← Newsletter ArchiveFriday E-News · December 17, 2021
This Sunday
Christmas Pageant

We are excited to have our traditional, non-rehearsed, low-stress Christmas Pageant in the church this year!

Children of all ages are invited to become part of the story of Jesus’ birth and celebrate the hope and everlasting love of God.


Adult Formation Session 4 Continues

During Session 4, “Practicing the Way of Love,” join us for the following classes on December 19:




Giving Tree and Food Gift Card Donations

Bring holiday cheer to families in need! There are three ways to give back during this year's Giving Tree, with in-person and online options.

We are also collecting food gift cards to help feed families from refugee backgrounds during the holidays.

Dear saints,

I love that each year at All Saints’ we have a non-anxious Christmas pageant, which will be this coming Sunday at 9:00 a.m.. No doubt about it, we could all do with a little non-anxiety right now. Anxiety has become the background music for the world we share with a pandemic still upending so many lives. We are ready for this to end, and the limits of our ability to make that so are indeed anxiety-producing. So, we need to hear a larger story, the tale of the birth of the Christ-child that draws us into its drama. A story where our anxieties are invited to be at peace. In it we have the chance to re-discover the wonder of God’s divine love enveloped in a tiny human life. Perhaps it is children who most of all, in touch as they are with their sense of wonder, can help us see again this most beautiful of truths. 

So, come to church on Sunday. Let a child help you remember the promise of new life made to us in the Incarnation. And receive the gift of peace this Christmas season.

Peace,
Worship Schedule
Week of December 19, 2021
Sunday

8:00 a.m. and 5:30 p.m.
Worship Services in the Chapel

9:00 a.m.
Christmas Pageant Service in the Church

11:15 a.m.
Worship Service in the Church

Monday through Thursday

12:05 p.m.
Noonday Prayer in the Church
Masks are required for all indoor worship services, classes, and events. Registration is not required. Learn more about our COVID-19 protocols >>
Christmas at All Saints'!

Join us to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ at one of our Christmas services:



Christmas Eve | Friday, December 24

  • 1:00 p.m. A Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols with the All Saints' Schola

  • 3:00 p.m. Christmas Eve Festival Worship with the Children's Choirs

  • 5:00 p.m. Christmas Eve Festival Worship with the Youth Choirs

  • 7:00 p.m. Christmas Eve Holy Eucharist, Rite II with the All Saints' Parish Choir

  • 10:00 p.m. Christmas Eve Holy Eucharist, Rite II with the All Saints' Parish Choir

Christmas Day | Saturday, December 25

  • 10:00 a.m. Christmas Day Holy Eucharist, Rite II


Classes and Groups
Kids
On Sunday, join us for the Christmas Pageant at 9:00 a.m. in the church!

Children's Church and Children's Formation will take a break on Sundays, December 19, 26, and January 2. We'll be back on January 9!


Middle and High Schoolers
On Sunday evening, all 6th-12th graders are invited to join us for a special Christmas-themed SNL outside in the courtyard where we will share dinner and decorate cookies.

Please bring a wrapped gift of no more than $10 for our white elephant gift exchange and wear your best Christmas outfit!


St. Cecilia’s Young Women’s Group: Moms Bearing Coffee

Saturday, December 18, 9:30-10:30 a.m. at Historic Fourth Ward Park

We're inviting ALL moms who need a 1-hour coffee break to come join us in Historic 4th Ward Park every third Saturday of the month.

Jesus on the Front Page

Sundays, 10:20-11:05 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.

Faith and Forgiveness with Nikki Toombs

Sunday, December 19, 10:20-11:05 a.m., in the Shaffer Room

This class will examine the parallels and perils of these two tenets through the works of prolific American writer, August Wilson.

How the Bible Came to Be with The Candler Foundry

Sunday, December 19, 10:20-11:05 a.m., in the Ross Room and online

The English Bible that we read today looks nothing like what was available to Jesus and the disciples. Almost everything that we now take for granted about the Bible – chapters, verses, paragraphs, translations, study notes, and even what books are included – is the result of a long and fascinating process. 

The Promise of a Guaranteed Income to Address Racial Inequity with Amir Farokhi

Sunday, December 19, 10:20-11:05 a.m., in P307

Amir Farokhi (Atlanta City Councilor, District 2) represents six intown neighborhoods on Atlanta's City Council. In 2020, he launched the Old Fourth Ward Economic Security Task Force which looked at the prospect of a guaranteed income for the neighborhood's most vulnerable residents. The group recommended a three-year guaranteed income pilot program that he is currently working to launch. 

New Series in January: A Vision for All the Saints

Sundays, January 9, 16 and 23, 10:20-11:05 a.m., in Ellis Hall

In January, we will welcome back to the block three beloved clergy leaders who have served at All Saints’: Barbara Brown Taylor, Martha Sterne, and Geoffrey Hoare. We will also welcome back Luther Smith, renowned theologian from Emory University.

Each of these leaders will join in conversation with our rector, Simon Mainwaring, as we begin our work of casting a vision for the future of our mission and ministries at All Saints’.

Giving
2022 Annual Canvass: Courageous Giving

"As a black, genderqueer individual, it was important for me to find a worship community that embraced fully who God created me to be. All Saints' is that place and so much more. I make a pledge to All Saints' so that the Church can continue to love on all people, especially those most vulnerable among us who have been told by the world they don't matter or they are wrong. Join me in sharing the message of God's hope, love, and peace by ensuring All Saints' is around for generations to come through your generous financial support!” 
—Jacob Clifton Albritton
Stewardship Committee

Make your pledge today! You can use the paper form in the Sunday bulletin or pledge online at allsaintsatlanta.org/pledgecard/
Year-End Giving

The year is swiftly coming to a close, but there’s still time to make a 2021 gift, pledge payment, or stock transfer. We must have all year-end gifts by noon on Friday, December 31 (or postmarked by that date) for 2021 tax purposes.

Please note that the office will be closed on Monday, December 27 and Tuesday, December 28. The office will be open on Wednesday, December 29, Thursday, December 30, and Friday, December 31 (until noon).

Stock transfers come to us without the sender’s name and we want to acknowledge your gift properly, so please let Ellen Hayes or Betsey Gibbs know the name of the stock and how many shares are being given. The information you need to make a stock transfer is below:

  • Charles Schwab account name: All Saints’ Episcopal Church
  • Account number: 1084—6679
  • DTC number: 0164, Code: 40.

Questions? Contact Betsey Gibbs at bgibbs@allsaintsatlanta.org.

Thank you so much!
Parish Life
Caroling with the Saints at MARTA

Wednesday, December 22, 5:00-6:00 p.m., North Ave MARTA Station and Kennedy Courtyard

Deck the halls with boughs on MARTA! Singers of all ages and abilities are invited to attend our annual Caroling with the Saints event!

We'll meet in the courtyard at 5:00 p.m. and then cross the street to serenade the lucky commuters at the North Ave MARTA Station. After we're finished caroling, we'll celebrate the season with cookies and a hot cocoa bar in the courtyard. Festive Christmas attire is welcome and ugly sweaters are encouraged! 

Service and Social Justice
Refugee Ministries’ Christmas Party

Saturday, December 18

Celebrate Christmas with friends from our Refugee Ministries program!

**Plans have changed and we’ll be hosting families in the Attic on the 3rd Floor of Pritchett Children’s Center. We invite lots of volunteers to help make this celebration special!**

We’ll eat lunch outside and then play games and watch a holiday movie inside. All kids and volunteers will need to wear masks while we’re inside.

Join the Peoplestown Partnership 

A few weeks ago, we introduced the newest initiative in our work for racial justice and healing: the Peoplestown Partnership.

You are invited to join a new ministry as part of this partnership: Bridge of Hope, a volunteer team of 6-8 parishioners working with a case manager to support a local family with transportation, household furnishings, and food.

To sign up, please contact Simon Mainwaring at smainwaring@allsaintsatlanta.org.


Make a Gift to Emmanuel Bwatta as He Becomes Bishop of the Diocese of Western Tanganyika

It is with great celebration that we share the news that Emmanuel Bwatta, Dean of Lake Tanganyika Theological College—our partner in Tanzania—has been elected Bishop of the Diocese of Western Tanganyika.

You are invited to give a gift to help him purchase vestments and meet other expenses as he prepares to be consecrated at the end of January. You are welcome to make a donation online or via check (noting that it's for Emmanuel Bwatta in the memo line). 

Donate a Car to the Absalom Jones Center for Racial Healing

Are you ready to give up driving or turn in your current car? The Absalom Jones Center for Racial Healing, one of our community partners, is seeking our help in finding a donated car. If you or someone you know can donate a car, please contact Dr. Catherine Meeks or her assistant, Sandra Tarver, at 404-601-5335 or cmeeks@episcopalatlanta.org.


Share a Meal with the Men of Covenant Community

In this season of Advent, please think about bringing dinner to the men of Covenant Community on a Monday night. Meals can either be shared with the men inside the residence or they can be dropped off sometime during the day. Available dates are: December 20, 27, and January 3. Thank you so much.


Donate Children's Clothing, Books, Socks, and Shoes to Threads

We invite donations of new or gently used children’s clothing; a donation barrel is located in the upper level of the parking garage behind the security booth.

Current needs: long-sleeved tops for boys and girls (sizes 5 through 16), child-sized house slippers, and warm baby blankets. We're also looking for a smallish baby changing table in good condition.

Questions? Contact Lori Guarisco at threads@allsaintsatlanta.org. 

News & Announcements
Adjusted Worship Schedule on Sunday, December 26

On Sunday, December 26, we will combine the 9:00 and 11:15 a.m. worship services into one 10:00 a.m. service in the church. This service will be in-person only (it will not be livestreamed) and the nursery will be closed. Please note: we will also have our usual 8:00 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. services in the chapel.

Church Office Closures for the Holidays

The church office will be closed on Monday, December 27 and Tuesday, December 28. The office will be open Wednesday, December 29, Thursday, December 30, and Friday, December 31 (until noon).

We will also be closed on Monday, January 3 in observance of the New Year's holiday.

In the event of a pastoral emergency, please call 404-881-0835 and the message you hear will direct you to the clergy on call.
Office Space for Rent on the All Saints' Campus

Looking for office space? Be our neighbor! We have office space available for rent at 31-33 North Avenue, which recently housed Holder Construction's project management office for the Norfolk Southern development.

The space contains approximately 4,500 square feet of walk-in ready office space. If you know of anyone who might be an office tenant prospect for this space, please contact Bill Fryer or Sheldon Taylor >>
Connect with us on Realm!

Don't forget to join Realm, our new platform for online giving, directory, and event registration.

Questions? Please contact Betsey Gibbs at bgibbs@allsaintsatlanta.org.


Grace Notes
Thanks to Katie Armbrester, Michael Asmussen, Judd Asbill, and Brad Harder for your help with Y'All Saints' (youth ministry) in the month of December! Your gracious welcome and support of our young people is a spectacular gift to our faith community!