Dear Friends,

That was a Holy Week for the ages!

I was moved by how deeply we all entered into the week with beauty--glorious music led by our outrageously talented Colin, choir, and musicians; gorgeous poetry and scripture; art and vestments that shifted with the week--and with our whole selves, with waving palms, the laying on of hands for healing prayer, kneeling to wash feet, allowing our feet to be washed by another with warm water, kneeling before the cross, staying up late to hear our salvation history then shouting "Alleluia!" and ringing bells at the Easter Vigil, and then Easter joy with brass, so many spring flowers, and a rousing "Hallelujah Chorus" sung by all after each service.

As I reflect upon the week and the power of it, I am aware that it requires a giant swath of us to dedicate our entire selves to making it happen: folks who serve as singers, acolytes, bread bakers, Sunday school leaders, organists, worship committee members, readers, catechists and sponsors, ushers, buyers of champagne, altar guild, AV team, storytellers, flower waterers, hiders of Easter eggs, hangers of disco balls, parish clean up crew, preachers, violinists and trumpet players, play list creators (was "Celebration" played at the end of the Easter Vigil? Why, yes, yet it was), liturgical set designers, launderers, stage crew, light designers, party planners, fire builders, dog pool water removers (what did you think we used to baptize adults at the vigil?), dish washers, and on and on.

How amazing to be part of a church where so many dedicate themselves to making sure everything is stunning, fabulous, solemn, joyful for our gathered community and everything worthy of the God we love and who loves us.

I can't imagine a better Holy Week, a better place, a better community. And if you feel the same, well, you might consider two big things: joining the Episcopal Church through confirmation or reception when the Bishop comes on May 5 and coming to one of the Community Conversations we've got planned April and May (look for your email today). You can learn more about both below.

See you in church!

Faithfully, Suzanne+

EPISCOPAL 101 & 102

3 Wednesdays in April

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

BELONGING | BECOMING | BELIEVING

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.

SAVE THE DATE

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.

Be on the lookout for your invitation to one of these conversations. If you can't make the date to which you are invited, you can come to the other one.

The All Saints Book Club

Thursday, April 11 at 7:30pm

The Spirit Catches You and You Fall Down: A Hmong Child, Her American Doctors, and the Collision of Two Cultures by Anne Fadiman.

“Superb, informal cultural anthropology–eye-opening, readable, utterly engaging.” ―Carole Horn, The Washington Post Book World.

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.

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!  

All Saints Green Team

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.

Wednesday, April 11 | 2pm (Zoom)

Igniting the Advocate's Heart: Spirituality in Nature & Creation Care

Saturday, April 20 | 9am-12pm

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

Sunday, April 21

Join us for an Earth Day liturgy with a guest preacher,

followed by a festive coffee hour at All Saints!

Monday, April 22 | 6:30pm

Earth Day Supper, Presentation, and Conversation

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.

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 9

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 



Our Neighborhood 5K 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. This event relies on lots of volunteer power and local support in order to raise as much money for RCS programs as possible.

Here are the ways you can help!

Pre-race: Post Tree Signs 4/20

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

Race Day: Help with Race Operations 4/28

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 6:30 - 7:30pm

$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: Megan Turnquist

Camera: Mark Piroch

Facebook Greeter:

www.allsaintschicago.org

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