Dear saints,

Over the past several weeks, the Future of our Block Steering Committee has been hard at work bringing the discernment process we began in the fall of 2018 to its close. On one hand, it is remarkable how long it has taken. When we began, I was a young man. Now, when I tell folks that I've fallen off my bike, they ask me to ‘remember my age’. Life is cruel!

There are a couple of reasons worth dwelling on why it has taken six and a half years to discern the future of the church on this city block. 

One will be familiar to you: life happened. I am sure that you have had best laid plans re-directed from time to time in your own life when the great, unexpected came to visit. For us all, the most significant unexpected and indeed unwanted guest who entered our lives during this period was the pandemic. In March of 2020, all other plans - including engaging the parish on the question of the block - were put to one side as we walked with one another through unprecedented challenges in the modern era. 

The other reason for the longevity of our discernment process is that these things have their own beautiful way of slowly unfolding. Deep learning is incremental, as is the listening that deep learning requires. Through the course of these years, on your behalf, the block steering committee, a parish engagement committee, a couple of strategic planning committees, and a future church task force have each placed on top of one another a richly layered set of testimonies. We have asked parishioners how they see God at work in this place. We have asked Midtown residents otherwise unrelated to All Saints' what they wish churches would be and do in our time and place. We have engaged one another as a congregation asking what we see for the future of the church here. And the block committee in particular has listened to hour upon hour of insight from professionals, institutions, and congregations from across town to across the nation. All of that listening and learning has yielded what true listening and learning always yield: more avenues to travel down and explore. 

At its heart, discernment changes us. It changes our minds about what we thought we knew about the world, and opens our hearts to possibilities God alone can see. As such, it is an immense gift. 

On Sunday May 4th, the fruits of all of this discernment will be presented to the parish following the 9:00 a.m. service. I am excited to share all that is now coming into view and listen for how your joy for the work of God might meet the world's deep hunger. As we approach that time, we will resume my Monday messages about the block, starting this week. 

For all the saints who gave of themselves to entrust this legacy to us, we give thanks as we step forward with confidence, trusting that the future of this church belongs to a gracious and loving God.

Peace,

Simon+

THIS SUNDAY

The Fifth Sunday in Lent

Sunday, April 6, 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) 

ANNOUNCEMENT: The live stream of our Sunday worship services is now available at allsaintsatlanta.org/live, facebook.com/AllSaintsATL and on youtube.com/@AllSaintsATL. Feel free to join us via your preferred platform and be sure to give us a follow! 

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. 

What Makes You Come Alive: Discussing Chapter 7

Sunday, March 30, 10:20 a.m. - 11:05 a.m., 3rd Floor Parish House OR

Tuesday, April 1, 7:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m., Zoom

During the season of Lent, the entire parish will read Lerita Coleman Brown’s What Makes You Come Alive: A Spiritual Walk with Howard Thurman together and gather over four weeks for small group discussion in person during the Sunday morning formation period or on Zoom the following Tuesday. All are welcome to join the conversation at any time!

Though we invite you to read the whole book, we will be focusing this week's discussion on Chapter 7. For the Tuesday Zoom link, or for more information, please contact Jenny McBride, jmcbride@allsaintsatlanta.org.

Hydrangea Delivery

Sunday, April 6, after 9:00. and 11:15 a.m. services, Chapel 

Sunday Callers need volunteers to help deliver hydrangeas to homebound parishioners on Sunday, April 6. You will be able to pick them up in the chapel after either the10:00 a.m. or 11:15 a.m. services. Contact Pat Robinson at probinson999@gmail.com with questions or to volunteer. 

MAC Annual Lenten Food Drive

Sundays now through April 13th

The MAC Lenten Food Drive has started and runs a couple more weeks until Sunday, April 13th. Bags with donated food items can be dropped off in Ellis Hall any Sunday during Lent. Last year, the Food Drive brought in 2,522 pounds of food. Let's see if we can beat that this Lent! These contributions enable MAC to support neighbors facing housing and food insecurity. For a detailed list of necessary food items, please visit midtownassistancecenter.org/donate/. For questions, please contact Jenny McBride or MAC’s volunteer manager, Savanna Keo, at savanna@midtownassistancecenter.org.

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! 

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 hope you will worship with us in-person or online this Holy Week! See below for all the basics and click the graphic for all the details.

Last Saturday was a tremendous way to celebrate the radical generosity of all who have supported our Raising Hope for Refugees campaign for All Saints' Refugee Ministries. Below is just a glimpse of the fellowship, food, ambiance, and music. Click here to see the full photo album!

We look forward to you joining us for upcoming services and events throughout the year. For more information on upcoming events, read this weekly newsletter every Friday or visit allsaintsatlanta.org/calendar.

If you can't join us in-person, you are still a part of our All Saints' community!

Did you know you can watch our services online?

Please visit us at allsaintsatlanta.org/live during service times. We stream to our website, Facebook page, and YouTube channel, so you can join us in whichever way is most convenient for you. You can also view recordings of services and community events at allsaintsatlanta.org/media/video-audio-library/ .

Cornerstone Planned Gifts, gifts offered now to be given after your death are an important part of the generosity we are invited into as a church community. You are invited to prayerfully consider All Saints’ in your legacy planning. For more information about how to make a planned gift, please contact Julie Lockhart: jlockhart@allsaintsatlanta.org.

All Saints' offers easy ways to pay your pledge or to make a gift:

Give online: allsaintsatlanta.org/give

Mail a check: to All Saints’ Church, 634 W. Peachtree St., Atlanta, GA 30308

Text to Give: text AllSaintsAtlanta to 73256

Put a check or cash into the offering plate during the services, gift stocks or securities

If you haven’t yet made your pledge for 2025, there is still time!

Discover more ways to give at: allsaintsatlanta.org/give. 



If you have questions, please e-mail them to:

Julie Lockhart, Director of Development, jlockhart@allsaintsatlanta.org. 

WORSHIP & MUSIC

Music Notes This Week:

During Lent, our Parish Choir is singing strictly a capella works, including movements from Nancy Telfer’s Missa Brevis. Nancy Telfer is a Canadian composer who has been a choral clinician and guest conductor for many provincial, national, and state organizations throughout Canada and the United States. Since 1979 Telfer has composed over 300 works for choirs, soloists, chamber ensembles, orchestras, bands, and pianists; many of which are published in Canada and the United States. She believes that all music should delight the ears, capture the imagination of the mind, and feed the soul.

A Lenten Meditation on John 12:1-8

By Parishioner Nicholas Greeson

Mary kneels, breaks the jar, and pours out everything—love and devotion. The scent of perfume fills the house, lingering in the air. Judas scoffs at the waste, but Jesus sees the gift for what it is: an act of deep love.

As a parent, I think about what it means to love like that—to give without holding back. I think of my daughter, Birdie—her laughter, her endless questions, the way she trusts so completely. Loving her is the most natural thing in the world, but it also asks something of me. Parenthood is full of small, daily offerings—patience when she’s tired, comfort when she’s upset, reassurance when she has doubts.

Some moments are easy—holding her close, sharing in her wonder. Others are harder—the exhaustion, the worries, the quiet work of helping her grow into herself. Love is rarely neat or convenient, but Mary shows me that love isn’t about being practical. It’s about presence, about giving ourselves fully, even when no one else understands.

This Lent, I want to love with that kind of generosity. To offer my time, my attention, my care—trusting that no act of love, however small, is ever wasted.

 Read more parishioner meditations here.

This coming week, read mediations from All Saints' parishioners in preparation for the Palm Sunday Sunday Gospel. Visit this link to read reflections from Shannon Dobranski, De O'Roark, Joan Lom, Amelia Baker, Vicky Cork, Rick Fritz. Though they are labeled for each day, all of meditations from the week reflect upon the same scripture, so they do not need to be read daily. Be sure to bookmark the above link as the meditations get updated every Friday!

Rule of Life Small Groups Forming

Join a small group to follow a rule of life that involves a monthly meal, prayer, and action. With so much happening in our public life, have you wondered, “How can we live a better way?” — where we aren’t reacting but discerning, where our outward life of action and our inward life of prayer mutually influence each another? How can we live more intentionally, guided by God’s Spirit? Contact Jenny McBride jmcbride@allsaintsatlanta.org if interested or for more information. 

The Journey Bible Study - Prophets & Kings 

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 including the stories of the prophets Elijah, Elisha and Amos.  For more information or to sign up for the class, please contact The Rev. Karen Evans kevans@allsaintsatlanta.org.

PARISH LIFE

Wednesday Night Supper

Wednesdays, 5:30 p.m. - 7:00 p.m., Ellis Hall

Join us for Wednesdays @ All Saints'. Grab a friend to come enjoy a meal while connecting with the community. For more information, contact Marcia Mayfield, mmayfield@allsaintsatlanta.org.

Dance with Louisa and Dawn

Thursdays through May 8, 6:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m., North Ave MARTA Station New Plaza

We are excited to work in partnership with the amazing Dawn Peck from the Atlanta Beltline and Midtown Alliance to participate in FREE Zumba classes at the newly renovated North Ave. MARTA Station Plaza. This class, featuring Hip Hop, AfroBeats and Salsa music, is very welcoming to all bodies, ages, and abilities. For more info email Louisa Merchant at louisam@allsaintsatlanta.org. 

CHILDREN & YOUTH

Weekly Children & Youth Formation (Sundays)



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

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

SNL (6th-8th grade) and Y’all Saints’ (9th-12th grade):  6:00 p.m. - 7:30 p.m. Join the youth group as we fly and jump around at Sky Zone in Smyrna. Cost is $21 per person. To RSVP, email Luke Nolfa, lnolfa@allsaintsatlanta.org. 

Weekly Children's Choirs Rehearsals (Wednesdays)

Cherub Choir: PK-K, 4:00 p.m. - 4:30 p.m.

Primary Choir: 1st-2nd grade, 4:35 p.m. - 5:10 p.m.

Junior Choir: 3rd-6th grade, 5:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m.



Junior Handbells: 4th - 6th grade, 6:00 p.m. - 6:30 p.m.

Weekly Youth Choirs Rehearsals (Sundays)

Youth Handbells: 7th-12th grade, 4:15 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Youth Choir: 7th-12th grade, 5:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.

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.

Please Note: Kathy Roberts, our Director of Children's Ministries, is on sabbatical and will return to work on April 8. In the meantime, all questions about children's ministries should be directed to Emily Halbert, ehalbert@allsaintsatlanta.org, and Luke Nolfa, lnolfa@allsaintsatlanta.org. 

YOUNG ADULTS

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! 

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. Threads needs you! Contact Marcia Mayfield at threads@allsaintsatlanta.org.

You may purchase items please via the Threads Amazon Wishlist:

bit.ly/ASECThreadDecember2024 

Don't miss April's Faith & Justice Newsletter! Here are the highlights:

• Part 3 of series on Church of the Common Ground
• April F&J luncheon speaker addresses Christian Nationalism
• Labyrinth Ministry schedules two spring walks
• A history of the Integrity ministry at All Saints’
• Letter from a Prison Engagement Penpal
• Jenny McBride podcast explores Bonhoffer themes of public witness

• 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 P307 in the Parish House.



• Sports and Spirituality >> Meets the third Thursday of each month on Zoom. Register here

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.