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August 7, 2020
| Photo courtesy of James Oliver |
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Worship online with us on Facebook. Please join us on Vimeo if you do not have a Facebook account.
Sunday
- 10:00 a.m. Morning Prayer Rite II (LIVE)
If you'd like detailed instructions about how to worship with us online, click here >>
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  A Note From the Rector
Dear saints,
This Sunday we will bless backpacks during our 10:00 a.m. service of Morning Prayer. We will have backpacks, and tags to go with them, and we'll even rustle up a prayer, but one thing will be conspicuously absent: our children. How do you bless a backpack remotely? I know that this is a question Jesus never had to worry about, which is good because he definitely had bigger fish to fry. Yet, the question extends doesn't it. How do you bless anything, from afar? That feels a little closer to Jesus' territory. How does a Savior who died and rose 2000 years ago extend the redemptive effects of those events to us now? Well, some theologians contend that sacramental life mystically draws us into the presence of Jesus' life. When we are baptized we are also somehow present at Jesus' baptism two millennia ago. When we share bread and wine in the Eucharist we are also mystically present at the Last Supper with Jesus and his disciples. In other words, mystical presence can be understood as a two-way street: God to us and us to God. I'm waiting for that brave Georgian school student who will claim that they will take classes remotely this semester via mystical presence. I just hope that the child isn't related to me.
How can we bless at a distance? How can we not? Share your blessings this new school year, dear saints. Share them with every child who needs that extra encouragement and help. Share your treasure with those who lack the means to thrive on their educational voyage of discovery. Share and bless and put flesh to that mystical love that is still making all things new.
Peace,
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Sundays, 9:00 a.m., on Zoom
Join this ongoing discussion of the news of the day and how we are called as Christians to respond in the public arena, in our private lives, and in our prayers. Jesus on the From Page also has a Facebook group (click here to join). Please click here to sign up for this group, which is led by Ethel Ware Carter.
Children's Ministries:
Vacation Bible School (VBS) Online
Sundays, August 9, 16, 23, 9:00-9:55 a.m. on Zoom
VBS is here! For the next three weeks, all kids are invited to enjoy the Backyard BOLT Towards Faith In Jesus curriculum, which includes Bible stories, games, crafts and great music, all in your own home. Mrs. Kathy and Mrs. Kimmell (along with other surprise guests) will ZOOM to your home each Sunday morning. Other activities can be done at your own pace at home throughout the week. The deadline to register has passed, but you can still participate without the supplies. For more information, contact Kathy Roberts at kroberts@allsaintsatlanta.org.
Morning Prayer Livestream Sundays, 10:00 a.m., on Facebook and Vimeo
W e now offer Morning Prayer LIVE on Facebook and Vimeo on Sunday mornings at 10:00 a.m.; our worship services were previously pre-recorded earlier in the week and published on Sunday mornings. Click here for instructions and helpful tips to join the live service. For more information, contact Jocelyn Cassada at jcassada@allsaintsatlanta.org.
Blessing of the Backpacks and Bags
Sunday, August 9, 10:00 a.m. worship service, on Facebook and Vimeo
Grab your backpacks, briefcases, diaper bags, computer cases, bike bags, lunch bags, or any other bags you use regularly. Your "daily tools" will be blessed as a reminder of God's presence in everything we do, whether it's online or in-person. We are Blessed to be a Blessing to all that we greet and meet! For those who are interested, special backpack tags are available:
- As laminated tags included in the VBS packages
- As laminated tags to pick up at church (drive through) on August 7 or 8 from 9:30-11:30 a.m. (if you are not participating in VBS)
- As a downloadable tag to print and laminate or cover yourself (email Kathy Roberts for the link)
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Thursdays, 8:00-8:30 p.m., on Zoom
Everyone is welcome to join our young adults for communal prayers using the service of Compline from the Book of Common Prayer (there is a free online version available at bcponline.org). Please click here to sign up for this group, which is led by Justin Averette.
Noonday Prayer Returns on Monday, August 17
Mondays through Thursdays, 12:05 p.m., on Facebook
Our mid-day service of Noonday Prayer is taking a summer break and will return on Monday, August 17. This service will be livestreamed to our Facebook page.
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Giving
Even though we cannot be together in person, let us stand together as a church and continue to give of our financial resources as we are able. Thank you for your trust and confidence in the financial leadership of this parish. For information on ways to send in your gift to All Saints' go to allsaintsatlanta.org/giving.
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Adult Formation
Preacher-Teacher for Homecoming Sunday:
Diana Butler BassSunday, August 16, 10:00 a.m. online worship service and11:00 a.m. online formation hourWe are thrilled to welcome Diana Butler Bass as our preacher-teacher on Homecoming Sunday. Diana is an award-winning author and internationally known preacher and thought leader on issues of spirituality, religion, culture, and politics. Diana is the author of ten books, including Christianity After Religion, which will form the basis of her conversation with Simon during the formation hour. We look forward to her keen observations on Christian leadership in a pivotal time. For more information, contact the Rev. Dr. Andrew Barnett at abarnett@allsaintsatlanta.org.
Hold on to Hope Bible Study
with the Rev. Natosha Reid Rice
Sundays, August 23, August 30, and September 6, 9:00-9:55 a.m., on Zoom
Explore scripture that kindles hope and provides encouragement with the Rev. Natosha Reid Rice, Minister for Public Life. Click here to register for these online gatherings.
Threads and Refugee Ministries: Serving the City with Louisa Merchant and Lori Guarisco
Sundays, August 23, August 30, and September 6, 9:00-9:55 a.m., on Zoom
Louisa Merchant, Director of Refugee Ministries, and Lori Guarisco, Coordinator of Threads, share stories about their work with people who were formerly refugees and children. Learn what's happening during the pandemic and discuss ways to become part of broader solutions in the city. Click here to register for these online gatherings.
The MICAH Project
Sundays, August 23, August 30, and September 6, 9:00-9:55 a.m., on Zoom
- Becoming Beloved Community with Ruby Sales on Sunday, August 23: In 1965, Episcopal Seminarian Jonathan Daniels was working for civil rights with 17 year old Ruby Sales, and other activists in Hayneville Alabama. When a shotgun-yielding county deputy tried to shoot Ruby, Daniels pushed Ruby aside and took the full blast, giving his life to save hers. Now 55 years later, Ruby joins us to share that story, and the impact it has had on her life.
- Deep in Her Heart: A Tribute to Connie Curry with Bob Miller on Sunday, August 30: Connie Curry, longtime All Saints' member, was our most "boots on the ground" civil rights activist. Connie was an honors graduate of Agnes Scott College, a member of Phi Beta Kappa, and a Fulbright Scholar, but she was and is better known as an unrelenting force for civil rights. Among many other things, she was the only white member of the Executive Committee of the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee when it was founded in 1960 during the sit-in movement.
Please click here to learn more about The MICAH Project and
to register for these online gatherings.
Art for Justice and Peace with Ariel Fristoe
Wednesdays, August 26, September 2, and September 9, 6:30 p.m., on Zoom
Our baptismal covenant calls us to strive for justice and peace. Art has the power to open hearts and minds, and to turn strangers into friends. How can artists use the tools of theater to build a more just and peaceful world, and create the kingdom of heaven? Please click here to register for these online gatherings.
Coming Soon: Sacred Ground Small Groups
The Episcopal Church has declared a church-wide initiative of racial healing, reconciliation, and justice. Called "Becoming Beloved Community," the initiative includes a 10-session curriculum entitled "Sacred Ground: A Film-Based Dialogue Series on Race and Faith." The Sacred Ground curriculum consists of videos, assorted writings, discussion, and two core books, Jesus and the Disinherited by Howard Thurman and Waking Up White by Debby Irving. The MICAH Project (TMP) plans to initiate Sacred Ground dialogue circles composed of parishioners committed to approximately six months of learning, listening, and engaging one another in a brave space to talk about race and faith. To learn more about Sacred Ground, click here. In order to gauge interest in these small-group dialogue circles (no firm commitment needed yet), we ask that you add your name to the list by emailing us at sacredground@allsaintsatlanta.org.If you have questions, please contact the Rev. Dr. Andrew Barnett at abarnett@allsaintsatlanta.org or any of The MICAH Project Steering Committee members.
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Young Adults
Thursday, August 20, 7:00-8:00 p.m. on Zoom
Join our young adults for our August Saints Untapped gathering on Zoom. We'll have our inaugural "Saints Take On Atlanta" trivia challenge, complete with prizes. Whether you come for the fellowship and fun or find yourself gunning for the coveted gift cards to local eateries, we look forward to playing with you! Download the free app "Kahoot" to participate in trivia. Please click here to sign up for this online gathering, which is led by Michael Asmussen.
Formation Series: Jesus as a Radical Revolutionary
Thursday, September 3, 7:00-8:00 p.m., on Zoom
Join us for a lively discussion on racial and social justice, leveraging Ibram X. Kendi's book, How to be An Antiracist. Excerpts to springboard our conversation will be available for those who may not have the book. Kendi's text will kick off our Young Adult fall formation series, held on the first Thursday of each month, exploring topics of revolution, dissent, disruption, and change in society and the church. The discussion begins at 7:00 p.m., followed by Compline prayers at 8:00 p.m. Please click here to sign up for this Zoom gathering and and Justin Averette will send you the meeting link and password.
Virtual Brunch and Bible
Sunday, September 13, 9:00-10:00 a.m., on Zoom
Gather 'round our virtual/communal table the second Sunday of each month, starting September 13, for a lively bring-your-own-brunch conversation with peers and mentors. You only need a posture of respect and generosity (and a suitable mobile device) to be in the "Zoom Where It Happens" as we explore God's Living Word in scripture and in the unfolding texts of our lives. Please click here to sign up for this Zoom gathering and Mark Kolojejchick-Kotch will send you the meeting link and password.
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First Youth Choir Rehearsal
Sunday, September 13, 6:00-7:00 p.m., Zoom
Register by August 31
There's no getting around it...Youth Choir will be different this fall, but together we can create great music and make a difference! We will meet online through Zoom rehearsals. There are plans for us to learn and record virtual anthems for worship and for SNL with small ensembles and the whole choir, even handbells. Let's welcome our new 7th graders and give our seniors a great last year. Bring a willing heart, a positive attitude, and a desire to be present for each other. You must register your singer online by August 31, click here to register. For more information, contact Karol Kimmell at karolkimmell@allsaintsatlanta.org.
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Children's Ministries
First Wednesday Children's Choir Rehearsals
Wednesday, September 2, 4:00-6:00 p.m., Zoom
Register by August 31
Meet us in our Virtual Zoom Room for choir this fall! It will be different, but with great possibilities! Each month the choirs will learn stories and songs about Bible characters (mini-musicals) and learn a hymn, a psalm and a prayer, and as always, learn musical concepts and how to express our faith through music. We plan to record anthems for worship and stay connected with our church friends. Meeting times each Wednesday are:
- Cherub (PreK-K) at 4:00 p.m.
- Primary (grades 1 and 2) at 4:30 p.m.
- Junior (grades 3-6) at 5:15 p.m.
Children's Church Resumes
Begins Sunday, September 13, 8:00 a.m., on Facebook and Vimeo
We're excited to be back! Join us to sing, pray, learn, and go forth to serve. There will be a bulletin and color sheets to download each week, along with some music and story ideas to check out online. We will have some surprise guests joining us, so make sure you are there. Please send Mrs. Kathy your prayer requests and birthdays by each Wednesday for the following Sunday. For more information, contact Kathy Roberts at kroberts@allsaintsatlanta.org.
Moving Up Ceremony for Children's Ministries
Sunday, September 13, 11:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m., in the church parking lot
Milestone Moments are important transitions in life that we mark as sacred; we take time to bless and celebrate kids as they reach them. Rising Kindergartners will move up from the Little Saints' program; rising 4th graders will join Club 45, our tween program; and rising 6th graders will move up to Youth Ministries and into a new community for their teen years. We will send more information about this ceremony to the participants, but ask your prayers on this day for each of these children as they continue their faith journey. For more information, contact Kathy Roberts at kroberts@allsaintsatlanta.org.
Children's Formation Resumes
Begins Sunday, September 20, 9:00-9:55 a.m., on Zoom
Register by September 7
Please make sure to register your children for the new program year! Each Sunday on Zoom, we will meet to play games, catch up with one another, hear our Bible lesson, create a craft or act out a drama, and leave with a challenge for the week. Our first five sessions will be "Compassion Camp: Be Loved, Be Kind, Be You" and we will learn about compassion for others, ourselves and the world. Please click here to register by September 7. For more information, contact Kathy Roberts at kroberts@allsaintsatlanta.org.
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Music
The Hymn Project Returns on Tuesday, August 18
During this time of social distancing, we've been posting "Hymns from Home" videos on our Facebook and Vimeo pages with hymns from the requests we receive through The Hymn Project.
to learn more about this project, to view the videos we've posted so far, and to offer your own hymn requests! We're currently taking a break for the summer and we'll be back on Tuesday, August 18.
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Parish Life
Equitable Dinners with the Rev. Natosha Reid Rice
Sunday, August 16, 5:00-7:00 p.m., online
Join us for Equitable Dinners: Racial Equity and Housing, with guest speaker Natosha Reid Rice! Equitable Dinners is a free, live, monthly conversation series featuring art, speakers, and an opportunity to connect with your neighbors locally and around the world to talk about racial equity. This event is hosted by Ariel Fristoe's Out of Hand Theater. Visit outofhandtheatre.com to learn more and register.
Jezebels Women's Reading Group
Resumes on Wednesday, September 2, 5:00-6:00 p.m., on Zoom
Jezebels is a women's reading group that has met continuously for 16 years. We read a variety of fiction, nonfiction, plays, and poetry, deeply exploring each selection over a period of weeks. We will begin the 2020/21 year with Hillary Mantel's The Mirror and the Light. Future selections will be made by the group upon the conclusion of the current book.
Please click here to sign up for this group, and Mimi Spang will contact you with the Zoom meeting link and password.
Novel Theology:
A Lesson Before Dying by Ernest J. Gaines
Wednesday, September 16, 7:00-8:00 p.m., on Zoom
Facilitator: Simon Mainwaring A Lesson Before Dying is a deep and compassionate novel about a young man who returns to 1940s Cajun country to visit a black youth on death row for a crime he didn't commit. Together they come to understand the heroism of resisting. Please click here to sign up for this Zoom gathering and Amelia Tuttle will send you the meeting link and password.
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Service
Serve as a Tutor with Refugee Ministries
Tuesdays, September 8 through December 8, on Zoom
Refugee Ministries invites volunteers to provide 12 weekly one-hour tutoring sessions on Zoom to former refugee children in Dekalb County who need educational support to successfully complete their distance learning assignments. We will provide an orientation session, the materials, and ongoing support for volunteers. Adult volunteers, as well as youth in grade 6 and above, are welcome to serve as tutors. To sign up or for more information, contact Louisa Merchant at
Share a Meal with the Men of Covenant Community
(on Zoom)
Mondays, August 17, 24, and 31
It would be wonderful if you could help with the Monday dinners for Covenant Community. Although it will be quite a while longer until we are able to join the men in the residence to break bread, an encouraging protocol has been put in place. For the foreseeable future, dinner can be dropped off at CCI's front door on Spring Street any time during the day. After dinner the men would very much like to do a Zoom meeting with the parishioner(s) so that everyone can get together online. Please click here to inquire about providing a meal and Barbara Blender will be in touch to help coordinate.
Saints and Service:
Sandwich Make with Children's Ministries
Drop off sandwiches on Sunday, September 6, 11:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m.
The pandemic has only made it even more important to help fill the pantries of our friends at Emmaus House and Midtown Assistance Center, so let's make as many sandwiches as we can! Make PB&J, turkey with cheese, or ham with cheese and put each sandwich in its own individual bag. Then, stack those into your empty bread loaf bag and bring them to church for a drive through drop-off. Make sure to write down how many sandwiches you made and we will keep a running tally board for everyone to see! For more information, contact Kathy Roberts at kroberts@allsaintsatlanta.org.
An Update from Midtown Assistance Center
Midtown Assistance Center continues to offer remote support for people in need. Over the past few months, MAC has provided over 200 households with rent and utility assistance, over 300 households with grocery gift cards or deliveries, and over 60 people with MARTA cards. Donations are welcome to continue to support those in crisis during COVID-19. Thank you to everyone who has been so generous already! To learn more and donate, please visit midtownassistancectr.org.
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General
2020 Vestry Elections
PLEASE CHECK YOUR SPAM FOLDER
Yesterday we sent an email with information about the new slate of candidates for the vestry class of 2023. We've heard from many of you that the email went to your spam folder, so please check there if you haven't received it yet. Click here to view the email and vote by August 24.
Get the Most Up-to-Date Information Please continue to monitor our website for the latest news about upcoming virtual events, online worship services, and the answers to frequently asked questions regarding our policies and protocols during this time of temporary closure: allsaintsatlanta.org/covid-19.
Need help using Zoom or other technology to connect with us online?
Beware of Email Phishing Scams
Please continue to beware of email scams by people who impersonate clergy or members of our community and ask for a "favor" and then ask for money or gift cards. Click here to learn more.
Diocesan News
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634 West Peachtree Street NW, Atlanta, Georgia 30308
telephone 404-881-0835, facsimile 404-881-3796
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