"Hey Y'All Saints!" - Weekly Youth Update (August 15, 2019)

Dear Friends,

This is a big Sunday at All Saints' and a great chance to get reconnected after summer break.

Backpack Blessing and Back to the Block Party

Sunday morning is the annual Blessing of the Backpacks, and you are invited to bring your backpack and receive a back-to-school blessing at the 10:00 a.m. service in the church. Afterwards will be the Back to the Block Party, featuring awesome food, a waterslide, and entertainment from All Saints' very own Ethan Parks and his band, The Manly Hero (insta: @themanlyhero ). You won't want to miss it! This event is free of charge, but we encourage you to RSVP here to help us plan for food.

400th Anniversary of Slavery in America

In the evening, All Saints' will be hosting a panel and service commemorating the 400th Anniversary of African Slavery in America. We are extending the invitation to the whole city and would be especially glad for youth to come take part. This is a great chance to reflect upon the Christianity's relationship to slavery in the past and how youth of the next generation can take the lead in ending modern forms of slavery which still persist.

Schedule:

5:30 pm: Reception
6:00 pm: Panel Conversation
7:00 pm: Service of Song, Prayer, Remembrance and Hope

Please consider inviting a friend and joining us for all or part of the evening. I will be in the congregation and would be glad for you to come sit with us! ( More Info )

Peace,

The Rev. Zack Nyein

Associate Rector

znyein@allsaintsatlanta.org

Calling All 6th Graders and Up: Be an Acolyte!

Acolyte Signups and Captains

It's not too late to sign up to be an acolyte. This year we are opening it up to 6th graders and up. No prior experience or knowledge necessary. There will be a training this Saturday from 10:30 - 12:00 p.m. in the church. All new and returning acolytes should sign up below.

We are also looking for seasoned high school acolytes to be captains. To apply, click here .

Apply for All Saints' Youth Council

Youth in grades 9-12 are invited to apply to be a part of our Youth Leadership Council. This is a great opportunity to help us shape our youth program and to gain valuable leadership experience. Meetings will tentatively be held on the first Wednesday of each month, time TBD. For more info, contact Zack or Joel.

YOUTH COUNCIL APPLICATION

Children, Youth, & Choirs Registration Online Now

Online registration is now available for children's and youth ministries, choirs, acolytes, and volunteers. Please register as soon as possible before August 18 so we can update our information and stay connected with you.

All Parish Forum: A Vision for Children and Youth

August 25 at 10:20a.m. in Ellis Hall

Looking ahead, all parents are encouraged to join us in Ellis Hall during the Christian Formation hour to hear about our newest initiatives for children and youth. Learn more .

ADD TO CALENDAR

Rites of Passage: A Word on Confirmation

A significant change following our consultation with Ministry Architects is the decision to move confirmation to the 8th grade over the course of the next two years. Thus, this year confirmation will be offered for all youth in grades 8 - 10 during the spring semester. In short, our intention is to:

Build strong community among teens from many different schools earlier in the youth program, before high school
Mitigate some redundancies, conflation, and confusion between the meaning and purpose of Rite 13 and confirmation
Align with our counterpart programs in many similar-sized Episcopal churches in Atlanta and beyond (i.e. St. Philip's Cathedral and Christ Church, Charlotte)

A communication will follow soon with more information, including a detailed rationale for the change. In the meantime, you can preview the program and our new curriculum, Confirm Not Conform, here . Registration will open October 15.

Note: this will not affect the youth pilrimage , which will remain a milestone opportunity opportunity for rising 11th graders. The next pilgrimage is scheduled for June 13 - 21, 2020. Location to be announced at an informational meeting for 10th graders and parents September 22 at 7:30 p.m. in the Attic. Save the date .

LEARN MORE ABOUT CONFIRMATION

Adult Volunteer Village

It takes a village, and we are looking for caring adults willing to give of their time and talents to help build up the next generation. There are many ways to help, from one-time jobs to weekly service, and we provide all the training.