Dear Friends,

We have had an amazing season at All Saints and there is more to come! It turns out that there is a lot going on in April and May, partly due to over planning but mainly due to the liveliness of our community. 

In this month that contains Earth Day, we are focusing on how and why to center creation in our faith and action. There are many events (see article below), but I want to highlight our Earth Day worship on Sunday, April 21, especially our guest preacher Paul Campion. Paul is an organizer with the Sunrise Movement, is a champion in this time of climate emergency, and attends All Saints. You can read more about Paul in a recent article HERE. 

On Earth Day itself, Monday, April 22, our own Terry DeLisio, Bexley Seabury Seminary Professor Emerita of Theology and Liturgy, will invite reflection and discussion about the connection between the sacramental life of the church and our baptismal calling to care for our sacramental earth. To change the way we behave, we have to change the way we SEE.

We are also focusing on deepening our connections here at All Saints in all kinds of ways, but especially with Community Conversations in April and May. These conversations are meant as a time to help us connect more deeply with one another and to discern where God might be calling us next. Please use the RSVP link below if you have not already responded (or didn’t get an e-mail); if you can’t make these dates, please let us know. We are looking at adding another Community Conversation time.

And there is more! The Ravenswood Run on April 28, the Bishop’s visit on May 5, our Mexico Fundraiser with a visit IN PERSON from Padre Bayron on May 12. 

More information about all these things below.

There’s a lot going on at All Saints (and in your lives and in the world!); may it all help us grow in love and faith!

Faithfully, Suzanne+

Join us next Sunday, April 21 

for a special Earth Day Liturgy and Worship Services.

We have an exciting Guest Preacher! Paul Campion, parishioner and organizer with the Sunrise Movement

Festive Earth Day Coffee Hour at 10:00am

More details below in Social Justice & Outreach section.

The Rt. Rev. Paula E. Clark will visit All Saints on Sunday May 5.

A visit from the Diocesan Bishop is usually a regular and special event in the life of the parish. It is a time of connecting with the our chief pastor and, thus, to the larger diocese. Often the Bishop baptizes, confirms, and / or receives parish members into the Christian faith and Episcopal church. 

On Sunday, May 5 we will have our FIRST visitation from our new Diocesan Bishop, The Right Reverend Paula Clark. Please plan to join us to welcome Bishop Clark to All Saints!

The Rt. Rev. Paula E. Clark was elected on December 12, 2020 and ordained and consecrated on September 17, 2022 as the thirteenth bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Chicago. She leads more than 30,000 Episcopalians in 122 congregations across northern and west central Illinois, and is the first Black person and the first woman to hold the position.

CONNECTING CONVERSATIONS

Saturday, April 20 & Saturday, May 18

This spring, we want everyone at All Saints to come to one of our community conversations to get to know one another, share our hopes for our lives together at All Saints, and to dream about our future.

If you did not receive an invitation to one of the conversations or have not yet responded, you can use this FORM to RSVP.

EPISCOPAL 101 & 102

3 Wednesdays in April

April 10, 17, 24 from 7:00 - 8:30PM

BELONGING | BECOMING | BELIEVING

This Week’s Topic is Liturgy

Are you new here at All Saints? Been coming for a while, but still have lots of questions about what the Episcopal church is all about? Would you like a deeper understanding of our worship and why we do what we do?

Episcopal 101 / 102 provides an introduction to the history and culture of All Saints, the Episcopal Church, and Anglican Communion; how we worship and why; and our approach to scripture, theology, sacraments, and social issues.



Confirmation & Reception

The class also serves as preparation for adults seeking to be confirmed or received into the Episcopal Church which will occur on Sunday, May 5 during the Bishop’s Visitation to All Saints.

 All Saints Nursery Families



April Playdate

Saturday, April 13th

9:30-11:30

Chase Park Playground (4701 N Ashland at Leland)

Email John Dufour for more info on this group and how to connect at the playground:  john.d.dufour@gmail.com

CARING FOR THE CAREGIVER

Caregiver Connections

April 15 at 7:00pm

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.

Due to a musical event in the church, the group will meet in Suzanne’s office.

Coffee Hour is thriving and can only be improved by your help hosting!  

Please consider signing up to host Coffee Hour during the 2nd Quarter of 2024. This is a great way to contribute to the All Saints community and a fairly low lift.

You can find the sign-up HERE. 

Please feel free to reach out to Chad Kruse with questions. 

Thank you for considering and for making Coffee Hour the greenest, most sustainable it has ever been!  

Church Garden Day

Saturday, April 27 from 9am - 12 noon 

We could use your help to weed and mulch the Pollinator Garden; prepare the bed in front of 4546 for planting; and prepare the bed in the SE corner of 4546 for planting. If time permits we'll clean out the small bed that runs east and west along the sidewalk between 4546 and the Rectory. Bring your gloves and a garden tool. 

Please let Mark Ortlieb know if you plan to be there. MRO25@aol.com.

Earth Day Community Supper, Presentation, and Conversation

Monday, April 22

6:30pm Supper | 7:00pm Presentation

Come and share a sustainably-sourced Earth Day supper, followed by a presentation and discussion led by All Saints Green Team member and Bexley Seabury Seminary Professor Emerita of Theology and Liturgy, Terry DeLisio. Terry’s presentation, entitled “The Sacramental Imagination, Baptism, and Creation Care," will invite reflection and discussion about the connection between the sacramental life of the church and our baptismal calling to care for our sacramental earth.

SIGN-UP AND LET US KNOW IF YOU HAVE DIETARY RESTRICTIONS

APRIL IS EARTH MONTH



THE ALL SAINTS GREEN TEAM INVITES YOU TO REFLECT ON OUR ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT AND COMMIT TO FAITHFUL & POSITIVE CHANGE.

The goal of the All Saints Earth Month events is to foster awareness, education, and action around sustainability and environmental stewardship within our community and to inspire individuals to become actively engaged in building a greener, more sustainable church and planet.

APRIL EVENTS

All of April

Sock Collection for Smartwool Second Cut project.

Saturday, April 20 | 9am-12pm

Join Chicago Park District in parks across Chicago in picking up litter

Also, consider joining Ravenswood Neighbors at Ravenswood & Sunnyside (west side of Metra tracks) between 9am-12pm to grab a coffee, chat with neighbors, and pick up trash in our streets, alleys, and train corridors. The Ravenswood Neighbors Association will provide use of safety vests, trash pickers, gloves, and trash bags. Please wear comfortable footwear and clothes that you don’t mind getting dirty. If you have a student or a scout needing service hours, please bring them along and we will gladly sign their service hours form! Rain Day is April 21. see advert online

Sunday, April 21

Join us for an Earth Day liturgy with guest preacher,

followed by a festive coffee hour at All Saints!

Monday, April 22 | 6:30pm

Earth Day Supper, Presentation, and Conversation

If you plan to join us for dinner, please RSVP by Friday, April 19.

Wed, April 24 | 6pm (Zoom)

Join Pastor Scott Onque and Saint Luke’s Missionary Baptist Church to learn about the policies and bills supported by Faith in Place!

Thursday, May 9

Climate Action Advocacy Day with Faith in Place and other Environmental groups in Springfield! 

TO LEARN MORE AND REGISTER FOR EVENTS

DOWNLOAD THIS FLYER (PDF)

Let’s Make some Good Trouble!

United Power Action April 21 at 3PM

11801 S Indiana Ave. (In the Roseland neighborhood on the far south side.)

We will gather in the Parish Hall at All Saints at 12:30 PM for a light snack, overview of the Action, and to arrange shared rides.

At the Action, we will celebrate our progress and join with hundreds of other Chicagoans to hold the Mayor and City Council accountable for working with us to build more homes.

Together we have the power to make change in the world! Since 2019 All Saints has worked with other member organizations of United Power toward building 2000 affordable starter homes and Reclaiming Chicago Neighborhoods. 

For more info, contact Barbara: barbaramanley1@gmail.com

Sign-Up to coordinate rides. Invite a friend.

Save the Date! Mexico Outreach Sunday

Sunday, May 12

Padre Bayron returns to All Saints after his last visit in 2019!

Fifteen years ago, All Saints entered into a remarkable relationship with a young Episcopal (and former Catholic) priest in Mexico, Padre Bayron Chanchavac. Today, this gifted church leader heads a growing congregations in the city of Cuernavaca using strategies quite familiar to those of us here: tenacity of effort, using the skills and creativity of the congregation, and increasing the presence of the young people.

All Saints has remained a “Companero en Cristo” to San Pablo and Santisima Trinidad by including funds in its budget to support their missions. In addition, the generosity of the members of Todos Los Santos (All Saints) has allowed us to supplement Padre Bayron’s small Diocesan stipend.

Stay tuned for ideas of how you can join the “Efecto Mariposa” (Butterfly Effect) campaign, the All Saints Mexico Outreach effort to assist Padre Bayron and his visit.

 If you’d like to help the Mexico Outreach Committee, contact Jim Hanna at jhanna48@att.net.

All Saints volunteers at the Mobile Pantry

Saturday, April 13, 8 -11:30 AM

Join us as we volunteer as a group for RCS Mobile Pantry on Saturday, April 13. The volunteer time is from 8:15-11:30am, and in that time volunteers unload pallets of groceries from the Greater Chicago Food Depository, set up the pantry, and distribute groceries. This pantry operates, rain or shine, so volunteers are encouraged to come prepared for the weather.

Volunteers of all ages are welcome (volunteers who are 17 y/o and under must be accompanied by an adult.) It’s a terrific way to connect with other All Saints members and to support our neighbors in need. 

You can sign up here. 

We can only bring 15 volunteers so please sign up early. 

Ravenswood Community Services (RCS)

is looking for Tuesday Afternoon volunteers!

RCS is currently experiencing an historic increase in neighbors seeking assistance. If you've been thinking you might like to give volunteering with RCS a try, now would be a really great time. If you've tried volunteering in the past but were discouraged by full sign ups - please give us another shot! 

TUESDAYS:

Here are links to our upcoming dates:

April 16

April 23

April 30

We're also looking for volunteers who would like to join our 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

THURSDAYS: After School Pantries

We're looking for volunteers for our After School Pantries on Thursdays.

More information in the link: Thursday After School Pantry Sign Up 



The Ravenswood Run is fast approaching!

Sunday, April 28

The 28th annual Ravenswood Run is just around the corner! On Sunday, April 28th, our neighborhood will once again come together for this great community 5k event, which serves as a crucial fundraiser for RCS' food pantry and community kitchen.

Sign up to race HERE

VOLUNTEER

There are opportunities to participate as a runner, as a volunteer, or both, and whatever you choose directly supports RCS' mission of providing nourishment and assistance to those in need within our community.

Here are the ways you can help!

Pre-race: Post Tree Signs 4/20

Can you spare part of your day on Saturday the 20th, morning or afternoon, to help RCS post signs? This is truly neighborhood outreach as we want to avoid neighbors having their cars towed on race day! Click the link above to learn more.

Pre-race: Packet Pick Up 4/26 and 4/27

Race Day: Help with Race Operations 4/28

PLEASE NOTE: parking restrictions will be in place all along the race route and the City of Chicago will tow cars parked on the course race morning. Alternate parking for residents is available in a few private lots throughout the neighborhood. Cars parked in areas within the course will be unable to leave until the streets reopen, generally around 9:30am. Please visit ravenswoodrun.com for alternate parking information and a course map.

Help Shape the Future of Youth & Children’s Ministry

The diocese has retained Church Re-Imagined to conduct a listening process about the diverse needs, perspectives, and aspirations of the youth and families served by our diocesan youth programs. The listening process includes a survey, Zoom meetings, and in-person conversations open to all who would like to participate.

An online survey is open now through April 20 and is available in English and Spanish.

Online survey - https://tinyurl.com/epischisurvey

Virtual listening sessions on the evenings of April 16 and April 18 on Zoom.

In-person conversations on April 20 at St. Andrew's, Downers Grove.

To learn more & to get Zoom info CLICK HERE.

Music Among Friends

Bach Week Festival Concert at All Saints

Sunday, April 28 | 3:00 - 4:00pm

The Evanston-based Bach Week Festival, "one of the most beloved rites of spring in Chicago music" (Chicago Tribune) since 1974, has announced that its 50th anniversary season, April 26 to May 5, 2024, will be its last.

The Event at All Saints is free and open to the public; limited seating. 

REGISTER HERE FOR THE APRIL 28 CONCERT AT ALL SAINTS

TO SEE THE COMPLETE SEASON CLICK HERE

This concert is funded through a generous donation from parishioners Margaret and Bob McCamant.

Access Contemporary Music (ACM) Presents

Meditative Mondays

The first-ever Meditative Monday is at All Saints

Monday, April 15 at 6:00 - 7:00pm

$20 donation suggested

Ethereal Gratitude

Guided Meditation by Hannah Grove

Music performed by Seth Boustead

ACM invites you to take a moment to pause, breathe, and reflect on the things we’re thankful for. This mindfulness practice involves intentionally focusing on appreciating the good things in life, whether big or small.  

SAVE THE DATE: The Bishop will visit All Saints on Sunday, May 5.

Interested in being confirmed or received? Come to Episcopal 101 / 102 in April (see above) and / or talk to Courtney or Suzanne.

Facebook Livestream Team at the 11:00am Service

Audio: Dylan Masterson

Camera: Josephine Koo

www.allsaintschicago.org

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