Dear saints,

A few days ago, I got a knock at the door and was delighted to see standing there the couple who had looked after our house and our dog for the summer while we were away on sabbatical. They were leaving to return home to India the next day, just before the end of their Fulbright Scholarship term at Emory.

It was lovely to see them again. Having dropped off our key and chatted for while, they asked, "Can we take a picture..." Delighted, I heartily agreed and got up, preparing myself to stand between them. "...with Lilly?" - our dog. "Of course", I said wistfully. "We became quite close over the summer", they explained. "That's lovely," I replied. "Do you want to take her with you?" They laughed as I gave our dog a fateful look.

It's great to be wanted, isn't it? And it has been so good to be back at All Saints' and discover that nobody changed the locks to my office door while I was away! Thank you for your warm welcome back and thank you even more for the profound gift to our whole family of the past three months of sabbatical. It has been a full and rich time, one whose lessons will no doubt emerge for me over the years to come. 

One lesson I carried back that is already clear is the power of welcome. My first stop on the sabbatical was a return to the school in India where I was a teacher 23 years ago. I had some apprehension about how it would go. Would I be welcomed back in? Would I even be remembered? As it turned out, I was offered a lesson during those weeks in India about the remarkable power of welcoming someone back home. People reminded me of times we shared, things I said or did—the person I was. I could not have hoped for more. 

All of us get the chance to welcome, to say to another human soul "you are exactly the person I want to be present with right now." That is a simple act of hospitality, but it opens the door to the kind of mutuality God intends for the whole world in right relationship with itself. 

I give thanks that welcome is a hallmark of our common life at All Saints'. So I invite you to come and feel it for yourself, especially if you have not been here for a while—you can come home again. Thanks be to God for that truly restorative gift. 

Peace,

THIS SUNDAY

The Fourteenth Sunday After Pentecost

Sunday, September 3, Church

• 8:00 a.m. Holy Communion (Traditional Language, No Music) 
• 9:00 a.m. (Contemporary Language, Choral Music)
• 11:15 a.m. (Contemporary Language, Choral Music)
• 5:00 p.m. The Welcome Table (Modern Language, Contemplative Music)

All-Parish Event: Saints and Service Sunday 

Sunday, September 3, 10:20 a.m. - 11:05 a.m., Ellis Hall 

Join saints of all ages as we practice neighbor love this Labor Day Weekend. Seeking to be God’s hands and feet in the world, we will make hundreds of sandwiches that will be distributed to organizations who directly serve people experiencing food insecurity. 

Everyday Connections 

Sunday, September 3, 10:20 a.m. - 11:05 a.m., Parish Hall 305/306 

Join us for this NEW class! The proclamation of the Gospel during worship is the beginning of an ongoing dialogue between the text and those who hear it. The homily is a first response that begins, but does not end, this divine conversation. The “Everyday Connections” class provides a continual opportunity for participants to add their voice to the conversation by exploring the significance of the week’s Gospel reading for our everyday lives. 

Jesus on the Front Page 

Sundays, 10:20 a.m. - 11:05 a.m., Parish Hall 307 

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. 

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. 

Photo of the Week

On Sunday, August 27, our Rector, The Rev. Dr. Simon Mainwaring returned to All Saints' from a travel-intensive summer sabbatical! Simon served as celebrant during the 9 a.m. and 11 a.m. services and between those services offered a Rector's Forum in Ellis Hall. During the forum, Simon showed a slideshow reviewing his trip and surfaced some key spiritual insights he gathered during his cross-continental journey. To view a video of the forum, click here.

Giving  

Live Generously Every Day! Make a gift today to All Saints’ Church and look for your pledge card in the mail in the coming weeks as we work together to build our community in 2024.

Reminders:  

• Have you moved over the summer and have an update to your address, email or cell phone? Let us know.  (contact Betsey Gibbs, Membership Coordinator: bgibbs@allsaintsatlanta.org)  
• Has your credit card number changed? (contact Betsey Gibbs, Membership Coordinator: bgibbs@allsaintsatlanta.org) 
• Do you have a Realm account so you can update everything yourself and look up friends in the directory? (contact Betsey Gibbs, Membership Coordinator: bgibbs@allsaintsatlanta.org) 
• Is All Saints’ in your will?  (contact Ellen Hayes, Director of Stewardship and Development at ehayes@allsaintsatlanta.org) 

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

Youth Choir and Handbells: Regular Schedule

Sunday, September 10, 2nd floor Pritchett Center

Grades 7 – 12

Regular rehearsals begin September 10: Youth Handbells at 4:15 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. and Youth Choir at 5:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m. The Sunday Night Live gathering for all youth follows at 6:00 p.m. in the Attic with dinner. Register and review schedules: allsaintsatlanta.org/music/children-and-youth-choirs. Questions? Contact Karol Kimmell, Director of Youth and Children’s Music, karolkimmell@allsaintsatlanta.org

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. 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.

Children’s Choirs Rehearsals, Grades PreK – 6th 

Wednesdays, 4:00 p.m. - 6:30 p.m., 2nd floor of the Pritchett Center 

Children’s Choir rehearsals have begun. You may still join for a great year of fun, learning, singing and ringing. Register for choir online: https://allsaintsatlanta.org/music/children-and-youth-choirs/ 

• Cherub Choir      4:00 p.m. -4:30 p.m. (PreK-K) 

• Primary Choir     4:35 p.m. - 5:10 p.m. (1st-2nd) 

• Junior Choir         5:15 p.m. - 6:00 p.m. (3rd-6th) 

• Junior Handbells 6:00 p.m. - 6:30 p.m. (4th-6th) 

You are invited to join us for Wednesday Night Suppers after choir, served in Ellis Hall from 5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. Register and pay for supper online. Questions about choir? Contact director, Karol Kimmell, karolkimmell@allsaintsatlanta.org. 

Rector’s Forum 

Sunday, September 10, 10:20 a.m. - 11:05 a.m., Ellis Hall 

Rector, Simon Mainwaring, provides an update on plans for “The Future of Our Block,” informed by what is happening in Midtown Atlanta. 

The Journey Bible Study  

Mondays in fall, beginning September 11 

Journey to the cross and resurrection with us as we explore Luke's Gospel. The Journey Bible study group resumes September 11th. The group meets via Zoom on Mondays at 11:00 a.m. The only requirement is a Bible. Register at https://bit.ly/thejourney-ASEC. The Zoom link will be sent to you following registration. 

Adult Inquirer's Class - Fall 2023 

Wednesdays in fall, beginning September 13 

Adult Inquirer’s Class is a four-part introduction to the life of faith at All Saints’. Meetings are on Wednesday nights, 6:30 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. The first three meetings are on Zoom with the final session in person over dinner at the church. Participants are asked to commit to all four sessions. Additional adult inquirers classes will be held later in the spring. For more details contact Simon Mainwaring at (smainwaring@allsaintsatlanta.org) or Tracey Sage (tsage@allsaintsatlanta.org). 

Labyrinth Walk for Remembrance: Suicide Prevention & Awareness Month 

Monday, September 18, 5:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m., Ellis Hall 

All Saints & Lutheran Church of the Redeemer will co-sponsor the second annual walk honoring Suicide Prevention and Awareness month of September. The event features a reflective Labyrinth walk with prayers and lit candles embracing the community of support, remembrance, and collective grief. Redeemer’s Pastor Jenny McLellan and The Rev. Dr. Jenny McBride will offer prayers. 

Novel Theology Monthly Meeting - “The House of the Spirits” by Isabel Allende 

Wednesday, September 20 from 7:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., P305 

This month, we will be discussing The House of the Spirits by Isabel Allende. Our discussion will be facilitated by Sarah Edman. More details will be sent through the Novel Theology listserv. If you are not on the listserv, please email Amelia Tuttle (amelia.tuttle9@gmail.com) and we can get you added. 

Education for Ministry (EFM) Registration

Great news! Former EFM Mentor, Linda Gabbard, has offered to start a new group this fall! We already have 5 potential new members and need three more. 

Education for Ministry (EFM) is a program for lay persons who want to deepen their spiritual understanding of our faith. Over four years, we cover Old and New Testaments, church history, and contemporary theology with a curriculum prepared by the Theology School at Sewanee. Small groups, generally fewer than 10, allow for group discussion and to develop our personal responses to issues facing us and the Church today. For more information, contact Steve Hines at 404-323-0601 or e-mail hines@ajobs.com.

Wednesday Night Supper Returns! 

Wednesday, September 6, 5:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m., Ellis Hall 

It's back! Enjoy an evening meal in community followed by a casual worship service and communion. The cost is $11 for adults and $5 for children and youth, and college students. You may register here (bit.ly/ASEC-WNS1) and pay online or pay at the door. 

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.

Registration for our annual parish retreat at Kanuga Conference Center is now live (click here). Your deposit is due upon registration and full payment is due by September 15. This year, our theme is “Generation Celebration: Finding God in Every Generation.” 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.

Nominations for Diocesan Council 

Each year, representatives from every church in our diocese gather for worship and an important governance meeting called Diocesan Council. On November 10-11, we will vote on the budget and a range of policy recommendations to guide our work for the coming year. We hear from our Bishop and other elected leaders about their vision, and we enjoy fellowship with Episcopalians from across middle and north Georgia. Finally, the All Saints’ delegation has valuable time with our clergy in a small group setting. If you are interested in the health and vitality of the Episcopal Church, we invite you to serve as a delegate on behalf of All Saints’. To nominate yourself or someone else, please send an e-mail to tsage@allsaintsatlanta.org. 

Save the Date! Soiree Benefiting Habitat for Humanity 

Saturday, November 4 from 6:30 p.m. to 11:00 p.m., 1200 Peachtree Promenade Central 

Calling All Saints’ parishioners to join in celebrating and giving to honor our 120th Birthday. On this special birthday we are raising money for our 2024 Habitat for Humanity build.  Mark your calendars and consider how you can offer treasures and experiences for the silent and live auction.  More information will be coming soon! For questions, volunteers, and donations please contact Chairs Sloan and John Smith or Jill Gossett at jgossett@allsaintsatlanta.org.  

Weekly Children & Youth Formation 

Nursery/Little Saints: Birth-Pre-K, 8:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m., 1st floor of the Pritchett Center 

Children’s Church: K-5th grade, 8:40-9:30 a.m., 2nd floor of the Pritchett Center

Children Formation: K-5th grade, 10:20-11:05 a.m., 2nd floor of the Pritchett Center

Youth Formation: 6th-12th grade,10:20-11:05 a.m., The Attic (3rd floor of the Pritchett Center)

Sunday Night Live (SNL) 

Sundays from 6:00 p.m. - 7:30 p.m., The Attic 

All youth in grades 6th-12th are invited to join us for dinner, fellowship, and fun as we gather for Sunday Night Live, our traditional youth program! We gather at 6pm for dinner and end at 7:30pm. 

Young Adults

Braves Baseball Game!

Sunday, September 10, 1:30 p.m. - 4:30 p.m., Offsite

Join the Young Adults as we cheer on the Braves at the baseball game following service on 9/10! We will plan to carpool from All Saints'. Tickets are limited so please reach out ASAP to reserve your seat youngadults@allsaintsatlanta.org

Cascade Springs Nature Preserve 

Saturday, September 16, 9:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m., Offsite 

Join the Young Adults as we break from the city and gather for a relaxing nature walk through Cascade Springs Nature Preserve. All ability levels are welcome and encouraged to join! For more information, contact our Young Adult Coordinator, Tasia Blair, at youngadults@allsaintsatlanta.org. 

Refugee Ministries: 2023 Swimming Buddies Program 

Saturday, September 9, 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.  

7th Annual Covenant Community Golf Classic Classic

Monday, September 11, 10:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m., Off-Site

Friends of Covenant Community are welcome to attend the 7th Annual Covenant Community Golf Classic & Fundraiser! We invite all golfers, donors, sponsors and volunteers to participate. Find out more and register today at www.ccgc.myevent.com

Celebration of Memories & Hopes 

Thursday, September 28, 6:00 p.m. - 8:30 p.m., Ellis Hall 

Friends of Covenant! Our Annual Celebration of Memories & Hopes will honor residents who have completed the life stabilization program. Join us on Thursday, September 28 6pm-8:30pm in Ellis Hall. The Men of Hope Alumni group will coordinate the event and welcome the new members. 

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' shirts, shorts and pants sizes XS (size 5T) through XL (size 16)
• girls pants and shorts, sizes 5 - 10, girls dresses, sizes 7 and 8

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. Threads needs volunteers on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays. We would love to have you join us! 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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