← Newsletter ArchiveFriday E-News · July 10, 2020
July 10, 2020
Photo courtesy of James Oliver        
 
In This Issue...

Get the latest news from All Saints'. Visit 
allsaintsatlanta.org .

Click  here  to request an announcement for publication.
ThisSunday
Online Worship Schedule

Worship online with us on Facebook. If you do not have a Facebook account, please join us on Vimeo.

Sunday
  • 10:00 a.m. Holy Eucharist Rite II

If you'd like detailed instructions about how to worship with us online, click here >>

 Rector
A Note From the Associate Rector for Young Adults and Innovation
 
Beloved saints, 

Whether you believe it takes only twenty-one days to form a habit, or insist on an even number like thirty, you've likely experimented with at least a new habit or two in 2020. A friend recently challenged me to pray a prayer of my choosing, every day for thirty days. I thought about the exercise before committing to something specific. Nights tend to be hard (I never seem to settle on the right ritual to carry me past the "worrying hours") so I chose a familiar piece from the New Zealand Prayer Book's service of "Night Prayer." The prayer's observations about night-its darkness, its stillness, its space to name our human frailties, its heralding the dawn's new joys and possibilities-have been steering me toward helpful habits, perhaps best described as "postures of trust." When I lay down worries and let fears (about my own life and our world) rest in God, I find myself right-sized, a finite creature leaning into much-needed rest. In those quiet moments before sleep, God's presence reassures me how deeply I am loved and supported, whatever my daily failings (and they are many). Call my selection spiritually sensible or simply lucky, but this prayer is providing words for my mouth and meditations for my heart to renew hopeful habits that discharge fretfulness and help me surrender to the divine, always drawing near. What habits of hope and postures of trust are you rediscovering this summer? We still have plenty of time to strike out, again-with an old favorite or something entirely new-in the three weeks ahead, the coming month, or simply these next 24 hours. Rest assured, however we choose to open ourselves to God's presence, perfect love is there to quell fear and to enlarge our imaginations for that kingdom of justice and peace that surely is coming, day by day, on earth as in heaven.

Trusting in God's faithful love,
Sarah+


Simon is away on vacation.

Sunday
This Sunday

Jesus on the Front Page
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.



The MICAH Project: 21-Day Racial Equity Habit Building Challenge 
Sundays, July 5, 12, and 19, 12:00 p.m., and Sunday, July 26, 12:30 p.m., on Zoom
Many of us feel called to make positive changes towards racial equity, starting with ourselves. You are invited to join fellow parishioners in this 21-day challenge. For those who would like to participate in accountability check-ins to discuss our challenges and reflections on Zoom, we will meet at 12:00 p.m. (noon) on Sundays, July 5, 12, 19 and 12:30 p.m. on July 26. Please click here to sign up for these Zoom meetings and Emily Avant will send you the meeting link and password.



Refugee Ministries and Threads: 
Backpack Buddies and Back to School
Donate a Backpack and Care Package by July 24
Every year, All Saints' Children's Ministries and Refugee Ministries provide backpacks and school supplies to former refugee children in Clarkston through our Backpack Buddies program. We're excited to continue the program this year with a few important changes to keep everyone healthy and safe: 
  • Everyone will purchase the backpacks and school supply bundles from Amazon links that are specific to each child. 
  • The backpacks and school supply bundles will be shipped directly to the church and stored there until delivery at the end of July. (Please see "Service" for information about volunteering to deliver the backpacks.)
This year, we're also excited to include care packages from Threads, our children's clothing ministry, in our deliveries. Please note that Threads is unable to accept new donations at this time and the care packages will be supplied through the current inventory. Click here to learn more and sign up to participate.  For more information, contact Louisa Merchant at louisam@allsaintsatlanta.org. 

Worship
Worship

Noonday Prayer Takes a Break in July
Our mid-day service of Noonday Prayer is taking a break for the month of July and we'll return in August.  For more information, contact the Rev. Dr. Andrew Barnett at abarnett@allsaintsatlanta.org. 
 
Compline Prayers 
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.

Pass the Peace with the Saints Online!
Send us a photo or short video to say "peace be with you." We will share these with our community during our online worship services at on Sundays at 10:00 a.m. Please email your peace to Jocelyn Cassada at jcassada@allsaintsatlanta.org by 5:00 p.m. on Thursdays.

 Giving
Giving

At All Saints' your gifts create a spiritually alive world.
Here is how to make a gift or pledge payment:
  1. You can mail in a check. We have someone checking the mail at the church every day.
  2. You can give a gift or make a pledge payment online on our website at allsaintsatlanta.org/giving.
  3. You can set up recurring payments via our ACCESS: All Saints' online directory and payment system. Click on the logo (right hand side of our homepage at allsaintsatlanta.org) and set up your login.
  4. Give in an instant by using text to give. Type your message to: 73256 and in the message space: allsaintsatlanta (Note: the first time you use it, you input your credit card information. The next time it's quick!)
Thank you, All Saints'!
Debbie Wilson, Chair of Stewardship Committee

 AdultFormation
Adult Formation



The MICAH Project: 
Lillian Smith: Breaking the Silence
Sunday, July 26, 11:00 a.m., on Zoom
Lillian Smith, a white southerner, was shunned and threatened most of her life (1897-1966) for speaking out against white supremacy and its toxic effects on individuals and society. From July 20-28, All Saints' parishioners will have the opportunity to access to the documentary "Lillian Smith: Breaking the Silence," at home (click here to watch between July 20-28). Then, on Sunday, July 26, we'll discuss the life and legacy of Lillian Smith during a Zoom Q&A with the filmmaker, Hal Jacobs, and actor Brenda Bynum, who created a one-woman play on Smith's life. Please click here to sign up for the Zoom meeting by July 25 and Ann Stuart Pearce will send you the meeting link and password.




Preacher-Teacher for Homecoming Sunday: 
Diana Butler Bass
Sunday, August 16, 10:00 a.m. online worship service and  11:00 a.m. online formation hour
We 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, the most recent being Grateful: The Transformative Power of Giving Thanks in which she offers suggestions for reclaiming gratitude that can lead to greater connection with God, our loved ones, our world, and even our souls. We look forward to her keen observations on Christian leadership in a pivotal time.  For more information, contact the Rev. Dr. Andy Barnett at abarnett@allsaintsatlanta.org.

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 safe 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. Andy Barnett at abarnett@allsaintsatlanta.org or any of The MICAH Project Steering Committee members.

 YoungAdults
Young Adults

Saints Untapped
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 gathering, which is led by Michael Asmussen.

 ChildrensMinistries
Children's  Ministries

Vacation Bible School Online
Sundays, August 9, 16, 23; 9:00-9:55 a.m., on Zoom

VBS is coming to you this year! For three Sundays in August, 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. BOLT will help kids understand what it means to "Listen to", "Focus on", and "Follow Jesus". Activities can be done at your own pace throughout the week or all on Sunday! 

Ms. Kathy and Ms. Kimmell (along with assorted other surprise guests) will ZOOM to your home each Sunday morning with a "Hello there", and a recap/roses/thorns/buds to hear what your kids learned and how much fun they had with their friends. 

All videos, music, craft supplies, and t-shirts will be provided. We will purchase t-shirts and supplies based on the number of registrants, and a nominal fee will charged. 

Registration will be open on July 20-27 and details for pick-up of supplies will be available in early August. 

For more information, contact Kathy Roberts at kroberts@allsaintsatlanta.org.

 Music
Music

The Hymn Project
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 month of July and we'll be back in August. 
For more information, contact Dr. Kirk Rich at krich@allsaintsatlanta.org.

 ParishLife
Parish Life 



All Saints': Let Your Light Shine  
We are already looking forward to the start of a new program year on Homecoming Sunday! As part of the celebration, you're invited to join our community in making angel lanterns at home for a parade-in-place. Click here to order your angel lantern kit by July 26. For more information, contact Jill Gossett at jgossett@allsaintsatlanta.org. 

Ministry for Employment Transitions
We have launched a ministry to offer networking advice and support for parishioners who are facing employment transitions at this time. The group is led by parishioner Steve Hines. To join this group or for more information, please contact Steve Hines at jobnetworking@allsaintsatlanta.org.

 Service
Service 

All Saints' Cares Update
Thank you for providing hundreds of lunches, all sorts of supplies, and over $28,275 in monetary donations to our ministries and partners across Atlanta. Click here to learn more. For more information, contact Jill Gossett at jgossett@allsaintsatlanta.org. 

Share a Meal with the Men of Covenant Community 
(on Zoom)
Mondays, July 13, 20 and 27
There is still a way to help with the Monday dinners for Covenant Community while quarantine restrictions are still in effect. Although it will be a while before visitors will be allowed to join the men to break bread, the following protocol has been suggested by CCI's Executive Director, Johnathan Davis. For the foreseeable future, dinner will need to be dropped off at the front door on Spring Street. After dinner, the men would very much like to do a Zoom meeting with the parishioner so that everyone could get together online. Available dates are: July 13, 20 and 27. Please click here to inquire about providing a meal and Barbara Blender will be in touch to help coordinate.

Backpack Buddies and Back to School 
with Refugee Ministries and Threads
Donate a Backpack and Care Package by July 24
Every year, All Saints' Children's Ministries and Refugee Ministries provide backpacks and school supplies to former refugee children in Clarkston through our Backpack Buddies program. We're excited to continue the program this year with a few important changes to keep everyone healthy and safe: 
  • Everyone will purchase the backpacks and school supply bundles from Amazon links that are specific to each child. 
  • The backpacks and school supply bundles will be shipped directly to the church and stored there until delivery at the end of July. (See the next announcement for information about volunteering to deliver the backpacks.)
This year, we're also excited to include care packages from Threads, our children's clothing ministry, in our deliveries. Please note that Threads is unable to accept new donations at this time and the care packages will be supplied through the current inventory. Click here to learn more and sign up to participate. For more information, contact Louisa Merchant at louisam@allsaintsatlanta.org. 

Refugee Ministries and Threads: Volunteer to Deliver Backpacks and Care Packages to Clarkston
Saturday, July 25, 11:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m.; Sunday, July 26, 3:00 p.m.; and Monday, July 27, 11:00 a.m., in Clarkston
Refugee Ministries and Threads invite volunteers to deliver backpacks and care packages from our Backpack Buddies and Back to School program (see "This Sunday") to former refugee families in Clarkston. The times listed above are the arrival times in Clarkston. Please click here to sign up. After you sign up, we will be in touch to schedule a time for you to pick-up the backpacks from All Saints', as well as offer helpful instructions for maintaining safe social distance while you make the deliveries in Clarkston. The children will be so excited! Thank you for your kindness and generosity during this difficult time. For more information, contact Louisa Merchant at louisam@allsaintsatlanta.org.

 General
General
 
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?
Contact Jocelyn Cassada, Director of Digital Communications, at jcassada@allsaintsatlanta.org.

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
Stay informed about news from our diocese at  connecting.episcopalatlanta.org. 
 
634 West Peachtree Street NW, Atlanta, Georgia 30308
telephone 404-881-0835, facsimile 404-881-3796