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Dear saints,
I first stepped foot on U.S. soil on July 4, 2001 to begin a nine-week stint as the summer chaplain of Camp DeWolfe on Long Island, N.Y. I can remember being picked up at LaGuardia Airport by the camp bus and being shuttled down the Long Island Expressway, or as locals called it during its protracted construction, "the big LIE." That summer was a wonderful blur of camp traditions (all new to me), trips into the city, and the beginning of what is now a 23-year chapter of life.
The memory that remains most pristine of all was on that first night. The camp had arranged for the camp staff to go out on a boat on the Long Island Sound for the evening and into the night. We bobbed up and down in the water among a small fleet of fishing boats, many festooned by the warm glow of hanging lanterns, as fireworks lit up the sky as far as the eye could see. It was utterly magical—all of this to celebrate the gift of freedom.
It is easy to take freedom for granted. On the boat that night were several staff members from Poland and Czechia, just about old enough to remember life under communist rule. For them, freedom was newly found and with the great European voices for democracy their respective countries had offered to the world—Lech Wałęsa and Václav Havel—still ringing in their ears, their lives knew well the sound that freedom makes when it is spoken of from a deep place of longing and fulfillment.
"For freedom Christ has set us free," is Paul's word to the nascent church in Galatia. Paul is insistent, at pains really, that those first followers of Christ would know the freedom their life was now being beckoned into, in Christ. The nature of a free life in Christ has of course been the subject of theological debate ever since. The answers we might encounter within the wide diversity of Christian thought on all sorts of matters of freedom is testament to the fact that the freedom Christ has set us free for is more a matter of yearning than certainty.
As our nation celebrates freedom this July 4 weekend, perhaps our calling as followers of that Christ is to be among those who yearn more than we seek to be right; who choose to step forward with faith more than we attempt to prescribe the future with certitude. To be in Christ is to subject ourselves to the freedom of a mystery. It is also to discover in that mystery the ground of our hope, not bounded by nation or people or place, but within the love of God.
I hope you add a beautiful memory of your own of light dancing in the night sky this weekend. As you see that light, I pray that you will hear the deep that calls to deep, drawing you further into that Kingdom of God where all people shall be free.
Peace,
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Seventh Sunday after Pentecost
Sunday, July 7, Church
Weekly Service Times
- 8:00 a.m. (Traditional Language, No Music)
- 10:00 a.m. (Contemporary Language, Choral Music)
- 5:00 p.m. The Welcome Table (Contemporary Language, Contemplative Music)
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PARKING: Overflow parking is available at the Bank of America—please enter on North Ave. Please request an additional validation ticket from an usher in the church narthex upon arrival or exit. Use both validation tickets upon exiting the Bank of America parking deck to park free of charge. | |
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Stump the Organist
Now through Sunday, August 11, 9:50 a.m. – 10:00 a.m., Church
Our summer prelude begins at 9:50 a.m. in the summer. Come request your favorite hymns, as played by our new Director of Music, Scott Lamlein and our Associate Director of Music, Justin Maxey!
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Music Moments in the Courtyard
Sunday, July 7, 11:15 a.m. - 12:00 p.m., Kennedy Courtyard
Kids and kids at heart are invited to meet Emily Halbert, our new Director of Children and Youth Music in the courtyard for a musical craft or musical moment after the 10:00 a.m. service throughout the summer. Get ready to get creative and make some musical moments together
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Flat Jesus Summer Activity
As you travel near and far, be sure to participate in our Flat Jesus Summer Activity! Pick up your Flat Jesus bookmark in Ellis Hall along with instructions to submit your photos of Flat Jesus from around the world! You can also visit allsaintsatlanta.org/flatjesus for the same in digital form.
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Jesus on the Front Page
Sundays, 9:00 a.m. - 9:45 a.m., Parish Hall 307
Our summer schedule offers a great opportunity to try Jesus on the Front Page! In this all-ages class, we explore what it means to live as faithful people in today's world drawing on scripture, our tradition, our experiences and the news of the day. E-mail Clark Lemons (clemons@emory.edu) if you have questions!
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The Welcome Table: Sunday Evening Worship Service and Dinner
Sundays at 5:00 p.m., In the Chapel and Ellis Hall
Before your busy week begins, the Welcome Table is a place to join with others and find rest and refreshment. Come to the Welcome Table: a service of piano and singing, prayer (together and in ways that speak to us individually), and communion. A community dinner for all participants follows the service.
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Greetings, saints! This past Sunday at All Saints’, we held three worship services at our Midtown Atlanta campus: one at 8:00 a.m., a second at 10:00 a.m. and a third at 5:00 p.m. (our evening The Welcome Table service).
At our 9:50 a.m., we kicked off our 10:00 a.m. service with our beloved musical prelude, Stump the Organist, this week played by our Director of Music, Scott Lamlein. Be sure to make your requests throughout the summer via our Facebook page comments (facebook.com/AllSaintsATL) and on our brand new YouTube live stream (youtube.com/@AllSaintsATL) on Sunday mornings!
At that same service, our Senior Associate Rector for Program, The Rev. Dr. Andrew Barnett, spoke of the need to release control of outcomes, especially in challenging circumstances. He illustrated his sermon by describing his experience with leading music at the 2024 General Convention of the Episcopal Church, concluding that even when things don't go as we hoped, we can be assured that God is with us through it all.
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Following that service, All Sorts, our parish's LGBTQIAA+ and friends group for formation and fellowship, hosted a Stonewall Brunch in honor of the anniversary of the 55th anniversary of the Stonewall riots. The event featured a wonderful panel discussion moderated by parishioner Ryan Washington that featured Jacob Clifton Albritton, a parishioner and Major Gifts Officer for the Movement for Black Lives and Abby Drue, Executive Director and CEO of The Ben Marion Institute For Social Justice, Inc.
The conversation was rich and wide ranging, during which, Albritton spoke about their personal experience as a nonbinary person and their professional work advocating for Black queer liberation. Meanwhile, Drue shared her experience, having been on the front lines of social justice advocacy in Atlanta over decades, and the role that her Jewish faith plays in that work. Ellis Hall was packed as parishioners and several new faces listened to the conversation while enjoying a tasty breakfast buffet.
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We would love to get to know you! Our community looks forward to you joining us for upcoming services and events throughout the year! For more information visit allsaintsatlanta.org/calendar | |
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🎵 In the Good Old Summertime 🎶 It is good to make an offering to All Saints' Atlanta! Please make a gift today:
All Saints' offers easy ways to pay your pledge or to make a gift:
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Online at allsaintsatlanta.org/give
- Mail a check to All Saints’ Church, 634 W. Peachtree St., Atlanta, GA 30308
- Put a check or cash into the offering plate during the services
- Text to Give: text AllSaintsAtlanta to 73256
- Gift stocks or securities
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Please give generously to our All Saints’ offering plate, in-person and online via the button below: | |
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To make an Offering today or pay your pledge,
click the Give Now button above. And visit us online at allsaintsatlanta.org/give.
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Novel Theology >> Meets one Wednesday a month on Zoom from 7:00-8:00 p.m.. Click the link above to learn more and register.
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Registration for 2024-2025 Children's and Youth Choirs is NOW Available!
Children's Choirs (PreK-6th Grade) begin Wednesday, August 21, and the Youth Choir (Grades 7th-12th) kick-off is Sunday, August 25. E-mail Emily Halbert, our Director of Children and Youth Choirs at ehalbert@allsaintsatlanta.org if you have any questions! Register via the following link: bit.ly/2024-2025-ASEC-CandYMusic
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Choir 101
Wednesdays, August 7 and 14, 6:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m., The Music Suite on the lower level of Egleston
Our Associate Director of Music Justin Maxey is offering a two-week course in sight-singing and basic vocal production for those who are interested in singing in the choir but have limited experience. Join us for this opportunity to give choral singing a try! For more information, e-mail Justin at jmaxey@allsaintsatlanta.org.
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Join the All Saints’ Choir!
The All Saints’ Choir is a welcoming group of adults that love to sing. Yes, it is a very talented group, but don't be afraid! This is a fabulous community in which to learn while making music alongside seasoned professionals! For more information, contact Scott Lamlein, our Director of Music (slamlein@allsaintsatlanta.org) for details.
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Education for Ministry (EfM)
This is a program for lay persons who want to deepen their spiritual understanding of our faith. Over four years, we cover Old and New Testaments, church history and contemporary theology with a curriculum prepared by the Theology School at Sewanee. Small groups (generally fewer than 10) allow for group discussion and to develop our personal responses to issues facing us and the Church today. For more information or to join an existing group, call or text Steve Hines at (404) 323-0601.
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Men's Spirituality Group
Tuesdays in spring, 7:00 p.m. - 8:15 p.m., online via Zoom
A new Men's Spirituality Group has formed! This small group invites anyone wanting to growth in faith and male friendship to join them by Zoom the first three Tuesdays of the month and in person at All Saints on the fourth Tuesday of the month. To RSVP please e-mail Stan Hitron at shitron@gmail.com. To participate via Zoom, please visit allsaintsatlanta.org/links and enter password “AdultFormation2024”.
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Covenant Men of Hope Breakfast
Sunday, July 28, 9:00 a.m. - 10:00 a.m., Ellis Hall
The Covenant Men of Hope are preparing a breakfast for the All Saints' community to enjoy at 9:00 a.m. on Sunday, July 28. Donations are welcome—all proceeds will go to the Men of Hope.
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Save the Date: Annual Parish Retreat at Kanuga Conference Center
Friday, September 27 - Sunday, September 29, 2024, Kanuga Conference Center
Save the Date to join the All Saints' Parish for a weekend of fun and fellowship at Kanuga in Hendersonville, N.C. Registration and more information will be available in May.
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Weekly Children & Youth Formation
Nursery/Little Saints: Birth-Pre-K, 9:30 a.m. - 11:30 p.m., 1st floor of the Pritchett Center
Children’s Church: Children's Church takes a break during summer. Please join the parish in the church for worship services.
Children Formation: Children's Formation takes a break during summer. Please join the parish in the church for worship services.
Youth Formation: Youth Formation takes a break during summer. Please join the parish in the church for worship services.
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Registration for the 2024-2025 Children and Youth Choirs is available!
Children's Choirs (PreK-6th Grade) begin Wednesday, August 21st, and Youth Choir (Grades 7th-12th) Kick-Off is Sunday, August 25th. Email Ms. Emily at ehalbert@allsaintsatlanta.org if you have any questions!
Please click on the link to register: Children & Youth Choir Registration
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Peeps in the Pew
Children and youth are invited to join Ms. Emily, Ms. Kathy, and Luke and sit together during the 10:00 a.m. service throughout the summer. Find us each Sunday towards the right side of the church!
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Youth Ministries’ Special Summer Events
We are on Summer break but that doesn't mean the fun at All Saints' stops! Be on the lookout for emails about our Special Summer Events. If you have any questions please reach out to lnolfa@allsaintsatlanta.org.
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Bridge of Light Service Event
Saturday, July 13, 11:00 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.,
East Point, GA
Join us in our work with Bridge of Light, providing services and dignity to individuals experiencing homelessness in Atlanta by utilizing mobile resource centers to offer showers, hygiene kits, and clean clothing.
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Young Adults Picnic Brunch
Sunday, July 14, 11:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m., Ross Room
Come enjoy a delicious catered meal and lively conversation with the All Saints' Young Adults'. All are invited—whether you are looking to connect for the first time, reconnect after a long while or keep connections going! Childcare is available upon request. For more information, please contact our Young Adult Coordinator Tasia Blair at youngadults@allsaintsatlanta.org.
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Young Adult Fellowship Online!
Are you in your 20s or 30s and interested in fellowship, discipleship, and service? Reach out to Tasia Blair at youngadults@allsaintsatlanta.org to receive our monthly newsletter, get added to the WhatsApp group chat and find out what events we have coming up!
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SERVICE AND SOCIAL JUSTICE | |
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Save the Date: Threads Uniform Giveaway
Wednesday, July 17 – Saturday, July 20, 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. each day, Ellis Hall
The 3rd Annual Threads Uniform Giveaway is coming soon! Here is how you can help us get ready:
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Purchase socks and underwear: we need socks for boys and girls in sizes small, medium and large AND underwear for boys and girls in sizes 4T – 16. Please make all donations for the Uniform Giveaway by July 14, 2024. You can purchase items please via the Threads Amazon Wishlist: bit.ly/ASECThreadsJune2024
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Volunteer your time before, during and after the Uniform Giveaway! Register to volunteer at allsaintsatlanta.org/threads, by clicking the orange “Serve Now” button!
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Read The Faith and Justice Collective's
June Newsletter
The June issue includes the following highlights:
- Juneteenth Commemorations in Atlanta
- Faith & Justice Collective to Sponsor Sunday Luncheons
- Answering the Question: “What Can I Do?”
- All Sorts Welcomes Parishioners to PRIDE Month Events
Click here to sign up and receive the newsletter delivered to your inbox
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Click the image above to view our "thank yous" to parishioners from various staff members. We appreciate the ways you serve our parish community! | |
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Photo Sharing at All Saints’
The Communications Team invites you to submit photographs of All Saints’ events via e-mail for inclusion in forthcoming publications, newsletters, monitor feeds and on social media accounts. If you have content to share, please send photographs via e-mail to communications@allsaintsatlanta.org in .JPG or .PNG formats.
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Connect with us on Realm!
Learn more >> Don't forget to join Realm, our new platform for online giving, directory, and event registration.
Questions? Please contact Betsey Gibbs at bgibbs@allsaintsatlanta.org.
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