Dear Friends,

I hope all are able to enjoy this three-day weekend, though I also hope to see you in church on Sunday! We are in the middle of our pledge campaign—All Saints: Light is at Work—and I think a lot about the light, the color, each of you brings to our church, to our community, our city. 

We are a diverse group here at All Saints, in all ways, yet, together, we create a place where children thrive, each person is honored and respected, each person can ask for help and receive it, each person can ask for space and get it (and even though we don’t do any of this perfectly, we try to). Together we create beautiful worship filled with song and laughter; silence, prayer, and the sounds of children (and, last weekend, dogs barking!); and, sometimes, handmade hangings over the altar or the choir loft. Together we seek to build a larger community where people are cared for, no matter their income level or immigration status or current mental health. 

We’re not perfect, but I think we know, deep in our bones, that each person is precious, beloved, made in the image of God, worthy of love and dignity and respect. We know individuals are complicated, we’re all a “mingled yarn” as Shakespeare wrote, none of us is perfectly good or perfectly bad. Each one of us is annoying from time to time. Yet none of that can ever remove the image of God, the mark of the Holy, from our being. 

Now, why am I yammering on about the image of God and human dignity? Well, I’m worried that our larger culture is losing sight of these truths. AI images and writing proliferate, denigrating human creativity. College fraternity members have treated a young woman like a thing whose only purpose is their entertainment, and too many in our society seek to blame her for her own abuse. As one writer says, this isn’t a case about the definition of “consent” or “rape” but about what is right and wrong, about how we treat another human being. Yesterday a headline told me that there will be an execution by firing squad and that it will be live streamed. 

In a society where the human is less and less valued, it is imperative that Christians speak up for the dignity of each and every person. Honoring every person looks like Pope Leo blessing Marie-Garance Noël, a child with special needs. It looks like doctors and nurses caring for Christa Pike after an inhumane execution attempt. It looks like the Good Samaritan who slows down, sees the person suffering, and takes time out of his surely packed calendar to help the hurt one, bind up his wounds, find him shelter, and then return to visit him. The one who is a true neighbor (or friend or human) is the one who shows mercy.

These are not easy ways of being in a chaotic, high-pressure, increasingly isolated and isolating society. But they are the ways of being for those who seek (and fail and try again) to follow Jesus.

See you in church!

Faithfully, Suzanne

Newcomer Conversations

Sunday, October 11

Brief Gathering after the 9 & 11 am Services

Coffee, Donuts, and Conversation.

Are you new to All Saints? Perhaps you’ve just attended one or two times and would like to learn a little bit more about our community. 

Join us in the Reading Room after the 9am and Suzanne’s office after the 11am for a 20-minute gathering to connect with other newcomers and briefly hear from one of our clergy and vestry members. 

Sunday, September 27: Pledge Campaign Kick-off
thru Sunday, October 25: Ingathering & Celebration

All Saints: Light is at Work

The All Saints pledge drive for 2027 continues and the pledge portal opens this Sunday!

Last year, we needed to grow our giving to match our growing community, and you delivered. This year, we ask you to begin or continue your generous pledge to support our shared community. With your help, we will continue to bring colorful light to a world in need of more love, more connection, more peace, and more stories of God’s grace. 

Thank you in advance for your continued support. Whether you’ve pledged for years, are considering pledging for the first time, or are unable to pledge right now, please know All Saints wouldn’t be the same vibrant, faithful, and inclusive community without you.

Pledge Committee Members:

John Breffeilh, Stina Dufour, Ken Jones, Katrina Kasten, Patrick Leow, and Suzanne Wille

SUNDAY MORNING WORSHIP

Join us for worship on Sunday mornings at 8:00AM, 9:00AM, and 11:00AM. Free childcare is available on Sundays for children 6 months – 3 years old, from 8:45am – 12:15pm.

THIRD SUNDAY EVENING SERVICE

Every 3rd Sunday of the month we offer Taizé at 6:00 pm.

WEDNESDAY EVENING CENTERING PRAYER

We offer Centering Prayer on Wednesdays at 7:00 pm.



WEEKDAY MORNING PRAYER

We offer daily morning prayer (Monday – Friday) from 8:30 am – 9:00 am on Zoom.

Learn more about Worship at All Saints on our website.

Witness Wednesdays at Noon

Witness Wednesday will take place on the sidewalk by 55 E Monroe the building that houses Immigration Court. Look for the Witness Wednesday sign!

On Wednesdays, a group made up of participants across the Diocese meets at Federal Plaza near the Calder sculpture (near the corner of Jackson & Dearborn). The prayer service begins at about 12:15 pm and lasts about 20 minutes. The focus is on communal prayer, so no materials are necessary and no RSVPs are required. Any and all are welcome to show up and join in prayer!

Interested in Baptism for your Child? Sign up for All Saints Day!



Traditionally, we baptize four times a year: The Feast of the Baptism of our Lord in January, The Easter Vigil, The Feast of Pentecost in late Spring, and the Feast of All Saints in November. Our next baptismal date is All Saints Day on November 1; if you are interested in having your child baptized then or any other dates, contact Suzanne at suzanne@allsaintschicago.org. 

Prepare to Celebrate our Feast of Title - All Saints Sunday!

Sunday, November 1



All Saints’ Day is celebrated with Day of the Dead traditions, a New Orleans style brass band, and a sanctuary full of prayer flags inscribed with names and remembrances of those loved and lost by members of our community. It is one of the principal feasts of the Episcopal Church, when the church remembers the saints, known and unknown. 

We invite everyone to fill out prayer flags for their beloved departed. Be watchful! Flags will soon be available near the entrance to the church for you to add the names of your beloved departed.

What does The Episcopal Church say about civic engagement?

How to be faithfully engaged during an election year.

Sunday, October 25 after the 9 am service

Early voting has begun in the Chicago with Election Day being Tuesday, November 3. 

As the Episcopal Church Office of Government Relations reminds us: When we vote, we publicly declare our commitment to love our neighbor and to seek the common good. As part of that, the Episcopal Church has long supported nonpartisan voter engagement, as well as advocating for protection and accessibility for all eligible voters. We view this work as an act of Christian stewardship. Learn more here

There are many ways to get involved, and the best way to get started is to get prepared. Parishioner Annie Logue's, recent substack post, "We have an Election Coming Up," shares a variety of ways to be ready to vote and non-partisan resources for learning more about candidates.

There are also concerns this year about possible election interference and voter intimidation. We are part of a wider faith leader coalition, “Faith in Us” that is preparing non-violent responses to any efforts to overturn election results or disrupt the voting process locally or nationally. 

To learn more about ways to be faithfully engaged, join us in the Reading Room on Sunday, October 25 at 10:00 AM (or just after the 9 AM ends!) for coffee, conversation, and exploring ways you can make a difference in our upcoming elections. Contact Courtney for more information. 

Knit, Purl, Pray!

Saturday, October 10 at 10:00 am

Calling all knitters, needle pointers, weavers, and crafters of all kinds! Are you interested in crafting while getting to know some of your fellow All Saints community members? Interested in learning more? Contact Colin at colin@allsaintschicago.org. 

Group meets on the 2nd Saturday of the Month from 10:00 am – 12:00 noon

Caregiver Connections

Monday, October 19 at 7:00 pm 

Caregiver Connections is a monthly gathering for caregivers to share experiences, listen, vent, get a break, compare notes, and occasionally hear from experts on specific resources.

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.

The Spirits of Ravenswood

Friday, October 16 at 7:00PM

Join Ravenswood Community Services for a spirited evening of Halloween themed fun featuring a costume contest, local beer and spirits, games and prizes, tarot readings, and more! Come raise a glass and help raise essential funds for RCS' Food Pantry and Community Kitchen.

This is a neighborhood Halloween party where all levels of costume appetites are welcomed and encouraged. From over-the-top to not-your-thing, come in something festive and fun!

The Spirits of Ravenswood is a fundraiser to feed our neighbors. This year we invite you to raise more than just the dead at this spirited evening of Halloween fun! Costumes welcome and encouraged but not required (but like…it's Halloween).

Price goes up after this weekend!

Tickets and Info HERE

Revive Christmas Baskets

It's that time of year again! ReVive Center for Housing and Healing is once again collecting "Christmas Baskets" for families that take part in their programs.

All Saints is a small but mighty contributor to the more than 900 baskets that will be collected from around Chicagoland this year. We have 31 families to support, for a total of 118 people total, with gifts and Jewel gift cards for the holiday meal.

Boxes will be due at All Saints around Thanksgiving and more details are available on the sign-up form or by contacting Katy Kelsey-Morgan at katy.kelsey@gmail.com.

Sign-Up HERE

Say “YES” to Mental Health

On November 3, 2026, our community will vote on a binding referendum to decide whether to expand mental health services in Edgewater, Lincoln Square, and Uptown through a 0.025% property tax increase. If you live in one of these neighborhoods and would like to drop off flyers in support of the referendum to your neighbors, please take some of the green “Voter Guide” flyers on the tables by the front doors. We will have yard signs available next week. 

VOLUNTEER AT RAVENSWOOD COMMUNITY SERVICES (RCS)

RCS & Tuesday Pantry Volunteers

RCS is always on the lookout for new volunteers. If you've been thinking you might like to give volunteering with RCS a try, now would be a really great time. 



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.



Saturday, October 17 & Sunday, October 18



Open House Chicago (OHC), one of the largest architecture and urban exploration festivals in the world, is back for its 16th year of celebrating architecture, culture and community. This free public festival offers behind-the-scenes access to 200+ sites, including many not normally open to the public.

We still need a few volunteers for Saturday & Sunday.

SIGN-UP HERE

Check out this new video about our bell tower!

Our next vestry meeting: October 20 at 7 pm in the Reading Room. Vestry meetings are open to the public. To see the most current Vestry Minutes click here.

8:00am

Altar Guild: Louisa McKellaston

9:00am

Acolytes: Isabella Maki & Julie Sweeney

Altar Guild: Matthew Sanders & Clarine Stephens

Chalice: Matthew Sanders & Skip Yates

Intercessor: Douglas Matteson

Lectors: Reader 1) TBD; 2) Paula Stevens-Conty

Ushers: TBD

Vestry Announcement: John Dufour



Coffee Hour: Naomi Mayes, Valentina Tikoff, & Skip Yates

11:00am

Acolytes: Owen Fayer & Skip Yates

Altar Guild: Liz Morris & Gretchen Schlabach

Chalice: Priscilla McGraw, Liz Morris, Gretchen Schlabach, & Skip Yates

Intercessor: Barbara Manley

Lectors: Reader 1) Lelia Fry; Reader 2) Skip Yates

Ushers: TBD

Vestry Announcement: Skip Yates

2nd Sunday Sparkling Sunday: John Masterson



4th Sunday Coffee Hour:

Facebook Livestream Team at the 11:00am Service

Audio: Dylan Masterson

Camera: June Coyne

Those who suffer in mind, body, or spirit: especially for John Pracht, Bill Young, Peter J. McInerney, and for those whose hurt, burdens, and fears go unspoken.

For those on our long-term prayer list: especially for Andrea K., Judy Palapala, Ashley D., Bryan Bergman, Trisha Diamond, Bob McCamant & family, Noel McGraw, Allen Masterson, Ruth, Sherry, Ron Lee, Robert Winslow, LouAnne Severson, Anna K., Neal, Steve Burns, Ashton Christy, Eugene Washington, Helen LoRusso, Peg Deppe, Nina Chinn, Lionel Edes, and Clara Maddox.

For those around the world: especially those affected by war; and our siblings in Cuernavaca, Mexico; and Renk, South Sudan.

For those who celebrate birthdays this week:

10/11 - David Fawley, Lisa Ziliak

10/12 - Michelle Mayes, Annie Davis, Liz Morris, Colin Needham

10/13 - Anjali Mathew, Harlan Shropshire

10/14 - Annie Thomas Gilmore

10/15 - Seth Joseph, Nicole Keesecker, Joshua Robinson

10/16 - Paul Hoffman

10/17 - Ella Stevens

For those who celebrate anniversaries this week:

10/11 - Evan Higgins & Katharine Spencer, Matthew Sanders & Clarine Stephens, Margaret & Bob McCamant

10/12 - Tony Ginn & MB Port Ginn

10/14 - Bart & Kirsten Hanson, Robert & Kelly McNees, Kevin Refior & Jacqueline Saldaña-Refior

10/15 - Kate Lewis-Lakin & CC Huang

10/16 - Owen & Kristin Fayer

10/17 - Bob & Joanne Gannett, Skip & Mamie Yates

For those who have died: especially for Abigail Fisher, cousin of parishioner Henry Weaver; and Joan VanDiver, beloved grandmother of Josie VanDiver. May their souls and the souls of all the departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace

www.allsaintschicago.org

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