All individuals who have completed their First Holy Communion and are of good faith are welcome and encouraged to join the Altar Server Ministry. Parents with children interested in becoming an altar server should contact Amy Estes for information and to schedule training. We provide training on an annual basis. Please see the Altar Server Training Manual link below for information on training and altar server scheduling.
Altar Server Council
- Coordinator – Amy Estes
- Communications / Scheduling / Mass Coaches – Kathleen Lee
- Training – Brenden O’Neil
- Vestments – Melissa Lassiter and Kelly Gribbon
- Social / Service – Emily Tamul
- Recruitment – Adam Wock
- Member-at-Large – Kori Tidwell
Documents
The goals of the All Saints Altar Server program are as follows:
- To provide altar servers at all weekend masses and to standardize the number of servers at each mass
- To provide adequate training so that servers are successful in their role, and
- To develop future Catholic leaders.
Altar Server Council: The Altar Server Council is composed of server parents who volunteer to coordinate various aspects of the ministry as listed above. These individuals MUST complete the VIRTUS safe environment training and submit to a background check (good for 5 years) as mandated by the Archdiocese of Atlanta.
New server application form: An individual who is interested in becoming an altar server is required to complete an application to join the ministry.
Service levels: Altar servers advance through five service levels: Apprentice (Shadow), Novice, Skilled, Master, and Guardian. Service level is based on age, grade, and demonstrated competency.
Orientation, training, and assessment process: The Altar Server Training Manual is available in the Documents section above. New servers are required to complete this manual as well as a parent guided self-study module, and hands on training session prior to serving.
Annual promotion opportunities and Commissioning Mass: Depending on their age and grade level, servers may be considered for promotion each year. If eligible, promotion candidates must complete additional training and self-study modules (above) pertaining to the rank they are trying to achieve. They will also be observed serving a mass to determine their competency for the next level. Promotions will be granted during a Commissioning Mass – held annually in November or as needed.
Server recognition activities: Servers will be recognized in a number of ways throughout the year, (e.g. Photos will be placed in the narthex; names will be announced at the beginning of mass; various social activities).
Scheduling process using Sign-up Genius: Servers sign up to serve through a SignUp Genius, with the goal being coverage at each weekend mass. A maximum of 6 servers will be permitted to serve at any given mass.
Vestry: Apprentice servers will only wear black cassock (no white surplice) until they are promoted to Novice. Novice Servers will wear a black sash, Skilled Servers wear a red sash, Master Servers will wear a red sash with gold trim, and Guardian Servers will wear a gold sash.
Mass coaches: These are adults (typically server parents) who observe at mass to support and offer feedback to the servers as they perform their duties. Mass Coaches MUST complete the VIRTUS safe environment training and submit to a background check (good for 5 years) as mandated by the Archdiocese of Atlanta.
If you have any questions regarding the program, please contact Amy Estes.
Congratulations to Our Graduating Altar Servers!
Seda Barranco
Seda is a lifelong parishioner of the All Saints community, where she was baptized, received her First Communion and Confirmation. Her faith has remained an important part of her life, reflected in her dedication as an altar server since the third grade. She will miss being a regular altar server, but hopes to get involved in other parish ministries. Seda is excited to be graduating from St. Pius X Catholic High School. Seda is actively involved in both athletics and her school community through a variety of extracurriculars. She participates in varsity and club swimming as well as track and field. She is also a member of the National Beta Club and is very active in the women’s Bible study group. Seda is a founding member of her Scouting America troop at Holy Cross Catholic Church and earned the rank of Eagle Scout in January.
This fall, Seda will begin the next chapter at Georgia College & State University, where she plans to pursue a degree in business. She is excited to take this next step and see where it leads.
Ad Majorem Dei Gloriam
St. Lucy, pray for Seda!
Joshua Estes
Joshua Estes has been an active altar server ever since receiving his First Communion at All Saints, and while he anticipates missing being a regular server, he hopes to develop a Master of Ceremonies (MC) program at All Saints. Joshua is excited to be graduating from Dunwoody High School where everyone knows him as Cowboy. He has been involved in many extracurriculars, notably as an active member of Youth City Council, Color Guard Commander in JROTC, and president of the hiking club. He has earned his 2nd degree black belt in karate, and at All Saints in addition to being an active altar server, he joined the Knights of Columbus in January as the council’s youngest Knight and has been a Life Teen Teen Leader for 2 years. Joshua also has been a member of the men’s group Fraternus at Mary Our Queen where he has grown deeper in love of the Lord and fostered many friendships.
He has enlisted in the Georgia Army National Guard and requests prayers for his time in basic training starting in November, after which he plans to attend Middle Georgia State University (fall 2027) to pursue his goal of being a commercial airline pilot with Delta.
He reminds you Tempus fugit, Memento Mori
St. Demetrius, pray for Joshua!
Altar Servers In Action
Our servers take their duties seriously and add dignity and reverence to worship at All Saints. They also provide other service to the parish and beyond, and they know how to have fun, too! Consider joining the Altar Server Ministry for this full range of experiences and Catholic leadership development.
Annual Chick-fil-A Takeover
The third annual CFA Takeover happened on December 18, 2025. Fr. Michael instituted this event to show his appreciation to our altar servers. After leading them through evening prayer of the Liturgy of the Hours in church, he walks a small army over to Chick-fil-A and buys them dinner.
The Last Hurrah of Summer
Mass coverage can be a challenge in the busy summer months when families travel and engage in many activities. We challenged our altar servers to achieve high percentages of coverage even in the summer, and they rose to the occasion. Their efforts earned them a special event the day before the 25-26 DeKalb County school year started, featuring water balloon games and a water fight with Fr. Michael and the chance to pie our two senior Guardian level altar servers. (Seda Barranco and Joshua Estes have trained many of our young servers, so this was payback time for any bossiness they’ve exhibited!).
Sandwich Making Project
All Saints Altar Server families gather periodically to make sandwiches to benefit The Sandwich Project, a local non-profit whose volunteers assemble and donate fresh sandwiches each week to help meet the food scarcity needs in Metro Atlanta. The Altar Server Ministry loves to give our kids the opportunity to serve their community in addition to the parish. Come join us!
Picnic Table Project
The Altar Server Ministry here at All Saints is always on the lookout for an opportunity to keep the kids engaged in service to their parish and their community. Especially now that they have not been able to perform their altar service during the pandemic. The servers recently participated in the Picnic Table Project through the City of Dunwoody Economic Development Department. The program engages volunteer groups throughout the city to paint designs on picnic tables that have been placed outside various restaurants to aid in social distancing efforts.
Servers of all ages submitted designs and then cast their vote. The winning design was submitted by Andrew Lyons. Several servers came on consecutive Sundays to complete the Sun/Moon/Stars themed table located at Crema. Stop by and enjoy our table if you can!
