June 16, 2023

Dear Peachtree Road Family,

I hope you are well. As we approach Father’s Day, like many of you, I have been thinking about my dad this week. He died over 17 years ago, and I miss him every day. I miss his witty sayings (“Bill, that is they business!” when he advised me not to judge another person) and his calm encouragement. Though he didn’t live to see his grandchildren marry and have children of their own, I sense that he is present with me every day. We call that the “communion of the saints.” I also have been thinking about other “good men” (former pastors, coaches, and teachers) who have been influential in my life. On Sunday, we take time to remember the “good men” in our lives and give thanks to God for their faith and the example they set for us. We are blessed to have Jamie Jenkins preaching for us this Sunday at all three services, and I look forward to hearing his message entitled “What Is God Like?” I hope you will worship with your friends at Peachtree Road UMC this Sunday (either in person at 8:45 am, 10:00 am, or 11:15 am or online at www.prumc.org). We also will recognize the oldest father present and the newest father present at each service. Happy Father’s Day to you and your family.

Please mark your calendar for our annual Celebration of Freedom on Sunday, June 25. We will sing patriotic hymns, honor our veterans, pray for our nation and world, and give thanks for God’s many blessings. And, yes, Timothy Miller will be with us to lead us in singing “God Bless America” at the close of the service. To cap off the day of celebration, we will join together for a fellowship luncheon featuring fried chicken and all the fixings in Grace Hall. This is a Sunday you will not want to miss!

Have you ever considered being a part of the choir for Celebration of Freedom Sunday? Then consider this note as your invitation to don a robe and join the Chancel Choir on Sunday, June 25 to sing some of our favorite patriotic hymns from the choir loft. It is a great opportunity to raise your voice in praise to God and be a part of the joy of this day. There will be only one rehearsal (Wednesday, June 21 – come early for refreshments at 6:30 pm with the rehearsal from 7:00 – 9:00 pm. If you have questions or would like to sing in the chorus, contact Ruth Sommerville at 404.240.8212 or ruths@prumc.org. Come join our family of singers and lovers of music!

Are you interested in becoming a member of Peachtree Road UMC? A special joining Sunday is set for June 25, and we would love to help you grow deeper in your relationship with Christ and find avenues of service to others through this great community of faith. If you would like to learn more about the steps in becoming a member, please contact our director of evangelism and hospitality Brittany Charron at brittanyc@prumc.org.

Finally, you are invited to participate in the Anniston Civil Rights Trail experience on August 26. This is a joint venture being sponsored by Cascade UMC and Peachtree Road UMC. Members of our two churches will travel together on Saturday, August 26, to Anniston, Alabama to commemorate the events of the American Civil Rights Movement and receive an introduction to the cultural changes that have transformed Anniston into the city it is today. Participants will leave Atlanta at 10:00 am, travel together via charter bus, eat lunch together, learn together, and return by 5:00 pm. The cost is $20 per-person, and you may register here. We already have one bus nearly filled and are looking at adding a second bus. Join in the experience.

I look forward to worshiping with you Sunday and celebrating the blessing of being a part of the family of God through Peachtree Road UMC. Thank you for all you do to make this a vital and vibrant church.

Grace and peace,

Bill