It is called “Taste of Chicago”, a ten day festival of food, music, art and people gathered in and around the lakefront of Grant Park. Some 70 restaurants and some 3 million people are present over the ten days

leading to July 4.

It is a collection of all sorts and conditions of people. It is a wonderful snapshot of Chicago.

It will have stiff competition this year from the “Taste of Benson”, a much lesser known but every bit as significant event taking place in Chicago the same weekend. There will be a grand variety of food, a wide array of entertainment, and plenty of storytellers. It is actually known as the Benson Picnic, an annual summer Sunday gathering of my mother’s mother’s family which began in the mid 1950’s.

For the last several years, we have offered an Evening Prayer service at 5:30 p.m. every Tuesday. Those who gather for the prayers have numbered in twos and threes. We never need worry about violating fire code with standing room only crowds.

The summer months bring us an opportunity to see some new faces in the liturgy. Summer always means that vacations take people out of their usual roles from time to time, and new faces appear leading us in our weekly celebrations of thanksgiving to God.

Brittany Love, Pastoral Intern

The shape of the Church is changing and we’re still not sure what the future will hold. The average person is less attached to their denominational identity and is comfortable hopping from one religious tradition to another. Because of this, it is important for clergy to be informed about the variety of religious expressions. This is one reason why I’m glad to be at Duke Divinity School.

Greetings from Summerville, SC. As I write this catch up note to the family of All Souls I am completing my third week of Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE). I am working at Roper Hospital as a chaplain this summer in order to fulfill the required CPE component of my seminary experience. It sure is Hot!!!

I grew up in Summerville and have really enjoyed being back at home. My parents still live here and I have taken back my childhood room for the summer.