Dear saints,

I wonder, has there been a person in your life who has told you the truth about yourself? For me, it was Dorothy Parmer, or 'Auntie Parmer' as she was known. I met her when I was just eighteen years old, overseas for the first time and serving as a volunteer teacher for six months in India. Up until that point, my world had been pretty small. I knew church and homework, teenage romance, the best places to buy steak fries on a Friday night after an evening in the pub, and the other distractions of adolescence growing up in an English town so unexciting that to my chagrin our public restrooms won a national award for their cleanliness. Auntie Parmer, on the other hand, lived on top of a Himalayan foothill, cared for 30 or so children day by day between the ages of five and nineteen, earned about $500 a year, and did it all because of her faith. She was one of several people I met during those six months who utterly rocked my world. 

The moment of truth-telling came one weekday night as I sat in her kitchen, a plate of buttered toast in front of me and a cup of steaming hot Horlicks in hand. I had just spent the past couple of hours teaching her students a song for the upcoming school singing competition, which was a big deal in that part of the world. And then it came, utterly out of the blue it seemed to me, as she rather innocently looked out of the window, drying the dishes with a tea towel, and asked, 'Have you ever considered, Simon, that you might be called to the ministry?' If I hadn't been holding a hot drink, I would have fallen off my seat. I spluttered something in reply, heart racing and cheeks flushing, while Auntie Parmer just calmly went on doing the washing up, listening to me flounder right there in her kitchen. Her question had in an instant bypassed all of my defenses and pretensions of knowing how to present myself to others. She had seen me, even though I was not ready to be seen. Yet, I knew, deep down, that she had spoken truth into my life. And sure enough, after three years of college, four years a missionary back in that same spot in Himalayan India, and three years at theological college, I was ordained. 

Dorothy Parmer was a saint. She was not especially pious, nor eloquent on matters spiritual. She was never trained as a theologian, or commissioned to ministry by the Church. Yet, she was a seer. She knew in whom her life had trusted and she was unafraid to say what she saw, and that night she beckoned me to stand up and recognize in myself what to her was just plain old obvious. I never did get to tell her how consequential her kitchen table question was in my life, nor to thank her for all that it opened my heart to. So, I'll say thank you now, Dorothy Parmer, for singing to me a song of the saints of God.

Has anybody ever sung that song into your life and helped you see the God who has been right by your side all along?

As we approach All Saints' Sunday, we have an opportunity to draw to mind with thanksgiving all those who have been saints to us. Some of them may have been known to you because of this church. Others may have crossed your path at one time or another as part of your family story, or because of a sport they coached, or a profession they dedicated themselves to, or a hope for something in the world they couldn't let go of. It needn't take much to be saintly. A question. A gentle, yet persistent invitation. A stubborn perseverance, seeking to make the world a better place. Saints are often the people we don't get to hear about, precisely because they are not looking to be seen or heard or praised. They are often hidden in plain sight, yet their saintliness is clear and obvious as soon as we encounter them. Turns out, saints are everywhere. 

My question to you, then, is this: have you ever named the saints of your life? Have you ever thanked God for them and for all the ways they made the divine more visible to you?

For my own part, I would name Jean Burns, Edward McGuire, John Davis, Basil Whitehead, Rosemary Scott. 

Perhaps there will be an opportunity this weekend in particular for you to say a prayer of thanksgiving for the saints of your life. As you do, I encourage you to make a commitment to remember them, to hold fast to all that your life owes them, and to trust that at the last, when the trumpet shall sound and the dead shall be raised, that we will be one with them once more.

O blest communion, fellowship divine, Alleluia.

Peace,

If you haven’t made your 2026 pledge yet - there’s still time!  

Every pledge, no matter the amount, helps All Saints’ continue to shine God’s light through worship, service, and ministries that make a real difference in our community. 

Your commitment ensures that we can plan faithfully and keep supporting the good work that defines who we are as a parish. 

Thank you for being part of the All Saints’ story and helping our light shine bright in the city! 

This Sunday

Feast of All Saints

Sunday, November 2

Happening this Sunday:

• 8:00 a.m. Holy Eucharist Rite I (Traditional language, no music)
• 9:00 a.m. Holy Eucharist Rite II (Contemporary language, choral music, livestream, nursery available)
• Taste of All Saints (Great food & fellowship, Ellis Hall)
• 11:15 a.m. Holy Eucharist Rite II (Contemporary language, choral music, livestream, nursery available)
• 5:00 p.m. The Welcome Table (Contemporary language, jazz trio) 

WORSHIP ONLINE: Please worship with us online! Our 9:00 a.m. & 11:15 a.m. services will be available live at allsaintsatlanta.org/live and on youtube.com/@AllSaintsATL. Recordings will no longer be available on Facebook, but will still be immediately available on our YouTube channel.

PARKING: Overflow parking is available at the Bank of America—please enter on North Ave. Get a validation ticket upon entry. 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. The lot at The Varsity is under new management and is no longer available for parking. Ticketing and towing are being enforced. On Sundays, street parking is free. 

NURSERY: Our nursery is open for children, ages birth through Pre-K, 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

All Saints' Sunday Celebration

Sunday, November 2, 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 been 

buried from this church over the past year.

Following the 9:00 a.m. service, you are invited to Ellis Hall for a Taste of All Saints’ where there will be great food and an opportunity for fellowship. For more information, please contact Marcia Mayfield mmayfield@allsaintsatlanta.org.

Emergency Food Drive for MAC

Sundays, November 2, 9, 16, Donation Drop off in Ellis Hall Lobby

On November 1, nearly 1.4 million Georgians will lose access to their SNAP benefits. Midtown Assistance Center (MAC) operates a food pantry in the heart of Atlanta, serving hardworking families and vulnerable community members in over ten zip codes. Help MAC respond to the loss of access by donating items listed in this link, https://bit.ly/MACEmergencyFoodDrive. For more information, contact, Wendy Silliman at wendelin.silliman@troutman.com.

Jesus on the Front Page 

Sundays, 10:30 a.m. - 11:10 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 contemplative music, singing, communion and prayer (together and in ways that speak to us individually). A community dinner for all participants follows the service. 

Join Us for Sunday Breakfast

Sunday, 7:45 a.m. – 8:45 a.m., Ellis Hall

Come join us! Meet new families, reconnect with friends, and enjoy a delicious meal together. Cost: $12 for adults & $7 for children.

Out of the Darkness Walk for Suicide Prevention

Sunday, November 2, 2:00 p.m., the Meadow in Piedmont Park

Join All Saints' in a 2-mile walk to support suicide prevention, organized by the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention. All Saints' will join other faith communities under the banner "Step Out & Speak Up: Faith Communities Uniting for Suicide Prevention." Faith communities play a unique role in prevention by creating spaces of belonging, reducing stigma, offering spiritual support, and equipping leaders to recognize and respond to warning signs. Registration deadline to join our All Saints’ group is October 15. If interested, please contact parishioner Liza Johnston at lizajohnston@comcast.net.  

Threads Annual Coat Drive

Sundays through November 23, Ellis Foyer

Join us in spreading love and comfort by providing a new or gently used coat for a child in need. Each coat is more than fabric — it’s a hug, a smile, and a reminder that someone cares. Bring coats (sizes newborn to 18) to Threads at All Saints’ Episcopal Church or make a donation and we’ll shop for you. Barrels will be available in the Ellis Hall Foyer for drop off. For more information contact threads@allsaintsatlanta.org.

Shining in the City: Why your pledge matters

Because generations before us pledged faithfully, and now it’s our turn to ensure All Saints’ continues to shine for those yet to come. 

Pledge now at allsaintsatlanta.org/pledge. Thank you for helping us shine more brightly by making your pledge today!

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

Have You Moved Recently? Let the church know your new address and contact information! To update these details, contact our Membership Coordinator, Betsey Gibbs, at bgibbs@allsaintsatlanta.org.

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

The Inaugural Concert of the All Saints’ Chorale

Thursday, November 6, 7:00 p.m., Church

You are cordially invited to an evening of sacred choral masterworks, featuring music by Parry, Franck, Schubert, Jane Marshall, Richard Smallwood, and others. This grand inaugural program promises to stir the soul and lift the spirit within the hallowed walls of historic All Saints’.

Jazz at All Saints’ Concert

Friday, November 14, 7:00 p.m., Church; Reception to follow in Ellis Hall

The Grammy-nominated vocalist and composer Nnenna Freelon brings her distinctive style to the next Jazz at All Saints’ concert. Evoking deep emotion and quiet wisdom, the original songs in her latest album, Beneath the Skin, have kept it high on jazz charts since its debut last spring. Nnenna is a presence, in person and in her music, a consummate artist not to be missed. Get your ticket ($25/adult, $15/student) at allsaintsatlanta.org/jazz.

Composer of the Week

French composer, Gabriel Fauré is regarded as one of the greatest masters of art song. His contribution to the genre has impacted countless other artists in the twentieth century. As a composer of sacred music, Fauré’s output is significantly smaller, totaling only eight opuses, among them the popular Requiem, Op. 48. Between the ages of thirty-five and forty-five, Fauré struggled with depression. Although he enjoyed a rather successful career, a broken engagement caused his personal life to become unstable, ultimately impacting his output as a composer. This week marks the first inclusion of music from the Fauré Requiem; the entire work will be performed in concert by our combined choirs in March.

ADULT FORMATION

#KellyonMyMind: Reflection on Anti-Death Penalty Advocacy and a Meaningful Life

Saturday, November 8, 1:00 - 5:30 pm, Candler School of Theology, Room RORB 102

All Saints’ parishioners are invited to an afternoon that marks the 10th anniversary of the execution of Kelly Gissendaner, where we will reflect on her theological studies and the faith-based advocacy done on her behalf. The first panel will focus on anti-death penalty advocacy in Georgia and beyond. The second panel will focus on theologies that ground Christian resistance and will be in conversation with Jenny McBride’s book, You Shall Not Condemn: A Story of Faith and Advocacy on Death Row. Contact Jenny McBride for more information at jmcbride@allsaintsatlanta.org. 

Faith and Justice Collective Luncheon | Migrant God: A Christian Vision for Immigrant Justice with Isaac Villegas

Sunday, November 9, 12:30 p.m. - 2:15 p.m., Ellis Hall

Join us in November for a presentation by Isaac Villegas, an ordained minister in the Mennonite Church USA who is involved in the work of community organizing and activism for immigrant justice. We will be reading Villegas’s book, Migrant God, for our Advent One Parish One Book discussion, so come get to know the author first! In the book, Villegas weaves together his lived experience as a pastor, organizer, and activist with biblical, theological, and political reflection. He offers a holistic Christian vision of life lived in solidarity with migrants that church-communities might emulate. Please register in advance at https://bit.ly/faithandjustice_nov and contact Rev. Jenny 

McBride with questions at jmcbride@allsaintstalanta.org.

Growing as a Community of Care: Mental Health 101

Sunday, November 16, 10:30 a.m. - 11:15 a.m., Ellis Hall

Join Skyland Trails Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Ben Hunter, for a presentation on how genetic predisposition and environmental stressors contribute to mental health conditions. By increasing awareness and understanding, this session aims to reduce stigma and provide practical tools for supporting mental well-being as a churchcommunity. For more information, contact Jenny McBride at jmcbride@allsaintsatlanta.org.

Women’s Health and Spirituality Luncheon 
Sunday, November 16, 12:30 p.m. – 2:00 p.m., Ellis Hall

We welcome women of all ages and stages of life to join us for the second of this two-part series as we explore the relationship between health and spirituality in our lives. Parishioners and women’s health providers Jenny Lyman MD and Amy Gaynor WHNP will help us explore the mysteries and changes of our bodies throughout our lives. To register for a $16 lunch, please go to https://bit.ly/womens_health_luncheon. For more information, contact Wendy Little at littlewendoo@gmail.com. 

The Journey Bible Study

Mondays,11:00 a.m., Zoom

Chapter by chapter, book by book, we are learning together about what the Scripture really says according to the best scholarship of today. Currently, we are reading Second Kings, with a side glance at the writings of the prophets of the time. All are welcome. To join the group, email The Rev. Karen Evans at kevans@allsaintsatlanta.org. 

Novel Theology: Good Omens by Terry Pratchett and Neil Gaiman

Wednesday, November 19, 7:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m., Ross Room and Zoom

In November, Novel Theology dives into the wild world of Good Omens, where the world is prophesied to end on Saturday. This Saturday. Just before dinner. Everything appears to be going according to divine plan, except for the interference of a fussy angel and a fast-living demon—both of whom have lived amongst Earth’s mortals since The Beginning and have grown rather fond of the lifestyle. Contact Laura Trott for more information at lmtrott@gmail.com.

PARISH LIFE

The Name Tag Nook: Name Tag Station in Parish House

Name tags are stored in a beautiful, custom-built vestibule in the Parish House. You are part of our community, and we want everyone to know your name! Click here to request a nametag.

St. Helena’s Hellfire Pepper Jelly Sale

Sundays in November, 10:00 a.m. -11:10 a.m., Ellis Hall Foyer

Saint Helena’s famous Hellfire Pepper Jelly is going on sale between services beginning November 2. Get your stocking stuffers and hostess gifts before it sells out. This annual fundraiser supports women and children in need.

All Saints’ is looking for a Parish Gardener

If you or someone you know has a green thumb and loves to be outdoors through the year, you may be interested to know that All Saints’ is looking to hire a part-time parish gardener in the new year who would tend to our grounds and care for them as a place of beauty and renewal for the parish and the city. For more information please contact our rector, Simon Mainwaring: smainwaring@allsaintsatlanta.org.

CHILDREN & YOUTH

Children’s Church (Sundays)

2nd fl Pritchett, gathering 8:45 a.m., service 9:00 a.m.

We will join you in church at the Peace.

Children’s Formation (Sundays)

No Children’s Formation on Sunday, November 2. Please join us at the Taste of All Saints’ in Ellis Hall.


Youth Formation (Sundays)

No Children’s Formation on Sunday, November 2. Please join us at the Taste of All Saints’ in Ellis Hall.

SNL & Y’all Saints (Sundays)

3rd fl Pritchett (The Attic), 6:00 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.

Children’s Choirs Schedule (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.

• Junior Choir (Grades 3-6): 5:15 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.

• Junior Handbells (Grades 4-6): 6:00 p.m. - 6:30 p.m.

Youth Choir (Grade 7-12) (Sundays)

• Handbells: 4:15 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.

• Choir: 5:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.

YOUNG ADULTS

Young Adult Fellowship Online! 

Are you in your 20s or 30s and interested in fellowship, discipleship and service? Reach out to Piper Shifflett 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! 

Refugee Ministries Information Sessions

Are you interested in learning about upcoming volunteer opportunities in Refugee Ministries? We will be offering a 30-minute zoom information session on the following dates and times: Wednesday, November 5 at 7:00 p.m., Friday, November 14 at 10:00 a.m. and Thursday, November 20 at 1:00 p.m. Please email Louisa Merchant, louisam@allsaintsatlanta.org, for link.

Threads Welcomes Families for Shopping 

At Threads, every Thursday and Saturday from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., our doors open wide to welcome families for in-store shopping — not just for clothing, but for a sense of comfort, dignity, and a renewed sense of hope and joy. If you’ve ever wanted to make a meaningful difference, this is your invitation. Whether you can lend a few hours or come regularly, your presence matters. You’ll be part of a beautiful mission that wraps families in love.


There are many ways that you can help Threads Kids:

• Drop off gently warn clean children’s clothes & coats 

• Shop our Amazon wish list.

• Make a financial contribution online - Be sure to click 

 Threads Donation in the drop box here.

Faith & Justice Collective

Read the October Edition of the Faith & Justice Collective Newsletter.

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.