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Adult Learning Events St. David's has several adult learning events throughout the year that are perfect for someone who wants to disconnect from their regular routine for a while and immerse themselves into a spiritual enviornment. Take a look at what we have to offer! Men's Retreat May 3-5, 2024 Unicoi State Park Please join us for a weekend of Spiritual Renewal and Christian Fellowship led by our speaker, The Reverend Dr. Jim Shumard, priest in charge, St. James, Clayton. He will lead our discussion titled, “FIFTY SHADES OF LIVING COLOR: Exploring the multi-verse of scripture”. Come for a weekend of playful and prayerful approaches to stories in scripture, which will give insights into God‘s love for us and into our day-to-day relationship with God and with one another. Starting on Friday at Noon, we will have optional golf, fishing, hiking, and biking. The formal program will begin on Saturday morning. You can easily drive up on Saturday morning from the Atlanta metro – it’s about 1.5 hour drive. The program ends on Sunday morning, with the program wrap-up and a worship service with Holy Communion. ​ Please contact Loren Conrad if you have any questions. ​ Registration for the 2024 Retreat is now live! Click here to learn more! Women's Retreat “Prayerful Kitchen: Finding Sabbath Moments in Everyday Life” October 11-13 St. Mary’s Retreat Center, Sewanee, TN Join us for a weekend of fellowship and spiritual renewal on the mountain at St. Mary's, Sewanee, TN. We are hosting a guest speaker, Mary Hemmer, a pastor/retreat leader from Gainesville, GA. She will be speaking on “Prayerful Kitchen: Finding Sabbath Moments in Everyday Life”. Register today for a weekend of faith and community! If you’d like to learn more about Mary Hemmer, check out her blog at https://prayerfulkitchen.blog/. Price: St. Mary's Hall Dorm Room - $250 (No A/C, shared bathroom on hallway) Anna House - $310 (A/C, private bathroom) ​ ​ Click here to register. Morning Reflections Advent and Lent In special seasons of the church year, we are encouraged to come away from our routines to make space for quiet reflection and prayer. Just as Jesus made his way into the wilderness to pray, we are encouraged to create intentional space. Morning Reflections offer a mixture of teaching, quiet reflection, and prayer and are organized by the Daughters of the King chapter. ​ The Lenten Morning Reflection will be Saturday, March 9. Click here to learn more!

The Way Forward Since August of 2021, St. David’s has been engaged in a discernment process which combines elements of traditional strategic planning with elements of group discernment and church leadership. Click here to read more about this journey as we name our need for discernment, discover all the possibilities, and engage our parish family as we discover God's dream for St. David's. This is an exciting time for St. David's! We ask that you keep St. David's and the Strategic Planning team in your prayers! The Way Forward Update: Draft Core Value Statements As a part of our strategic discernment process, The Way Forward, we have developed the following language to define our core values. These statements will provide important guidance to what activity we pursue as we dream alongside God about our future. The language presented is representative of responses to a values survey sent to members of our governance committees (Finance, HR, etc.), each senior warden from the last 40 years, and our four strategic discernment teams, consisting of ministry leaders, vestry members, and staff members. There’s a place at the table for everyone. At the Altar, at the conference table, sharing meals, in the classroom – everyone has a place at the table at St. David’s. We desire your participation, and we invite you to bring your whole self to the table. We’ll make sure there’s room for you there. Relationships come first. We believe reconciliation was the primary goal of Jesus’ work. In everything we do, our relationships come first. We want to ensure more person-to-person, heart-level connections through the ways we pursue our mission. Love like Jesus. We will do our best to love God and our neighbor, always expanding the definition of “neighbor”. We strive to love not as the world loves, but as Jesus loves. We want to embody this love in everything we do. Unity over uniformity. Everyone’s different; we honor that. We don’t seek to be a group of people who think alike about everything; we desire to be people who share a common heart, a common purpose, and a fellowship of love. Being together in community is more important than political affiliation, tribal identity, or which sports team you cheer for. Tradition not traditionalism. We draw nourishment and stability from our deep roots in ancient traditions, without sacrificing flexibility. We aren’t a museum for church traditions but participants in a living faith, anchored by practices that have been honored since the time of Jesus' first followers. ​ While still in draft form, we welcome your feedback. Please reach out to Remington with any questions or comments.

St. David's Clergy The Rev. Remington Slone - Rector The Rev. Remington Slone is the Rector (Senior Pastor) of St. David's. He grew up in small-town south Georgia and graduated from the University of Georgia with a degree in History. After undergraduate studies, Remington attended the General Theological Seminary in New York City. Before his call as the Rector of St. David's in 2021, Remington served in various leadership ministries at St. Peter's in Savannah, GA and Christ Episcopal Church in Ponte Vedra Beach, FL. Remington loves music and outdoor sports (especially cycling). He's fond of word puzzles and chess, and will give all of that up when the Dawgs are playing. He's been married to Casey since 2007, and they are blessed with three amazing children: Madeleine, Clara, and Becket. They are likely to be the loud ones in the back of the church. The Rev. Chip Broadfoot, Associate Rector The Rev. Chip Broadfoot is the Associate Rector of St. David's. Chip has served at parishes in the diocese of Alabama, East Carolina, and Western North Carolina. He received his Master of Divinity from The School of Theology at Sewanee, TN. Chip has served at the diocesan level as Spiritual Director at many Cursillo and Happening retreats, summer camp Chaplaincies, the Board of diocesan camps, Director for Towel Ministry, the Commission on Ministry, the Diocesan Foundation, and the diocesan Executive Council. Chip has been married to his wife, Becky, since January of 1991. He loves fly fishing, hiking with his wife, playing Pickleball, hosting dinner parties, and they look forward to attending Braves baseball games. Chip and Becky have two adult daughters, Allie who lives in Atlanta, and Kaki and her husband Austin live in Jackson, WY. The Rev. Mimi Guerra, Vicar for Hispanic Ministries Originally from Mexico, Mother Mimi moved to the United States in 1994. She has been an educator for 30 years. She was a Spanish teacher in Douglas County Schools. Rev. Mimi earned a BA in Spanish in 1989 from the University of Victoria. She earned a CPA from Kennesaw State University for Early Childhood Education in 2002. In the summer of 2017, she completed seminary at CETLA (Theological Education Center for Latinos) in the Diocese of Atlanta and earned her Pastoral Education CPE at TACC of San Lucas. in Atlanta. As a child, Rev. Mimi aspired to be a nun, but her father encouraged her to become a teacher. However, she never gave up on her dreams, and today she dedicates time to helping people build a closer relationship with God. As the Associate Rector at Christ Church form 2018-2023 she promoted the unity between families. In the last two years she was also an associate at St. Bede’s , and in 2022 she became the Hispanic Missioner in the Diocese of Atlanta. During this time she opened two new Hispanic missions and she dedicate time to attract people to our Episcopal churches. The Rev. Mimi is the proud mother of a son Henry Hunt “Junior” with whom she has fun watching “Justice League” and “Avengers” movies. Mimi loves writing, singing, but most of all helping those in need. Reverend Tom Ader Ret. - Deacon

As followers of Jesus, we are called to follow Christ’s teachings, through learning, come together for worship and fellowship, and to serve to spread the Kingdom of God. We do these things best when we do them together. At St. David’s, we have many opportunities for you to grow relationship with Christ and one another. Please take some time to explore the many learning offerings below. We have opportunities for all ages beginning with our Preschool. Click on the picture to learn more. Nursery Prechool Children Youth Adult Grow at St. David's Opportunities to Grow in Faith at St. David's "Walk in Love: Episcopalian Beliefs and Practices" Fall 2024 Book Study Wed, Aug 14 Roswell Aug 14, 2024, 6:00 PM – Sep 04, 2024, 7:00 PM Roswell, 1015 Old Roswell Rd, Roswell, GA 30076, USA Aug 14, 2024, 6:00 PM – Sep 04, 2024, 7:00 PM Roswell, 1015 Old Roswell Rd, Roswell, GA 30076, USA Join The Rev. Remington Slone in a four-week discussion about the history, beliefs, and practices of The Episcopal Church. RSVP "Together: The Healing Power of Human Connection in a Sometimes Lonely World" Book Study Wed, Sep 04 Roswell Sep 04, 2024, 6:00 PM – Oct 23, 2024, 7:30 PM Roswell, 1015 Old Roswell Rd, Roswell, GA 30076, USA Sep 04, 2024, 6:00 PM – Oct 23, 2024, 7:30 PM Roswell, 1015 Old Roswell Rd, Roswell, GA 30076, USA You are invited to read "Together: The Healing Power of Human Connection in a Sometimes Lonely World" by former U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy, M.D., with us and discuss the role the Church has to play in creating community and how we can love others better. RSVP "Falling Upward: Spirituality for the Two Halves of Life" Book Study Sun, Sep 08 Roswell Sep 08, 2024, 10:15 AM – Oct 13, 2024, 11:00 AM Roswell, 1015 Old Roswell Rd, Roswell, GA 30076, USA Sep 08, 2024, 10:15 AM – Oct 13, 2024, 11:00 AM Roswell, 1015 Old Roswell Rd, Roswell, GA 30076, USA By celebrated author, teacher, and Franciscan priest, Fr. Richard Rohr, "Falling Upward" provides a fresh perspective on spirituality as we grow through life’s journey. RSVP “Eight Dates” Sun, Sep 08 Roswell Sep 08, 2024, 5:30 PM – Oct 20, 2024, 7:00 PM Roswell, 1015 Old Roswell Rd, Roswell, GA 30076, USA Sep 08, 2024, 5:30 PM – Oct 20, 2024, 7:00 PM Roswell, 1015 Old Roswell Rd, Roswell, GA 30076, USA How do some couples stay together for a lifetime? John and Julie Gottman suggest that those couples stay engaged in eight essential conversations for a lifetime of love. We’ll help you go on 8 Dates, built around these essential conversations. RSVP Introduction to Conversational Spanish Mon, Sep 09 Roswell Sep 09, 2024, 2:00 PM – Oct 17, 2024, 3:30 PM Roswell, 1015 Old Roswell Rd, Roswell, GA 30076, USA Sep 09, 2024, 2:00 PM – Oct 17, 2024, 3:30 PM Roswell, 1015 Old Roswell Rd, Roswell, GA 30076, USA Are you interested in learning basic, conversational Spanish in a classroom setting helping us speak to our neighbors and thus becoming better neighbors this Fall? The class will be 5 weeks long, with two classes per week. RSVP

Children's Mission and Outreach Partnerships ​Families Serving Together at St. David’s Families Serving Together is sponsored by St. David’s Children’s Ministry and in partnership with the many and varied ministries of St. David’s as an invitation to families to join together throughout the year for outreach opportunities partnering with our parish family and neighbors. St. David's has many seasonal opportunities for families to serve the community together. In October, we organize a Trunk or Treat outreach event with the children and families of Mimosa Elementary. On Palm Sunday, we visit those in our parish family unable to attend worship due to illness or other circumstance to bring cheer and to share God’s love and hope, and many more opportunities. ​ You and your family are invited to join the fun and fellowship of this ministry that joins families together in faith with God, with other families of the parish, and with our neighbor. 1/1

Gift of Life Insurance A gift of life insurance is popular, easy, and convenient. Generally, such a gift should be whole life and not term insurance. There are several ways to make a gift of life insurance. Purchase a new policy and make St. David’s both the owner and beneficiary. The premiums are tax deductible. Make St. David’s the owner and beneficiary of an existing policy. The cash value of the policy is deductible, plus any future premiums. Make St. David’s a contingent beneficiary of an existing policy. Learn more about Funding Future Ministry options . ​ Prospective donors are strongly urged to consult with their own legal, financial, and/or tax advisor regarding the tax advantages of planned giving. This information is for educational use and not intended to be financial, tax, ​or legal advice and should not be relied on as such.

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Altar Flowers Donations Altar flowers are a beautiful way to honor loved ones or give thanks to God for someone in your life, past or present. Your donation will sponsor altar flowers for one Sunday. We will acknowledge these honorariums and remembrances in the Sunday bulletin. Your contributions for altar flowers are an integral component of St. David’s Flower Guild's budget. The cost is $75 per family/individual. Please make your check payable to St. David’s Episcopal Church and put on your memo line that it is for altar flowers, or, when you click the submit button it will take you to our online payment option. If you are paying by check, please place the check in the offering plate/alms basin, or drop it off at the church office. Please make sure to fill in the particular date that you would like flowers to be placed on the altar.

Books and Bibles Children's Bibles and Devotions (Plus Other Awesome Reading!) Quiet time for a child and quiet time for the family is often centered around a simple shared story. Sometimes that story comes from you, from your own memories and childhood, spoken aloud to your child as they nestle in the crook of your arm. Sometimes the story comes from a trusted book, where language and illustrations capture your child’s heart and imagination. To be present with a child fully absorbed in at engaging story especially a story of love, faith, and family life is to share a sacred moment. Sharing quiet times for reading creates a family ritual and connections. Quiet time in your home may be just before bed time (that interval after the not quiet time of homework and bath and before sleep.) They may come early in the morning before the house is awake and before the day begins. Wherever you find it, use whatever time works for your family and read together. Books with electronic pages work too, but the books listed here are recommended with paper pages for turning and stories for sharing. The list below is a place to begin. Not meant to be comprehensive in any way. It may spark in you the desire to share a favorite book about faith, love, family life that your family enjoys. ​ Bibles and Devotions Ladder of Angels Sixty-five full-color illustrations, chosen from the “Children of the World Illustrate the Old Testament” contest and subsequent exhibition, combine with evocative retellings of Old Testament stories by Madeleine L’Engle to create a reading experience to be cherished by all people – young and old. The Beginner's Bible Introduce children to the stories and characters of the Bible with this best-loved Bible storybook. With vibrant art and compelling text, more than 90 Bible stories come to life. Kids ages 6 and under will enjoy the fun illustrations of Noah helping the elephant onto the ark, Jonah praying inside the fish, and more, as they discover The Beginner’s Bible just like millions of children before. Children of God Storybook Bible Desmond Tutu retells more than fifty of his most beloved stories, artfully highlighting God’s desire for all people to love one another and to find peace and forgiveness in their hearts. Many of the finest artists from around the world have been selected to illustrate the stories. In an attempt to create the first truly global Bible for children, the artists have been invited to portray the stories with the style and richness of their own culture. Their stunning color illustrations allow readers to experience the Bible stories as if they were there―with Adam and Eve in the garden, with Noah on the ark, with Abraham in the desert, and with Jesus on the mountaintop. Every story shows how God works through history and ends with a short prayer, which personalizes the message for each reader’s own life. The Lion Storyteller Bible Designed especially for reading aloud, The Lion Storyteller Bible contains over fifty Bible stories chosen specifically for their story content and appeal. for children ages 4 through 7. The unique larger format of The Lion Storyteller Bible enables both the reader and the child to share the colorfully illustrated stories together. This fresh, engaging approach to Bible stories is highlighted by gentle humor running throughout. Beautifully illustrated, The Lion Storyteller Bible is perfect for bedtime reading, rainy days, and family hours. Read Aloud Bible Stories The award-winning Read Aloud Bible Stories series has delighted children, parents, and teachers for decades. Written by Ella K. Lindvall and illustrated by Kent Puckett, these timeless stories of the Bible are retold in clear, simple language children will enjoy and understand. And parents will appreciate the care taken to simplify the stories without sacrificing any accuracy. The Lion Classic Bible Stunning in presentation and full in scope, The Lion Classic Bible is an evocative retelling of the Bible’s great stories for children. In 12 flowing chapters, Andrea Skevington brings together all the Bible’s treasured tales to reveal the overarching story of God and his people. The New Adventure Bible The New Adventure Bible opens up the door to Bible adventure and discovery for kids ages 8-12. This edition includes the popular New International Version (NIV) plus all the features that have made this study Bible the leading Bible for kids. With its practical approach, The New Adventure Bible helps kids make the jump from learning the Bible to living the Bible. Images of God for Young Children The Bible describes God in many different ways: God is light; God is joy; God is wisdom. God is the beauty that fills the earth and the rock we stand on, the promises we live by and the fire that purifies us. This volume offers a collection of these images, presented in simple language that young readers can easily understand. This book’s bright artwork and lyrical text, written by the bestselling author of Psalms for Young Children, explores how, even though we cannot see or touch God, we can still discover him in our world. Psalms for Young Children The Psalms describe a whole range of emotions, from joy and wonder to sadness and regret. This collection of Psalms, paraphrased for young readers, uses simple yet powerful imagery to help children express their feelings. Animals of the Bible for Young Children The bible’s stories abound with animals—Jonah’s whale, the ram sacrificed in Isaac’s place, the serpent who tempted Eve. Some fill minor roles, while some are central to their stories. But God watched over all of them, delighted in their creation, and used them for great purposes and important lessons. All of them bear witness to God’s wisdom and love. This colorful book, with text that is brief and simple enough for young readers, presents a survey of the menagerie of creatures that populates the pages of the bible. These diverse creatures offer an excellent way to help children discover God’s world and its profound messages. Jesus Calling: 365 Devotions For Kids ​Devotions written as if Jesus is speaking directly to a child’s heart. Based on her original Jesus Calling, this version has been adapted in a language and fashion that kids and tweens can relate to their everyday lives. Five Minute Devotions For Children This delightful devotional is perfect for bedtime, dinnertime, or anytime. Each short devotion includes a story about an animal illustrating its dominant trait as created by God. That trait is then related to a child. Questions at the end are fun for the young child to answer, such as picking out something in the picture, asking what the animal is doing, and asking what God wants us to do. Each devotional concludes with a short bible verse. Picture Books Jesus Loves Me! Warnes has illustrated this beloved children’s hymn with heartwarming depictions of three bears enjoying a variety of activities in their idyllic forest home. Wherever You Are My Love Will Find You Love is the greatest gift we have to give our children. It’s the one thing they can carry with them each and every day. If love could take shape it might look something like these heartfelt words and images from the inimitable Nancy Tillman. Here is a book to share with your loved ones, no matter how near or far, young or old, they are. Saint Francis This is the story of a rich man’s son who gave up his wealth and lived and worked among the poor. He loved all God’s creatures and called them his sisters and brothers. His name was Francis. In this beautifully illustrated and sensitively written book, Brian Wildsmith tells the story of Saint Francis. Noah's Ark For 40 days and 40 nights rain poured from the heavens, enveloping the world. Only Noah had been warned by God of the great flood and only Noah could save life on earth. This powerful story of salvation has fascinated people of all ages for centuries. Now, four-time Caldecott Honor-recipient Jerry Pinkney captures all the courage, drama, and beauty of this ancient parable in rich, glorious paintings. Noah's Ark The bee and the fox, the sheep and the ox–two of each kind trudged aboard Noah’s famous vessel. Peter Spier uses his own translation of a seventeenth-century Dutch poem about this most famous menagerie. Women of the Bible An elegantly illustrated collection of ten favorite Bible stories retold from the point of view of the women involved Parenting Get Out of My Life, but First Could You Drive Me & Cheryl to the Mall? When Anthony E. Wolf’s witty and compassionate guide to raising adolescents was first published, its amusing title and fresh approach won it widespread admiration. Beleaguered parents breathed sighs of relief and gratitude. Now Dr. Wolf has revised and updated his bestseller to tackle the changes of the past decade. He points out that while the basic issues of adolescence and the relationships between parents and their children remain much the same, today’s teenagers navigate a faster, less clearly anchored world. Wolf’s revisions include a new chapter on the Internet, a significantly modified section on drugs and drinking, and an added piece on gay teenagers. Although the rocky and ever-changing terrain of contemporary adolescence may bewilder parents, Get Out of My Life gives them a great road map. Raising An Emotionally Intelligent Child The Heart of Parenting Written for parents of children of all ages, Raising an Emotionally Intelligent Child will enrich the bonds between parent and child and contribute immeasurably to the development of a generation of emotionally healthy adults.

As followers of Jesus, we are called to follow Christ’s teachings, through learning, come together for worship and fellowship, and to serve to spread the Kingdom of God. We do these things best when we do them together. At St. David’s, we have many opportunities for you to grow relationship with Christ and one another. Please take some time to explore the many learning offerings below. We have opportunities for all ages beginning with our Preschool. Click on the picture to learn more. St. David’s and Family Promise of North Fulton/DeKalb Sign Lease Agreement for 985 Old Roswell 985 Old Roswell Rd to be used as a transitional living home for families moving from temporary shelter into permanent homes. Volunteer "Spotlight" at St. David's! St. David's offers many opportunities for members to get involved in service and the life of the church. Honduran Happenings 2024 Day 1 - Saturday: Travel day to Honduras! What do you do when a Microsoft glitch grounds all major airlines 24 hours in advance of your... Nursery Prechool Children Youth Adult Member Information and Quick Links

Visitors Card Thank you for visiting St. David's! We are truly blessed that we were included in your faith and want to extend an invitation to return. Kindly complete the visitor's card below so that we can reach out to you. ​

Careers at St. David's Located in the Roswell, Georgia, north of Atlanta, St. David's is a thriving parish of 1600 members. When we have open positions, they will be listed below. To be considered for a position, please follow the instructions outlined in the job description. . There are currently no open positions.

Handbell Choir St. David’s is blessed to have a 5-octave set of Schulmerich Handbells and 4 octaves of Malmark Handchimes. The bell choir consists of adults and students from the ninth grade up. We play music in Levels 1 through 4 (out of 6 levels). The group rings for the 9:00 a.m and 11:15 a.m. Services about 4 times during the season (September through May), including Lessons and Carols, Christmas Eve, and Music Appreciation Sunday. We also play, enhancing hymns, choral anthems, and/or ringing solo pieces. ​Previous ringing experience or music note reading, while helpful, is not necessary; bring a sense of adventure, a willing heart, and the ability to count to eight! We have fun together. Rehearsals are on Sunday mornings, 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. For more information, contact Susie Clements, 770-993-6084, x131, or email her here .

Stained Glass Windows Part 3 - The Life of Jesus The twelve large stained glass windows on the right and left walls of the nave show significant events in the life of Jesus our Lord. They are arranged chronologically, beginning on the right wall nearest to the front and proceeding clockwise around the nave. "The Annunication" Location: Right wall closest to front of nave This window, showing the angel Gabriel’s appearance to the Virgin Mary, and is depicted in the first chapter of the Gospel according to St. Luke, verses 26 through 38. After deciding that the birth of Jesus would be celebrated on December 25, the Church centuries ago set aside the fixed date of March 25 for the feast of the Annunciation, appropriately exactly 9 months before Christmas Day. ​ Gabriel is shown holding a spray of white lilies. This is a very traditional artistic device to emphasize that the woman in the picture is Mary, since white lilies symbolize purity, chastity, and innocence. When the angel tells Mary that she is to bear a son, Mary questions the idea by saying, “How can this be, since I am a virgin?” Gabriel explains that “the power of the Most High will overshadow you.” The artist has illustrated this answer with the dove at the top of the window, and rays of brilliant light descending from the dove that alight on Mary. We know that the dove represents God’s Holy Spirit, and the artist emphasizes the divine and holy nature of this dove by giving it the traditional artistic mark of holiness: a nimbus. Mary, too, is shown with a nimbus. But the dove’s nimbus has a special feature that you can see repeated in every one of the stained glass windows that depict either the Holy Spirit or Jesus: it is a “cruciform” nimbus, bearing a hint of the four branches of the Christian cross in its four colored stripes. "The Nativity" Location: Right wall 2nd from front The stained glass window that depicts “The Nativity” is in the middle of the wall on the right side of the nave, placed between the “Annunciation” and “Presentation” windows. It depicts Joseph, Mary and the Baby Jesus in a manger topped by a pair of white doves. ​ Bruce Thomas notes, "It transports my thoughts to be with the Holy Family in Bethlehem, much more than my actual visit to Bethlehem was able to do. As I’ve written elsewhere in this series, religious stained glass windows serve a variety of purposes: “as beautiful adornment that reflects our great love for God; to bring light (‘the light of God’) into the dark corners of the church; and to serve as a Biblical textbook.” "The Presentation" Location: Right wall 3rd from front Hebrew law (Leviticus 12:1-8) dictated the date for the circumcision of a newly born male child, on his eighth day of life. In addition, the law prescribed that the mother must wait until the 33rd day after his circumcision for her to be considered purified from the birth of that child. On that 40th day of his life, she was to present herself to the priest of the temple, and bring with her both a burnt offering and a sin offering. In Mary’s case, since she apparently could not afford a lamb for the burnt offering, she took the more affordable option of bringing two doves (or pigeons) for her offerings. In the stained glass, you can see both little birds in the cage near Mary’s feet. ​ Because February 2 is the 40th day after Christmas, the Church on that date celebrates the feast called “The Presentation of Our Lord Jesus Christ in the Temple.” The emphasis for this feast, though, has been placed on the second reason for the temple visit of Jesus and his parents: adherence to another law of the Hebrews (Numbers 18:15-16) that required a first-born male, when he was about a month old, to be “redeemed” at the temple for a specific price, because the first-born always belonged to God. ​ During their visit to the temple that day, the Holy Family encountered the elderly, righteous, and devout man Simeon. The Holy Spirit had promised Simeon that he would not die until he had witnessed the long-awaited Messiah. Taking Jesus into his arms, Simeon recognized that the promise had been fulfilled. Here, we see Simeon raising his finger towards heaven as he praises God with the words that have become known as “The Song of Simeon.” This song (the Nunc Dimittis) is included in the liturgy of Evening Prayer, and sung beautifully at Evensong services by the St. David’s choir. "The Baptism of Jesus" Location: Right wall 4th from front In the detail of the window, you can see John’s garb, made from camel hair, with a leather belt about his waist. Alluding to John’s life in the desert, there is a canteen attached to his belt. In the background, the waters of the Jordan can be spied, with a pool of the river in the foreground. The most fascinating detail for me is that the artist has mimicked the way light is bent when it travels through water. As a result, Jesus’ feet are shown noticeably bigger than they would be seen to be if they were resting on dry land. Growing next to the spot is a type of plant we’re used to seeing in marshy areas, the cattail. John the Baptist has his hands full: in one hand is a shell from which he is pouring water to baptize Jesus; in his other hand he holds a staff from which flutters the same banner we’ve noticed in the central rose window above the altar. If you read the 36th verse in the first chapter of the Gospel according to John (the Evangelist) about John (the Baptist), you should be able to understand the reason why the artist has used this banner to tie together the two windows. Above it all floats the dove, representing the Holy Spirit of God descending upon Jesus. ​ "You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased." "The First Miracle" Location: Right wall 5th from front Jesus’ first miracle was at a wedding in Cana, which the evangelist John gives us in the second chapter of his Gospel account. Our Lord’s blessed mother, Mary, recognizes the wine has run out, and that this calamity will spoil the wedding feast. She doesn’t tell Jesus straight out what to do; she merely infers it. She says to him, “They have no more wine.” He, as a loving son, understands her wishes immediately, but there is mild tension in his response as he protests the task she has set for him. He gently pushes back while at the same time showing proper respect: “Dear woman, why do you involve me? ... My time has not yet come.” But Mary, bless her, proceeds exactly as only a mother would. Pointedly, her next words are not directed towards Jesus, but to the servants of the household: “Do whatever he tells you.” Jesus understands, relents, and obeys his mother’s wishes. Water is changed into wine, and the wedding feast continues, a huge success. In the stained glass, the artist depicts clear water, gushing forth from the throat of the stone jar, then changing in mid-flow into the purplish color of wine? In the background, the wedding couple sits at table and a servant is bearing a tray of food above his head. Over them, almost as we would see today in one of those large, festive tents erected for lavish wedding receptions, there hangs a large chandelier with blazing candles. Jesus stands large in the foreground beside another servant, who is struggling to pour the water-wine from the huge, unwieldy 30-gallon jar. The artist has focused on the miracle of the water literally being changed into wine. But in this window that depicts the Miracle at Cana – “the first of his miraculous signs,” as John describes it (John 2:1-11) – we have a foreshadowing of the Holy Eucharist. Jesus provided wine for the wedding feast, just as he provides himself in the wine each time we kneel at the communion rail. "Healing" Location: Right wall 6th from front The healing ministry of Jesus is expressed in the stained glass window that is on the right side of the nave and closest to the gallery. Its name is simply “Healing,” although it looks like it should be called “Healing the Blind.” While the petitioner in this depiction is clearly a blind person, a close inspection of the detail of the window will reveal another person who is using crutches. The Gospels tell us of paralytics, deaf-mutes, demoniacs, persons lame or with withered limbs, people suffering from fever or dropsy, as well as those who were blind. The list of ailments continues with leprosy and bleeding, and even includes the ultimate of ailments: death itself. Jesus was begged to heal persons with a broad range of maladies, and those petitions were always answered. The faith that was shown was always rewarded, with that being a major message for us inherent in this window: “Knock and the door will be opened to you.” ​ At the peak of the window, the artist has inserted a symbol that announces its subject matter of healing: a single snake curled around a wooden staff. Some may erroneously call this symbol a “caduceus” (which has two snakes), but it is instead the more ancient and correct symbol for the healing professions: the staff of Asclepius. "The Transfiguration" Location: Left wall 6th from front The Transfiguration window is the one farthest to the rear of the nave on the left side. In it you can see how Jesus’ face is radiant, and how the artist depicts his clothes as “dazzling white, whiter than anyone in the world could bleach them.” Notice how the artist represents the cloud that overshadows them all. In the background stands Moses. Beside Moses is the prophet Elijah who himself had met God on Horeb, “the mountain of God” (1 Kings 19:9-18). Look closely for the symbolic clues the artist has inserted that identify both Moses and Elijah. In the foreground Peter, James, and John look on in amazement. Peter, in his exuberance, suggests to Jesus that three dwellings be erected, “one for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah.” At the peak of the window, you can see how the artist has inserted a trio of tents to illuminate this impulsive suggestion of Peter. It’s not hard to pick out which of the three figures represents Peter. But of the other two, can you decide how to identify the brothers James and John? Which is which? One of them is balding, while the other has a full head of hair. I suggest you look at the Crucifixion window just to the right of this one, and recall how John in his Gospel records that he was present with Jesus’ mother Mary at the foot of the cross. The artist has assured continuity by showing John with the same features and hairstyle he has in the Transfiguration window. "The Crucifixion" Location: Left wall 5th from front The synoptic Gospels are all in agreement about the condition of the daytime sky on that Good Friday when Jesus was crucified. “From the sixth hour [noon] until the ninth hour [3 p.m.] darkness came over all the land.” Contemporaneous non-Christian accounts confirm this midday darkening phenomenon. How was this darkening of the sky to be depicted in the stained glass without compromising the light-transmitting quality of this one window? The artist has indicated the darkening in two ways: physically as well as metaphysically. Rather than darken the sky, there is only a broad hint of the effect, with a sinuous large dark cloud obscuring the face of the sun. Additional darkening of the picture is achieved by the almost mahogany coloring of Jesus’ body hanging on the dark wooden cross. The evident agony and the bruising of the body darken the moment most effectively. The deep purple cloth that is draped over the arms of the cross also lends a darkening mood without impeding the window’s capacity to transmit light. The prominent nails in Jesus’ hands and feet contribute another portion of this mood of darkness. Above the scene, at the peak of the window, the nails and the crown of thorns are emblematic of the dark theme of agony and death. Three other figures surround the cruel cross: Jesus’ mother Mary, dressed in the same sarum blue that she wears in the other three windows in which she appears; the young evangelist John, his hair styled the same as it is in the Transfiguration window on the left; and a lone Roman soldier wearing a cloak that is the same dark purple color as the drape on the cross, serving as the silent background witness to this dark scene. "The Resurrection" Location: Left wall 4th from front This allegory for our Risen Lord, the first verse of Hymn 204, is echoed in the stained glass window depicting “The Resurrection.” Look at the ornamentation at the peak of the window, and you’ll see a visual version of the allegory. Set to the haunting melody of a French carol, the words were written by the poet John Macleod Campbell Crum (1872-1958), an Anglican priest who served at Canterbury Cathedral. The rebirth of all nature in the springtime as emblematic of the Resurrection of Jesus is a theme as old as Christianity. Compare this window with the one to its left that shows the crucifixion. Once again the artist’s challenge is to manage the light-transmission quality of the medium of stained glass, this time emphasizing the brightness of that first Easter morning, rather than the dark gloom of Good Friday. The brilliant rays of the sun stream forth, dazzling us so that it is hard to even discern the huge stone that has been rolled away from the entrance of the tomb. Jesus stands in front of the crypt, arrayed in white splendor, shining even brighter than the sun, completely transformed from the battered body that had been put in the tomb on Friday afternoon. His face is fresh and bright, the beard and hair clean and brushed, but close examination reveals the wounds in his hands and feet, assuring us that this is indeed the same person hanging on the cross in the neighboring window. One of the Roman soldiers is shielding his eyes, but is it the brilliance of the sun that is causing him to do so? Or is it the astonishing sight of the resurrected Jesus that has caused him to avert his gaze? It’s interesting that the other guard has no trouble staring at Jesus, even with the sun in his field of vision. Is there a message for us there in those differing reactions of the two witnesses? How ironic, that the chief priests and Pharisees had lobbied for soldiers to be put in place, to seal and guard the tomb, and yet these very guards become the first witnesses of the Resurrection. They are the ones to behold His glory as the dawn breaks, while Jesus’ followers later in the day (as shown in the “Supper at Emmaus” window to the right) take an inordinate amount of time before they even recognize their friend walking and talking with them. "Supper at Emmaus" Location: Left wall 3rd from front Two disciples of Jesus are trudging along the dusty road from Jerusalem to the outlying town of Emmaus. It’s a seven-mile trip, so they have a long time to chat. And they have a lot to talk about, because these two are very sad, very confused, disillusioned, and dejected. Their friend and teacher Jesus has died a violent death, and just today it’s been discovered that his body is missing from its tomb. Luke tells us the name of one of them: Cleopas. Some scholars speculate that it was his wife, Mary, who was among those witnesses at the crucifixion. If so, then it stands to reason that the image they hold of Jesus at this moment is the wife’s eyewitness account: a bloody, broken and bruised body, pierced by thorns and nails and a spear. This would help to explain why, when their risen Lord joins the pair in mid-journey, they are “kept from recognizing him.” When Jesus asks them what they’ve been discussing, they are convinced this stranger is not from the area around Jerusalem, or else he’d know the big news about the trial and execution of Jesus of Nazareth. Even as Jesus explains to them (again!) why these things had to happen according to the Scriptures, they still don’t recognize him. When they get to their destination in Emmaus, Jesus indicates he’s going to travel on, but they urge him to stay and have supper with them. This is the scene we see depicted in the stained glass window. It shows the moment when Jesus, assuming the role normally reserved for a host, takes the bread and gives thanks, breaks it and gives it to his two disciples. It is the moment when “their eyes were opened and they recognized him.” After that, Jesus vanishes from their sight, and the two of them recognize how their hearts burned within them while he taught them from the Scriptures along the road to Emmaus. As you study the window, see how the faces of the two disciples display that spark of recognition. Notice the sandals that have been kicked off, and the basin of water used for washing their dusty and aching feet before the meal. They had to have been tired after that seven mile trek from Jerusalem. But in their excitement, they rushed back to Jerusalem -- another dusty seven miles -- to tell the other disciples of their encounter with their risen Lord; of how he was recognized in the breaking of the bread. At the peak of the window, the shaft of wheat and the cluster of grapes remind us how Jesus appears to us in the bread and wine -- the Blessed Body and Blood of Our Lord -- when the celebrant breaks and elevates the consecrated Host, saying, “Alleluia. Christ our Passover is sacrificed for us.” And remembering the excitement of the disciples at supper on that first Day of Resurrection, we reply enthusiastically, “Therefore let us keep the feast. Alleluia.” "Ascension and Pentacost" Location: Left wall 2nd and 1st from front, respectively These two windows mark the last two events, chronologically, among the 12 significant events in the life of Jesus Christ shown in the large windows of the nave. They are the two large peaked windows farthest forward on the left side of the nave. The Church marks Ascension Day forty days after Easter (and ten days before Pentecost), because that’s precisely what the Bible tells us in Acts 1:3 about the timing of the event. As a result, this feast day always occurs on a Thursday, so it does not get the attention of many other important events in the life of Jesus that the Church celebrates on Sundays. I encourage you to read the account of the Ascension, in the first chapter of the Book of the Acts of the Apostles. Study the window’s detail, and see how many tiny things you may have previously overlooked. For instance, notice the chariot at the peak of the window, then read the passage in 2 Kings 2:1-12. Christ’s ascent into heaven was foreshadowed by the taking up into heaven of the prophet Elijah. How many of Jesus’ disciples do you see depicted in the window? What is the meaning of the two footprints shown in the window? The Pentecost window illustrates the event written about in Acts 2:1-4 -- the fulfillment of Jesus’ promise to his disciples to send the Holy Spirit to comfort them. Beginning in the Middle Ages, stained glass windows in the great cathedrals and churches of Europe served three purposes: as beautiful adornment that reflects our great love for God; to bring light (“the light of God”) into the dark corners of the church; and to serve as a Biblical textbook for the illiterate masses. While we are no longer the illiterate masses, we still benefit from these visual reminders of the wonderful stories from the Bible. Back To Part 2 - The Four Evangelists ​ Proceed to Part 4 - "The Six Mercies"

Turning Two Call/Text NOW to schedule a tour Turning Two program is for children 18 months** of age by September 1 Two Day Class This class meets two days per week on Tuesday and Thursday from 9:45 am-12:45 pm. Class size is limited to eight students with two teachers. ​ Three Day Class This class meets three days per week on Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 9:45 am-12:45 pm. Class size is limited to eight students with two teachers. Click here to see Turning Twos objectives ​ Children enjoy free play, stories, songs, finger plays, and create “make and take” art projects. Little ones have a Music and Movement class once a week and go outdoors to play on our toddler friendly playground daily as weather permits. ​ Children will be walked to the classroom at 9:45 AM (unless they arrive prior to attend the 8:30 AM Rooster Club) and picked up at 12:45 PM. ​ **Children should be able to walk and be able to stay awake during the 3 hour program. Parents provide water filled sippy cup and a supply of diapers in a labeled two handled bag. The students will be served two snacks a day. Parent-Teacher conferences will be held in January. Parents are welcome to communicate any questions and concerns at any time. St. David's Preschool follows Fulton County Schools calendar with the exception of the start and the end dates of the school year. ​ Annual Tuition for Two Day Class is $2390 and can be paid in 10 equal monthly payments of $239. Annual Tuition for Three Day Class is $2850 and can be paid in 10 equal monthly payments of $285. Due at the time of registration for new students is a registration fee of: $125 A one-time Supply fee is due the first month of preschool; $50 for the Two Day Class , and $70 for the Three Day Class . Click Here to register.

St. David's Children's Community Choir Welcome! Registration for the Spring 2024 Musical, "A Technicolor Promise" is now open! ​ ​ ​ About Us! We are a non-auditioned choir for children in 3rd through 8th grades. ​ Our purpose : to provide children in Roswell and surrounding communities with an excellent and enriching experience in choral singing. To develop each singer’s skills and artistry as a musician, vocalist, and performer. To unite and mentor children into responsible, creative, and confident leaders and team players through choral performance and music education. We are committed to inclusivity and diversity and to creating an atmosphere where each singer is valued, respected, accepted, and loved. Singing serves as an important way to communicate, to connect with others, and to express emotion. We were born singing. Children love to sing and dance and hum and makeup songs. And it’s innate and universal in all children. The music we perform is varied in style, culture, language, and time periods. There is a fall concert that includes holiday music and a spring musical. Two rehearsals will be offered each week; please attend at least ONE: Wednesday 6:00-7:15 p.m. OR Thursday 6:00-7:15 p.m. In addition, individual make-up lessons can be arranged as needed. The course fee is $60 ($90 for two or more siblings), and financial assistance is available. Click Here to Register! Register Here St. David's Community Children's Choir Spring Musical: The Tale of the Three Trees Safety Protocols Rehearsals will be held in the Choir Rehearsal Room in the main Church building. Please escort your child into each rehearsal. (There will NOT be a carpool line.) At the end of rehearsal, please come inside to check your child out. No child will be allowed to leave the property unescorted. ​ If your child feels ill or has a fever, please do NOT bring them to rehearsal. Individual make-up lessons can be arranged if desired. Individual music binders and pencils will be provided. We will not share music or pencils. Each singer is expected to bring their own water bottle. What to bring/wear: WATER BOTTLE! Please be on time for the start and end of rehearsal to allow for an efficient use of class time.