Dear Friends,

The Fourth of July, for me, always seems to demarcate the full onset of summer. Vacations are taking place, summer camps are in full swing, summer flowers are blooming in gardens, and farmers markets and produce stands become more plentiful with fresh grown vegetables and berries. Our own children’s garden at All Saints has produced some radishes that were shared with our Tuesday pantry guests. I'm eagerly anticipating the cherry tomatoes! And as we give thanks for a new season, for time outdoors, for breaks from regular routines, we are also reminded almost every day of the fragility of this earth, our island home. Two weeks ago, our city, along with other parts of our nation were covered over by smoke from unprecedented fires to our north. On Tuesday, we woke up to headlines proclaiming that on Monday, July 3 the average temperature of the world was the hottest it's ever been, only for that record to be broken the next day. And while weather patterns and wind direction contribute to these issues, scientists overwhelmingly agree that climate change plays an important role.

And while I'm keenly aware of how easy it is to feel powerless in the face of these massive global problems, I also know that we can make a difference in our own day to day practices, through advocacy, and building awareness. 

As people of faith, we believe in a God who pronounced his blessing on all of creation and who charged all of us with its care and preservation. The Episcopal Church has wonderful resources on its web page related to the care of creation. You can check them out here.

As we continue to bask in summer days, may our hearts be stirred to grow in awareness and commitment to the needs of our planet and all who inhabit it.  

Bountiful God, you call us to labor with you in tending the earth. Where we lack love, open our hearts to the world. Where we waste, give us discipline to conserve. Where we neglect, awaken our minds, and wills to insight and care. May we with all your creatures, honor and serve you in all things for you, live and reign with Christ, Redeemer of all, and with your Holy Spirit, one God now and forever. Amen. 

(From Liturgical Materials for Honoring God in Creation)

All my best,

Courtney+

THIS SUNDAY:

Come Make Good Trouble with Mayor Johnson! 

Join us Sunday, July 9 at 4:00pm at St. Rita of Cascia Parish (6243 S. Fairfield Ave) to reclaim our communities and make our neighborhoods safer!

United Power – represented by 1,000 Chicago citizens – will meet with Mayor Johnson to ask for his commitment to building 2,000 homes on the South and West Sides. Illinois House Speaker Chris Welch will join him. Showing up in large numbers increases our influence with the Mayor and City Hall.

Sign-up here. Invite a friend! Bring your neighbor! 

More information can be found here.

There'll be a bus leaving All Saints at 2:15 PM and returning after the event. 

Festivities begin at St Rita’s at 3:30 PM.

Questions? Contact Courtney or Barbara Manley at 312-953-8802 or barbaramanley1@gmail.com.

Worship and Service at All Saints

All Saints Bread Makers

Baking communion bread is a great way to serve the All Saints community… and there's nothing like the smell of freshly baked bread filling your kitchen!

We are in need of additional breadbakers and two people who would like to coordinate this ministry. If you’re interested in serving as a ministry leader, please contact Courtney.

If you’d like to try out bread-making this summer, you can sign up here. Please choose a signup slot that works for you and make sure to include your mobile number. You can find our communion bread recipe here and at the link at the bottom of the All Saints website homepage. 

Please make sure your bread is baked, bagged and dated, and in the church freezer by the first Sunday of the month you've chosen. Thank you very much for participating in this important ministry at All Saints'!

Theology at the Annex

(a.k.a. Talking about God and Religion at O’Shaughnessy’s)

It’s easy to imagine those early church theologians finding answers to thorny or controversial theological issues over drinks with friends after a day of study and prayer. So bring your questions over to O’Shaughnessy’s on Wednesday, July 19 from 7-8:30pm for Theology at the Annex. If you’re wondering what Episcopalians believe about X (any number of issues), head on over. If you’ve asked yourself, "How does a loving God tolerate/endure/allow the suffering we perpetrate on one another?", stop by. If you’ve wondered "What's the meaning and purpose of all the Episcopal “gear” I see each Sunday?", then this is the gathering for you. 

Bring your questions and join us. 

Formation and Fellowship

Please consider hosting coffee hour!

We've lightened the burden of coffee hour on our hosts (and on the earth) by adding new compostable materials and collection receptacles thanks to our All Saints Sustainability Committee. You can find the sign-up for July, August and September here. Please reach out to Chad Kruse with questions. 

Thank you all for making coffee hour happen!

All Saints Book Club,

Summer 2023 Meeting Schedule

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 2023 reading plan. 

The All Saints Book Club meets on the second Thursday of the month at 7:30pm on Zoom. If you are not a regular attendee, email Mike Burke at mebcat@gmail.com for a meeting invite/

Our next meeting will be on July 13 to discuss the first of three books tied to the "Black Lives Matter" initiative: The Sum of Us by Heather McGhee

Outreach and Justice

Are you in a caregiving season?

Thank you to the brave souls who joined us on June 19 for our first meeting of Caregiver Connections, a monthly gathering of caregivers for listening, venting, sharing experiences, comparing notes, and hearing from experts on specific resources.

If you weren't able to make it, we look forward to connecting with you at our upcoming meetings on Monday, July 17 and Monday, August 21 at 7:00pm in the Reading Room. Please email Kelly McNees with any questions.

Want to help refugees in Chicago?

This week, Refugee Community Connection volunteers are looking for school supplies for children here on Special Immigrant Visas, or SIV's. They're here because their parents worked for the US military, intelligence services, or State Department in Iraq and Afghanistan, often as translators or drivers. No matter how we feel about the war, we have a collective responsibility for the fallout.

https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/AX15QF3HYJNJ?ref_=list_d_wl_lfu_nav_3

Questions? Contact Annie Logue, annielogue@gmail.com. You can also email to arrange pickup of any old yoga mats to donate for refugees sleeping at police stations.

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

www.allsaintschicago.org

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