classical music street festival! For two days, Wilson street between Hermitage and Ravenswood is closed to feature stellar ensembles and soloists performing music from Beethoven to Shostakovich to Reich and everything in between on the main stage. It also features delicious beer and wine, vendor booths, kid-friendly activities, and food trucks on both days. For more information, visit www.acmusic.org.

Are you in a caregiving season?

Thank you to the brave souls who joined us at our previous meetings of Caregiver Connections, a monthly gathering of caregivers for listening, venting, sharing experiences, comparing notes, and hearing from experts on specific resources.

If you haven't been able to make it so far, we look forward to connecting with you at our upcoming meeting Monday, August 21 at 7:00pm in the Reading Room. Please email Kelly McNees with any questions.

Refugees are still arriving and they still need our help!

In accordance with our history and culture of accepting anyone who can put up with the weather, Chicago continues to welcome refugees. But our new neighbors still need items to get settled in while the city government continues to push the work onto volunteers. If you'd like to help, this week's Amazon wishlist has more items for the mobile free store that visits police stations:

https://www.amazon.com/registries/gl/guest-view/32X1SUMSPDJXJ

Questions? Yoga mats you'd like to donate? Email [email protected].

Did you know you can listen to All Saints sermons on Apple Podcasts?

www.allsaintschicago.org

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