Dear saints,

On Juneteenth, the holiday that marks the end of slavery in the United States, we celebrate our second Independence Day. On June 19, 1865, enslaved people in Galveston, Texas were informed of their emancipation, two-and-a-half years after the Emancipation Proclamation legally ended that institution. 

As the newly freed people celebrated with music, food and community gatherings, they demonstrated that God takes delight in the freedom and flourishing of all creation. God’s life-giving, liberating love outlasts oppression over time, and we draw hope from this story. As John writes, “The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it.” The darkness did not, has not, and will not overcome the light of God’s love, enacted through you and me. 

This weekend we also honor Refugee Ministries at All Saints’. We are called to discipleship, which means, among other things, serving and being in relationship with the most vulnerable among us. Over the past 30 years, we have shared small acts of hospitality that have been life-transforming for the recipients of our care.

On Sunday, the Rev. Richard Hill will preach about the blessings he has encountered through refugee ministries. Emory Doctor Heval Kelli will also share his remarkable story over lunch in Ellis Hall. Dr. Kelli moved here in 2001 from Syria, two weeks after the September 11 attacks, and All Saints’ welcomed him, an 18-year old Muslim with open arms. It blew him away. An All Saints’ member took him to the movies. An elderly lady took the time to drive him to Georgia State’s campus, and that’s how he eventually became a cardiologist. 

Come hear this good news, and celebrate God’s work in our midst this Refugee Ministries Sunday. We would love to have you and our director of Refugee Ministries, Louisa Merchant, would be glad to meet you. Anything she plans is guaranteed to be fantastic!

Blessings,

THIS SUNDAY

The Third Sunday after Pentecost

Sunday, June 18, 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)

Refugee Ministries Sunday 

Sunday, June 18, 10:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m., Church and Ellis Hall 

We welcome guest preacher Rev. Dr. Richard Hill who has led many churches in Refugee Ministries. At 11:30 join us in Ellis Hall for lunch and an interview with Dr. Heval Kelli, an Emory cardiologist who was resettled by All Saints' in 2001 with his family from Syria. 

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. 

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 

We invite you to a re-imagined evening worship service in the chapel, where we experience God’s hospitality and love for the world. The service includes beautiful music from a variety of traditions, accompanied by piano and a solo instrumentalist. We’ll share communion together, light candles as a symbol of our prayers, and enjoy a meal together afterwards. The sermon is brief and preached from the floor. The prayers invite your participation. The space is set up like a dinner gathering, in the round. 

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

The year 2023 marks the 20th anniversary of the Kenan Memorial Organ, dedicated on All Saints Sunday in 2003 at All Saints' Atlanta. Internationally renowned recitalists Ray and Beth Chenault returned to the bench for the first time since their retirement in 2018, on Wednesday, June 14 at 7:30 p.m. The Chenault Duo performed an exciting and eclectic program featuring four hands and four feet. This concert was part of the annual Atlanta Summer Organ Festival and a reception in their honor followed in Ellis Hall.

Giving  

Give to All Saints' today and join with others to bring forth and sustain the programs and people who advance God's work in this city. Join this church on a  wonderful journey. Visit allsaintsatlanta.org/give/ 

Give A Gift That Doesn’t Come in a Gift Bag:  

Remember a Graduate you love with a gift to the Memorials and Gifts Fund. We will send a notice to your graduate of the gift you gave All Saints’ in their honor. 

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.

• Popcorn Theology >> Meets one Friday a month in the Ross Room from 7:00-9:30 p.m. Click the link above to learn more.

• 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

A Farewell to our Director of Music: Celebrating Kirk Rich at All Saints’ 

Sunday, July 2, 10:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m., Church 

Please join us in worship on July 2 for Director of Music Kirk Rich's final Sunday at All Saints'. The Holy Innocents' Parish Choir, under the direction of Dr. Sean Vogt, will join the All Saints' Parish Choir and string orchestra in offering an array of beautiful anthems and hymns. 

Financial Gift for Kirk

The congregation is invited to make a financial contribution to celebrate our outgoing Director of Music, Dr. Kirk Rich, and the music ministry he has led at All Saints’. We thank God for Kirk, and we pray abundant blessings on him and Laura as they move to Louisville, Kentucky. For more information, click here.

Education for Ministry 

Where are you in your “Faith Journey”?  If your answer is “I’m not sure,” then Education for Ministry (EfM) is for you!  EfM is a four-year program sponsored by the theology school at the University of the South (Sewanee). Not only does the program cover the Bible and other Christian texts, we also discuss practical application for daily life! All Saints’ has more than 400 EfM graduates, so if you are interested in learning more, please contact Steve Hines: mobile/text 404-323-0601 or via e-mail at hines@ajobs.com 

The Ordination of Priests at the Cathedral of St. Philip 

Saturday, June 24, 2:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m., Cathedral of St. Philip, 2744 Peachtree Rd NW, Atlanta, GA 30305 

On this day, The Right Rev. Robert Christopher Wright, The Bishop of Atlanta, will ordain eleven candidates to the priesthood. All Saints’ is proud that three of the candidates for ordination are part of our All Saints’ family: The Rev. Dr. Jennifer McBride, The Rev. Carmie McDonald and The Rev. Kaitlyn (Katie) Presley. All are welcome to attend this service in-person and a livestream will be available for remote viewing. For more information, click here

Note: Our parish will also have opportunity to celebrate the following day, Sunday, June 25, following the 10:00 a.m. service with cake in the courtyard! 

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). The deadline for early registration is August 1. Payment plans are available. Special thanks to our Chairs Mary Brennan and Kate Richeson for organizing the retreat. For more information, please contact our Director of Parish Life, Jill Gossett at jgossett@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 

LGBTQ+ Ministries Newsletter Sign Up 

The Diocese of Atlanta has a commission dedicated to promoting LGBTQ+ belonging and leadership in Episcopal parishes throughout the diocese. Sign up here today to get news from around the diocese, alerts about get-togethers and outreach / pride events, and opportunities to volunteer. 

Refugee Ministries: 2023 Swimming Buddies Program 

Saturday, June 10, 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, contact Louisa Merchant, Director of Refugee Ministries, at louisam@allsaintsatlanta.org 

Respite Care Atlanta 

Mondays in June and July, 10:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m., Second Ponce de Leon Baptist Church, 2715 Peachtree Road NE, Atlanta, GA 30305 

Respite Care Atlanta is a program designed to provide daycare to people with dementia and “respite” for the caregivers. This is a very flexible volunteer opportunity! Our next volunteer information sessions are June 12 and July 10. Contact Susan Virgin: sdv20@bellsouth.net. for more information. 

Volunteer for the Second Annual Threads Back-to-School Uniform Giveaway 

We are excited to again host this important event for families in need! It was a huge success last year, thanks in large part to our volunteers. Please sign up to join us to distribute children’s uniforms, underwear and socks for the school year. The dates are as follows: July 13, 14, 15, 20, 21 and 22, from 9:30 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. on each date. Please contact Molly Monk at molly.monk20@gmail.com to volunteer and Louisa Merchant at louisam@allsaintsatlanta.org to provide event transportation.

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’ new sneakers: sizes 13, 1, 2 and 3 
• adult size men’s shoes, appropriate for children: size 7 ½  

Threads Welcomes Families for Shopping

Threads welcomes families for in-store shopping Thursdays and Saturdays from 10:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. Interested in volunteering? Contact Lori Guarisco at threads@allsaintsatlanta.org 

New History in All Saints' Library Display Cases 

All Saints' has a long history of members and clergy who have authored books on theology, philosophy, the civil rights movement, environmental stewardship, literary criticism and more. Many of these books are on display in the All Saints' library archive cases until the end of the year. Check them out in the Egelston Library. Want to join the Library team? Contact Gail Rogers at gailrogers851@att.net. Thanks! 

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 and community!

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