All Saints’ Atlanta Project (ASAP)

Christian Faces of Social Justice

Atlanta is a large and rapidly growing city situated in the strange conundrum that is the urban southeastern United States: One of the finest historically black universities in the country resides in the heart of what once was cotton territory; an exclusive Old South society club sits in the middle of a vibrant and active GLBT neighborhood. As the city spreads and sprawls, so does its diversity of industry, of religion, of politics and of humanity.

With this type of growth and diversity also come all manner of social justice issues and Atlanta, like other cities, works hard to manage its mess, relying on NGOs, religious and non-religious alike. Our parish is perched in the center of corporate downtown, hip Midtown and posh Buckhead, walking distance of two major universities and on the city’s light rail line. Daily, we see our share of the injustices of poverty and discrimination as they ring our doorbell and sleep in our close. As a community, we actively seek to fight against poverty, racism, homophobia, homelessness and addiction through the ministries we have started and support. It is our calling as a parish to be present and be active in Atlanta and to be the hands and feet of Christ in a broken world.

All Saints’ Atlanta Project is another means by which we seek to respond to God’s call to heal a broken world. ASAP is a year-long post-college internship program for young adults interested in issues of social justice and vocational discernment especially in an urban environment.

Interns will work 35 hours a week in their social service worksite placements and will also spend another 5 hours per week in the All Saints’ community in youth and children’s ministries, adult formation, parish life and worship. Interns are asked to participate in the life of All Saints’ parish in order to develop a deeper connection to our parish and help our parish connect to them and their work as well.

Interns will share common housing and live in intentional Christian community in a property near both the parish and public transportation. The program directors will guide the interns through spiritual discernment, developing a common rule of life and will lead a series of vocation workshops as a part of the spiritual growth component of the program. As part of their vocational reflection, the intern community will go on 2-3 retreats per year.