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Dear saints,
Merry Christmas! I hope that wherever you were this Christmas Eve you were able to enjoy the beauty and wonder of this holy time of year. All Saints' was spectacularly adorned with flowers and song as we told the old, old story of the God whose love comes to find us all. What a gift.
It has always struck me as something of a shame that while the world around us is seemingly keen to begin celebrating Christmas sometime in October, as soon as Christmas Day is over, the tree is on the sidewalk and we're on to New Year's resolutions. I love that as a western Christian, the eastern traditions give us a second pass, celebrating the Feast of the Incarnation on January 6th. Take your time, I hear them say. My own family adamantly keeps on watering the tree and eating our way through mounds of super-calorific foods right up to twelfth night. I might even ask Alexa to raise the volume on "Carols from Kings" now and again, just to remind the neighbors of some of that
"Joy to the World" we still have to share. For my own part, I cannot imagine doing anything else. Twelve days is hardly enough for the magnitude of it all to sink in. God is with us.
God is with you, and God is with the Syrians who this coming year will begin to piece back together the fragments of their lives in what we all must pray is a free country. God is with the people of Magdeburg, Germany, as they try to come to terms with the surreal and awful terror a single driver visited upon hundreds. God is with those who dwell in dark places across this world, and we would be forgiven for wondering if being with us is enough in the face of a world such as this. Yet, God is also with us in the acts of countless people who opt for goodness and kindness and spendthrift generosity within that world. That kind of love cannot be defeated; that kind of light never goes out.
So, yes, dear saints, hang on to those decorations and twinkling lights, perhaps the folks around you still need a sign that we are not alone.
"Hark! The herald angels sing, 'Glory to the newborn king.'"
Grace and peace to you this Christmas time,
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First Sunday of Christmas
Sunday, December 29, Church
Please Note This Sunday's Adjusted Service Times
- 8:00 a.m. (Communion, Traditional Language, No Music)
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10:00 a.m. (Communion, Contemporary Language, Adult Choir)
- There is no evening Welcome Table service.
- There is no nursery care, Children's Church, or Youth Formation.
| | 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. | | |
ATTENTION: Beware Email Scammers this Holiday Season
Please remain vigilant against email scammers pretending to be Simon or another member of the clergy or staff, including those who might appear to use a legitimate All Saints' email address. We will never ask you to buy gift cards, send us money individually, or fulfill any task for us on a personal basis. If you have any suspicion about an email you receive from someone who looks like they could be from All Saints', please call or text the staff member in question to double check.
| | Well, it has been quite a week of celebrations! Last Sunday, we celebrated the story of Christmas told by our children at the Christmas Pageant and then celebrated our very own, Ellen Hayes, on her retirement. Then, our Flower Guild and our musicians out did themselves once again in bringing the wonder & praise of the new born King to our Christmas Eve & Christmas Day celebrations. It was truly a blessing to celebrate with all of you! | | Thank you to our Photography Guild members Kris Birkness & Stephen Smith for contributing gorgeous photos this week! | | |
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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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Be In That Number!
Thank you so much to those who have pledged.
These dollars coming in celebrate the deep generosity
you feel towards All Saints'.
This campaign is not the same without you.
Please share your gifts with a commitment / pledge here now:
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All Saints' offers easy ways to pay your pledge or to make a gift:
Online at allsaintsatlanta.org/give
Mail a check to All Saints’ Church, 634 W. Peachtree St., Atlanta, GA 30308 Put a check or cash into the offering plate during the services
Text to Give: text AllSaintsAtlanta to 73256
Gift stocks or securities
Our Charles Schwab account is:
“All Saints’ Episcopal Church”
Account #: 1084-6679 • DTC #: 0164 Code: 40
Stock gifts do NOT come with the donor’s name included so remember to contact Betsey Gibbs at bgibbs@allsaintsatlanta.org, and let her know the stock gift is coming.
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Year End Giving:
There is still time to make a gift, pledge payment or stock transfer. To be counted as a 2024 gift for tax purposes, we must have your gift by noon on Tuesday, Dec. 31, 2024 or postmarked by Dec. 31, 2024. The office will be open Monday, December 30, 10:00 a.m.- 5:00 p.m., and Tuesday, December 31, 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Thanks for your support All Saints'!
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Epiphany Ministry Fair
Sunday, January 5, 10:20 a.m. – 11:05 a.m., Ellis Hall
With New Year’s resolutions in mind, you are invited to be a light in this place by volunteering to join a ministry of action. Join us in Ellis Hall to learn how you can be involved with worship, pastoral care, Faith and Justice Collective, and Children and Youth Formation.
Contact: the Rev. Dr. Andrew K. Barnett: abarnett@allsaintsatlanta.org.
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Epiphany Service for All Ages
Wednesday, January 8, 5:00 p.m., Chapel
The evening begins at 5:00 p.m. in the chapel with a procession of the Bethlehem star and the
three magi bearing gifts for the Christ child in the manger. We will bring our own gifts of baby clothes for the children that come to shop at Threads as we learn to keep following and reflecting that light of Christ today.
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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. Email 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 is resting until January 20, 2025 when we will continue our study of the Revelation to John. Email The Rev. Karen Evans at kevans@allsaintsatlanta.org for additional class information.
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Sunday Forum: "Politics and Faith in an Era of Polarization" with Joe Crespino
Sunday, January 12,10:20 a.m. - 11:05 a.m., Ellis Hall
The Sunday after the presidential inauguration, join us as we think together about “Politics and Faith in an Era of Polarization,” led by All Saints’ parishioner and Emory political historian, Joe Crespino.
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The Faith & Justice Collective Luncheon: Advocacy Opportunities for Refugees, Immigrants, and Asylum Seekers
Sunday, January 12, 2025 from 12:30 p.m. – 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 January for a conversation with Louisa Merchant, the Director of Refugee Ministries at All Saints', about the kind of advocacy that may be needed for refugees, immigrants, and asylum seekers. Louisa will lay out where things seem to stand with the newly inaugurated administration and will walk us through concrete actions we might take personally and as a church-community. The session will focus on navigating trauma and will primarily be conducted in pairs and small groups. Please register in advance at
https://bit.ly/FaithJusticeCollectiveLuncheon3 and contact Rev. Jenny McBride with any
questions, jmcbride@allsaintstalanta.org.
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Adult Inquirers Class - Winter Session
Wednesdays, January 15 - February 12, 2025 from 6:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m., via Zoom
Adult Inquirers Class is a five-part introduction to the life of faith at All Saints’. The first four meetings are on Zoom with the final session in person over dinner at the church. Participants are asked to commit to all five sessions. Additional adult inquirers classes will be held later in the spring and fall. Upon completion of classes, confirmation and membership will be available. For more details contact Simon Mainwaring at (smainwaring@allsaintsatlanta.org) or Tracey Sage (tsage@allsaintsatlanta.org).
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Wednesday Night Supper Returns!
Wednesday January 8, 5:30 p.m.-7:00 p.m., Ellis Hall
Join us as we resume Wednesday Night Supper and celebrate the Feast of the Epiphany on Wednesday, January 8, 2025! There will be a festive Three Kings Cake and star cookies.
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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: Children's Church will Resume on January 5.
Children Formation: Children's Church will Resume on January 5.
Youth Formation: Youth Formation will Resume on January 5.
SNL (6th-8th grade) and Y’all Saints’ (9th-12th grade):
SNL takes a break be back for Christmas and will resume on January 5 for the Epiphany Bonfire. For more details and location, please email Luke Nolfa lnolfa@allsaintsatlanta.org.
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Children's Choirs Commence Wednesday, January 8
Wednesday, January 8, 4:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.
- 4:00 p.m. - 4:30 p.m. Cherub Choir (PK-K)
- 4:35 p.m. - 5:10 p.m. Primary Choir (Grades 1-2)
- 5:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m. Junior Choir (preparing for the Children’s Musical) (Grades 3-6)
- Handbells are taking a break until after the Children’s Musical
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Youth Choir Resumes Sunday, January 12
Sunday, January 12, 4:30 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.
Sunday Rehearsals (preparing for our Youth Choir Trip, January 31- February 2).
Come sing, grow, and make a joyful noise with us this year! For more information, contact Emily Rebecca Halbert, Director of Children’s and Youth Music, at ehalbert@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!
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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 if you are interested in volunteering; Threads needs you:
threads@allsaintsatlanta.org.
You may purchase items please via the Threads Amazon Wishlist:
bit.ly/ASECThreadDecember2024
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Read The Faith and Justice Collective's
December Newsletter
The December issue includes the following highlights:
- Voice Lifters: A Matter of Better Understanding
- All Saints’ Supports Female Seminarians in Tanganyika
- History Center Examines Forsyth County Race Expulsion
- Now’s the Time to Support the Giving Tree
- Gun Safety Events Scheduled This Month
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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