As a child, I would often sing aloud when I found myself alone and frightened. Such little bursts to buoy my spirit were less courageous than desperate. Still, somehow the act of singing quelled my fears enough that I could scurry toward safety and connection. And my faith community was a place where I knew I was safe and loved.

Most of this year, we have been unable to sing together. I ache to hear the swell of sound as organ pipes and vocal harmonies swirl around me. This Christmas, we'll be doing any such singing as we have for months: separately together. Even so, I give thanks for the grace of Hamilton on Disney+ and holiday concert recordings from years past, as vocalists and musicians offer gifts to cheer us on our weary way.

This week, the 94th Annual Spelman - Morehouse Christmas Carol Concert, the homespun Lego antics of Milford Hills United Methodist handbell choir, a virtual reading of C.S. Lewis' The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe (offered by the Episcopal church where I used to work in New York), and the legendary King's College Cambridge Festival of Lessons and Carols (available early this year!) shared seasonal joys in virtual space that hoisted my heart a bit closer to heaven.

Perhaps these offerings will lift your spirit, too. Whether you are deep into holiday tunes, still dodging that infamous LDB, or prefer to wait for the holiday cookie decorating and seasonal trivia we'll be serving up tonight at our final 2020 Saints Untapped gathering at 7:00pm, I hope you will take time to soak up glad tidings of God's love, overcoming every obstacle and saving us, every one.

Click here to sign up and Michael Asmussen will send you the Zoom meeting link and password.

Weekly communal prayer using the Compline service from the Book of Common Prayer happens from 8:00 to 8:30 p.m. on Thursdays. If you're interested in being one of our prayer leaders in the new year, please talk to Sarah Stewart or Justin Averette!

During Prophetic Mysticism, explore Howard Thurman's writings with renowned scholar Luther Smith, investigating the relationship between contemplative spirituality and activism.

In Sin: Our Eyes Gravitating in Choir, join Candler theology professor David Pacini to “discern the role of the conception of sin in legitimating institutional racism."

Meanwhile, Andy will lead a discussion about the Anglican theology expressed in God’s worship at All Saints’ during Praise God from Whom All Blessings Flow: Worship in the Church.

(Note: If you want to watch classes from the last two weeks, visit this page of our website.)

This certainly will be a Christmas like none other as we worship at home far and wide to hear once more the message of the angels in word and song. There is much that we all miss about being in church together, yet the light that shines in the darkness radiates into our hearts and lives all the same.

Join us for one of our online services, which will include readings, prayers, hymns and music from the All Saints’ Adult, Youth and Children’s Choirs as well as festival handbells, brass, strings and harp.

All three services will be broadcast online to the All Saints’ Facebook page and Vimeo account at the times listed above.​

Last week, we hosted an online hymn sing-a-long. If you'd like to hear Kirk Rich, our talented Director of Music and Organist, play Advent and Christmas hymns, please click here to enjoy the video.

Click here to donate a $100 food card by December 20.

If you have questions, please contact Louisa Merchant at louisam@allsaintsatlanta.org.

Join an All Saints’ dialogue circle on Zoom (a small group of no more than 8 people) and be among the over 1200 dialogue circles nationwide using this 10-session curriculum from the national Episcopal Church.

Entitled “Sacred Ground: A Film-Based Dialogue Series on Race and Faith,” the curriculum consists of videos, articles, discussion, and two core books, Jesus and the Disinherited by Howard Thurman and Waking Up White by Debby Irving.

If you would like to be among fellow parishioners committed to six months (meeting approximately every other week for 1.5 to 2 hours) to learn, listen, and share stories in a brave space, please send an e-mail to sacredground@allsaintsatlanta.org.

In December we’ll send out a survey to participants to help us form the circles based on schedule availability.

Whether or not you participated in an All Saints' Connects Small Group this fall, you are welcome to contribute your perspective as we imagine the way forward in 2021, shaping transformative conversations to engage the saints in the year ahead.

Watching, waiting, and preparing is what Advent is all about, after all. Email sstewart@allsaintsatlanta.org for more details and to get involved.

Young Adults use our Slack Channel to communicate about activities such as hikes and socially distanced service projects. Haven't yet joined? Email Sarah Stewart at sstewart@allsaintsatlanta.org.

Daily Prayer in Contemporary Language

Pray As You Go (Ignatian Prayer)

Daily Disconnect Podcast (Carmelite Prayer)

Livestream of Taize’ Prayers with the Brothers in France (9:30 p.m. ET every night on Facebook)