This Sunday we will again have our Africa Bake Auction--a world changing extravaganza--that enables us to raise an inordinate amount of money to give to sisters and brothers in Southern Sudan.  All of our open plate offerings, that is everything not marked for pledge 2012, will be directed toward our friends in Sudan.  So I invite you to bring your checkbooks, credit cards and cash--knowing that every dollar you offer will offer hope to the children and people in Sudan.

I've attached a letter from Bishop Joseph thanking us for all that we have done.  How cool is it--that we and our children know and get to interact regularly with a Bishop and a chief from halfway around the world.  I am blown away by the connections we have created and the tangible change our generous contributions have brought forth.  I'll be preaching and bidding on Sunday and looking forward to all of you bidding right along with me.

All my best,

Bonnie 

Dear Brothers and Sisters of All Saints,

Greetings to you in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

I am thinking of you warmly, remembering my visit with you last fall. Chief Bior also sends his greetings to you. I again want to say how important All Saints' partnership is with the Diocese of Renk.

Dr. Paul and our midwife and all the staff at the clinic depend on your support for the humanitarian needs in general and specifically for the salaries for the clinic. The people of Geiger now have a restaurant to support those who work in it and create jobs for the people in the town. Because your support of St. Peter, there will soon be a large fenced vegetable garden with an irrigation pump to produce food for the people of Geiger and the restaurant plus the nearby villages.

I am grateful and thankful for Sister Reverend Bonnie's continued support of Renk though difficult times knowing that all of us are children of God and He loves all of us. She is a strong and faithful leader for you.

We in Renk are blessed by your weekly prayers and concern for peace and safety in Southern Sudan.  Fr. Isaac, the priest at St. Peter, and I ask for your continued care and concerns of our people.

In peace and with many blessing,

Bishop Joseph Garang Atem

SOOOO MANY DELICACIES, SOOOO LITTLE TIME!

In just one short hour, Sunday morning, February 26, between 10 and 11am in the parish hall at All Saints' the youth and children are presenting their annual spectacular bake auction

Some of the best bakers in the congregation have stepped up this year to produce a BOUNTY of delicacies.  Long secret family recipes are being employed and new creations invented to make this year's auction an all time record breaker. 
And we will be able accept credit cards (Visa, Master and Discover) in payment for your purchases.

Though not guarenteed to be diet friendly, you can eat any of these products knowing that in doing so you have helped to make life better around the world. And, have won the admiration of our children for your generosity.

The children have decided that the money raised this year will go to our companion diocese of Renk in the Sudan,  to support a doctor and a midwife, to finish the fence around the garden that our donations began last year, to provide tuition for students to continue their schooling and support a family of children who have lost their parents in the fighting along the north/south border.

What we need now is your support!  This is how we teach our kids that WE CAN make a difference in the world.

Can we possibly beat the record for money raised last year??

Can we do all this in only 1 hour? 

Hard to believe it's possible. But come and see it done!

Join us on Wednesday evenings from March 7-April 4 for a simple soup supper and a time of contemplative prayer. We'll eat together at 6:00 and then move to the church at 7:00 for a half hour of prayer and silent meditation, utilizing Celtic prayers from the Iona Community. 

We'll be done by 7:30 for those heading to choir practice or EFM. Please feel free to join us on any or all of these evenings. If you are able to RSVP, we would be very appreciative! Joining us? Questions? Contact Kathy O'Donoghue at kmeod713@mac.com. 

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!

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.

Would you like to assist All Saints' in getting our message out and about in the community?  

We are looking for someone who'd be interested in reconstituting and leading a communication's committee. 

Let Bonnie know if you might be interested.

All Saints will include a dramatic reading of Christ's Passion at the 9:00 and 11:00 services on Palm Sunday, April 1.  If you would like to participate in these readings, please send an email to Juleigh Ruby at jmruby23@aol.com.