Dear Friends, 

I am comforted by the strength of this community. 

During our many conversations this past week (some planned, some unplanned) I shared that the leadership of All Saints has been preparing for the outcome of the election, regardless of which candidate won, for almost a year. 

We knew we needed to have a strong community and so focused on these principles: deepening our connection to God, to one another, and to our local community. 

That’s why we’ve been talking about refugia, forming small groups, meeting with our alderpeople, preaching about God’s grace and taking up the cross, and inviting members to share how their faith influences their civic and work lives. 

Those are normal churchy things, you say? Well, yes, yes they are. And people grounded in the peace of God that passes all understanding can do brave, hard things. We can know and share joy and hope when others have lost theirs. We focus on doing what is loving and morally right, not on doing what we’re told to do. So, Beloved, here we are. 

There will be much more to discuss and pray about and do, but I wanted to share another set of three guiding principles for this time. These were shared with us by a parishioner who has spent his life working with organizations across the country to strengthen our democracy. 

In this time, we need to do three things: strengthen our resilience as individuals and as a community, choose ONE thing we want to do very well so we don’t burn out, and prepare to come out strong in support of the first group attacked.

We’re living in a time where algorithms and media and consumerism are all shaped to separate us, outrage us, and keep us from feeling our power. Our faith community provides connection, hope, and joy—all antidotes to authoritarianism. 

The great rabble rouser, pacifist, and Catholic worker Dorothy Day reminds us that we Christians have the “duty of delight.” The brave, formerly enslaved Sojourner Truth, abolitionist and agitator for women’s rights, encourages us: “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.” 

Life IS a hard battle. It might get a little harder. Let’s still find and share joy and hope and delight even as we do hard things.

Faithfully, Suzanne

P. S. One way to stay connected is through small groups, which will start up again in January. Look for the upcoming announcement about signing up!

Faithfully, Suzanne+

Liturgical Ministry Training for All Saints Lectors and Intercessors

After the 11am service.

Whether you are inquiring, fairly new, or experienced as a lector or intercessor at Sunday Eucharist, you are invited to attend a 45 minute training in these liturgical ministries. The training will provide you with practical information and resources, as well as performance tips intended to help build competence and confidence for the proclamation of scripture and/or leading of the prayers. 

Make some Joyful Noise and Sing with the Choir

We’re looking for singers for Advent Lessons & Carols

No audition required; just an open heart and a joyful spirit!

Have you noticed we are a singing church? Would you like to add to an All Saints adored musical celebration? Meet some wonderful people and share the joy?

Consider joining the All Saints choir for Advent Lessons and Carols held on Sunday, December 15.

The choir rehearses every Thursday evening at 7:00pm in the church or, if you can't make that time, it also rehearses for 45 minutes before Sunday services (8:15am in the parish hall for the 9:00am service, 10:15am in the church for the 11:00am).

For more information, you can either write our Music Director Colin Collette or talk to him after a service on Sunday.

Make an Advent Wreath for your Home

Sunday, December 1 during Coffee Hour at 10:00am

We invite you to make an Advent Wreath. We’ll supply all the materials.

Take home an All Saints Advent Devotional to share or use alone.

Advent means a coming, an approach, an arrival. In Advent, we prepare our homes and our churches with joy as we anticipate the arrival of Jesus, the Light of the World. On Sunday, December 1, you can create a wreath and begin an Advent practice to share with others or on your own. Parishioner Kellyanne Fitzgerald has created a beautiful Advent Devotional designed for families and available for all. The Devotional invites you to reflect on a word each week in Advent. Week 1: Watch. Week 2: Prepare. Week 3: Rejoice. Week 4: Proclaim.

The All Saints Christmas Pageant is coming!

Sunday, December 15

We’re seeking students and children to join the cast.

Deadline November 24. Speaking parts being assigned now.

Parts will be given to any child/student who lets us know by either showing up at church (Atrium 3) or by email before Nov. 24th. We beginning to assign parts and hope to have scripts ready to send out by Sunday Nov. 24th.

Please email Polly Tangora with the names of children who would like parts: polly@allsaintschicago.org 

Please see the proposed rehearsal schedule to make sure that your student can be available if they want a speaking part.



2024 Proposed Schedule (PDF)

Caregiver Connections

Monday, November 18 at 7:00pm



The next meeting of Caregiver Connections, our monthly support group for caregivers, will be held on Monday, November 18, at 7 p.m. in the Reading Room. If you've thought about attending this group but haven't yet been able to make it, please join us. All are welcome. Reach out to Kelly McNees (kellymcnees@gmail.com) with any questions.

REVIVE Christmas Baskets

Due at Church on Sunday, December 1 before 11:00am

Christmas Baskets for REVIVE are due at church on Sunday, December 1 before 11 AM. Please review the instructions received when you signed up about the way to pack up and label your boxes. Drop off will be in the reading room. You can also drop off boxes on Sunday, November 24 by emailing Katy Kelsey-Morgan (katy.kelsey@gmail.com)

Also, if you’d like to join in a wrapping party on Saturday, November 30 at 2 PM, please sign up here. https://allsaintschicago.breezechms.com/form/WrappingParty

SAVE THE DATE

Beer & Carols

Sunday, December 8 at 6:30pm at the Annex

(O'Shaughnessy's Pub)

United Power Collective Leadership Meeting

November 18th, 7 PM - 8:30 PM

Homan Square Tower, 906 S. Homan, Chicago

All Saints joined United Power in 2019, as part of our work against gun violence. In 2020, after George Floyd’s death, All Saints launched the Greenlining Campaign and raised over $260K toward the construction of a model home in the N Lawndale neighborhood. We acted on faith and hope that this model home would be a catalyst for the vision to build 1000 homes and rebuild the N Lawndale community.  

When we join with our neighbors and act with faith and love, we help create a better world. Today, 80 home have been sold or are under construction and in the last 2 weeks, an additional 81 new lots have been turned over from the city. 

At the collective leadership meeting we will celebrate our accomplishments and plan for important action steps to continue our Reclaim Chicago work.  

Interested in learning more? Attending the meeting? 

Contact Barbara Manley, 312-953-8802, barbaramanley1@gmail.com

Reclaiming Chicago progress in 2024 (Read the annual report here)

It's budget time for the City of Chicago!

Learn More

Elections are but one vehicle to exercise our beliefs and perspectives. On a local level the City Council's Budget Committee is in the midst of meeting with all the departments to go over the proposed budget for 2025. These meetings are about much more than numbers. The departments generally make short presentations at the beginning of the meetings as to what they have done in 2024 and what they expect to do in 2025. The alders then ask questions about the functioning and achievements (and failures to achieve) of the departments, as well as whether more money is needed or whether and where cuts in expenses can be made.

This is a great time to learn about the functions of city government, the budget process, and participate by letting your alderperson know what you like and don't like about the proposed budget. Visit the links below for more information.

Overview of the proposed budget and what each department does.

Find which departments are meeting with the Budget Committee each day (and there are Saturday meetings!)

Watch videos of past meetings of the City Council or Committees,

Watch a live budget meeting.

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.

RAVENSWOOD LIGHT UP NIGHTS FESTIVAL + HOLIDAY MARKET

New year, new concept!

Saturday, December 7 from 4:00 - 8:00pm

Join us on Saturday, December 7 when the Ravenswood Neighbors Association partners with local organizations for Ravenswood Light Up Nights Festival + Holiday Market!

Festivities will be anchored at All Saints and the corner of Wilson Avenue (between Ravenswood & Hermitage) for one night only! This free event will include live music, a holiday market, food and drink vendors, restaurant specials, a tree decorating competition, kids’ scavenger hunt, photo stations, a street/tree lighting ceremony, multimedia window displays, hot cocoa, caroling, and a raffle. We hope you can join us for this kickoff to the holiday season!

The fundraising raffle benefits the Ravenswood Neighbors Association and the Ravenswood Community Services Food Pantry.

The next vestry meeting will be on Tuesday, November 19 at 7:00pm. Vestry meetings are open to parishioners. To see the most current Vestry Minutes click here.

The results of the 2025 VOTE FOR ALL SAINTS Pledge Campaign are in!

We are so grateful for everyone’s generosity and for voting for all we do here.

Number of pledges: 167

Total pledge amount: $527,777

Number of new pledges: 37

Total amount if everyone renews who pledged last year: $619,629

Total amount we need to do all we hoped in 2025: $632,000

Your pledge supports our neighbors in need, help us build our community and faith lives so that they can be shared with all we encounter, and fuel the fight for justice in our city, country, and beyond. Thank you again for sharing your gifts!

And If you haven’t pledged yet, you still can!

Facebook Livestream Team at the 11:00am Service

Audio: Megan Turnquist

Camera: Josephine Koo

www.allsaintschicago.org

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