July 24, 2020
Photo courtesy of James Oliver        
 
In This Issue...

Get the latest news from All Saints'. Visit  allsaintsatlanta.org .

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ThisSunday
Online Worship Schedule

Worship online with us on Facebook. If you do not have a Facebook account, please join us on Vimeo.

Sunday
  • 10:00 a.m. Morning Prayer Rite II

If you'd like detailed instructions about how to worship with us online, click here >>
 Rector
A Note From the Rector
 
Dear saints, 

This Sunday we will take a collective trip down memory lane with a return to the rhythms of Morning Prayer. When the pandemic began, we felt it best to continue to offer Eucharist as a source of familiarity and comfort with so much else changing around us. Now that we are approaching a new program year, online as we are, Morning Prayer feels like an appropriate way for us to share a worship life together which for the longest time was the every Sunday staple at All Saints' as across the Episcopal Church. If the service is new to you, do note that the sermon comes at the end, so do stay tuned into the last Amen! Our musicians are taking a well-earned break these next two weeks, as are a number of our clergy and communications staff, and our liturgy will once again incorporate music and parishioner voices as we move further into August. 

' For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven ' , says Ecclesiastes. Now is our time for a new, yet old, form of prayer for a Sunday morning. I do hope that you will be nourished as we pray together - though many and dispersed, so very much still one body.

Peace,
Simon_

Sunday
This Sunday

Jesus on the Front Page
Sundays, 9:00 a.m., on Zoom
Join this ongoing discussion of the news of the day and how we are called as Christians to respond in the public arena, in our private lives, and in our prayers. Jesus on the From Page also has a Facebook group (click here to join). Please click here to sign up for this group, which is led by Ethel Ware Carter.

The MICAH Project: 
Lillian Smith: Breaking the Silence
Sunday, July 26, 11:00 a.m., on Zoom
Lillian Smith, a white southerner, was shunned and threatened most of her life (1897-1966) for speaking out against white supremacy and its toxic effects on individuals and society. From July 20-28, All Saints' parishioners will have the opportunity to access to the documentary "Lillian Smith: Breaking the Silence," at home ( click here  to watch between July 20-28). Then, on Sunday, July 26, we'll discuss the life and legacy of Lillian Smith during a Zoom Q&A with the filmmaker, Hal Jacobs, and actor Brenda Bynum, who created a one-woman play on Smith's life. 
Please  click here to sign up for the Zoom meeting by July 25 and Ann Stuart Pearce will send you the meeting link and password.

The MICAH Project: 21-Day Racial Equity Habit Building Challenge 
Sundays, July 5, 12, and 19, 12:00 p.m., and Sunday, July 26, 12:30 p.m., on Zoom
Many of us feel called to make positive changes towards racial equity, starting with ourselves. You are invited to join fellow parishioners in this 21-day challenge. For those who would like to participate in accountability check-ins to discuss our challenges and reflections on Zoom, we will meet at 12:00 p.m. (noon) on Sundays, July 5, 12, 19 and 12:30 p.m. on July 26. Please click here to sign up for these Zoom meetings and Emily Avant will send you the meeting link and password.


All Saints': Let Your Light Shine
Order an Angel Lantern Kit TODAY 
We are looking forward to the start of the new program year on Homecoming Sunday, August 16! As part of the celebration, join our community in making angel lanterns at home for a parade-in-place. Please click here to order your angel lantern kit for $15. After July 26, the price goes up to $20. For more information, contact Jill Gossett at [email protected]. 

VIDEO: Learn How to Create the Angel Lantern
Atlanta based lantern parade artist, Chantelle Rytter, talks about lantern parades, designing the angel lanterns in a pandemic, and demonstrates how to put the angel lanterns together. Click here to watch the video. For more information, contact Jill Gossett at [email protected].
Worship
Worship

Morning Prayer Begins This Sunday
Thank you to everyone who participated in our Worship and Adult Formation Survey earlier this summer; your input was invaluable. Based on the feedback we received, along with guidance from our Bishop and other leading Episcopal parishes, we're excited to work with Morning Prayer as our Sunday morning liturgy, beginning his Sunday, July 26. Our music team is taking a break this Sunday and next and will return on Sunday, August 9.  For more information, contact the Rev. Dr. Andrew Barnett at  [email protected].

Noonday Prayer Takes a Summer Break
Our mid-day service of Noonday Prayer is taking a summer break and will return on Monday, August 17.  For more information, contact the Rev. Dr. Andrew Barnett at [email protected]. 
 
Compline Prayers 
Thursdays, 8:00-8:30 p.m., on Zoom
Everyone is welcome to join our young adults for communal prayers using the service of Compline from the Book of Common Prayer (there is a free online version available at bcponline.org).  Please click here to sign up for this group, which is led by Justin Averette.

 Giving
Giving

I hope we are all enjoying a reset retreat of some kind. Don't forget to continue your gifts to the church as you are able.

Here is how to make a gift or pledge payment:
  1. You can mail in a check. We have someone checking the mail at the church every day.
  2. You can give a gift or make a pledge payment online on our website at allsaintsatlanta.org/giving.
  3. You can set up recurring payments via our ACCESS: All Saints' online directory and payment system. Click on the logo (right hand side of our homepage at allsaintsatlanta.org) and set up your login.
  4. Give in an instant by using text to give. Type your message to: 73256 and in the message space: allsaintsatlanta (Note: the first time you use it, you input your credit card information. The next time it's quick!)
Thank you, All Saints'!
Debbie Wilson, Chair of Stewardship Committee

 AdultFormation
Adult Formation



Preacher-Teacher for Homecoming Sunday: 
Diana Butler Bass
Sunday, August 16, 10:00 a.m. online worship service and  11:00 a.m. online formation hour
We are thrilled to welcome Diana Butler Bass as our preacher-teacher on Homecoming Sunday. Diana is an award-winning author and internationally known preacher and thought leader on issues of spirituality, religion, culture, and politics. Diana is the author of ten books, the most recent being Grateful: The Transformative Power of Giving Thanks in which she offers suggestions for reclaiming gratitude that can lead to greater connection with God, our loved ones, our world, and even our souls. We look forward to her keen observations on Christian leadership in a pivotal time.  For more information, contact the Rev. Dr. Andy Barnett at [email protected].

Coming Soon: Sacred Ground Small Groups
The Episcopal Church has declared a church-wide initiative of racial healing, reconciliation, and justice. Called "Becoming Beloved Community," the initiative includes a 10-session curriculum entitled "Sacred Ground: A Film-Based Dialogue Series on Race and Faith." The Sacred Ground curriculum consists of videos, assorted writings, discussion, and two core books,  Jesus and the Disinherited  by Howard Thurman and  Waking Up White  by Debby Irving. The MICAH Project (TMP) plans to initiate Sacred Ground dialogue circles composed of parishioners committed to approximately six months of learning, listening, and engaging one another in a brave space to talk about race and faith.  To learn more about Sacred Ground, click here . In order to gauge interest in these small-group dialogue circles (no firm commitment needed yet), we ask that you add your name to the list by emailing us at  [email protected].  If you have questions, please contact the Rev. Dr. Andy Barnett at [email protected] or any of The MICAH Project Steering Committee members.

 YoungAdults
Young Adults

Formation Series: Jesus as a Radical Revolutionary
Thursday, August 6, 7:00-8:00 p.m., on Zoom
Join us for a lively discussion on racial and social justice, leveraging Ibram X. Kendi's book, How to be An Antiracist. Excerpts to springboard our conversation will be available for those who may not have the book. Kendi's text will kick off our Young Adult fall formation series, held on the first Thursday of each month, exploring topics of revolution, dissent, disruption, and change in society and the church. The discussion begins at 7:00 p.m., followed by Compline prayers at 8:00 p.m. Please
click here to sign up for this Zoom gathering and and Justin Averette will send you the meeting link and password.

Saints Untapped
Thursday, August 20, 7:00-8:00 p.m. on Zoom 
Join our young adults for our August Saints Untapped gathering on Zoom. We'll have our inaugural "Saints Take On Atlanta" trivia challenge, complete with prizes. Whether you come for the fellowship and fun or find yourself gunning for the coveted gift cards to local eateries, we look forward to playing with you! Download the free app "Kahoot" to participate in trivia.  Please click here to sign up for this gathering, which is led by Michael Asmussen.

 ChildrensMinistries
Children's  Ministries



Vacation Bible School Online
Sundays, August 9, 16, and 23, 9:00-9:55 a.m., on Zoom

REGISTER BY JULY 29

VBS is coming to you this year! For three Sundays in August, all kids are invited to enjoy the Backyard BOLT Towards Faith In Jesus curriculum which includes Bible stories, games, crafts and great music, all in your own home. BOLT will help kids understand what it means to "Listen to", "Focus on", and "Follow Jesus." Activities can be done at your own pace throughout the week or all on Sunday! 

Mrs. Kathy and Mrs. Kimmell (along with other surprise guests) will ZOOM to your home each Sunday morning with a "Hello there," and a recap/roses/thorns/buds to hear what your kids learned and how much fun they had with their friends. 

All videos, music, craft supplies, and t-shirts will be provided. We will purchase t-shirts and supplies based on the number of registrants, and a nominal fee will charged. 

Please click here to register by Wednesday, July 29.

For more information, contact Kathy Roberts at [email protected].

 Music
Music

The Hymn Project
During this time of social distancing, we've been posting "Hymns from Home" videos on our Facebook and Vimeo pages with hymns from the requests we receive through The Hymn Project.  to learn more about this project, to view the videos we've posted so far, and to offer your own hymn requests!  We're currently taking a break for the summer and we'll be back on Tuesday, August 18. 
For more information, contact Dr. Kirk Rich at [email protected].

VIDEO: Virtual Concert for Respite Care Atlanta
Our Director of Music, Dr. Kirk M. Rich, put together this beautiful online concert for our friends at Respite Care Atlanta, with contributions from many familiar faces and talented musicians,  including:  Greer Lyle (soprano),  Caroline Smith-Wendt (soprano),  Erin Cassel Idnani (cello),  Bryce Zimmerman (countertenor),  Cain-Oscar Bergeron (traverso), and  John Tibbetts II (baritone). Click here to watch the video. For more information, contact Dr. Kirk Rich at [email protected]. 

 Service
Service 

All Saints' Cares Update
We invite you to join us in showing the city of Atlanta that All Saints' Cares for those around us. There are many opportunities to serve, to support, and to grow in friendship with neighbors near and far. Click here to learn more. For more information, contact Jill Gossett at [email protected]. 

Share a Meal with the Men of Covenant Community 
(on Zoom)
Mondays, August 3, 10, 17, and 24
There is still a way to help with the Monday dinners for Covenant Community while quarantine restrictions are still in effect. Although it will be a while before visitors will be allowed to join the men to break bread, the following protocol has been suggested by CCI's Executive Director, Johnathan Davis. For the foreseeable future, dinner will need to be dropped off at the front door on Spring Street. After dinner, the men would very much like to do a Zoom meeting with the parishioner so that everyone could get together online. Please click here to inquire about providing a meal and Barbara Blender will be in touch to help coordinate.


Refugee Ministries and Threads: 
Backpack Buddies and Back to School
Today is the Last Day to Donate
Every year, All Saints' Children's Ministries and Refugee Ministries provide backpacks and school supplies to former refugee children in Clarkston through our Backpack Buddies program. We're excited to continue the program this year with a few important changes to keep everyone healthy and safe: 
  • Everyone will purchase the backpacks and school supply bundles from Amazon links that are specific to each child. 
  • The backpacks and school supply bundles will be shipped directly to the church and stored there until delivery at the end of July. (Please see the next announcement for information about volunteering to deliver the backpacks.)
This year, we're also excited to include care packages from Threads, our children's clothing ministry, in our deliveries. Please note that Threads is unable to accept new donations at this time and the care packages will be supplied through the current inventory.  Click here to learn more and sign up to participate. Thank you for your generosity!  For more information, contact Louisa Merchant at [email protected].

Refugee Ministries and Threads: 
Deliver Backpacks and Care Packages to Clarkston
Saturday, July 25; Sunday, July 26; and Monday, July 27, in Clarkston
Refugee Ministries and Threads invite volunteers to deliver backpacks and care packages from our Backpack Buddies and Back to School program to former refugee families in Clarkston. Please click here  to sign up. After you sign up, we will be in touch to schedule a time for you to pick-up the backpacks from All Saints', as well as offer helpful instructions for maintaining safe social distance while you make the deliveries in Clarkston. The children will be so excited! Thank you for your kindness and generosity during this difficult time. For more information, contact Louisa Merchant at [email protected].


Refugee Ministries Update: 
Thank You from Eric Ndahimana
Eric arrived in the United States eight months ago from the Congo after being separated from his family for more than two years. An All Saints' parishioner generously donated a car to his family and our parish provided driving lessons for Eric as he prepared to get his license. Last week, after delays related to the pandemic, the family was finally able to receive the car! They are filled with joy and gratitude. Above is the thank you note that Eric wrote to our parish. He and his wife also recorded a video to express their gratitude, which you can watch here.  For more information, contact Louisa Merchant at [email protected].

An Update from Midtown Assistance Center
Midtown Assistance Center continues to offer remote support for people in need. Over the past few months, MAC has provided over 200 households with rent and utility assistance, over 300 households with grocery gift cards or deliveries, and over 60 people with MARTA cards. Donations are welcome to continue to support those in crisis during COVID-19. Thank you to everyone who has been so generous already!  To learn more and donate, please visit midtownassistancectr.org .

 General
General
 
Get the Most Up-to-Date Information
Please continue to monitor our website for the latest news about upcoming virtual events, online worship services, and the answers to frequently asked questions regarding our policies and protocols during this time of temporary closure: allsaintsatlanta.org/covid-19.

Need help using Zoom or other technology to connect with us online?
Contact Jocelyn Cassada, Director of Digital Communications, at [email protected].

Beware of Email Phishing Scams
Please continue to beware of email scams by people who impersonate clergy or members of our community and ask for a "favor" and then ask for money or gift cards. Click here to learn more. 

Diocesan News
Stay informed about news from our diocese at  connecting.episcopalatlanta.org. 
 
634 West Peachtree Street NW, Atlanta, Georgia 30308
telephone 404-881-0835, facsimile 404-881-3796