Dear saints,

In the spirit of transparency, I have a confession to make. As a child, I was quite the avid fan of the TV soap opera Dallas. Before you rush to judgment here, you need to understand that for the middle England and rather uneventful town that I grew up in, the characters of Dallas might have well been from another world. My favorite was, of course, J. R. Ewing, the conniving yet far more interesting brother of Bobby Ewing, whom I never forgave for coming back from the dead because his wife woke up from a bad dream. J. R. was wonderfully bad. And he wore some marvelous hats. The question, ‘who shot J. R.?’ fixated the British public for weeks - it’s a small island and not a lot happens there. 

My favorite scene of the entire show is when the dastardly Jeremy Wendell finally takes control of Ewing Oil and tells J. R. and his son, John Ross, to get out of the building, moving over to take the portrait of Jock Ewing off the wall. True to form, J. R. then threatens to kill Wendell where he stands, takes the portrait of his father and standing in front of his son says, “John Ross, this is Ewing Oil”. It was a moment of televisual wonder. 

Now, we had nothing so exciting happen at All Saints’ this week, but as movers worked hard to transport us out of Egleston, the portraits of the former rectors that had hung in the library and adjoining spaces were carefully taken off the walls and placed in protective cases. For the time period that our staff are in the Parish House, the portraits will be placed on the third floor so the parish can enjoy them. While we wait to get that done, for now the portraits of my predecessors are safely ensconced in a closet in my new office on that floor.

The experience of seeing them off the walls and boxed up was strangely emotional for me. Unlike many of you, I have only known two of them - Geoffrey and Harry - and over the years I have also had the pleasure of getting to know Frank Ross’s son, Nelson. Otherwise, the portrait images of the priests who came before me in this role are people I have mostly gotten to know vicariously through Margaret Langford’s wonderful centennial history of the parish published in 2003, and from the beautifully eclectic assortment of anecdotes that you have shared with me about the rectors of this church through the years. I have heard you describe the keen mind of Matthew Warren, rector here in the 1940’s and early 50’s who went on to be headmaster of St. Paul’s School in New Hampshire. Just recently, one of you reminisced about how kind Milton Wood was, the rector who followed Warren, who with his associate at the time, Frank Ross, was a signatory of the Minister’s Manifesto, which called for racial integration and was published in the Atlanta Journal Constitution in 1957. 

I have always had a fondness for Wills Memminger, All Saints’ longest ever serving rector who steered the ship through a world war, the Spanish Flu pandemic and the Great Depression, between the years 1910 and 1937. Memminger is often remembered as a thespian and for the claim that Egleston Hall was a theater somewhat because of that fact. The broader story though was of an incredibly outward looking churchman who saw not only Egleston but All Saints’ as a whole as a place for the world outside to make a home in. Indeed, at his very first regular vestry meeting in 1910, he informed the vestry that one of its first priorities as a church - just seven years old at the time - should be to build a rectory for the parish priest to make home at the church. He saw that rectors and their parishes should be at home with one another, and that although the places rectors have lived over the years has changed, that spirit of being at home with one another has been I believe at the heart of the All Saints’ story that those portraits tell. 

As I spent a few moments watching the images of rectors past being boxed up I wondered about the ways by which your image and the story of your life might have found a home here through the ministry of those clergy. Those stories are what makes All Saints’ the church it is. I imagine that right now as you read this there is a memory you can access that pulls a thread from your life into this parish’s history that involves one or other of the rectors in those paintings. A baptism. A wedding day. A kind word before a funeral liturgy; a silent vigil at the hospital bedside. Raucous times up at Kanuga. ‘Timeless moments’ that crossed from the world to come, to this one, through words spoken from the pulpit, or in the communion bread pressed into the palm of a hand, or in the Holy Spirit’s gentle breeze through the trees in a carefree conversation in the courtyard. Those portraits would fill a hundred Egleston libraries. They are the life together that has made this parish a church - the consecration that happens not when a bishop prayers over a piece of dirt, but when the people of God commit to be the Body of Christ in one place, over and over again, for the long haul. 

I am sad to leave Egleston. I have loved the rector’s office in particular. Yet, I am glad to take the treasures of our memory with us that we might remember, over and over, the whole that God has made us to be.

Peace,

This Sunday

Second Sunday After Pentecost

Sunday, June 7, 2026

**SUMMER SCHEDULE**

• 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, 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., Ross Room

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. 

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.

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. 

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. 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.

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

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! June's Faith & Justice Newsletter. The newsletter takes a break in July, but will return again in August.

Read more about these highlighted topics:

• Celebrating Juneteenth
• Naomi Tutu and the National Council of Elders
• Holding on to Hope: All Saints’ Prison Engagement
• Clothing Drive Underway for Women in Transitional Centers
• New Chapter for Young Women at All Saints’
• Threads Performing Arts Camp

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.