I wonder: have you noticed that the birds are back singing at dawn?  Not that I'm up all that often at that hour, although the few times this week I have been awake I was really struck by hearing their morning chirps.  Listening to them somehow always gives me hope.  I suppose some of it is  the darkness moving to light and the Winter giving way to Spring, that sort of thing.  But mostly I think I'm just impressed with any entity that can sing that early in the morning.  I think, "OK, if you can sing I can get myself out of bed.  I can prepare the piece I've been avoiding.  I can get going on this life of mine and know that the rest of creation is doing the same."  Those are the thoughts that cross my mind when I get myself up.  And then other days I just roll back over and miss the whole thing!  And so it goes.  Each day we get another try.  

This week if you feel the need this is what's going on here at All Saints:

On Sunday we'll be blessing the new foundation of the North Wall of the sanctuary.  A new foundation that has come into being because of your incredible generosity and our contractor and architect's passion and knowledge.  We'll also be rededicating our newly reinstalled handicap ramp!  

That afternoon, on the 12th, we'll have an opportunity to hear and enter into the entire Gospel of Mark.  It's a terse Gospel, ripe for the telling and Juleigh Ruby and friends will offer it to us in its earthy entirety from 3:00 to 5:00.

The All Saints Youth Group will be meeting from 3:30 to 7:30 and our diocese will be celebrating the feast of Absalom Jones, the first African American priest of the Episcopal Church at 3:00 at St. James Cathedral.  So there is lots and lots of very good opportunities to pray and get a renewed sense of God's work in our world.

By way of fun, don't forget to sign up for Bowling Madness on Sunday afternoon February 19th.  The cost if $50 and is a fundraiser for Ravenswood Community Services--our community kitchen and food pantry.  (That's a ladies only event!) Guys RCS is looking forward to planning a similar activity.  Talk to Fran for how you can make that happen!

Also it's Mobile Pantry weekend so please join Fran Holliday and Liz Embler over at the Ravenswood School Parking lot at 8:30 this Saturday to assist with feeding many of our neighbors who are hungry.

So there you have it--lots to do--lots to chirp about--as we get out of bed each morning.

All the best,

Bonnie

If you didn't take Bonnie up on her invitation to read the Gospel of Mark, you are off the hook.

Experience the action-packed Gospel of Mark brought to life as Biblical storytellers from the Chicago-area Prairie Wind Guild, including our own Juleigh Ruby, ­­­­­­­­­tell it by heart. Mark is about the length of a feature film. Admission is free but a collection will be taken to defray expenses and continue the work of the guild, which is to "encourage everyone to learn and tell Biblical stories."  Please spread to word to neighbors, friends, and nearby churches.  This is an event not to be missed!

Would you be willing to bake a casserole for a family who has had a new child? What about giving a ride to someone who can't otherwise make it to church? 

If you are interested in serving the All Saints' community, please join the Care Database! Send your email and phone number to care@allsaintschicago.org. When a need arises, you will get an email and information on how to help. 

Just one visit, one meal, one ride can make all the difference in the world to someone who needs it! Thank you!

Karen Howe will be around this Sunday to recruit volunteers for the spring Coffee Hours (March-June).  

Please check your calendars and plan on signing up for one or more dates.  If you've never hosted Coffee Hour, think about giving it a try.  It's easy: you get complete instructions and a reminder when  you are scheduled, and it is very much appreciated by all. 

Did you participate in the Cathedral Shelter Christmas Basket program this year? If so, there's a thank you note for you; look for the box by the snacks at coffee hour. Questions? Talk to Annie Logue.

The process for deciding how the funds are distributed all resides with the Level III kids. The Friends of Sudan make a presentation to the kids before the bake auction. They know they have a list of projects, students, salaries, etc. to decide to choose from and a goal to meet. Initially when the program began, if giving to an international organization, they kids would research how much overhead each group charged and make their donation to the most cost effective group in their preferred category. This past year, the list presented to the Level III kids was for $14,000 to potentially be distributed to the following:

* $3,000 Fencing project for the vegetable garden that provides produce for the people of St. Peter Parish/St. Barnaba 

and the restaurant that All Saints' built

* $2,500 Salary for the midwife at the Renk Clinic

* $3,000 Salary for Dr. Paul at the Renk Clinic

* $1,000 To buy bricks for building Renk High School

* $5,000 Tuition for students of the Scripture Union Club in Arua, Uganda

The kids decided unanimously to fund all of these projects - that all funds raised would support our commitment to both Renk and to the kids' tuition in Uganda. Over $23,000 was brought in from all of the generous donations! The additional funds went for refugee relief as the Southern Sudanese left the North following the South becoming a new nation.

Education, medical care and adequate food supplies are at the top of the needs list. As Ambassador Paolo Fulci, president of the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) has pointed out, "Education is the key to development. Quality basic education, as well as secondary and higher education, vocational training, and skill acquisition throughout life are indispensable tools to eradicate poverty."

The Friends of Sudan have recently heard from the sponsor and assistant head master at Nile High School where the Scripture Union Club kids attend school. Again, $5,000 was given to support education via tuition reduction last year. Over 30 students were helped last year with tuition support. Currently the next term has begun and some students don't' have enough funds to pay. However, the school has let them begin, knowing that the annual bake auction at All Saints' is at the end of this month. The school is acting in good faith that our generosity will again help support the future leaders of their villages and country.

So, please sign up to bake something and then come and bid on something equally wonderful to take home knowing that YOU'RE making a big difference to our brothers and sisters in Africa. 

Yes, another All Saints' bowling event... but this one's different.

Come for fun night out with the ladies and raise some money for a good cause!  Proceeds benefit Ravenswood Community Services.

Tickets are $50. Games, shoes, food, and beverages all provided. Space is limited. 

To sign up, contact Liz Embler, Fran Holliday, or Lori Gee. You'll be glad you did.   

The Fail Club is a chance to admit to or devise a goal which may seem impossible, or at which you have already failed. Perhaps you are a hippopotamus and want to learn ballet? This is a place to voice a hope and, regardless of success, receive encouragement. We shall not fear failure, in fact we will befriend it together. 

Fail Club has its first meeting face-to-face at Intelligentsia Coffee at 3123 N. Broadway (walking distance from the Belmont and Wellington El stops) on Friday March 2 at 7:00pm. All are welcome, feel free to bring a guest!

Where: 4958 N. Troy, apt. #2

Albany Park neighborhood. Parking on Troy and Kedzie.

Your host: M.K. Victorson and Rob, Charlie (age 5) and Poppy (17 mos.) Lentz.

Please RSVP to M.K. if you think you can come:  mkvictorson@gmail.com

All Saints' is hosting a monthly "Interview to Win" Boot Camp offered by the nonprofit Jobbing America Foundation.  This one and a half day workshop helps unemployed and underemployed participants identify their strengths and passions, refine their interview skills and develop a personal brand to communicate the best they have to offer to potential employers.  Each participant also makes five video presentations and receives individual coaching and peer group feedback to improve their presentation skills.  The "Interview to Win" Boot Camp will maximize your strengths, help you build an interviewing strategy and provide a forum for you to practice with your peers.  Our workshop will positively, absolutely, and dramatically increase your chances to land the job of your dreams.  

There is a maximum of 15 participants per month, so early registration is encouraged.  The full workshop cost, including 12 hours of training and two meals, is $279, and there are scholarships available for those who need it the most and can afford it the least.  Register online at www.JobbingAmerica.org, or contact Laura Youngberg at Laura@JobbingAmerica.org to learn more about the program and possible scholarships. 

Program Dates:

March 15 (6-9pm) - March 16 (8am-5pm)

April 19 (6-9pm) - April 20 (8am-5pm)

May 17 (6-9pm) - May 18 (8am-5pm)

More than 600 of our young people have been murdered since 2008.  As a faith community, we need to help do something about it.  Representatives from All Saints', St. James Cathedral, and the Diocese are leading a group of churches and community organizations from the Chicago area for CROSSwalk, a four-mile procession across the heart of the city to remember children we have lost and connect participants with opportunities for action.  

CROSSwalk takes place on Monday, April 2, and promises to be a moving way to begin Holy Week.  It will step off from St. James Cathedral, proceed through the Loop and stretch across the city to the lawn outside Stroger Hospital, with stops along the way at Daley Plaza and Old St. Patrick's Church.  At each stop we will lament the loss of our young people and-- importantly--commit ourselves to efforts that protect children and mitigate violence in our communities.  Please join us for all or part of the procession.  Buses will be available for those who require transportation along the route.  For more information or to sign up, visit  www.crosswalkchicago.org.