Dear Friends,

This Sunday we will celebrate Rogation Day, the church’s original Earth Day! 

On this day we ask for God’s blessing upon our land, planting, and harvests. In England, many parishes still “beat the bounds,” walking the boundaries of the parish, which encompass an entire village and surrounding areas or an entire neighborhood in a larger city, to remind themselves and pass down the knowledge of their land while asking God’s blessing on it and them. In our own Book of Common prayer, we have three prayers for the Rogation Days: for “fruitful seasons,” for “commerce and industry,” and for “stewardship of creation” (pp.258-59).

What I love about Rogation Days is the acknowledgment that all we have comes not only from our own hard work or intelligence or inheritance but first from the very hands of God. We play a role, of course, transforming God’s creation with our intelligence and industry, but it seems essential to acknowledge that our Good God is the source of all that is, which helps us retain our humility and a proper sense of place in the universe. This counteracts our own sensibility about what is “ours” and our possessiveness about things we have made, bought, or inherited, so it’s not easy, but it is necessary if we are to grow in humility and gratitude.

One way to practice this is to observe the Rogation Days, remembering to give thanks to God for this good earth that sustains our very lives and to ask forgiveness for the ways we take that gift for granted, even neglect or harm that gift. We can also ask for God’s help in caring for God’s creation, asking God to make us thoughtful and careful as we make consumer choices, plan our weekly menu, and make professional decisions. 

Sold yet? Or at least curious? Join us THIS Sunday at 10:30 in front of the church and join the Rogation procession, when we will walk our property, stopping to pray over and bless and give thanks for so much in our lives—pollinator gardens, a new garden shed, our food pantry and more! Be sure to bring your own gardening gloves, trowels, and other implements, which we will also bless on Sunday!

See you in church!

Faithfully, Suzanne+

THIS Sunday, May 25 is Rogation Sunday

Join us for a Rogation Procession

10:30 am (between the 9 and 11 a.m. Eucharists)

Meet in front of the church.

Join us to learn how we’re caring for the earth with multiple pollinator gardens, the children’s vegetable gardens (produce goes to the food pantry), the new garden shed (thank you Owen Kasten!), and the many newly planted and blooming trees on the property!

We will pause at stations around the church grounds where we are caring for the earth through gardening, composting/recycling, and other stewardship efforts, giving thanks to the Creator for the bounty of creation, acknowledge our dependence on God through intercessory prayer, and bless the labors of all who cultivate new life. 

If you or your children are indoor or outdoor gardeners, bring a gardening tool or gloves, packets of seeds, a seedling, a pot of herbs, or bulbs that you plan to plant and tend. During our procession, we will offer a special blessing of these items and all of you gardeners! 

Rogation Days are the church's original Earth Day! They go back 5th century and commemorate Jesus' final days on earth before his Ascension. They focus on the earth, agriculture, and human dependence on God. We will observe Rogation Day on Sunday, May 25, focusing on God's good creation.



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.



Newcomer Conversations

Sunday, June 1

Are you new to All Saints? Perhaps you’ve just attended once or twice and would like to learn a little bit more about our community. Join us after the 9 AM and 11 AM services for a 15-20 minute gathering to connect with other newcomers and briefly hear from one of our clergy and vestry members. We will meet in the reading room adjacent to the sanctuary for coffee, treats, and conversation. 

Newcomer Lunch

Sunday, June 22 at 12:30 pm

Are you new to All Saints? Are you interested in meeting other newcomers and learning more about our community? If yes, please join us for our next Newcomers lunch. We’ll gather in the parish hall for a casual luncheon, conversation, and a chance to learn more about All Saints and ways to continue connecting with our community. Please RSVP so we can plan food accordingly.

REGISTER HERE



Questions, please contact Courtney at courtney@allsaintschicago.org

All Saints Book Club

Thursday June 12 at 7:30 pm (Zoom)

Autobiography of Malcolm X by Malcolm X



“Extraordinary . . . a brilliant, painful, important book.”—The New York Times

“This book will have a permanent place in the literature of the Afro-American struggle.”—I. F. Stone

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.

All Saints Love on a Plate is looking for volunteers!

Like to cook? Volunteer for Love on a Plate! 

Cooking and delivering a meal to a parishioner in need is a great way to connect with other members of the congregation, and help make some of life’s challenging chapters — illness, grief, welcoming a new baby — a little easier and less lonely.

No minimum commitment required. Email Kelly McNees (kellymcnees@gmail.com) to be added to our volunteer email list and receive a message when care opportunities come up. Participate when you can, and help lighten someone’s load.

Thank you for helping us care for each other!

Blessing new home owners on May 18^th

Thank you, All Saints, for your ongoing commitment

to creating GOOD TROUBLE!  

In the past eight months, members of this community have met with seven Alderpeople from the north side of Chicago to build our relationships with our elected officials. 

In the past month we have written and delivered over 70 letters to our IL state Representatives and Senators urging them to support a budget line item of $15M for housing for working class families.  

This past Sunday members of All Saints joined over 200 people from across Chicago to celebrate 61 new homes this year and learn about the work that is still left to do – to secure lots, cut red tape in City Hall, and find investment dollars.  

Come learn more about what All Saints is doing:

ask questions, share ideas, and learn how you can help.  

All Saints Justice Team Meeting

Tuesday, June 3 at 7 – 8:30 PM (Zoom)

Join Zoom Meeting

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84595287517?pwd=I1Zu18LkvOsxKNMUzDqQMeRQ3JS1b7.1

Meeting ID: 845 9528 7517

Passcode: 886284

LEARN MORE ABOUT LCDC HERE

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.

Parishioner Gina Shropshire is in the play!

TICKETS HERE

BRIDGE PERCUSSION CONCERT AT ALL SAINTS

Saturday, May 24 at 7:30 pm

Tickets: $10

Bridge Percussion is about collaboration and bringing people together. The members themselves come from a variety of backgrounds, including their professional experience in non-musical fields such as engineering, the restaurant industry, or law. Thomas Wolff, a member of the ensemble, is also a member of All Saints!

Website: https://www.bridgepercussion.com

Event at All Saints/Tickets: https://www.bridgepercussion.com/events/allsaints-5-24

The next vestry meeting will be on Tuesday, June 17 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: Jacob Farmer

Camera: Josephine Koo

www.allsaintschicago.org

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