When I first walked into the Church of the Spirit Chicago, I was struck by a deep sense of calm and curiosity. Above the podium, the words "The Word God is All and in ALL" seemed to glow with purpose, as if speaking directly to my heart. The air carried the scent of freshly cleaned wood and vacuumed carpet, and the walls were adorned with sunflower art—a symbol of light and connection. The cool, smooth red cherry wood seats invited me to sit and stay, while the blue spiritual hymnal book peeked at me from the pocket of the seat in front.
I wasn’t sure what to expect from my first All Messages service, but the packed room of individuals, families, and friends of all ages, genders, and ethnicities were refreshing. With so many people eager to connect with Spirit, there was an undeniable buzz of excited energy.
The service began with four readers taking turns delivering messages from Spirit to each person in the congregation. Consent was a cornerstone of the experience—each reader began by asking, “May I come to you?” or “May I come to your vibration?” This simple act of respect set the tone for a safe and sacred space.
When it was my turn, I stood nervously, unsure of what to expect but open to whatever Spirit had to say. The messages I received were personal and deeply moving. One reader described a tall male relative with a flair for dressing up—this was unmistakably my uncle, who brought people together with his charisma and charm. Another described my grandmother, who lovingly reminded me that I could always talk to her.
A third reader painted a vivid picture of my ancestors standing in a semi-circle around me, swaying and singing, encouraging me to embrace my connection to Spirit and to protect it by sharing it only with a trusted few. The final message came from a male spirit with a golden ring, a white suit, and a personality as vibrant as his attire. He urged me to draw strength from his stories and lessons, a gentle reminder of the wisdom that lives on through memory.
The accuracy of these messages left me in awe. These readers didn’t know me or my family, yet their words resonated with an undeniable truth. My uncles, my grandmother, and the ancestors they described felt so vividly present that it brought me a sense of peace I hadn’t felt in a long time.
The Sunday prior, Interim Co-Pastor Elizabeth Cichocki delivered a sermon that deepened my understanding of what I had experienced. She spoke about how spirit communication sets Spiritualism apart from other religions. This direct connection with Spirit, she explained, helps us overcome the fear of death. Our bodies may return to the earth, but our souls—the essence of who we are—continue to live on as Spirit.
Interim Co-Pastor Cichocki reminded us that in ancient times, those who communicated with Spirit were elevated to positions of priesthood. Today, Spiritualism teaches that everyone has the ability to connect with Spirit—it just takes effort and practice. She encouraged us to maintain clarity in our own lives, to establish systems of communication with Spirit, and to trust in our ability to receive and interpret messages.
As someone who has recently lost family members and has been grappling with the natural aging of loved ones, the thought of death has been heavy on my mind. The All Messages service and Interim Co-Pastor Cichocki’s sermon gave me something invaluable: hope. Hope that my relationships with my loved ones don’t end with their physical departure. Hope that I can strengthen my connection with them through daily practices. And hope that death is not an end but a transformation.
I left the 'All Messages' service with a renewed sense of purpose, inspired to cultivate my own spiritual gifts and to embrace the beauty of continuity of life. Spirit communication has not only helped me process my feelings about death—it has shown me that love and connection truly transcend realms. To anyone who might be feeling the weight of loss or the fear of the unknown, I encourage you to explore the sacred art of spirit communication. It’s a gift we all have the potential to unlock, and it holds the power to bring comfort, clarity, and an unshakable sense of peace.
Check out This Week's Sermon from Interim Co-Pastor Elizabeth Cichocki