Dear Friends,

Lent has begun, and this Sunday, the first Sunday in Lent, we begin with the Great Litany. Often churches chant the long litany found in The Book of Common Prayer as they process round and round about the sanctuary. At All Saints, we have taken that tradition and made it our own, excerpting the litany, reading it from the altar, and singing the Kyrie between the sections of the litany.

The language is old-fashioned, but the spirit is entirely modern as we pray for all the needs in our world and in our lives, acknowledging how we fall short, and asking for God's help.

I know how busy we all are, how overwhelmed by the needs of family and work, how distracted by the ways of the world, but one of my favorite old-fashioned aphorisms is, "Begin as you mean to proceed." So, let us begin Lent as we mean to proceed: in prayer, turning again to God, asking God’s mercy on us and our broken, beloved world, and let’s do it together in our beloved community of All Saints.

Below you'll see some ways to keep Lent, but most important is that we keep it in community, for the way we know God in this place is by loving and serving one another and together.

See you in church!

Faithfully, Suzanne+



Newcomers Lunch

Sunday, March 9 | 12:30 - 2:00 pm

There will be a lunch for Newcomers on Sunday, March 9 from 12:30-2 in the Parish Hall. Join us for a light lunch, conversation, and a chance to learn more about our community. In particular, we will talk about Lent and Holy Week at All Saints and answer questions about this holy season. 

Announcements During Lent

During Lent, we will keep announcements in worship to a minimum and make them after the peace to preserve a time of prayer and quiet at the end of the service.

If you have an announcement to make, email Suzanne (suzanne@allsaintschicago.org) by Thursday and be ready to arrange to have the announcement made at all three services (the clergy can help with this) if it will be announced during the service. Otherwise, please feel free to send the announcement to be added to the the weekly newsletter. In general, announcements should be shared early enough that they can appear for three Fridays before the event. Email announcements to media@allsaintschicago.org.

PREPARE FOR LENT

Calling all singers and musicians!

Remember what St. Augustine once said: “The one who sings, prays twice!”

If you’ve ever thought about becoming a part of the music ministry at All Saints, we invite you to join us for Lent and Easter. No auditions necessary; the only requirement is a willing heart! if you play a string, woodwind, or brass instrument, we need you.

Rehearsals dates are limited, but lots of fun! 

Saturday, March 8: 9:00 - 10:30 am

Thursday, March 20: 7:00 - 9:00 pm

 Saturday, March 29: 9:00 - 10:30 am

Thursday, April 3: 7:00 - 9:00 pm

Saturday, April 5: 9:00-10:30 am

Thursday, April 10: 7:00 - 9:00 pm

Saturday, April 12: 9:00-10:30

Saturday, April 19: 9:00-10:30 am

For more information or to sign up, you can see Colin after services or email him at colin@allsaintschicago.org 

Centering Prayer at All Saints

Wednesdays at 7:00 pm in the Reading Room

Silence is God's first language" (St. John of the Cross)

Join practitioners of centering prayer on Wednesdays in the Reading Room at 7 pm for 20 minutes of centering prayer, followed by an optional time of discussion. Interested in learning more? Doors open at 6:45 for those who would like instruction in and more information about silent prayer.

The Embodied Word: Exploring Scripture Through Storytelling



 We will begin working together in mid-March and end during Holy Week.

One of the highlights of the Easter Vigil is the proclamation of the ancient stories of our salvation history - stories of creation, deliverance, and restoration. At All Saints, telling these stories in fresh, vivid ways has been a long part of our tradition. We want to create more stories to tell and we are seeking writers, storytellers, performers, lovers of scripture, and all who are interested to join us for an interactive series of workshops with Janna Sobel, a teacher, facilitator, coach, and story teller who will guide us in our process.

 You can sign up here and if you have questions, please reach out to Courtney.

Lenten Bible Study

Five Tuesdays of Lent beginning March 11 from 7:00 - 8:00 PM (on Zoom)

Interested in reflecting more deeply on the upcoming Sunday scriptures during Lent. Then join us for our Lenten Bible Study. This 5 week group will give you a chance to connect more deeply with others and with God through scripture and prayer. 

You can register here. We will send out the zoom link a few days before each session.

Lenten Journey: Formed in the Crucible

Friday, March 21 & Saturday, March 22

Evening of Friday, March 21

Reflection with craft

6:30 - 8:30 pm with light supper

We’ll make clay pots as we reflect on God as potter and how we are formed and fired in the crucible. We’ll explore how together we can forge through hardship and trials to become stronger in faith and resilience.

Saturday, March 22: 9:00 am - 12:00 pm

Lenten Quiet Day

Led by parishioner Adam Phillips and Suzanne Wille.

Attend either session or both! Register Here.

All Saints Book Club

Tuesday, March 13 at 7:30 pm (on Zoom)

Gilead by Marilynne Robinson

Winner of the Pulitzer Prize and National Book Critics Circle Award, GILEAD is a hymn of praise and lamentation to the God-haunted existence that Reverend Ames loves passionately, and from which he will soon part.

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.

Tuesday, March 11 at 6:00 - 7:30 pm

Sulzer Regional Library

4455 N Lincoln Ave

Join members of Indivisible Chicago for a brief on immigration history, threats and

potential impacts on vulnerable communities across greater Chicagoland area and

beyond, and how we as allies can take action in this moment.

Agenda items will include "Know Your Rights" overview, advocacy at the state and city

level, and Rapid Response.

Advance registration is required. Event will be held at Sulzer Regional Library Auditorium.

REGISTER HERE

Supporting Immigrants and Refugees

Click here for resources from Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights

https://www.icirr.org/fsn

And here for a list of resources published by Blockclub. https://blockclubchicago.org/2025/01/28/chicagos-immigrants-are-being-targeted-by-ice-heres-what-you-can-do-to-help/

Church-wide Immigration Resources 

New: Episcopal Church Immigration Action Toolkit 

In response to the sweeping policy changes on immigration, The Episcopal Church has created an Immigration Action Toolkit, which includes links to weekly update calls; resources for dioceses, congregations and individuals; and links for "Know Your Rights" trainings and webinar recordings. The online toolkit  will be updated regularly as policies and responses change.

Episcopalians Called to Take Action 

on Behalf of Refugee and Immigrant Neighbors

Following the January 21 Executive Orders signed by President Trump, Episcopal Migration Ministries (EMM), along with the Diocese of Chicago Sanctuary Diocese Committee, have been rapidly responding to the changing landscape for refugees, asylum seekers and immigrants in the U.S. and providing guidance for individuals, congregations and dioceses.

VOLUNTEER AT RAVENSWOOD COMMUNITY SERVICES (RCS)

TUESDAYS:

Click to Volunteer Hub! 

RCS is also looking for volunteers who would like 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.

THE COUNTDOWN IS ON!

Chicago's Favorite Neighborhood Race Returns!

The 29th annual Ravenswood Run presented by Fleet Feet + Altra returns to Chicago's historic neighborhood on Sunday, April 27, 2025. 

For over a quarter century, our family-friendly 5K and Kids' Race has given runners and walkers a chance to experience the charms this pocket of the city possesses.

Beyond that, the event is a fundraiser for Ravenswood Community Services.

Sign Up to walk, run, or volunteer!

Access Contemporary Music presents

Meditative Monday at All Saints: Metamorphosis

Monday, March 10 at 6:00 pm

This event pairs meditation with the goal of accepting change with a performance of Philip Glass’ most popular piano work: Metamorphosis, made famous in the film The Hours.

Meditative Mondays is a unique experience combining a guided meditation with a live performance of music by some of the most important composers of the 20th and 21st centuries. 

Guided Meditation by Hannah Grove of Katie Bellamy & Associates

Seth Boustead - piano

$20 suggested donation

Bach in the City is Back!

And will include two All Saints parishioners / singers in their inaugural performance: Lorraine Langer & Lisa Rogers Lee

Friday, March 21 at 7:30 pm

Bach in the City, successor to the Chicago area’s long-running Bach Week Festival, under the direction of Richard Webster, will present “Bach and the Venetians,” the new organization’s inaugural concert program, at 7:30 p.m. March 21, 2025, at its home venue, St. Vincent de Paul Church, 1010 W. Webster Avenue, in Chicago’s Lincoln Park neighborhood.. Tickets and information: https://www.bachinthecity.org

The Lycée Français de Chicago (LF) has joined with the Swiss Benevolent Society and other donors to create a summer scholarship program for CPS students. 

The 3-week language immersion camps include Field Trips, Water Park Day, Beach Day BBQs, Festival Days along with other age-appropriate activities . . . all with a focus on allowing students to explore and learn in a target language. World Camps are offered in Arabic, French, German, Italian and Mandarin Chinese and the camps welcome speakers at all levels of fluency, beginners included.

Each camp session is 3 weeks and runs from 8:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.. The day starts and ends at the campus of the Lycée Français at 1929 W. Wilson, Chicago, IL. Application Deadline: March 25, 2025.

Information about the structure of the program is available on the World Camp website:

 www.lyceeworldcamp.org

All Saints is partnering with the Ravenswood Community Farmers Market!

FINAL indoor market: Saturday, March 22

Every 3rd Saturday of the month through March from 10:00 am – 2:00 pm.

In the Parish Hall – Entrance on Wilson.

Get warm and shop while listening to live music and enjoying a hot drink. Vendors include: Patyk Farms, Tamales Express, Hilary’s Cookies, DFT Designs & the Alchemy Kitchen, Monarch Beauty Farm, EE Mercantile, Pride Coffee Roasters, Nonie’s Bees, Lincoln Ice Cream, Nena’s Sweet Treats, and Cathie’s K9 Treats.

The next vestry meeting will be on Tuesday, March 18 at 7:00pm. Vestry meetings are open to parishioners. To see the most current Vestry Minutes click here.

Facebook Livestream Team at the 11:00am Service

Audio: Kuo Tye

Camera: Lelia Fry

www.allsaintschicago.org

Having trouble viewing? Open newsletter in web browser