Dear saints,

Our young adults are doing something remarkable: they are inviting their friends to church. Just this week, I asked a newcomer what brought him to church, and he said, “I was looking for a Queer-friendly place that makes a difference in the neighborhood, where folks love Jesus, and where the community goes beyond small talk, delving into meaningful conversations about things that matter. One of the doctoral students in my lab (Jessalyn Rogers) offered to meet me at church a few weeks ago, and I loved it.” Kudos to Jessalyn for making a specific invitation, offering to attend together, and following u!

Research shows that a personal invitation is the most effective way to bring a new person to church. According to Lifeway Christian Resources, 2% of newcomers attend for the first time because of advertising and 86% of newcomers attend for the first time because they were invited. They also found that an invitation from a lay person is six times more effective than an invitation from clergy, and 17 times more effective than any form of marketing. 

Many of us are leery about talking about our faith with folks outside of church, often with the admirable desire to avoid causing offense. But the research shows that most unchurched folks are open to conversations about faith with friends. Lifeway found that 79% of unchurched folks would not mind hearing about faith from a friend, and 51% would attend church if invited by a friend. I wonder: how might you tell others about your experience of God in ways that would translate for your friends? It might make for a fascinating conversation over dinner. 

If you think back to your first Sunday at All Saints’, what brought you here? What has kept you coming back, in some cases, for decades? How has this community made a difference in your life? If we take seriously the promises of God, this news is too good NOT to share. The joy of this Christian community is so palpable and profound, I believe the Holy Spirit will touch our lives every time we gather. Our young adults are bravely showing us the power of a personal invitation. How might we join them in sharing God’s ridiculously good news with our family, friends, and neighbors?

Blessings,

THIS SUNDAY

The Ninth Sunday after Pentecost

Sunday, July 30, Church

• 8:00 a.m. Holy Communion (Traditional Language, No Music) 
• 10:00 a.m.Holy Communion (Modern Language, Choral Music)
• 5:00 p.m. The Welcome Table (Modern Language, Contemplative Music)

Stump the Organist 

Sundays from May to August, 9:50 a.m. - 10:00 a.m., Church 

Back by popular demand, we will reprise "Stump the Organist" this summer beginning June 4. Plan to arrive ten minutes before the start of the 10:00 a.m. service and call out anything in the hymnal you would like to sing. 

Kanuga 2023 Registration Table 

Sunday, July 30, 11:20 a.m. - 12:15 p.m., Courtyard 

Stop by the Kanuga table in the courtyard to learn more about our parish-wide weekend in the mountains for all ages. This year, our theme is "Generation Celebration.” The Rev. Naomi Tutu will be our guest speaker and we will provide a 15-passenger van for those who have transportation challenges. 

Popsicle Hour on the Playground 

Sunday, July 30, 11:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m., Playground 

After the 10:00 a.m. service, during coffee hour, children are invited to the playground to keep cool with delicious popsicles!

The Welcome Table: Sunday Evening Worship Service and Dinner 

Sundays with Courtyard hospitality at 5:00 p.m. and Worship at 5:15 p.m. in the Chapel 

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 music (song and solo instrument), prayer (together and in ways that speak to us individually), and communion. A community dinner for all participants follows the service. 

Jesus on the Front Page

Sundays, 9:00 a.m. - 9:50 a.m., P305/306 

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. 

Photo of the Week

Throughout this summer, All Saints' Refugee Ministries, in partnership with the YMCA, has been providing water safety and drowning prevention lessons to children who can't swim at Milam Pool in Clarkston, GA. Are you interested in helping out with this work? If so, please e-mail our Director of Refugee Ministries, Louisa Merchant, at louisam@allsaintsatlanta.org to learn more.

Giving  

Your generosity plays an important role in making All Saints' the vibrant church we are today. Please make an offering today:

All Saints' offers easy ways to pay your pledge or to make a gift:

• 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 services
• Text to Give: text AllSaintsAtlanta to 73256
• Gift stocks or securities (click here for instructions >>)

To get a Realm account, contact Betsey Gibbs, Membership Coordinator, bgibbs@allsaintsatlanta.org and receive an invitation to join Realm. It’s as easy as that! 

Questions? Contact Ellen Hayes, Director of Development, at ehayes@allsaintsatlanta.org.

• 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 P306 in the Parish House.



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

Celebration of Ministries 

Sunday, August 20, 10:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m., Church 

We welcome you to festival worship to celebrate the beginning of the program year. We process banners at the beginning of the service to honor each of God's ministries at All Saints'. Our annual “Back to the Block” celebration follows this service, complete with BBQ and festivities in the courtyard. Community members are welcome so please invite your friends! 

A Service of Recovery and Healing  

Sunday, September 10, 4:30 p.m. - 5:30 p.m., on Zoom 

Led by The Rev. Bob Book, our Service of Recovery and Healing meets on the second Sunday of each month at 4:30 p.m. ET. We focus on one of the 12 Steps in the context of an Evening Prayer service. Anyone interested in recovery is welcome; confidentiality is required. Visit our website for more information and to register.

GFADP Author Event and Panel: You Shall Not Condemn 

Saturday, August 26, 3:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m., Ellis Hall 

Georgians for Alternatives to the Death Penalty (GFADP) will host a panel discussion of “You Shall Not Condemn: A Story of Faith and Advocacy on Death Row” with author, the Rev. Dr. Jenny McBride at All Saints’ Episcopal Church on Saturday, August 24 from 3:00 p.m. - 5:00 pm. Please register here: https://bit.ly/GFADP 

Keep/Watch Suicide Prevention Training 

Sunday, August 6, 11:15 a.m. - 2:15 p.m., Ellis Hall 

Keep/Watch is a learning tool for people of faith around suicide causes and prevention. Our approach to suicide prevention is informed by Scripture, the Book of Common Prayer, statistical data, and evidence-based resources. Please join us for this free training, with lunch provided. Open to all ages who wish to participate. To register, please visit https://t.ly/hGBs.

Back to the Block Celebration 

Sunday, August 20, 11:15 a.m. - 1:00 p.m., Courtyard and Ellis Hall 

Follow the flamingoes to All Saints’ annual welcome back block party celebration! This year, our theme is "Let's Fla-mingle on the Lawn”, complete with yard ornaments, lawn games, a water slide, music, BBQ and a dessert contest! Register at bit.ly/Back2Block2023 for free on Realm today! 

Save the Date - Generation Celebration Kanuga 2023

Friday, September 29 at 5:30 p.m. - Sunday, October 1, 2:00 p.m., Kanuga Conference Center, Hendersonville, N.C.

Early registration for our annual parish retreat at Kanuga Conference Center is now live (click here). This year, our theme is “Generation Celebration: Finding God in Every Generation.”The deadline for early registration is August 1. Payment plans are available. Special thanks to our Chairs Mary Brennan and Kate Richeson and to our Co-Chairs, Elizabeth and Michael Hill for organizing the retreat. For more information, please contact our Director of Parish Life, Jill Gossett at jgossett@allsaintsatlanta.org.

All Saints' Adult Foyer Groups Registration – Fall 2023 

Broaden your circle of friends by getting to know those familiar faces of All Saints'. Join an Adult Foyers Group for this fall. Each group will have 10-12 people who will meet monthly. Register at the Parish Life table in the Courtyard on Sundays or register online: bit.ly/adultfoyer. 

Popcorn Theology is now “Pop Up” Popcorn!  

Do you enjoy watching films with others and then having a discussion afterward? Would you be willing to host a small group of people for dinner and a movie at your home? Would you be willing to bring something to a potluck dinner? Is there a movie you really want to see or that you would suggest for this group? If you would like to participate in periodic get-togethers of this type, please register at bit.ly/3KrfSsD. Whenever there is a movie selected and a willing host, an email invitation will be sent out to all on the list. Questions? Please email Jill Gossett, Director of Parish Life, at jgossett@allsaintsatlanta.org.

Walking the Mourners Path – Session Begins in September 

Walking the Mourners Path, an eight-week program for those who have had someone dear to them die, begins this fall. It is designed to teach participants about grief and to help them move into more joyful and purposeful living following loss. The groups are small and confidential; we welcome your participation. If you have any questions, please direct them to Parish Priest Associate Karen Evans at kevans@allsaintsatlanta.org. 

Weekly Children & Youth Formation 

Nursery/Little Saints: Birth-Pre-K, 9:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m., 1st floor of the Pritchett Center 

Children: Please join the adults in church for the 10:00 a.m. service 

Youth: Please join the adults in church for the 10:00 a.m. service 

Young Adults

Young Adult Saturday Service: Bridge of Light 

Saturday, July 29, 11:00 a.m. - 1:30 p.m., Offsite

Thursday, August 3, 5:45 p.m. - 8:15 p.m., Offsite 

Join us in providing services and dignity to individuals experiencing homelessness in Atlanta with our community partner, Bridge of Light. Bridge of Light is a non-profit organization that utilizes mobile resource centers to offer showers, laundry, and clothing to individuals experiencing homelessness. For more details, contact our Young Adult Coordinator Tasia Blair via e-mail at youngadults@allsaintsatlanta.org! 

Backpack Buddies Backpack and School Supplies Donations 

Our annual Backpack Buddies program provides new backpacks and school supplies to 150 children in our Refugee Ministries program. You can sign up online or take a tag from the Courtyard before or after the 10 a.m. Sunday service July 9 through July 23. Volunteers are needed on July 30 from 11:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. to deliver to Clarkston. You can sign up here to sponsor a child and to volunteer to deliver on 7/30. For more information or for Q&A, please contact our Director of Refugee Ministries Louisa Merchant at louisam@allsaintsatlanta.org. To sign up, visit bit.ly/backpackbuddiesdonations.

Refugee Ministries: 2023 Swimming Buddies Program 

Saturday, August 19, 11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m., Off-Site 

Kids look forward to Refugee Ministries Swimming Buddies program all year. We especially need help with transportation and water supervision. For more information and to sign-up, visit bit.ly/swimmingbuddies or contact Louisa Merchant, Director of Refugee Ministries, at louisam@allsaintsatlanta.org.  

Refugee Ministries’ Zoom Tutoring Program 

Refugee Ministries Zoom Tutoring Program is seeking volunteers in grades 6th grade and up to offer twelve Zoom-based tutoring sessions in beginning English / Reading or Math to students in grades 2 through 12. Contact Director of Refugee Ministries, Louisa Merchant, with questions (louisam@allsaintsatlanta.org) and sign up here for two 30-minute zoom orientations during the last two weeks of July: bit.ly/zoomtutoringorientations.

Threads Donation Needs 

Please bring your new donations to one of the Threads drop boxes located on the first floor of the Pritchett Center and in the first-floor stairwell between Egleston Hall and Ellis Hall (under the stairs outside of the choir suite). 

• boys' and girls’ shirts 
• boys' and girls’ shorts 
• boys' and girls’ pants sizes XS (size 5T) through XL (size 16) 

Threads Welcomes Families for Shopping! 

After a hugely successful Uniform Giveaway, Threads will reopen on Thursdays and Saturdays from 10:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. Thank you to the 31 volunteers that volunteered for the Uniform Giveaway—we served 570 children! Threads needs volunteers on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays. We would love to have you volunteer! If interested, please contact Marcia Mayfield at threads@allsaintsatlanta.org

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. 

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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