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Dear saints,
On Sunday we will baptize three new members into the household of God. Baptism is such an ancient rite in the church that it predates Christianity altogether. Every time a baptism takes place in the context of Christian worship, followers of Jesus are offered a reminder that our religious heritage is Jewish and that baptism is an historical bond that Jews and Christians share - a message from antiquity of our millennia-long solidarity.
A book I've been reading in preparation for my sermon this Sunday, The Forgotten Creed by Stephen Patterson, claims that the first baptismal affirmation of the faith can be found in Paul's letter to the Galatians. It says,
"For you are all children of God through faith in Christ Jesus; for as many of you who have been baptized have put on Christ: there is no Jew or Greek; there is no slave or free; there is no male and female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus."
(Galatians 3:26-28).
The claim that Patterson makes is that these verses are not original to Paul but predate the letter as part of or all of liturgical words pronounced at baptism. The liturgy of the Book of Common Prayer similarly uses the language of oneness in its opening acclamation for the service of Holy Baptism:
"There is one Body and one Spirit.
There is one hope in God’s call to us."
All of these are words that speak of our identity, of who we are in Christ, with whom the old order of things dies in the waters of baptism such that we might be raised with Christ in Christ's resurrection. Within a Christian understanding of oneness, our distinctive identities are not obliterated; oneness does not mean sameness. We are not required to melt into some sort of Christian primordial soup. Instead, oneness means 'with-ness', it points to a divinely ordered solidarity. Patterson describes baptismal identity like this,
"[It] was not about overcoming difference for the sake of sameness. Nor was it a celebration of difference and cultural diversity. It was about overcoming the distinctions that commonly underwrite the human tendency to denigrate the other, to disempower, disenfranchise, dehumanize, and even enslave another person on the flimsy grounds that he or she is different...Baptism meant an end to otherness and othering, estrangement, and contempt for difference".
The Forgotten Creed, pp.158-9
The divine mandate for human solidarity has been a vocation this church has lived into for three decades now among people who came to these shores as refugees. You probably know well that to gain entry into the United States designated by the state as a refugee is to succeed in navigating an immensely laborious and thorough process. Many of the people we have come to know through the years of our refugee ministries at All Saints' bring with them stories of suffering and hardship we barely know how to hear let alone understand. We have learned with depth and nuance aspects of being human that we would have never known without them.
We recently learned that the six months of federal financial support that agencies working alongside refugees have relied upon to help families and individuals get a foothold in the country has essentially been reduced to one. Our assessment of the prospects of families we have come to know through our own work with refugees is that this drastic and sudden loss of financial resources will be devastating. We are living in tumultuous times and there is a world of need at our doorstep. Yet, remembering our baptismal identity, we can choose solidarity. We can say that, grounded in our faith in Christ, we are one with others.
On Saturday March 29, Refugee Ministries will host a 'Hallelujah Anyhow' Gala when we will aim to celebrate with one another the achievement of an audacious goal: that between now and then we will raise between us and out in our community financial resources enough to be able to support not only the six families we have built volunteer teams around, but a good number of others. It takes $12,500 to support a family through the first half of this year. For every $12,500 we can raise, we can help another family. Over the next few weeks you will receive an invitation, once more, to be generous in this place, not because you haven’t already been immensely so, and not because it will be easy, but because this is a call that we feel is ours.
It is easy to feel helpless in the face of widespread disruption and discord, yet I do believe that there is power in a community that chooses to do one thing as well as it can such that it might make a difference. This is our present hour's one thing. I invite us to bring our hope out into the world and proclaim to anyone who cares to notice, that in spite of all the noise, we remain one.
Peace,
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Refugee Ministries "HALLELUJAH ANYHOW" Gala
Saturday, March 29, 7:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m., Ellis Hall
For 30 years, All Saints’ has lived in friendship and solidarity with refugee communities. Families we have welcomed to America have had six months rent support cut to one month and are in danger of becoming homeless. In support of them, we will hold a spectacular "Hallelujah Anyhow" gala event in Ellis Hall on Saturday, March 29 and will aim to raise funds so we can support our 6 families and others through the end of June. Tell your friends, bring your children, invite your neighbors and work colleagues to be extravagantly generous. For more information please contact Louisa Merchant, louisam@allsaintsatlanta.org.
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The Sixth Sunday After Epiphany
Sunday, February 16, 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, Jazz Music)
| | 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' Sing-A-Long with Robert Ray
TOMORROW Saturday, February 15, 6:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m., Church
Join us for a high energy, all ages, and free piano sing-a-long and potluck. Hosted by Music at All Saints and All Sorts' (our All Saints' LGBTQ+ ministry), the amazing Robert Ray from Campagnolos fame will be here. Belt out a classic with an old friend or a new one! It's a potluck. Sign up for the potluck here. Questions? Email louisam@allsaintsatlanta.org. Make it easy to invite friends & neighbors by sharing the Facebook event!
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Sunday Morning Breakfast
Sundays, from 7:30 a.m. - 9:00 a.m., Ellis Hall
Join us for a delicious breakfast and fellowship with the saints before Sunday services in Ellis Hall. The cost is $10 for adults and $8 for kids.
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Sunday Forum: An Overachiever's Guide to Being Enough
Sundays, February 16 and 23, 10:20 a.m. - 11:05 a.m., Ellis Hall & Livestreamed
Join our rector, Simon, for this two-part forum as he tells his story of being an overachiever in a never-satisfied culture and reflect with him on ways we might learn to be enough. No advanced qualifications required to attend. For more information, contact: smainwaring@allsaintsatlanta.org.
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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 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, communion and prayer (together and in ways that speak to us individually). A community dinner for all participants follows the service.
| | We celebrated Absolom Jones Sunday and the Fifth Sunday after Epiphany last Sunday with the Singing Sisters of Ebeneezer Baptist, led by All Saints' dear friend, Laura English Robinson. Watch the recording here. | | The Children's and Youth Musical was awesome! What a great performance of The Lost Boy: Jesus in the Temple, led by Emily Halbert, our Director of Youth and Children Music. | | |
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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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Consider becoming a member of All Saints’ Cornerstone by making a planned gift today to All Saints’. You can include the church in your will or as a beneficiary of an IRA or insurance policy. If you don’t have a will, it may be time to write one.
For more information, contact our Planned Giving Committee, Chair: David Begley (david@wdbegley.com). The Cornerstone Society recognizes parishioners who have made a planned gift to All Saints’. Join the more than 200 members who have made this important commitment.
If you have questions, please e-mail them to:
Julie Lockhart, Director of Development, jlockhart@allsaintsatlanta.org.
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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
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Carmen Bradford Up Next in Jazz at All Saints' Concert Series
Saturday, February 22, 7:00 p.m., Church
The reigning queen of jazz lovers’ hearts—vocalist Carmen Bradford—will star in our third Jazz at All Saints’ concert on Saturday, February 22, beginning at 7:00 p.m. The winner of a 2024 Grammy, Carmen is considered jazz royalty. You can be sure if it ain’t got that swing, it ain’t got Carmen or her accompanist, pianist Reginald Thomas! Come hear these storied artists for yourself and stay for the insightful Q&A hosted by our own Virginia Schenck and the reception in Ellis Hall. Tickets are $25/adult, $15/student. Get tickets here. Make it easy to invite friends & neighbors by sharing the Facebook event!
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The Journey Bible Study
Weekly on Mondays, from 11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m., on Zoom
First the history and then the prophetic response will be our format for Bible study through May. The history of the two kingdoms, Israel and Judah, will be read starting at 1 Kings, chapter 12 (which includes the stories of Elijah and Elisha). The first prophet recorded independently will be Amos. For more information or to sign up for the class, please contact The Rev. Karen Evans at kevans@allsaintsatlanta.org for additional class information.
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Faithful Advocates Annual Visit to the Capitol
Wednesday, February 19, Offsite
Join your fellow saints this year for the Faithful Advocates annual visit to the Capitol to advocate for legislation that affects All Saints’ communities and core ministries. For details, please email Suzanne Wakefield, faithfullocals@gmail.com.
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School of the Spirit: Theology for All Seasons
Wednesdays, February 19 & 26, from 6:30 p.m. - 8:00 p.m., P305/306 and on Zoom
Join us this week to look ahead to Lent and Good Friday as we discuss the meaning of Jesus's crucifixion and critically reflect on how different Christians have understood the meaning of the cross. This hybrid course connects the foundational building blocks of Christian faith with the corresponding liturgical season. All are welcome; participants can enter the course at any time. Register at https://bit.ly/asec-theology-class-feb and contact Jenny McBride for more information (jmcbride@allsaintsatlanta.org).
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Lenten Connects: Small Group Spiritual Conversation
March 3, 2025 through Palm Sunday, April 13, 2025
Groups meet by zoom once a week for an hour for the six weeks. There is a Wednesday noon group formed and the option for Tuesday or Thursday evening groups, starting at 7PM. If interested in joining email Jilli Robertson, jilli.ff.robertson@gmail.com.
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Adult Inquirers Class - Spring Session
Wednesdays, March 12, 2025 - April 9, 2025 at 6:30pm via Zoom and In-Person Dinner
Adult Inquirers Class is a five-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 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 fall. Upon completion of classes, confirmation and membership will be available. For more details contact Tracey Sage, tsage@allsaintsatlanta.org.
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Wednesday Night Supper
Wednesdays, 5:30 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. contact Marcia Mayfield, mmayfield@allsaintsatlanta.org, for more information.
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Men's Dinner
Sunday, February 23, 6:30 p.m., Ellis Hall
Please join us for an evening of fellowship with wine, cheese, and charcuterie, followed by a delicious Indian meal from Naan Stop. This dinner is hosted by Clay Jackson, Bob Woodward, and Neal Idnani, and you can register on Realm. The cost is $25 per person, and financial support is available upon request. Contact: Andy Barnett: abarnett@allsaintsatlanta.org.
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2027-2028 Vestry Nominations
We welcome nominations for 2027-2028 Vestry leadership from all eligible parish members who are confirmed and over eighteen, who regularly attend worship and who have made a financial pledge to the church. Between Friday, February 14 and Sunday, March 23, Vestry nominations may be submitted either by email or written notice to the Rector’s Executive Assistant, Tracey Sage: tsage@allsaintsatlanta.org. Please include all your church involvement in your submission. Vestry members will be elected during the Annual Parish Meeting on Sunday, April 27.
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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 Formation: No children’s formation this week. Instead head to Ellis Hall to watch the Children's Musical. Formation returns February 16.
Youth Formation: No youth formation this week. Instead head to Ellis Hall to watch the Children's Musical. Formation returns February 16.
SNL (6th-8th grade) and Y’all Saints’ (9th-12th grade): 6:00 p.m. - 7:30 p.m., Offsite this week
Drive a Go-Kart, sink a hole-in-one, and hit the jackpot with us this Sunday! We’ll have a tailgate in the parking lot, where we’ll enjoy dinner and the raffle at 4:00 p.m. We’ll be playing from 5:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. The cost is $12 per youth. Want to join? Just send an email to lnolfa@allsaintsatlanta.org.
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Weekly Children's Choirs Rehearsals (Wednesdays)
Cherub Choir: PK-K — 4:00 p.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Primary Choir: Grades 1-2 — 4:35 p.m. - 5:10 p.m. 5:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m.
Junior Choir: Grades 3-6 — 5:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m., Preparing for the Children’s Musical
Children's Handbells: Taking a break until after the Children’s Musical
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Weekly Youth Choirs Rehearsals (Sundays)
No youth choir rehearsals today. Youth choir rehearsals return on February 23.
Come sing, grow, and make a joyful noise with us this year! For more information, contact Emily Rebecca Halbert, Director of Youth & Children’s Choirs, 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!
| | SERVICE AND SOCIAL JUSTICE | | |
Become a Volunteer Receptionist at All Saints'
Our volunteers work on a biweekly schedule from 9 a.m.-1 p.m., Monday through Thursday. If interested, please contact Marie-Louise Muhumuza at mlmuhumuza@llsaintsatlanta.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 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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February Faith & Justice Newsletter
- Volunteers Needed for Refugee Settlement
- Spotlight on the Church of the Common Ground
- Faithful Advocates Go To The Capitol
- All Sorts Sponsor Sing-a-long
- Preview of 2025 Hunger Walk/Run
- F & J Luncheon Features New Out of Hand Play
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Share Your Photos! Share Your Expertise!
Did you know that you can submit photographs of All Saints’ events to share with the Communications Team? If you want to make a habit of it, join the Photography Guild! Contact Kathy Powell at communications@allsaintsatlanta.org.
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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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