Dear saints,
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As I shared last Sunday morning, someone unknown to us out in the Internet ether made the unfortunate decision to try to pose as me so they could ask you for money. So far, I have counted seven different email addresses that have been created and used— all Gmail accounts. Unless an email from me begins with my first initial, followed by my last name, and ends in '@allsaintsatlanta.org' then it is not actually from me. What's more, none of the staff will ask you to give them money that way. I'm sorry that this has happened.
If this has been an attempt to put a veil over our eyes, for different reasons, I have found myself feel a deep appreciation these past few weeks for the gift it is when we can lift the veil and help others see who we are and who they are in return. It is often the case that I am left to marvel at just how faithfully my colleagues here are able to do that. I have heard people remark how much they feel Ellen Hayes truly sees and welcomes them exactly as they are. Parents frequently relay the experience of how Kathy Roberts has an almost magical capacity to capture both the imagination of children and their parents at the same time. But perhaps no one else has lifted the veil to the holy inside the lives of others over the decades more in this church than Karol Kimmell. There are now generations of families in this place who owe their longevity in the life of our church to her extraordinary gifts as a music-maker and as a minister of the gospel.
It is with a deep well of gratitude that I share here, therefore, that next year will be Karol's last on our staff at All Saints', as she retires in May 2024 to enjoy all that God has waiting for her in the time ahead. As May draws near, we will plan a beautiful send-off for Karol. We invite to join us every voice near and far that has found itself because of her love and care expressed through the music of children and youth. For now, I wanted to share this news with enough time so that those who might want to come back and sing one last Christmas Eve with Mrs. Kimmell may do so.
I know that a great many of you will want to thank Karol over the coming months. There is so much to be thankful for. I invite you to pray with me for this final lap around the track for Karol—that she may know the profound and deep regard with which she is held. Thanks be to God for all we have been able to share with her here. I encourage you to read Karol's note, as linked below. |
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