Dear saints,

I write this message to you from what is soon to be my new office, situated on the second floor of the parish house, and from outside the window below me I can hear children playing. As someone who has reached a certain stage of parenting, the sound of preschool age children playing outside is a beautifully nostalgic thing. Whenever our own kids would start bouncing off the walls of our home in San Diego, we would make the short seven block journey down the road to the Pacific Ocean where everybody’s mood would lighten and the children would play for hours on the beach. Every time I went to the beach, I would ask myself why I hadn’t been there yesterday. It was a place that brought the best out of all of us, and a place where we all learned to be more of ourselves together.

So, it is my hope, that the background noise of children having indiscriminate fun outside my window will be good for me. I will miss my sightline of the magnolia tree from one window and the life of the city on West Peachtree from the other, but sometimes a change in perspective is a helpful thing. After all, it is good to ask, ‘what am I looking at?’ now and again, is it not? 

This all makes me think of a conversation I had with some Midtown clergy colleagues this week about AI and the art of gathering human beings. One of our number is a true renaissance man: a preacher, a jazz musician, and a college professor, all rolled into one. He shared with us that for the first time he has made his classroom at Emory a technology-free zone. No phones. No laptops. At first, he wasn’t sure how long the rebellion might last, but it turned out that the change was ultimately welcome - funny how change can be like that, isn’t it? He found that his students looked at one another more, “instead of looking at themselves”, on their devices. 

Which all takes me to Pope Leo, and the big splash he made this week with Magnifica Humanitas: On Safeguarding the Human Person in the Time of Artificial Intelligence, the first encyclical of his pontificate. There’s a lot in that 82-page document, and much that will be debated within and beyond the Church. His opening sentence though, lays before us a fundamental question, pertaining not only to AI but to life in general: ‘Humanity, created by God in all its grandeur, is today facing a pivotal choice: either to construct a new Tower of Babel or to build the city in which God and humanity dwell together.’ 

The story of the Tower of Babel, found in the eleventh chapter of the book of Genesis, tells the tale of the people of the earth, bound together by one language, who seek to build a city and a tall tower to ‘make a name’ for themselves. The story’s purpose in the biblical collection is interpreted in numerous ways. For some, it is an origin story that seeks to answer foundational questions about being human. Much like the story of the flood that asks the question, ‘why do natural disasters happen?’, the story of Babel asks the question, ‘where do languages come from?’ The answer the story offers is that they come from God, who on seeing that the people were seeking to build for themselves a tower, acted to ‘confuse their language there, so that they will not understand one another’s speech’. The interpretation that Pope Leo offers of the story in his encyclical is that the city and tower of Babel represented an effort to reach for ‘a uniformity that eliminated diversity and that chose homogenization over communion’. 

The contrast that the Pope draws is with the story of Nehemiah’s rebuilding of the walls of Jerusalem, a collaborative effort not of singular power from above but of the people, decided upon on in consultation with them and achieved through their common effort (Nehemiah 1-2). 

These biblical contrasts are further represented in the Augustinian framework Pope Leo employs in his encyclical - not surprisingly, given he was head of the Augustinian order - between the city of God and the city of man, a distinction that St. Augustine makes in his book The City of God (Book XIV, Chapter 28): ‘Two loves have built two cities: the earthly city, the love of self even to the contempt of God; the heavenly city, the love of God even to the contempt of self.’ It is a choice all of us together and each of us individually has long faced. Do I seek communion with others, or do I seek myself? Of course, it is not a simple binary decision, and life is vastly more complex and messy than a series of clear-cut choices either way. Yet, we know, I believe at an almost visceral level, that this sort of choice is always before us. ‘Am I for myself in this situation, or am I for others?’ ‘Am I seeking to accumulate something for myself right now, or am I giving something away?’ 

Ironically, having been offered a lesson on theology by some politicians of late, I think that this theologian Pope has been a rather adept politician in inviting the co-founder of Anthropic, Christopher Olah, to be with him at the unveiling of Magnifica Humanitas. Politics is ultimately about efficacy, and things tend to be most efficacious when people are in the same room together. I pray that many more such comings together will occur as we move into this new world of AI. It is hard for us to see where exactly this new technology will take us, but if we build a future together then at least we will know who we are looking at as we go there.

Peace,

This Sunday

Trinity Sunday | First Sunday After Pentecost

Sunday, May 31, 2026

**SUMMER SCHEDULE HAS STARTED**

• 8:00 a.m. Holy Eucharist Rite I (Traditional language, no music, Chapel)
• 10:00 a.m. Holy Eucharist Rite II (Church & Livestream)
• 5:00 p.m. The Welcome Table (Contemporary language, jazz trio, Chapel)

WORSHIP ONLINE: Please worship with us online! Since we start our summer schedule, our only livestreamed service will be available live at 10:00 a.m. 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.

NURSERY: Our nursery is open for children, ages birth through Pre-K, 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 p.m.

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.



Join the Summer Choir!

Sundays, starting May 24, 8:45 a.m., in the Church

Have you always wanted to sing in the All Saints' Choir but time or experience has kept you away? Now is the time to give it a try! The Summer Choir meets at 8:45 each Sunday to learn an accessible anthem which is then sung at the 10:00 service. No previous experience as a singer is necessary. Feel free to commit to singing one or many weeks; all we ask is that you let Director of Music Scott Lamlein know you're coming: slamlein@allsaintsatlanta.org. Let's praise God together in our song!

Jesus on the Front Page

Sundays,10:30 a.m. – 11:15 a.m., P307

In this weekly Sunday morning discussion of a current news story, participants reflect on how the world of that story calls us 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, as we notice signs of grace, engage the scriptures, and learn to name our lament as well as our hope. Contact Clark Lemons at clemons@emory.edu. 

The Welcome Table: Sunday Evening Worship Service and Dinner  

Sundays at 5:00 p.m., In the Chapel and P305-306

We invite you to come to The Welcome Table, a service with singing, communion and prayer accompanied by The Welcome Table Jazz trio. A community dinner for all participants follows the service in Ellis Hall. The cost is $10 for adults and no charge for children under 18 years of age.

Future of Our Block

We would love to hear from you about our work on the block. If you missed any of the previous emails, you can catch up on our website, and access resources, here. 

Read this week's update with the Egleston Conditions Report.If you'd like to be in touch please reach out to Simon or to any of the following parish leaders:

• Meg Fogel, Egleston Task Force: meg.fogel@icloud.com

• Sheldon Taylor, Block Development Committee: gsheldontaylor@gmail.com

• Briley Brisendine, Senior Warden: brileybrisendine@gmail.com

As we move through the Easter season, we give in gratitude for new life and shared purpose. Thank you for helping All Saints’ continue to grow and serve with hope. 

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

During Services: put a check, cash, or the tear-out card in the offering plate

QR code: one-time gifts

Direct Electronic Transfer: gift stocks and securities

Our Charles Schwab account is: ”All Saints’ Episcopal Church”

Account#: 1084-6679

DTC#: 0164 Code: 40 

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.

ADULT FORMATION

The Journey Bible Study

Mondays, 11:00 a.m., Zoom

The Journey Bible study will take a summer break, starting Monday, May 26 until Monday, September 14. If you want to read ahead for the fall, try 2 Kings 18 till the end and/ or Jeremiah. We wish everyone a joyful and safe summer. To join the group, contact Karen Evans at kevans@allsaintsatlanta.org. 

A Program on Faith, Law, and Democracy

Tuesday, June 2, 6:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m., Ellis Hall

The event, co-sponsored by All Saints' Faithful Advocates, The Temple, Georgia Lawyers for the Rule of Law, and First Five Freedoms, weaves together spiritual reflection, legal analysis, and civic dialogue to address one central question: What does it mean to protect the rule of law and why does it matter for all of us, right now? Register online here. For more information, contact Suzanne Wakefield at faithfullocals@gmail.com.

St. Hildegard 20s & 30s Women’s Chapter Formation Potluck

Sunday, June 14, 6:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m., Offsite

Women in their 20s and 30s will gather for our monthly formation potluck on April 29th. We will spend time connecting over a shared meal, followed by spiritual 

reflection. Please bring a dish or beverage to share. For address of potluck location and to be added to our email list, email Elizabeth Beck at ebeck.uga@gmail.com or Ani 

Hildebrandt at anihildebrandt93@gmail.com.

Freedom Writers Prison Ministry and Threads: Looking for Gently Used Women’s Clothing

The All Saints’ Freedom Writers are looking for gently used clothing to donate to women who have been transferred from Georgia prisons to transitional centers in anticipation of their parole and release. They have a particular need for dress pants, work pants (like jeans), and tee shirts. (Please avoid donating high heels, boots, open toe shoes, tank tops, leggings, and jeans with holes in them). Please drop off your donations in the Threads bin at the bottom of the glass stairwell. If you need someone to pick up your donations at your home, please contact Ellen Porter at ellenp066@gmail.com.

PARISH LIFE

The Name Tag Nook: Name Tag Station in Parish House

Name tags are stored in a 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.

Volunteer Receptionists Needed

All Saints’ is seeking friendly, reliable volunteers to serve as receptionists. Duties include greeting visitors, answering and directing calls, and providing basic assistance. Half-day shifts available— ideal for college students on break or retirees looking for connection. Interested? Contact Marie-Louise Muhumuza mmhuhumuza@allsaintsatlanta.org.

Returning After Summer: Wednesday Night Supper & Sunday Breakfast
Wednesday Night Supper takes a break for the summer and will return on August 19. Sunday Breakfast is taking a break for the summer and will return on September 13. 

CHILDREN & YOUTH

Summer Break

Our children’s and youth programs take a break for summer, as do our children’s and youth choirs. Our nursery will remain open for children, ages birth through Pre-K, 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. All our children’s and youth programs will return in August. Questions? Email KRoberts@allsaintsatlanta.org.

YOUNG ADULTS

Brunch & Bible Study

Sunday, June 7, 11:30 a.m. – 1.30 p.m., Ross Room

Come enjoy a delicious meal, lively conversation, and Bible study with the All Saints' Young Adults' group following the

11:15 a.m. service. All are invited – whether you're looking to connect for the first time, reconnect after a long while, or

keep connections going! Childcare is available upon request. Contact: Piper Shifflett at youngadults@allsaintsatlanta.org.

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! 

Respite Care Atlanta-Alzheimer’s Association Lecture Series

Thursdays, June 11 & July 16, Offsite

Respite Care Atlanta is partnering with the Alzheimer’s Association and the Atlanta Neuroscience Foundation for a lecture series. There are two upcoming lectures: June 11 and July 16. This is a great opportunity to learn more about dementia and caregiving. For details and to register, go to the Atlanta Neuroscience Foundation website or email Kim Franklin at kfranklin@alz.org.

Threads Welcomes Families For Shopping

Threads welcomes families for in store shopping every Thursday and Saturday, 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. We offer more than clothing — we offer dignity, comfort, and hope. If you’d like to help, your presence makes a real difference.

There are many ways that you can help Threads Kids

• Drop off gently worn, clean children’s clothes

• Shop our Amazon wish list: bit.ly/ASECThreadsWishlist

• Make a financial gift — choose Threads Donation in the drop-down box: https://onrealm.org/AllSaintsEpisco85474/-/form/give/now

Current Needs: Boys cotton boxer brief underwear sizes small, medium, large and extra large; Girls cotton brief panties sizes small medium, large and extra large.


Thank you for caring.

Faith & Justice Collective

A great way to stay updated! May's Faith & Justice Newsletter.

Read more about these highlighted topics:

• Attorneys Provide Legal Assistance for Immigrants
• Ken Stewart Answers the Call
• Forum on Faith, Law, and Democracy Set for June 2nd
• Don’t Forget to Vote in May Primary Elections
• Threads Seeks Summer Clothing
• Join the Saints’ for MAC 5K Race

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.