Dear Friends, 

I asked last week but I’ll ask again today: Are you All in at All Saints!?!

As always during the start of our program year, there is A LOT going on at church. That means the newsletter is LONG but please take time to scroll down to make sure you’re not missing anything!

Some highlights of what’s coming up:

• Next weekend is the All In / All Saints weekend with lots of activities on Saturday and the all-parish photo on Sunday. PLEASE RSVP so we have enough games, drinks, and food!
• Church school returns THIS Sunday; there is a gentle entry for NEW Atrium I students next weekend.
• This Wednesday Annie Logue and I will discuss how she brings her faith, life and work together. We had over 60 folks at our August discussion with Tina Tchen. You don’t want to miss our discussion and the chance to ask questions and have your own discussion afterward!
• It's the beginning of September, but October has lots to recommend it, including beginning Wednesday night Centering Prayer and loads of five-week Small Groups to deepen our relationship with God and one another.

You can read more about all of these things in the newsletter below but PLEASE RSVP NOW for our All In / All Saints weekend and get your peach fuzz (or complementary color) to wear for the parish photo.

Friends, there is real division and fear and loneliness in the world. This past week we faced, again, the scourge and terror of gun violence, here in our own city on the Blue Line and a school shooting in Georgia. We can feel hopeless in the face of such tragedies, wondering if there are any solutions.

The only bulwark I know against hopelessness and isolation and fear is connection: strong, faithful, resilient, and loving communities that support one another and work for good in the world. I think that describes who we are and who we want to be. I’m all in here, and I know you are, too.

See you in church!

Faithfully, Suzanne

Kids, put on your wondering shoes; our church school is ready to welcome you to a new year of exploration, questions, and discovery!

Church school reopens this Sunday, September 8, for older and returning students. Next week, on Saturday, September, 14, new Atrium I students (ages 3 to 6) are invited with their grown-ups to a gentle atrium introduction, and officially start church school the next day.

Parents put on your scheduling shoes.

See the Formation Section below for our all-age church school reopening schedule.

Home goods for arriving refugee family are due this Sunday.

See info below in Social Justice & Outreach.

Coffee Hour & Sparkling Sundays are back from Summer Vacation! 

Church school is back in session and temperatures are dropping.

It’s time to reconnect in the parish hall between Sunday services.

Coffee Hour at 10am on Sundays

Please consider signing up to host coffee hour from now through December. You can bring your own flair, be it simple or lavish. This is a great parish service that invites us to connect and receive community hospitality.

ALL SAINTS | ALL IN weekend

We need extra hands next Sunday!

Sign up HERE. Thank you! Contact Chad Kruse with questions.

Church School Re-opens!

Grown-ups, you'll need your scheduling shoes for this part:

Sunday, September 8

• Atrium I: 8:45–10 a.m. and 10–11 a.m.
• Returning students only, ages 4–6

• Atrium II: 10-11 a.m.
• New and returning students, ages 6–9

• Atrium III: 10-11 a.m.
• New and returning students, ages 9–12

Saturday, September 14

• Gentle introduction to Atrium I, 9:30–11 a.m.
• New Atrium I students, ages 3–6, and their grown-ups

Sunday, September 15

• Church school classes for all age groups

If you have a child age 3 to 12 who would like to join our no-cost church school program for the first time, simply email Polly Tangora, children's formation coordinator, for information and to register.

Faith, Life, & Work series

THIS Wednesday, September 11

Interview with parishioner Ann Logue

Ann Logue (rhymes with vogue) is a writer specializing in business and finance. She is the author of five books on investing including Day Trading for Dummies (Wiley 2007; 5e 2024), and she has written for Business Insider, Entrepreneur, and Alternatives Watch, among other publications. She lives in Chicago and holds the Chartered Financial Analyst designation.

Centering Prayer at All Saints

Begins Wednesday, October 2 at 7:00pm

"Silence is God's first language" (St. John of the Cross)

Join practitioners of centering prayer on Wednesdays in the Reading Room at 7 pm for 20 minutes of centering prayer, followed by an optional time of discussion.

Interested in learning more? Doors open at 6:45 for those who would like instruction in and more information about silent prayer.

"Centering Prayer is a receptive method of Christian silent prayer which deepens our relationship with God, the Indwelling Presence … a prayer in which we can experience God’s presence within us, closer than breathing, closer than thinking, closer than consciousness itself" (Contemplative Outreach).

Get Ready! October Small Groups are Coming!

Refugia at All Saints

At the Annual Meeting, Suzanne talked about All Saints as a refugia, a small place of thriving during a crisis--ecological, political--that can endure and expand to nurture new life around it. During our Community Conversations we continued to discuss and practice ways that All Saints can be more deeply and strongly connected to God, one another, and our neighborhood. Small groups nurture those connections.

.

Small groups will meet for five weeks and provide time to share where you have experienced the holy, read the Gospel for the upcoming Sunday, and to discuss what is real in our lives. Some of the groups will have a particular focus, such as an age group or interest. Sign up begins next Friday, September 13.

Questions? Contact Suzanne at suzanne@allsaintschicago.org.

NEWCOMER LUNCH

Sunday, September 22 at 12:30 pm

Join us for a casual luncheon, conversation, and a chance to learn more about All Saints and ways to continue connecting with our community.

Are you new to All Saints? Are you interested in meeting other newcomers and learning more about our community? If yes, please join us for our next Newcomers lunch. We’ll gather in the parish hall for a casual luncheon, conversation, and a chance to learn more about All Saints and ways to continue connecting with our community. 

Please RSVP so we can plan food accordingly.

If you have any questions, please contact Courtney at courtney@allsaintschicago.org

RSVP HERE

All Saints Book Club

Thursday, September 12 at 7:00pm on Zoom

All Saints Book Club

Thursday, September 12 at 7:00pm on Zoom

Tomorrow, Tomorrow, Tomorrow by Gabrielle Zevin

“Whatever its subject, when a novel is powerful enough, it transports us readers deep into worlds not our own. That’s true of Moby Dick, and it’s certainly true of Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, which renders the process of designing a great video game as enthralling as the pursuit of that great white whale….There are…smart ruminations here about cultural appropriation, given that the game, Ichigo, is inspired by Japanese artist Hokusai’s famous painting The Great Wave at Kanagawa….It’s a big, beautifully written novel about an underexplored topic, that succeeds in being both serious art and immersive entertainment.”

—Maureen Corrigan, NPR’s Fresh Air

If you are not a regular attendee, email Mike Burke at mebcat@gmail.com for a meeting invite.

Caregiver Connections

Monday, September 16 at 7:00pm

The next meeting of Caregiver Connections, our monthly support group for caregivers, will be held on Monday, September 16, at 7 p.m. in the Reading Room. 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.

Hey All Saints! Are you ALL IN?

We're kicking off our return to the program year with a Saturday celebration. 

Saturday, September 14

Games begin at 4:30pm | Pizza Dinner at 6:00pm | Disco Dance Party at 7:00pm

Save the Date and join us on Saturday, September 14 for an All Saints party that includes an All Saints Live Band followed by a DJ Dance Party. There will be Games, Pizza, PhotoBooth, and more.

Let us know you’ll be attending so we can make it ALL IN Perfect for you!



RSVP HERE

ALL SAINTS | ALL IN Parish Photo!

Sunday, September 15

Which Hue are YOU? Wear your Pantone Color-inspired outfit on Sunday, September 15 for the Annual All Parish Photo. So many hues, so little time (to choose).

The 2024 color is Peach Fuzz which has been described as "a velvety gentle tone whose all-embracing spirit enriches mind, body, and soul." Could it be more perfect?

Speaking of ALL IN - are You IN the Parish Directory?

2nd Annual Parish Directory Update

It’s time for our second annual Breeze (our secure directory database) update.

Please complete the UPDATE survey (button below) by Tuesday, September 10.

Thank you for helping us to update our database. Questions? Contact Courtney: courtney@allsaintschicago.org.

LEARN MORE ABOUT WHY THIS IS IMPORTANT

All Saints Refugee Volunteer and Donation

All Saints was fortunate to have the Rev. Jason Mohn from Exodus World Services as our guest preacher on Sunday, August 18. We are now starting to collect items for a welcome kit and to offer hospitality to a refugee family to the United States.

Shopping List LINK:

https://signup.com/client/invitation2/secure/34541198051/false#/invitation

You can shop for many items right now. Other items will become necessary once we are matched with a family.

• Please make sure to list your email address.
• All items should be new.
• Bring your items to church and place them in the Reading Room by Sunday, September 8.

Parishioner Annie Logue is leading this effort and would love to hear from you with your questions: annielogue@gmail.com.

Download the INFO Sheet (button below) to learn more on how you can welcome a refugee family with radical hospitality.

"Thank you so much for all you do. Those of us whose ancestors migrated from Europe were probably settled with the help of local churches. We’re just paying it forward.

-Annie

THANKS TO ALL WHO CONTRIBUTED

Back to School Drive for Ravenswood Elementary School

Thanks to everyone who so generously donated to the “Back to School Drive” for Ravenswood Elementary School. All Saints provided our neighborhood school with all the items requested including over 20 backpacks, countless school supplies such as notebooks, markers, and crayons, pipe cleaners and modeling clay for crafting, and over 100,000 sheets of copy paper, enough to rise to 40 feet! And lastly, the students’ request for “tween” feminine hygiene products was honored with a large quantity of these items. These contributions will help get the school year off to a great start!

Spirits Of Ravenswood

October 18, 7-11pm

An evening of local beer and spirits tastings to benefit Ravenswood Community Services' food pantry and community kitchen.

The Spirits of Ravenswood is RCS’s biggest fundraiser of the year!

Great food, delicious local beverages, music, dancing, fun & games in an incredible neighborhood space.

Tickets for this party include food, tastings of locally crafted beverages, an open bar, and lots of fun!

We hope you'll join us!

Register now and get a great deal on tickets

to our favorite party of the year.

VOLUNTEER AT RAVENSWOOD COMMUNITY SERVICES (RCS)

TUESDAYS:

Click to Volunteer Hub! 

RCS is also looking for volunteers who would like 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.

Episcopal Charities Autumn Soiree

Friday, September 27, 2024 – 7 pm

Epiphany Center for the Arts – Chicago

The Bishop of Chicago and the Board of Trustees of Episcopal Charities warmly invite you to the Autumn Soiree – a celebration of and commitment to the work of Episcopal Charities throughout the Diocese of Chicago! Ticket prices start at $25 because we want as many friends to be present with us as possible. So come and enjoy a night of eating, dancing, merriment, spiritual inspiration, and commitment to our faith as we support works of love and hope in the Diocese of Chicago.

Visit www.aesbid.com/ELP/SOIREE24/ to purchase tickets!

If you have any questions about the Autumn Soiree or would like us to reserve tickets for you, please email us at: info@episcopalcharities.org

Ashland Bus #9 Extension with stop at Hermitage!

As of this past Tuesday, the #9 Ashland bus now has extended service to the Ravenswood Metra stop. This service includes a stop just across the street from church on the northeast corner of Wilson and Hermitage. (The bus makes its westward return to Ashland via Lawrence). Please be aware of new bus stop signs around our neighborhood and if you commute to church via CTA, you have a new option to reach us.

Please Note: Parking will be limited on Wilson this Sunday!

Annual Thirsty Ears Festival.

Access Contemporary Music invites you to their annual THIRSTY EARS FESTIVAL

September 7, 2:00 - 11:00 PM

September 8, 1:00 - 9:00 PM

LEARN MORE

Chicago’s only classical music street festival returns for its ninth year!

For two days Wilson street between Hermitage and Ravenswood will be closed to feature stellar ensembles and soloists performing classical music from all eras on the main stage. There will be beer & wine, vendor booths, kid-friendly activities in Kidzone and food trucks on both days.

Chicago's Favorite Neighborhood Run Returns

The 29th annual Ravenswood Run returns to our historic neighborhood! 

Sunday, April 27, 2025 | Registration is open

We invite you to support All Saints & RCS 

whether by running, walking, cheering, or volunteering

The Ravenswood Run was started by dedicated parishioners/runners in 1996 to raise money for the parish-run food pantry, now RCS. It has grown into a beloved annual run, one of the only neighborhood 5K runs in the city. Open to all ages with special events for kids 10 years old and younger.

The next vestry meeting will be on Tuesday, September 17 at 7:00pm. Vestry meetings are open to parishioners. To see the most current Vestry Minutes click here.

Facebook Livestream Team at the 11:00am Service

Audio: Megan Turnquist

Camera: Mark Piroch

www.allsaintschicago.org

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