We publish the All Saints' Young Adults newsletter every week or two to provide updates about what's coming up for young adults, as well as parish-wide events that might interest you. If you do not wish to receive these updates, you can unsubscribe at any time (scroll to the bottom of the email). If you'd prefer to receive the parish-wide weekly newsletter instead (or in addition), click here and select the Main Parish-Wide Email List.
August 29, 2019
Friends,
In a service economy like ours, it’s nearly impossible to escape prompts bombarding us for feedback. We are primed to be discerning consumers, diligent with where we vote our dollars and wise with how we steward time. Ubiquitous invitations to focus on how we are being served can sometimes drown out the Holy Spirit’s call to lead lives of service to others.

Simon’s homily at Wednesday Night Supper last night drew on the notion that people of faith are invited to become “interrupters” for God. If we are to interrupt (even our own) familiar human patterns and cultural values, including our vigilance around how we are being served, we have to slow down and appreciate connections with others, including others quite unlike ourselves.

Our Young Adult calendar underscores a variety of ways to serve, on and off the block, in the coming months. If you attend the “Saints & Service: Sandwich Build” this coming Sunday between the services, you may discover you enjoy being around kids. You might not want to teach Sunday school every week but you might want to dabble, helping out with Vacation Bible School next summer or pitching in with an Attic Invasion some Friday night in the future. Why not consider preemptively taking the required Safeguarding God’s Children training when it’s offered at All Saints’ on Wednesday, September 11, from 6:15-9:15 p.m. If you’re more of an introvert, perhaps you’ll spare an hour to help with the Threads Special Inventory Day on Tuesday, September 10 (any time between 10:00 a.m.- 4:00 p.m.), as we tag and hang children’s clothing for the fall and winter seasons ( click here to read more about Threads).

October will afford chances to get off the block and participate in God’s love at work in our city—from Atlanta Food Bank to Piedmont Park during Atlanta’s Pride Festival . How might God be interrupting habits and patterns to open your heart to that most persistent and pressing query: What are you doing for others? 

I hope you will carve out time to join your friends (new and familiar) for some of these opportunities to allow God to interrupt our habits and enlarge our hearts for freedom and joy as we serve others.
Peace,
The Rev. Sarah Stewart
Associate Rector for Young Adults and Innovation

Sunday, September 15, 10:20—11:05 a.m., Room P202, Parish House

On the third Sunday of each month, explore resources from our Christian tradition that can support us in our daily lives. Fall dates: September 15, October 20, November 17, and December 15.

Wednesday, September 25, 7:00—8:30 p.m., Room P307, Parish House

On the final Wednesday of each month, be part of a discussion that invites us to sink our teeth into spiritual resources for living with courage and faith in an ever-changing world. Fall dates: August 28, September 25, October 30, and November 20*.

*Please note that we'll meet on the third Wednesday in November due to the Thanksgiving holiday.

Sunday, September 1, 10:20—11:05 a.m., Ellis Hall, Parish House

Join saints of all ages in making sandwiches for Emmaus House and Midtown Assistance Center. Many hands make light work – last year we made 900 sandwiches in 35 minutes!

Tuesday, September 10, 10:00—4:00 p.m., Threads Shop, Tate Hall

Threads, our children’s clothing ministry, invites volunteers of all ages to a special inventory day to help us get the shop ready for the fall and winter seasons. This is a great opportunity to learn about our new, simpler computer tagging system. Even if you can only come for an hour or two, we welcome your help! If you’re able to volunteer, please email Lori Guarisco, our Threads Coordinator, at threads@allsaintsatlanta.org .

Thursday, September 26, 6:30—9:00 p.m., Ellis Hall, Parish House

Celebrate new beginnings with the graduating residents of Covenant Community, our ministry partner that provides treatment and substance abuse recovery support for men experiencing homelessness. This is a meaningful and moving ceremony and dinner to mark the start of a new chapter and honor the hard work these men have done to complete the rigorous life-stabilization program. No need to RSVP.

Saturday, October 12, 1:00—3:00 p.m., Piedmont Park

Join young adults from our parish and our wider church, as we volunteer to staff at our The Episcopal Diocese of Atlanta booth, during this year's Atlanta Pride Festival in Piedmont Park. Help us celebrate and share God's inclusive love with our city! If you'd like to get volunteer, please email me at sstewart@allsaintsatlanta.org .

Sunday, October 20, 1:00—4:00 p.m., Atlanta Community Food Bank, 732 Joseph E. Lowery Blvd, NW Atlanta, GA 30318

Join fellow young adults at the Atlanta Community Food Bank Product Rescue Center for an afternoon of service and fun, as we inspect, sort, and pack quality grocery donations for distribution to agencies across Georgia.

Closed-toe and closed-heel shoes are required; sneakers or work boots are encouraged. Flips flops, sandals or heeled shoes are not allowed. Please wear comfortable clothing you won't mind getting wrinkled.

Click the link below to sign up, and invite your friends to join us too! If you'd like to carpool there, please email me at sstewart@allsaintsatlanta.org by October 16.
Saints on Tap

Thursday, September 19, 7:00—9:30 p.m., Boxcar, 1000 White St SW, Atlanta

In September, we'll head over to Boxcar in the West End neighborhood to enjoy locally-sourced, creative food and a 28-tap draft list. Please email Michael Asmussen at michael.asmussen@gmail.com to let him know you're coming so he can reserve our seats!
Excursion to Old Fourth Ward Arts Festival

Sunday, September 29, 1:00—5:00 p.m., Historic Fourth Ward Park

Meet in the courtyard after the 11:15 a.m. worship service to venture with young adults to the Old Fourth Ward Arts Festival at Historic Fourth Ward Park. We’ll walk to the festival from the church (or ride your bike, as bike racks are provided by the festival, or meet us there). There is no cost to enter the festival, but bring your own funds for food and shopping and make sure to wear comfortable shoes/clothes and sunscreen. Please email me at sstewart@allsaintsatlanta.org to let me know if you’re coming and whether you intend to walk with the group or meet us there.
Contemplative Field T rip   to the Cathedral of St. Philip

Monday, September 16, 7:00 p.m. Labyrinth Walk and 8:00 p.m. Taizé Service

Explore contemplative movement and prayer, as we engage the ancient practice of walking the labyrinth and participate in a communal service of Taizé prayer at the Cathedral of St. Philip. Meet at St. Philip's outdoor labyrinth at 7:00 p.m. or catch a ride from All Saints' parking lot at 6:30 p.m. Anyone needing a ride, please email me at sstewart@allsaintsatlanta.org by Wednesday, September 11 so we can coordinate carpool.
Contemplative Night Out: An Evening of Taizé  Prayer at the Cathedral of St. Philip  

Wednesday, October 2, 6:15 p.m. Carpool from All Saints'; 7:00 p.m. Taizé Conversation; 8:00 p.m. Taizé Service

Saints of all (adult) ages are welcome on our Contemplative Night Out! We will join ecumenical friends at the Cathedral of St. Philip for an evening of discussion, prayers, music, and candlelight. Enjoy Wednesday Night Supper with us at All Saints' before and/or catch our carpool that departs by 6:15 p.m. You also can meet us at the Cathedral entrance by 6:50 p.m.

Monastic brothers from France will host a conversation at 7:00 p.m.; Taizé worship begins at 8:00 p.m. Please email The Rev. Sarah Stewart at sstewart@allsaintsatlanta.org to let her know if you're coming, and whether you'd like to carpool or meet us there.
For more information contact The Rev. Sarah Stewart