Dear saints,

My grandmother used to say that if we grandchildren got everything we asked for when we asked for it, then we would grow up never knowing the value of things. In her eyes, we needed to learn the worth that comes by waiting. I am delighted to report that the errant child she was talking about was not me, but my younger brother. I think he turned out pretty good, as it happens. It can't have been me because I was renowned in my family as a saver. I was always saving up for some grand toy or other that I wanted as a boy that was beyond what we were permitted for one birthday or Christmas. And so, I would ask the powers that be if I could bank this year's gift and save it for when I could afford the whole thing. I built the majority of my very fine Star Wars collection with that very method, and how wonderful it felt to open the box when the hour finally came for it to be mine. Turned out my grandmother was exactly right - she usually was. It was a truly gratifying thing to wait and over time, waiting became a gift in and of itself. 

Well, perhaps I have been channeling my grandmother, long gone on to glory, these past few years as we have waited patiently for the slow birth of our discernment around the future of the church on this city block. I did think of trying to count up the hours of meetings that the Future of Our Block Steering Committee have spent with me over the years of our work - as a way to salute their achievement, you understand - but then I thought that it might make them upset. Surely we could have gotten our act together sooner? After all, when you want to know the answer to an important question isn't it better to push things forward? 

I don't think it is. I can remember when I made what was a customary visit to the principal of my theological college in Cambridge to discern where to serve my title parish, the church where my first years as an ordained minister would happen. After we had chatted awhile, he opened a time of prayer with the words, 'O Lord, you are not in a rush'. What a wonderful gem of wisdom for the years of ordained ministry to follow. If God's timeframe is eternal, then 'church time' is only a hair's breadth faster. True discernment takes time because it is not a run of the mill decision. Discernment is a determination of the heart as much as of the head. It is the experience of being led rather than taking the lead. It is a pastoral matter, and as I sometimes say to my fellow staff at All Saints', change has to happen at pastoral speed. And so, we have waited, and watched, and prayed, and now we are ready to say that this is how we believe God calls us forward. 

I'll be open about it. There were times over the past several years when I wasn't sure exactly how we would see the train arrive in the station. There were occasions when all I longed for was a nugget of clarity. And more than once, I questioned whether I had set us on the right course at the right time for the right reasons. Yet, somehow, I never lost that sense of assurance that I most often feel about church work - that this is God's business, so trust in that promise.

We did, and we persevered, and I have to say that I marvel at the extraordinary steadfastness of the block steering committee. We owe them an immense debt of gratitude. The fruits of their labor are in my view a beautiful testament to the kind of church All Saints' is: faithful, hopeful, confident, generous, and at ease in loving the world it finds itself in the midst of. It will be my glorious privilege to present the vision for the block this Sunday morning. There'll be a booklet to take home or download. There'll be a smattering of slides and plenty of time for questions. But mostly, there will be the church, gathering together to receive the value of something that truly has been worth waiting for. 

For all the saints, past, present and yet to come, thanks be to God.



Peace,

Announcing New Officers of the Vestry

Watch the recording of last week's Annual Meeting here.

This Sunday

Third Sunday of Easter

Sunday, May 4

Weekly Service Times

• 8:00 a.m. in Church (Traditional Language, No Music)
• 9:00 a.m. in Church & Livestream (Contemporary Language, Choral Music)
• 11:15 a.m. in Church & Livestream (Contemporary Language, Choral Music)
• 5:00 p.m. The Welcome Table in Chapel (Contemporary Language, Jazz Music)

**Be sure to join us between the 9:00 a.m. and 11:15 a.m. service in Ellis Hall or via Livestream for the Future of Our Block Master Plan Presentation.

ANNOUNCEMENT: Please worship with us online! Our 9:00 a.m. and 11:15 a.m. services will be available live, as well as our Future of the Block Presentation at 10:20 a.m., 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! Please note: Recordings are immediately available on our YouTube channel.

PARKING: Overflow parking for 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. 

World Labyrinth Day

TOMORROW, Saturday, May 3, 11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m., Chapel

You are invited to walk our labyrinth for World Peace with 200 other participating countries anytime between 11am and 1 pm, while the labyrinth ministry hosts the space. The labyrinth is a single circuitous path that invites you into a calm, sacred space for a meditative journey. Allow 10-15 minutes for your walk. For more information, contact Barrie Gibby.

Future of Our Block Master Plan Presentation

Sunday, May 4, 10:20 a.m. - 11:05 a.m., Ellis Hall & Livestream

After a multi-year discernment process and input from hundreds of parishioners, All Saints’ is now ready to bring that process to its exciting conclusion. Join fellow parishioners as Simon shares the master plan for the future of our block. For more information and to read Monday's update, visit allsaintsatlanta.org/futureofourblock.

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. 

Moving Up Celebration for 3rd and 5th Graders  

Sunday, May 4, 11:15 a.m. service in the Church

Help us mark the Milestone Moment for 3rd graders (moving into the tween program) and 5th graders (moving up to the Youth program) this Sunday. We will recognize the 3rd graders four years of learning the stories of our faith with a Bible. 5th graders spent two years finding the connection between those stories while also learning about our core ministries and will get a special gift to mark their transition to the Attic.

Children's and Youth End of Year Choir Party

Sunday, May 4, 12:30 p.m., Ellis Hall  

Join us as we celebrate a successful choir season! Each choir will sing one piece, and we’ll celebrate the dedication and growth of each singer. Youth Choir will have their final rehearsal off the block that evening, on May 4th, and Children’s Choirs will wrap up with their last Wednesday rehearsals and “Unbirthday Celebration” on May 7. For more information, contact Emily Rebecca Halbert at ehalbert@allsaintsatlanta.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! 

Looking back at the well over 1,000 photos taken in April, the words that come to mind are vibrant, community, faithfulness, and joy. SO much joy! You can view all of our photo galleries here. You'll find pictures of Holy Week - including the Speaker Series and the Agape Dinner - as well as the Saturday Vigil at the Park, Easter Day and more!

Below are a few shots from the five baptisms, Annual Meeting, Faith & Justice Collective Luncheon, and the Free to Be Saints Dinner that were all held this past Sunday. The Free to Be Saints photo was taken by Photography Guild Member, Stephen Smith.

The Faith & Justice Collective hosted Rev. Jennifer Butler, author of Who Stole My Bible? Reclaiming Scripture as a Handbook for Resisting Tyranny to speak at their recent luncheon. Listen to highlights of her talk on our newly created YouTube Faith & Justice playlist.

Remember a loved one, honor a graduate or welcome the baptized with a gift to our Memorials and Gifts Fund. All Saints’ notifies your honoree or family of the deceased of the gift you gave. Make checks payable to All Saints’ with “Memorials and Gifts” in the memo line or for online giving, click the “Memorials and Gifts” dropdown choice. Questions? Please contact Charlie Boyd, Chair of the Memorials and Gifts Committee, at chsboyd@aol.com.

Please give generously to our All Saints’ offering plate, in-person and online. 

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

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. 

Bishop's Visitation and Confirmation

Sunday, May 11, 9:00 a.m. and 11:15 a.m., Church

Join Bishop Wright for his episcopal visitation as we celebrate as a parish with youth and adult candidates as they are confirmed, reaffirmed and received into the Episcopal Church. For more information contact Simon Mainwaring at smainwaring@allsaintsatlanta.org. 

Music Notes

Charles V. Stanford (b. Dublin, Ireland, 1852; d. Marylebone, London, England, 1924) composed ENGELBERG as a setting for William W. How's "For All the Saints" (505). The tune was published in the 1904 edition of Hymns Ancient and Modern with no less than six different musical settings. ENGELBERG is an attractive, energetic melody with many ascending motives, designed for unison singing with no pauses between stanzas. A distinguished composer and teacher of composition, Stanford began his musical career at an early age. Before the age of ten he had composed several pieces and given piano recitals of works by Handel and Bach. At the age of twenty-one he was asked to become organist at the famous Trinity College, Cambridge. At that time he also began a prestigious career in conducting, which included appearances with the London Bach Choir from 1885 to 1902, and he traveled widely in England, Europe, and the United States. His teaching career was equally impressive. Stanford taught composition at both the Royal College of Music and Cambridge University; among his students were Ralph Vaughan Williams and Gustav Holst. He was knighted in 1902. Stanford wrote over two hundred compositions in nearly all musical genres, including symphonies, operas, chamber music, and songs. Most notable in his church music are several complete services, anthems, and unison hymn tunes.

Rector’s Forum with Bishop Wright

Sunday, May 11, 10:20 a.m. - 11:05 a.m., Ellis Hall & Livestream

Join our diocesan bishop, Bishop Wright, in conversation with Simon, our rector, as they explore All Saints’ vision for the future and their shared theological imagination for the urban church. For more information contact Simon Mainwaring, smainwaring@allsaintsatlanta.org. 

School of the Spirit: Theology for All Seasons

Wednesday, May 7, 6:30 p.m. - 8:00 p.m., P305/306 and on Zoom

Come and develop the devotional practice of reflecting theologically in the twelve-week course, (divided into four 3-week units throughout the program year). 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. In Unit 4, we reflect on Easter and Pentecost as we discuss the resurrection, the Holy Spirit, and the birth and mission of the church. Register at https://bit.ly/asec-theology-class-apr and contact Jenny McBride for more information at jmcbride@allsaintsatlanta.org.

Midwives of Justice: Hospitality and Resistance in an Era of Mass Deportation

Wednesday, May 14, 6:15 p.m. - 8:15 p.m., P305/306 and on Zoom

Join us for this School of the Spirit workshop hosted by Anton Flores-Maisonet, executive director of Casa Alterna, a non-profit that practices radical hospitality by offering short- and long-term housing to vulnerable immigrants from over fifty countries. The workshop will focus on a series of questions and activities grounded on scripture from Exodus that leads participants to examine what they might be willing to do for our threatened immigrant community. For more information contact Jenny McBride, jmcbride@allsaintstatlanta.org.

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. The final Wednesday Night Supper of the program year is May 7. 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. 

Dignity Sewing Center Pop-Up Shop Service

Sunday, May 11, 10:20 a.m. - 11:05 a.m., Ellis Hall Entrance

Through a partnership between the Diocese of Atlanta and the Diocese of Cape Coast, twelve women are living for two years on the Bishop’s Close in Ghana, where they are learning sewing skills and preparing for lives of entrepreneurship. Support this partnership by visiting the Dignity Sewing Center Pop-Up Shop, featuring beautiful, handcrafted garments. All proceeds go directly to the women in Cape Coast, Ghana. 

CHILDREN & YOUTH

Vacation Bible School Registration is Open!

All Saints' VBS 2025: God’s Love

Monday, June 2 through Friday, June 6, 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m., Aftercare until 5:00 p.m., The Attic

Rising Kindergarteners-5th grade are invited to come see what God’s Love is all about! All children are welcome! VBS is such a different and wonderful time for the kids. They go deeper in their formation, deeper in their friendships - old and new, and deeper in their connection with God and this community. They form friendships with all ages that keeps them wanting to come back on Sundays throughout the year. 5th graders will be counselors-in-training, but still do all the camper stuff! Register for VBS here: https://bit.ly/AllSaintsVBS2025

6th-12th graders can be counselors. To sign up to be a counselor, please email Kathy Roberts with your interest and T-shirt size, kroberts@allsaintsatlanta.org.

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., 2nd floor of the Pritchett Center 

SNL (6th-8th grade) and Y’all Saints’ (9th-12th grade): 6:00 p.m. - 7:30 p.m., The Attic (3rd floor of the Pritchett Center) 

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 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.

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! 

Midtown Race for MAC

Saturday, May 10, 8:30 a.m., Piedmont Park

Join us for the 11th Annual Midtown Race for MAC on Saturday, May 10, 2025, in Piedmont Park! Walk or run to support the work of Midtown Assistance Center as we fight hunger and homelessness in our community together. Register here: https://www.active.com/atlanta- ga/running/distance-running-races/11th-annual-midtown race-for-mac-5k-run-walk-2025. 

Volunteer Opportunity Respite Care Atlanta Information Session

Monday, May 19, 10:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m., Second-Ponce de Leon Baptist Church

Looking for a fulfilling volunteer opportunity with flexibility? Respite Care Atlanta, a daycare for those with dementia, is the answer! It’s held Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursdays from 10 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. at Second-Ponce, 2715 Peachtree Rd NE. There are multiple ways you can volunteer…come see what the fun is all about! An information session will be held May 19 from 10 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. Please contact Susan Virgin at sdv20@bellsouth.net for more information.

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 

NEW! May's Faith & Justice Newsletter! Here are the highlights:

• Small Groups Forming for a Better Way
• Community Building Amidst Challenging Times
• Hallelujah for Refugees!
• Join MAC’s Annual Midtown Race 
• Midwives of Justice: The Work of Casa Alterna
• Novel Theology Reviews James
• Recommended: Video of the Rev. Jennifer Butler Presentation

• 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.