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Dear saints,
They say that a pilgrimage is all about the journey - 'the way' - rather than the destination. Following the cancelation of our flight home from Croatia last Sunday morning and at about 90 minutes into a three-way call with United Airlines and the '24 hour help desk' of our travel agent, that sentiment was ringing in my ears. It's the journey that counts. Although we got home two days later than planned, had that journey home not encountered that bump on the road, we would never have had the opportunity to spend an evening as a pilgrim band in Bavaria, Germany. I wouldn't have met the man who introduced me to the lady who runs the bakery in Erding outside Munich, who asked her colleague to call a taxi to get the remainder of our group to the airport, whom Uber had left behind. Yes, it takes a lot of human endeavor to get All Saints’ moving, wherever we may be! None of those chance encounters would have taken place. Neither would our group have had the memory of running in the rain to get back to our place there, or hustling through Newark airport to the gate before it closed for our final flight home.
Take a left instead of a right on the journey, and you can end up meeting your future spouse, or the person who a few weeks from now will offer you a job. Life really can feel that random. If I had not decided to apply for a scholarship for a year of graduate studies at Harvard, my entire life from my late 20's onward would have been different. Where might you be right now if you had chosen the other path?
I have never been a big believer in the idea that God has a plan for our lives. Neither have I tended to be someone who thinks that God is a cosmic puppet master, somehow pulling the strings of reality so what is meant to be is indeed what happens. I have never believed that everything happens for a reason, instead I believe things just happen. Good things and bad things: things we welcome as pleasant surprises and fulfilled hopes, things that fill our hearts with fear and dread, and a whole host of other things in between.
The journey is not about getting where God wants us to go, but about being who God wants us to be while we travel. The Christian life may look like it amounts to a series of rules for the road - 'love your neighbor', 'forgive your enemies', 'tend to the sick and the weary' - but it is actually the discovery of what First Timothy calls 'the life that really is life'. It is the becoming of who God already knows us to be. We just need the journey - whatever it is like and wherever it takes us - to make that discovery for ourselves.
Our digitally inclined 21st century version of hubris presents the mistaken notion that we are meant to make that journey by our own steam. The life we are invited to live in so many and varied ways in our contemporary world is the self-authored life. Be the author of your own destiny. It's a mirage, of course, tied to social and economic status more than any capacity we may or may not have for self-actualization. It is also a fraudulent claim. We cannot write our own script any more than we can for the world we live in. We can, however, learn how to speak of ourselves and of others through the language of the God of love. We can learn to see the world - with all of its chances and changes - through the lenses of mercy and grace. And we can start to see in our own reflection something of the image of God, the resemblance of a life God already loves and welcomes in from the moment our life begins.
So, yes, it is the getting there that counts. I pray that you will know the Holy One as your faithful companion and shining light along the way your life will lead you. May the road rise to meet you, and may you arise to meet the road.
Peace,
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Fifth Sunday after Pentecost
Sunday, June 23, 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. Get a validation ticket upon entry from an usher. 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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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 Associate Director of Music, Justin Maxey. 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!
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At that same service, our Minister for Public Life, the Rev. Natosha Reid Rice, explored the life of Opal Lee, known as the “Grandmother of Juneteenth” to illustrate the core of her message: that God’s promises may be delayed, but are never denied. You can watch the sermon here! And special thanks to Kristin Birkness, a member of our Photography Guild, for contributing photography to this section.
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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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Walk in love, as Christ loved us…
Make an offering to All Saints' today.
allsaintsatlanta.org/give
Or leave a check or cash in the offering plate.
Thank you so much!
Have questions about Giving at All Saints'?
Contact Ellen Hayes, Director of Development, ehayes@allsaintsatlanta.org -
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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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Education for Ministry (EfM) Celebration Sunday
Sunday, June 30 from 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m., Church
EfM is a program for lay persons who want to deepen their spiritual understanding of our faith. All Saints has more than 400 EfM graduates, and we will celebrate four more on EfM Celebration Sunday, June 30 during our 10:00 a.m. service.
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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 (slamlein@allsaintsatlanta.org) or Associate Director of Music, Justin Maxey (jmaxey@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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Embodied Beloved Community: A Pilgrimage along the Civil Rights Trail for Truth-Telling, Training and Transformation
Sunday, June 30 at 12:00 p.m. to Sunday, July 7 at 4:00 p.m., Various Locations
All Saints’ parishioners are invited to join this pilgrimage, which is being hosted by St. Paul's (Atlanta) and Grace Church (Brooklyn Heights, NYC). It begins on Sunday, June 30 in Tennessee and continues over eight days through Mississippi, Alabama and concluding in Georgia. Space is limited, so register today at episcopalatlanta.org/event/embodied-beloved-community
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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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All Sorts’ Stonewall Brunch
Sunday, June 30, 11:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m., Ellis Hall
You are wanted and welcome to attend the conversational brunch we call "Stonewall: A Call to Action, Then and Now." Brunch will be provided as a panel-style conversation between Episcopalian experts in the fields of trans-inclusivity and environmental activism reminds us why we get to celebrate PRIDE month.
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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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