November 10, 2023

Dear Peachtree Road Family,

I hope you are well. Last Sunday was a good day at Peachtree Road UMC as we celebrated All Saints Sunday. We called the names of 29 members of our church who have preceded us into death, lighted candles in their memory, and gathered at the Lord’s Table to receive the Sacrament of Holy Communion. Hearing the Great Organ as we sang “For All the Saints” and Tom Walker playing “Amazing Grace” on the bagpipes was just what I needed last week. It was a very good day!

This Sunday promises to be another good day as we continue our series of messages entitled “We Are Grateful…” This week we consider our gratitude for the church. Years ago, when I was a teenager, Rev. Cecil Myers was the senior minister here at Peachtree Road UMC. He came to preach at my home church in Thomaston and read a letter from a young man named Walter. The young man had just become a Christian and suggested that he felt no need to join a church. After all, he concluded, most churches are filled with hypocrites. In the sermon Rev. Myers preached in my home church, he offered a response to Walter. Honestly, I don’t remember what he said, but I have thought a lot through the years about what I would like to have said to Walter. This Sunday, I want us to share my answer with you. I hope you will join us in person at 8:45 am, 10:00 am, or 11:15 am. If you are out of town, please worship with us online through the church website: www.prumc.org. 

​Our Administrative Board met on Monday evening and adopted a preliminary budget of $7.8 million for 2024, which is an increase of less than 2.5% over the current year. I want to thank those who have returned a commitment card toward next year’s operating budget. Your commitment really matters, both in supporting our ongoing ministries and helping to establish a bright future for generations to come. Several years ago, a man brought his pledge card to me and said, “My giving to Peachtree Road UMC represents the best return on my investment of anything I do with my money. Not only does my giving help me grow in my relationship with the Lord but it also brings me great joy in seeing the impact the church has on the lives of others – in this church, in the community, and around the world.” I pass this testimony along as an encouragement to everyone to join us in making a difference through giving.

We already have heard from hundreds of our families. If you have not yet turned in your commitment, we would love to hear from you this week. If you are in a Sunday School class, your commitment will be counted for the tabulation of the Parson’s Cup. This award goes to the Sunday School Class with the highest percentage of commitments to next year’s church budget. The competition will run through the end of November and will be awarded in early December. For your convenience, you may pledge through the church app or online here. 

Opportunities for Fellowship and Outreach:

  • Exploring Membership in Peachtree Road UMC – Sunday, November 12, at 12:30 pm in the Hospitality Suite for “Tea with the Clergy.” At this luncheon meeting, you will have the opportunity to meet with several members of our clergy staff, hear about the ministry of this great church, ask questions, and even have an opportunity to join at the end of the session. Please contact our director of evangelism and hospitality Brittany Charron (brittanyc@prumc.org) for more information or to sign up. 
  • Cascade Thanksgiving Giveaway – once again we are teaming up with Cascade UMC on their annual Thanksgiving project to provide food for over 1400 low-income families. Cascade has been feeding those in need for over 20 years, and through our partnership with this great church we have an opportunity work side-by-side together. If you are interested in being a part of this wonderful holiday project set for November 20 between 8:00 am and 12:00 pm, please contact Beth Spencer (beths@prumc.org).
  • Christmas Kindness – registration is open for Christmas Kindness. Volunteer for this beloved tradition providing Christmas gifts to the community in a dignified and festive manner. Our clients are surrounded by the care of loving volunteers, who help them select and wrap their gifts. We especially need volunteers December 3, 4, and 5. Sign up soon as spots are quickly filling up.

Finally, I want to invite you to join me next year on a Wesley Heritage tour of Englandas we explore the roots of Methodism. Earlier this week I looked over my notes from the last time we took a group on this tour, and here were some highlights: traveled to Epworth where the Wesleys were baptized and grew up; walked the grounds of Christ Church College at Oxford University where John and Charles Wesley were educated and ordained and where the “Holy Club” which led to the birth of Methodism was founded; visited “The New Room” in Bristol where John Wesley preached about the unconditional grace of God to thousands and taught class leaders how to lead their small groups; and prayed quietly at the home of John Wesley while remembering his words before taking his last breath: “The best of all is God is with us.” In addition to these highlights for a Methodist preacher, we visited the birthplace of William Shakespeare in Stratford-on-Avon, spent a relaxing afternoon in Jane Austin’s village of Bath, and had tea at Buckingham Palace. Does this sound like something you would like to do? Then sign up to join us next October 22-31, 2024, and learn more about your spiritual roots as a Methodist. To download a brochure, please click on this link or contact Jamie Jenkins (jamiej@prumc.org.)

I look forward to seeing you Sunday as we continue to gather in a spirit of thanksgiving here at Peachtree Road UMC!

Grace and peace,

Bill