|
Dear saints,
We celebrate God’s love for the queer community with Pride!
One way Christians can embody Christ’s love for the world right now is to articulate a Biblical and theological framework for this claim: God loves you, just as you are, and so do we. This is a truth All Saints’ has lived for decades, it arises from our deep sojourn with Scripture, reason and tradition, and it is our time to proclaim it with joy.
First, God celebrates the splendid diversity of creation. In Genesis 1, we take a seven-day nature hike through creation. God celebrates all that God has made at the end of each day (including the fabulous diversity of humankind), and God “calls it good.” God loves you, just as you are, and so do we.
Second, Bishop Michael Curry says it well, “If it’s not about love, it’s not about God.” In "What the Bible Says—and Doesn’t Say—About Homosexuality," Bible scholar Mel White explores the seven texts that discuss same-gender relations in the Bible. He provides detailed context and concludes, based on the text, that these passages do not address mutual, consensual, loving queer relationships as we know them today. The texts are critiquing unjust power dynamics, among other things. The most important thing to know about the Bible is that we follow Jesus and his way of love, that God’s preferred and promised future for the world is defined by just compassion for all and that the Holy Spirit has a role for you and for me in this transformative work.
Third, our prophetic tradition invites us to speak about justice, which is the public embodiment of love. Many queer folk have been wounded by the Church—some so grievously that they can’t comprehend attending. Some even question why anyone would associate with the institution. But the religion of Jesus, as Howard Thurman describes it, is principally concerned with those “with their backs against the wall.” May we be a proud and joyful voice in the public square, proclaiming God’s love for all creation.
If someone in your life needs to hear this simple truth, please be empowered to reach out to them. Let us joyfully proclaim: God loves you, just as you are, and so do we!
Thanks be to God.
Sincerely,
| | |
Fourth Sunday after Pentecost
Sunday, June 16, Church
Weekly Service Times
- 8:00 a.m. (Traditional Language, No Music)
- 10:00 a.m. (Contemporary Language, Choral Music)
- 5:00 p.m. The Welcome Table (Contemporary Language, Contemplative Music)
| | PARKING: Overflow parking is available at the Bank of America—please enter on North Ave. Get a validation ticket upon entry. Please request an additional validation ticket from an usher in the church narthex upon arrival or exit. Use both validation tickets upon exiting the Bank of America parking deck to park free of charge. | | |
Stump the Organist
Now through Sunday, August 11, 9:50 a.m. – 10:00 a.m., Church
Our summer prelude begins at 9:50 a.m. in the summer. Come request your favorite hymns, as played by our new Director of Music, Scott Lamlein and our Associate Director of Music, Justin Maxey!
| | |
Music Moments in the Courtyard
Sunday, June 16, 11:15 a.m. - 12:00 p.m., Kennedy Courtyard
Kids and kids at heart are invited to meet Emily Halbert, our new Director of Children and Youth Music in the courtyard for a musical craft or musical moment after the 10:00 a.m. service throughout the summer. Get ready to get creative and make some musical moments together!
| | |
Flat Jesus Summer Activity
As you travel near and far, be sure to participate in our Flat Jesus Summer Activity! Pick up your Flat Jesus bookmark in Ellis Hall along with instructions to submit your photos of Flat Jesus from around the world! You can also visit allsaintsatlanta.org/flatjesus for the same in digital form.
| | |
Jesus on the Front Page
Sundays, 9:00 a.m. - 9:45 a.m., Parish Hall 307
Our summer schedule offers a great opportunity to try Jesus on the Front Page! In this all-ages class, we explore what it means to live as faithful people in today's world drawing on scripture, our tradition, our experiences and the news of the day. E-mail Clark Lemons (clemons@emory.edu) if you have questions!
| | |
The Welcome Table: Sunday Evening Worship Service and Dinner
Sundays at 5:00 p.m., In the Chapel and Ellis Hall
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 piano and singing, prayer (together and in ways that speak to us individually), and communion. A community dinner for all participants follows the service.
| | |
Greetings, saints! This past Sunday at All Saints’, we held three worship services at our Midtown Atlanta campus: one at 8:00 a.m., a second at 10:00 a.m. and a third at 5:00 p.m. (our evening The Welcome Table service).
At our 9:50 a.m., we kicked off our 10:00 a.m. service with our beloved musical prelude, Stump the Organist, this week played by our Associate Director of Music, Justin Maxey. Be sure to make your requests throughout the summer via our Facebook page comments (facebook.com/AllSaintsATL) and on our brand new YouTube live stream (youtube.com/@AllSaintsATL) on Sunday mornings!
| | At that same service, our Priest Associate, the Rev. Nontombi Naomi Tutu, explored our gospel reading by encouraging parishioners to expand their vision of who they identify with, or would consider as family. Tutu invoked her background as a young person in South Africa; the shooting death of Trayvon Martin; the work of Annunciation House in El Paso, Texas; and, the current Israel-Gaza Crisis to argue for a Christian reappraisal that understands every person to be a child of God, and therefore our sibling. You can watch the sermon here! | | |
Meanwhile, the youth of our parish are taking in the sights on a pilgrimage to Croatia! As they moved from Dubrovnik, to Lokrum Island, to Split and beyond, they encountered varied landscapes, new food and drink and historic, holy places (including cathedrals, monasteries and palaces) that illuminate the history of Christianity in Eastern Europe.
Follow along with their journey and see an assortment of beautiful photos taken by our young people and their chaperones on Facebook (facebook.com/AllSaintsATL) and Instagram (instagram.com/allsaintsatlanta)!
| | We would love to get to know you! Our community looks forward to you joining us for upcoming services and events throughout the year! For more information visit allsaintsatlanta.org/calendar. | | |
Walk in love, as Christ loved us…
Make an offering to All Saints' today.
allsaintsatlanta.org/give
Or leave a check or cash in the offering plate.
Thank you so much!
| | Please give generously to our All Saints’ offering plate, in-person and online via the button below: | | |
To make an Offering today or pay your pledge,
click the Give Now button above. And visit us online at allsaintsatlanta.org/give.
| | |
-
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.
| | | |
Education for Ministry (EfM) Celebration Sunday
Sunday, June 30 from 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m., Church
EfM is a program for lay persons who want to deepen their spiritual understanding of our faith. All Saints has more than 400 EfM graduates, and we will celebrate four more on EfM Celebration Sunday, June 30 during our 10:00 a.m. service.
| | |
Join the All Saints’ Choir!
The All Saints’ Choir is a welcoming group of adults that love to sing. Yes, it is a very talented group, but don't be afraid! This is a fabulous community in which to learn while making music alongside seasoned professionals. For more information, contact our Director of Music, Scott Lamlein (slamlein@allsaintsatlanta.org).
| | |
Education for Ministry (EfM)
This 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 or to join an existing group, call or text Steve Hines at (404) 323-0601.
| | |
Embodied Beloved Community: A Pilgrimage along the Civil Rights Trail for Truth-Telling, Training and Transformation
Sunday, June 30 at 12:00 p.m. to Sunday, July 7 at 4:00 p.m., Various Locations
All Saints’ parishioners are invited to join this pilgrimage, which is being hosted by St. Paul's (Atlanta) and Grace Church (Brooklyn Heights, NYC). It begins on Sunday, June 30 in Tennessee and continues over eight days through Mississippi, Alabama and concluding in Georgia. Space is limited, so register today at episcopalatlanta.org/event/embodied-beloved-community
| | |
Men's Spirituality Group
Tuesdays in spring, 7:00 p.m. - 8:15 p.m., online via Zoom
A new Men's Spirituality Group has formed! This small group invites anyone wanting to growth in faith and male friendship to join them by Zoom the first three Tuesdays of the month and in person at All Saints on the fourth Tuesday of the month. To RSVP please e-mail Stan Hitron at shitron@gmail.com. To participate via Zoom, please visit allsaintsatlanta.org/links and enter password “AdultFormation2024”.
| | |
All Sorts’ Stonewall Brunch
Sunday, June 30, 11:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m., Ellis Hall
You are wanted and welcome to attend the conversational brunch we call "Stonewall: A Call to Action, Then and Now." Brunch will be provided as a panel-style conversation between Episcopalian experts in the fields of trans-inclusivity and environmental activism reminds us why we get to celebrate PRIDE month.
| | |
Save the Date: Annual Parish Retreat at Kanuga Conference Center
Friday, September 27 - Sunday, September 29, 2024, Kanuga Conference Center
Save the Date to join the All Saints' Parish for a weekend of fun and fellowship at Kanuga in Hendersonville, N.C. Registration and more information will be available in May.
| | |
Weekly Children & Youth Formation
Nursery/Little Saints: Birth-Pre-K, 9:30 a.m. - 11:30 p.m., 1st floor of the Pritchett Center
Children’s Church: Children's Church takes a break during summer. Please join the parish in the church for worship services.
Children Formation: Children's Formation takes a break during summer. Please join the parish in the church for worship services.
Youth Formation: Youth Formation takes a break during summer. Please join the parish in the church for worship services.
| | |
Peeps in the Pew
Children and youth are invited to join Ms. Emily, Ms. Kathy, and Luke and sit together during the 10:00 a.m. service throughout the summer. Find us each Sunday towards the right side of the church!
| | |
Youth Ministries’ Special Summer Events
We are on Summer break but that doesn't mean the fun at All Saints' stops! Be on the lookout for emails about our Special Summer Events. If you have any questions please reach out to lnolfa@allsaintsatlanta.org.
| | |
Bridge of Light Juneteenth Service Day
Wednesday, June 19, 6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m., Capitol
Join us in our work with Bridge of Light, providing services and dignity to individuals experiencing homelessness in Atlanta by utilizing mobile resource centers to offer showers, hygiene kits, and clean clothing.
| | |
Young Adults Picnic Brunch
Sunday, July 14, 11:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m., Ross Room
Come enjoy a delicious catered meal and lively conversation with the All Saints' Young Adults'. All are invited—whether you are looking to connect for the first time, reconnect after a long while or keep connections going! Childcare is available upon request. For more information, please contact our Young Adult Coordinator Tasia Blair at youngadults@allsaintsatlanta.org.
| | |
Young Adult Fellowship Online!
Are you in your 20s or 30s and interested in fellowship, discipleship, and service? Reach out to Tasia Blair at youngadults@allsaintsatlanta.org to receive our monthly newsletter, get added to the WhatsApp group chat and find out what events we have coming up!
| | SERVICE AND SOCIAL JUSTICE | | |
Save the Date: Threads Uniform Giveaway
Wednesday, July 17 – Saturday, July 20, 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. each day, Ellis Hall
The 3rd Annual Threads Uniform Giveaway is coming soon! Here is how you can help us get ready:
-
Purchase socks and underwear: we need socks for boys and girls in sizes small, medium and large AND underwear for boys and girls in sizes 4T – 16. Please make all donations for the Uniform Giveaway by July 14, 2024. You can purchase items please via the Threads Amazon Wishlist: bit.ly/ASECThreadsJune2024
-
Volunteer your time before, during and after the Uniform Giveaway! Register to volunteer at allsaintsatlanta.org/threads, by clicking the orange “Serve Now” button!
| | |
Read The Faith and Justice Collective's
June Newsletter
The June issue includes the following highlights:
- Juneteenth Commemorations in Atlanta
- Faith & Justice Collective to Sponsor Sunday Luncheons
- Answering the Question: “What Can I Do?”
- All Sorts Welcomes Parishioners to PRIDE Month Events
Click here to sign up and receive the newsletter delivered to your inbox
| | | Click the image above to view our "thank yous" to parishioners from various staff members. We appreciate the ways you serve our parish community! | | |
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.
| | |
Connect with us on Realm!
Learn more >> 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.
| | | CORRECTION: From the Friday, May 31 edition of the E-News: Pat and Sug Patton did indeed meet in their first grade Sunday School class, but that class was at St. John’s Episcopal Church in Montgomery, not at All Saints’. They found their way to All Saints’ in January of 1957, and they’ve been with us ever since. | | | | |
