Dear Friends,

I already waxed poetic in last week’s letter about the beauty and meaning of the feasts of All Saints and All Souls, so I won’t go on again about that, but I WILL encourage you to come by tonight to help hang flags. This is such a special moment: touching each flag, reading the names and the stories, then lovingly attaching them to the cord where they will flutter overhead. We’ll start at 6:30pm and be there until at least 8:30, so come early and eat some pizza or drop by whenever you can. You can also come by to make flags to be hung if you haven’t done that already.

Then, clear your calendar and plan to come to church at 8, 9, or 11am on Sunday! We’ll renew baptismal vows, pop champagne, and remember all who have gone ahead of us at all services. We’ll add a brass band and baptisms at the 9 and 11.

Because All Saints is such a big day around here, we won’t have another pledge activity this Sunday, but I encourage you to make your pledge right now so that the following Sunday, November 13, we can report on our pledge campaign and use that information to plan our 2023 budget on Tuesday, November 15! 

As you think about your pledge, I encourage you to think about the activities of the past three weeks for the campaign. On our first Sunday, we filled out Madlibs, sharing when we first arrived at All Saints, what our first impressions of this place were, and how we would describe it to other people. The next Sunday we unfurled ribbons with the Madlibs attached; as the ribbons wove throughout the congregation, we considered how we’re all connected, all those in the past who gave so that we might be here today, and how it’s up to us to make sure the ribbons extend into the future. Last Sunday, we used post-it notes to share what we love about All Saints and the difference we hope our pledge will make for us now and those who follow at All Saints. 

Whether you were here for all those Sundays or not, take some time to consider the importance of All Saints in your life, the goodness of God, and how you might be being called into generosity; then, please, make your pledge.

See you in church!

Faithfully, Suzanne+

This Sunday is our namesake feast - a day with a long history of mourning those we've lost while celebrating new members of the church. We're grateful for those who have added to our personal history and that of the church, while looking forward to a history the next generations will write.

Please consider making a financial pledge in 2023 to All Saints. If you haven't already done so, you can visit this page. We want 100% participation.

You matter. Your contribution, no matter the size, matters.

Thank you to everyone who has already committed to supporting All Saints in 2023. We hope to end this pledge drive by November 13th so that we can plan for next year's budget. Stay tuned for information about a celebration marking this milestone.

If you have questions about the impact of your support, or would like to discuss your pledge further, please reach out to our stewardship co-chairs Jack Garland and Katrina Kasten.

This Sunday, November 6, as part of our annual celebration of the Feast of All Saints, we'll remember loved ones who have died.

If you would still like to create prayer flags, or help us hang our prayer flags in the sanctuary, we’ll gather at 6:30pm TONIGHT, Friday, November 4 for a time of prayer, hanging of flags, and pizza.

Join the Catechumenate and Get Baptized on the Easter Vigil!

Learn more on Sunday, November 13 at 12:30 in the Reading Room.

Light lunch provided.

The Catechumenate is a period of formation and education to prepare adults for baptism, the sacrament of initiation into the Christian Church. If you are an adult who would like to learn more about the sacrament of baptism and what it means to join the Catechumenate, please come to this introductory meeting to learn about the history and theology of baptism and what it might look like to walk a journey of faith to Easter in 2023.

RSVP for our meeting.

Curious or have questions? Contact Suzanne at [email protected].

Safe Church/Safe Communities

At All Saints, we take the mandate to create a safe and welcoming environment for all very seriously, especially our children and vulnerable adults. When we renew our

baptismal covenant, we promise to respect the dignity of every human being, with God’s

help.

Several months ago, the Diocese of Chicago issued updated Safe Church/Safe

Communities training guidelines and policies. Some of you may remember this as the

program formerly known as Keeping God’s People Safe. The leaders and clergy of All

Saints are committed to welcoming and protecting all people who participate in activities

in our church. Any kind of sexual misconduct, abuse, harassment, or bullying is a

violation of our mission, is prohibited, and will not be tolerated.

All clergy, employees, vestry members, church school teachers, youth group leaders,

nursery workers, and other volunteer leaders are required to read and acknowledge the

diocesan policies and complete an online training. 

Members of the congregation are also encouraged to review the diocesan policies and if

desired, to take the training. Links to the policies are below. If you wish to take the

training, please contact Courtney to get log on information.

Diocesan Policy for the Protection of Children and Youth

Diocesan Policy for the Protection of Vulnerable Adults

In January, we'll host a meeting to talk more about the ways All Saints is committed to

following these policies and to creating a safe space for all.

Resumption of the Common Cup

The Diocese of Chicago recently lifted its restriction on sharing of the common cup during the Eucharist. You can read Bishop Clark’s letter here.

We will begin using the common cup again on All Saints Day, November 6. Please know that if you choose to receive only the consecrated bread, you are still participating fully in the sacrament. While we will have champagne on All Saints Day as is our custom, we'll use port wine after that which has a higher alcohol content than regular red wine. 

Chalice bearers will wear face masks during the sharing of the cup. We ask that you do not intinct (dip) your bread into the chalice so that we might limit infection of any kind. If you prefer not to drink from the cup, cross your arms over your chest; the chalice bearer will still present the sacrament with the words “The Blood of Christ, the cup of salvation” to which you may respond “Amen.” Please wait for the person next to you to receive Communion before returning to your seat.

If you have any questions, please speak with Suzanne or Courtney. 

Bread, Wine, and Word Returns: "Thanks, Pandemic!”

Friday, November 18, 6:30 - 8:30pm.

A fun dinner party in the All Saints’ Sanctuary

with food, drink, and stories!

Given the time of year AND the past few years, our stories will focus on giving thanks in the time of pandemic. Please brings drinks, simple food (cheese, bread, dips, etc.), and possibly a story to share. Or bring nothing and just come!

If you do plan to tell a story, prepare a 3-5 minute story about giving thanks in hard times. Hard things that yielded grace. Being happy when everyone around you is sad. Hope in a hard time.

The point of gathering is to connect with one another, so your story should be real, your own, and focus on events and feelings rather than proving a point or teaching a lesson.

No pressure if you don’t want to tell a story, but if you do, stay within 3-5 minutes and consider taking a risk. If you are new to storytelling, The Moth offers these great GUIDELINES. 

Interested? Sign up here!

Questions? Contact Colin Collette at [email protected].

Pray twice with the All Saints choir!

There's a saying attributed to St. Augustine that goes something like this: "The one who sings, prays twice."

If you're looking for a way to give back to the community, meet some wonderful people, and have a great time doing it, please consider joining the All Saints choir. We especially need folks to sing for the upcoming high holy days, the season of Advent, and Advent Lessons and Carols. So, whether you sing in the shower, sing for your supper, or sing a song of sixpence, we need you!

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

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

Volunteer for All Saints' Building and Grounds Committee

The Building & Grounds Committee is looking to expand its roster, so that we have more helping hands on future projects. Over the last few years, we have helped with the 

renovation of the Rectory, refinished the church pews, and painted the porch on the Church’s 3-flat. If you'd like to be on the list when we call for volunteers, please 

send an email to Mark Ortlieb at [email protected].

Revive Christmas "Baskets"

All Saints continues its annual tradition of participating in the Revive Christmas "Basket" program. This year, we have 25 households that need our support to provide Christmas presents for their families. Participants will receive a form with information about a family, along with suggested Christmas gift ideas. Boxes should be delivered to the church by Sunday, November 27.

Once again, Jacqueline WayneGuite is organizing All Saints' participation. She'll match you with a household based on your preference of size, then keep in touch via email with further instructions. Please check your email and confirm receipt within 48 hours.

Households range from one to eight people. You should plan to spend at least $30-$50 per person on gifts - one for each family member. For fairness, spend the same amount of money on each person. Please also purchase a Jewel gift card worth $15 per person in the household.

If you have questions, email Jacqueline WayneGuite.

Please sign up at the link here!

All Saints Book Club

The All Saints Book Club continues to meet on the second Thursday of the month at 7:30 PM on Zoom. If you are not a regular attendee, email Mike Burke at [email protected] for a meeting invite.

In addition, we are now supporting the book sanctuary initiative. We'll include at least one banned book each year in our reading plan starting in 2023. 

Our current schedule moving forward is:

November 10, 2022:

Fever Dream by Samantha Schweblin

December 8, 2022: 

Why Fish Don't Exist: A Story of Loss, Love, and the Hidden Order of Life by Lulu Miller (At this meeting, we will select books for 2023.)

January 12, 2023:

The Christmas Wedding by James Patterson

Wondering about United Power, Community Organizing?

Here are two upcoming opportunities to learn more,

have your questions answered. 

Thursday, November 10, 6:00-8:00pm on Zoom:

Introduction to the Illinois Affiliates of the Industrial Areas Foundation: United Power, Lake County United, DuPage United and Fox River Valley Initiative             

United Power is an affiliate of the Industrial Areas Foundation (IAF), the oldest and largest network of broad-based citizen organizations in the country. In this training, we will outline the primary purpose, tools and values of the organizations and the relationship to the nationwide network of the Industrial Areas Foundation (IAF).

Registration link here.

Tuesday, November 15, 6:00-8:00pm on Zoom:

Effective Organizing & Action    

What are some of the key elements of action? Using our shared experience of the July 17th action, we will look at key elements of a successful action, and discuss how we - as members of United Power - want to build on those elements and put them into practice in the next year. If July 17th was your first action, November 10th session is a pre-requisite training for the November 15th session.  

Registration link here.

New Neighbors in Need

Chicago is a destination for refugees from all over the world, especially Afghanistan, Ukraine, and now Venezuela by way of Texas. All of these folks are now are neighbors; in fact, the immigrants sent here from Texas as part of a political stunt were recently being housed in the Leone Field House in Rogers Park.

While the US State Department provides some assistance, most of it is provided by volunteers. Exodus World Service has asked All Saints to help our new neighbors get settled. Please go to https://signup.com/go/kPjTqqe to sign up to contribute.

All items should be new, so keep your eye out for great bargains as you do your holiday shopping. (Regifting is okay, as long as you didn't use the item first!) Annie Logue will set up a bin by the back stairs, or you can have items shipped to the church c/o Annie Logue. We're looking to have it all together by the middle of December. You can email her at [email protected] or text at 773-835-1059.

A letter from Cuernavaca

Ten years ago, All Saints, though the leadership of Dave and Karen Howe, began a relationship with Padre Bayron Chanchavac in Mexico. Since then, All Saints has supported his ministry, which a number of us have witnessed during visits to his churches. Padre Bayron has also visited All Saints and become a true friend to many of us. Below is a letter Padre Bayron recently sent to All Saints:

"The congregations of San Pablo and Santísima Trinidad in Cuernavaca send you our warmest greetings, thanks and prayers.

We want to thank you for your continued support, especially through the funds you have raised on Mexico Outreach Sundays in May over the past years. These have helped us to continue our work to the Glory of God and to be messengers of life in difficult times. We hope to remain united with all of you in your projects, visions and aspirations.

With your help, this will be a year of hope and resurrection for our parishes after the challenges of the COVID pandemic. We want to become vibrant, inclusive congregations where all are welcome. We ask you to keep us always present in yours hearts and prayers, as we will be doing for you.

We are all brothers and sisters who believe that the Kingdom of God is always present, but not complete, and that the Gospel calls us to work together to continue to build this kingdom through all we do."

A group of All Saints' members continue to work with Padre Bayron and are planning for our next Outreach Sunday next May. If you wish to find out more about this ministry, please check the Partnership link on the website or contact Jim Hanna at [email protected]. 

Upcoming events at All Saints…

Friday, November 4

3:30 - Wedding Rehearsal

6:30 - Hanging Prayer Flags

Saturday, November 5

3:30 - Wedding: Rodites and Schroeder

Sunday, November 6 - The Feast of All Saints observed

Brass Band and Baptisms at 9 and 11!