I saw my first flakes of snow for the season yesterday morning!  Ah well!

It is that season.

Just wanted to update you on several events taking place these days:

First--our contractor Ron Young has poured the first bit of concrete--beginning to plug up that hole of ours in the North wall.  Here's hoping we don't see too much more cold weather!

Secondly--Susan and I are looking forward to hosting dinner for all of you this Saturday evening, 7:00, at the rectory (the brown house attached to the church).  Dress is casual, food and beverages will be plentiful.  We'll have ten minutes devoted to inviting all of us to invest and fund our ministries in the upcoming year.  (Woo-hoo!)  Then we'll return to eating and drinking and taking some time getting to know one another.  I'm hoping for a packed house.  We certainly have the food and drink to provide sustenance for many people!

Thirdly-- I'd love for you to mark your calendars for our Advent Quiet Day on Saturday, December 3 from 10 to 2.  Happily this day for contemplation coincides with our Children's Advent Camp.  How cool is that?  Your kids can explore the wonders of Advent in the parish hall while you grab some quiet time in the church.  And of course for those of us who do not have children--this is ALSO A GOOD TIME FOR US to spend a few hours in prayer before this crazy season consumes our lives!

Fourth-- When you return to worrying about Christmas shopping please know that we are planning a Child Care Day on Saturday December 10th. You shop--we take care of your children and raise some money for our operating budget.  

Finally-- I am assembling our search committees for our next Music Director and next Parish Administrator--if you'd like to serve on one of those groups please e-mail me at bonnie@allsaintschicago.org.  Our tentative timeline is to establish two search committees, share the draft job descriptions with committee members, establish a final job description and post our jobs right around Thanksgiving. We'll receive materials from interested candidates until December 1, discern who we'd like to interview, and begin interviewing people early December.  That's my hope.  We shall see what God has in store!

Wishing you an awesome Fall Weekend!

All my best,

Bonnie

P.S. Fran is on a much deserved week of vacation, so I'll be preaching and celebrating this Sunday.  Looking forward to seeing all of you.

All are invited to join Bonnie for dinner at the rectory on Saturday, November 12 at 7:00.

We'll have great food and plenty of beverages and we're hoping for lots of fun conversation along with 10 mins to talk about how to financially support our ministries, and lots and lots of time to hang out with people we know and meet some people we have not yet met.

Childcare will be provided.

Come along!

RSVP via the Facebook event here or email at stewardship2011@allsaintschicago.org.

Bishop Benito, his wife, Angelica, and his son, Eigner, will be in Chicago next month for our Diocesan Convention.  We are arranging an informal evening at The Bad Apple (4300 N. Lincoln Ave.) at 7:00 pm on Monday, November 14, so that All Saints' people (and a few others) can welcome them and enjoy one of The Bad Apple's gourmet hamburgers and maybe a glass of one of their numerous fine craft beers.

Please let Karen Howe (mexico@allsaintschicago.org) know no later than Friday, Nov. 11 if you'd like to join the group for dinner.

Learn how to keep our children safe from sexual abuse in the church and in our community.   Parents  of children and teens in our congregation are especially encouraged to attend.  This session is mandatory for anyone working with our children or youth (or hoping to in the future!), clergy, staff, vestry, and persons providing care to home bound members of our community.

This workshop will be facilitated by Jeanne Wirpsa, vestry member and certified "trainer" of the Episcopal Diocese of Chicago and by Norman Linde, social worker/therapist who has worked extensively in this area.

Please register by Wednesday, November 9, 2011 so we can have adequate materials available.  For further information & to sign up contact:   Jeanne.wirpsa@gmail.com or 773-316-6936 (cell).

All children 4 to 9 years old are invited to join in our "Saturday Camp" day for Advent - We will celebrate the beginning of this liturgical season with songs, prayer, stories, games and crafts that help us think more about how we prepare for the coming of Christ. We will begin in the Parish Hall (1757 W. Wilson) at 10:00am. Friends and neighbors (4 to 9 years old) are welcome to join us. Simple lunch will be included. We are asking for a $5 fee per child to cover the cost of lunch and materials. 

If your child wants to attend, please R.S.V.P. to Polly Tangora (773-878-7118 or polly@allsaintschicago.org) as soon as possible as we only have room for 20 children. We will not be able to accept reservations after noon on Wednesday, November 30th. 

Adults (parent or not) willing to help with the day would be most welcome- please let Polly know if you are available to help. There is also room for some 9+ children willing to assist.