Dear Friends,

Thank you for a wonderful fundraiser for our friend Padre Bayron last Sunday! It’s a great reminder that we belong to a worldwide Anglican Communion, part of the universal Church, connected to siblings around the globe as Bryan Matias so beautifully reminded us in his sermon on Sunday (by the way, the sermon was fantastic; click here or see the link below to listen). 

Sometimes I focus too tightly on MY life, MY church, MY concerns, but of course we Christians are called to pour ourselves out for the sake of others, to open our arms wide, as wide as the cross, exposing our hearts and our bellies in vulnerability to other people, to the dangers of the world. Even writing that makes me a little uncomfortable. 

But we’ve had another doozy of a week, a week of violence and fear and fear-mongering. A young police officer killed here in Chicago in a senseless, violent crime spree. Another horrific mass shooting in Texas. Refugees treated like pawns more than people. A former president found liable of sexual abuse and defamation one day only to appear the next in a nationally televised town hall that amplified lies and misogyny. 

It can be tempting to throw up one’s hands, to give up, give in to hopelessness. Well, it can be for me. But then I think of the goodness and the power in this place. How courageous and generous and funny you are. How we support one another even in the hardest times. How we fight for what’s right even if the odds are long. 

So, the generosity of last Sunday is much bigger even than Padre Bayron and his churches in Cuernavaca. The generosity of taking time to attend a United Power action is bigger than the immediate issues. Taking a meal to someone after surgery or the birth of a baby is bigger than your casserole. Because all of those acts, and more, amplify love and spread hope and increase courage and strength. 

So, Beloved, keep giving, keep praying, keep hoping, keep loving. God knows we all need one another to keep going. See you in church!

Faithfully, Suzanne+

Thanks from the Mexico Outreach Ministry!

The Mexico Outreach Ministry is so very grateful to all who contributed in support of our Companeros en Cristo in Cuernavaca, Mexico and is delighted to report we have very nearly reached our goal. I expect that many of you, like the members of the committee, were swayed by the passion expressed in Padre Bayron's words to our congregation on Sunday. Our guiding concept of the Butterfly Effect, or Efecto Mariposa, reflects that our donations will have an even greater impact on those who receive them. If you had any difficulty in contributing earlier, I believe any glitches have been resolved at this time. 

Thank you again from those who will grow in their faith as a result of your kindness.

You can still donate to our Mexico outreach by visiting this link.

Worship and Service at All Saints

Diocesan Confirmation at St. James’ Cathedral:

Saturday, May 20 at 11:00am

Join us on Saturday, May 20 at 11:00am at our Cathedral downtown for a service during which people will be confirmed or received into the Episcopal Church. This service gathers folks from all over our diocese to make a mature public declaration of faith—the music, the service, and the preaching will be great. Eight of our members will either be received or confirmed that day. All are welcome to join us at the Cathedral for this service!

May 2023 Baptism Preparation

Baptisms will be offered during our celebration of Pentecost during the 9:00 and 11:00am services, Sunday, May 28. If you're interested in baptism for your child, please let us know by visiting this page and filling out a Pre-Baptismal Form.

The preparation session for this service is on Saturday, May 27 at 10:00am, and little ones are absolutely welcome! If you have any questions, please email Suzanne.

Calling all young musicians, singers, their families, and friends! 

Youth Sunday is June 4, and that's just around the corner! We'd like to involve as many young musicians and singers as possible. We'd also like to have an intergenerational choir sing that morning. 

The multigenerational choir will sing one special song that day. Our Music Director Colin Collette will post the music and practice tracks online for you and your family to listen to and learn. We'll have one rehearsal on Saturday, May 27th, the week before. 

For more information or to sign up, please email Colin.

Calling All Liturgical Ministers

and All Interested in Being a Liturgical Minister

Liturgy is the “work of the people,” and it truly takes many people to create vibrant, meaningful, and welcoming liturgies each Sunday. We are so grateful for all who serve as liturgical ministers and welcome others to join.

On Saturday, June 3 from 9:00am - 12 noon, all liturgical ministers - Altar Guild, MC’s, Chalicers, Adult Acolytes, Ushers, Lectors, and Intercessors - and anyone who is interested in learning more or joining the corps of Liturgical Ministers are encouraged to join us for a time of training and reviewing, along with time for prayer and reflection. Please follow this link and sign up if you're able to join us. If you have any questions, please contact Courtney or Suzanne.

Formation and Fellowship

Masking at All Saints

As we continue to evolve our response to Covid, the Vestry affirms that masks are welcome but optional at All Saints. During services, we'll have a small supply of extra masks available - please ask ushers if you'd like one. As always, please worship with us from home on our Facebook page during the 11:00am service if you or one of your children is sick or even feeling “under the weather.”

One Book, One Diocese:

All Saints Discussion, May 21

This year, the Peace and Justice Committee hosts its inaugural "One Book, One Diocese" discussion of Resurrection Hope: A Future Where Black Lives Matter by the Very Rev. Dr. Kelly Brown Douglas.

Members of the All Saints community are invited to join a discussion during coffee hour in the Rector's office on May 21. We will provide a brief summary of the sections of the book, so please join us even if you haven’t finished the book!

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 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 [email protected] for a meeting invite and our spring schedule.

Our next scheduled meeting will be on June 8, 2023 during which we'll discuss The Lincoln Highway by Amor Towles

Outreach and Justice

Parishioner Martin Deppe’s letter to the editor

published in the Washington Post

Regarding the May 1 news article “Mix of fear, firearms fuel spate of shootings”:

For years, the gun lobby has used fear to encourage buying guns for self-defense. The current Republican Party uses fear of a takeover to push legislation suppressing the voting rights of people of color and youths. It can only be such a mindless fear that enables a person to answer a stranger ringing the doorbell with a bullet instead of a “Hello. What can I do for you?” Republicans have made America “the home of the fearful now, not the home of the brave,” as stated by former Republican strategist Stuart Stevens.

At this frightening moment in our life together, let us recall the stirring words of Franklin D. Roosevelt. At his 1933 inauguration as President and at the height of the Great Depression, FDR told a fearful people, “So, first of all, let me assert my firm belief that the only thing we have to fear is fear itself — nameless, unreasoning, unjustified terror.”

I believe fear can be overcome by truth-telling, by caring for one another, including our neighbors, and, above all, by loving, which, in biblical testimony, “casts out fear.”

Let us restore the confident, honest, brave, bipartisan and forward-looking America that many of us remember.

What Makes You Angry? Upset? Sad? 

Injustice ought to make us angry, upset, and/or saddened, especially if we or those we love are the ones being affected. Come join an All Saints Listening Session in the Parish Hall on either Wednesday, May 24 from 7:00-8:30pm or Sunday, June 11 from 12:30-2:00pm to share and hear each other’s personal stories. 

These Listening Sessions are an extremely important part of our social justice and community organizing (United Power) work and ministries. Our stories help us identify community problems so that we can bring systemic change to our community while deepening our relationships with each other. 

Won’t you join us? Sign up here.

Questions? Contact Courtney or Barbara Manley.

You can also call Barbara at 312-953-8802.

Love on a Plate

Thank you to everyone who contributed to the April 23 discussion of Love on a Plate, All Saints' care ministry providing short-term meal delivery for parishioners experiencing a life transition.

If you missed this talk and have a Love on a Plate experience to share, are interested in volunteering to cook, or just want to learn more, email Kelly McNees.

Care for Caregivers

Are you currently involved in caregiving for a parent, spouse, relative, or friend? Would you be interested in receiving information about an All Saints caregiver support group that would meet monthly to share experiences and resources and offer support around the challenges of caregiving? Please email Kelly McNees for more information. 

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

www.allsaintschicago.org

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