We are moving forward with the work of CROSSwalk.

On Tuesday evening, May 29th at 6:00 at the Thompson Center--our friends from St. Sabina's RC have invited us to join them for a Peace Rally that is part of the the Violence Prevention-- "I Care Week".  I see this gathering as a way for us to move forward and continue our work with CROSSwalk.  When people from all parts of the city come together it draws the city's attention to the inordinate amount of violence taking place in our city and affecting our young people.  Please join me for an hour on Tuesday evening, standing in solidarity with Pam Bosely and Annette Holt and all of the mothers and fathers who have lost their children to violence.

Secondly, I wanted to let you know that we have created a summer staff position to focus on moving forward with the work of CROSSwalk.  This position is being funded in part by reallocating $1000 from our outreach budget to CROSSwalk and by a number of private donations--which have totaled up to enough money to ask Jack Clark to take on this position full-time for the summer months.  This may just be a summer project for Jack or it may turn into a full-time position it all depends upon how much funding we can raise from external sources.  In the meantime--please be on the look out for more opportunities to get involved.

This Sunday is Pentecost and we have a few little ones being baptized so please wear red and join us for a beautiful Sunday!

All the best,

Bonnie

Oh and grill a few burgers and brats and rejoice in the beginning of yet another summer!!!

Word came in last week from Bishop Joseph Garang Atem of an attack by militia troops inside Renk Diocese on May 15. The troops came across the Nile River from the west and began shooting. South Sudan army troops posted in the area pushed them back, but during the fighting five civilians and five soldiers were killed. Many others were seriously injured. The militia has been targeting returnee camps and many children are lost. "But by the grace of God, they will be found."

The returnees are southern Sudanese who fled from the south to the north during the 21-year civil war. Since the country split in July 2011, and South Sudan separated from Sudan, southerners have been returning to their homeland,and many of them have found refuge in Renk.

Please keep praying for peace.

Mark your calendar for Saturday, June 23, when the Greater Chicago Food Depository steps off for its 27th annual lakefront Hunger Walk rally to raise money and awareness for hunger relief in our community.  Hunger Walk will take place at Soldier Field again this year.  Registration begins at 7:00 a.m., and step-off is at 8:30 a.m.

100% of the funds raised by RCS walkers will go directly to the purchase of food for our Tuesday night Food Pantry and Community Kitchen.

Learn more about the event, how to register, and RSVP on the Facebook event page HERE. 

Comin' way up da bayou for Gumbo Stomp: Guest Chef Extraordinaire Kevin Henry and friends!

On Saturday, June 9th, Gumbo Stomp means jambalaya! For our 4th annual benefit to rebuild New Orleans and the Louisiana coastal wetlands, friends from our partner organization Bayou Grace will be on hand to stir the pot.  Last year for the first time we allocated some of the Stomp proceeds to help the area south of New Orleans, which has suffered not only hurricane devastation, but also extensive unnatural land loss and the havoc of the BP oil spill. And on our work trip last fall, we visited the area to see first-hand what a bayou is and get our hands in the mud, planting stabilizing wetlands grasses on reclaimed land, way down in Bayou Lafourche. Our Louisiana friends were amazed to learn about Gumbo Stomp and volunteered to come make sure we all get to sample their traditional fare; and they'll get to check out our terrific local band, the Midway Ramblers.

Don't miss this special evening, right here in the Parish Hall from 6:30 to 10:30 p.m. $25 gets you great music and food plus dance instruction (optional!) and the chance to help. All proceeds benefit Jericho Road Episcopal Housing Initiative of New Orleans and Bayou Grace. Tickets available for purchase on the All Saints' website, or click the "buy now" button below! For info, please see Barbara Dufford or Joey Sylvester or write: gumbostomp@allsaintschicago.org. To volunteer (oooh, we'd love you to volunteer!), please contact Lucy Jenkins at lucy.jenkins@mac.com. MERCI!

                      Tickets: $25   

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.