Dear saints, 

Primo Levi, Holocaust survivor, called that terrible era "an event without witness." There is a wall between those who suffer greatly and those who seek to understand that suffering, but cannot. It is one of the great tragedies that when we lose a loved one, especially one lost to suicide, that it is impossible to truly know another person's pain. 

So how do we find God amid such things? Some have suggested that suffering on the scale of the Holocaust, of the Rwandan genocide, of all such truly dreadful acts of evil, are events that mean we can no longer bear witness to a God who loves. They mark the death of that sort of God. Perhaps the death of God altogether. 

Yet, the message of Good Friday is that pain and loss and destruction somehow make their dwelling at the very heart of God. The One whom we call Love, Light, the Beloved now suffers. The Creator faces annihilation, the very contradiction of the first words of Genesis, "In the beginning, God created..."

In Elie Wiesel's Night, the account is relayed of a child who is hanged while the other prisoners are made to watch. "Where is God?" one of the prisoners asks as they watch the young boy struggle in awful torment. "He is there," Wiesel hears a voice well up inside of him, "hanging on the gallows." 

Today is a day when a way lies open for us to dwell with the thought that somehow, in the great mystery of the Incarnation, God dwells in solidarity with those who suffer. God abides with those who abide at the corner of death. If nothing else, when we look at the cross, we know that in our darkest hour we are not alone. 

May you take comfort in that hope, and may we all pray for the day when God's peace will reign upon the earth.

Peace,

THIS SUNDAY

Easter Sunday

Sunday, March 31, Church

Weekly Service Times*

• 6:00 a.m. The Great Vigil of Easter in the Church (Contemporary Language, Choral Music) 
• 8:00 a.m. in the Chapel (Traditional Language, No Music) 
• 9:00 a.m. in the Church (Contemporary Language, Choral Music) 
• 9:00 a.m. All-Ages Service in Ellis Hall (Contemporary Language, Choral Music) 
• 11:15 a.m. in the Church (Contemporary Language, Choral Music) 

PARKING: Overflow parking is available at the Bank of America—get a validation ticket upon entry. 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.

NOTE: The Great Vigil of Easter begins in Kennedy Courtyard. The rain location for the start of The Great Vigil of Easter is the Church. 

NOTE: The Church Office will be closed the week of April 1 through April 5. 

Easter Day 

Sunday, March 31 

• 6:00 a.m. - The Great Vigil of Easter in the Church 

• 8:00 a.m. - Holy Eucharist Rite I in the Chapel 

• 9:00 a.m. - Festival Holy Eucharist with Children's and Youth Choirs (Ellis Hall) 

• 9:00 a.m. - Festival Holy Eucharist with Adult Choir and Brass (Church) 

• 11:15 a.m. - Festival Holy Eucharist with Adult Choir and Brass (Church) 

NOTE: There will not be a The Welcome Table service at 5:00 p.m. on Easter Day. 

Share Your Thoughts: Future Of Our Block Town Hall

The town hall style conversations about the future of our block are complete. Now, we encourage you to contribute to the Future of Our Block survey. Also, we encourage you to sign up for one of several home gatherings (Home Gatherings Sign-Up) and to take the Future of Our Block survey (Future of Our Block Survey).

Here we are saints! Welcome to Holy Week at All Saints’ Episcopal Church! Our Palm Sunday worship began with a “Procession of the Palms,” starting on the steps of our church. On this day, we marked Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem. We then proceeded together, from the church doors, palms waving, led by a donkey (thank you, Lester and his handlers at Little Red Barn), into worship services in Ellis Hall and the church.

Then this week we hosted a Holy Week Speaker Series, called Faith in a Time of Heartbreak: Israel and Palestine (Monday, March 25 - Wednesday, March 27, 12:00 noon to 1:00 p.m. each day, in Ellis Hall). This Holy Week, we were drawn into a land that is in turmoil and at war today. Our Holy Week Speaker series focused on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Spiritual leaders from different perspectives, with a deep knowledge of the area guided us through what is happening and what it means to be people of faith and reconciliation in this time of war.



Our roster of speakers were:

• The Rev. Canon John Peterson, former Secretary General of the Anglican Communion and former Dean of St. George’s College in Jerusalem

• The Rev. Dr. Fahed Abu-Akel, Executive Director of Atlanta Ministry to International Students and past President of the Atlanta Interfaith Coalition

• Rabbi Lydia Medwin, Associate Rabbi at The Temple, who has degrees in Middle Eastern studies and Jewish Education.

For more information on our worship services and events throughout Holy Week, visit us online at allsaintsaintsatlanta.org/holy-weekTo watch videos of each conversation in the series, visit us online at bit.ly/ASEC2024SpeakerSeries 

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

Planned Gifts, those gifts offered now to be given after your death, are an important part of the generosity we are invited into as a church community. Here is another question in our series of information on planned giving: 

“Annual giving, offerings and pledge commitments are essential to the church too. This Lenten and Easter season, please offer your giving to All Saints' Church.”  

- Bill Fryer, member of the Planned Giving Committee - 

To contact the Planned Giving Committee, e-mail David Begley at david@wdbegley.com. 

 The Planned Giving Team

David Begley, Kathryn Graves, Missi McMorries, Bill Fryer with Ellen Hayes 

Please give generously to our All Saints’ offering plate, in-person and online via the button below:

To make an Offering today or pay your pledge,

click the Give Now button above. And visit us online at allsaintsatlanta.org/give.

• 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.

• The Journey Bible Study >> Meets every Monday at 11:00 a.m. via Zoom. Register here

• Jesus on the Front Page >> Meets every Sunday morning at 10:20 a.m. in P307 in the Parish House.



• Sports and Spirituality >> Meets the third Thursday of each month on Zoom. Register here

WORSHIP & MUSIC

Good Friday and Midtown Stations of the Cross 

Worship Service: Friday, March 29, 12:00 p.m. - 1:30 p.m., Church  

Stations of the Cross: Friday, March 29, 1:30 p.m. - 3:00 p.m., Meet in the Kennedy Courtyard 

We pray in the shadow of the cross, reflecting on Christ's last words and the meaning of the cross in our lives. Then we collaborate with neighborhood churches to pray the stations of the cross across Midtown Atlanta 

Good Friday Labyrinth Walk 

Friday, March 29, 1:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m., the Chapel 

Join the Good Friday Labyrinth Walk and participate in embodied prayer as the Lenten season comes to a close. This will be a peaceful pause in the Chapel as we look toward to the appraoch of Easter joy. 

Refugee Ministries Sunday 

Sunday, April 7, 9:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m., Church 

Refugee Ministries Sunday marks the 30th anniversary of the ministry. We give thanks for the hundreds of parishioners over the last three decades who have given so much of themselves in helping welcome survivors of war to have the chance to rebuild their lives here in the U.S. 

Join the Flower Guild  

The Flower Guild invites new members as young as 4th graders and those who are young at heart. We need help with Feast Days (Easter, All Saints' Day, Christmas) and weekly Sunday services. No experience needed. For more information, contact Beth Chaplin at bethchaplin2014@gmail.com. 

School of the Spirit: Making Sense of the Old Testament 

Wednesdays in winter and spring, 6:45 p.m. - 8:15 p.m., Parish Hall 305/306 and on Zoom 

Join Ryan Bonfiglio for a twelve-week course that not only examines the contents of the Old Testament, but also its significance today. The course is 12 weeks long and those weeks are broken into three blocks: Remaining sessions will be held on April 10, 17, 24 and May 1. Registration is still available! Visit us online at bit.ly/allsaints-ot 

Planning Meeting for New Men's Spirituality Group 

Wednesday, April 10, 5:30 p.m. - 6:45 p.m., Ross Room Several parishioners are forming a men’s group aimed at supporting spiritual growth and friendship. Join us as we plan and come early at 5:00 p.m. for Wednesday Night Supper in Ellis Hall! We will end our time together with a short Compline service. Questions? Contact The Rev. Dr. Jenny McBride at jmcbride@allsaintsatlanta.org. 

Learn, Love, Live: An Empowering, Queer History-Laden Journey through Spirituality and Scripture 

Wednesdays, April 10, 17 and 24, P307 and on Zoom 

Join Emory Candler School of Theology graduate Ryan Washington and friends for a three-part series on Queer Theology that will educate and empower queer folks and friends to embody their unique spiritual gifts. Join us from 7:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. on April 10, April 17 and April 24. To join the meetings remotely, please visit allsaintsatlanta.org/links and enter password: "AdultFormation2024." 

School of Spirit: Welcoming the Stranger 

Sunday, April 14 and 21, 10:20 a.m. - 11:05 a.m., Ellis Hall 

This two-session course, taught by Louisa Merchant, will explore the question of immigration through a biblical and theological lens. We will examine the history of U.S. immigration law, how Christians engage immigration issues and the significance of Refugee Ministries at All Saints'. 

Parenting with God 

Sunday, April 14, 10:20 a.m. - 11:05 a.m., the Playground 

Gather with other parents, grandparents, godparents, and parent figures as we learn about how God informs us, walks with us, and models for us how to parent our children.   

Novel Theology: “The Human Stain” by Philip Roth 

Wednesday, April 17, 7:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m., Ross Room and on Zoom  

This month, we will be discussing The Human Stain by Philip Roth. The discussion will be led by Emilie Hitron. 

Adult Inquirer's Class  

Wednesdays, April 24 through May 15, 6:30 p.m. – 8:00 p.m., on Zoom and In-Person (Final Class Only) 

Adult Inquirer’s Class is a four-part introduction to the life of faith at All Saints’. Meetings are on Wednesday nights, 6:30 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. The first three meetings are on Zoom with the final session in person over dinner at the church. Participants are asked to commit to all four sessions. Additional adult inquirers classes will be held later in the spring. For more details contact Simon Mainwaring at (smainwaring@allsaintsatlanta.org) or Tracey Sage (tsage@allsaintsatlanta.org). 

Contemplative Prayer 

Wednesdays in winter and spring, 7:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m., Parish Hall 202 

Join fellow parishioners for contemplative prayer after Wednesday Night Supper. As Richard Rohr says, “In contemplation—the practice of being fully present in mind, body, and spirit—we join in deep solidarity with other spiritual traditions in working toward the healing and restoration of ourselves and our world.” Participants read aloud from and discuss contemplative writers in the first half hour, then practice silent centering prayer in the second half hour.  

PARISH LIFE

Wednesday Night Supper  

Wednesdays in winter, 5:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m., Ellis Hall  

Enjoy an evening meal in community followed by a casual worship service and communion. The cost is $11 for adults and $5 for children and youth and college students. You may register here (bit.ly/ASEC-WNS) and pay online or pay at the door. 

Sundae Survey Sunday 

Sunday, April 14, 10:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m., Ellis Hall 

Join us for Sundae Survey Sunday on April 14th at 10:20 am in Ellis Hall! The Future of Our Block Committee is looking for everyone’s feedback! Come fill out a survey and enjoy a delicious Sundae treat! There is also a competition with the Children’s Formation classrooms to see who can get the most parents to turn in the survey – the winner gets a Chick-fil-a Day in Formation! 

Save the Date: Women’s Retreat at Montara Farms 

Friday, April 19 at 4:00 p.m. – Sunday, April 21 at 1:00 p.m., Montara Farms 

Save the date for the Women's Retreat on April 19 - 21, 2024 at Montara Farms. More information to come. If you have any questions, please contact Annette Sullivan, Director of Parish Life, at asullivan@allsaintsatlanta.org. 

2026-2027 Vestry Nominations 

We welcome nominations for 2026-2027 Vestry leadership from all eligible parish members who are confirmed, over eighteen, who regularly attend worship and who have made a financial pledge to the church. Between Friday, March 1 and Friday, April 12, Vestry nominations may be submitted either by e-mail or written notice to the Rector's Executive Assistant, Tracey Sage (tsage@allsaintsatlanta.org). Please include all of your church involvement in your submission. Vestry members will be elected during the Annual Parish Meeting on Sunday May 12. 

CHILDREN & YOUTH

Weekly Children & Youth Formation 

Nursery/Little Saints: Birth-Pre-K, 8:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m., 1st floor of the Pritchett Center 

Children’s Church: Takes a break for Easter Day 

Children Formation: Takes a break for Easter Day 

Youth Formation: Takes a break for Easter Day 

Easter Crafts and Goodies  

Sunday, March 31, 8:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m., in the Kennedy Courtyard 

Make sure to come by the tables in the courtyard to get some Easter goodies and do a craft before the service starts 

Nursery Easter Egg Hunt 

Sunday, March 31, 10:20 a.m. - 11:05 a.m., the Playground 

Little Saints' folks (and parents!) from birth to PreK, please join us for an Easter Egg Hunt on the playground between services.  We will meet in the nursery with your Easter basket and walk out together to hunt for an egg of each color (parents are needed to help).

SAVE THE DATE: Vacation Bible School (VBS) has been scheduled for June 3 - 7 from 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 Noon, with after-care available. Watch this space for additional information about VBS! 

YOUNG ADULTS

Easter Brunch & Bible Study

Sunday, March 31, 12:30 p.m. - 2:30 p.m., The Ross Room 

Come enjoy a delicious meal and lively conversation with the All Saints' Young Adults'. All are invited—whether you're looking to connect for the first time, reconnect after a long while, or keep connections going! Childcare is available upon request. Please contact Tasia Blair at youngadults@allsaintsatlanta.org.

Young Adults Attend a Braves Game 

Sunday, April 7, 1:30 p.m. - 4:30 p.m., Truist Park 

Join the Young Adults as we cheer on the Braves at the baseball game following the 11:15 service! We will plan to carpool from All Saints'. Tickets are limited so please reach out Tasia at youngadults@allsaintsatlanta.org to reserve your seat!

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! 

Midtown Assistance Center (MAC) Lenten Food Drive Update 

Thanks to everyone who participated in the MAC Lenten Food Drive! With your generosity, All Saints collected 2,500 lbs of food / 225 bags of food. For those who still have your bags, it is not too late. MAC needs food all year. Please feel free to return your donation to the MAC bin in the hallway leading to the parking lot between Ellis and the library or behind the counter in the Ellis foyer.  

Refugee Ministries Sunday Forum 

Sunday, April 7, 10:20 a.m. - 11:05 a.m., Ellis Hall 

Please join us in Ellis Hall for an interview with Loyda Paz Perez, residential coordinator at Casa Alterna, a community for asylum seekers in Grant Park that we partner with. Learn more about how Refugee Ministries began welcoming asylum seekers. Light breakfast provided. 

Threads Welcomes Families for Shopping

Threads will be closed on Saturday March 30, 2024 and Thursday April 4, 2024. Your support is still needed.  We are currently in need of: 

- Boys’ jeans sizes 6, 8, 10 and 12 

- BOOKS, BOOKS, BOOKS 

Also, feel free to check out our Amazon wish list here: bit.ly/ASECThreadsMar2024 

All Saints' Volunteer Receptionists Needed 

Do you have good phone etiquette? Are you eager to learn the administrative side of the church? Do you enjoy helping with projects? Then you should become a volunteer receptionist at All Saints’! Our volunteers work on a bi-weekly schedule covering a 4-hour shift. If interested, please contact Marie Louisa Muhumuza at mlmuhumuza@allsaintsatlanta.org or Tracey Sage at tsage@allsaintsatlanta.org. 

Click the image above to view our "thank yous" to parishioners from various staff members. We appreciate the ways you serve our parish community!

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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