Dear Families,

I've been pondering what to write about after the summer - my amazing vacation in Maine, my priceless time with family, my time in nature that always fills my cup to overflowing... But I can't quite let go of my experience at Vacation Bible School this year.

Now you may be saying "But it is your job, you weren't a camper!", but I FEEL like I was invited to the most amazing dance by the Holy Spirit. I am not trying to be all 'woo-woo', but when the Spirit decides to do her thing with you, it is the most 'woo-woo' thing you can imagine! And usually when you are least expecting it! Here are some highlights:

First, listening to the experience through the eyes of parents, adult volunteers, youth counselors, and campers.

Hearing the stories of how the children and this week affected each of them is wonderful. Adults watching the Youth work with the kids with such compassion, patience, and true interest . Watching how much each of them has changed from their first year as a counselor to where they are now - it is a real learning experience for them, working with kids, each other, and the adults. Kids seeing that not only parents volunteered, but grandparents, adults not even related to any kids, friends of our AS kids, and even one of our own youth who is in his graduate program. They were are there for them! And the kids/campers themselves talking about the week, getting videos of them singing the songs and retelling the stories, and watching their new "church friendships".

Secondly, having 26 Youth volunteers (they continue to show up and share their gifts!) and having 24 kids who came to America through our Refugee Ministries program join us this year for the whole week. They were 5yrs old to 17 yrs old. They joined right in and our kids welcomed them right in. One story that stands out is a 5 year old girl that had been in this country for 3 days and spoke very little English. As she came in the room, her counselor bent down and said "Hey, I'm ____, what's your name?" She gave it shyly and the counselor said "I'm glad you are here, want to play?" and extended her hand to the girl. They skipped into the gym. An hour later, her mother showed up with a Ref. Min volunteer who said that mom was worried about her being afraid. I took them to the room where the mother waved to the girl and the girl waved back with a big smile. The mother asked if she was happy, she said yes. Mother asked if she wanted to leave, to which the young girl shooed her mother out of the room. Those kids sang with us, played with us, prayed with us, and worshipped with us. They left with hugs and tears at the end of the week and asked if it was possible to do it all again the next week.

Thirdly, watching kids/youth/adults have time to dive deeply into the stories of our faith and what they might mean for them today. Questioning, doubting, praising, sharing their ideas in a safe space with their siblings in Christ. Time is on our side and we are not rushed. We can linger on the word and come back to it the next day, later in the week, and later in the summer. The seeds have been planted and watered. Now how WE ALL must do is to continue to tend these seeds of faith.

So Come Home

Come back to family and friends

Come celebrate, pray and play together

And let's invite all our neighbors to join us!

"I'm Kathy, What's your name? I'm glad you are here! Want to play?"

It really is that easy.

Peace ,

Kathy

Thanks to all those adults that stepped up to help with Vacation Bible School!

Sarah Bryant, Brooke Bowen, Brooke Gifford, Christina Stavridis, Beth Frilingos, Kris Birkness, Katie Paisley, James Bryan, Judy Patton, and and Michelle Ward (our two grandmothers)

We also had an amazing crew of youth that helped with everything:

Will Docka, Darcy Gaynor, Emily Orrell, Fiona Sullivan, Audrey Dobranski, Naimah King, Maddy Johnson, James Paisley, Ana Shepherdson, Janiyah Winston, Margaret Shepherd, Luke Frilingos, Brendan Sullivan, Davis Gifford, Anna Paisley, Charleigh Fogel, Millie Constant, Madeleine Thompson, Charlotte Thompson, Emery Johnson, Ingrid Mabry, Marina Shepherdson, Finn Nicholas, Milo Schroeder, Harlan Johnson, Alex Bell

Volunteer QR Code

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Children's Church, Special Events, and Nursery Helpers

Backpack Blessing and Blessing Tags

August 10

9:45 Meet under the Arcade to process in with backpacks

10:00 Sit with parents after blessing

At All Saints, we have a ritual of celebrating and blessing the beginning of another year in school, work, and our ministries.

Newborns to 100 years old can bring your backpacks, briefcases, diaper bags, or computer bags to church with you to be blessed and mark this new year of learning and loving and following in Jesus’ footsteps.  This is one of our intergenerational moments where old and young stand alongside each other to receive God's blessings. So make sure you bring your bag too!

Make sure to grab a Blessing Bag Tag for your bag as you leave church.  

Ice Cream Sundae Sunday

August 10

11:15

After your backpacks have been blessed and church is over, head to the courtyard to make yourself an Ice Cream Sundae and catch up with old friends and welcome our new friends. If you would like to help serve, send an email to Kathy Roberts

CLUB 45 Pool Party

August 10

12:30-2:30, Buckhead location will be sent to you

Welcome to Club 45 all you 4th and 5th graders and parents! We start off the year with a pool party so that the kids want to come to Formation and see their new friends.

It is a big day at church, but I hope you will join us. Dress casually for church, pack your towel, swimsuits, and water bottle;

*Bring your backpack to be blessed

*Grab an Ice Cream Sundae

*Run home for lunch or grab/pack a sandwich on the way to Buckhead for our pool party.

I will have water and juice boxes for kids, soft drinks for adults, and a watermelon. RSVP to Kathy Roberts with how many will be coming. Car pool if you can!

Register

for Formation, Children's Church and Choir

2025-2026 program year

Register here on Realm or use the QR code below

This Sunday, July 26, 2025

Summer Schedule

Nursery  

9:30-11:30 am

Janelle King, Nursery Director

1st floor Pritchett Center

August/September Dates

CC=Children's Church

CG=Courtyard Gathering

CF=Children's Formation

SS=Second Sunday

8/3 Summer Schedule continues, 8:00, 10:00, and 5:00 services

Nursery continues, but no Children's Church or Formation

8/10 Backpack Blessing, Children’s Min Prayer Cycle

10:00 service, in the Church

Ice Cream Sundae Sundae

11:15-12:00, Kennedy Courtyard

Club 45 Pool Party

12:30-2:30

8/17 Children’s and Youth Ministries Open House

              11:15 -12:15 , 3^rd fl. Pritchett Center/The Attic

Teacher Training/Safeguarding God's Children Training

12:30-3:00, The Attic

8/20 First WNS/Choir/Activities

              4:00-7:00, 2^nd fl. Pritchett Center

8/23 Jr Choir Serve and Sing, 9:00-12:00, 2nd fl Pritchett

            Marie Kondo Clean Up, parents help clean and organize 2nd fl.

8/24. Back to the Block Party

             11:15 am-1:15, Playground, courtyard

8/31 Children’s Church Orientation/Kindergarten Moving Up

             10:00-11:00, Pritchett Center

Saints and Service Sandwich Make

             11:15 -12:15, Ellis Hall

9/7 Program Year begins 8, 9, 11:15, and 5 church services resume

CC, 8:45 gathering, 9:00 service, 2nd fl Pritchett

CG, 10:00-10:30 begins today, courtyard

CF, 10:30-11:10 begins today, 2nd fl Pritchett

9/14 CC, 8:45 gathering, 9:00 service, 2nd fl Pritchett, SS

CG, 10:00-10:30, courtyard

CF, 10:30-11:10, 2nd fl Pritchett

Parenting with God

             10:20-11:05, Ross Rm

9/20 Nursery/ Little Saints Playdate

             3:00-4:00, Playground

9/21 CC, 8:45 gathering, 9:00 service, 2nd fl Pritchett

CG, 10:00-10:30, courtyard

CF, 10:30-11:10, 2nd fl Pritchett

9/27 FIA: Off Campus Pet Blessing

morning on the Beltline

9/28 Blessing of the Animals/Bring a Friend!

NO CC, join with family in Ellis Hall

CG, 10:00-10:30, courtyard

CF, 10:30-11:10, 2nd fl Pritchett 

10/3-5 Kanuga Weekend

             NO CC, NO CF     Nursery continues on campus               

K-3rd grades Club 45

9/7 Games, Community Covenant

9/7 Games, Community Covenant