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Dear saints,
This week I have been enjoying Malcolm Gladwell's new book, "Revenge of the Tipping Point." Not for the first time in such books, my alma mater, Harvard, comes out rather poorly. Previously unbeknownst to me, Harvard has a rather good women's rugby team. The vignette that Galdwell begins his chapter on the team with, notes that Harvard beat Princeton sixty-one to five, which as far as I am concerned is exactly what Princeton deserved.
That outrageous slur to that small school in New Jersey aside, it turns out that there is a very good reason why Harvard's women's rugby team do so well—they tour the world looking for the best players to populate the team. Apparently there are women in Hong Kong and Australia and Scotland and Honduras who have had not known they had always wanted to go to Harvard until Harvard came to tell them that they did.
Perhaps we should all be more forgiving and celebrate, as team coach, Mel Denham, does, how "incredible it is to have such diversity." Of course, Malcolm Gladwell finds none of it incredible. He goes on in the chapter to outline how a 2014 case that went all the way to the Supreme Court revealed an expansive effort to social engineer Harvard's "incredible diversity" such that if you are from the right part of the world and play the right kind of varsity sport well enough, your chances of admission to Harvard, academically, are multiple times better than kids who are just, as they say in Boston, "wicked smart."
The consequence of Harvard's construction of diversity is that its major racial and ethnic groupings have remained stubbornly stable year after year, no matter it would seem how the population at large is changing. Gladwell's point is that social engineering fails to create authentic community and in Harvard's case it has had the impact of reserving space for students whose families have had the means to support their sporting excellence in ways that poorer families simply cannot. I should have gone to Yale.
The gift of churches like All Saints' is that they are places in our lives that at their best resist social engineering. Let's not fool ourselves, churches are subject to the same sort of forces that tend toward homogeneity. Indeed, it is somewhat easy to find places of worship in Atlanta where it can be hard to find your car in the parking lot after services because everyone drives the same car. We are not immune to those forces, but there has been a determination at All Saints' to live otherwise to a socially engineered culture.
Here, we have the opportunity to live with our differences. Here, we are unable to say who will end up sitting next to us, or what that person will say or do. As the first fruits of the Holy Spirit, the Church is in essence a free-for-all. The Spirit blows where she will, or as my mother was fond of saying as we came home from school each day, "look what the cat dragged in."
One day, seven plus years ago, the cat dragged me into this parish, and I couldn't be more grateful that she did. There was a day when the Spirit ushered you in here too. The true nature of the church is in what we choose to do next. Will we choose to start sorting our caste and creeds among one another, or will we stay with the randomness of it all and allow ourselves to be met by all these sorts of saints among us?
That is the question we are always faced with, here and every place that resists settling the seating arrangements in advance. Thanks be to God that there are places like this one where we get to mix things up. I for one need the variety and the beauty and the wonder of it all. How about you?
May God bless and keep us this All Saints' Sunday.
Peace,
| | The Rev. Dr. Simon Mainwaring, Rector | |
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Be In That Number!
Commitment Sunday is November 3.
We will celebrate the end of our nine-week campaign.
Are you in our Number?
Pledge cards are in our paper bulletins and in the courtyard to fill out.
Easiest way: go online allsaintsatlanta.org/give
or email Ellen Hayes, Director of Development ehayes@allsaintsatlanta.org
Thank you so much!
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All Saints Day (observed)
Sunday, November 3, Church
Weekly Service Times
- 8:00 a.m. (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 (Contemporary Language, Contemplative Music)
| | ANNOUNCEMENT: The church office is closed on Fridays. The administrative staff will work remotely, however, on that day of the week. | | PARKING: Overflow parking is available at the Bank of America—please enter on North Ave. 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. Be aware, also, that on Sundays in Midtown Atlanta, street parking is free. | | |
All Saints Sunday Celebration
Sunday November 3, 9:00 a.m. – 12:45 p.m., Church and Ellis Hall
Join us for our annual celebration of All Saints' Sunday. We will enjoy beautiful music at the 9:00 a.m. and 11:15 a.m. services and remember in prayer all those who have died from this church over the past year. For more information, please contact Annette Sullivan, Director of Parish Life at asullivan@allsaintsatlanta.org
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Taste of All Saints'
Sunday, November 3, 10:20 a.m. - 11:05 a.m., in Ellis Hall
Join us for Taste of All Saints’ where there will be great food from local restaurants and an opportunity for fellowship. The cost is $10 per adult and $5 per child under age 12. For more information please contact: Annette Sullivan at asullivan@allsaintsatlanta.org. Register online here: bit.ly/asec-2024-taste-of-all-saints
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New Commissioned Service Music: Mass for All Saints’
Sunday, November 3, at 11:15 a.m., in the Church
This Sunday is the first full presentation of the "Mass of All Saints'"— a new service music setting that was commissioned for us by All Saints' parishioner, Frank Thomas. The composer is Daniel Knaggs (see "composer of the week", below). The dedication reads as follows: "Mass of All Saints', commissioned in remembrance of Frank Asbell Thomas (1921-2004) and Joyce Heck Thomas (1927-2010) by their son, Frank, Jr., the premiere of which was November 3, 2024 by All Saints' choir and congregation." Join us in our gratitude to Frank and his gift of new music!
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Threads Annual Coat Drive
Runs from Sunday, October 13 to Sunday, November 24
Bring new and gently used winter coats to donate to the many children that Threads serves each week. Please drop off coats between October 13 - November 24, in one of the Threads bins located on the All Saints' campus.
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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 with a jazz trio, singing, prayer (together and in ways that speak to us individually), and communion. A community dinner for all participants follows the service.
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This past Sunday at All Saints’ Atlanta, we had a full Sunday, filled with the wonder of the fall season. We kicked off the morning with a delicious Sunday Morning Breakfast in Ellis Hall, where parishioners enjoyed a tasty start to the day and some fellowship time before the 9:00 a.m. service.
The Rev. Dr. Nontombi Naomi Tutu preached a sermon informed by her recent visit to Palestine as part of a faith leaders delegation invited there by Sabeel, an Ecumenical Liberation Theology Center. As she shared her personal witness of traveling the region, her conversations with Palestinians on the ground and deep reflection on Christian mission in a world roiled by war, Tutu called us all to work diligently for "justice, freedom and peace."
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Following the sermon, our parish hosted the final installment of our three-part forum series on the Future of Our Block Forum. Our rector, The Rev. Dr. Simon Mainwaring handed things off to Hank Houser of Houser Walker Architecture, the firm that has supported our parish's work discerning how best to steward and grown the resources of our community well into the 21st century, focusing on potential redevelopment of our block.
Following this, our campus transformed into a satellite campus of Hogwarts as we celebrated the season with a Trunk-or-Treat and a Harry Potter-themed Eucharist! Children and adults alike enjoyed the treats, music and jovial atmosphere in the Courtyard and Ellis Hall—most in costumes! The Children's choirs sang and as we made our way onto Platform 9 and 3/4 the magic ensued!
| | Candles seemed to levitate mid-air as we crowded onto long tables to begin the Eucharist celebration, led by Simon, we reveled in the wonder of the occasion. Following the service, we enjoyed butterbeer, gummy worms and other spooky delights! | | |
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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.
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Jazz at All Saints’ Presents The Joe Alterman Trio
Friday, November 22, from 7:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., in the Church
Acclaimed for the infectious joy of his playing, pianist Joe Alterman leads the second in the parish’s new jazz series on Friday evening, November 22. The program, featuring Joe and his trio, begins at 7:00 p.m. in the church and will be followed by a reception in Ellis Hall at 8:30. A regular performer at New York’s Birdland, this Atlanta native is regarded as one of the very best in a new generation of talented jazz performers. He has been praised by such jazz legends as Les McCann, Ahmad Jamal, and Ramsey Lewis. You will know why when you take your seat for another exciting evening of jazz at All Saints’. More information and tickets ($25/adult, $15/student) are available at allsaintsatlanta.org/jazz.
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Composer of the Week
Daniel Knaggs is a composer whose music is commissioned and performed across the globe. In 2022 alone, his music was performed in Singapore, Australia, Latvia, Poland, Estonia, Italy, England, Austria, Bulgaria, Canada, Portugal, the Czech Republic and throughout the U.S. After living in Mexico, Nicaragua and France, having studied six foreign languages, he continues to explore the interplay between music and linguistics while maintaining an international outlook in his work. His Mass of All Saints’ receives its premiere by our choir and congregation on All Saints Sunday.
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Ushering for All Saints
We need you to serve as a friendly face and provide a warm welcome to all who enter our church doors. Our Usher Ministry is one of hospitality and assistance to all worshipers, giving extra attention and help to visitors and those with special needs. As a team, usher distribute bulletins, collect offerings, provide attendance counts and guide worshipers to communion. Please contact Charlie Rigby at 770-330-9370 or polyadd333@gmail.com. Thanks for volunteering.
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Jesus on the Front Page
Sundays, 10:20 a.m. - 11:05 a.m., Parish Hall 307
In this weekly Sunday morning discussion of a current news story, participants reflect on how we are called to live as faithful people. In a nonpartisan reflection, we explore how we might be called to pray differently, think differently or act differently in our private and public lives. We ask where God might be found in this story and learn to name our lament as well as our hope. E-mail Clark Lemons (clemons@emory.edu) if you have questions!
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The Journey Bible Study
Weekly on Mondays, from 11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m., on Zoom
The Journey (Bible Study) continues, led by The Rev. Karen Evans, Parish Priest Associate. Starting in September, we will resume our journey through the Book of Revelation. The only requirements are a Bible and a willingness to learn. Email kevans@allsaintsatlanta.org for additional class information.
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School of the Spirit: Theology for All Seasons
Wednesdays, November 6, 13 and 20, from 6:30 p.m. - 8:00 p.m., P305/306 and on Zoom
Theology is worship. It is “faith seeking understanding” as the early church fathers said. It is a way to more fully know the God we praise. Come and develop the devotional practice of reflecting theologically in the twelve-week course, “Theology for All Seasons.” Register at bit.ly/asec-theology-class and contact The Rev. Dr. Jennifer McBride for more information (jmcbride@allsaintsatlanta.org).
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Adult Formation Sunday Forum with Bob Edge
Sunday, November 10, 10:20 a.m. - 11:05 a.m., Ellis Hall
In anticipation of the Advent season, come hear Bob Edge lead us through some of the great music of Advent, as well as guide us toward the great musical opportunities happening in and around Atlanta during the season.
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The Faith & Justice Collective Luncheon
Sunday, November 10, from 12:30 P.M. to 2:15 p.m., Ellis Hall
The Faith & Justice Collective luncheon series is an opportunity for justice-minded parishioners to get to know one another and hear about the work we do as a church community and in our own lives. Join us in November for a conversation with author Pete Candler about his extraordinary book, “A Deeper South: The Beauty, Mystery, and Sorrow of the Southern Road.” Candler, who belongs to one of Georgia's most recognizable families, confronts the hard truths of his ancestors' roles in the South's legacy of white supremacy with wit and a humility that recognizes that his journey of self-reflection is only just beginning. Please register in advance at bit.ly/asec-fandj-24luncheon1.
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One Parish One Book
Sundays, November 17, 24 and December 1, 8, 10:20 a.m. - 11:05 a.m., In-Person (Various Locations) and on Zoom
During the season of Advent, the entire parish will read one book together and gather over four Sundays for small group discussion during the morning formation period. Jesus on the Front Page and Parenting with God classes will continue to meet together for this discussion, while other parishioners will be divided by age groups with a clergy member leading the discussion group. A zoom group will also be offered. Before and during Advent we will read Amy Jill Levine’s The Light of the World. Purchase a copy wherever books are sold and join us! For more information, please contact The Rev. Dr. Jennifer McBride (jmcbride@allsaintsatlanta.org).
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Walking the Mourner’s Path
Beginning on Wednesday, January 22, 6:00 p.m. - 7:30 p.m., Shaffer Room
The Church's ministry after someone you love dies does not end with the funeral. Walking the Mourner's Path is a small-group program designed to help those who grieve find new purpose in life. The next eight-week session (skipping Ash Wednesday) starts January 22. To sign up, contact The Rev. Karen Evans, Parish Priest Associate.
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Wednesdays @ All Saints'
Wednesdays throughout the year, 5:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. Ellis Hall
Join us for Wednesdays @ All Saints' (aka Wednesday Night Supper). Grab a friend to come enjoy a meal while connecting with the community. Please note, we have new pricing:
- Adults - $14
- Kids (5-18) - $7
- Kids under 5 – Free
- Students – $8
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St. Helena’s Hellfire Pepper Jelly Sale
Sundays in November, 10:20 a.m. - 11:15 a.m., in the foyer of Ellis Hall
Saint Helena's famous Hellfire Pepper Jelly is going on sale between services in the glass foyer beginning November 3. Get your stocking stuffers and hostess gifts before it sells out. This annual fundraiser supports women and children in need.
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Men's Fellowship Dinner
Sunday, November 10, from 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., Courtyard / Ellis Hall
Join us for seafood in the courtyard! On November 10, we will enjoy a low-country boil hosted by the legendary Christopher Huber and Hank Harris. Please join us for fellowship and dinner, beginning at 6:30 p.m. Contact Trav Carter at trav@travcarter.com for more details.
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Novel Theology November Meeting
Wednesday, November 16, 7:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m., Ross Room
On Wednesday, November 20, Novel Theology will discuss “Fidelity: Five Stories” by Wendell Berry. Please join us in the Ross Room or on Zoom! Contact Laura Trott at lmtrott@gmail.com to join the mailing list and for Zoom information!
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Weekly Children & Youth Formation
Nursery/Little Saints: Birth-Pre-K, 8:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m., 1st floor of the Pritchett Center
Children’s Church: K-5th grade, 8:40 a.m. - 9:30 a.m., 2nd floor of the Pritchett Center
Children's Formation: Join the parish for Taste of All Saints’ in Ellis Hall from 10:20 a.m. to 11:05 a.m.
Youth Formation: Join the parish for Taste of All Saints’ in Ellis Hall from 10:20 a.m. to 11:05 a.m.
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Sunday Night Live (SNL)
Sundays, 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 6:00 p.m. for dinner and end at 7:30 p.m.
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Young Adults’ Bowling Social Event
Sunday, November 8, 7:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m., Register for Location Information
Join the Young Adults for a fun night of bowling! Meet new friends, enjoy some friendly competition, and fellowship. Registration is required for this event. For more information, please contact Tasia Blair, our Young Adults Coordinator, at youngadults@allsaintsatlanta.org.
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Young Adults’ Brunch & Bible Study
Sunday, November 17, 12:30 p.m. - 2:30 p.m., The Ross Room
Come enjoy a delicious catered meal, lively conversation and Bible study with the All Saints' Young Adults. All are invited—whether you're 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 Tasia Blair, our Young Adults Coordinator, at youngadults@allsaintsatlanta.org.
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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 | | |
Covenant Community, Inc.’s 29th Annual Men of Hope Thanksgiving Dinner
Tuesday, November 26, 3:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m., Ellis Hall
This Thanksgiving help us serve hope to our neighbors in need! Covenant Community’s Men of Hope Thanksgiving Dinner provides a warm, plated holiday meal for nearly 400 guests, many of whom are unhoused or living in shelters in Midtown Atlanta. For $15, you can sponsor a meal and give someone the chance to enjoy the season. Alongside the dinner, our resource fair offers vital support, including hygiene kits, HIV testing, clothing, and access to critical services like TANF. Your contribution does more than provide a meal—it helps guests feel valued, supported, and hopeful for the future.
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We Need You! Volunteer Receptionists
Become a volunteer receptionist at All Saints’! Our volunteers work on a bi-weekly schedule covering a four-hour shift. If interested, please contact Marie Louise Muhumuza at mlmuhumuza@allsaintsatlanta.org or Tracey Sage at tsage@allsaintsatlanta.org.
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Threads Welcomes Families for Shopping
Threads welcomes families for in-store shopping Thursdays and Saturdays from 10:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. Interested in volunteering? Contact Marcia Mayfield at threads@allsaintsatlanta.org.
Current Needs:
- baby boys’ clothing: sizes 3 months - 24 months
You may purchase items please via the Threads Amazon Wishlist:
bit.ly/ASECThreadsNovember2024
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Read The Faith and Justice Collective's
November Newsletter
The November issue includes the following highlights:
- Vote!!!
- Covenant Community’s Thanksgiving Dinner
- Look for Giving Tree Opportunities
- November 10th F&J Luncheon Features Pete Candler
- Recap of Climate and Democracy Conference
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.
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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.
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