Dear Friends, 

In a summer that has been filled with political strife both in our country and around the world, what beautiful breath of fresh air it has been to get to watch the Paris Olympics. It has been a chance to see countries normally at odds with each other competing peacefully and respectfully. A chance to cheer on our favorites: Simone Biles, Katie Ladecky, Snoop Dogg. And a chance to marvel at all of the amazing things human bodies can do. 

As we continue The Bread of Life Discourse, bodies are at the forefront. Last week we heard the story of 5,000 bodies, gathered together and fed by Jesus. Suzanne asked us to gnaw on Jesus, the prophet and king who feeds his people, but also so much more than that because he feeds with his own body, not just with bread.  

This week, those well-fed people are still following Jesus, asking many questions. How can they do the work of God? What work is Jesus doing in the world? We still find ourselves asking these same questions centuries later. What does it look like to work for the bread from heaven in Chicago? Where do we find God working in our lives? If we have learned anything from the Olympics, it is that work can look like a lot of different things, even taking a rest while you wait to hop on a pommel horse.  

If you find yourself gnawing on these questions, but are still hungry for more, look out for our series on Faith, Life, and Work, starting August 14^th, where we will hear from the people of All Saints about how their faith impacts all parts of their work and lives. 

See you in church!

Peace, Bryan

Gnaw On This!

Sermon series on the Bread of Life

For five Sundays--July 28 - August 25--we will engage the "Bread of Life Discourse" in the sixth chapter of John. Each week a different preacher will gnaw on a passage from the discourse.

This week parishioner Bryan Matias preaches and offers our Dear Friends letter.

Liturgical Minister Training - Summer 2024

Saturday, August 24 | 10:00am - 12:30pm

Training. Prayer. Reflection.

A late Summertime gathering for All Liturgical Ministers and All interested in becoming Liturgical Ministers. Do you assist on Sunday mornings? Reading, praying, acolyting, chalice bearing, ushering, altar guilding? Would you like to assist but want to learn more before committing?

Questions? Please reach out to Suzanne, Colin, or Courtney.

All Saints Book Club

August 8, 7:30 pm (on Zoom)

Last Summer on State Street by Toya Wolfe

“[A] powerful novel…. Tragic, hopeful, brimming with love, Wolfe’s debut is a remarkable achievement.” — New York Times Book Review

“I can’t stop thinking of Toya Wolfe’s novel Last Summer on State Street. Filled with both tenderness and tragedy, this moving tale of friendship and family pulls us into a corner of America too long neglected and scorned. Wolfe writes with such grace and such restraint, I felt like I was sitting on the front porch listening to a story told by a friend. What a spectacular debut.” — Alex Kotlowitz, author of An American Summer

The All Saints Book Club meets on the second Thursday of the month at 7:30pm on Zoom. If you are not a regular attendee, email Mike Burke at mebcat@gmail.com for a meeting invite.

Faith, Life, & Work series

Wednesday, August 14, 7:00pm

at the All Saints Annex (O’Shaughnessy’s Pub: 4557 N Ravenswood Ave)

We Kick off our Faith, Life, and Work series

with an interview with parishioner Tina Tchen.



Tina Tchen is an Executive Vice President and Chief Strategy and Impact Officer for the Obama Foundation. At the Foundation, she is responsible for leading the development and implementation of the Foundation’s strategy. Tchen also oversees the Girls Opportunity Alliance, the Obama Foundation program that works to empower adolescent girls around the world through completing their education.

Tchen is an attorney, activist, and lifelong advocate for women and girls. She served in the Obama White House through both terms, and was an Assistant to President Barack Obama, Chief of Staff to First Lady Michelle Obama, and Executive Director of the White House Council on Women Girls. At the White House, Tchen spearheaded the first-ever White House Summit on Working Families, helped form the White House Task Force to Protect Students from Sexual Assault, and led the Administration’s effort to promote education for adolescent girls worldwide, including Mrs. Obama’s Let Girls Learn Initiative. 

Prior to the White House, Tchen practiced law for 23 years at Skadden. At the firm, she was a corporate litigation partner, chaired the pro bono committee, and was a long time leader of the American Bar Association’s Section of Litigation.

Connect (online) at All Saints this summer!

We invite you to join us on the All Saints Social Distance Collective Facebook page. 

Summer is a great time for All Saints members to find new ways to connect and get to know one another better. If you're planning an event and want to invite All Saints folks, you can post it on the Facebook page and/or send the information to edward@allsaintschicago.org for publication in e-news. 

Recently Posted Invites include:

Educators Group invite

A group of educators met earlier this year to simply connect and chat about life in the role of an educator. We are looking to meet again sometime before August 19, when Chicago Public Schools educators return to the classroom. Please take a look at the Doodle poll below. Once we have an idea of a date we can decide whether we head out to a local establishment for food and beverage or if someone will host at their home.

Doodle Poll

P.S.- The definition of educator is loosely anyone who is in a role that imparts knowledge to others or supports that process. This can include higher ed, public, and private teaching and tutoring.

Connecting Conversations

Saturday, August 10 from 9am - 11am

RSVP by Monday, August 5

Join us for the third community conversation to get to know one another, share our hopes for our lives together at All Saints, and to dream about our future. Daycare provided.



If you missed the first two sessions and would like to participate in a shorter 3rd session, SIGN UP HERE.



Farm Bar Supports Ravenswood Community Services!

Ravenswood Community Services (RCS) is honored to be one of Farm Bar's charity partners in their quarterly "Giving Tuesday" program.

Every Tuesday from July to September, when dining at either Farm Bar location, you can let your server or bartender know that you’d like to donate 20% of your bill to one of their featured local charities, like RCS! (Please pick us.)

The food is amazing. And they have a rooftop...just sayin.

All Saints volunteers at the Mobile Pantry

Saturday, August 10, 8:15-11:30am

Join us as we unload pallets of groceries from the Greater Chicago Food Depository, set up the pantry, and distribute groceries. This pantry operates rain or shine, so please 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. Contact Courtney if you want to know more.

You can sign up here. 

Please note: 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:

Check out the new RCS Volunteer Hub! 

This page will feature all available upcoming Tuesday volunteer opportunities with RCS. Bookmark it for easy access to available spots without searching through your inbox for newsletters!

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.

"Vote Faithfully" Election Resources

The Episcopal Church’s Office of Government Relations offers resources to help Episcopalians“Vote Faithfully” during this election year, as well as how to respond to political violence and train in civil discourse. 

Learn more about getting "souls to the polls" and find resources, including downloadable bulletin inserts, online.

TONIGHT: First Friday, August 2 | Gallery Reception

5:00 - 8:00pm

Artist Talk at 7:00pm

The Crisis Tapes Gallery Reception

Filter Photo: 1821 W Hubbard St, Suite 207

In conjunction with West Town First Fridays, join others for a gallery reception for The Crisis Tapes, a solo exhibition of work by Chicago-based artist, and All Saints parishioner, Charlie Simokaitis, curated by Allie Haeusslein. In The Crisis Tapes, the artist grapples with his daughter’s gradual loss of sight and its reverberant impact on his family's psyche. Charlie will be joining the reception and will speak about his work at 7:00pm. The talk will be live-streamed to the gallery Instagram for those unable to join in-person. 

Learn more about the artist, the exhibition, and his book.

New Mailbox in front of the Church

& New Mailing Address for the Rectory

Have you noticed the new mailbox in front of the church? It was skillfully built by Bill Ziska, husband of parishioner Barbara Manley. Thanks Bill! Our resident architect Doug Renkenberger designed the mailbox; many thanks to Doug. And it was expertly installed by Lou Cordero, our wonderful maintenance man. It’s a great addition to the All Saints campus. 

There are now separate addresses for the Rectory (4548 N. Hermitage) and the church administrative office (4550 N. Hermitage). Thanks to Stephen Christy for getting official approval for the address changes.

The next vestry meeting will be on Tuesday, August 20 at 7:00pm in the Reading Room. Vestry meetings are open parishioners. To see the most current Vestry Minutes click here.

Facebook Livestream Team at the 11:00am Service

Audio: Kuo Tye

Camera: Lelia Fry

www.allsaintschicago.org

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