February 14, 2025
Dear Peachtree Road Family,
I hope you are well. I want to begin this week’s note with a word of gratitude for your generous gift to Celebrate UMC in Pacific Palisades, California. That church was consumed by flames from the Palisades Wildfire last month, and we received a special offering the next two Sundays. Earlier this week, we mailed a check for over $22,000 to help Celebrate UMC rebuild its ministry. Imagine. They don’t have an altar table, baptismal font, pews, Bibles, hymnals, or even a building in which to worship. I have been in touch with their pastor, Rev. John Shaver, and let him know that we are praying for him and that community of faith, and hope these funds will be helpful as the church rebuilds. Thank you for your generosity and compassion for others. It makes a difference!
Last Sunday was Youth Sunday here at Peachtree Road UMC, and our students led us well in worship – their enthusiasm was contagious, and 9 of our seniors offered inspirational testimonies of how their faith has grown through their participation in this ministry. It was interesting to note how many of the speakers mentioned the words connection, family, and sense of belonging when describing their experience in the youth group. That didn’t happen by accident, and I am grateful to our director of youth ministries, Chris Mucha, and his assistants, Rachel Hockman, Ryan Holder, and Aleah McClendon, for their leadership. I also am grateful for the role Scott Alexander (leader of Kingdom Journey, our spiritual formation program for 9th and 10th graders), Kathy Fletcher (director of the Doxology Youth Choir), and Leighton Dickson (youth ministry intern) play in the lives of our youth. These persons, along with the many volunteers who have given of their time, are making a difference in the lives of our students. If you would like to contribute to the special offering for our youth ministry, it’s not too late. Click here to make an online donation. Thank you for your support.
This Sunday, we are delighted to welcome Bishop Will Willimon to Peachtree Road UMC. He will be preaching at all morning services. In 1996, Baylor University published a list of the “12 most effective preachers in the English-speaking world,” and Will Willimon was the lone Methodist to make the list. I have known Bishop Willimon for many years, count him as one of my mentors, and look forward to welcoming him to our pulpit on Sunday. He is coming to help us celebrate our centennial and will offer a prophetic word for us with a message entitled “Waiting for the Vision’s Time.” In preparation for the message, I encourage you to read Habakkuk 2:1-4
It also will be a special day as we welcome our ensemble-in-residence, the Georgia Boy Choir, for worship. They will be singing prior to each service in the sanctuary and then join the Chancel Choir for the anthem, which will be Simon Johnson’s arrangement of Psalm 100 entitled “Jubilate Deo.” The anthem and our hymns (“O God, Our Help in Ages Past” and “Marching to Zion”) will be accompanied by the Atlanta Brassworks, so the music on Sunday promises to not disappoint! I hope to see you in person on Sunday. If you will be out of town, please join us by livestream at www.prumc.org.
Two weeks ago, we concluded our worship series on mental wellness. While the sermons have concluded, our emphasis upon mental wellness continues through our One Lamb Initiative:
- From Worried to Well: Managing Anxiety in an Anxious World – Sunday, February 16 at 10:00 am in Heritage Hall. Dr. Ben Hunter, chief Medical Officer at Skyland Trail, will offer a presentation on anxiety in which he will discuss how avoidance behaviors can drive anxiety and how challenging these behaviors is key to fostering personal growth.
- Raising Resilience: Parenting Anxious Kids to Bravery Workshop – Thursday, February 20, 6:30 pm in The Loft (3rd floor of the Rollins Building). Navigating the push-pull of supporting anxious kids is challenging. How do you know when to encourage your child to face his or her fears and when to help them rest and recuperate? That is the question this workshop will address. Marti Munford, clinical mental health therapist, will share with humor and compassion ways you can help your child flourish. Parents may RSVP here.
- Making Connections: A Conversation about Aging and Social Wellbeing – Sunday, March 2, 12:15 pm, Heritage Hall. You are invited to an open and honest conversation with Rev. Ron Greer, Carolyn Curry, and Gayle Cummings about the impact of life’s changes and challenges as we age. The focus of this conversation will be upon discovering ways to promote resilience and adaptation to the challenges of aging. Lunch will be provided for all registered attendees. RSVP here.
You can help keep our wellness programs, events, and resources relevant by completing this brief survey created by the One Lamb Initiative.
Finally, please mark Sunday, March 2, on your calendar and plan to be in worship as we welcome Dr. Brent Strawn to Peachtree Road UMC. Brent is one of my favorite Old Testament professors, and I first got to know him when he was at Candler School of Theology at Emory University. Now he teaches at Duke Divinity School and will be joining us on Sunday morning after speaking at the first annual Peachtree Road Men’s Ministry Retreat at Camp Glisson in Dahlonega on Friday and Saturday. Brent has a passion for scripture that is contagious, and I am pleased that he will be preaching at all our morning worship services. Please make your plans to join us.
Thank you for the faith in God, hope for the future, and love for one another that you exhibit in so many ways. I look forward to seeing you Sunday as we welcome Bishop Willimon to Peachtree Road UMC.
Grace and peace,
Bill