Dear Friends, 

As we approach Labor Day and the start of our program year, I want to give a shout out to my great colleagues, all of whom are creative, fun, and “all in.” There’s been a lot of change in staff at All Saints this year: new Rector, new Associate Rector, and new Director of Operations. Thank goodness there has also been stability in our Music Director and Building Manager, not to mention so many of our lay leaders!

I am so grateful for Colin, his intuitive good sense and great knowledge about liturgy, his generous hospitality in inviting people into singing and worship (and in feeding us at events), and the joy that pours out from him as he conducts the choir, but especially when he turns to all of us in the pews to help us sing out.

Courtney has quickly become indispensable, gamely leading All Saints while I was away, becoming a great partner as we share leadership of various areas and consult with one another, and always bringing her large vision for what church can be.

Luis always makes time for our building needs and seems to know something about everything, maintaining a calm, kind demeanor, no matter what crazy emergency or request pops up. 

And Edward, still new at All Saints, has brought a calm spirit, keen sense of organization, and a razor-sharp wit (and love and knowledge of, well, so many things but especially art, music, and theater). 

We are fortunate to work in a good place with good people, even if chaos occasionally reigns as we try to do “all the things.” My prayer this Labor Day for all workers is just pay, great benefits, the right to rest, and time for creativity. And I pray that each one of you reading this knows the joy of getting to work with great people.

Faithfully,

Suzanne+

It's hard to believe that Suzanne and Tracey have been with us for a year already - it's been a fast, furious, and fabulous first year and we are FINALLY going to properly celebrate All Saints-style with a Renewal of Ministry and Welcoming of the New Rector liturgy and party! This is a traditional Episcopal service for when a new Rector is called to a church and is also an opportunity for all of us to recommit to the beautiful and varied ways of Ministry that we do as a congregation and community and, of course, a great excuse to have an All Saints party!

Join us September 10 at 2:30pm for the liturgy and the party afterwards. As luck would have it, our stretch of Hermitage is having their block party that day, so we’ll have a street festival and bouncy house on hand after the service! 

We'll be serving food and beverages in the courtyard in a sort of "tea time" style and we're asking for volunteers to help by making a plate or two of classic tea sandwiches for us all to snack on during the party. All you need to do is make a batch of your favorite tea sandwiches and if you need an easy recipe, here are a few options: Cucumber Sandwiches, Ham and Cheese Tea Sandwiches, Trio of English Summer Tea Sandwich Recipes. 

You can sign up here.

Thanks in advance for helping out,

John Williams and Susie Griffith, Co-Wardens

Tell your story. Connect to others. Look for the Holy.

Big Stories / Small Groups Kick-off

September 7 at 7:00pm

“Life can only be understood backwards; but it must be lived forwards.”

- Søren Kierkegaard

Join a small group this Fall and deepen your connection with others and with God through sharing stories. We’ll meet as a large group on Wednesday, September 7 to learn how to develop one’s own spiritual storytelling and then break into small groups, which will meet together 2-4 times before our closing large-group event on Wednesday, October 12. 

RSVP by Sunday, September 4.

Questions? Contact Suzanne.

New to All Saints? Ready to throw your lot in with us?

Participate in

Companions on the Journey:

A Time of Welcome

Sunday, September 11!

If you've been coming to All Saints and think this is the place where you want to grow in faith through worship, fellowship, and service, consider participating in this Time of Welcome on Sunday, September 11 at either the 9:00am or 11:00am service. 

During the service, we'll recognize you and ask if you're willing to commit to All Saints for a time, the congregation will commit to walking with you, and then we’ll say a brief prayer. Though this is not necessary to be a member at All Saints, to participate, or be involved, it's a nice way to mark your next step at All Saints.

Fill out this form if you plan to join us that day!

All Saints Youth Group Pizza and Sundae Bar

Sept 11, 3:30-5:30pm

Let’s start the year with games, food, and discussion of what we want to do. All youth ages 7th grade (or 12 years old) through 12th grade are welcome. Bring a friend. Parents are invited to join in for some ice cream at 5:20pm. 

Please contact Liz Bartels with your RSVP and any questions (RSVP is strongly encouraged but not required).

Youth Group meets on the second and fourth Sunday of the month from 3:30-5:30pm. We plan to meet in the courtyard and later, as the weather turns, the Parish Hall. Dates for fall are: 

• September 11
• September 25 
• October 9
• October 23 (Pumpkin Carving Party)
• November 13
• December 11 (Christmas Party)

United Power @ All Saints – What’s Next?

We turned out All Saints for Action in July and built our public relationships with elected officials. We continue to work for Affordable Housing in disadvantaged neighborhoods. What about Gun Safety? Or Mental Health and Police Reform? There's always more to do.  

All are invited to an organizing meeting for All Saints social justice work from 7-8:30pm on Tuesday, September 6 in the All Saints Reading Room.

What are your passions? What makes you angry? Come join the discussion to share your concerns as we reflect on where to focus our time and energy in the year ahead. We’ll also share updates on United Power’s three campaigns and what needs to be done. 

Questions? Contact Barbara Manley by emailing [email protected] or calling 312-953-8802.

Sidetracks Comes to All Saints

September 21!

Brush up your Shakespeare and get ready to "Sing out, Louise!" Join us for the last third Wednesday social event of the summer: a show tune sing-along and open mic with live musical accompaniment provided by music director Colin Collette.

The fun starts in the courtyard at 7:00pm. Got a favorite song you can't wait to belt out? Just let Colin know!

Help us finalize our calendar for Fall 2022!

Are you thinking about hosting an event at All Saints? Let us know what you're considering by contacting us before Labor Day, September 5.

Please note that we prefer to promote events at least three weeks in advance.

Fall Finance Fun!

Stewards of 4550

Ever wonder how we got where we are today? Come spend Coffee Hour learning how generations of All Saints members have made the commitment to care for our spiritual home at 4550 N Hermitage. You'll learn a little history of our church and how we keep it running.

September 11, 10:00am Coffee Hour in the Parish Hall

September 14, 7:00pm on Zoom 

From 1883-2083: What's next for All Saints?

The 1883 Capital Campaign helped repair our church and revive the spirit of those who laid its first cornerstone. But would we like to celebrate our 200th anniversary in 2083? You'll hear some ideas for our campus and what future financial stewardship will look like. Time to dream big!

September 25, 10:00am Coffee Hour in the Parish Hall

September 28, 7:00pm on Zoom

If you have any questions: contact Jack Garland or Katrina Kasten.

Acolyte Training in September

Are you 8 years old or older? Have you ever wondered what an acolyte is and what they do? Would you like to be an acolyte? Have you already served as an acolyte and need a refresher? 

Acolytes assist at the 9:00am and 11:00am services by leading the procession, assisting the priest at the time of the offertory by setting the table, helping with other important tasks, and leading the recession at the end of our service. Being an acolyte is an important ministry at All Saints, and we are excited to resume having acolytes at our services after a hiatus due to COVID-19.

We'll have two trainings: Wednesday, September 7 from 4-5:30pm and Sunday, September 11 from 12:30-2:00pm. We'll get to know one another, discuss the acolyte's role, review and practice the various jobs, then try on the acolyte vestments (known as a cassock and surplice) to make sure everyone has the right fit! 

Please click here to RSVP by September 5 so we know who’s coming. If you have any questions, you can email Suzanne or Courtney.

Church School Begins Sunday, September 25

All Saints looks forward to welcoming children back into the atria this fall with some small changes and some return to "old" practices.

• Church school begins Sunday, September 25—a slightly later start than usual that will allow church school leaders to prepare fully for the year.
• Church school will take place from 10:00-11:00am (or beginning with dismissal from the 9:00am service).
• Atrium I will be open at 9:00am for children ages 3-6.
• It is expected that Atrium II and III children attend church or arrive at 10:00am for church school.
• Church school will follow the COVID protocols in place for the entire church community.

An Atrium orientation will be held in September for children who will be new to Atrium I. This includes children who have recently turned 3 years old up to kindergarten age. We will share the date once it is confirmed. 

If you have an older child who'll be starting church school for the first time at All Saints, feel free to reach out Polly Tangora ([email protected]) or Andrea Garland ([email protected]) so we can answer your questions. However, you can also just show up on September 25 at 10:00am, and a church school leader will be happy to welcome you and your child. 

Some key dates to keep in mind:

• October 2: Pet Blessing
• November 13: Parent Information Meeting for Solemn Communion at 10:15am
• November 27: THANKSGIVING Weekend (Outreach Project Stocking Stuffing–all ages)
• December 18: Christmas Pageant 

If you are interested in learning more about the church school and how you can support this ministry, please contact Polly or Andrea.

The Consecration of the 13th Bishop of Chicago

The ordination and consecration of the Rev. Paula E. Clark as the Thirteenth Bishop of Chicago will take place the morning of Saturday, September 17 at the Westin Hotel in Lombard, IL.

All are welcome to watch the service live on the diocesan website here. The procession begins at 10:30 am with the service following at 11 am CST. If anyone would like to organize a consecration watch party, please let Courtney know ([email protected]).

For more information about the consecration, go here.

Hosting Coffee Hour

As summer begins to fade and we settle into our more regular schedules, let us also look forward to returning to coffee hour between the 9:00 and 11:00 services. Coffee hour is a great opportunity to reconnect with fellow parishioners that we have missed or welcome new visitors to All Saints with coffee hour hospitality.  

We've worked to make hosting coffee hour a light lift by moving the supplies into the parish hall, and all but eliminating the need to take garbage out afterwards. Please consider signing up. You may be surprised by the amount of gratitude you get in response to your effort!

You may sign up here, but the clipboard method that Dave and Karen Howe made famous is destined to return in the coming weeks as we try to identify hosts through the end of the year. If you have questions, please see Chad Kruse or send him an email at  [email protected].

Becoming Beloved Community:

Racial Reconciliation and Anti-Racism

As part of our congregation's commitment to identify, declare, and commit to share life within God’s Beloved Community, we'd like to alert you to an online training opportunity offered by Bexley-Seabury, “Becoming Beloved Community: Racial Reconciliation and Anti-Racism,” beginning in October. Visit this link for more info.

The 6-week class includes opportunities for personal reflection, asynchronous group reflection and interaction, and synchronous group interaction led by facilitators from the Kaleidoscope Institute.

Registration is $200; however All Saints has five $100 scholarships available to subsidize the cost. Please email Courtney if you're interested in the training and would like a scholarship. 

Join EFM!

Education for Ministry is a lay theology program offered by the University of the South (Sewanee). It is a four-year program. Year 1 covers the Hebrew Bible, Year 2 is the New Testament, Year 3 is church history, and Year 4 is an introduction to theology. EFM groups have members doing all four years, which makes for great discussion. It's sort of like a college seminar but without papers.

The group at Church of the Atonement, 5749 N. Kenmore, will meet on Monday evenings from 6:30-9:00pm this year, beginning on September 19. There are a few openings for new members, both for Year 1 and anyone who started EFM in the past and wants to continue. The fee is $325 per year plus textbooks. The Diocese of Chicago has some scholarship funds available.

Interested? Email Anne Logue at [email protected].

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.

Our current schedule moving forward is:

• September 8 - “The Power and The Glory” by Graham Green
• October 13 - “Boy: Tales of Childhood” by Roald Dahl

Interested in sharing your news with the All Saints community?

Be sure to email Edward by 5:00pm Wednesday for inclusion in our Friday morning e-newsletter!