It's been a bitter-sweet week here at All Saints'.  Holy Week and Easter were amazing, event-filled and provocative.  However, the typical joy I  experience post-Easter has been tempered by  Fred Nagaro's death.  His passing is a loss that is hard for me to put into words.  Instead of words, I invite all of you to please come and join Ruth and his children at his memorial service on Saturday May 5th.  There will be visitation at All Saints' from 10:30 am to 12:30 and then we'll gather for a Eucharistic Celebration of his life at 12:30 that day.  Following the worship service Mary Roberts (e-mail) and Connie Wilson (e-mail) will be coordinating a reception so please contact either one to find out how you can assist.  

If you find that your weekend plans are looking a bit thin, I invite you to join me this Saturday for a dance party in our parish hall.  Rumor has it that we will be celebrating someone's 50th birthday.  I'll be there--as I have heard that the playlist will include many many songs from the 80's.  

Sunday we'll gather to hear one of my most favorite passages from scripture: John 20:19-31, "Doubting Thomas".  His doubts always give my faith a boost.

I look forward to seeing all of you at some point during the course of the weekend.

All the best,

Bonnie

PS  - we'll have another candidate for Music Director "auditioning" for us this Sunday.  So please remember to fill out the surveys.

In celebration of her birthday, we will have cake (chocolate, of course) during the 10 am coffee hour.  Also during coffee hour, all are invited to sign an impressively large card for Bonnie.  It seems a half a century of life deserves a large card full of birthday greetings! 

You are invited to celebrate with family, friends and sisters and brothers in Christ, as Anton and Kevin seek the church's blessing on their twelve years together. 

Fiesta reception immediately following at El Mariachi, 3906 N Broadway, 60613. 

To RSVP for the reception, please visit  www.holyunionofkevinandanton.com

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.

Do you LOVE to go to WORK every day? Do you know how to turn your STRENGTHS and PASSIONS into a CAREER? If you are unemployed or underemployed or just want to spend some time thinking about what you want to be when you grow up, please come to the Jobbing America "Interview to Win" boot camp hosted at All Saints, including a WORKPLACE STYLE assessment, iPOWER personal brand building steps, five personal VIDEOS, and a terrific opportunity to learn how to GET THE JOB you want. All for just $139 for the April session (regularly $279). Only 10 spots left, REGISTER NOW by calling or emailing Laura Youngberg at (773)-816-3606 Laura@jobbingAmerica.org.

April 19th Thurs (evening 6-9pm) and continues April 20th Fri (day 8-5pm)
May 17th Thurs (evening 6-9pm) and continues May 18th Fri (day 8-5pm)

Sunday, April 22, 10-11, Parish Hall. 

Celebrate Earth Day by joining our rector, Rev. Bonnie Perry, as she reflects on the "thin" places in nature and our lives where the Holy breaks through.

 "What Really Matters?"

Evolutionary biologist, Edward O. Wilson says, "For the Naturalist, every entrance into a wild environment rekindles an excitement that is childlike in spontaneity [and] often tinged with apprehension..." He goes on to say that every such experience reminds us of "the way life ought to be lived all the time."

The ancient Celts had a similar belief-there are places in this world that are so "thin" we can readily see through them and experience the Holy.  I believe that paddling is one such wild environment that brings us face to face with what really matters in this world-call it sacred, call it Holy, call it God-whatever we choose to call it-it really matters. 

When Bonnie isn't at church she is coaching, guiding and leading people in the world of sea kayaking.  She holds certification in the American Canoe Association, the British Canoe Union,  and Paddle Canada.  She guides and coaches regularly for Naturally Superior Adventures in Wawa, Ontario, Sea Kayaking Cornwall in Falmouth, UK, Rutabaga, WI, Riverside Kayak Connection in MI and several other companies throughout the country. 

Here's the link to a paddling retreat Bonnie will be co-leading in Baja with Ginnie Callahan one of the top kayaking coaches in the country: http://www.seakayakbajamexico.com/womens.html.

I publish the Banns of Marriage between Elizabeth Anne Lee and Edward Torrence Bird, IV.  If any of you know just cause why they may not be joined together in Holy Matrimony, you are bidden to declare it.  This is the first (second and third) time of asking. 

In the early 1700s, Alexander Pope wrote "To err is human; to forgive, divine." Yet we continue to struggle with what it means to forgive and to be forgiven. The subject of forgiveness is often complicated and ensnared in misunderstanding.  

Join Marjorie Thompson, a gifted teacher and retreat leader, on April 27 & 28 in Kenilworth, to gain a deeper understanding of the nature and practice of forgiveness and learn how to cut through some of the confusion surrounding it. Learn more about the workshop here.

Are you a newer All Saints' member who would like to become part of our ministry or a long time participant who has wondered about joining our group but just hasn't known how to join?  We are presently seeking new folks to bring diversity to our group, contribute to a comfortable environment in which to worship and perhaps most vitally right now, to increase our ranks so that our very devoted group members don't have to serve quite so often!

As Liturgical Ministers, we serve in a variety of roles, including Ushers, Scripture Readers, leaders of the Prayers of the People and Chalice Bearers. We are in pretty desperate need of ushers right now, at both the 9 and 11 services.

Training is provided. If you are interested in helping with this important ministry to our parish, please contact Kathy O'Donoghue, Liturgical Minister Coordinator at liturgicalministers@allsaintschicago.org